Essay on greatness
March madness is coming. In Indiana, we call it Hoosiers Hysteria.
WHO IS THE GREATEST?
The verse for today: “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist…” – Matthew 11:11.
The late boxing champion, Muhammad Ali called himself “the Greatest.” Conservative talk show host, Sean Hannity calls conservative talk show host Mark Levin, “the Great one.” By the world’s standards many would consider them as great. But the Bible has a different standard.
Jesus said, the greatest man who ever lived was John the Baptist. Why? What made John the greatest?
- he was chosen by God to be the forerunner to the Messiah.
- he was a great man of courage.
- John preached in the power of Elijah calling a nation to repentance. He boldly called on sinners to repent of their sins. He rebuked King Herod of sin and withstood public persecution (Luke 3:7-18). His stand for Biblical truth eventually cost him his head.
Breaking News: The Bible doesn’t change. What the Bible calls sin thousands of years ago, is still sin today no matter what the popularity polls say.
If John the Baptist was alive today, he would be called an intolerant, bigoted, judgmental, Bible-thumping hate-monger who is on the wrong side of history. But Jesus said John was the greatest man who ever lived.
Why aren’t there more Christians like John the Baptist? Because of fear. We’re afraid to stand up to the world. The late pastor and author Adrian Rogers used to say, “If you haven’t met the devil, it might be because you’re going in the same direction.” Great people don’t compromise their faith to be liked by the world.
James 4:4 says, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
“Enmity against God?” “An enemy of God?” What about tolerance? God doesn’t tolerate sin. Our nation has forgotten that truth.
American Christians need to do what Israeli Messianic leaders are doing in Israel. They’re calling for nationwide 3 days of prayer and fasting. This is what American leaders have done in the past. During the Civil War, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln called for a day of “Humiliation, Prayer and Fasting.” Most people today, consider Lincoln to be one of our greatest presidents. If only we had a leader like him today who had the courage to call a nation to repent and seek God’s mercy.
Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Be more like John the Baptist and less like the world.
