Over the years, I’ve written variations of pledges (below). I believe my nation’s ideals of the rule of law, the blind scales of justice equitably and fairly applied without fear or favor, the hope of abundance for the tired, the poor, the oppressed; the freedoms guaranteed for faith, speech, due process, property, gathering–and much more–put this country on a path toward goodness.
At times we’ve lived up to them and often failed to come close. I’m glad to be a citizen of this often great nation. I strive to do my part in making this country its best version of itself.
But my true citizenship is destined for, already resides in, and demands my ultimate allegiance. That nation, my birthright country, is the indivisible kingdom of G-d. I have no king but Christ, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace, the Savior of nations and Liberator of all peoples. I have no breath but the G-d-breathed Spirit at work to sanctify my redeemed soul.
The commission of this G-d to all of us and to me is to love G-d with everything I am, to show that love in loving my neighbor, loving my enemy, caring for creation, and trusting in the righteous mercy and grace of the Lord.
On this USA Flag Day, I cannot pledge less than this.
I will not celebrate our nation in the face of the (col)lapse in our country’s movement toward life, liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness for all. I will not celebrate a pretender to G-d’s throne, nor honor his show of war-might.
I recommit to my pledge of allegiance to the Triune G-d, Maker of heaven and earth. I will honor the call to build up the city to which I have been led and plant and seek her welfare. I will strive to be an ambassador of Christ’s reconciliation. Not because of the POTUS but in spite of him.
Because in life and death, I belong to my faithful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again that we might all be freed from sin and death. Therefore,
I pledge allegiance
To God alone,
The Creator of all peoples,
The only Sovereign and
Liberator of the nations,
Whom alone I
Serve and love,
And by whose Spirit we
Have peace and justice for all.
I pledge allegiance
To the Lord,
The Creator of all peoples
Whose Wisdom provides
All we need,
Whose Spirit frees
The human race,
To live in peace,
With justice and love for all.
I pledge allegiance
To the Creator
Of nations and peoples, once united
And to the Savior who
Reconciled us,
And the Spirit
At work now
To make visible
God’s commonwealth for all.
I pledge allegiance
To the Maker
Of all things seen and unseen,
And to the Prince of Peace
In whose Kin-dom we live,
And to the Spirit
Who sets us free
To love and serve
With justice and mercy for all.
I pledge allegiance
To our Maker
In whom we live and move
and have our being
And to the Light
Who is life and peace
And to the Truth
Who shows the Way
To freedom, justice and mercy for all.
Deo Valenti,
Peace Shalom Salaam.
Amen.
bevfriedlander 