Where is your Patriotism?

Should a Christian be patriotic to his homeland? I read a biography about Dietrich Bonhoeffer not long ago, and he brought up this same question. After World War 1, Bonhoeffer did some traveling around Europe and met Christians in each of the countries where he traveled. In every country, the Christians he met had prayed and believed that God was on their side of the war. 

If we look back, we see that the same thing happened in the wars between England and France, as well as many other wars throughout history. Each side was praying that God would give them the victory, believing they were following God. I’m sure that in the current war between Ukraine and Russia, there are Christians on both sides believing that they are doing the right thing.

We are all more or less patriotic to the country we were born in. The question is, however, is this right? Don’t get me wrong; there are good and moral things that should be fought for, but the  question remains: where should our patriotism lie? I believe that first and foremost we are Christians (followers of Yeshua the Messiah), and above all else, our patriotism should lie in our faith. But what does that really mean? I believe it should mean that we are patriotic for what Yeshua was patriotic for. I believe the Bible should be our guide to patriotism. We should be passionate about the things that God is passionate about. Here are just a few: 

• A people (descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)
• A place (Israel; His eyes are always on it. Zion is the place where He put His name, and where the Messiah will reign over the whole earth from)

I’ve heard people say: “But Israel is not following after God as a nation right now.” My question to this would be: Was Israel following after God as a nation under King Rehoboam or Jeroboam, or many of the other kings of the Bible? 

And when they fell away from God did they stop being God’s chosen people? Were God’s covenants with Israel only good as long as Israel followed God? Was God only zealous for Zion when there were no pagan high places for people to worship at? 

The answer is an emphatic “no!” God does not change. 

The people of God will always be the people of God, and we have the opportunity to come alongside and join them. It’s not about them joining us. 

The Temple will always be the Temple of God even if it is lying in desolation. It is still His house; the house of prayer for all nations. 

There is nothing wrong with patriotism towards our home country, as long as it doesn’t conflict with God’s Kingdom. Our highest level of patriotism must align with God’s covenants. We should be fired up about seeing God’s chosen people return to the land of Israel and the land reestablished under Jewish control.  We should be doing everything we can to support the pioneers on the frontlines in Israel. 

Are you patriotic for the Kingdom of God?