August 01 , 2007

     Do you remember in grade school – when we started with the Pledge of Allegiance every day?

     I pledge allegiance to the flag

     of the United States of America,

     and to the Republic for which it stands:

     one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty

     and justice for all.

     When we pledge allegiance to the United States of America we are promising to uphold our republic - to abide by the laws of the land.  And, remember, the US is a republic ... not a democracy.  It is not about majority rules.  It’s not about what we think is right or legal.  The United States has certain laws and rules which we pledge to obey in return for the privilege of living in this great country.

    When we gave ourselves to Jesus, and asked him to rule and reign in our lives, we were pledging our allegiance to God.

     As Christians we sometimes act like God is a democracy.  He’s not.  God is our sovereign King and He has drawn up a set of rules (or commandments).  And, as Christians, we are to live within those rules.  We don’t get to pick and choose.  He’s made that loud and clear in His Word.  We need to live lives of obedience to God.

     In fact, our “pledge” to God might say:

        I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag,

        and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands:

        one Savior crucified, risen, and coming again

        with life and liberty for all who believe.

        I pledge allegiance to the Bible – God’s Holy Word. 

        I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my  

          path.

        And I will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin    

          against God.

     As Christians living in this sin-filled world, we need a daily  reminder of our commitment to God.  We need to be reminded daily of what it takes to be obedient to God … not to pick and choose which of His commandments we want to follow.  So we need to be reading our Bibles.  We need to read them every day.

May The Lord Jesus Christ Be Magnified!

Pastor Leo A. Giovinetti