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The crowds gathered in eager anticipation. Excitement
could be seen on the faces of young and old alike. Around us the world slowly
darkened as the sun set quietly beneath the serene waters of the bay. The outline
of an old WWII battleship was the only thing breaking up the otherwise
ordinary horizon. There were over 100,000 people watching this year, the
biggest crowd ever. Patriotism was higher now than it had been in decades,
due of course to the recent Persian Gulf war. Everyone was proud to be an
American on this day.
As the darkness finally swallowed up the last rays of amber sunlight the
serenity of the scene was shattered as music started to play. Not just any
music, but music which would stir the pride of any red-blooded American. A
few moments later it began. Two loud booms followed by two streaks of light
rocketing into the star strewn night sky. Seconds later two more booms were
heard high overhead and the blackness of the sky above us began to glitter
with beautiful shades of gold, red, yellow, blue, and other colors. For
nearly twenty minutes thereafter the sky continued to dance with brilliant
colors as the music played triumphantly on.
All around the sounds of approval could be heard. The crowd stood there in
awe uttering numerous oohs and ahs. Every once in a while a really big one
would go off and the crowd would roar it's approval. There is nothing quite
like a majestical fireworks show on the 4th of July to build patriotic fervor
in people. It's a time when Americans swell with pride for their country and
the ideals for which it stands. A time to proudly remember past military
victories. Everyone leaves feeling good and with a smile of satisfaction on
their faces. I'll have to admit that an event like this even makes something
within me stir a little bit.
But I'll also have to make another confession. Patriotism wasn't all that was
on my mind. I am very thankful to be an American, but I simply cannot accept
many of the things this country stands for. Freedom is one thing, but
condoning abortion, divorce, pornography, homosexuality, and such things is
not freedom, it's sin. It doesn't matter who says it's legal, sin is still
sin.
As I walked around I could see everyone just bubbling over with pride and
excitement. But isn't it a sad commentary on this country when you can get
that many people so worked up over a few moments worth of pyrotechnics, yet
almost no one cares that Jesus Christ died for them? It seems that we have
now reached the point where people are more interested in being entertained
than in being saved.
It was also sad to think that I had never seen a group of Christians get so
excited about being Christians as these people were about being Americans.
Christians should be the happiest people on earth. Christians have everything
to look forward to, and nothing to be afraid of. They shouldn't become
distressed when problems arise. They should always be optimistic. "Be
glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you
upright in heart!" (Psalm 32:11 NKJ) David certainly had the right
attitude! Is your life like this?
It's sad to say, but many christians today just don't seem to be as happy as
David was. They don't share that same wonderful outlook on life. Why is this?
Anyone who gets too involved with the affairs of this world will tend to be
pulled up and down like a yo- yo by the events of their life. But on the
other hand, a person who is very spiritually minded and doesn't spend time
worrying about temporal things, will not be bothered nearly as much by
problems, and will be a very happy person. Christ spoke well of the problem
faced by many in His parable of the sower. "Now he who received seed
among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world
and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful."
(Matthew 13:22 NKJ) Yes the world, including many christians, is just too
wrapped up in the cares of this world.
Most people are too concerned with material possessions, family, friends,
careers, hobbies, etc. God's word warns us that we must put Him above
everything and everyone else. Our true citizenship must be in the Kingdom of
God. Yes we will also be citizens of an earthly nation, but this is very
unimportant. Now I do not mean to diminish the importance of being in a
country where we are free to worship God as we choose, but this is really
just a luxury and not a necessity. The early christians offer proof of this.
They were repressed and often were even killed because of their beliefs, yet
the church grew and flourished as it never has since. Those people weren't
concerned with the obstacles facing them. They put their christian
citizenship far above that of their national citizenship.
Most people put too much emphasis on being patriotic and supporting their
country. But America is but one of countless nations which will exist during
man's time upon the earth. America is neither the largest nor the strongest
nation to ever exist. And many nations have lasted much longer than we have.
This country is no better than the rest; it too will fall in time. But Daniel
offered us hope of a far better nation to be a citizen of; a nation truly
worth fighting and dying for; a nation which would know no end. "And
in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which
shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people;
it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand
for ever." (Daniel 2:44 NKJ) Doesn't this sound much better than any
other offer you have ever had? Daniel is of course referring to the Lord's
kingdom, the church.
When we become christians Paul said that God, "Has delivered us from
the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His
love." (Colossians 1:13 NKJ) We are then citizens of His kingdom.
Many countries around the world today require that you renounce citizenship
in any other country before you can become a citizen of their country. God is
the same way. He requires that we, in effect, renounce our earthly
citizenship in order to become a citizen of His kingdom. We may still be
Americans or some other nationality, but in name only. We really don't care
about those types of things any longer. Our priorities and our loyalties have
changed.
The freedoms we enjoy in this country are indeed a blessing, but there is one
freedom that no president or any government in any country can grant; freedom
from sin. Only through Jesus Christ can this freedom be obtained. "Therefore
if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36
NKJ) Which country do you want to be a citizen of? The freedom from sin which
Christ offers is indeed something to celebrate.
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