Twenty years have passed since the event of September 11th, 2001. When we look back at all that took place, we still feel a sense of awe, and deep gratitude. This goes especially towards the men and women who stepped up to perform heroic acts in the face of terrorism. Many of these were just ordinary people who were willing to sacrifice their lives to save the lives of others. These individuals did not wake up one day and decide today would be the day that they would become heroes. However, I firmly believe that these individuals were not selfish people either. They must have been people of character and integrity who strived to love others, serve their families and their communities while they were still alive.
Sadly, our society today is filled with individuals who live selfish lives who care about nothing but their own rights. They believe that others owe them something, and they are the victims of society or past historical injustices. The victim mentality is poisonous and it is spreading throughout our society like a cancer. And like a cancer it needs to be cut out and destroyed.
Paul exhorted Christians to live above the world’s standards in Philippians 2:3-4: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” We need more Christians who are ordinary people who are willing to live extraordinary and sacrificial lives for God, for their families and communities. Enough of this “What about me?” mentality! We need more people who will stand up and say “What can I do for my church, my community and for my nation?”, “How can I love God and love my neighbor more?” These are heroes in the making. If a Christian who is not willing to live for God in loving Him and loving others now in his/her daily life, (s)he will never be the hero when the occasion calls for it.
The ultimate love that was ever demonstrated was at the cross of Calvary when Christ laid down His life for all mankind to redeem us from the curse of sin “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Since Christ has given us the gift of salvation, as Christians, we ought to follow His example in living selfless and sacrificial lives of love towards God and towards our neighbors.
