Patriotism isn't in the Bible.
At least, not the way us Americans think of patriotism. Americans spend a lot of time alternating between hating and bragging on 'Merica. We like to analyze political campaigns, argue over what should and shouldn't happen in national policy, critique and even hate on our current leaders, and look to the next leader to fix whatever it is we think is wrong with America.
It's great that we can say that America has a "Christian Heritage" (well, kinda...) when it comes to the Founding Fathers and all that jazz, and we should be grateful for it. But let's be real. Expecting a nation made up of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, etc etc etc to live by Biblical principles is c.o.m.p.l.e.t.e.l.y. unrealistic. No human being, no matter how powerful, will ever be able to fix that.
Which leads to the main point. Patriotism in the sense of ascribing allegiance to a man-formed country is not a concept the Bible condones. Our patriotism as Christians should be ascribed fully to the Kingdom of God- not divided between America and God.
If your nation is the Kingdom of God, act like it. If you advocate among your friends for a particular candidate, advocate twice as hard for Jesus. If you spend time on the debates- figuring out who has the best position, ideas, and arguments- spend twice that on learning more about the Lord and ways to defend your faith.
I'm NOT saying don't vote, and that you shouldn't pray for our country's leaders. But I AM saying: don't set your hope in one human, and don't freak out when "the wrong one" gets elected. Nothing happens outside of God's control. The world won't end until God hits the power down button.
We are strangers and aliens here- America is neither our home nor our hope. Our savior isn't in the next POTUS. Our savior is Jesus Christ, and our hope is eternity with him. Live like it.
At least, not the way us Americans think of patriotism. Americans spend a lot of time alternating between hating and bragging on 'Merica. We like to analyze political campaigns, argue over what should and shouldn't happen in national policy, critique and even hate on our current leaders, and look to the next leader to fix whatever it is we think is wrong with America.
It's great that we can say that America has a "Christian Heritage" (well, kinda...) when it comes to the Founding Fathers and all that jazz, and we should be grateful for it. But let's be real. Expecting a nation made up of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, etc etc etc to live by Biblical principles is c.o.m.p.l.e.t.e.l.y. unrealistic. No human being, no matter how powerful, will ever be able to fix that.
Which leads to the main point. Patriotism in the sense of ascribing allegiance to a man-formed country is not a concept the Bible condones. Our patriotism as Christians should be ascribed fully to the Kingdom of God- not divided between America and God.
If your nation is the Kingdom of God, act like it. If you advocate among your friends for a particular candidate, advocate twice as hard for Jesus. If you spend time on the debates- figuring out who has the best position, ideas, and arguments- spend twice that on learning more about the Lord and ways to defend your faith.
I'm NOT saying don't vote, and that you shouldn't pray for our country's leaders. But I AM saying: don't set your hope in one human, and don't freak out when "the wrong one" gets elected. Nothing happens outside of God's control. The world won't end until God hits the power down button.
We are strangers and aliens here- America is neither our home nor our hope. Our savior isn't in the next POTUS. Our savior is Jesus Christ, and our hope is eternity with him. Live like it.
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