There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

 

What would you do in the name of patriotism?

Now this is a controversial topic! Centuries of atrocities, wars, and revolutions have ridden in on the back of so-called patriotism. Likewise, love for one’s country has inspired some of the most inspirational stories of courage and sacrifice.

The Bible tells the story of a prophet remembered for his patriotism—but it was a patriotism so strong that it trumped his loyalty to God and God’s ways! His name was Jonah. Jonah only wanted to follow God if God’s ways matched Jonah’s own political opinions and hot-headed feelings. But if obeying God meant helping His enemies receive God’s mercy, absolutely not!

Where does your loyalty lie? In the words of Tim Keller, “When Christian believers care more for their own interests and security than for the good and salvation of other races and ethnicities, they are sinning like Jonah. If they value the economic and military flourishing of their country over the good of the human race and the furtherance of God’s work in the world, they are sinning like Jonah. Their identity is more rooted in their race and nationality than in being saved sinners and children of God.”[1]

The Bible says in the book of Galatians, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). When we choose to follow Jesus, every other allegiance and sense of identity comes under submission to God. Walking in God’s ways should shape our opinions, as we pick up our faith and follow Jesus wherever His love and mercy leads.

[1] Keller, Tim. The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God’s Mercy. Hodder & Stoughton, 2018, Chapter 8, p. 104.