By Oath Resigned
By Oath Resigned
Somewhere in the supernatural realm.
Well, hello Messenger!
Greetings Commander Gabriel. You sent for me?
You are up for assignment. At what point in human history were you last on Earth?
Not long ago. It was during the period they called the Reformation.
Ahhh. Well you will find the present state of the Favored Ones has changed dramatically. You are being sent unawares to minister specifically to a high school student and to observe the continuing mystery of the Almighty's grace. You will go under the guise of an exchange student by the name of Thane. Your tour will be for one year.
Thank you Commander, what a privilege to see first hand a part of the Master's plan.
Well Messenger, off you go. And Thane... Yes Commander?
Remember, don't do too well in school.
Three days later Thane has moved into the house of his sponsoring family, the Joneses. He and their oldest son Mark have three weeks before they leave for school. Today is Sunday, July 4th. Our story picks up in the sanctuary of the local church.
Ah, mused Thane, the gathering of the Creator's Chosen Ones in worship. What unfathomable mystery, what incomprehensible grace that He who is Other communes with man.
The service begins, Thane and Mark stand and join the congregation in the opening hymn. Then the unbelievable happens. As the singing ends one of the church teenagers marches to the platform carrying a banner fastened to a staff. The audience as one man turns as on cue, places their right hands over their hearts and begins chanting an oath of fidelity to the Caesar of the land. Astonishment strikes Thane off guard. His human visage turns pale. He cannot, will not participate in this bifurcation of allegiance. While everyone else is performing this unholy sacrifice he sinks into his seat. Others notice. Mark is visibly embarrassed. The oath completed, the congregation is led in patriotic song.
Why are you sitting down? Mark loudly whispers as more people notice the spectacle.
Why are you standing? Thane offered back.
Mark mistakenly attributes Thane's actions to cultural differences and leaves his new friend alone. Later that day on the porch of the Jones' family home it is Thane who broaches the subject again.
Mark, today in church, that banner had no place in worship to God. Why is that allowed?
Thane, I think the problem is that you just don't understand. You are a foreigner. Here in America we acknowledge God's favor to our land sometimes in our services. What you witnessed today was our Pledge of Allegiance. You know, God and country.
Oh, the meaning was unmistakable. Don't you see though that what you participated in was a breach in your loyalty to God?
What?! What do you mean? You make it sound as if we committed spiritual treason. Do you know that after church was over I had to explain to several people that you sat down because you are an exchange student who did not understand our traditions?
Mark, if I were born in this country I would not have participated..
How can you say that? Mark countered. What is wrong with patriotism?
Nothing is wrong with patriotism, answered Thane. But during the service today you basically said that you serve two kings. Your loyalty is divided when you say your citizenship is in heaven and then pledge your life to serve without bounds to your nation's government. The oath you and the congregation recited was unconditional in its wording. It was not a church catechism, a hymn, or a statement of faith derived from scripture. It was purely secular and nationalistic. Unlike your nation's Constitution, this was an all encompassing, unambiguous pledge with no preconditions. Christians are patriots of the highest order. They serve the King of kings, the Creator of all governments and nations.
Wow, I never gave that much thought. When you think about it, we have allowed our cultural traditions to corrupt the temple.
Right, interjected Thane, happy that Mark wasn't going the stubborn route of non-thinking ignorance. Mark, remember the time Joshua met the Captain of the Lord's host before the battle of Jericho?
Yeah.
When asked whose side He was on—Israel's or the Canaanites', he replied, 'Neither.' The reason for such a reply when you think about is, is there is one governement that is above all others. Every other king, prime minister, and president is a vassal who must acknowledge that fact.
Nebuchadnezzer learned this the hard way, Thane continued. That is why every oath, promise and pledge should be first evaluated by the Scriptures. That is why the flag ceremony had no place in the worship of God.
So, next time this happens, when I don't participate, a lot of people are not going to understand. They aren't going to be thinking about misplaced loyalties. I'll be seen as rebellious and ungrateful for what veterans have done for us.
There should not be a next time. Let's make an appointment with your pastor.
Oh right, let's just go in there and tell the big guy that what he has been doing for 25 years has been sacrilegious.
Mark, your dad is a good man. He will listen to you. All you need to do is explain what we have talked about and that loving your country has a place but not in the worship of God.