I can remember, as a young “Cub Scout,” being instructed to add the words, “under God” to our Pledge of Allegiance. The year was 1954 and, at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s urging, Congress had legislated that this recognition of our submission to a sovereign God be added to the pledge, making it read:
“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.”
Though this action has faced much criticism in the decades since that mid-century modification, it still stands to remind us of our historic acknowledgment of a common belief in the one true God of the universe. He calls His children to “do justly, love mercy and walk humbly” before Him” (Mic. 6:8; NKJV).
Our nation’s Declaration of Independence asserts a solemn creed:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (from the “Preamble” to the Declaration of Independence of the United States).
For the sake of the gospel and for our own liberties, we must stand up and speak up for life and liberty, or we will lose them. We need to actively pursue family happiness and our patriotic commitments to a country which still formally acknowledges, in our national motto and money, that our freedoms are from the one true God, the maker of heaven and earth.
In this time of extreme identity politics and political correctness, let us pursue biblical patriotism, religious freedoms and civic responsibilities, while affirming our loyalty to and patriotic pride in this great country.
May our God continue to protect and bless these United States of America! {eoa}
Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys, California, Foursquare church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at worshipontheway.wordpress.com and frequent articles for digital and print platforms.
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