Monday Read: Misplaced Patriotism and Kingdom Priority

The disciples wanted to know when Jesus would "restore the kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:6). Even after resurrection, after three years with Jesus, they still thought in nationalistic terms - making Israel great again, reclaiming political power, establishing earthly dominance. Jesus redirected them: "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses... to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:7-8). The kingdom's expansion wouldn't be military or political but spiritual and global.

American Christianity has often confused patriotism with discipleship, wrapping the gospel in the flag until it's hard to distinguish between following Jesus and loving America. We've created a civil religion that treats the nation as God's chosen people, the Constitution as holy writ, and political power as the primary means of advancing God's kingdom. But followers of Jesus are citizens of heaven first (Philippians 3:20), with primary allegiance to a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36).

This doesn't mean Christians shouldn't love their country, serve in government, or work for justice. Daniel served Babylon faithfully while maintaining Jewish identity. Nehemiah held political office while rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. Esther used her political position to save her people. But they never confused earthly citizenship with kingdom citizenship, never treated political power as spiritual power, never assumed God's purposes depended on their nation's success.

The early church was accused of treason because they called Jesus "Lord" when Caesar claimed that title. Their allegiance to Christ superseded allegiance to Rome, creating tension that eventually cost many their lives. They loved their neighbors, paid their taxes, and respected authorities (Romans 13:1-7), but they wouldn't worship at Caesar's altar no matter the cost. Their ultimate loyalty was clear.

Today's church must recover this clarity. When political identity becomes more important than Christian identity, we've committed idolatry. When we're more passionate about our nation's greatness than God's glory, we've misplaced our worship. When we assume God's purposes align with our political preferences, we've created God in our image rather than being transformed into his.

The kingdom of God transcends national borders, political parties, and cultural identities. It includes people from "every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" (Revelation 7:9). Your primary identity isn't American or Brazilian or Korean - it's Christian. Your ultimate allegiance isn't to any earthly nation - it's to Jesus. Your hope doesn't rest on election outcomes - it rests on Christ's return.

This doesn't make you less patriotic; it makes you properly patriotic - loving your country without worshiping it, serving your nation without making it ultimate, working for justice without confusing political victory with spiritual progress. You can be a good citizen of your earthly nation while being a great citizen of heaven. Just remember which citizenship matters eternally.