I was sitting in church a while ago, and listened to a service about America, and how our country isn't honoring God anymore by what we do in the policies of our government, schools, etc. There was singing, reading, and other "American" functions. Not only in this service, but all around our country- especially near Memorial Day and Independence Day, there are large celebrations to honor our country, and the country's heritage.
I have wondered how most evangelical Christians feel sitting in services like this, or in parades, or in any function of this country relating to the patriotism a soul feels. I never questioned these things before. These things are right! They are what makes an American a true American! You should take off your hat! You should be quite and respectful! You should hold your hand over your heart! No country, no other land, no international or historical power EVER was or will be greater than OUR COUNTRY!
These feelings still resonate with me; however, I have come to despise them. This is the wrong focus.
There is a giant flaw in this kind of patriotism. There is a weakness in this kind of strength in love of country. There is still a hole in a man's heart and soul with this kind of a pledge to a place of heritage.
I began to think of a passage in the Bible that says something like this, "If any man comes to me and does not hate his mom, dad, wife, children, siblings, and even himself, he can't be my disciple." This is Luke 14:26.
Growing up in church, this verse doesn't throw me for a loop at all; however, you might be thinking:
WHAT!!?? HATE MY PARENTS, MY BROTHER, MY SISTER, MY OWN LIFE?? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! YOU'RE CRAZY, AND I'M LEAVING!
I wouldn't blame you at first glance, but be patient.
This means that the love that you do have and should have for those people should be like hatred in comparison for your greater love for Jesus, and for glorifying God.
With that thought, I began to make a list of what things are important to me. I'll try to do this in order of importance:
(not including God)
1- My Wife
2- My Children
3- My Parents and Siblings
4- My In-laws and friends
5- My Job and Financial Security
6- My Loyalty to my country
7- My kid's future
8- My Possessions
9- My Sports Teams that I root for
10- My Land
11- My vehicles
12- What people think about me
There are more, I'm sure, but you get the idea. Most important at the top, and then trailing off, you have less important things, but still important.
So, according to Luke 14, I am supposed to hate my parents, siblings, self, friends,and leave them behind in order to be a disciple of Jesus. My question based on my priorities list then is, "If I am supposed to hate #'s 1-4 compared to Jesus, then what does that mean for the rest of the numbers on my list?"
I think it means that Jesus named the top four of everyone's list in order to make not just a point that gets you to think until someone explains the direct meaning, but to give you something to consider EVERY DAY. Am I valuing my computer more than I should? Am I valuing my wife more than I should? Am I valuing my driving ability more than I should? Cell Phone? Pets? Children? Situation? Church? Money? Love for Country?
In conclusion, I should hate America in comparison to Jesus. I don't think many Christians feel this way. We have God, Family, Country. Sometimes, I don't think that order stays that way. Our list should say, "God............", and after hours or reading number 2, number 3, number 4 with nothing listed, we may eventually come to wife, children, etc. We would never even make it to the United States of America. God established this entire globe, not just the United States. We happen to live here, and that's wonderful, but our allegiance to God should be so strong that any allegiance to any other thing should be similar to a traitors allegiance to our country.
Oh that we would seek God in such a way to leave all concerns behind in comparison to our desire and zeal for Him! He loved us first, and that's why we love Him. Ask that God would grant you the desire, and ability to walk away from all the worldly concerns you have, and think of only Him all the time. He commands and desires you to do so. Anytime we focus on anything that isn't Him, we fail. If we drive our cars without Him, we fail. If we talk about allegiance to this nation, and don't think in our mind about how it really pales in comparison to our dedication and allegiance to God Almighty, then we fail Him again.
And so it is a battle every day to live in a place that we consider to be great, but are challenged to know that it isn't really great, it never was great, and it won't ever be great. YAHWEH is God's name, and He alone is great. Let your allegiance lie with God and God alone.
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