Happy Birthday America! What does Independence Day mean to you? Maybe its a chance to eat a meal with family and friends, watch a parade, stand under some exploding lights, or stop and reflect on how blessed or privileged you are today, among other things? Do you consider yourself fortunate for having been born or immigrated to the United States, or is there another place you would prefer to live, given the chance? Without getting too political, there are many people who would love the chance to live and work here and pursue the new American Dream, just like you and I have had the chance to do. In fact, I know several people who live here who were born in other countries, some here legally and some not, but all who desire to be here. Should everyone who desires to become an American be given that chance? Should everyone who desires to enter the Kingdom of God be given that chance?
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:34
When you say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the National Anthem, do you feel pride in being an American? I would hope it inspires you a little. When you say ‘One Nation Under God’ are you asking God to protect this country, or are you acknowledging that God comes first before your country, or maybe a little of both? If you look around our country, you can see a sort of religious patriotism or nationalism that kind of lumps God and Country together into a kind of philosophy, if not a religion. It is exclusionary and tends to pit the political left against the right as they demonize one another. Is either side in this debate really putting God first, or are they just using or abusing His name for their own political gain?
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Romans 13:1-2
There has been a cost to our freedom. For our country, where many have sacrificed their lives in wars and service to our country to stand for the ideas and ideals it was founded on. Where many still pledge to protect this country. But there was also a cost to your freedom in the Kingdom of God, which was paid by Christ. When we submit to God and His authority over our lives, and our country, we can be guided by the spirit of truth in all things and then discern what is beneficial to us, all those around us, and our country. Let us submit to humility and not to pride, and let us not take all these freedoms for granted!
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Yours in Christ,
Clark
