There is a great debate going on in our country today that centers around the subject of patriotism. On one side of the argument, there are those who feel that, because of all the perceived social injustices taking place in our country, they need to spurn the symbol that represents it - the American flag. On the other side of the argument are those who, in spite of all of America's faults, still want to honor the sacrifices of those who have given their lives to provide for us the liberty we enjoy in America.
This is a heated debate. And, I dare say, that I am writing to a group of people who find themselves on both sides of this argument. For a few moments, let's set aside our own opinions on the matter. As Americans, let's objectively consider some truth that can guide us.
The Biblical Importance of a Symbol
As we begin, we must first establish a fundamental truth regarding the importance of symbols.
In 1943, the cult known as the Jehovah's Witnesses presented a case in the US Supreme Court regarding their refusal to allow their children to salute the American flag. Their reasoning for not saluting the flag was based out of Exodus 20 where, they claimed, the Bible speaks of not making to yourself any graven images. They claimed that the American flag was a graven image and, therefore, their religion did not allow for them to salute it. The Supreme Court gave a verdict that allowed for every individual to choose whether or not to show respect to the American Flag.
Now, the question must be asked: Is having such a symbol really idolatry?
Let us briefly consider what the Bible teaches us on this issue.
"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee, pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." (Numbers 21:4-9)
In response to Israel's sin, God had Moses create a symbol for the people to look to and receive salvation. It was not the symbol that saved them when they looked to it, but God. The symbol on the pole merely represented the salvation God was offering.
Yet, notice what happened later in Israel's history.
"Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign...He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it..." (II Kings 18:1, 4)
Israel had allowed this symbol of salvation to become and idol in their lives! It was not made for this purpose, but it was eventually used for this purpose.
The truth is, we too can allow symbols to become idols in our lives as well. As Americans, we must be ever so careful not to worship the flag, but rather to appreciate what it represents.
Much as the brazen serpent was a symbol of God's deliverance, in the New Testament, another symbol was offered to us through this same object to signify our means of salvation.
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:14-15)
The cross is the symbol of the eternal gift of salvation that God extends to all. The cross is the symbol of the sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world. The cross is the symbol of our hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus.
There is nothing significant about a cross in and of itself. Just because someone wears a cross around their neck doesn't make them a Christian. However, to those of us who have believed in Jesus, there is great significance in what the cross represents!
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (I Corinthians 1:18)
Just as the cross is a symbol of the salvation we have been given as Christians, the flag is a symbol of the freedom we have been given as Americans. It is not the source of our freedom, but a symbol of it!
Therefore, it can readily be seen how the Bible actually encourages us to remember the significance of symbols. I remind you that even Jesus Himself used symbols to remind us of important truths. (i.e., baptism, the Lord's Supper, communion, the rainbow, etc.)
As we consider the importance of a symbol, I want to share with you some reasons why we should still honor the flag today.
Why I Still Stand for the Flag
Where did the American flag originate? On July 4, 1777, Congress made a resolution to adopt the flag, wherein it was stated that "the flag of thirteen United States [should] be thirteen stripes, alternating red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Over the years, as each new state was added to the union the number of stars increased on the flag until on July 4, 1960, President Eisenhower officially recognized the fifty stars and thirteen stripes by Executive Order.
But, what is more important than knowing how we got our flag is knowing why we should respect it. Let me offer to you four reasons.
1. It is a Matter of Principle.
As has been stated already, the primary purpose of a symbol is not to exalt itself, but to exalt the thing it represents. The reason I stand for the flag is not because it is a pretty piece of cloth, but because of the principles it stands for.
The Pledge of Allegiance succinctly summarizes our foundation principles: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." It is upon such principles America was established.
The foundational principles God gave to Israel was His law. Through their keeping of it, God stated He would be glorified through Israel in the eyes of all the world.
"Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." (Deuteronomy 4:5-6)
The glory of a nation is found in her standards, not in her symbols. It is found in her ethics, not in her ensigns. It is found in her principles, not in her pennants.
Many refuse to stand for the flag because of how things are in America today. Yet, we as a people have never stood for the flag because we are the people we should be, but because we live in a nation which was founded upon principles that give us the freedom to aspire to be the people we should be! As Jane Hampton Cook put it, "Patriotism is not pride in the pain of our nation's past. Rather, patriotism is pride in the principles that paved the way for change."
The color blue in our American flag represents perseverance and justice. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, "When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men...would be guaranteed the unalienable right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Though we have had many faults throughout our national history, the ideal of freedom and justice has persevered and prevailed above each one.
We must continue to stand for the principles that have made America great! If we do not, the consequences will be dire. As Alexander Hamilton warned, "Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything."
"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3)
2. It is a Matter of Honor.
Another reason we stand for the flag is out of honor for those who have given their lives to provide us the freedom we enjoy in America.
There are more than 1.2 million Americans who have died in battle defending our freedoms. We stand for the soldiers of the past, such as William Williams, a runaway slave who later died as a part of the 38th U.S. Infantry at the Battle of Fort McHenry. We stand for the recent heroes, such as Robert Kelly, the son of prior White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2010. Interestingly, in response to the NFL controversy in 2017 where athletes kneeled during the national anthem, John Kelly had this to say, "I believe every American, when the national anthem is played, should cover their hearts and think about all the men and women who have been maimed and killed. Every American should stand and think for three lousy minutes."
The color red in our American flag represents valor. When we stand for the flag, we honor the valor of those who sacrificed and served to ensure to us freedom.
"Render therefore to all their dues...honour to whom honour [is due]." (Romans 13:7)
3. It is a Matter of Unity.
We stand for our flag as a statement of unity. Though we each come from varied backgrounds, political positions, and religious persuasions, the one truth that unites us all is that we are all Americans.
The fifty stars in a sea of blue on our American flag represent the fifty states across our union. The thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that made up our nation. These symbols remind us that though we may each come from very different places, we are all still united as Americans.
In his farewell address in 1796, George Washington said this, "The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shade of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles." This is a sentiment we need to be reminded of often in our day.
We stand for the flag because it is a symbol that reminds us that we are united as Americans.
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
4. It is a Matter of Example.
We stand for the flag to instill patriotism in the hearts of the next generation. George Washington, who knew firsthand the cost of freedom, wrote, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any way, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." This is a stark reminder in a day where the people who serve in our military and police forces are dishonored.
The color white in our American flag symbolizes purity and innocence, particularly that of our children. When we stand for the flag, we are standing for the hope of our children's future - that they will inherit and carry on the legacy of America to future generations.
We stand for the flag so that our children will continue to stand for it!
"A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this." (Psalm 22:30-31)
A Final Challenge
On this annual Flag Day, let me encourage you to to take a moment to remember all that the symbol of our flag represents, to honor it and to appreciate the country God has blessed us to live in.
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