It's the 4th of July, 2009

 

 
It's the 4th of July.

Maybe you'll pledge your allegiance to the flag of the United States of America today.

Maybe you've wondered if there is a proper way to pledge allegiance.

Section 4 of the Flag Code states:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag:  "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."

Sometimes knowing the proper way to do something makes the doing of it more meaningful. 

Now you know.

Romans 13:1-5  -  Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn't been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God. Therefore, whoever resists the government opposes what God has established. Those who resist will bring punishment on themselves. People who do what is right don't have to be afraid of the government. But people who do what is wrong should be afraid of it. Would you like to live without being afraid of the government? Do what is right, and it will praise you. The government is God's servant working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid. The government has the right to carry out the death sentence. It is God's servant, an avenger to execute God's anger on anyone who does what is wrong. Therefore, it is necessary for you to obey, not only because you're afraid of God's anger but also because of your own conscience.

Comments

[Chris Imes]

I've always struggled with this scripture. I think perhaps it is misunderstood. If the disciples all obeyed the government why were so many of them put to death by the Romans?

If every good Christian obeyed the Third Reich then they would have all turned in their Jewish neighbors instead of hiding them and smuggling them to safety.

If every good Christian obeyed their government there wouldn't have been an underground rail road that saved thousands of slaves.

What do we do as Christians when what government says is right is what God says is wrong?

What do we do when for example when our government says it is right to kill unborn children and God says that it is wrong?

I think that perhaps there is confusion between the words "submit" "subject" and "obey." The only version/translation that uses the word "obey" is GOD'S WORD Translation (©1995).

All other translations use the words "submit" or "subject". Christ may have submitted to Pilot and the Sanhedrin but he did not obey them. In fact Jesus was considered a rebel amongst the Pharisees & Sadducee, because he taught that there was salvation outside of the corrupt and greedy Temple and clergy of the time.

Ezekiel 22 also tells us:

23 Again the word of the LORD came to me: 24 "Son of man, say to the land, 'You are a land that has had no rain or showers [c] in the day of wrath.' 25 There is a conspiracy of her princes [d] within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. 26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. 28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says'-when the LORD has not spoken. 29 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.

30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."

This would seem to say that there is a time to build up a wall and stand for what is right when the government and church are not fulfilling Gods will.

[Chris Imes]

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

[Just Me]

If we are supposed to obey the government in power, shouldn't we have just paid the taxes on our property in Granger rather than hiring lawyers to fight it? That didn't seem to be so obedient.

[dale]

I love this picture, and I am grateful for your leadership. Thanks Pastor!