FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

Romans 12:1; II Timothy 4:5; [II Timothy 2:3, 4; Acts 28:31; II Timothy 3:1-17; II Samuel 23:1-4; Proverbs 18:16; I Thessalonians 2:8-10]; Proverbs 18:16; II Corinthians 11:22-28; Acts 20:8-27; [Ezekiel 33:2-6]; Acts 20:28-38; Genesis 50:14-26; Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:31, 32

Upon the death of our 40th President of the United States, Ronald W. Reagan, the country was reminded of his life and dedication to America. Contemplation of his commitment and actions brings to mind the topic of service and heroes. In considering our former President, Ronald Regan, his life depicted the qualities of a hero.

Romans 12:1 exhorts us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. “Bodies” refers to one’s whole being, while “reasonable service” is the logical response to God’s mercy, grace and goodness. As history records, there are few individuals whose lives reflect being a living sacrifice — men and women who see the value of their lives and contributions as having an effect well beyond their lifetimes. The Apostle Paul was one such man. He was a sold-out bond slave, one who served out of love. He later taught Timothy by word and example so that Timothy could take over the responsibilities of the church upon Paul’s death. He exhorted Timothy to make full proof of his ministry by demonstrating and doing what God called him to do. Each of us has a unique life which God calls upon to render service and make a contribution. We see through various sources that heroism and service are vitally interconnected.

In the Old Testament, the account of Joseph also describes a man who was a shining example of service and heroes. Joseph went through many hardships. Yet, in every situation in his life, he continued to be a kind and loving man who was obedient to God. After his father died, his brothers who had sold him into slavery were fearful that he punish them for what they had done to Joseph. Yet Joseph’s response was to ask, “Am I in the place of God?” He said, what you thought evil against me, God meant for good, to save many people. These records of great individuals are inspiring as we look at how their lives changed the course of events.

Let us not forget the heroes of today, such as Ronald Reagan, who had the following characteristics as described by Marshall Fishwick in his book entitled, The Hero. Reagan shaped the flow of events, altered thought-patterns and evoked attitudes of faith. He helped reelect man’s innermost hopes and beliefs in a public way and was emphatically himself. He recognized that his true heroic power was internal, faced the inertia of his fellow man, was eventful and event-making. He helped determine issues, the consequences of which would have been profoundly different had he not acted. He not only was adept at finding a fork in the road but was often the one who helped create it. He confronted loneliness, facing the greatest task alone. And like others, his life will never be replaced by any one man.

Let us keep the momentum going, and not forget.