To Do Lists
Dan Kunz
British statesman Winston Churchill once wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” How history is taught in American schools and what history is taught are huge topics of debate today. For those of us with a few miles on our tires, it’s sad (and somewhat scary) to think that our children and grandchildren may not be learning the same perspective of history that we learned. The history of our country and our founding fathers has a lot we can carry away and apply to life.
Since we just celebrated Independence Day last week, a look at one of the writers is in order. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston collaborated on the document. Although each of them had some degree of notoriety in their day, Benjamin Franklin has always been an interesting character to study. A statesman, scientist, philosopher, and writer, Franklin was one of the preeminent thinkers of his day. He was an intensely practical man, too. He even applied this approach to morals. In his treatise, “Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection,” he identified thirteen moral “virtues” that he wished to achieve, including temperance, chastity, and humility. He reasoned, “As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other.” He planned to focus on one virtue per week. At the end of each week, having “captured” that virtue, he could move on to the next and, over a period of time, achieve moral perfection! His plan was very rational and logical – wrong - but rational and logical. He thought that he could conquer vices, and do so in a week’s time. His plan was to repeat the process, so that over a year’s time, he would actually achieve moral perfection.
God, through the Apostle Peter, also gave us a “to do list” of sorts, in 2 Peter 1:5-7 5 And, for this very reason, after applying every effort, add moral excellence to your faith. To moral excellence, add knowledge. 6 To knowledge, add self-control. To self-control, add patient endurance. To patient endurance, add godliness. 7 To godliness, add brotherly affection. And to brotherly affection, add love. A few major differences, however, exist between the two lists. Franklin thought he could accomplish this on his own. Peter knew, through his own personal experience, that any attempt to lead a God-pleasing life, can only be done with God’s help. Franklin thought a week should be enough time to develop a virtuous habit. Peter knew overcoming sin is a lifelong struggle. Franklin thought achieving moral perfection was possible. Peter knew, along with the Apostle Paul, “Indeed, I know that good does not live in me, that is, in my sinful flesh. The desire to do good is present with me, but I am not able to carry it out.” Romans 7:18
Does this mean all is lost? We shouldn’t even try? Of course not! Look carefully at Peter’s words. He says add these things to your faith. We, as Christians, are starting from a far different point than Ben Franklin. Although he was a Deist (believed in a Supreme Being), it doesn’t appear he was a Christian. We are. We have faith. That faith is the basis for our attempt to live a sanctified life - with God’s help! As we know, it’s not to earn God’s favor or make the world a better place to live. It is our way of saying “thank you” to our Heavenly Father for sending his Son to save us from sin and assuring our place in heaven!