Daily writing prompt

What’s a classic book that you think is overrated?

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I believe that the book, The Light and the Glory by Peter J. Marshall and David Manuel (published in 1977), is overrated from a spiritual point of view because it promotes the idea that the USA is a special nation uniquely chosen by God. That book has helped lead many Christians (especially evangelicals) into a self-righteous focus on Christian nationalism instead of on the New Testament characteristics of love for your enemies, blessing those who curse you, peace, patience, kindness, humility, confession of sin, repentance from sin, and forgiveness.

That has helped lead the USA into what is being called: Freedom 250. It is a gathering that features government leaders, famous preachers, and other celebrities coming together to “rededicate America to God.” Of course, it assumes the idea from the book, The Light and the Glory, that the USA was originally dedicated to God. However, true freedom comes from Christ (John 8:36) not from a government.

Healing a nation requires more than mixing God with patriotism. Patriotism is all about national pride and self-righteousness. The Bible says that God resists the proud. (James 4:6)

According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, this is what is required for a land (and for families) to be healed: Praying with deep sincere humility, seeking to surrender to God’s literal presence, and the genuine repentance of actually confessing, apologizing for, and stopping our sinning.

Throughout history Christians who want to keep Jesus first and to live by the Sermon on the Mount and the rest of the New Testament have been persecuted by Christians who don’t. Daily lifestyle and ongoing behavior will demonstrate who are the Jesus first Christians who continually seek to align their heart, words, and actions with Christ.

I don’t want to love my enemies, but love is a fruit of God’s Spirit. I don’t want to be patient, but patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Sometimes I don’t want to be kind or good or gentle but all three are part of the fruit of the Spirit. I don’t want to control and limit my desires, but self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. But most of all I don’t want to quench or hinder God the Holy Spirit, so I say to Him, “Lord do what you want to do in, though, and around me, not what I want.”

Hear God’s call
For your all,
Not a small
Part of you.
Surrender
Everything
To the Lord.
Let your love
For the Lord
Be with all
Of your heart,
And with all
Of your soul,
And with all
Of your mind.
(Matthew 22:37)
Jesus is Lord!
(Philippians 2:5-11)
Fight to bring
Your every
Thought captive
To Jesus.
Make Christ your
Lord and your
All in all!
(2 Corinthians 10:5)