THE TRUTH IN PRINT
November 2002, Vol. 8: Issue 10.
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
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ONE NATION UNDER GOD

By Bob W. Lovelace

In all probability you have already thought of our Pledge of Allegiance upon just reading the above title. Today it seems more than ever (or at best for many years) I am reading patriotic statements praising our flag as our nation’s symbol of national sovereignty and also supporting “one nation under God” as part of our pledge of allegiance. As is often stated, many proudly say “our” Pledge of Allegiance to “one nation under God.” One local statement I recently read even attached the following “dare” to their patronage by saying, “I would like to say to those who choose to burn our flag or take the word God out of the Pledge of Allegiance: I dare you to come to my house in January when my Marine comes home and try doing eitther of them. I double dare you to go to _______house and try it.” Moreover they included, “I know from the deepest part of my heart that every single veteran and some civilians are very proud to pledge allegiance to “one nation under God.” This patriotic statement came from an individual whose son had just lost his best friend in one of the recent Kuwait attacks.

I see God mentioned quite often today in statements that depict pride in America as a nation and especially so with regard to our freedom we cherish. Since our flag is a symbol of our national sovereignty I too do not like to see those who disgracefully choose to burn it. To this patriot and all others, I respectfully submit that the mention of God brings with it an even greater lesson concerning "Allegiance." For myself as well as other Americans with whom I have close association with in Christ the words "under God" are illustrative of God's rule over all the nations of mankind. Believing as the Bible teaches that Jesus is God (John 1:1) I understand that the nations are under His dominion or Supremacy (Ps. 2:7-12; Matt. 28:18-20; I Tim. 6:15, Rev. 2:27).

Dear reader the Psalmist’s declared prophecy was that Christ would rule over the nations of the earth when set as King upon His throne. Hear the Psalmist,

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, [3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. [4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. [5] Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. [6] Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. [7] I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. [8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. [9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. [10] Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. [11] Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. [12] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2:1-12, KJV)

Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven he spoke to His disciples regarding His authority as the Son of God. Hear Jesus, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20, KJV) Paul speaking of Jesus said, “...who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord or lords” (1 Tim. 6:15, KJV). Moreover Jesus declared at the time of John’s writing the book of Revelation that He had received such rule from the Father (Rev. 2:27).

Concerned reader the very mention of God is indicative of His ownership, thus His creation belongs to Him. Hear David, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Ps. 24:1; Cp. I Cor. 10:26). "All souls are mine," God says. Not only do all souls belong to God but each person will give an account to Him. Notice what the fuller quotation of Ezk. 18:4 teaches, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Concerned reader, inclusive in these things (the earth, the world, and they that dwell therein) God says, "The silver is mine and the gold is mine sayeth the Lord of host," Haggai 2:8. Through simple deduction and reduction one soon comes to understand on a personal individual basis that they do indeed belong to God, for He created man (Gen. 1:27). The account from the Bible of God’s creating man reads, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27, KJV)

Do “You” realize that the underlying principle involved in God's supremacy is that His ownership “demands” loyalty to Him on an individual personal basis? Yes, “You” too are a part of that creation that belongs to Him! To all who have indulged me, again I respectfully submit that this is indeed a far Superior Allegiance concerning which most in America have willfully chosen to remain ignorant, thus being neglectful. This is true because God's supremacy demands loyalty on an "individual" basis. Again, I respectfully remind you that “You” belong to and are accountable to Him. Hear Paul concerning the judgment before Christ,

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10, KJV)

Friend, did you notice the word “all” or “everyone” in the foregoing description of man’s judgment by Christ? Moreover has this made a serious impression upon your own mind and heart? Have you stopped to consider the purpose that God intended for man while here upon this earth? In one brief succinct statement Solomon summed up the whole (purpose) of one’s life. Solomon said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Eccles. 12:13, KJV). To “hear” in the Bible means to “heed for oneself,” i.e. to apply what is said oneself to oneself!

An example of the power of God in the Gospel to open one’s heart that they might give heed and obey is found in the conversion of Lydia as recorded in Acts 16. Paul, Luke and others “spoke” to the women who customarily gathered at the riverside in Philippi to worship God. Luke records, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. [15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” (Acts 16:14-15, KJV)

The teaching and explanation of the scriptures by Paul, Luke and others opened Lydia's heart (Cp. Acts 17:1-4, through teaching they were “persuaded”). Thus, Lydia’s heart “responded” (to heed) to the things that were spoken and she made application to herself. Likewise, through this simple process of teaching the Gospel as the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16) she and her household obeyed the Gospel in baptism! This is in full accord with the instruction that Jesus gave as he commissioned the apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Hear Jesus, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16, KJV). Should you desire to study the conversion of Lydia and her household to a greater extent, and that along with other cases of conversion as recorded in the book of Acts, you may do so by going to our website and reading Fundamental Lessons on the Church, Lesson Three, “Membership Requirements According to the First Century Revelation” at:

http://www.cybertrails.com/churchofchrist/articles/churchthree.htm ~ just click here

Concerned reader in spite of all that will be said about God, and is being said that is connective with our nation, sadly most do not pause to reflect upon the importance of their “personal” obedience to His commands as necessary to eternal life (Mk. 16:15-16; Heb. 5:9), and without which there will be eternal death (2 Thess. 1:8). Hear Paul as he speaks of Jesus’s coming, “...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; [10] When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thes. 1:7-10, KJV)

NOTE: In our On Line Correspondence Course, “Fundament Lessons on the Church” under Lesson Three you will find a complete lesson on what one must do to be saved. The title to Lesson Three is “Membership Requirements According to the First Century Revelation.” This can be accessed on our web page at either the home page or the complete Article Index. Or, just click here

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