On the Sunday closest to Independence Day churches all across America hold, what they like to call, “Patriotic Services.” These services were among my very favorite when I was growing up. No more.
God has saved us for His own glory. The church’s sole purpose is to glorify God. What must Jesus think when the people who bear His name — the people for whom He gave His very life — come together on a day and in a place set aside for the worship of God and, instead, sing praises to another?
Lawrence Vance and Jeffery Tucker have both written wonderful pieces that go more in depth on this subject.
It is a subject worth consideration, yes?
There are those who will say I am “unpatriotic” or an “America hater” for expressing such a view. Nothing could be further from the truth. I love America (that does not mean the government — but that’s a topic for another time). But my love for America fades into obscurity when compared with my love for God.
Lawrence Vance concludes his essay this way…
“Instead of worrying about the First Amendment, Christians should be more concerned about the First Commandment. The Lord demands that no gods be put before him – inside or outside of church. God will not give his glory to another (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11).”
Amen.
