Commandment number one.

Embracing the kingdom means rejecting the empire.

Jesus brilliantly selflessly sacrificially loved the people around Him.

He fought the empire with love.

Rome was the idol then.

America is the idol now.

This holiday is supposed to represent freedom.

This country is often branded as symbolic of peace.

This is no holy day.

This is not a country of peace, but of selfish wars.

I understand the appreciation for the privileges of being an American.

I understand the defense of those we love giving their lives to serve our country.

I know we're called to sacrifice our lives only in service to His glory...

As opposed to attempts to gain a freedom we've already been given.

He has already set us free but we're proud...

We puff out our chests and 'fight like real men' for a freedom that we choose not to see that's already ours.

I do not take lightly the loss of human life and I mean no disrespect in that way in stating my opposition to this 'holiday', to this country...

In fact, that's my point:

Human life is sacred and of value to Him, and I do not take it lightly when human life is taken unnecessarily.

What I do not understand is how anyone that claims to passionately, selflessly follow Christ can proclaim that they're proud to be an American.

(( When everything America stands for and proves to be is in complete opposition of everything the Gospels calls us to. ))

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Lee Anne Rankin : when I wanted to post something negative about America and this silly holiday, John asked that I post something positive instead. So... Jesus has the power to redeem the hearts of this wicked, selfish, destructive nation. We are free because He laid down His life for us to be redeemed; for us to be set free. We are His.

about an hour ago · Comment · Like

Jane Doe at 11:21 on 04 July

What about this holiday is silly, Lee Anne?

Lee Anne Rankin at 11:23 on 04 July

Embracing His kingdom means rejecting this empire.

Jane Doe at 11:26 on 04 July

I think sometime when we get a chance I would like to hear your thoughts. You always seem to have some very interesting comments that I wouln't have thought of. And I don't mean that condescending.

Lee Anne Rankin at 11:28 on 04 July

I would love to talk with you and share my thoughts and my heart on what it means to follow Jesus.
In the meantime, good reading for better understanding: Jesus for President (on this topic).

John Doe at 11:33 on 04 July

This holiday isn't about politics, Lee Anne, but about the freedom that you enjoy as a result of a war for independance that was fought over 200 years ago. Honor those soldiers and servicemen who still stand watch over that freedom by celebrating this holiday with a glad heart.

Lee Anne Rankin at 11:44 on 04 July

I understand.
I choose instead to celebrate the actual freedom I have as a result of a sacrifice that was made more than 2000 years ago.

Just to clarify: I don't take the sacrifice of human life lightly, but that's my point.
We've already got freedom if we embrace His sacrifice, and giving lives for America is reaching for a false sense of freedom.

Also: good reading for Biblical support and and eye opening comparison of America to ancient Rome: "Jesus for President" by Shane Claiborne.

Jane Doe at 11:49 on 04 July

But what kind of freedom to embrace His sacrifice and be able to celebrate the freedom Jesus gave us by dying on the cross would you have without the freedom we as a Americans and the Armed Forces have fought for so long to give you? Iraq? Iran? Cuba?

Its those very lives and sacrifices that have given you that freedom to worship freely

Lee Anne Rankin at 12:02 on 04 July

We should definitely talk.

Please know that my heart in this is only to embrace His truth and what I know of what He has asked of us.

We are called to live love.

Please know I do not mean to hurt you, or like I told John Doe, to imply that I take human sacrifice lightly...