“And he who does not take up his cross and follow me (cleave steadfastly to me, conforming wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying also) is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his (lower) life will loose it (the higher life), and whoever looses his (lower) life on my account will find it (the higher life).” Mat. 10:38-39 AMP
“Gentlemen may cry peace, peace – but there is not peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God – I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” - Patrick Henry
We have heard the last sentence of this speech given my Mr. Henry many times with the pride of patriotism even swelling in our hearts. Such fire, such passion shows a man who gave his all for our Country, yet do we really hear the FULL speech?
Mr. Henry was speaking to his fellow Virginians in House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775. The House was undecided on whether to mobilize for military action against the encroaching British military force, and Henry argued in favor of mobilization. Up to this point all his listeners agreed that there was a problem, yet they were reluctant to be a part of the solution. Mr. Henry said, “The war has actually begun!’ and “Our brethren are already in the field.” He said these things a full month before the skirmish at Concord and the sound of what reporters later labeled “The shot heard round the world.”
Why was Mr. Henry so adamant? He wanted his fellow Virginians to put aside their apathy and fear and get involved. He knew that if they continued to live submitting to the British oppression many men would loose their property, livelihoods, and lives and loose them in vain.
I believe there is a lesson to be heard and acted upon here. Update Mr. Henry’s speech to our day. See the enemy of our souls as the oppressor of apathy and fear. See the men who preach so as to “tickle men’s’ ears” as the ones crying “Peace, peace!” See many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord already on the field working to bring sinners to salvation. With this in mind, hear the speech proclaimed to us as we face our spiritual battle for the Kingdom of God:
“Why stand we here idle? What is it that believers wish? What would we have? Is our lifestyle so dear and so sweet as to be retained at the price of another man never finding release from the slavery of sin? Forbid it, Almighty God! I do not know if others will move out of their comfort zone to share the gospel of Christ, but as for me, give me the opportunity to bring a man to Christ, or take me from this world because if I do not fulfill the will of God, I die.”
Charles G. Finney said, “A revival is no more a miracle than a crop of wheat. In any community revival can be secured from heaven when heroic enter the conflict determined to win or die – or if need be to win and die! The kingdom of heaven suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”
John Hyde prayed, “O God, give me souls or I die!”
Can we ignore such a cries? If we can, then we live in apathy and the enemy has already won. Do you hear the cry?
