In the United States we just celebrated our nation’s birthday and Independence Day. In other countries as well there is national pride. Just wait until the Olympics come around and we will all be rooting for our individual countries. Is there anything wrong with national pride? What about loyalty to the place you work? Can there ever be too much loyalty?
Let’s see what the Bible says about where our loyalties lay. Peter and the apostles in Acts were being told by religious leaders and often civil authorities to stop preaching and teaching the word of God.
In Acts 5:29 we see the following: “But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than men.” Whenever there is a contradiction between God’s word and what our country or the company we work for believe, we have to follow God not men.
An Ethiopian pastor visiting America remarked about the fact we often have American flags in our sanctuaries. He said that would not happen in his country, because their loyalty is first to God and then country.
In your work place have you ever been asked to do anything unethical or illegal? Have you been told to “fudge” or “fix” the numbers on an account? Illegal or unethical activity is against God’s law first, and foremost is wrong. We all answer to a power greater than our bosses or our country’s leaders. We cannot use the excuse that my boss or country made me do it. Numerous brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted all over the world, because they choose to obey God and not their country.
I do think a time is coming in many countries, and in the United States as well, where we will have to take a stand for God and against our country. When push comes to shove we must obey God rather than men.
Please do not hear me saying it is wrong to be patriotic or love your country, we just have to have our priorities straight. We serve God first and that is where we place our loyalty. Also, if there comes a time where we have to choose our faith or our country, we need to be ready to choose God over country.
Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and author of the Voices of Christian Working Moms and two ebooks. To find out more go to www.christianworkingmom.com . For a free, initial coaching session send an email to free@kimberlychastain.com .