Christian Living
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
"Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic; for our better ordering, and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience." (Excerpt from the Mayflower Compact)
"Spiritual Patriotism; what a strange blog title, you may say. Two which certainly go together, I contend. Without a doubt, the Bible has a lot to say about this subject, as well as did our founding fathers’ documents.
First a definition; "Spiritual Patriotism cultivates and defends the sort of minimal civil government required by the Bible. These principles of Patriotism allow for the principles of Christianity to flourish."
You see, God is a God of order (1 Cor 14:33) and government is simply an instrument of such order. (1 Peter 2:13-14) While theology serves the spiritual needs of mankind, government is but an instrument serving physical needs. And when either entity ceases in their respective responsibility, the objective of the end result is compromised. (1 Peter 3:17)
There is no authority except from God. This does not say, however, that only certain forms of government are ordained of God. God established and upholds the principles of government even though some governments do not fulfill God's desires.
Yes, "Spiritual Patriotism" is a must for all believers. In (Matthew 22) the Lord Jesus taught that the state and God have appropriate claims on us. However, God's authority and claim over us must always take top priority.
The Apostle Paul gave this subject quite a lot of press. Paul, writing under the direction of God's Holy Spirit, confirms that all governments are established by God (Romans 13:1), instituted by Him (Romans 13:2), God's servants (Romans 13:4,6), and an agent of wrath (Romans 13:4). Therefore all believers are to submit to governmental authorities (Romans 13:1, 5) by paying the proper taxes (Romans 13:6) and giving government the appropriate respect.
Having been under the subjection of Nero's Roman government, Paul had every secular right to attest to cynicism. However, he chose the right spiritual attitude towards the ruling authorities.
The founding fathers of the United States continued such patriotic loyalty towards God. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States supported Spiritual Patriotism by such phrases as:
"and to assume among the powers of the earth the separation and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and that of Nature's God"
"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."
"We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world …”
"…and to do all other for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence …"
"In the year of our Lord…"
Moving on, as children of God, we should also be good citizens at home as well as in our community. (Titus 3:1) In the Old Testament, when the Israelites were taken into Babylonian exile, they continued to be productive citizens. (Jeremiah 29:4-7)
And in the New Testament, Peter tells us that we are exiles, citizens of Heaven who are also temporary citizens here on earth, and that we too should be good citizens, even in an empire as wicked as Rome. (1 Peter 2:11-17)
In other words, we Christians should attempt to make the best citizens and always give a good witness (1 Peter 2:15) to the full gospel. (1 Cor 15:1-4)
God might use patriotism toward any country to teach us something. “As the family offers us the first step beyond self-love, so [patriotism] offers us the first step beyond family selfishness. . . . It involves love of our neighbors. . . . All natural affections, including this, can become rivals to spiritual love; but they can also be preparatory imitations of it, training (so to speak) of the spiritual muscles which Grace may later put to a higher service.” (C.S. Lewis)
I realize, however, oftentimes the idea of patriotism makes many Christians uneasy. So what does the Bible actually teach? Are God and country allies? Famous evangelist Billy Sunday once said, “Christianity and patriotism are synonymous terms.”
Remember, God and country may not always be allies, but they need not be enemies. It is possible to be a good Christian and a good patriot. Realizing of course, we are citizens of Heaven first (Philippians 3:20), we can still seek the peace and prosperity of our earthly home. We are free to vote our convictions, sing our national anthem, salute our flag, and still honor God above all.
And as Christians, our study of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16) will lead us to decide how we should view our love for God, as well as our love for country. Because mankind is not made up of angels, government was deemed necessary. Because no man stands to another as God to man, government was necessary and was ordained by God.
PLEASE VISIT MY NEW WEB PAGE http://ccrobey.wixsite.com/themessage
AUTHOR'S POSTSCRIPT
If you are like me, you enjoy the great Patriotic Christians hymns, especially the more traditional hymns of praise and worship which are suitable for all Christian denominations. One such hymn that comes to mind is "God Bless America.”
"God Bless America" is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938. The later version has notably been recorded by Kate Smith, becoming her signature song.
"God Bless America" takes the form of a prayer (intro lyrics "as we raise our voices, in a solemn prayer") for God's blessing and peace for the nation ("...stand beside her and guide her through the night..."). (From Wikipedia.org)
Yes, we can and do sing patriotic praises to our heavenly Father, through patriotic Christian lyrics. This is just another avenue of mixing spirituality with patriotism.
Yes, America still proclaims the old familiar motto "In God We Trust.” I trust that our country will always give God our very best, which is our trust. Now come and sing along with me. Amen!
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless the land that gave us birth!
No pray'r but this know we.
God bless the land, of all the earth,
The happy and the free.
And where's the land like ours can brave
The splendor of the day.
And find no son of hers a slave?
God bless America!
God bless the land, the land beloved
Forever and for aye!
God bless the land that gave us birth.
God bless America!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
This article has been read 1220 times < Previous | Next >
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.