Francis Bellamy (1855-1931) was a Baptist minister’s son from Upstate New York. He distinguished himself in oratory at the University of Rochester before following his father to the pulpit, preaching at churches in New York and Boston. Later in his life, while working for a family magazine called The Youth’s Companion, he set to work on a patriotic program for schools around the country commemorating Christopher Columbus’ 400th anniversary of arriving in the New World.
Included in that program was the now-famous “Pledge of Allegiance,” which Bellamy wrote in August 1892. In its original form it read: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” In 1923, the words, “the Flag of the United States of America” were added. Ultimately, in 1954, in response to the communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God,” creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Today it reads:
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Today, the “under God” part is creating quite a stir in America! Yes, allegiance to His authority is polarizing! In fact, allegiance to His authority has always been a polarizing proposition.
Jesus was not only the most polarizing figure in His day, but He is also the most polarizing person in history. Hence, those who declare allegiance to Him are now squared off against those who not only reject Him but defy His authority. Perhaps that’s why Jesus’ words resonate with us:
“He who is not with Me is against Me …” (Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23).
As one Bible commentator rightly notes, “When you declare allegiance to heaven, you declare war on hell, and hell fights back pretty hard.”
The Apostle Paul is a prime example of one caught up in the storm of alliance or defiance of the authority of Jesus! In Acts 9 after Saul (Paul) was converted, he began preaching the Gospel to the amazement of many:
“Immediately, he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
“Then all who heard were amazed, and said, ‘Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?’
“But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ [Messiah]” (Acts 9:20-22).
Saul, who acted in defiance of all things related to Jesus, was allied with the Lord, and as passionately as he fought against the Gospel, he was now fighting for the Gospel. Defiance had turned to alliance. This is the very power of God!
Those not willing to pledge allegiance to the Lord not only defy the Gospel through unbelief but at times will actively try to silence both the message and the messenger, as illustrated in the intense opposition to Saul by those previously on his side. “Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket” (Acts 9:23-25).
At this point in the narrative, there is uncertainty and confusion among some of the disciples. I imagine their thinking was something along these lines: “What’s the deal with Saul? We thought he was against us. Now he appears to be for us.”
Time will soon tell. Saul was the real deal! This was no ruse, no trap. He was a bold believer, one who would not remain silent despite the threats of those who wanted to silence him.
“And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles, and he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus” (Acts 9:26-30).
Living Out Loud
Paul “lived out loud.” His alliance with the Lord Jesus required it, and His love for the Lord compelled him. In sharp contrast, those in defiance of the Lord Jesus sought to silence the propagation of the Gospel.
Fast forward to our current 21st-century religious environment. Today we live in a world increasingly hostile to the Gospel message. Even here in the U.S., this hostility is rising at an alarming pace. And yet, as we see, there is nothing new under the sun.
For those of us who pledge allegiance to Jesus, the question we must grapple with is this:
Will we stay silent about our faith, or will we “live out loud,” like the Apostle Paul, engaging those in defiance of the Gospel who seek to silence our witness? We all have a choice.
Practically speaking, to live out loud is to express our allegiance to Christ. And in this way our alliance to Christ is defiance against silence and at the same time, an act of love toward the silencers! How great is the Father’s love for lost sinners.
Therefore, Lord, give us the grace and faith to live out loud, proclaiming Your Gospel among an increasingly hostile world that so desperately needs You! Amen.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples (Psalm 96:2-3).
Perilous Times
You and I are also living in perilous times amid a corrupt and perverse generation, and we face our own potential hindrances in being the witnesses God calls us to be. Some of our potential hindrances today include personal time demands and political correctness, along with cultural barriers like postmodernism, cynicism, and skepticism.
For the follower of Jesus, being His witness in season and out of season means there is no offseason, because in this season of life, even amid global turmoil and all its associated challenges, we can regularly pray for the lost and those witnessing to them. “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38).
We can also be intentional in developing friendships with people. We can serve people, and we can proclaim the truth as God opens doors of opportunity. Paul ministered the Gospel both when in prison and when he was free. His commitment to serve the Lord and be a witness even amid challenges, difficulties, and trials is a model.
Today, may we be inspired by Paul’s exemplary witness as we follow Jesus in whatever season of life we find ourselves, even amid a season of great uncertainty, for people need the Lord, in season and out of season. Amen.
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