What is history, but the present turning into the past all stacked up. What we look back on was at one time an unwritten future. Men and women have done great things in the face of uncertainty on the basis of principle and conviction. Standing on principle, men have broken alliances and formed treaties. Reluctant leaders have been thrust into position on the basis of conviction. Things too important to lay aside have caused men and women to choose sides, mark boundaries, and set the course of history. It is a poor society that holds nothing dear enough to fight or die for.
I recently reflected on the strength of belief that causes one to lay down one’s life. The signers of The Declaration of Independence pledged to each other their Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor based upon their belief in the contents of that document. It is interesting to note that this document makes theological assertions concerning the rights afforded mankind by God above, and on the basis of these rights, they stood for freedom and liberty at their own peril and expense. There are those moments in history defined by theological convictions that men and women would lay down their life rather than compromise.
Martyrs and heroes alike share this in common; When standing on the side of God, there is no room for retreat and no danger of defeat. Both stand on principle that they are convinced will be vindicated in the end. They are convinced that to do anything else would spell ruin. There is a greater allegiance, a nobler cause, a higher calling than any other source can muster. Only when society rests on these greater things can security be found. As soon as it begins to devalue them strength and security fades. Conviction lightly held is a contradiction in terms.
Jesus calls us to this kind of conviction. We must be so convinced and committed to our faith that we are willing to lay down our life for our beliefs. Jesus said that if we are to follow Him, we must take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38, 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23) Those who turn back from that conviction are not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). Time and again, it has been men and women committed to the greater cause and who have heard a higher call who have made their mark in history. Having stood the test of time, they have entered eternity (1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 2:7)
The writer of Hebrews names a the names of individuals in a veritable hall of fame; heroes who have demonstrated the strength of their convictions and who have made a mark on history. As he draws the list to a close the names begin to blur until it becomes a “great cloud of witnesses” meant to encourage us and include us in the final tally. In order to be included in this great company of Christian witnesses, we must never back down on our convictions, but stand strong upon them time and time again (Hebrews 12:1).
