The national anthem and respecting government
I was always taught to stand respectfully during the playing of the National Anthem. Now days it seems like people, particularly these professional athletes, disrespect the anthem, the American flag, and our military to “protest.” I’m worried this mentality is going to trickle down to our kids. What can we tell our children God says about respecting government, authority and the U.S., even when you don’t agree with something that is happening in the country?
The Bible is very clear in regard to respecting government and authority. The Holy Spirit led the apostle Paul to write these words: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).
When Paul wrote those words, Nero was the Roman emperor. He was the highest governing authority in the Roman Empire. Nero was no friend of Christians. His atrocities against Christians are well documented. Yet, the directive of “be subject” applied even to him.
Paul was not God’s lone voice in instructing Christians to submit to governing authorities. Consider what the apostle Peter wrote: “ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right…Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17).
Honor Nero? Yes, not because he generated respect by his life or actions, but because he filled an office and seat of authority that God had established. The fourth commandment explains that God has representatives in governmental positions. While people filling those positions may not represent God faithfully and accurately, God wants Christians to respect those positions of authority.
Of course, none of this meant that Christians needed to obey a person like Nero when he issued commands that contradicted God’s word. If Christians were caught in the crossfire of conflicting commands, it was important for them to implement the principle of Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”
So what does this mean for Christian youth in 21st century America? The fourth commandment still applies. God still has his representatives in the home, the church and the government. God still looks for Christians—young and old—to respect his representatives and to submit to governing authorities.
What can Christian youth do when they do not agree with what is happening in our country? They can work toward positive change. They can contact appropriate people who are in a position to bring about such change. They can be positive examples of love, respect and impartiality in their daily lives. Can they follow the example of some professional athletes by kneeling during the national anthem? There is no law forbidding that. But one wonders how much support they will raise for their cause by doing that.
The use of a national anthem and any customs related to it certainly fits in the category of adiaphora: those things that God has neither commanded nor forbidden. Christians of all ages will seek to use their Christian freedom in ways that best benefit others. A person has good reason to wonder what the greater benefit might be when there is a kneeling posture during the singing of the national anthem—especially when the song is regularly preceded by the announcement: “Ladies and gentlemen, to honor America…” When people ignore that announcement, it follows logically that they are dishonoring America.
No country is perfect. The citizens of any and every country are sinners. Sadly, the effects of sin will always permeate society. Kneeling during a song will not change hearts. Kneeling in prayer is a different story. Christians of all ages would do well to follow the instructions the apostle Paul first gave to Timothy: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
When hearts are changed through the word of God, then there are blessings—for people personally and the land in which they live. As Christians of all ages live godly lives and testify to others about their Lord, may the truth of the psalm writer find application in our country: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).