We seldom hear of brave men anymore. They seem few and far between. Too many are controlled by fear when it comes to taking a stand for the Lord. Many have been conditioned by an androgynous culture that blurs the line between male and female. For years now, the woke movement has sought to emasculate men and convince them that masculinity is toxic.

Well, I think it’s time to be brave. What does that look like? When I think of bravery I often think of George Washington on his white charger leading the counterattack at the battle of Princeton in 1777. Disregarding his own safety, he was a mere thirty yards from the British line as he led his men to victory. Henry V, at the battle of Agincourt in 1415, was outnumbered three to one. His courage inspired his men to fight on to a great victory in spite of being sick, undersupplied and starving.

Who comes to your mind when you think of bravery? Bravery in people we admire can inspire bravery in us. Has there ever been someone in your life whose very presence inspired you to be brave and act had they not been with you? One person that challenges me to be brave for the Lord is the apostle Paul.

The book of Acts records Paul’s courage for Christ in numerous settings. He demonstrated incredible bravery amid the most dire of circumstances (see 2 Corinthians 11:16-33). What was it that gave him such confidence in the face of great adversity? Going through his story, I see three things that led the great apostle to bravery for the gospel.

First, Paul lived his life with a clear conscience before God (see Acts 23:1) Paul diligently maintained a “conscience void of offense toward God and men.” (Acts 24:16) When your conscience is free from accusation and guilt you can act in confidence, knowing whatever difficulty you face is an opportunity for the gospel. You won’t feel convicted for some failure or sin. Rather through continual repentance and confession of sin, the Spirit gives you courage to take a stand, to speak up and to obey no matter the cost.

Second, Paul knew that hardship is part and parcel of the Christian’s experience in this world. Jesus said if they hated him they would hate us (see John 15:18). Too many men today have been led to believe that life is supposed to be easy, that the world revolves around them, and that their personal happiness is paramount. Their selfishness robs the church of servant-leadership, results in a lack of self-control, an inability to deal with difficulties, and a failure to live for a cause greater than themselves.

Third, Paul believed in the sovereignty of God. He would write to the church in Philippi that his hardships had turned out to further the gospel. It’s been said that those who see God’s hand in everything can best leave everything in God's hand. He is the God who works “all things together for our good.” (Romans 8:28) If we truly believe that this sovereign King is all-powerful, that He is good, and that he loves us, we can face any adversity with confidence.

Do you consider yourself brave for Christ’s sake? Is your conscience clear? Is something weighing on your conscience that saps your spiritual strength? Do you see your heavenly Father’s fingerprints in the trials of your life? The great need in the church today is men who are brave for the Lord.