This
Sunday, as the observance of Veterans Day approaches in America, November 11, 2019, reply is on
the use of patriotic songs during Christian worship. The Spirit
imparted to make divinity present and knowable is different from a
man or woman’s fighting spirit,
esprit de corps, pride, the sense of brotherhood, and the
special camaraderie among soldiers and others who together are the
defenders of homes, communities, and states (we say, emergency first
responders, militia, police). It is not an error or transgression of
sacred law that men unite as a geopolitical nation or sovereign state
appealing to GOD for benefits, blessings, deliverance, and privilege.
Also, achievements, hardship, mourning, suffering, and victory all
are to be celebrated and lifted up to GOD by united peoples. Even
so, the church of Jesus Christ is to operate on earth as ambassadors
from the kingdom of heaven. Men, women, and children are to become
filled with spirit substance from the makeup of GOD. As though they
had no other country of origin, or place of birth other than heaven,
sinners will be set apart to exist as life companions to divinity by
their repentance and acceptance of permanent change. As those “born
again”, sanctified and vessels of divine fullness, developing
Christian believers will be acknowledged as “peculiar” because of
their godly lifestyle and daily routines, rather than for their
business, family, political, or social affiliation. It is written:
2nd Acts 17: 24-31, King James Version (KJV): 24 God
that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of
heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25
Neither is worshipped with men’s
hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life,
and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all
nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath
determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might
feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of
us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain
also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think
that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by
art and man’s device. 30 And
the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men
every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the
which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto
all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. One of the
fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and
Spirituality using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shared)
posted the following:
At
Mass, should we Really be singing patriotic songs instead of
worshiping God?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: For the grace of God that bringer salvation hath
appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in
this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:
11-14, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Kings, Popes, Priests, Prophets? (09/22/2019);
Messiah Already Has Come (04/14/2019); Being A Holy Nation
(02/20/2018); Eternal Praise and Worship? (01/30/2018); Righteousness
Exalts A Nation (07/04/2017); Politics and The Kingdom? (05/31/2017);
Beliefs, Customs and Racism? (09/24/2014); GOD Speaking Through Song?
(11/01/2013); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013)
“Anonymous”,
among Christians, activities and gatherings for worship must address
a broad range of needs within the community of believers, and are
intended to provide encouragement, guidance, and nourishment to those
having multiple levels of commitment, maturity, need, and
understanding. The up-tempo music of the marching band, patriotic
songs, and sermons to rouse the elan and shared national spirit are
often used in church services with the intent of crystallizing and
expressing gratitude, hope (i.e., an expected end; the fulfillment of
divine promise), joy, and all the other inseparable aspects of spirit
endowment from the makeup of GOD. Included are faith, holiness,
longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood,
righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
In
Christian gatherings for sacred acknowledgment and praise, there
should be no effort by worship leaders to influence politics and
social platforms, or to identify and make thrusts against other
ethnic and racial groups, other nations, or those having different
national origins. Rather than a focus on carnal reasoning, material
objects and social behavior, the primary focus is to fellowship with
and through Jesus Christ. Sinners who return to GOD through the
salvation offered by his Son are not approved on the basis of their
nationality, tribe, skin color, employment, poverty, wealth, or their
status as citizens and immigrants. Born-again believers are granted
fresh endowments of life essence and are to exist as the
new creation. Developing believers are to receive
Christ-likeness, eternal purpose, mercy in judgment, justification,
and glorification through an ongoing relationship that will continue
even despite the occurrence of death. Prayer that includes
confession of errors, faith, and material needs should appear along
with prophecy (i.e., comfort, edification, and exhortation).
Thanksgiving may be made and memorials for specific events in ones
collective and public life as well as ones personal and private life.
Consider the following that uses
language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of
Steve Amerson:
(1.)
1st Chronicles 16: 8-12, King James Version (KJV): 8
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms
unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10 Glory ye in his holy
name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face
continually. 12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his
wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
(2)
1st John 1: 1-10, KJV: 1 That which was from the
beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of
life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it,
and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with
the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with
us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his
Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your
joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of
him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no
darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and
walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in
the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a
liar, and his word is not in us.
(3.)
Hebrews 10: 23-27, KJV: 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our
faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good
works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so
much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin
wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful
looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the
adversaries.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, (4.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D02LsAp8xow.)
Even
so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according
to your faith.
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THE
BLACK PHOENIX
Washington,
DC
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