Serving Two Masters

[alex2165]

Serving Two Masters​

Not long ago my Baptist church conducted pledge of allegiance to a flag, and while I was standing suddenly the words of Christ came to my mind.

Matthew 6.24
24.”No one can serve two masters, a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and wealth.”

If we have Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and accepted His death on the cross as the act of our salvation, and desire to be spiritually born again, and call ourselves as Christians, and praying to GOD for whatever needs we may have, would be all of it considered as our pledge of allegiance to GOD?

How then we give our pledge of the loyalty to our earthly temporary country when we already pledged to be loyal to the Heavenly and Everlasting Country of GOD, and to Him Personally?

Do we have in Heaven of GOD Anglo-Saxons, Latinos, Asians, African, and other nationalities?
Is the Heaven divided on Americans, Mexicans, Canadians, and others?

When we vote in any type of elections for a man or for a woman to be elected for a certain position in our local, state, or government office, and at the same time call our Lord as King of the Earth for Whom we wait to come, call Him our Master, and our Lord, and our Savior, why when we vote for a mortal human being?

I am not suggesting that we should be disloyal to our country in any way, but in this sense I would like as a question, what comes first, our earthly temporary country, or everlasting Kingdom of GOD?
What comes first, principals of GOD, or the principals of our society?

I believe that we shall be always supportive of our government when it comes to do something good, and if it does not interfere with the Christian’s principals and ideals.

To Romans 13.1-7
Authorities on Earth are GOD’S servants, obey and respect them
1.Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except GOD, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by GOD.
2.Therefore, whoever resist authority, resist what GOD has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
3.Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval.
4.It is GOD’S servant for you good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of GOD to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.
5.Therefore, one must be subject not only because of wrath, but also because of conscience.
6.For the same reason you also pay taxes, the authorities are GOD’S servants, busy with this very thing.
7.Pay to all what is due them, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom is due.

First Timothy 2.1-2
1.First of all, then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2.for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all goodness and dignity.

To Titus 3.1
1.Remiand them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

1Peter 2.13-14.17-20
13.Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
14.or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
17.Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear GOD, honor the king.
18.Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.
19.For this finds favor if for the sake of conscience toward GOD a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
20.What credit is there if when you sin and are harshly treated, and you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure it, this finds favor with GOD.


I found some other places of the Bible which relate to the issue of our true citizenship.


John 17.14-16
Jesus prayed to His Father concerning His followers.
14."I have given them Your world, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15.I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
16.They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

John 18.36
36.Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting that I might not be delivered up to the Jews, but as it is, My Kingdom is not of this realm."

To Philippians 3.20
20."Our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,"

Hebrews 11.13-16
13.All these (Abel. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and all other patriarchs and holy men of GOD) died in faith without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the Earth.
14.Those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15.And indeed, if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16.But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a Heavenly one. Therefore, GOD is not ashamed to be called their GOD, He has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 13.14
14.Here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

1Peter 1.3-4
3.Blessed be the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a Living Hope (Jesus Christ), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4.to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,

1John 4.4-6
4.You are from GOD little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He Who is in you, than he who is in the world.

5.They are from the world, therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.

6.We are from GOD, he who knows GOD listens to us, he who is not from GOD does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.

1John 5.4
4.Whoever is born of GOD overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.

 

[98cwitr]

 

[USCGrad90]

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855–1931), who was a Baptist minister. It was intended to instill into the minds of American youth a love for their country and the principles on which it was founded. The words "under God" began to be used around 1948 and Eisenhower worked with Congress to introduce a bill which was officially signed into law in 1954. This addition was intended to set our pledge apart from that of other countries and indicate that our country serves a higher power.
I think it is clear to me that Bellamy, Eisenhower and others who helped shape the pledge intended to recognize the power of God above any Earthly power.

 

[miamited]

Hi alex,

I'm also one who prefers to keep nationalism out of worship services. I often skip 4th of July services and others held for patriotic holidays because of such.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[alex2165]

“I think it is clear to me that Bellamy, Eisenhower and others who helped shape the pledge intended to recognize the power of God above any Earthly power.”

Thank you for a short history concerning this issue. But if they (above) intended to recognize the power of GOD above any earthly power, why when we pledge to a flag? The flag is the symbol of the earthly power, flag is the political symbol. Is it would make more sense to give pledge to a Bible as it use to be during the inauguration of the presidents?

 

[alex2165]

GOD bless you too Ted.

You absolutely right, we cannot pledge to politics and to GOD at the same time. But it does not make us lesser Americans, we all wish to our country to be prosperous and free. Actually because we pledges to GOD, to much more higher Authority than the earthly one, in this sense, we are much more loyal to our country than anybody else, because we stand only for the Godly principals on which our country built upon and perform, and because of it we cannot fail our GOD, nor our country.

 

[miamited]

GOD bless you too Ted.

You absolutely right, we cannot pledge to politics and to GOD at the same time. But it does not make us lesser Americans, we all wish to our country to be prosperous and free. Actually because we pledges to GOD, to much more higher Authority than the earthly one, in this sense, we are much more loyal to our country than anybody else, because we stand only for the Godly principals on which our country built upon and perform, and because of it we cannot fail our GOD, nor our country.

Hi alex,

Yes, I can agree with that. I believe that the government of the nation in which I live is a reasonably sound government of men. Is it the best? Probably not. Is it the worst? Certainly not! It is a good and sound government as far as governments that are proposed of men by which any group of people on the earth are governed.

I support the government over me in most of what it does and in the things that it does that I'm not fully supportive of, I do remind myself that it is, after all, just a governmental system created by men and it isn't likely that in a nation of 300 million people that it is going to be always run the way that I think it should be run. I respect the government in place over me just as God has asked me to and I do believe that if I live my life holding such respect and doing what is right in God's sight, that my government holds no fear over me.

However, with all of that said, I don't believe that any special honor given to our nation or government has a place in the worship services of God. We are there to worship God and Him only. He shares His glory with no one. There are plenty of places where those who feel a need to honor their nation, government, or the men who serve under the direction of that nation can give their support. A worship service gathered for the worship of God, however, isn't one of them.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[USCGrad90]

There are plenty of places where those who feel a need to honor their nation, government, or the men who serve under the direction of that nation can give their support. A worship service gathered for the worship of God, however, isn't one of them.

Ted,
I think I agree with the general concept of what you are saying, but I think there is some justification for services centered around a patriotic theme. We occasionally have services intended to bless individuals when we send them into the mission field, for Deacon ordination, or for other reasons to recognize a group for the work the Christ has done or will do in their lives. So why would we not expect to have a service to thank God for the blessings He has already bestowed on our country and to request the additional blessings the he may bestow?
I do agree that sometimes the purpose of that service can be lost, but if the intent of the service is to praise God rather than man, I think a service of this kind is appropriate. Consider some of the lyrics from 2 common patiotic songs, as evidence of the intent to praise God. There are more songs and examples, but I hope the intent of these songs is clear.

"America the Beautiful" written by a poem by Katharine Lee Bates (Daughter of a Pastor) in 1895 and later published with music by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward in 1905.
- America! America! God shed His grace on thee.
- America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
- America! America! May God thy gold refine

Samuel Francis Smith wrote the lyrics to "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in 1831, while a student at the Andover Theological Seminary
- Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of Liberty, To thee we sing, Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light, Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
- Beneath Heaven's gracious will the stars of progress still our course do sway; In unity sublime To broader heights we climb,Triumphant over Time, God speeds our way!
- Grand birthright of our sires, Our altars and our fires Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled, The hope of all the world, In peace and light impearled, God hold secure!

 

[miamited]

Ted,
I think I agree with the general concept of what you are saying, but I think there is some justification for services centered around a patriotic theme. We occasionally have services intended to bless individuals when we send them into the mission field, for Deacon ordination, or for other reasons to recognize a group for the work the Christ has done or will do in their lives. So why would we not expect to have a service to thank God for the blessings He has already bestowed on our country and to request the additional blessings the he may bestow?
I do agree that sometimes the purpose of that service can be lost, but if the intent of the service is to praise God rather than man, I think a service of this kind is appropriate. Consider some of the lyrics from 2 common patiotic songs, as evidence of the intent to praise God. There are more songs and examples, but I hope the intent of these songs is clear.

"America the Beautiful" written by a poem by Katharine Lee Bates (Daughter of a Pastor) in 1895 and later published with music by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward in 1905.
- America! America! God shed His grace on thee.
- America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
- America! America! May God thy gold refine

Samuel Francis Smith wrote the lyrics to "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in 1831, while a student at the Andover Theological Seminary
- Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of Liberty, To thee we sing, Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light, Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
- Beneath Heaven's gracious will the stars of progress still our course do sway; In unity sublime To broader heights we climb,Triumphant over Time, God speeds our way!
- Grand birthright of our sires, Our altars and our fires Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled, The hope of all the world, In peace and light impearled, God hold secure!

Hi USCgrad,

From a soon to be father of a Clemson grad. You're welcome to your feelings and understandings and I certainly have no problem with blessing men and women headed out to missions. They are, after all, doing the work of the Lord in what they are headed to do.

I firmly believe that Americans have a right to feel a certain pride in their nationality, but the place for believers to express their pride in their nation is not when they have gathered together to worship and honor God. That's all. Yes, I fully understand that there are people who don't have a problem with it. I also realize that there are plenty of people who gather to worship and don't agree with me that the universe is about 6,000 years old and was created in 6 rotations of the earth as the Scriptures seem, at least to me, clearly explain. They are all welcome to believe and feel and understand however they choose to believe and feel and understand. I'm just not in agreement with most on either of these issues.

When I sit down and ponder what pure worship should look like, I think back to the days of Paul and Barnabas and John and Peter traveling about and meeting with the early believers. Somehow I just can't get a clear picture in my mind that they spent any real time praising Israel or Rome or the cities and nations where they were gathered with the believers. I believe that they spent their time praising God, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Sharing in communion and worship of God and listening to the pastors and teachers that were there on any given day teaching them of the things of God. Now, I am fully open to anyone offering up evidence that my understanding of those days may not be correct and will certainly take such evidences under advisement.

For me, I want to be like Paul or Peter. I want that when God looks down on my life that He thinks to Himself, "Oh, that one is so much like Paul in his praise and worship. He loves me like Paul did." I'm not much interested in being like the 'holy fathers' of the following centuries. I don't have a clue about their measure of faith. Paul, I know. Paul was a man just like me who believed with all his heart. Paul was a man of monumental faith and wisdom concerning the things of God. I could say the same about the other first disciples. But, I don't have any assurance that those who came after them had any idea whatsoever of the truth of God. Peter, Paul and John and James all warn us of those among us who will separate us and tear us to pieces. I take that advice and tick off in my mind that I've got to be very, very careful what and who I will believe. Paul makes it clear to Timothy that a day is coming when men will not put up with sound doctrine. I ask myself, "Is that day today? Is this person who is teaching me using sound doctrine?"

You see, friend, I believe that man today, as far as his understanding and attitude toward the things of God, is no different than man 3,000, 4,000 or more years ago. Israel was not gone from Egypt for more than a year or so when they crafted the golden calf. They had witnessed, eye witnesses in fact, greater miracles of God than I have ever seen with my eyes and yet within one year they were creating for themselves false gods. Telling people that these false gods were there gods. When I then read the account of the Kings and Chronicles, it's only a 100 years or so before the kings are lying to the people and putting up asherah poles and worshiping Balaam. This is in just a couple of hundred years of man trying to understand God, taught by men who were supposed to understand God.

So, yes, when someone tries to explain to me that such and such is something that has been practiced since a few hundred years after the beginning of the 'church', my little red light warning meter goes, 'beep-beep-beep-beep'. My first question to myself is, "Ok, is this what God has asked of us in worship or is it what man has made worship to be?"

I want to worship like Paul did and the way in which he encouraged the early first believers to worship. I am very fearful of adopting worship practices that in the end may find me in the exact same place as the Pharisees of Jesus' day. Jesus condemned the teachers, leaders and scribes of Israel of being so wicked that they would chase over hell to bring in a convert and then turn that man into a son of the devil. How did this happen among God's people? Because man's heart is wicked. Who can know it? And man's heart is still just as wicked. Man's heart is still bent on believing that there is more that we must add and more that we must do to show pure worship of God.

I believe that in our hierarchy of the 'church' today, we are no different than the hierarchy of the priests and leaders of Israel. So, when I go to gather with the believers to worship God --- I want to worship God, His Son, His Spirit and His word!

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted
In Christ, ted

 

[miamited]

Hi again USCgrad,

Just another small issue with these great 'christian' songs, as you seem to think they are.
You wrote out the words to My Country Tis of Thee:

Samuel Francis Smith wrote the lyrics to "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in 1831, while a student at the Andover Theological Seminary
- Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of Liberty, To thee we sing, Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light, Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
- Beneath Heaven's gracious will the stars of progress still our course do sway; In unity sublime To broader heights we climb,Triumphant over Time, God speeds our way!
- Grand birthright of our sires, Our altars and our fires Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled, The hope of all the world, In peace and light impearled, God hold secure!

Do you believe that God thinks the United States is the hope of all the world?

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[alex2165]

Indeed, how GOD can bless something or someone ungodly? Should we first accept GOD as a nation, introduce GOD’S principals and ideals into our constitution and to our laws, and enforce them as we rigorously enforced some of our own ungodly laws, principals, and ideals?

When in its ungodliness Israel prayed to the Lord and asked for a blessing and a help to save them from their enemies, did GOD bless them or helped them? He cursed them according to the Law He gave them.

Did GOD set the blessings on the Mount Gerizim and the curses on the Mount Ebal for nothing? According to our own behavior we are judged by blessings and curses of GOD, and it never fail.

Yes of course we can ask for the blessings of GOD as much as we want and for whatever we want, but do we ever examine ourselves where we stand, with GOD or on the other side? And by which principals, laws, and ideals we live?

Do we ever as a nation ask ourselves a question, what we actually did for GOD to be blessed by Him? Even “Christian” churches and entire Christian movement became so corrupted, that they put their own traditions, dogmas, and doctrines above the Word GOD.

Ted, you are absolutely right than you compared ancient Hebrews to a modern Christian, both step aside from GOD, and Christians in majority following and doing the same mistakes as their predecessors Hebrews had done.

It is not a sin to ask for the blessing of GOD for the country, but to what kind of things these blessings and patriotic songs have been turn to, to exceptionalism, blind patriotism, fanatism, to a unilateral self-justifications, and to egoistic, selfish, and self-centered conduct of ungodliness.
And majority of the people think that if we ask for the blessing of GOD, our plead for blessing justifies everything we do as a nation no matter how ungodly it is.

Proverbs 28.9
9.When one will not listen to the Law, even one's prayers are an abomination.

GOD bless you

Alex