This week we will continue to cover the remnant principle and how it applies to today. I will use a bit of our American history for this, but regardless of what country you are from, many of these same principles will apply.

          The conclusion of the remnant principle is very encouraging, if we see it through the eyes of faith. A little history can help us better understand where we are and what can determine our future. 

          During the American Revolutionary War, about one-third of Americans were Loyalists, which means they wanted to remain submitted to the British Crown. Though this group represented a broad spectrum of spiritual and political beliefs, they were mostly the period’s conservatives.

          About one-third of Americans wanted independence from Great Britain, and they too included a broad spectrum of spiritual and political persuasions. They were mostly the liberals of the time.

          Conservatives today have a hard time grasping this fact, but it is true. Being liberal or conservative does not mean that you are on the right or wrong side of an issue. It depends on the issue. For example, conservatives under Communism were those who wanted to preserve Communism, while liberals wanted freedom. The meaning of these words does not change, but the issues do.

          During the Revolutionary War, about 40% of the people were neither Loyalists nor did they want independence. They were the undecided ones, leaning either way based on anything from who was winning, to a reaction to the atrocities that were common on both sides. In the two and a half centuries in which we have been a nation, this ratio of committed conservatives, committed liberals, and those in-between, has not changed much.

          Regardless of the group, the American Revolution was an extremely difficult time for everyone. It profoundly tried the hearts of all Americans. We are now in similar times. The hearts of all are being challenged. The only other time this has happened to this degree in American history was immediately preceding the Civil War. Change is inevitable, but the course it takes is not.

          Does this mean we are headed for another similar conflict in America? Again, “If you do not change your direction, you will end up where you are headed.” We are headed for another terrible conflict in America, but it is not necessary. There is still time to change our direction. However, we are at a major crossroad. We must choose a direction. Though ultimate issues will profoundly try our hearts again, that can be a good thing.

          As tragic as both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars were, those extremely difficult times demanded that profound issues be dealt with. Through both of these extreme trials, we came out a much better nation. It was painful and bloody, and it was not done anywhere close to perfectly in either case. Both wars left serious wounds on the soul of our nation, but they also left us better. We can, likewise, make another leap forward through the rising conflict of our times.

          The main issue that resulted in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War was freedom. That is again the main issue. President Obama recently stated that Americans are going to have to choose between security and freedom. That was a chilling statement, and understandably shocking to many. Even so, it was prophetic of the choice that is now before us. Which will we choose?

          An obvious question we should be asking is why can’t we have both? With good leadership, we could have much more freedom with even more security. However, this would require a different way of thinking than our present political leadership thinks. So we will have to choose between security and freedom. How will American’s choose?

          There is evidence that about 30% of Americans would choose security over freedom. About 30% would choose freedom over security. About 40% could go either way, depending on how much security they would have to give up for freedom, or how much freedom they would have to give up for security. This is an emerging major fault line, and who seizes the initiative could have the greatest impact on the future of America.

          Even though we remain divided by the 30-30-40 ratios, it will likely be a passionate and resolute 2% that will set the course for the rest. Regardless of the propaganda, this is about the true percentage of gays in America, who are winning the culture war for the soul of America because they are more resolute, with more passion for their cause than those who hold to biblical standards of morality. If just 10% of Christians had a similar passion for their Lord, the course of the nation would change.