No Need for Flags

  Today we always seem to think of bravery as involving a certain amount of bravado; especially in America. For the past week, I have seen a lot of activity on social media pertaining to a certain church which has decided to fly the Christian flag above the American flag in front of their building. According to the Pastor, this church is putting their faith first. In a nation where Christianity is undermined, they are showing those around them they are not going to back down from what they believe, even when their belief is unpopular. And what better way to get attention for your commitment to your faith than by breaking the law. It works for terrorists.

  Perhaps they are brave, and I would like to think this particular church’s heart is in the right place, but I think they have a slight misunderstanding about the kingdom of God. The beauty of Christianity, is that it is a flagless religion. When Christ came to this earth two-thousand years ago He bore no banner. He told the ruling authorities that His kingdom is not of this world. The instructions He left for His church were directions about discipleship and church discipline. In their letters to the church, none of the apostles told the believers to thumb their religious rights in the face of the government. Christians were told to be holy, law-abiding citizens.

  While I appreciate this church’s shamelessness with regards to their beliefs, I cannot help but feel there might be a better way to show commitment to one’s faith. Perhaps, instead of some great visual display, someone should focus on living out the gospel in their day-to-day lives. And if they are called to disobey God’s law, they should make firm stand for what they believe. It is then that they should consider breaking the law. Living out the gospel is hard. And standing up for what one believes in when it is not just considered irrelevant, but is actually illegal, takes true bravery.