I stand for the flag, kneel at the cross

“Jesus loves the little children – All the children of the world – Red and yellow, black and white – They are precious in his sight – Jesus loves the little children of the world.” These lyrics are in the first song I remember singing as a child in Sunday school.

Years later, the “Red and yellow, black and white” was changed to “Red, yellow, brown, black and white.” This song says it all, still holding true as children grow into adulthood.

I’m a Christian. I believe that the moment Jesus Christ died on the cross, he took upon his shoulders all the sins that had ever been committed, all the sins that were being committed and all the sins that would ever be committed, and those who believe in this and apply it in their lives as followers or disciples of Christ have their lives positively changed on earth and for eternity.

Googling “Christian,” I found numerous incorrect definitions, making me think of 2 Timothy 4:3, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”

So, the question arises, “How can you tell if someone is a Christian?”

The best answer comes from the words of Christ in John 13:35 – “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

This raises the question, “How much love is being shown in the current rioting and destroying of businesses; in the ganging up and beating, maiming and murdering of people; in the defacing and lawless toppling of statues; and in the shouting of profanities with venomous anger?”

I believe black lives matter, just as I believe red, yellow, brown and white lives matter. But I do not support the Black Lives Matter organization.

I agree with Jewish conservative constitutionalist Mark Levin who said, “When politicians support the Black Lives Matter organization, they are embracing a Marxist, anarchist organization that is heavily funded and extremely well-organized all over the country.”

Levin presents a fact-checked statement. Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors on a 2015 video interview said the organization’s leaders are “trained Marxists (Socialists or Communists),” and “we are building a movement that can be utilized by many, many black folk.”

On a June 27, 2020 video interview Cullors said race is an issue they are using to push their political ideology and to push Trump out of the White House.

And here we are with July 4th in full view. With others, I plan to stand, honor our American flag and sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Meanwhile, some will burn the flag or deface it with body fluids. Some will follow the path of Colin Kaepernick, who as a San Francisco 49er in 2016 wore socks with a cartoon pig in a police uniform, and then knelt during a pre-game playing of America’s national anthem and flag raising.

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail the night before he signed the Declaration of Independence, “I am well aware of the toil, the treasure and the blood it will cost to maintain this Declaration of Independence.”

His 55 co-signers were also well aware, and they were prepared to pay the price. That price has continued to be sacrificially paid by Americans through the years. We salute them every one as we celebrate July 4th.

On Sunday, July 5th, we have the freedom to kneel at the cross, recalling Daniel Webster’s words, “God grants liberty to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it.”

He added, “Whatever makes people good, God-fearing people also makes them good Americans.” We can be trusted with the destiny of our country when we are first obedient to a higher authority, none other than God.

? 2020 by Carl Mays, National Speakers Hall of Fame member and author of over a dozen books, including A Strategy For Winning (foreword by Coach Lou Holtz). Email: [email protected].