“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Those of us with a little more life experience probably remember reciting this every morning before school. I never really thought about what I was saying or the meaning of those words. But now I am reflecting upon them through the lens of being a Christ follower.

As a child I equated living in “one nation under God” as having His special favor with all the rights and privileges it brings. I also remember thinking that to be American meant being Christian.

I have now come to understand the inherent dangers of so closely aligning being a Christian to the country into which you were born. Throughout history, every time a government closely aligns with the church it has done nothing but dilute, weaken and even corrupt the church.

The question I must answer for myself and challenge other Christians to answer is to whom does your first allegiance lie: King or Country?

Jesus is absolutely clear on this question. Give to Caesar what is his, your respect, but give to God what is His: Your life, your all.