When the American colonies forced the British to surrender at Yorktown, it might be tempting to think they were then a new nation, but that isn’t what happened.
While they might now
be independent, it didn’t mean the troubles were over. The colonies were not united, and debts were
growing. Solider laid siege to Congress demanding back pay. George Washington
would say at this time, “It is yet to be decided whether the Revolution must
untimely be considered a blessing or a curse “.
From these early difficulties, the new nation was formed. The early struggles help to show these people what would be needed to achieve the lofty standards that the Rebellion had proclaimed. Even 200 years later the United States is still working to be the nation they fought and died for it to be.
I think there is a
parallel to our life as a Christian. When we obey the Gospel and arise from the
water of baptism, we in essence have won the war over sin and death. Yet it
doesn’t mean the struggles are over. We have to learn how to “walk in a
manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians
4:1). New converts sometimes, like Washington, wonder if it will be worth it and
if it can be achieved. It won’t be easy but it will be worth it.
Great nations don’t form
overnight. Christianity isn’t perfected in a moment. Yet they can happen when
we start with the right principles and always stay faithful to them.
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