Christian Patriotism

How should we celebrate our patriotism? I hope that it has occurred to you that the Lord is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. In our increasingly polarized way of viewing our nation’s leaders, we tend to climb a soapbox and offer “our two-cents worth.” Unfortunately, our words may only make things worse by further dividing us.

On this weekend when we join millions of other Americans in celebrating our freedoms, let me challenge us all to be better citizens and more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. There are certain things all believers, regardless of political persuasion, should do.

1. Pray for our president and our leaders. (Whether you like him/them or not.) 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 (2 Tim. 2:1-2). Whether or not you like your president or your congressman, your governor or your mayor, you’re challenged to pray for him or her — including giving thanks. Praying for the president has helped me to remember a few things about him: he’s human, he needs our prayers, he’ll stand before God just as I’ll stand before God, and he faces decisions and pressures in life that I will never begin to understand.

2. Speak responsibly. Whoever is the president, we must never sink to using disrespectful or even vulgar terms about him. No president is perfect. Whoever serves as president will make decisions and choices with which I do not agree. But I must still speak responsibly and honor him as the president. Remember, our Christianity will never defined by how much we agree or disagree with the president’s choices. However, I do think a Christian is defined how he expresses his opinion.

My point is that all professing Christians who want to engage in political conversation – or even political debate – need to distinguish themselves by speaking responsibly. We need to behave like Christians. This, then, rules out name-calling, insults, ridicule, mockery, deception, and hate speech.

Even when discussing with those we don’t particularly like and issues we don’t agree upon, we need to be fair. I think it’s possible to discuss (or debate) political or theological topics and remain fair about it. I think it’s possible to discuss (or debate) political or theological topics and still speak respectfully to the other person.

Paul said, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29). When we talk politics, let’s do our best to season our words with grace. We can do this by asking, “Am I being fair in my analysis and in my criticism?”

3. Get involved in doing something. In order for America to become like America needs to be, individual Americans will have to make it happen. Government won’t save us, big business won’t suddenly develop a conscience, and Hollywood won’t suddenly adopt traditional family values. Society isn’t about to change for you; you will have to help change society. This happens one person at a time, doing one good work at a time. All of America needs to turn to God. But you have no control over what all of America does. You can only control what you do. So, turn to God. Live for him.

Live your life as you want society to be. Do you want to live in a society where people treat others with respect? Then treat others with respect, even when you disagree with them. Do you want to live in a society where we are free to vote our conscience and speak our conscience? Then vote and speak your conscience, and allow others to do the same. Do you want to live in a society where God is glorified? Then glorify God with your words and your deeds. Do you want to live in a society that reflects the kingdom of God? Then treat others as Jesus treated them. Remember His words, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matt. 7:12).

We need to let the world know that the Christian faith is not just a way of thinking – it’s way of living.