How a Healthy Sense of Patriotism Can Make Us More Like Our King

With Independence Day almost upon us once again, a good question to ask as disciples of Jesus, as those whose minds are wonderfully being renewed by God's grace (Romans 12:2), is this: "How should we think biblically about patriotism?" 

While nations are talked about throughout the Scriptures, and love is unquestionably at the very center of its divine message, if we combine the two concepts, the love for (or devotion to) one's nation that we today call "patriotism" is noticeably absent from God's word. That's not to say we cannot find in the Bible individuals who are devoted to a national identity. But in most places where this is spelled out, such national pride is charged as sinful pride (Isaiah 16:6; 47:8; Obadiah 3). When such devotion is portrayed as positive in Scripture, the topic in view is overwhelmingly an individual's commitment to God's old covenant people, (i.e., the nation of Israel)(Psalm 33:12; Hebrews 11:25-26).

So does this mean patriotism is unbiblical or incompatible with biblical faith? Absolutely not. But its vagueness in Scripture should inspire us to go slow when thinking about the relationship between a love for God and a love for one's country. When we do just that, we discover, in light of His word, that the concept of patriotism can and should stir us in a variety of godly ways. Here are several to consider:

Gratitude. The Old and New Testaments are clear that God created "from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place" (Acts 17:26). So even though we are one human family, we discover in Scripture that national identity is also part of God's design. Why? Paul continues, "that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him." The Apostle seems to be saying that in God's sovereign care of every nation, there are realities that should drive us to him. As Americans we have so much for which to be thankful, including many freedoms others on our planet might not enjoy. Though some may be tempted to either take these blessings for granted or count them as signs of superiority, God's people recognize them as gifts from the "Father of lights", from whom comes "every good and every perfect gift" (James 1:17). To celebrate our nation should be to celebrate such divinely-given gifts.

Submission. One of those heaven-sent gifts is leadership. In Romans 13, Paul calls the believers in Rome to "be subject to the governing authorities." Why this submission? "For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." Paul even goes on, in the same paragraph, to call such leaders "servant[s] of God" (v. 4) and "ministers of God" (v. 6). While such titles and such submission may seem objectionable to some in terms of leaders whom we dislike, the divine blessing is ultimately not the man or woman who occupies the office, but the office itself. Even when the role is fulfilled imperfectly (which it always is), most leaders will in some way contribute to that common local or national good from which we benefit and for which we are thankful. So as those who joyfully serve the "King of kings" (1 Timothy 6:15), a biblically-informed and God-glorifying patriotism should remind us to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" (Matthew 22:21) by being "submissive to rulers and authorities" (Titus 3:1), and by praying for them as they carry out of their responsibilities (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Love. Such prayer for our leaders is one of the ways we express the neighborly love which Jesus himself identified as the second greatest of all God's commandments (Luke 10:25-37). And for us as His followers, that neighborly love is a powerful reminder that the love of country to which our word patriotism points must be more than just a commitment to national ideals and aspirations. For believers, love of country should always express itself as love for our fellow countrymen, for our fellow citizens, even those with whom we sharply disagree (Matthew 5:44)*. After his call to civic submission in Titus 3:1, Paul goes on to write in the next verse, "speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." (v. 2) Why? "For we ourselves were once foolish..." (v. 3) And how did the King respond to our foolishness? "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us..." (vs. 4-5a). Our Christ-like love for those in our own community, as well as for all our fellow Americans near and far, shouldn't be informed by patriotic values, but by gospel values. Though it may sound strange to some, we are the greatest blessing to our country when we are most devoted to God's kingdom, for ultimately, "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior..." (Philippians 3:20).

So what have we seen in this brief study? We've seen that for those who are committed first to God's kingdom, and subsequently to our King's word, our modern ideas about patriotism should regularly drive us back to biblical ideas about nation and neighbor; and thus, as we've seen, to godly virtues like gratitude, submission, and love. A God-exalting passage that powerfully brings all of these ideas together is 1 Peter 2:13–17...

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [16] Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. [17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:13–17)

As we fly the stars and stripes this Independence Day, or take in a fireworks display with family and friends, let's keep Peter's words about faith and freedom in mind, since they are ultimately God's words. And as we do that, may a healthy sense of patriotism inspire us to give thanks and pray for the earthly nation in which we live as grace-inspired, heavenly citizens. 

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* "...And pray for those who persecute you..." As is the case in terms of civic/political leaders (as touched on in the previous point), prayer is also a fundamental way in which we express godly love for our neighbors. For Paul's call to pray for rulers actually begins with these words: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people..." (1 Timothy 2:1). Not only are God's covenant people called to pray for the eternal good of their neighbors, but also to seek and pray for the overall welfare of their earthly home (be it town/city, state, or nation). This principle is spelled out memorably by God through the prophet in Jeremiah 29:7, "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."