As we approach July 4, how should the Church approach the day? It is not really a religious holiday. And yet the vast majority of church people are deeply patriotic, and our nation does enjoy the benefits of having had a Christian foundation. Should we make this a day for flag waving in church? Should we pull out the book of patriotic songs and sing it cover to cover?
As I think about the celebration of our nation’s independence, I am deeply mindful that this freedom and liberty is actually anchored in a heart of dependence, not independence. Our freedom and liberty are dependent on us being a people surrendered to our God.
I was reading in Isaiah 1:16-20 this morning as well as the rest of the first 5 chapters of Isaiah. I believe that this is the cry of a deeply patriotic man who loved both his country and his God. He called out to a nation that had turned its back on its God, calling them to return. Is this perhaps the patriotic stance at this point in our nation’s history?
