We are moving quickly into a time of year where almost everything is festooned in red, white, and blue. As the weather gets warmer something patriotic stirs within and we begin to show our colors. Memorial Day is followed shortly by Flag Day. Flag Day leads quickly to Independence Day. We are treated to parades and speeches and fireworks and air shows and other expressions of our national identity.
With July 4 falling on a Sunday this year we get into the sticky and interesting issue of how much our patriotic fervor should be expressed in our churches. Is it appropriate to display the American flag in the sanctuary? Is it advisable to include the Pledge of Allegiance in a service of worship? Where does one draw the line?
One of the joys of this country is a guarantee that the government does not establish any particular religion or denomination as a national (or state) religion. We are free to choose how to worship with our own conscience. Our churches and places of worship are not supported by the state in any way. And this is just because the church is bigger than any one nationality. Christianity knows no national distinction. As Paul said, in Christ we are neither Jew nor Greek.
Likewise, as Paul said, we hold our citizenship in heaven. And if we are citizens of this heavenly kingdom, we are sojourners here on earth. Churches are, thus, embassies scattered around the globe. As ambassadors, we have a diplomatic duty to engage the culture in which we serve. We admire, partake, observe, and enjoy. We honor the things in the culture which are honorable.
But, that said, we worship God alone. Worship is our sacrifice of praise to the most high, not to earthly allegiances, no matter how important. Our ambassadorial duties to be engaged in the cultures in which we've been placed do not abrogate our primary allegiance to God. In some ways we must guard against "going native."
Now, this being said, expect to see me at patriotic concerts by our fabulous Town Band. Watch for me at the fireworks shows saying "ooh" and "ahh." Expect to see me with my hat over my heart at a baseball game when we sing the National Anthem. But also expect me at worship to be proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, hope of the world, and healer of the nations.
In Christ,
Pastor Lawrence