Devotion for July 1

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God… Romans 13:1

            The above passage from St. Paul articulates the tension of loyalties we as Christians have. On the one hand, we are subjects of the state and the authority of the state. On the other, even that authority is subject to God. Christians celebrate when civil authority reflects the values of our faith and struggle when it does not. But the place of beginning for Christians, in our relationship with any government under whose authority we live, is that we will be loyal citizens – unless such loyalty significantly compromises our ultimate obedience to God.

            This coming Sunday we have a wonderful opportunity to thank God for the privilege of living in a country of religious and civil freedoms. As we thank God for that gift of “birthplace grace”, as a former theological professor of mine once called it, we also remember that our freedoms did not come without cost. The founding fathers and mothers of this nation established the faith principles that secure our freedom. These principles include the idea that the freedom we enjoy is only as secure as the freedom we strive to insure for others – especially those with whom we disagree. This principle empowered the soldiers of the Civil War as well as the freedom riders of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. This principle also demands accountability for our involvement in both civil and military actions that may or may not support it – the McCarthy era of the Cold War comes to mind.

            What I’m suggesting is that we have a spirit of humility about our national and international engagements – because we have learned that history will prove our motives one way or another. I am proud to be an American! But part of that pride is our national willingness to repent of past errors, instead of hiding them. As long as the principle above is met, this great country will remain great and under the authority of God.