Christian Courage

We are Christians by works and by name
Though some antagonize us just the same
Shall we defend ourselves when we stand accused?
No, we'll remember what Jesus did when He was abused

For, as He was despised and rejected
His message on this matter was perfected
And He used not a formula nor a set script
Against those who would to make Him trip

Sometimes silence is the best response
But, this is not out of fear or nonchalance
Nor is it to be seen as a found weakness
But, an act of kindness and of meekness

At a moment that we would like to put up our dukes
We can withhold hostility and use (at the most)- rebukes
In such cases that warrants protecting what is sacred 
But, whatever we do, we will not give in to hatred!

For irregardless we shall not retaliate
As we've Christian courage and we do not hate
Our Lord loved and suffered for one and for all
And as His disciple this too is our call...

There is one sure way to respond to our persecutors
It is to love them as He would- for there in is His power
And, though it may only subdue these false accusers
Other's interest in the church grows from concern of that hour

As their heart are touched, they become investigators
Who search deeply for the greatest gift which does save
And as they see that we do not act or think we are better
They sense the privilege of honoring Christ and the life that he gave

We are Christians by works and by name
Though some antagonize us just the same
Shall we defend ourselves when accused?
No, we'll remember what Jesus did when abused

For, as He was despised and rejected
His message on this matter was perfected
And He used not a formula nor a script
Against those who would to make Him trip

Sometimes silence is the best response
But, this is not out of nonchalance
Nor is it to be seen as a weakness
But, an act of kindness and of meekness

At a moment we would to put up our dukes
We can withold hostility and use (at the most)- rebukes
In such cases that warrants protecting what’s sacred
But, whatever we do we will not give in to hatred

For irregardless we shall not retaliate
As we've Christian courage and we do not hate
Our Lord loved and suffered for one and for all
And as His disciple this too is our call...

There's one sure way to respond to persecutors
It's to love them as He would- for there in is power
And, though it may only subdue these false accusers
Other's interest in the church grows from concern of that hour

As their heart are touched, they become investigators
Who search deeply for the greatest gift which does save
And as they see that we do not act or think we are better
They sense the privilege of honoring Christ and the life that he gave

Elder Robert D. Hales
Christian Courage
The Price of Discipleship
Ensign, November 2008, 72