As we go through this political season in the United States
we will here both parties talk about values, morals, and the greatness
of the American spirit. Many a political speech from both sides of the
political fence will be filled with comparisons to and recounting of
past events, past leaders, past citizens, past actions, and past greatness.
A consistent theme today seems to be the greatest of the World War II
generation, and honestly few can argue with their accomplishments. That
one generation went through a depression, a world war, the rebuilding
of the world, another war (Korea), and then sent their children off to
a war in Vietnam and their grandchildren off to a myriad of minor incidents
and the current Gulf War. The World War II generation also made many
mistakes when it came to the acceptance of declining morals, reduced
discipline parenting, and the expansion of government into the lives
of citizens at the cost of reduced individual liberties. Regardless of
the results, their motives to act were not based in a attempt to receive
praise. Their central motivation was the belief that the lifestyle and
government that exist in America should both be protected at all cost
and extended to oppressed nations around the globe.
Obviously the greatness and commitment of the World War II generation
is hard to argue with, yet it should never be assumed that the greatness
of a nation is in it’s past. The potential of the future should
always be better then the history of the past. In addition, the greatness
of one generation should never overshadow the accomplishments of select
groups of individuals that came before them. Greatness need not be a
generation sized movement, greatness can and has been accomplished by
individuals and small groups throughout history. This post is about two
of those select groups of individuals/small groups that pre date the
World War II generation that accomplished great things without their
entire generation being behind them.
One of those groups is the founding fathers of the United States. For a great part of the Revolutionary Ware there was not even a majority of support for fighting against the British amongst the citizens of America. Yet, this group of men invested all their efforts, and some even their lives, into freeing America from British rule. It was not about their popularity, or about how history would or would not remember them, or even about the support of others. They felt that it was the destiny of the America citizen to rule themselves. This belief was rooted in the central view that the individual should be free to pursue their own dreams, and plans without the interference of government or a ruler. Now the founding father did make many mistakes, the amendments to the Constitution alone show us that, and the government that sprang from their work is far from perfect, yet it is the oldest government currently in existence on the Earth. Every other nation has been through both numerous governments, and some even various forms of government, while America has worked out the problems that existed within it’s government. Today, many nations base both their fight for freedom, and their documents of liberty, on the work done by these few men. Though their generation was not great, nor even prone to support their work until it was bound to succeed, the work of this select group called the American founding fathers has continued to effect the direction of every nation and person on Earth since it was first begun.
Another example of a few select people changing the world without the support of their peers or generation is the First Century church. Though many came to God in the first century the actual impact to the world wide community was not noticed until years later. A small group in Jerusalem began to spread the Good News, and in their life time they reached the majority of the known world at the time. That alone is amazing. Yet, they did not just reach the world, they converted many that they meet to this new faith. However, with all of their success they never garnered the support of the majority of the world they meet, and the true impact of their work was not felt until after their deaths. The apostles, and the other believers in Jerusalem, knew that they were not a majority even within their own community, yet they launched out all over the world to take the good news. It was not about how many came to them, though every saved soul is important, it was about following the call that Christ put on their lives to take the gospel to the ends of the earth and tell everyone about Christ and what He had done for them personally. They were not going out to receive praise or acclaim, they went out because it was what God commanded them to do, and it was the call that He placed on their lives at the time of conversion.
The real point of this post is not to decrease the greatness of any generation, or any person from the past, it is to say that following the path set for you is the right thing to do, even if it is not the popular thing to do. The power of the World War II generation was in their unity and dedication to protect America and the world from the imposition of evil. Remember history is written by the victor and if the Allies had lost to the Axis then we would not remember the World War II generation as being great successes. In the same vein if the American revolution had failed, or if Christianity had petered out one hundred years after Christ’s resurrection, they would not be viewed as successes either. The real difference though between the WWII generation, the founding fathers, and the first century church is that the first century church was not operating solely on human ideas, they were working with the protection and the direction of the Trinity, and had personal first hand knowledge of both the life and actions of Christ. The real key to greatness is accomplishing the goals that are set in your heart. Those goals should be things that are capable of not just helping you, but in helping the world around you. We are not all called to change the world, but we are all called to influence the world to be better. One life, one day, one action at a time we should yearn to be great, and never concern ourselves with how the rest of society views us.
As we move through this political season remember a few things. First, Jesus would not have been a Republican or a Democrat. Jesus would not have been a political figure at all, He was here to save the world, not to be the leader the world. So, when a politician claims ownership of Jesus’s views do not question Jesus, question the politician. Secondly, God does care about how His children act when we are on the earth. Christians are the hand’s and feet of God on earth, so we all do have dual citizenship in both heaven and on earth. Jesus did not prohibit His people from being politically active, He himself was just not involved in politics. So realize that your vote, and actions, do count both on earth as an example of what Christ would do, and also reflect your commitment to following God’s leadership in heaven. Third and the real key to this post, do not ever believe that you and your views are to minor to matter. History is full of examples of the world changing because of the actions of just one man or woman, or the combination of the efforts of small group of committed followers. The important thing is to remain dedicated to the vision and path that is set out before you. If you are a Christian, remember that God is your ultimate guide. His direction and ways are the things that you should care the most about, not the view of the people around you. God promises us in Matthew 18:19-20 that when two or more gather in His name He will be there, in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12, 2 Timothy 1:11-12, and 1 Peter 3:13-14 He promises that His people will not be destroyed because of who they serve, and in Revelation 22:12-17 He promises His people that He and they will be victorious and that they will be rewarded in heaven. If you doubt the power of God read the book of Revelation, in the end all the world comes against Him and the world is defeated before the battle is even begun. The victory of God is won before the battle is begun, because the power of man, the intellect / wisdom of man, and the weapons of man are all inferior to the mere presence of God. Beginning today follow the path to individual greatness that God has laid out for your life. He has a plan, and He will make it succeed because it is His will. Greatness is the everyday work of the King of kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the Universe, and the God of all, the only question is if you are willing to follow His personal guide to greatness for you.
Matthew 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
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2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you
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2 Timothy 1:11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
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1 Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
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Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Revelation 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
