I recorded this message ahead of time given that we will be visiting family and enjoying our vaction on the 4th, but the topic is too close to my heart not to address patriotism from a Christian perspective.
With 'Christian' Nationalism on the rise, questions regarding the proper role and limites of patriotism for followers of Jesus are deeply relevant to discussion happening throughout the Church. What does it mean that Christians are 'citizens of heaven'? How does this impact our concurrent role as citizens of whatever nation we live in? In addition, how does our knowledge of God's plan for history (that is, that Jesus will return and reign over the whole earth) impact how we live our lives? As in many things, Christian patriotism requires both perspective and an adherance to ethical standards. In the end, if our patriotism is interfering with our development of the Fruit of the Spirit it has ceased to be a virtue and has become, for us, a sin.
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