"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Copied directly from the Constitution of the USA, do you notice a common thread running through the words, even unwritten it jumps off the page at you. Let me help you out a little, it is idea that we, the American people have a common interest and a common goal as a whole community. The writers believed that Americans were bound together by a common purpose and a general goal and that thought created a community of commonality. People were concerned about their welfare and that of their families, but would also be concerned about the welfare of their neighbor and community and country. They were individuals bound together by a common purpose and belief and that bond created strength and unity of purpose. People would put their differences aside to defend America, did they sometime disagree politically, yes and strongly, but when needed they would stand together.
I would submit to you today that America in made of individuals that do not regard themselves as having anything in common with anyone outside of their family. We have become a nation of "me's" and "I's" and that is all that is important. What is in it for me? Why should I care about someone in a different part of the town where I live or the country for that matter. We are no longer united in commonality of mission, everyone wants their piece of the pie and the devil with everyone or everything else. The government should give me what I want and provide for me, I don't think I should pay taxes, or fees, I should have a new house and car at the expense of the government. No I don't want to work and do my share for someone I don't know. The "me" generation has given way to most self centered least informed and least caring group of Americans ever.
Not to different in the Christian church today, there is division over important and unimportant issues. People of faith seem to forget that we are bound together by Jesus and He told us to go and teach what He taught, make disciples and baptist believers, lay hands on the sick, cast out demons and speak in unknown tongues. That is a combined teaching from the last chapters of the Gospel of Matthew and Mark. There is a common theme that runs here and to make it very simple, three things are important: Make disciples, teach what He taught, and baptist people. Simple and common goals for all churches.
The preamble to the Constitution is pretty simple too, and clearly gives the goals for the American people. It is time that the people of America returned to the simple plan of the Constitution and the people of Jesus returned to the simple plan He gave us.
You are free because someone paid for your freedom with their blood and life. Jesus paid for your sins and you can be free through Him and the American military paid for your freedom with their blood so you could live freely.
Blessing to you.
