Entries Tagged 'My Personal Walk' ↓

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands…” 

I am almost sure that I will irritate a few people with this post, but so be it.  Wrecked.org posted an article a few days ago about the Pledge of Allegiance.  It is an article with which I wholeheartedly agree.  You can read the whole thing here.

To sum it up, the author writes that pledging our allegiance to anything other than God while in church is equivalent to idolatry.  That it IS idolatry.  He does not call for Christians to stop saying the plege all together, just in church where our focus and allegiance should to God and God alone.  

However, I do take it to that next step.  My allegiance needs to be to God, and no other, all the time.  Not just while at church.  I choose to exercise my freedoms as an American and refrain from saying the pledge of allegiance in most cases.  Certainly not in all cases, though I must admit that I have yet to find a case where I have chosen to say it since making the decision, but I might someday.  *Shrug*

Now, before you get all crazy: No, I do not hate America.  No, I do not hate soldiers.  No, I do not hate freedom.  Yes, I realize that those freedoms came at a price.  In past generations, several members of my family have served in the military.  I was about 15 minutes from enlisting after high school, myself.  I appreciate their sacrifice.

But we have to remember that, while patriotism is fine, America is not our kingdom.  As Christians we belong to one kingdom: the kingdom of God.

And yes, I realize that it might seem hypocritical to refrain from pledging my allegiance to the flag for this reason while my everyday actions show that I am obviously placing my allegiances elsewhere.  Yes, I sin.  Yes, I put things before God all the time.  But this particular action is an obvious, and I think blatant, one that can be remedied quickly and relatively painlessly.

Now, please do not think that I am telling you to quit saying the pledge of allegiance.  I am merely asking that, if you do, remember to whom you belong and where your allegiance really lies.  May God bless America now and until His Son returns.

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul?  Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good. – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Raise your hand if you just love doing what other people tell you to do.

Anybody?  Yeah, didn’t think so.

It seems to me that an aversion to obedience is a universal trait among members of the human race.  I think it is because every time we are required to do something it reminds us of the fact that we are never in complete control of our own lives.  We always have to answer to somebody.  Obey your parents.  Obey the law.  Obey the Lord your God.

Yeah, even that one grates on me at times.  Don’t get me wrong.  I know we should have a desire to follow His commandments in an effort to become more like Christ, our Savior.  But, man, obedience tends to cramp my fleshly style; I don’t like it one bit.

The reality is, though, that being obedient keeps us safe.  Look at verse 13 up there again: Moses reaffirms the fact that keeping God’s commands is for our own good.  God knows that without guidelines we would be in a world of hurt.

Succumbing to the desires of the flesh can seriously put a damper on the joy that God wants us to have in our hearts.  Covetousness leads to a life of constant depression.  Being unequally yoked will most likely put unnecessary strain on your relationship.  Lying will most definitely lead to a miserable existence of guilt and secrecy.  That is no way to live.

The good thing is that once we learn to get past those pesky temptations, God can bless us in ways that we could never imagine.  As you go through this week, remember that obedience does not lead to limitation.  Being obedient provides us with a way to live a life that is relatively free of joy-robbing experiences and misery.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. – Colossians 2:6-7

How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! – Psalm 32:1

 A reader posted a new comment to my article Dealing with Past Transgressions the other day, and I found myself rereading it as I approved the comment. Let me tell you, reading that article could not have come at a more applicable time.

Suffice it to say, that I am very thankful for God’s unending supply of forgiveness. The beginning of last week was quite tumultuous, for lack of a better word. No, tumultuous is an accurate adjective in this case, so I will leave that word. 

Without going into too much detail (ok, no detail at all), some things came out about my past and it put a strain on a relationship that I value dearly.  Man, does Satan know how to work me over, or what?  He knows exactly what I consider to be valuable and has no qualms about beating them to a pulp. Thankfully, the other person and I are able to talk about it and are in the process of moving through it (though, I know that it will be a process, not an instant fix). 

But, how true is that verse of Psalm 32! I am certainly not proud of what happened, but I know, without any hint of doubt, that my Father has forgiven me for the sin because I confessed it to Him with a repentant heart.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

And look at the last part of that verse! Not only does He forgive me, but also cleanses me! I do not have to stress about it anymore. The sacrifice of Christ has allowed me to be free from all iniquity. Of course, this does not give me some James Bond-esque “license to sin.” However, it does allow me the peace of mind to know that those sins that I have committed and those that I am going to commit can and will be forgiven and washed away forever.   

How happy am I whose transgression is forgiven, indeed!