In 1981, an
exceptional inspirational film was released. “Chariots of Fire,” set in
the 1920’s, depicts a true story surrounding Great Britain’s national track
team and their participation in the 1924 Summer Olympic Games held in Paris,
France. Eric Liddell, a citizen of Scotland and a Christian missionary,
was absolutely thrilled to qualify as a member of Great Britain’s team.
While some members
of Eric Liddell’s family disapproved, viewing the games as a distraction from
his important work of ministry, Eric was steadfast in his insistence that his
personal participation was the will of God. In his words, “I believe God
made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel
His pleasure. To give up running would be to hold Him in contempt.
To win is to HONOR HIM!” Therefore, Eric was running (not to gain
accolades or fame), but for the express purpose of HONORING GOD. He had
qualified to run in track and field’s premier sprinting event, the 100-meter
race. He was considered to be the odds on favorite to win against the
likes of Jackson Sholz, the elite American sprinter.
However, as the
British team sailed from London to Paris, Eric learned that the qualifying heat
for the 100-meter race would be held on a Sunday. This was most
disheartening, because Eric and his family had unwavering convictions about
honoring the Christian Sabbath. He was convinced that there was no
alternative but to drop out of the race. And no matter who tried to
dissuade Eric, or how aggressive their urgings, from the head of Great
Britain’s Olympic Committee to the Crown Prince of Wales, he firmly refused to
do that which he felt would DISHONOR
GOD.
At the 11th hour, a
door of opportunity opened for Eric to run in an alternative race, scheduled on
another day. A teammate, who had previously medaled in another event,
offered Eric his place in the 400-meter race. Everyone quickly came on
board with this compromise because Eric was so fast that he just might win, and
it was an absolute joy to watch him run.
Just before the
start of the final heat of the 400-meter race, Jackson Sholz, a young American
sprinter who was also a Christian, walked onto the track and delivered a
handwritten note to Eric Liddell. Here’s what Jackson had written: “It
says in the Old Book that those who honor ME…I will honor.” What an
awesome message of inspiration that was for Eric, that GOD, Himself, would be
present to honor his very unpopular decision to publicly own and honor HIM!
The starting gun sounded, and although Eric Liddell had never trained for
the 400-meter race, which is arguably one of the most difficult races in track
and field, he won easily and by a considerable margin.
The note that
Jackson Sholz had written and delivered to Eric Liddell is drawn from the
following scripture:
I Samuel 2:30
Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for THOSE WHO HONOR ME I WILL HONOR, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.’
Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for THOSE WHO HONOR ME I WILL HONOR, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.’
The word “HONOR”
means to highly reverence, respect, esteem, and defer to, with the utmost
demonstration of value and the greatest degree of integrity. This concept
is crucial to every aspect of Christian living. In addition to my
ministry involvements, I have taught history to students in Connecticut public
schools. While I do not purport to be an expert in the field of
public education, one obvious missing component in the American educational system
is the intangible (but mission critical) quality called HONOR.
It is painfully
apparent that a large number of students lack positive FAMILY ROLE MODELS that reinforce
respect and honor, i.e. parents who both train and enforce honorable attitudes
and actions in the daily lives of their children. As a result, student
behavior frequently spirals downward and out of control while the teaching and
learning process is either disrupted or entirely dissipated. In public
schools, this lack of HONOR translates into substandard academic performance,
which has profoundly negative rippling effects on the overall well-being,
success and future of our students and our society.
Let’s take a look at
one of the origins of this downward slide in American schools. In 1963, an
atheist activist, Madalyn Murray O’Hair, won a decidedly ungodly lawsuit in
which the Supreme Court of the USA permanently disallowed prayer and Bible
reading in public schools. In their attempt to protect the First Amendment
rights of non-religious citizens and to ensure the separation of Church and
state (which was NEVER intended by the founding fathers and is NOT a part of
The Constitution), the Supreme Court made a very egregious and grave error.
Clearly, they did not foresee the awful consequences of their decision.
When JESUS CHRIST WAS LEGALLY EXPELLED from
our schools, SATAN WAS SYSTEMICALLY
ENROLLED! And his institutional influence results in what we
observe today: a profoundly negative transformation of our public schools,
especially our urban schools. What is the quantitative impact on our
students and our nation? According to the Program for International
Student Assessment, the USA
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM (once ranked number one globally) finds itself
ranking 21st (in reading), 31st (in math) and
24th (in science). There is a clear correlation between
our LACK OF HONOR FOR GOD and our current state of affairs. Proverbs
14:34 declares that “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to
any people.”
Unfortunately, many
nations of the world find themselves emulating American culture and values
because of our material prosperity. From my perspective, this ‘cloning’
of American society is very much like purchasing first-class tickets on a ship
that is about to sink! While we truly love America and pray fervently for
repentance and revival in our land, the Christian community must become more
aware, concerned and engaged regarding our present plight. Family
dissolution and moral decay exist everywhere; and, the spirit of antichrist now
rests, rules and reigns throughout our land. (I John 4:3-4)
NOW HEAR THIS!
If we are to survive and thrive, AMERICA
MUST RETURN TO HONORING THE TRUE, LIVING and sovereign GOD! Two
strategic questions lay before us: 1) As a Christian, what are YOU doing
to SAFEGUARD THE FAMILIES AND
CHILDREN of your own nation, whether you are American, African,
Asian, European, Australian, or from any other region? 2) What are YOU
doing to TURN YOUR LAND AND YOUR
PEOPLE BACK TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST?’ Please reflect
soberly on these questions via careful self-evaluation and fervent prayer.
GOD says “THOSE WHO HONOR ME I WILL HONOR.” Therefore, let us
collectively resolve to rededicate ourselves to steadfastly HONORING HIM!
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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