Obviously, the owner of the pickup truck was patriotic. America’s stars and stripes were pasted all over the vehicle along with an array of bumper stickers proclaiming allegiance to the USA.

 

I suspect the truck’s owner also considered himself a Christian because some of the bumper stickers referred to his religion. Most predominate was the stick figure portrait of a traditional Christian family with father, mother, and children of assorted sizes all holding hands in the shadow of the cross. Numerous Christian fish symbols also covered his bumper, and one bumper sticker proudly proclaimed “My God is tougher than nails!” (I assume a reference to the pain Jesus endured on the cross). Without a doubt, the truck owner was a man of two allegiances; one to country and the other to God. 

 

If the pickup owner had limited his display to fish and flags I wouldn’t have given his truck a second look; but it was the other two bumper stickers that made me take pause. Across the picture of one unfurled flag were these words, “Death to All Terrorists.” Across the second flag was this poignant message, “God may forgive terrorists but I don’t.”  

 

As I surveyed this hodgepodge of mixed messages I realized something just didn’t add up. I readily understood the man’s patriotism and I understood his desire to acknowledge an allegiance to Christ; but I was perplexed by the man’s words of hate and unforgiveness, words that were clear contradictions of what Jesus lived and taught.  

 

As I read his callous words, the teachings of Jesus kept echoing in my mind. You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,” but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-45). Later, Jesus told the same crowd, But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:15). And when Peter asked how many times Christ expected him to forgive, Christ simply answered, “seventy-times seven” (in other words, an infinitesimal amount of times).

 

This unholy amalgamation of God and country didn’t set well with me because it brought out the worst in both. It expressed love of country in terms of vengeance and hate while ignoring the demands of Christ to love and forgive.

 

Please don’t misunderstand me. I love my country and still get a lump in my throat when I sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Words cannot express the depth of my appreciation for that long list of patriots who have given (and still give) their lives to procure, protect and preserve my freedoms. And last Saturday, as America celebrated her 244th birthday, no American citizen was more proud than I. 

 

Yes, I love my country, and am appalled by terrorists and the evil they wreak upon the land I love; but my first allegiance is not to country; it’s to Christ. And while terrorists will always be my enemies, I cannot be true to Christ unless I’m willing to love and forgive.

 

Perhaps I now understand why both our Lord and our forefathers cautioned us about mixing flags and fish.