It was clearly the persecution which forged the Pilgrims’ determination to build a colony of true believers. They had been harshly persecuted and ostracized by those who were supposed to make up Christ’s church. In a matter of speaking, they had been crucified by the scribes and Pharisees just as their Lord had. Although some of their dreams proved to be unattainable, their story should remind us forcefully of something. In my opinion, no matter how pure our motives, or how led by God our decisions are, there is one thing that humans cannot control, and that is control the thinking of the generations which are to come.
Yes, their clear main purpose was to escape the persecution of the Church of England, but they also purposed to build, as their pastor John Robinson put it, a “New Jerusalem” Christian colony here in America. Every plan, even down to the finest detail, that these new setters were making had that as the focus. However, to try to expect everyone that existed in that new colony to value what Christ valued, having never asked Him into their hearts, was a hopeless dream. After all, nearly one-third of the crew on the Mayflower were the unconverted crew and pelt traders.
The Pilgrim’s new resolve, their understandable desire and the call of God confirmed their desire to start this “New Jerusalem.” They had pretty good success for years, in settings where all citizens were Pilgrims. They had naturally assumed that all they really needed was a place to be totally by themselves!
However, the Pilgrim’s desire for their colony to be totally Christian had a major design flaw. Human beings have something that God must always honor, namely a human will! People’s “will” changes over time and sometimes changes so slowly that nobody notices it. There is always an Able, a lesser-hearted Aaron, a jealous Saul, a power-hungry Absalom, or a greedy Judas Iscariot in the mix. God understands that His love to be love, has to be extended to all mankind. Romans 12:3 states ” God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (NKJV) In addition He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2nd Peter 3:9 (NKJV) Trying to separate ourselves totally and completely from the unbelieving people around us is not Christ’s model.
I also believe that having a strong Christian in political power ruling with an Iron fist is not God’s method of changing hearts. If that would have worked, then Jesus would have taken his throne on the earth over two thousand years ago! What I believe is that the new colonists were in the process of learning, is that sinful hearts are not changed by force but by Christlike example.
Again and again history teaches us that nations change over time. We also see this clearly in scripture. The process is s slow like the erosion of a rock on a seashore. Through the pull and push of cultural ties over the years, things that seem the most important to everyone slowly fizzle out, and new priorities are established. For that reason, great spiritual awakenings and not political maneuverings are the only hope for the longevity of a Christian nation. Only truly “born again” people can see and value the things that Heaven sees, and understands those values, as they have been spiritually awakened by the Holy Spirit.
Now since 1620 that new baby colony has grown 402 years old. As always those that God has used to trumpet warnings against its sinful choices have been ignored. The culture has grown so far away from God and immoral that the true “Biblically solid” Christians are again being mocked and not welcome in certain churches! Will a new generation of genuine believers again seek a new place to congregate to where they can worship freely? Or will this nation instead house the last days apostate church that will usher in the reign of the Anti-Christ? It is my heart and hopefully yours that we must never give up hope, never stop praying for another great awakening, and keep seeking God and doing His will with all of our hearts!