American Ideals

I’m proud to be an American. I love our democratic republic. I try to live by the ideals that were in the hearts of our founding fathers. Ideals that they did not live up to, but ideals that they tried to build upon. I use the word “ideal” instead of “idea” on purpose. American ideals are standards to live up to. My purpose is to “shake you to attention” and to deepen your understanding of what it is to be American.

A Shining Light

When Thomas Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . .” This was not a truth that he lived out. Thomas Jefferson was a slave owner. We know now that he fathered mixed-race children. It was an “ideal” of a future condition that he saw in his head. A shining light that we as Americans could work toward.

American Exceptionalism

In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he made an amazing statement, “You are the light of the world.”

Jesus’ idea was that, as Christians, we should be exceptional. We should set the example and shine the light of the love of God into the world around us.

John Winthrop, a Puritan leader, first spoke of America as a “city on a hill” in a sermon on board the ship Arabella on April 8, 1630. This concept has since been used by many U.S. presidents to communicate the principle of American exceptionalism.

“I have been guided by the standard John Winthrop set before his shipmates on the flagship Arabella three hundred and thirty-one years ago, as they too, faced the task of building a new government on a perilous frontier. “We must always consider”, he said, ‘that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes of all people are upon us”…History will not judge our endeavors…merely on the basis of color or creed or even party affiliation. Neither will competence and loyalty and stature, while essential to the utmost, suffice in times such as these. For of those to whom much is given, much is required.”

“John F. Kennedy, January 8, 1961

Truly, Americans have been given much. We should consider it our responsibility to let our lives shine as examples of God’s love to those around us. Yes, even at school.

Flag Worship

To many, the U.S. flag has become an object of worship. Flag worship does not please God. The flag is merely a symbol for American ideals.

The worship of objects that have symbolical meaning is forbidden in various cultures, particularly in the monotheistic religions, such as Judaism. Even in some Christian religions, followers are prohibited from wearing religious themed jewelry displaying icons, such as the cross. 

Is posting an image of a flag on social media idolatry?  Probably not, but maybe, it really depends on what is in your heart.  Am I saying  the “ideal” that the flag represents isn’t beautiful? The “ideal” is beautiful. Am I saying this is my culture and I bow to what it represents? If I am saying this, then worshiping the flag is idolatry.  

Genuine Beauty

God wants genuine beauty of spirit, not “show-offy” images representing our holiness, such as flags or crosses worn around our necks. God is not pleased with our religious or nationalistic symbols, such as flag worship. We please him when we share his love with the people around us. People he has placed in our lives on purpose.

Waving a flag means nothing if it doesn’t represent American ideals. Actually, to many, the flag has become a nationalistic symbol. . . a symbol that reinforces their identity. For them, it is an identity that they defy anyone to change. However, American ideals requires change, constant change. Perhaps, this is why God does not want us to worship symbols. 

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Matthew 5:14, NKJV

Also, see Flag Worship.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear