“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” (Pledge of Allegiance)
Our beautiful country was founded for many reasons, but two of the most prominent are unity & God. It’s everywhere – in our name (UNITED States of America); in our courtroom oaths (“so help me God”); in our pledge (“one nation, under God”); throughout our national songs (America the Beautiful, God Bless America, The Star-Spangled Banner, etc). It’s even on our money – “e pluribus unum” (out of many, one); “In God we trust”.
All across our national history, we see examples of following & not following these two founding principles – & the correlating effects of our actions. From wars within our borders, to segregation & separation over meaningless things to bonding together to defend our homeland to helping each other recover from devastating circumstances, we’ve seen it all. Without question, our country is at its strongest when we are both united & putting God ahead of the world.
So, what does this mean for us today? Where do we stand now? Right now, it seems like this is one of the most divided, far from God, times in our nation. It’s so sad to see the animosity, the lack of truth, the highlighting of differences, the absent hope, & the embrace of the secular world, that are so prevalent in modern society.
But we need to do much more than simply be sad & wish things were better, “more like the way they used to be”. As Christians, one of the best things we can do is set the example. We need to shine Christ’s light to the people around us. We need to show the joy & hope that comes from putting God & each other ahead of ourselves.
Let’s quit arguing amongst ourselves & behave like the one Church, the body of Christ, that we are supposed to be. Let’s try focusing on things we have in common with people, rather than our differences. Let’s recognize every human being as equally valuable & precious to God. Let’s make an effort to do things that benefit our neighbors & community (& do them happily). Most of all, let’s choose to surrender ourselves to God daily. To seek to follow His will first & foremost, before anything else. To honor & glorify Him with our words, thoughts, & actions constantly & consistently.
When we do all this, we will radiate Jesus so brightly to the world around us that it cannot & will not be ignored. When it gets noticed, it will call people to God, & we will start to see a change in society. Let’s help bring our nation back to it’s core founding principles.
Let’s help our country be “one nation, under God” again!
‘and [if] my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. ‘ (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Open the gates so a righteous nation can come in — one that remains faithful. You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. Trust in the Lord forever, because in the Lord, the Lord himself, is an everlasting rock! (Isaiah 26:2-4)
[Living] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope, at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:2-6)
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, (Romans 15:5)
If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:1-5)
Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing. For the one who wants to love life and to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, and let him turn away from evil and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil. (1 Peter 3:8-12)
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come. Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:14-17)
There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28)
‘But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. , Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:6-10)
‘But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (Matthew 6:33)
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalms 55:22)
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body , and strengthening for your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Do not despise the Lord ’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:5-12)
Our Faith, Hope, & Joy 