by Dr. Don Kuehle
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“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America….”
I walked into the church sanctuary; at the front were two flags: the American flag and the Christian flag. Both are important; both remind us some basic truths and principles that we celebrate.
As our gaze focuses on the American flag, we’re reminded of the greatness of this nation in which we live, of the rights and privileges we enjoy as U.S. citizens, and of the great debt we owe to the founders of the United States of America!
Independence Day is the time we set aside to pay tribute to all those men and women who gave of themselves, under the guidance of God, to build a great nation where every person might live in freedom. As citizens, we are guaranteed certain freedoms:
FREEDOM of RELIGION. We have the right to gather to worship our God in any way and at any time and place we choose. We can worship without any fear of harassment, imprisonment, or criticism.
FREEDOM of SPEECH. We have the privilege of speaking out, and debating, any issue. We are free to speak, even critically, of our government and our leaders.
FREEDOM of the PRESS. We have the right to express our beliefs and opinions through the media without fear of reprisal. We are free to speak out publicly on anything that concerns us, or our community.
FREEDOM of ASSEMBLY. We have the privilege of gathering openly in groups: Business Meetings, Rock Concerts, Community Forums, Religious Services, even Protest Meetings. No one can disturb us or disperse us for any reason without due-process-of-law.
FREEDOM and RIGHTS. We have the “right” to privacy, the “right” to have our day in court, the “right” to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We owe our deepest loyalty to our nation for the freedoms, the rights, and the privileges we enjoy as its citizens. We owe our country our best thinking, our most creative ideas, our best skills and talents. We also owe it to our nation our full participation in the process of government. We have the freedom, the right, and the privilege to vote on every issue and to elect responsible leaders.
The CHRISTIAN flag reminds us that we are first and foremost a citizen of God’s Kingdom! As Christians, we view our nation as being under the rule and guidance of Almighty God! Our nation, our leaders, and we as citizens are responsible and accountable to God Almighty for all our actions and decisions! As Christian citizens, we are bound to live under the Law-of-Divine-Love: we are to treat others with compassion and care; we are to offer forgiveness and mercy to all; we are to promote peace, harmony and a cooperative spirit in every group to which we belong; we are responsible for making every person feel loved, wanted, and accepted — to feel as if they are important and have great value; we are to be a model of honesty, truthfulness, and hard work. As Christian citizens, we bring a new approach and a different perspective to government, and to all of life!
We owe a great debt to our nation for the freedoms we enjoy as its citizens! We owe God an even great debt, for He has set us free from the power of Sin, and Evil, and Death! That is true freedom!
So, let freedom ring! Celebrate freedom! Live and work until all peoples in all nations are truly free!