Before I dive into this article that I know will step on toes, let me just make something clear. There is nothing wrong with being patriotic and loving your country or the things it stands for. There is, however, a problem with loving your country more than you love the Lord. Let me tell you why.
First off, this may surprise you, but Jesus, the baby that was born in a manger of a virgin, was not born in America. He was born in Bethlehem. Jesus didn't run around in American flag print Chubbies, a bandana wrapped around his forehead, waving a little flag on a wooden stick that has "Made in China" printed on the side, shouting "'Merica" for everyone to hear. He spent his time fulfilling prophecies and creating so many stories that many of us know from the Bible. He does not only love American people or the American ideologies. Believe it or not, we have some ideas all wrong and far from what God wants for us.
Second, when God told us to love each other, he meant everyone, not just Americans.
"We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:19-21
We are commanded to love others. We are not to hate others. It is so easy for us to disagree with something other people of other countries and other beliefs stand for. Even when we sin against God, he still loves us. We get our feelings so hurt whenever someone sits on the bench rather than standing during the national anthem, yet we feel no guilt when we use the Lord's name in vain. Believe me, I am not the slightest bit okay with Colin Kaepernick sitting the bench instead of saluting the flag and showing respect for our troops, but I know that God is worried about bigger issues, and this should be the least of our worries.
Third, He has called us to go and spread his Word to every tribe and tongue. Why do we sit back in fear that the people we go to may hate us and want to harm us? We are to follow God's commands and the Great Commission is one of them.
"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”" Matthew 28:18-20
"And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."" Mark 16:15
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
That is only three of the many times we are told to go. Despite the different beliefs we may encounter, we follow God's commands and we go. It is the sole purpose for going! Despite the differences in your patriotism, we follow God's commands and we go, because God doesn't care how much you love your country. He loves all of His people in all of the countries, no matter how much they may hate Him. He created them.
People, when are we going to step back and see the big picture? It isn't a picture of an American flag waving in the sky or of an NFL player standing for the National Anthem. The big picture is Christ, His commands, and His return. He is coming back soon, may that be today, tomorrow, next week, next year, or not for another 100 years. He is coming. What do you care about most, patriotism or Jesus Christ? It's your decision, and I hope you know what matters most.
