Christians should be patriotic. But how much?

America’s Independence Day is this Sunday. Many churches are planning patriotic church services where they will honor veterans, celebrate “freedom”, and sing all four verses of the National Anthem.

I’m generally in favor of patriotism, and I believe it has a place in the pulpit. The preaching of the “Black-Robed Regiment” that laid a foundation for the American patriotism that fueled the Revolutionary War. Similarly, I believe any change in the character of our nation must be led by the Word of God preached by men of God, whether from the pulpit, on the street, on the internet, or in the marketplace.

Let me start with a definition. Patriotism can be defined as love of one’s country, identification with it, and special concern for its well-being and that of compatriots. More specifically for us, patriotism is our love and honor for America and for Americans.

But patriotism has its extremes. Most German Nazis in the 1940’s were patriotic. Chinese communists are required to be patriotic. Many white supremacy groups consider themselves patriotic.

One of the extremes of patriotism is blind allegiance to our country without perceiving its faults. The United States of America is a nation with multiple historic instances of divine providence and intervention, and many sins deserving of divine judgment.

I often see Christians get into passionate discussions about politics and the direction of the nation, but rarely see them get as passionate about the work and direction of the Kingdom of God. This dichotomy causes some Christians to ask if their faith and their patriotism are compatible.

3 ways Christians should be patriotic

Christians have a clear command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27) Jesus follows that statement with “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” That means everything we think or do, including our patriotism, should be guided by our love for God and our love for others.

But what does the Bible tell us about loving our country? I will offer three ways God calls us to patriotism.

1. Honor

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

We are patriotic when we give honor to our country’s institutions and its leaders. Standing at attention for the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance, knowing and studying the Constitution, and understanding that those in authority are there because God put them there.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God… Romans 13:1

There is no conflict for the Christian when we realize that God put us in our country so we could find Him.

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us… Acts 17:26-27

When we honor our country, we are honoring the Lord of all the earth who created us and put us here.

2. Pray

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

When we pray, we must also pray for our political leaders. Even when we don’t agree with their policies, it’s important to pray for them so we may peace and quiet. Paul adds another purpose for our prayers for authorities:

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Christian patriotism requires that we pray for the salvation of our civil leaders. Their salvation may spread the gospel to everyone in their influence, and that’s a good thing for which to pray. Paul gave honor to the Christians who were part of Caesar’s administration in Philippians 4:22.

Christians also understand that their prayers for their nation should not just focus on the men involved, but on the spiritual beings and authorities involved.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

3. Participate

Know your nation

But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” Acts 16:37

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”
And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen. Acts 22:25, 28

So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged… I appeal to Caesar.” Acts 25:10,11

Paul knew his rights as a Roman citizen. He also understood his rights as a child of the Most High God. And he understood that each citizenship carried responsibilities, and that as an ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) we must be participate in both kingdoms.

Paul understood the political structure of the world he was reaching. In Philippi his citizenship put the local authorities on notice. They should be careful about persecuting Christians just because unbelievers were offended by their good works. Their “cancel culture” could have gotten them in tremendous trouble with the Roman authorities. (Acts 16:16-24)

In Jerusalem, Paul appealed to Caesar’s authority because the Jewish authorities were blinded to the Gospel. (2 Corinthians 3:14, 4:4) That appeal allowed the Gospel to be preached directly to the Roman King and his guards.

Obey the laws

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 1 Peter 2:13—16

Peter echos Paul sentiment to the Romans:

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Romans 13:2-6

Obedience to the law of the land is both a patriotic and a Christian act. Doing good will silence fools and receive praise from God’s authorities. But as we exercise our rights and our freedom, we must do it while recognizing that we are bound to God’s kingdom.

Reach the lost

If patriotism is love for our nation and its citizens, then bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ into every situation to reach the unsaved in our nation is an act of extreme patriotism.

So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. Romans 1:15

Paul’s desire to go to Rome was driven by wanting to edify the church there (Romans 1:11), to be encouraged by them (Romans 1:12), and to preach the gospel to the unsaved in the capital of the empire. His desire was fulfilled when He was sent there as a prisoner. He spent at least two years ministering there (Acts 28:30-31).

3 ways Christians should not be patriotic.

There are many “patriotic” habits that Christians follow that are more like idolatry than patriotism. Their observances tend to look on the earthly nation as the end game. They could not more mistaken. What is the line between appropriate Christian patriotism and idol worship?

1. Don’t call evil “good”

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

This is the foundation of today’s “cancel culture”, they determine what is good in their own eyes without regard to any standard but their own benefit. Often, worldly patriotism expects us to agree with the nation’s actions even if they are evil.

The semantics of good and evil have been changed. Look at the word “gay”; it doesn’t have the same meaning now as it did a century ago. “Tolerance” is another re-defined term. Both of those words used to have good meanings, now they are evil.

After Paul talked about his desire to visit Rome for the church and the gospel, he launched into a litany of the progressive moral degradation of the empire (Romans 1:18-32). His love for God’s kingdom in the nation did not weaken his discernment of that nation’s sins.

The knowledge of good and evil is a keystone to our life in Christ. The misapplication of that knowledge caused the fall of man and the corruption of the world (read Genesis chapter 3).

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

Mature Christians practice discernment to understand what is true patriotism and what is not.

2. Don’t worship the creature rather than the Creator

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.” Exodus 20:4-5

…who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Romans 1:25

We often hear Christians extolling the virtues of America’s history, the providential events that bolstered our young nation, and the God-inspired wisdom of its founders as shown in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I agree that the evidence shows that this nation’s founding was inspired by God. But the nation is still just the creature, not the Creator. To hear some Christians talk, you’d think America is the epitome of God’s works. That’s nonsense.

Israel was brought out of Egypt and made into a nation by God’s miraculous power, but it was still a nation of sinful men. They forgot the grace of God and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25) America is still a nation of men that need Jesus.

3. Don’t forget to seek first the Kingdom of God

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Patriotism toward America must not be more important than our active citizenship in the God’s kingdom. Often our priorities get shifted, and we forget that the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Do you thank American servicemen for their service? That’s good. Do you thank ministers and missionaries for their service? They have laid down their lives for God’s kingdom. That’s worthy of double honor. (1 Timothy 5:17)

We must not let our patriotic observances override our allegiance to our Heavenly King. Many men have given part or all of their lives to establish and protect America and it is worthwhile to honor them. But Jesus gave His holy blood to cleanse us from our sins for eternity and He is worth of all honor.

Which kingdom is your priority?

Our Lord is preparing a place for us, and it’s not America, or any other nation on the earth. Our hearts must be focused on that place, and our interactions with this world must always be as representatives of another kingdom.

After last January’s inauguration, I posted a blog about my attitude toward President Biden. I conclude this blog with the same sentiment:

So I will honor my kings. First my King of the kingdom not of this world (John 18:36-37), because He is worthy. Then the president, my king in this world, not because he is worthy, but because it is an honor to my Great King (Psalm 47:2), and He is worthy (Revelation 4:11).

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

*All Scripture quotations in this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

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