Dear Christian Community,
Please stop wrapping yourselves in the American flag while forgetting to wrap yourselves in the teachings of Jesus.
There is nothing wrong with loving your country. There is nothing wrong with honoring those who have sacrificed for our freedoms. But when our patriotism becomes more visible than our faith, perhaps it’s time to examine our hearts.
The American flag represents a nation. The cross represents a Savior.
One can make you feel good about the country you love. The other can radically transform the life you live.
Jesus didn’t tell us to love only our fellow Americans. He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, pray for our enemies, care for the poor, welcome the stranger, and serve the least among us.
He didn’t ask us to make America look more Christian. He called us to become more like Christ.
So, before you wave that flag, ask yourself: Am I living out the values Jesus taught? Am I loving people who disagree with me? Am I standing up for the vulnerable? Am I extending grace to those society would rather ignore?
You can love America and still challenge America. You can honor your country without worshiping it. And you can be patriotic without confusing the kingdom of God with the politics of a nation.
Church, our first allegiance must be to Jesus Christ—not a political party, not a president, and not a flag.
America doesn’t need a church that simply makes people feel patriotic. It needs a church that makes people encounter the radical, transforming love of Jesus.
Wave your flag if you choose. But never let it fly higher in your heart than the cross.
Because in the end, Jesus won’t ask how loudly we proclaimed our patriotism. He will ask how faithfully we loved. ~OC
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” ~Matthew 6:33
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