May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
Galatians 6:11-16
Paul closes his letter to the Galatians by pointing to the cross of Jesus Christ and affirming that cross as the center of his life. Nothing else mattered–even the debate over circumcision was as nothing when compared to the centrality of Christ.
Today we’re celebrating the Declaration of Independence with fireworks, music, speeches, and a kind of patriotic pride. It’s a fine day and it’s good to remember national holidays. All countries do it! But it’s also a day for followers of Jesus to follow Paul in lifting high the cross and making sure that it’s never confused with the flag. There has been an uptick in Christian Nationalism in recent years, and it provides a real threat to authentic faith. The Church is multinational and multicultural, and it includes believers of every race and tradition. We only degrade the cross of the Lord Jesus when we begin to imagine that nations can be Christian. The United States has a proud history. We can be proud and conscientious citizens. But our prime loyalty will always be to the Peaceable Kingdom that has been established by our Lord Jesus Christ for the whole world!
Thought for the Day: How do I like to celebrate the Fourth?
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