The men in the room gasped for air. It was a hot afternoon, and the furious debate had been even more fiery. And now this? Liberty or death? This man was insane! Already men had dressed as natives and thrown tea over ships. A massacre had happened. What was this world coming to?
Then, something seeming to echo common sense. In fact, it was Common Sense.
"An army of principles can penetrate where an army of men cannot."
It was fresh air! It was relief. And yet, to use the words of Miss Clavel, something wasn't right. Trouble was brewing.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal: that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights..."
Rights. Rights!?! Were these people mad? You couldn't send that to the king of England and hope for applause. Maybe, just maybe, that was exactly the point.
"One if by land, two if by sea..."
And then he made his famous ride.
"The British are coming! The British are coming! To arms! To arms!"
And it hit a climax. BAM. The shot was heard round the world.
Years later, these people so filled with insanity found themselves so filled with gratitude to the same Creator who endowed them with those inalienable rights.
"We the People of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our prosperity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."
Words are beautiful. They build up kingdoms, they tear down empires. They can unite -- and they can divide. Aside from God and his Gospel themselves, words are the most powerful beings ever available to mankind.
I asked you last week to vote on your top choice of topic, and it was an exact three-way tie. You have no idea how much this thrilled me! So, I want to talk to you about all three things you voted on: history, politics, and the Christian life.
But back to words. As I've said, they have a lot of power. This shows up all over history. Brainstorm with me, if you will. Think about the the biggest events in the last millennium. The Norman Conquest. How did it happen? Well, Harold swore allegiance to William. Then, William took over Britain. Why did it work? Because Harold swore allegiance. Of course, that wasn't the only factor. But it had a whole lot to do with it. What was the impact of it? Britain went under Norman rule, and the face of those isles was changed for good.
Okay, let's look at, say, the signing of the Magna Carta. How did it happen? First, King John was a jerk. Then, his counselors made him sign a document (made of words) that he would behave himself. Why did it work? Because King John agreed to a set of letters made into words. What was the impact of it? Law was forever changed.
Maybe those are too far away in your mind. Let's keep going. Galileo's view of the universe took precedence over the old world view. How did it happen? Galileo made discoveries, and wrote a book about them. The authorities got mad, dealt with him, and the public eventually got frustrated, and accepted the book. Why did it work? Galileo put his discoveries into some pretty powerful words, to say the least. What was the impact? The world was launched forward toward a universe of astronomy (pun intended).
Oh, I could go on for hours about it. Maybe it's just because I love words. Or maybe it's because something really is up. Leaders unite people -- with their words. Leaders take on the enemy -- with their words. Leaders don't give up -- because they know their words are true. What was it that made Jesus so impactful, after all? Well, obviously his personhood and the Holy Spirit, but I think many people would agree it was words that drove his force. His words were true. They divided the world at large, but they brought the Church together. They cast out demons. They gave people hope and a chance to believe in something real, worth fighting for...to the point of death. Jesus' words were powerful.
And his words are the only thing that will change this broken nation, this torn up world. I've spent the week at a missions conference, and the single thing that the speaker focused on was the kingdom. To me, the kingdom is achieved through words. Do actions speak louder than words? Of course! Act like a follower of Christ. But speak like one, too. The Gospel is built on relationships, and relationships are built on words.
But why does all this matter? And what in the world does it have to do with politics, anyway? First, let me tell you what it doesn't mean: it does not mean America should become a theocracy. And it also doesn't mean that because relationships are all that matter in the Gospel, you can sit out on politics and let the world go on its course.
What it does mean is that you have responsibility. I have a responsibility. We are the followers of Christ, and we need to look at the world not with a top-down approach, but not with a bottom-up approach, either. We need to have a bigger-picture perspective. We're here on this world for a reason: to glorify God, and to bring his kingdom, which we will enjoy forever. In light of that, our words need to start moving.
My dream is to see a restored America. A free America, where people are free both in the socio-political sense, and also free in Christ. A nation of people so in love with God, and so heartily embracing freedom. Words built this nation. Words got us to where we are. Words can move us forward. And we can be a driving force in spreading the Gospel to all the corners of the earth. A beacon of freedom, where people will come to see what is different. Why, someday in the distant future, we will be a nation that doesn't kill those who have just as much a right to live as we do. Why we let people worship publicly. Why people can make posts like this one and not be arrested. Why we're thrilled about the reign of Christ.
Whatever your dream, I challenge you to consider three things: First, is it working for the glory of the Lord? Maybe you have a yacht and three houses. Maybe you live in a shack. But does it glorify God and work for his kingdom's sake? Second, is your dream going to bring restoration, or destruction? Finally, are your words making your dream happen? Or are they leaving it hanging, hoping someone else will find the words for you?
Words matter. It is in vain to extenuate the matter. We the People believe it.
Meridian
