You Are No Part Of This World (John 17:15-6)

The "World" Jesus mentioned refers to all of mankind who are alienated from God, ruled by Satan, and enslaved to the prideful spirit that emanates from him.(John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19; James 4:4) Indeed, "friendship with the world is enmity with God". "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself and enemy of God." How can we stay separate from this world if we are forced to live in it?

Instead of participating in the politics of his day, Jesus focused on preaching about God's Kingdom of which Jesus was the prospective King. So Jesus could say with truth and vigor that his kingdom was no part of this world. his faithful followers imitate his example by giving their loyalty to Christ and his Kingdom and telling others about it.

King Nebuchadnezzar (The Babylonian King), had made a statue of himself along with music to played so all could bow (Salute) down to him, alot like your national Anthem and Flag. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down, and for good reason. In Our Age, "Nationalism's chief symbol of faith and central object of worship is the flag", wrote historian Carlton Hayes. "Men bare their heads when the flag passes by; and in praise of the flag poets write odes and children sing hymns." Nationalism also has its Holy Days, such as the Fourth of July in the US, as well as its "Temples, Saints, and Shrines". "The flag, like the cross, is sacred", states the Encyclopedia Americana. Is it crazy to find flag saluting and anthem singing religious? The Supreme Court disagreed. "These daily rituals [saluting the flag] are religious has been at last affirmed by the Supreme Court in a series of cases." (The American Character)

What about voting? Christians are to be politically neutral (Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 3:16),and if you vote for one person, you are politically against the other. Also, those who elect a certain official share responsibility for what they do ( 1 Samuel 8:5, 10 -8; 1 Timothy 5:22), and God viewed Israels desire for a visible ruler as a sign of personally rejecting him (1 Samuel 8:7). but if we dont vote does that mean we are exempt from following their leadership? No. (Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1-7)

And Military service? The Bible says that we are to love our christian brothers. (John 13:34-5; 1 John 3:10-12) how would that be possible if we are fighting against each other in war?

but we should always keep in mind that whatever we do as Christians we should always respect each other's opinion.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?:
do you salute( to make a bow or other gesture to, as in greeting or farewell) the flag? why?

are you a nationalist? why?

how do you feel about voting? why?

would you fulfill military service at the expense of killing another christian? why?

thanks for responding!