I hate taking an extreme all or nothing position on anything. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. That’s just about the only total extreme I’m willing to stand by. Polarization on just about every other issue does more harm than good.

I read a tweet on Sunday afternoon that said if your church service is 4th of July themed that’s idolatry. I’m sorry I don’t know who posted it. I did not save it because I had no idea I would be coming back to it but now I can’t shake it. Anything can be taken to an unhealthy extreme. It is common for believers in our culture to get their strong feelings about Christianity and America mixed together. The image of a cross decorated with stars and stripes makes me a little twitchy. I can hear Michael Spencer screaming in my head. But just about every church I’ve ever been a part of has an American flag, and usually a Christian flag, in the sanctuary. Some would claim that displaying a flag in church or pledging allegiance to the flag – anywhere – is not something Christians can not do with a clear conscience. Our pledge and oath should be to Christ and no other. That is extreme at the other end of the spectrum. As is true with most things I’m more comfortable somewhere in the middle that at either far end.

Christ should be our highest allegiance but there are others. Christianity, based on the New Testament of the Bible, holds marriage in very high regard. The wedding vows do not usurp Christ’s authority. Quite the contrary, two people entering the bonds of holy matrimony can choose to have Christ at the center of their marriage. Marriage is used to symbolize Christ’s relationship to the church, describing that latter as a bride adorned for her husband. If we prioritize our allegiances we can rightly have more than one. We can put God first, family next and then career. Putting career goals ahead of time with family has cost many men and women said family. Children should not grow up with an absentee parent because those widgets aren’t going to sell themselves. The Supreme Court has just upheld the case brought by postal workers in their fight to not work on Sundays. The world is changing and several in the postal service were about to lose their benefits and retirement after faithfully serving for many years because now they are being asked to work on Sunday; Folks that signed up many years ago thinking the Lord’s Day was safe.

We should clearly be thankful for every blessing we have, an idea well supported by the Old and New Testaments. Be thankful for health, for safety, for each meal and even thankful when trials come because of the work done in us and through us during such times. We live in a nation that is abundantly, richly blessed. Recognize that not every person in the world is equally blessed but be thankful, not ashamed, for the economic opportunities and military prowess that we enjoy. Use what you have been blessed with to bless others. Christianity is not intrinsically American. We have no exclusive claim to it. But we can thank God for his grace, mercy and salvation and other blessings as well namely the freedom and liberty we have in this country. All patriotism is not nationalism. Give God the credit he is due and we can also enjoy the benefits and privileges that life affords. Be respectful of others that feel differently. They live in the same free country and that’s what Romans 14 would have us do. As much as lies within you, live peaceably with all people.

Nations of the world are like denominations in the church. Both are going to continue to exist. Be true to yours and to God who establishes kings and kingdoms.