by Sunday is Flag Day, a day to recognize and honor the adoption of Old Glory on June 14, 1777. This day became an annual observance by Presidential proclamation since June 14, 1916 by all but 2 Presidents, and by official Act of Congress on August 3, 1949. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Federal law leaves it to the discretion of the current President to officially proclaim it.
Two years after the inaugurated of our Flag in 1779, Benedict Arnold shifted his loyalty to the British. Disgruntled for being passed over in military advancement by junior officers, he had tried to resign his commission in July 1777. Instead, he accepted his Governor’s order to stem off the British in upper New York. From this point he tried to fly two flags in his life but was forced to choose his allegiance. As the Bible tells us, we cannot serve two masters, so in 1780 he opted to defect to the British. As a result of his actions, the name ‘Benedict Arnold’ is an epithet for traitor to the United States of America.
There are many who want to enjoy both the world and our Lord. They try to fly two flags but are forced to choose their allegiance. Matthew 6:24 says, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” We cannot fly two different flags of loyalty at the same time. James 1:8 teaches that those who try to do this are double minded and unstable in all their ways. Job 20:4-5 says they are hypocrites whose erroneous joy is short lived.
As we celebrate Old Glory on Flag Day, let’s be a faithful and sincere Christian to Psalm 60:4, “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.” Let’s prove our allegiance to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
