KENNEDY’S CALL FOR SERVICE
John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address on Friday, January 20, 1961, identified the greatness of the United States as a gift from God and then challenged its citizens to sacrifice for their country and their world as their reasonable service. This is a similar theme as that used by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1 as he tells the Romans that based on the mercies of God toward them, it is a reasonable act of worship and service to present themselves as living sacrifices. This sacrificial presentation of ourselves to our God first and our countries second is the true understanding of patriotism. Here is the portion of Kennedy’s speech which addresses this theme: “The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the…
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