Today, we bid farewell to a remarkable man, President Jimmy Carter, who has passed from this life at the age of 100. His was a life rooted in service, compassion, and a deep, abiding faith in God—a faith he declared openly when he proclaimed himself “born again” and lived out in quiet deeds that echoed the teachings of Scripture.
Born in the small town of Plains, Georgia, Carter rose from humble beginnings to serve as the 39th President of the United States. Before he became a public servant, he served his nation beneath the waves as a naval officer and commander of a nuclear submarine. His discipline, courage, and intellect in the depths of the sea foreshadowed the calm resolve he would bring to the turbulent waters of politics and global affairs. In his service, Carter embodied the call of Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
As president, Jimmy Carter championed human rights and sought peace in a divided world. He brokered the historic Camp David Accords, bringing Israel and Egypt together in a moment of unprecedented hope. In this, he reflected the words of Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” He was unafraid to speak the language of faith in public life, reminding a nation of the power of grace, humility, and moral courage.
Yet, it was in his retirement that President Carter’s true greatness shone most brightly. Rather than retreating into comfort, he rolled up his sleeves and poured himself into the service of others, building homes for the poor with Habitat for Humanity. Through these acts of love, he lived out the call of Isaiah 58:7: “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”
Carter’s faith was not just a creed; it was a commitment. Like the Apostle Paul, he could say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). His hands, which once guided a nuclear submarine beneath the ocean’s surface, later wielded hammers and nails to bring shelter to the homeless. His heart, which once grappled with the burdens of statecraft, remained tender to the cries of the needy.
President Carter reminded us that to be “born again” is not simply to declare faith but to embody it in every aspect of life. He demonstrated the truth of James 2:26: “Faith without works is dead.” Through his actions, he bore witness to the transformative power of a life devoted to Christ.
Now, he rests in the arms of his Savior, hearing the words we all long to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master” (Matthew 25:21). He leaves behind not only a legacy of leadership but also a blueprint for living a life that matters—a life devoted to peace, justice, and love.
As we reflect on his century-long journey, we are reminded of the charge in Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This was Jimmy Carter’s compass, and it is the legacy he leaves to us.
Rest in peace, President Carter. You have run the race, fought the good fight, and left this world better than you found it. May we honor your memory by picking up the hammer, the plow, and the mantle of service.
Charlie Wear's Notes 
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