My friend, may I ask you a question? When it comes to loving our country, is patriotism enough? Are we missing something critically important that dwarfs love of country? Is something else needed as well?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner.
Recently, during heavy rains, our basement flooded. The carpeting was saturated and we moved quickly to remove it out- side in an effort to dry it out. We hung pieces of carpet wherever we could and then waited for the sun to do its work and dry things up. After a day or so we checked each one and found them completely dry. But, when we put our noses into the carpets we were greeted with an ugly odor. The carpets were musty. There was no way we were going to put those back in our basement. Finally we decided to mix up a bleach solution and saturate the carpets, disinfecting and deodorizing all at the same time. It worked; the odor disappeared. The sun alone was not enough. To do the job right we needed both sun and bleach.
When it comes to loving our country, is patriotism enough? Or, is something else needed as well?
Here’s a story: When allied soldiers were traced to her house in Brussels, Emma Frieberg was immediately arrested by German authorities and after a court-martial was sentenced to face a firing-squad. Although she had shown kindness to the German wounded as well, that was forgotten. Her captors considered her a spy and treated her accordingly. Just prior to her execution she made this statement. “I am glad,” she said, “to die for my country. But as I stand here I realize as never before that patriotism is not enough.” Then she went on to give a clear, definite testimony to her personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and her assurance of salvation, not through laying down her life for others, but because He laid down His life for her. (H.A. Ironside, Illustrations of Bible Truth)
Patriotism alone is hollow unless it is firmly rooted in Christ Jesus. Certainly God wants us to love our country. But He also wants us to remember that patriotism is not enough. Patriotism alone can’t remove the odor of sin from our lives. It’s noble, but is isn’t an analgesic for sin. We need to remember that while we have a country here, there is an even bet- ter country waiting for us in heaven. A Christian patriot is one who IS willing to lay down his life for his country because Christ has laid down His for us. To die for any other reason will never bleach away the foul odor of that death.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:34)
We pray. Heavenly Father, we know that Patriotism alone can’t remove the odor of sin from our lives. It’s noble, but is isn’t an analgesic for sin. Help us to remember that while we have a country here, there is an even better country waiting for us in heaven. Keep us mindful of the fact that a Christian patriot is one who IS willing to lay down his life for his country because Christ has laid down His for us. To die for any other reason will never bleach away the foul odor of that death.. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.