NRBC Blog

In the mid 1500’s, a man named Ignatius of Loyola organized a small group of Roman Catholic men who became known as “The Society of Jesus” or the “Jesuits”. To a great extent, the Order which was authorized by Pope Paul III in 1540 has been clothed in mystery. One significant area of discussion was the fact that they seemed to maintain a moral position that “the end justifies the means.” In other words, if an action or series of actions has a morally right conclusion then the actions that brought about that conclusion must also be deemed morally right.

Most of us would immediately discard such a notion. For example, conservatives generally reject the position that killing the unborn is justified by a woman’s right to choose! And, when a man’s wife asks him if a particular dress makes her look fat, he should give an honest appraisal and say “yes” if it really does… right!

So, what should be our moral directive in how we conduct ourselves as followers of Christ?

This Sunday, as we come to chapter 4 in the study of 1 Peter, the Apostle makes a summation that ought to command our attention. He says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11, NLT) Paul makes a similar statement when he writes, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

In the believer’s life, what is the end that determines the means? All that we do is to bring glory to God! That is the litmus test which differentiates between political correctness and true righteousness!

For generations, American opportunity has inspired many to have a work ethic that led to individual success. Men like Joseph Pulitzer, Irving Berlin, Albert Einstein, and Andrew Carnegie came to America as immigrants but each took advantage of the opportunity and left their marks upon literature, the arts, science and industry. They worked hard, dreamed big, and achieved much; yet, was success their greatest achievement?

Albert Einstein once said to a Life Magazine reporter, "Try to become not a man of success, but try rather to become a man of value." Real value outlasts the man! Even when people no longer remember Joseph Pulitzer, writers will still receive the Pulitzer Prize, and people will visit the Statue of Liberty, the pedestal of which he and his newspaper inspired to be funded! And, long after Irving Berlin is forgotten, we will still be singing White Christmas, Count Your Blessings, and God Bless America!

Twenty-five hundred years ago, a man who had achieved success far beyond his peers had the opportunity to leave it all and become a man of significance. He was, probably, the least likely man to do the job, but he was aware of the need and was willing to take the risk. Because he did, God kickstarted a project that had lain dormant for over seventy years, and this man remains an example of faith and initiative that still inspires us today. God could have used someone else, but He chose to use the most unlikely to accomplish the most significant.

Sunday morning, July 26, we are taking a short break from the study of 1 Peter to look at a man named Nehemiah. His name means Jehovah comforts, or God is full of compassion and pity! He was the son of Hachaliah which means whom God enlightens. Nehemiah lived up to both of those names. He was intuitive, seeing into the depths of a situation, and then, like God, he felt compassion for what he saw. Although he was a Jewish immigrant, he worked his way up the political ladder and became an official in the Persian government. As cupbearer, he was personally responsible for the king’s safety, and, therefore, one of the most trusted individuals in government. He would have had both influence and affluence, living in plush regal surroundings.

Yet, the time came when he had to choose between living in success or taking the risk to live in significance. He was an unlikely man for the job, but he ended up accomplishing an uncommon work!