PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

by Jeff Rath 6-02

Thirty-one words long and loaded with great truths. The first word that stands out is "pledge." A pledge is a commitment, a promise. In a marriage ceremony the Bride and Groom commit to each other the make a pledge to conduct themselves in a certain manner. A mortgage is a pledge to pay back money leant for real estate. If a marriage pledge is violated it results in divorce, if a mortgage pledge is violated that results in repossession of the real property.

The next word is "allegiance." This means we will be loyal, constant, faithful, staunch, true, unfailing, and steadfast. Someone who pledges allegiance is someone who can be trusted.

The next few words are: "to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands," The flag is a symbol, it represents the United States of America. We are not pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth that is red, white, and blue. This flag is not an idol, it is a banner to all those who love freedom.

"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all." We are many different ethnicities, many different beliefs, but one nation. We pledge allegiance to the one nation, but we keep in perspective that this one nation is under God. The reason we have allegiance to this one nation in this world of many nations is not because we just happened to be born here, but because this one nation is under God, and stands for Godly principles. We are indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Hundreds of years ago religious groups made a long ocean voyage to this country so they could live the American dream which was and still is to worship God as each person sees fit.

Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

This one nation under God is one of the best things that ever happened to this world, and because this nation is based upon Godly precepts.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government."

When Thomas Jefferson wrote this he originally said "we hold these truths sacred." Jefferson believed that this was a Godly Christian nation, he never wanted the government to endorse a church, but the government was to foster an environment that where freedom of religion would flourish.

Copyright 2002 Jeff Rath