…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philippians 2:10
I would ask you to keep in mind this morning that this is my front yard. The flagpole belonged to my Dad before I inherited it. You will notice the flag is at half-staff, in memory of the school children and teachers who lost their lives in Uvalde, Texas, and those who were victims, both wounded, and all the families who, in shock and grief, mourn their losses, still today, and for a lifetime.
.jpg)
To those who would, out of good conscience disagree (and
I do not judge the state of anyone else’s conscience), I will not engage in an
argument over this. If a person wishes
to display a flag, it is that person’s preroggative. But that flag says something about the person
(or in this case, church) that displays it. To those who would say it is law
to hoist Old Glory higher than any other flag, I would
offer the US Legal Code concerning flags, which states:
When displayed from a staff in a church or
public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the
position of superior prominence….[1]
The code is just that, a statement
of etiquette about the right way to display a flag. It is a matter not of legal prohibition, with
penalty, but simply a matter of social deference, or submission to societal
pressure. This is etiquette (code) not
law. There is no penalty, federal, or
otherwise. It may be offensive, however,
so the more reasonable solution would be to not display the American flag in
worship or at the church at all, except for the times when there is an event
that appropriately requires[2] a flag. This
suggests also that the Christian flag should not be displayed during such an
event or gathering.
Let me assure you I’m aware that Jesus told us to be
good citizens. The dilemma arises when
we try to limit that to which tribe we’re honoring. I am to be a good citizen of my country…and I
endeavour to the fullest extent. But I have
dual citizenship; I belong to another land, to which I am bound at an
exceedingly higher level and price. And
I will raise no flag higher than that country’s!
For You Today
The Apostle Peter
told the authorities:
“We must obey God rather than any human
authority. Acts 5:29
This is required of
Christians if they really want to be good citizens. And honoring no name or country above the
name of Jesus with flag or mouth, is the criteria!
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34
[1] Images: Pixabay.com Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©
[1] Cornell Law School’s
website
[2] This is problematic, since Congress also makes no laws regarding the free exercise of worship.
