The word patriotism, a noun, has been redefined in our nation by the elite, legacy media, political power brokers, and supposed intellectuals in our universities as fascist, bigoted, and racist. They have learned the art of redefining words and demonizing anyone who disagrees with them. They do this because they fear people who will stand up for God and country.
This week, I saw a man on a southern beach on an Instagram feed that went viral complaining that there was this “bunch of ‘patriots’ up there with all these American flags flying…bleep bleep bleep.” You could see several families gathered behind him with American flags buried in the sand having a picnic at the beach. Woah. Real insurrectionist types! He sounded as intellectual as he was, and the responses received must have surprised him. Responses were so overwhelmingly condemnatory of his derogatory comments that he had eventually had to take it down.
The definition for patriotic is:
- adjective. /ˌpeɪtriˈɑt̮ɪk/ having or expressing a great love of your country a patriotic man who served his country well.
You know what I like best about this simple concise definition? The word “man.” I like that part because I is one (grammar mistake on purpose). I’m a man. Yes, I said it. I’m a man. I’m not a pronoun of we or they. I’m me. I’m a man and God made me a man. Singular.
Patriotic Men
Patriotic men are the ones who respond to disasters, emergencies, and risk their own safety to protect others. Patriotic men are the ones who fight our wars, die for our freedom, and lose their limbs. Patriotic men are the ones who battle against tyranny, stand down bullies, and protect their women. Patriotic men are the ones who walk into a fight with head held high and give their life for their friends.
On this Memorial Day 2024, I am reminded of the men and women who have given their lives for our freedoms–for our right to speak freely, worship boldly, and pursue an occupation that fulfills us:
- Over 620,000 in the Civil War; over 405,000 in World War II; over 116,000 in World War I; over 58,000 in Vietnam; over 36,000 in Korea; over 25,000 in the Revolutionary War; over 20,000 in the War of 1812; over 13,000 in the Mexican American War; over 7,000 on the War on Terror; and over 2,000 in the Spanish American War. Over 95% of these casualties were men!
Seen the World
I’ve seen the world and I still love the United States of America. I’m patriotic. I have traveled to over forty nations of the world, and believe me, I know the faults of our country, but compared to other nations, we are still the greatest nation on the planet.
I’m not patriotic because I hate anyone; I’m patriotic because I love everyone! I’m not patriotic because I want others to suffer; I’m patriotic because I want the whole earth to have the opportunity to experience what I’ve been given. I’m patriotic not because I think America is perfect, but rather, because God led a group of immigrants from Scrooby, England to build a nation that would bring glory to God and touch all nations with the liberating message of Jesus Christ. To make their purpose clear, they penned a document before they stepped on our shores. The first lines read: “Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith” (Mayflower Compact, November 11, 1620).
No nation in the world has ever been founded to bring glory to God and the advancement of the Christian faith. No other nation. We are unique. And I happen to believe, we are still blessed by God. Let us not be faint in our continuing effort to build this nation toward the original vision of the Pilgrims.
Live it!
So, what am I saying? Here it is—the real-life definition of patriotic: live out the Word in your local area! Be patriotic by being involved in local politics, education, school boards, business, media, etc. Be an active leader in your church bringing the unchurched into your fellowship. If you’re married, build a great marriage. If you’re single adult or a single parent, live a life of integrity in all that you do. Build great kids in your family by reading the Bible at home, praying together, and having deep friendships with other Jesus disciples. Be a good person who tells the truth and believes in truth.
Don’t give in to the despair and the fear of the times; walk in confidence and remember, the glory of the Lord is going to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea! That’s what it means to be patriotic.
Pastor Steve
