Quote from Forum Archives on July 8, 2002, 9:31 am

Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>

THE LAND IN WHICH WE LIVE
July 7, 2002

TEXT: Matthew 22:15-22

Just a little more than a week before our annual Independence Day
celebration for 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
issued the amazing ruling that it is unconstitutional for schoolchildren
to be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The issue at hand, of
course, is the two-word phrase “under God” in the Pledge. This Circuit
Court issued the opinion that it violates the separation of church and
state. Interestingly, this Court has already backed down a little until a
full vote can be taken.

That such a legal case would be taken to the courts, and that such a
ruling would be made at this time in American history is sadly
astounding. It just points out how far away from the Christian faith,
Judeo-Christian ethics, and the historical foundation of America our own
culture has come. The scope of how we got to this point is much too big
to cover in a single Sunday morning sermon, so I want to limit my topic
this morning to the connection between our nation and faith in God, which
I was planning to do well before the Pledge of Allegiance episode anyway.

There are some who express a great deal of concern over the display in
many American churches of the flag of the United States of America. These
people to whom I refer are not ACLU lawyers or liberal judges. They are
rank and file Christians who have personal difficulties with the
implication that we try to create out of Christianity a civil religion.
They go too far in their opinions.

The mistake that they all make in this regard is that a public display of
patriotism and a public display of the Christian faith historically go
hand in hand. Never before in the history of the world has a nation been
established quite the way America has been. Israel may come the closest,
since God led His people there for the express purpose of establishing a
land where His people could live for and worship Him. But, unlike Israel,
American society developed into a people seeking, at great personal
expense, the ideals of personal liberty and freedom. Yet, even in the
midst of such lofty ideals, their foundational faith remained unshakable.
To try to separate America’s ideologies from the faith of her founders is
a mistake that has led to bizarre rulings such as this most recent Pledge
of Allegiance ruling.

In his farewell address following his second term as President, George
Washington said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to
political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.
In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor
to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of
the duties of men and citizens.” Oh that many across our nation today
could hear and heed our first President’s eloquent words.

Nor was Washington the only founder to think and express such thoughts.
Writing to Thomas Jefferson in 1813, John Adams states, “The General
Principles, on which the Fathers Atchieved Independence, were the only
Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could
Unite, and these Principles only could be intended by them in their
Address, or by me in my Answer. And what were these general Principles? I
answer, the general principles of Christianity, in which all those Sects
were United: And the general Principles of English and American Liberty,
in which all those young Men United, and which had United all Parties in
America, in Majorities sufficient to assert and maintain her
Independence. Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe,
that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and
immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those
Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our
terrestrial, mundane System. I could therefore safely say, consistently
with all my then and present Information, that I believed they would
never make Discoveries in contradiction to these general Principles…”
(William J. Bennett, ed., The Spirit of America, New York: Simon &
Schuster, 1997, pp. 377-378.) Thousands of more such citations from men
and women who contributed significantly to our precious heritage could be
easily used to further show the foundational faith of America. This is,
in my opinion, the basis for the greatness of this land and also a reason
to show the flag in our churches across the land.

At the same time, I am very well aware that no nation, political system,
government, or economy has a monopoly on Christianity. I believe that in
his response to those trying to trap him with the question about taxes,
Jesus makes it clear that faith in him is not tied to any government,
political system, or nation. Most simply put, I would argue, Christianity
is not dependent upon any system in our world. In response to the
question concerning paying taxes, Jesus pointed to the inscription on the
coin itself and answered, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God
what is God’s.”

This is why any person can have a Christian faith no matter what
government he or she lives under. We recognize that some governments make
it more difficult to believe and live as a Christian, and some
governments make it easier; but, anyone who comes to God through the
saving grace of Jesus is a Christian no matter where they live.
Communism, totalitarianism, democracies, republics, parliaments,
monarchies - none of them matter with regard to an individual’s faith.
None of them can stop an individual from experiencing saving grace.

This is why the Pharisees could not trap Jesus in this attempt. They were
thinking that he would have to compromise his relationship with God and
with his Hebrew heritage if he taught that the taxes needed to be paid.
Of course, if he spoke against paying the taxes, they could turn him into
the Roman authorities. Jesus would have none of that. He refused to be
ensnared by their false logic. Our relationship with God is not bound by
or to any government or political system. Jesus was neither a “good Jew”
nor a “good Roman” for believing in God. He was simply faithful to the
Father. Allegiance to Jerusalem or Rome or any other human government did
not effect such a spiritual relationship. The Pharisees recognized Jesus’
lesson and “were amazed.” Likewise, we are not necessarily “good
Americans” for believing in Jesus Christ. We are Christians. Neither are
we “good Christians” for being Americans.

This is also why I have no reservations with presenting the American flag
in our sanctuary. As long as I - I think I can include all of us: we -
live in a land in which our Christian responsibilities match the ideals
of our nation, we can claim allegiance to the nation as well. There may
come that sad day when being Christian no longer matches the ideals of
our nation, but that day has not yet come. We struggle with significant
issues concerning our national laws and motives, but there are still many
American ideals that are derived directly from the Christian faith and
Judeo-Christian ethics. In this we can continue to celebrate proudly our
national history and heritage. More importantly, we can also continue to
educate our fellow Americans that the best of all America has ever stood
for is derived directly from the foundation of Christian faith which our
ancestors have provided for us.

Just as we celebrated our American heritage and history three days ago on
the fourth of July, so this morning we celebrate our Christian heritage
and history in the service of communion. In the eating of the bread and
the drinking from the cup, we are reminded of the price that was paid for
our salvation and our return to a relationship with God. The broken bread
reminds us of the broken body of Christ. The cup reminds us of the
spilled blood of Christ. Together, they remind us of his suffering,
self-giving sacrifice for our benefit. He gave his life on earth so that
we could have eternal life with God.

It is ironic to note that almost every immigrant to this country who
becomes a naturalized American citizen is better-versed in American
heritage than many naturally born American citizens. In order to take the
oath of allegiance as a citizen of the United States of America, an
immigrant must demonstrate that he or she has learned some important
basics of American history and the political system. They have to
knowingly and willingly deny their former citizenship and embrace
whole-heartedly citizenship in this new world. And, if it is discovered
that if anyone has pledged their allegiance falsely so as to gain access
to America in order to harm the citizens of this land, that person can be
tried for treason or deported from this land.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Paul reminds us of this important truth. None
of us are born into God’s kingdom; we are all born again into it. We have
heard the truth of the Gospel and accepted the life-saving, life-giving
message of Jesus Christ. We have pledged our allegiance to him. We have
told him that we will follow him and obey him. We will love him and love
others as he wants us to love others. We will show without reservation
the fruit of the Spirit, which includes “love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” This is
what it means to be a citizen in the kingdom of God.

As we prepare to receive the bread and the cup in this service and
celebration of communion, the Bible invites us to examine ourselves so
that we may take it worthily. In just a moment, we will sing “We Bow
Down.” Use this as your opportunity to bow down before God and pledge
allegiance once more to Him. We can be the citizen of any country we want
in this world, but only citizenship with God matters both now and for
eternity.

Rev. Charles A. Layne, pastor, First Baptist Church, Bunker Hill, IN

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