Is it okay for a Christian to pledge of allegiance to the flag?
When you make a pledge, you are giving your word and upholding your integrity. You are making a promise.As Christians, we should weigh any pledge or promise against the allegiance we have to Jesus Christ. Does the pledge ask us to oppose anything Jesus stands for? If not, there is nothing in the Bible instructing us to avoid a pledge, including the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Probably the most common pledge we make are the vows we recite when getting married. During court proceedings, a witness may take an oath to tell the truth. When we pledge allegiance to the flag, we are essentially saying we are going to be good citizens of our country.
Citizenship is addressed in scripture. In Titus 3:1, we are told to obey the governmental authorities over us and to do what is good. The only time we should oppose rulers is when they oppose God's Word (Acts 5:29). Jesus addressed an aspect of citizenship when He said to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).
In Matthew 5:34, Jesus speaks against oaths, saying, "But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God…" However, He is prohibiting flippant or rash oaths. After all, God Himself, in Isaiah 45:23 and Hebrews 6:17, makes oaths. Paul, an apostle, took a vow in Acts 18:18. A pledge is more of a solemn promise than it is an oath (which would carry the added weight of an appeal to God).
Romans 13:7 says, "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." As citizens, we owe respect and honor to our country. Pledging allegiance to the country's flag is a way to pay that respect and show that honor.
Are Christians subject to the laws of the land?
How are Christians not of this world?
What does it mean for Christians to be in the world but not of the world?
What is the concept of biblical separation?
How can a Christian stand up for faith when the world seems so anti-Christian?
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