Christianity vs. Patriotism

This past Monday, the United States of America celebrated it's 235th birthday. The preceding day, many churches in America celebrated Independence Day with songs about America and it's flag. Songs like, "My Country, 'tis of Thee," "America, the Beautiful," "God Bless the U.S.A.," and "This Land is Your Land" replaced hymns and worship choruses in sanctuaries as choirs put together big musical numbers, military vets and servicemen where acknowledged, and God seemed all but forgotten in this show of patriotism.
Now that you may think that I'm a total traitor, let me explain my thinking here. I love my country as much as the next guy, but do you honestly think that our churches should be a harbinger of patriotism? Should we dedicate one or two Sundays (Memorial Day being the other one) a year to ditching songs of worship to God, ditching the discipling of believers through the preaching of the Word of God, just so we can display our patriotism? Is the church building the place to do that? I say no.

No where in Scripture are we commanded to lift our country above our Faith, and that is exactly what happened in churches across America this past Sunday. Our flag was worshiped, our nation was worshiped, but where was God in all of this. Yes, God may be mentioned in some of the songs, but is He really the one being sung to? "My Country, 'tis of Thee?" The United States of America and it's flag were idolized this past Sunday. God was forgotten. In most churches, mine included, you'll find both an American flag, and a Christian flag. I'm not really sure that we even need the Christian flag, but it's there. If you've never seen/heard of the Christian flag, it's a white rectangle with a blue rectangle in the top left and a red cross in the middle of the rectangle.

We are commanded in Romans 13 to respect our governmental authorities, because they have been placed there by God. Yes, Barack Hussein Obama was appointed by God to be the President of the United States for a time, whether you like it or not. We need not, must not, place our country above our Christianity, however. If you believe in Jesus Christ, then you are called to be a Christian first. Songs about our flag and our country do not worship God, and most do not mention God. God desires our worship of Him alone. Remember, that He is a jealous God. There was a reason He has told us to have no other idols before Him. Have you made America your idol?