In view of the upcoming Memorial Day it seemed appropriate to place this larger piece in the blog today. I am in complete agreement that country, patriotism and memorializing men should not cloud out the worship of Christ on Sunday. To have respect for those who have given their lives for our nation, that must be once again instilled in us.
This is the first chapter of a small book I wrote entitled, The Patriotic Principle
1 Peter 2:13-15
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (KJV)
Would patriotism be right if you lived in - RUSSIA? Or, is it right to be patriotic only if you live in the United States? It all depends on what you mean by patriotism. The word itself means allegiance, and loyalty.
We could define patriotism as GOOD CITIZENSHIP and in that light it does not matter what country you are from, good citizenship ought to be the norm for the Christian.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PATRIOTISM
A. Pray for those in Authority
1 Timothy 2:1-3
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (KJV)
Our first and most important responsibility is to pray for those in authority. We Christians should know the names of as many in authority as possible, and earnestly, genuinely pray for them. Not just the
• President
• Senate and Legislators
• The mayor
• The police officers
• The firemen
• Judges
The more of these people we can pray for by name, the better.
B. Submit to their leadership
1 Peter 2:13-15
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (KJV)
We are to obey the laws our government establishes.
C. Pay your taxes
Romans 13:6-7
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (KJV)
Along with paying the taxes that are due we are to give honor to those in authority; treat them with respect.
D. In our country, vote.
This is not the privilege of every country. However, here in the United States, we have the right to influence our country through the vote, and it should be considered the responsibility of every Christian to exercise their vote for moral good.
PATRIOTISM IS "BOUNDARYLESS"
A. It is unbounded by time.
Patriotism was first seen in the Jewish community during Moses' day. And, in fact, patriotism was instilled in them because of their religion. Their nation was so tied to their faith that they almost could not help but be patriotic.
• Their first and second national leaders were both divinely called.
• Their land was divinely given
• Their government was divinely ordered
So, the principle of patriotism reaches far earlier than just in our own country's 235 year history.
B. It is unbounded by nationality.
Patriotism is not just an American thing, it is a Christian thing. We have just said that the Jewish race is a patriotic people. But, the principle of patriotism holds true for all other nations as well.
• Russia
• Germany
• Japan
• England
• France
The responsibilities of good citizenship hold true no matter what country you are from. The United States has a unique type of patriotism though. It is more than good citizenship. It springs from the belief that our country was founded for something special.
Just as the Jews saw themselves as a unique nation, called out by God for His own purpose
• America has a heritage that is unique.
• America has been uniquely blessed. And
• America has been uniquely used to influence this world for right.
I would remind you, however that just as God removed His blessings from Israel because she fell away from God, God can, and may already have, remove His hand of blessing from America.
THE LIMITS OF PATRIOTISM
Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (KJV)
A. Our responsibility to obey stops when the government wants us to disobey God.
• Daniel prayed to God even when there was a law against it.
• The three Hebrews wouldn't pray to the statue even when there was a law to do it.
• The Apostles witnessed for Christ even when ordered not to
B. Our responsibility stops ONLY at that point.
In every one of these cases, these men were still obedient to all other responsibilities of good citizenship.
C. Our responsibility to give honor does not stop even at that point.
In each one of the above cases you will find that they still paid honor and respect to these men for the positions they held.
This is the first chapter of a small book I wrote entitled, The Patriotic Principle
1 Peter 2:13-15
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (KJV)
Would patriotism be right if you lived in - RUSSIA? Or, is it right to be patriotic only if you live in the United States? It all depends on what you mean by patriotism. The word itself means allegiance, and loyalty.
We could define patriotism as GOOD CITIZENSHIP and in that light it does not matter what country you are from, good citizenship ought to be the norm for the Christian.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PATRIOTISM
A. Pray for those in Authority
1 Timothy 2:1-3
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (KJV)
Our first and most important responsibility is to pray for those in authority. We Christians should know the names of as many in authority as possible, and earnestly, genuinely pray for them. Not just the
• President
• Senate and Legislators
• The mayor
• The police officers
• The firemen
• Judges
The more of these people we can pray for by name, the better.
B. Submit to their leadership
1 Peter 2:13-15
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (KJV)
We are to obey the laws our government establishes.
C. Pay your taxes
Romans 13:6-7
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (KJV)
Along with paying the taxes that are due we are to give honor to those in authority; treat them with respect.
D. In our country, vote.
This is not the privilege of every country. However, here in the United States, we have the right to influence our country through the vote, and it should be considered the responsibility of every Christian to exercise their vote for moral good.
PATRIOTISM IS "BOUNDARYLESS"
A. It is unbounded by time.
Patriotism was first seen in the Jewish community during Moses' day. And, in fact, patriotism was instilled in them because of their religion. Their nation was so tied to their faith that they almost could not help but be patriotic.
• Their first and second national leaders were both divinely called.
• Their land was divinely given
• Their government was divinely ordered
So, the principle of patriotism reaches far earlier than just in our own country's 235 year history.
B. It is unbounded by nationality.
Patriotism is not just an American thing, it is a Christian thing. We have just said that the Jewish race is a patriotic people. But, the principle of patriotism holds true for all other nations as well.
• Russia
• Germany
• Japan
• England
• France
The responsibilities of good citizenship hold true no matter what country you are from. The United States has a unique type of patriotism though. It is more than good citizenship. It springs from the belief that our country was founded for something special.
Just as the Jews saw themselves as a unique nation, called out by God for His own purpose
• America has a heritage that is unique.
• America has been uniquely blessed. And
• America has been uniquely used to influence this world for right.
I would remind you, however that just as God removed His blessings from Israel because she fell away from God, God can, and may already have, remove His hand of blessing from America.
THE LIMITS OF PATRIOTISM
Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (KJV)
A. Our responsibility to obey stops when the government wants us to disobey God.
• Daniel prayed to God even when there was a law against it.
• The three Hebrews wouldn't pray to the statue even when there was a law to do it.
• The Apostles witnessed for Christ even when ordered not to
B. Our responsibility stops ONLY at that point.
In every one of these cases, these men were still obedient to all other responsibilities of good citizenship.
C. Our responsibility to give honor does not stop even at that point.
In each one of the above cases you will find that they still paid honor and respect to these men for the positions they held.
