Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Attitude”
Our Bible verse for today: “This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.” Ephesians 6:13 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Take a stand for what is right, even if doing so isn’t easy.”
Marcus Porcius Cato was a Roman philosopher and politician who lived almost 100 years before the time of Christ. Known to history simply as “Cato” he was the most influential man of his day, even more so than the ruler of the Roman Empire at that time, Julius Caesar. The reason Cato was held is such high regard was because of his rock solid integrity. In a political atmosphere that was corrupt in the extreme, where bribery, treachery, sexual scandal, betrayals, and the like were the daily norm and commonly accepted, Cato’s was the one vote that could not be bought – and everybody knew it. Cato could always be counted on to take a stand for righteousness and then he would not be moved.
Cato’s example of honesty and integrity was so inspiring that it has endured throughout history. All of the Founding Fathers of our nation were inspired by the example of Cato. Benjamin Franklin quoted him frequently in his writings. George Washington was known as “The American Cato”. It was a title he accepted and bore with pride. Washington said there was no leadership example that inspired and influenced him more than that of Cato.
Cato was not a Christian, but we do see the same principle of integrity and courage called for by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter six. As Christians we will be faced with daily temptations to engage in all sorts of unacceptable conduct. But we are expected to be prepared for it and we must resolve to take a stand against it. By means of prayer, Bible study, and meditation on Biblical principles, we must be prepared to take our stand, and to do so in spite of the difficulties that might present for us.
Once I witnessed the exact opposite. A spiritually immature Christian, who was unfortunately in a position of influence in an organization, was acting in a petty and selfish way. That person made some demands and issued ultimatums which, if granted, would result in harm to another Christian. The decision-makers on that leadership team (also professing Christians) decided it would be easier to simply give-in to this person’s demands and allow the other person to suffer harm, rather than to take a stand against the unreasonable demands. It was weakness on the part of those leaders. It was something Cato, George Washington, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul would never have done.
Honesty, courage, and integrity are crucial elements in the character of a righteous person. The willingness to take a stand and to do the right thing (even when doing the right thing is difficult and might result in hardship for us), is the mark of a great man or woman. I encourage you to resolve to be that man or woman. Put on the full armor of God everyday, and then take your stand for what is right.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 