“Our
Citizenship”
July 2, 2023
Dear
brothers and sisters, grace and peace be to you from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Already
the Fourth of July celebrations have begun: in addition to the natural light
show we got late last night, there were already fireworks being fired off
nearby, in celebration of the weekend. And doubtless, tonight, as well as
tomorrow night, there will be even more local firework shows. Of course, we’re
also looking forward to the larger shows which will take place in our different
communities on Tuesday night, and the times we’ll be able to gather with our
families and friends for dinners, barbecues, and just an all around good time.
Because, on
Tuesday, once again, we will be celebrating the day on which the American Continental
Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence from Britain, over abuses
which the British government was imposing on its people in the American colonies;
especially imposing numerous taxes on basic goods and services to pay for the
recent war against France, and imposing these taxes on the Americans while
denying them representation in the British Parliament. So, on July 4, 1776, the
Declaration of Independence was unanimously approved by the Continental Congress,
paving the way, after the American Revolution, for the United States of America
to be founded, and for our rights, especially our right to worship, to be
enshrined in the Constitution.
Before
I go any further, I want to acknowledge that the temptation today would be to
preach about the problems America’s currently facing, how those problems are
rooted in certain partisan issues and politics. But I want to assure all of you
that is not the direction I’m going to choose to go. It is my firm belief that partisan
politics belong neither in the pulpit, especially in the sermon; or at the
altar, either in prayers or liturgy. The same also goes for speaking about moral
or social, and even controversial theological opinion: none of those belong up in
the front of the church. No form of “us” and “them” divisive rhetoric belongs
either in the pulpit or at the altar. However, this does not mean that we deny
each other the right to follow, and be obedient, to our individual consciences
regarding the issues of the day; while, at the same time, respecting the
beliefs of our fellow Christians, as well as our right to express our beliefs
as individuals, and emphasizing those things which unify us and make easier
cooperation possible. In other words, we acknowledge that our common faith in
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only thing that truly makes us Christians, and which
transcends all other lifestyles, opinions, and labels. As Americans, and
especially as American Christians, we are to seek unity and peace in our
country and greater society, and, as the Preamble to the Constitution which we
adhere to as Americans states, “insure domestic tranquility.”
All that being
said, there are certain duties which, as Christians, we do owe to the
government and to society. The first of these is, as even Jesus, who is the
supreme ruler and King over the earth says, to give what rightfully belongs to
the government to the government: particularly taxes, to be able to fund the
government being able to provide services which maintain the peace, prosperity,
and defense of our country. Also, we owe the government obedience to the law, to
be able to maintain good relations and safety among ourselves, our neighbors,
and those with whom we interact in different ways on a daily basis. Just as one
example, we maintain a safe speed while driving, to make sure we are kept safe,
as well as those we share the road with. We also make sure to treat all people
with general and equal dignity, courtesy, and respect, especially in our
schools and workplaces. Furthermore, we are to treat those in government with
respect and honor, and pray for them, regardless of position or political
party. But notice that none of these are rooted in partisan politics: instead,
these are actually ways that we not only follow the national and local laws,
but, perhaps more importantly, we also fulfill the divine law, to love our neighbors
as ourselves. In fact, this is exactly what Paul encourages us in our Second Reading
from Romans, verse 8: to “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing
debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” In
all our dealings and interactions with each other, and even with strangers, we
are to consider what the response which demonstrates the most amount of love is,
to be able, once again, to maintain this same love and peace in our wider
society. We do this simply because not only are we Americans, but because we
are Christians. As Christians, we are actually in a greater
position than before to change and transform society, so it’s time for us to
seize that opportunity, by living in way which loves and serves our neighbor
and all those around us. Because by doing so, we give God the honor due to Him,
when we live lives which honor Him and show who He really is.
Which is what we
are also to think about in how we live our lives, and how we respond to the
current spirit of the age: what is of greatest benefit to our families,
communities, and society at large? In our First Reading, God, speaking through
the Prophet Jeremiah, encourages us, where we live, to put down roots in our
communities, and be of benefit to those among whom we live, because He puts us
in the places in which we live for a reason. I myself never would have dreamed,
for example, that I would come from the Los Angeles area of Southern California
all the way to Farmersville, Ohio, but God did bring me here, has allowed me to
put down roots, and has blessed me personally in many different ways – just as
He has all of us, whether we have lived here our entire lives, or are also “transplants.”
And He still continues to bless us richly beyond any way we could expect. Of course,
none of it has come without some sort of struggle: in the past few years, we
have had to deal with the pandemic and the radical changes, as well as social
upheaval, it brought. But what God has shown through everything that has
happened is that He is still very much in control, rules supreme over
everything, and is still guiding everything according to His plan. In fact, God
continues to comfort us by promising, in verse 11: “’For I know the plans I
have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.’” And that is what God really wants us to
remember on this Fourth of July: that even as, according to His plan, He caused
the United States to become independent, and has preserved and protected us as
a nation through various struggles and crises for over two centuries. He still
has a plan for each one of us individually. His plan is for us to prosper, be brought
safely through harm, and to have hope for the future. And we can have hope for
the future, because we know God already has everything planned out. We also know
God does whatever He plans, because He carried out His ultimate plan, for our
salvation, by sending His Son to die on the cross and rise again – which means
that we will someday we will live with Him forever. All we have to do is trust
Him and follow where He leads.
Francis
Scott Key is best known as the author of what is now our national anthem, “The
Star-Spangled Banner,” which he wrote on September 14, 1814, in praise of the
American victory over the British during a naval battle at Fort McHenry in Baltimore,
during the War of 1812. But Francis Scott Key is also known for being a devout
Christian, who valued his personal relationship with God above all else, and who,
as a poet, wrote praise songs; in fact, one of his other poems, “Lord, With Glowing
Heart I’d Praise Thee” is in our hymnal, number 243. He also expressed his
faith as an American Christian by saying: “The patriot who feels himself in the service of God, who
acknowledges Him in all his ways, has the promise of Almighty direction, and
will find His Word in his greatest darkness.” Once again, the Fourth of July is
a wonderful opportunity for all of us to return to God and recommit ourselves
to Him. It is a time for us to start acknowledging God’s direction, praise and
thank Him for His blessings, and, in response to what He has done for us, live
lives which show His love, concern, and care for those we share our lives and
days with.
Most of
all, it is a time for us to recommit to our motto as American Christians: In God we trust. Now, even though the words “In God we trust”
didn’t officially become our national motto until 1956, and weren’t actually added
to our currency until 1957, it has been our trust in God which has kept us
sustained and encouraged in hope. Every time we take money out of our wallets
or pockets, we can look at the words “In God we trust,” and pray to God for the
ability to trust Him. And, with Francis Scott Key, and the third verse of hymn 243,
we pray: “Lord, my spirit’s ardent feelings vainly would my lips express/Low
before thy footstool kneeling, deign thy suppliant’s prayer to bless/Let thy
grace my soul’s chief treasure, love’s pure flame within me raise/And, since
words can never measure, let my life show forth thy praise!” On this Fourth of
July, let our lives, as Americans, and especially as American Christians, live lives
of love, honoring God by serving our neighbor, and let our lives praise God, by
being blessings, and giving all people blessings from Him.
Now
may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
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