Having Achieved Independence, Let’s Revisit Dependence

We’ve just concluded celebrations of Independence Day and the 250^th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Independence, in many ways, has been a marvelous thing, not only for us as a country but also as individuals. Freedom is truly a blessing. However, as we enter the 251^st year of the United States, with no certainty about what the future may hold, it might be wise to recognize in some respects dependence isn’t a bad thing.

 

I’m not suggesting that we restore a dependent relationship with Great Britain. (My fake British accent is terrible.) But even though a “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” philosophy has provided great motivation for many of our nation’s great achievers – whether explorers, settlers, farmers, inventors or entrepreneurs – we’re still dependent on others for our success.

 

This isn’t a message we often hear in our society. Napoleon Hill, in his 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich, emphasized individuality and independence in a statement that has shown amazing endurance over the decades since: “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” That declaration epitomized the so-called “American Dream,” that if a person works hard, he or she can achieve their wildest dreams. But tell that to a six-foot-five man who weighs 250 pounds. His dream of being the winning jockey in the Kentucky Derby is as probable as seeing a hippopotamus fly.

 

A corollary to Hill’s slogan is, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” It sounds clever, it rhymes, and it resonates with our natural bent toward self-centeredness. But in truth it’s not that simple. Every achievement requires some level of dependency.

 

Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. Abbott had Costello. The best race car driver can’t win without the pit crew. The best wide receiver in football can’t do anything without the quarterback throwing him the ball. The best chef in the world can’t create a world-class meal without the people that grow, raise and produce the necessary ingredients. And the old song reminded us, “It takes two to tango.”

 

Nowhere is dependency more essential than in growing spiritually. Yet this is exactly where some of us insist on trying to demonstrate our independence. I know, because I’ve tried it – and failed miserably. People say, “You just have to have faith,” and then proceed as if there’s no God at all, as if everything weighs on their own shoulders.

 

But Jesus Christ said just the opposite: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). He was evoking the image of two oxen yoked together, pulling a wagon or a plow. They share a load neither could pull on its own. The same is true spiritually. When the Lord calls us to do something, we’re to do our part but He doesn’t ask or expect us to operate independently from Him.

 

Elsewhere Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The apostle Paul, in reviewing the various circumstances he had experienced in life – good and bad – affirmed that truth: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

 

There have been times when I thought I knew exactly what God wanted me to do and set out to do it – without consulting Him or seeking His direction. Only after spinning my wheels or finding myself at a dead-end did I remember, “Oh, yeah. I can’t do this without the Lord!”

 

To live the so-called “Christian life” also requires that we learn to value and utilize the strength of other believers. One of the best passages about this is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, which says:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work;

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered; two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

 

Everything is easier when the workload is shared, whether it’s cooking a meal, making a bed, handling finances, or navigating through the many challenges of life. And growing in our faith isn’t intended to be pursued in solitude. As Proverbs 27:17 observes, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” A good friend used to say, “We should all be mentored mentors.”

 

There are those who think they can survive and thrive in their journey of faith without the aid of others, but from the beginning that wasn’t God’s intent. After creating the first man, Adam, the Lord concluded, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). That remains true today.

 

The writer of Hebrews recognized the importance of having support from others as we strive to know and serve God and His people: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25).

“The Day” is the promised second coming of Christ. No one knows when that will be, but each day we’re closer to it. Independence has its benefits, but when Jesus returns we want to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). To accomplish that, we need to depend on one another – and especially on Him. 

Freedom: One of the Greatest Gifts We Can Receive

We’re one year away from the United States’ semiquincentennial. What’s that? It means next year our nation will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It’s been nearly one-quarter of a millennium since that landmark document declared “The Colonies” independent from England and the rule of King George III. Should be quite a celebration coming up.

 

But this year’s observance is hardly insignificant. Every Independence Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate the many freedoms we can enjoy as Americans. Starting with the Declaration, followed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, citizens of our country are free in ways we often take for granted. In ways that billions around the world could only dream about.

The opening of the Declaration of Independence sets the stage with the statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Declaring that all men “are created” and “endowed by their Creator” is a direct acknowledgement of God, even though today many choose to disregard and reinterpret what this means.

 

In the amendments to the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, we find freedoms of religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, bearing arms, and a variety of other specifically stated rights and protections. Many of these rights are absent in many societies around the world, such as Communist-governed nations, countries under Islamic rule, and dictatorships.

 

So, we should rightfully celebrate these freedoms and rights every year, no just wait for a special anniversary. But this notion of freedom isn’t an American concept, or one devised by any society. Its basis – especially as understood by the Founding Fathers and the documents that helped form our nation – is found in the Bible, from its opening chapters. 

 

After the acts of creation, which culminated in creating the first man and woman, God said to Adam and Eve, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden [of Eden]; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…” (Exodus 2:16-17). The first couple, however, were not content with such broad freedom; they focused on the restriction, the one limitation to their freedom – the tree and its forbidden fruit. And humankind has been suffering the consequences of this ever since.

 

In Exodus we read the account of the Israelites being freed after 400 years of slavery in Egypt. Later we read about the rebellious people of Israel being taken captive by other empires, then freed by God’s sovereign edict. But nowhere do we find a greater emphasis on freedom that in the life of Jesus Christ.

 

Whether we want to admit it or not, from birth we are in bondage to sin – spiritual slavery. It takes many forms, but the impact is separation from God and the inability to become all that He desires for us to be. Romans 3:10 declares, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.” Romans 3:23 adds, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

 

What’s this got to do with freedom? The apostle Paul explained, “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. [But] what benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!” (Romans 6:20-21).

 

Sounds dismal if we stop right there. But there’s good news. This ‘slavery to sin’ doesn’t have to be a life sentence. In the days leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus Christ told His followers, “A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:35-36).

 

Jesus’ death on the cross paid in full the cost of our sins, offering us access to eternal life through His Spirit and an everlasting relationship with God. As Paul wrote, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:22-23).

 

Much more could be written about this – and has been. But as we celebrate Independence Day and the freedoms we have been given in our nation, let’s keep them in perspective with the far greater freedom we’re offered in Christ. As Paul expressed it, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery [to sin]” (Galatians 5:1).

Nearly 250 years ago, a new nation was birthed with the declaration of its independence from England and the reign of its king. Through Christ, we each can declare our own independence from sin – through spiritual rebirth – relying on His power and guidance so we can worship the true King and become the people God wants us to be. Now and forever.  

Surviving Trials and Turmoil for Nearly 250 Years

This stirring image from a Jacquie Lawson e-card speaks volumes.

Two years from today, the USA will observe the 250^th anniversary of its founding – barring the calamity of calamities. The way things have been going in recent years, who knows? Hopefully we’ll remain the United States of America and not the Untied States.

 

Every Independence Day, July 4, is a good time to pause and reflect on the rich heritage of our nation, the wonder that it even came to be, and its inherent qualities that have drawn millions of men, women and children from around the world to this unique expanse of geography.

 

Having been born on the Fourth of July, almost by default I’m what George M. Cohan termed a “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” The strains of John Philip Sousa marches like “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “The Washington Post,” and “The Thunderer” never fail to give me goosebumps. 

 

And whenever I observe fireworks shows, whether on TV from New York City or Washington, D.C., or local displays in person, I can’t help but think of the courage, determination, vision and sacrifice required to create and sustain this nation. It seems the term “patriot” has become an epithet in the minds of some, but to echo the words of Lee Greenwood, I’m “proud to be an American.”

 

Conflict and unrest the United States is experiencing today remind me of the 1960s, when protests and demonstrations for civil rights and against the Vietnam War set our country’s teeth on edge. Consider some of the lyrics of “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, one of the best-known protest songs of the mid-60s:

“There’s something happening here

But what it is ain’t exactly clear

There’s a man with a gun over there

Telling me I got to beware…

 

There’s battle lines being drawn

Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong

Young people speaking their minds…

 

Singing songs and they carrying signs

Mostly say, ‘Hooray for our side’…”

 

That song seemed revolutionary during my college days, but a similar scenario was played out in the first century A.D. The apostle Paul’s arrival had ignited a great disturbance among the citizenry of the ancient, polytheistic Greek city of Ephesus. Acts 19:32 describes the situation this way: “The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there” (Acts 19:32). The same could be said about some of the demonstrations we see on the evening news.

 

The teaching of civics and social studies is no longer practiced in many public schools, but even a casual study of U.S. history reveals political and ideological infighting has been a staple of our society. Battle lines always being drawn, people speaking their minds (typically with great zeal), and often declaring, “Hooray for our side.”

 

Nevertheless, in many ways the United States remains the “go-to” destination for countless thousands. Why else would so many people be endeavoring to gain entry, whether through legal or illegal means? Our materialistic way of life may be one of the magnets, but so are our freedoms – of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and many others.

 

Some of our cherished freedoms seem in jeopardy, and I believe we should do all we can to protect them. But for followers of Jesus Christ – citizens not only of this temporal nation but also of the eternal kingdom of God – the freedoms we have received from Him are secure. Here are some of them:

 

Freedom from the power of sin. “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery [to sin]” (Galatians 5:1).

Freedom from the judgment of sin. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1).

Freedom to live as God intends for us to live. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:13-14).

Freedom from fear of death. “In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you…that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3).

 

We could cite many others. While we rightfully celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s founding, every day we can and should celebrate our citizenship in an everlasting kingdom, described in 1 Peter 1:14 as, “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.”

 

On Independence Day, we remember the sacrifices of many brave, selfless individuals to preserve our freedoms. As we do so, let’s not forget the One who made the greatest sacrifice of all on our behalf. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Patriot’s Dilemma: In This World, But Not of This World

The so-called “separation of church and state” continues to create consternation in many sectors of our society: Staunch separationists argue matters of religious or spiritual belief have no place at all in the public square. Others contend that if we believe what the Bible teaches, we can’t avoid bringing our faith into everything we do, including the realms of politics and governance. And there are many whose views are somewhere in between.

 

Even within the Church, many hold the view that as followers of Christ, we should have no other allegiance than to the kingdom of God. Verses like Ephesians 2:19 state, “you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). Patriotism, some would contend, is in conflict with the Christian faith.

 

However, an honest look at our nation’s history reveals religion – or matters of faith – as one of the primary motivations for the exploration of the “New World,” subsequent parting from Great Britain, and the founding of the United States. Many of the principles that undergirded the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are rooted in biblical teachings and practices.

 

For sincere followers of Jesus Christ, therefore, there’s a necessary tension. In many churches, traditional hymns have been usurped by contemporary praise music. However, I recall growing up in church hearing several hymns that reflected the conviction that we are truly in the world, if not of the world, as Jesus Christ prayed for His followers in John 17:11-18. Here are a few examples: 

The Kate Smith classic, “God Bless America.” Its lyrics included, “God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her, through the night with the light from above…. God bless America, my home sweet home.”

Then there’s “This Is My Father’s World,” which closes with the words, “This is my Father’s world: O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet….”

In the ‘olden days,’ when mention of God in public schools wasn’t verboten, I recall singing, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” It included the stirring words, “Our Father God to Thee, Author of liberty, to Thee I sing. My country ‘tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty. For all eternity let freedom ring….”

 

Each of these shared the perspective that just as we thank the Lord for meeting our daily needs, jobs, families and many other things, we also can express our gratitude for the nation in which we live. 

 

Yes, we also have old songs like the Jim Reeves classic, “This World Is Not My Home.” If you’re not familiar with it, its lyrics include, “This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, and I can't feel at home in this world anymore.”

 

I’ve shared that sentiment many times, as did the apostle Paul who wrote, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). And yet we’re still here. God’s not finished with us yet in this life, and He’s providentially placed us in the star-spangled nation with all of its warts and flaws.

 

So as we prepare to observe another Independence Day, I think it’s quite appropriate to proudly acknowledge the spiritual moorings that were crucial in determining the values and principles the Founding Fathers embraced for our nation’s beginnings.

 

Psalm 33:12-13 declares, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord….” In many ways, it’s difficult to say that ours is ‘a nation whose God is the Lord.’ However, in 2 Chronicles 7:14 we have the assurance from God: 

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

 

The Scriptures describe followers of Christ as “aliens and strangers on earth” (Hebrews 11;13, 1 Peter 2:11), and in light of eternity our sojourn here on planet Earth is a brief one indeed. But during our time here it’s important to remember we’re to serve as “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20) who not only profess the good news of the Gospel but also strive to live it out.

It would be wonderful if this Fourth of July, along with celebrating our nation’s independence, we could also mark it with a day of genuine repentance, humbly asking that God would bless America – as a nation whose God is the Lord. If only…. 

United States of America – More Untied Than United?

This beautiful image from Jacquie Lawson's e-cards
reflects the joy of celebrating our nation's birth.

Back in my newspaper days I once published a photo of someone’s tattered American flag, offering the editorial opinion that flying our star-spangled banner in such condition was disrespectful, and it should have been replaced by one not worn and torn. Fast forward to today – we might conclude that flag would be more reflective of the state of our nation.

With the 250^th anniversary of its founding just three years away, the United States of America appears in some ways more untied than united. I remember the 1960s, when our country endured great tensions over the Vietnam War. However, the schisms plaguing our country today seem even greater. The art of political compromise is often referred to as “reaching across the aisle,” but that aisle has become more like a chasm in many respects.

 

So, here we find ourselves with another Fourth of July/Independence Day celebration amid great societal and political disarray. How do we respond? How should we respond?

 

Since I was born on July 4^th, “a real live nephew of my Uncle Sam” as the song goes, for a long time I thought the fireworks and celebratory hoopla were intended for my benefit. Of course, that wasn’t the case, but I grew up proud to be an American, a patriot. Today the term “patriot” has been disparaged in some quarters. There are those who, despite enjoying the benefits of living in the ole U.S.A., express their disdain for it – our history, social customs and mores, even our form of government. 

Nevertheless, I remain – to borrow the words from the Lee Greenwood anthem – “proud to be an American.” And I hold out hope that perhaps our nation can again return to its glory days. However, that will require a lot of work, blood, sweat and tears, much like those invested by hardy citizens in decades past.

 

We might start by revisiting “the basics.” In our Declaration of Independence, ratified on July 4, 1776 by 13 colonies that became united states of America, it states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness….”

 

The focus these days seems to be on the words “equal” and “rights,” with considerable debate about what those mean. Rarely do we dwell on the significance of “endowed by their Creator,” or the assertion in the preceding paragraph about “the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them.” 

 

John Adams, the second President of the United States and one of its founding fathers, declared, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Many other founders expressed similar conclusions, that a religious foundation and reliance on God were essential for guiding the republic the Declaration and U.S. Constitution were establishing.

 

When I was going to grade school in the 1950s and early ‘60s, each day started with the Lord’s Prayer, a brief reading from the Bible – usually from the Psalms – and the Pledge of Allegiance, which included the phrase, “one nation under God.” In those days the greatest problems in the schools were throwing paper spitballs, running in hallways and chewing gum. In the early ‘60s, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled prayer and Bible reading in public schools were “unconstitutional.” Decades later, absent any intentional acknowledgement of God, our schools are filled with violence, drug abuse and other forms of mayhem. Might there be a correlation?

 

We seem to be seeing the warning of Proverbs 29:18 fulfilled on a daily basis: “Where there is no vision the people run wild.” Another translation expresses it, “Where there is no [prophetic] revelation, the people cast off restraint.” Can we deny this is happening?

 

It’s not a popular sentiment in our age when so many seem defiant in their belief that “who needs God?!” But I would contend there is but one answer to that question, both individually and as a nation: We all do! We have God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

 

If only we, on this time of celebrating the anniversary of our nation’s independence, would indeed humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways. Perhaps then we would see God graciously bless America as He has in years past, bringing healing and restoring unity.

Even A Bit Beaten Up, ‘Old Glory’ Still Flies Proudly

Born on the 4^th of July, I became a Yankee doodle dandy by default. That is, if you accuse me of being a red, white and blue-bleeding, unapologetic patriot, de fault is with my mom who gave birth to me on that day.

Sighting an American flag flowing in the breeze has always thrilled me. Hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and John Philip Sousa marching tunes like “Stars and Stripes Forever” puff up my chest with pride. When Lee Greenwood sings, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and declares he’s “proud to be an American,” I know what he means.

 

Fireworks, with their brilliant explosions of light and thundering booms, provide a fitting way for marking the anniversary of our nation’s birth as an independent nation. From its inception, the United States of America has been unique, the envy of many around the world. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

 

Growing up, I didn’t know of anyone being ashamed about their American citizenry. Independence Day was a day of celebration for just about everybody. But somewhere along the line, things changed. It’s often been said, “United we stand, divided we fall,” and factions exist today that seem determined to capitalize on division. Whether it’s the dysfunctional discord that currently infests the halls of Congress, anti-American rants on college campuses, or social media diatribes that amplify the flaws of our imperfect land, we often seem a far cry from “one nation under God.”

As my patriotic fervor builds for yet another Independence Day, it’s accompanied with a growing sense of sadness. Yes, the USA has its flaws – as has every nation throughout history. That’s because it’s made up of broken, sinful people. But even with its blemishes, our country remains a destination point for many people, not somewhere from which to flee.

 

Freedom has been a hallmark of our nation; contrary to naysayers and critics, I believe in many respects its citizens have never been more free. Rights to free speech, worship, the press, assembly, keep and bear arms, a fair trial and many others are extended to us, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and other amendments added through the years. The founders of the United States demonstrated uncanny foresight in the crafting of those documents.

 

These treasured freedoms have come under attack, but they remain worth fighting for and protecting. On this Independence Day, as with all the others we’ve observed through the decades, we remember the countless thousands who gave their lives so that we might be free to live as we choose.

 

At the same time, I can’t forget the even greater freedom we have been offered, one that carries no national banners or boundaries. In Galatians 5:1 we’re reminded,“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

 

This slavery isn’t a reference to the inhumane form of bondage that has existed through most of history all around the world. Or even the practice that finally was abolished in the United States by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. No, it’s even worse – the universal, spiritual slavery described by the apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Romans:

“For we know that our old self was crucified with [Christ] so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin…. Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin…you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:6-18).

 

Today there are those who would debate how “free” our freedoms of speech, worship, the press, or owning guns should be. But as followers of Jesus Christ, we have the assurance that our freedom from sin has been achieved: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22-23).

 

The United States, in my opinion, is the greatest country in the world, even with all of its warts. But I know this is only a temporary home and my ultimate allegiance must be elsewhere: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). One day I will join with many family members, friends, and countless people I’ve never met to celebrate a very different kind of “independence day,” a glorious celebration that will never end. 

‘Grand Old Flag’ – A Symbol of Scandal?

Like every other holiday so far this year, our annual July 4^th/Independence Day celebration is certain to look and feel very different from years past. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, many cities have already cancelled their annual public celebrations and fireworks shows. Others are considerably curtailing their events. And with more aggressive protests attacking seemingly every aspect of traditional patriotic display, “Old Glory” has fallen into disrepute in some eyes, even a symbol of scandal.

It's sad. Sure, the USA has its flaws. But name any nation throughout history that hasn’t. Except we’re no longer supposed to study, or even trust, history. And what we do study, people want to rewrite and revise. But I for one believe our country still offers much for which we can – and should – be proud.

 

Despite sentiment about oppressed peoples and “white supremacy,” I strongly suspect we have more millionaires, and even billionaires, from every race than any other nation in the world. People of virtually every ethnicity and culture have made major contributions to our society and way of life, and many have been rewarded handsomely for their efforts.

 

Maybe it’s because I’m a bonafide “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” born on the Fourth of July, but I’ll take the United States – if we can still call it “united” – over any other country in the world, and I’ve been to visit a number of them. For those who disagree, they’re free and encouraged to move themselves and their stuff to another place that’s better.

I’m not oblivious to the inequities – and perceived inequities – of our nation. Yes, wrongs have been committed and justice in those cases must be served. But to discredit everything our nation – and its flag – have stood for and represent is a gross miscarriage of…justice.

 

When I see our flag, with its 50 stars on a field of blue, and its seven red and six white stripes, to me it stands for the many thousands of lives that were sacrificed to create a land that has often been referred to as “the great American experiment.” 

 

When my Hungarian ancestors passed through Ellis Island in New York City in the early 1900s, they were not guaranteed anything. But they worked hard, sometimes just scraping by, and succeeded in building respectable lives for themselves and their families. Nothing was handed to them or the other immigrants who legally entered our shores through the decades. They arrived with dreams, and through initiative, determination and refusal to quit, millions were able to realize those dreams.

 

For those who choose to kneel or disrespect the flag, they have that right, I suppose. But in so doing, they also disrespect the countless souls who came before, giving of themselves to make possible a society that was and still is, unprecedented. 

 

We’re a people, according to the Declaration of Independence, “created equal…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Like the Pledge of Allegiance, which added the phrase “under God,” from our nation's founding there was an acknowledgement of a Creator God who sovereignly has made possible all that we are and all that we can become. Starting with the ‘60s, our courts and elected officials chose to start turning their backs on that God. They sowed the wind, and now we’re reaping the whirlwind.

 

Dissidents and protesters can’t seem to understand why dishonoring the American flag strikes many of us as such an offense. All they see are the flaws of history; we see not only flaws and failures, but also the great triumphs and accomplishments, the blessings I believe largely came from the Creator to whom our founding documents refer.

 

The words from the patriotic old George M. Cohan song, “You’re a Grand Ole Flag,” say it well:

You're a grand old flag
You're a high-flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave
You're the emblem of
The land I love
The home of the free and the brave
Ev'ry heart beats true
Under red, white and blue
Where there's never a boast or brag
But should old acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the grand old flag…

 

“The emblem of the land I love.” So, criticize the United States if you will. We’re far from perfect; there’s room for improvement, without question. However, to spit on the flag, burn it, look upon it with scorn and ridicule is to spit upon, scorn and ridicule the many who gave their all to make our nation, in many respects, the envy of people all around the world.

 

Ultimately, Hebrews 11:13 and 1 Peter 2:11 declare all of God’s children are “aliens and strangers,” “foreigners and exiles” in this world. There’s another world, “a new heaven and a new earth” (1 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1), that we eagerly anticipate. But for now, this is where we reside, the United States of America – and I’m not ashamed to admit, I’m proud to be an American.

One Nation, Under God … Indivisible?

American flag on carrier USS York in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

If you’ve been reading my posts for very long, you know Independence Day means a lot to me. Because I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy – born on the Fourth of July – as the refrain from the old George M. Cohan song goes. Every time we celebrate another anniversary of the founding of the United States, I unfurl our flag, put on one of my patriotic T-shirts, and enjoy a fireworks show, whether in person or on TV.

I’ve lost count of the photos I’ve taken of American flags – even in Italy. I’m convinced red, white and blue never have – and never will – look as good as they do on Old Glory. Hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner” always fills me with pride for our nation, despite its flaws. Lee Greenwood’s classic tune, “Proud to Be an American” peps me up, and John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” makes me want to find a parade and march.

Replica of colonial flag waving at Charleston, S.C. home.

If only it were this way for everyone who benefits from living in the USA, the most free country in the world. I suppose we’re spoiled. Too much of a good thing can do that to you. Some burn the flag to make a statement. (Don’t ask me what I think they’re saying.) Others take a knee, or sit, when they hear the National Anthem of our country that so many shed blood to defend. Yes, they’re free to do this – but don’t they see the hypocrisy in such actions?

These days the Pledge of Allegiance has become controversial. When I was in grade school we recited the Pledge every day, concluding with the words, “…one nation, under God, indivisible….” Sadly, the “indivisible” description seems antiquated as our nation has become divided, according to some unlike ever before. We’ve become a country of extremes, with little room for common ground. “Tolerance” has come to mean being intolerant of any views that differ from our own.

Perhaps that little phrase, “under God, indivisible,” identifies why we find ourselves no longer “indivisible.” Because some factions of society insist we shouldn’t be “under God.” But I think the wording from the pledge is correct: A United States of America can only be truly indivisible if the source of our unity comes from being under God. Otherwise, it’s everyone for themselves, as the ancient Israelites were described in the Old Testament (Judges 21:25) – doing “what’s right in their own eyes” – when they determined no longer to submit to a sovereign God.

American flag flying in Capri, Italy.

We can’t directly equate the USA to ancient Israel, but I believe the underlying principles still apply. The Israelites prospered and thrived under leaders who were devoted to God. But when leaders wavered in their faith, or were replaced by ungodly leaders, the nation suffered.

Psalm 33:12 tells us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” We see this declaration affirmed in Psalm 144:15, “Blessed are the people of whom this is true, blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”

Historical revisionists would have us believe the so-called “separation of church and state” meant that matters of faith should be excluded from the public square. However,The Founders’ Bible argues to the contrary. In hundreds of documents compiled by historian David Barton, we find writings from many of our nation’s founding fathers who believed the United States could not survive apart from a foundation based on reverence for God.

We live in a time and culture very different from when our nation was founded in 1776. However, we worship the same unchanging, unchangeable God. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). If we are again to become truly “United,” we must somehow return to our roots. I pray that will be so – and soon.

May the Fourth Be with You!

I can’t help it. Having been born on the 4^th of July – a long time ago! – I’m a bonafide “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” and I’ve possessed a patriotic spirit for as long as I can remember. So, as another Independence Day rolls around, I’ll again be unfurling the red, white and blue, displaying it with pride.

Our nation is far from perfect – and it seems we’re finding more evidence of that every day – but the foundational values that have undergirded it remain as valid as they were when the Declaration of Independence was written and signed about 240 years ago.

The second sentence in the Declaration, considered one of the best-known sentences in the English language, states the case well: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

For more than 200 years, "Old Glory"
has been casting light into darkness.

It’s being used and abused these days by various segments of society to claim rights of all kinds, as well as entitlements, but it seems to me the key words in this famed statement are “self-evident,” “created,” and “endowed by their Creator.”

There have been countless debates over the religious and spiritual backgrounds of our founding fathers, whether they were Christians, theists, deists, or even agnostics. However, all who signed the document were agreeing to “self-evident truths” that included all men – humankind – having been created, and the rights to which we are “endowed” were established by a Creator. Although many today dispute what this means, “If the first sense makes good sense, don’t look for any other sense,” as someone wisely said.

Principles espoused in the Declaration, and other classic documents known as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, hearken to these assertions. Why else would we even be concerned about individual rights for all – or whether anyone has an opportunity to pursue happiness? As atheist Jean-Paul Sartre asserted, “Everything is indeed permitted if God does not exist.” In other words, every man for himself.

It is a sense of transcendent morality – based on unchanging, eternal truths – that enable us to have a determination for what’s right and what’s wrong. Without it, what’s good and right for me can be totally different from what’s good and right for you, and neither of us has a basis for declaring the other is wrong. As another non-believer, John D. Steinrucken acknowledged, “immutable moral laws of secularism” do not exist.

For me, July 4^th is an annual reminder that, as our Pledge of Allegiance asserts, we are “one nation under God.” I believe that reality is the sole remedy for the malaise that sadly afflicts our nation today. And yet, beyond being proud residents and citizens of the United States, followers of Jesus Christ are promised far more than that.

As the Scriptures tell us, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Through Christ we can approach our Creator as our heavenly Father: “For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household" (Ephesians 3:19-20).

Whenever I see the red, white and blue of the American flag unfurled against a bright, sunny sky, or hear the Star-Spangled Banner or John Philip Souza compositions like “Stars and Stripes Forever” or the “Washington Post March,” my heart swells with pride for the country where I was raised and have raised my own children.

However, I realize even more that in terms of eternity, our time here is just a blip, a mere moment. Therefore, it’s of far greater importance that we observe the admonition to, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). That’s where our true allegiance should lie.