Love, freedom, courage, sacrifice, remembrance. These are all indescribably powerful virtues and they all impact our lives in different ways. Even so, as Americans, unity can be strengthened through recognizing the greater good, and by, extension, the greatest good, that all of these virtues point to.
A post like this is not meant to put a national identity over and above what is more important. Rather, this post is shared in recognition that I have the freedoms, privileges, and quality of life that I do because of the land in which a live; because of the sacrifices of many. Seeing that all truth is God’s truth, every truth that exists in the context of the American founding and way of life is good. On the contrary, everything that is not true is not good. The same goes for Mexico, Canada, and the rest of the globe. Now, deciding what is in alignment with the truth, as defined by God’s Word, is a different story and something that is beyond the purposes of this post. What is important here is recognizing that there is no truth apart from God (John 14:6).
“THE GREATER GOOD IS LIVING OUR LIVES IN A MORE GOD-GLORIFYING AND GOD-ENJOYING WAY (1 CORINTHIANS 10:31). THE GREATEST GOOD IS GOD HIMSELF, WHO GIVES SIGNIFICANCE TO THE GREATER GOOD AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN EXISTENCE (PSALM 145).”
Going back to the beginning of this post, the importance and context of unity should be highlighted in order to understand its part in bringing us to the greater and greatest good. First, the importance: unity is important because it puts love over condescending judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10, and Colossians 3:14). Furthermore, it is part of God’s ultimate plan to unite all things to Himself; things in Heaven and things on Earth (Ephesians 1:10). Since it is part of God’s ultimate plan, it is good; everything that God does is good (Psalm 145:9, and Romans 8:28). Now, the context of unity: we need to distinguish between true and false unity. True unity is bound to truth. False unity is bound to disloyalty and rebellion. If people are united together in their disbelief of God, this is not good. Of course it is not good. Apart from God, there would be no such thing as good. Better for a person to leave this unity and be isolated due to their belief in God (Matthew 18:9). Unity is only good when it points to God. On the other hand, if people have disagreements, but are united in their worship of God, it is good that they are united (Psalm 133:1).
Love, freedom, courage, sacrifice, and remembrance. As an American, on this Memorial Day, I want to say thank you to all of the men and women who have exemplified these virtues and have paid the ultimate price upholding the defense and sustenance of the rights and freedoms we get to enjoy as Americans (John 15:13). Moreover, to the families and loved ones of those people, thank you for your support. I pray for peace and joy in your lives. As a Christian, I thank all of the martyrs and those who have been strong in the Faith throughout history; the Faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). For all of those who do not yet know Christ, I pray that you come to know Him. Creation is being redeemed and everything good will be united; we must attach ourselves to the One who is good, through Faith, in order to be a part of this restoration (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 1:10).
May all of this bring us to the greater and greatest good. The greater good is living our lives in a more God-glorifying and God-enjoying way (1 Corinthians 10:31). The greatest good is God Himself, who gives significance to the greater good and everything else in existence (Psalm 145:1-21).
