BY STEVE DUNN
I am thankful to be an American. I live in perhaps the most prosperous nation
on earth. I enjoy freedom and security
still unequaled around the globe. My
neighbors are by and large good people seeking to live at peace with one
another. I believe that my nation,
despite its flaws and inconsistencies, has done more good for our world than
most other countries and has often carried a load for the larger population of
this planet far beyond our fair share—and have done so generously and
sacrificially. I dislike when others bash our nation because we are a
convenient whipping boy while at the same time aspiring to come to our land to
find fulfillment, safety, and some measure of prosperity.
As a Christian, committed to living by the truth and
facing the consequences of that truth. I am deeply troubled by fellow Americans
who would deny the truth because it inconveniences or offends them. And I am offended by fellow Americans who
attack people who simply tell the truth because they do not do it in a
politically correct way. (Note: The Left
does not have a monopoly on “political correctness.” The Right has its own
version and just as resolutely promote and enforce it).
But more than anything, my heart grieves when Christians
make earthly political positions and man-made symbols more important than
Biblical integrity in their words and behaviors. And I am sure that God is grieved when our
words and actions, Facebook posts and Tweets, and other public pronouncements
ignore the Second Commandment, “Love thy neighbor as Thyself.” Ignore is not
too strong a word.
Although you may be offended by taking a knee during the
national anthem, have you bothered to try and understand the motivation behind
such exercises of free speech? (Many of
those athletes are devout evangelical Christians). You may not agree with them, but have you
sought to understand them?
And when several million of our fellow citizens in Puerto
Rico have had their lives devastated by two hurricanes, why is all of our
attention on sports stadiums and what occurs there instead of getting help to
our brothers and sisters in need?
For those who would honestly want to think about the current NFL and MLB protests, you might find this helpful reading.
© 2017 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided
it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for
sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com . For all other uses, contact Steve at
sdunnpastor@gmail.com
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