I DO not think we are alive to the way we influence others. Look at the influence Moses had in his day, and Daniel in his. He “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine that he drank” (Dan. 1:88But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8)). He was firm and decided, and his courage helped Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego to the same. Later in his life he is told he must bow down and offer a prayer to the king. That were idolatry, said Daniel, I could not do that, but went down on his knees, and, with windows wide open, “prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime.” That led him to the den of lions, but he came out scatheless. He, like Moses, had the courage of his convictions.
Take another man, Nicodemus. He was convinced that he ought to be on the Lord’s side. First, he “came to Jesus by night.” He then learned that he must be born again, and that “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)). He went away. A few months rolled by, and there was then a plot to take the Lord Jesus. He was on the council, and there timidly he put a word in edgeways for Jesus. He had not then the courage of his convictions, though he said, “both our law judge any man before it hear him and know what he doeth?” (John 7:51, 5251Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? 52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. (John 7:51‑52)). “Art thou also of Galilee?” sent him into his shell. He was like many others today—they know what they ought to do, but they are affected by the opinions of others. “What will he say? what will she say?” often hinders bold confession of Christ. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, but, thank God, he came to Jesus. Have you?
The time came when the blessed Son of God was hanging on Calvary’s tree. Then it was that Nicodemus went to Calvary with a hundred pounds’ weight of myrrh and aloes on his back. He had heard news that moved him mightily, he had heard that Jesus was dead, and then brought spices for His burying. Everybody was against Him―Pilate, the people, and the priests. He said, by his actions, I am for Him. When everybody is against Him is the time to come out and stand for Christ. Nicodemus was a loyal soul; he had the courage of his convictions. You have stood on the threshold of uncertainty and indecision for months and years. Look at Nicodemus. That man took his stand at the cross, and it went through Jerusalem like wildfire, “Nicodemus is on His side!” Do not be ashamed to be on His side. What I am ashamed of is that I have been so little devoted to Him.
The murder of a servant of Christ―Stephen, the first Christian martyr―was taking place, and the murderers “laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul” (Acts 7:58-6058And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:58‑60)). Just ere he died Stephen said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Now “Saul was consenting unto his death.” (Acts 8:11And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)), but evidently his heart got pricked then, and as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the saints, a light from heaven shone upon him. He was smitten down, and had a most remarkable conversion. The Holy Ghost tells that story three times over. Referring to it Paul says, “Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:1919Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: (Acts 26:19)). Light from glory flooded his soul, and when he was smitten to the ground he heard a voice saying, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” He was converted, got his commission as a preacher, “and straightway he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:2020And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9:20)). He too had the courage of his convictions. He began at once to tell the tale of what Christ had done for him. I do not understand people being converted and telling no one else. I know that blessed Christ myself, and I want you to know Him and confess Him. Friend, repent and turn to God if you have never done so yet, and then tell others what great things the Lord hath done for you.
I think that Moses, Daniel, Nicodenms, and Saul of Tarsus are four striking illustrations in Scripture of the blessedness of having the courage of your convictions. But God also tells us of a man who had his convictions, but had not the courage of them. After the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter, when charging Israel with their sin of refusing their Messiah, says, “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go” (Acts 3:1313The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (Acts 3:13)). God there unveils the purpose of Pilate. Why then did he not let Him go? He joined in the murder of God’s Son because he was a chicken-hearted, pusillanimous creature, who had not the courage of his convictions.
His wife was the voice of God to his soul when she warned him, “Have thou nothing to do with that just Man” (Matt. 27:1919When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. (Matthew 27:19)). What happened? Pilate is a beacon to all waverers regarding Christ. He knew He was the Son of God, the Saviour, the Messiah. Did he not speak with Him, and ask, “Art thou a king?” He did, and got for answer, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:3737Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37)). Pilate carelessly inquired, “What is truth?” then turned his back on the Truth, and though fain thrice over to confess, “I find no fault in him,” condemned Him to death. Why did he not come boldly out on His side? For worldly reasons. What were the reasons? He had made up his mind to deliver Jesus, for he said, “I have found no cause of death in him; I will therefore chastise him, and let him go” (Luke 23:2222And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. (Luke 23:22)); but just at that moment, a voice came from the multitude, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend” (John 19:1212And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. (John 19:12)). Thought Pilate, Caesar is my master.
Caesar’s friends must side with Caesar, and Jesus’ friends must side with Jesus. Who sided with Jesus? Nobody; certainly not Pilate. On reflection he said to himself, “I know He is innocent, but if I let Him go someone will say to Cæsar I have let off his rival—for He says He is the King of the Jews. I should not like to lose his majesty’s favor.” Poor Pilate! He sold his soul for the world’s favor. Exactly as much as you are in the world and of it, you are under its thumb, and afraid of it. You may talk about your liberties, but it is all a mistake. Exactly as much as I am supported and sustained by the world, I am under its thumb, and when any one rings out, “Thou art not Caesar’s friend,” I am in danger of giving in.
My dear reader, I charge you by the joys of heaven and the horrors of hell to make up your mind for the Saviour at once, and if you have convictions, have the courage of them. It is about time they were brought to a focus. Fling in your lot with Jesus―surrender to Him. He is worth serving. He is such a Master. It is a wonderful thing to be a Christian; you have a title to glory without a flaw, and a prospect without a cloud. You have the blessed Lord as your Master, and God’s people as your companions; the Comforter―the Holy Ghost―dwelling within, and the Scriptures as your guide. Will you not have the courage of your convictions? Do not spend eternity with Pilate. That man had a wonderful opportunity of siding with Christ, and missed it. You today have your opportunity of believing in Him and confessing Him as your Lord and Master. Do so.
W. T. P. W.