Seth Udinski, FISM News
For the Christian, patriotism is good and virtuous. There is nothing inherently sinful about loving one’s country, culture, and people. In fact, we are commanded in Romans 13 to submit to the governing authorities, knowing they have been placed there by God. We see the people of Israel cherishing their nation in the Old Testament, and we see this as a good gift from the hand of God.
This is equally true for Christians in the United States, a nation built upon the values of the Judeo-Christian worldview. There was once a time in the United States where biblical ethics were praised and lauded. Submission to God was widely accepted as the right way to live, and while not perfect, it was good.
Obviously, 21st century America is a different world. Godlessness is accepted as virtuous, and godliness is perceived as deviant. Make no mistake: we should mourn the denial of Christian values in our land that we love, and we should fight until our last breath to restore this nation to the godly values upon which it was built.
At the same time, fellow Christian, be encouraged: remember that America, the home that we love, is our temporary home. Ultimately, we do not belong to America, because we do not belong to this world. In John 15:19, the Lord Jesus gave us this great encouragement before He went to the cross:
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of this world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.”
Our home is the Kingdom of God. Our home is in heaven with God, in perfect love and relationship, for all eternity. We are merely passing through this place, on our way to our heavenly country.
So be encouraged. Yes, fight for your temporary home and pray for your it, that the United States of America would once again be a “nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). But remember: you have a home waiting for you, a true and better home. Live for the glory of God, eagerly awaiting the day when you will arrive at your true home, to meet your Savior face-to-face.