Does a Christian need to be patriotic?

Brazil, 524 years since our discovery!

Why should being a patriot be our task if our true homeland is heaven? What is the difference between being a patriot and a nationalist? What would be the best form of patriotism? Whose land is it? There are many aspects of our relationship with our homeland that we can address from our Christian perspective.

Let’s begin with Webster’s (1828) definition of the word patriotism, a dictionary with a Christian worldview.

Patriotism is love for one’s country; the passion that aims to serve the nation, whether by defending it from invasions, protecting its rights, and maintaining its laws and institutions strong and pure. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen, the noblest passion that animates a man in his role as a citizen.

Think with me about some aspects of this definition in our lives:

1. Love for one’s country should be expressed by Christians primarily through their faithfulness to God, living the Gospel and preaching it to their fellow countrymen.
2. Why is preaching the Gospel our best expression of love? Because the Word of God has laws and a way of life that, when followed, protects us from various dangers, threats, evil paths, and attitudes that harm our fellow countrymen.
3. Paul, writing to Timothy, exhorts believers to pray for those who govern us so that we may have a peaceful life. Certain that God is the one who governs, supplication for His intervention helps us to live in peace amidst uncomfortable situations. At the same time, intercession for rulers to act justly will bring blessing to the entire nation.

In addition to interceding for the country, people with administrative skills should be involved in public office. The Church as an institution should not get involved in any political program or favor anyone in any position, or even receive any favor from them, but should disciple committed Christians who work in this area. Proverbs 29:2 states that when the righteous rule, the city rejoices, and not only the believers.

Daniel, a highly qualified young scholar, was selected to lead a country that wasn’t even his own. His main characteristic: a pure and upright heart before the Lord. Dedicated to his God, he was a blessing to kings who were troubled by his unbelief, he was firm in his ethics, a landmark for Israel and for the Gentiles.

Nehemiah is another example of godly leadership amidst chaos. With his heart firmly set on the Law, and with the support of loyal men like Ezra, he rebuilt the destroyed city, sponsored by his former oppressor. Not without struggle, leading the people on a spiritual journey, but with great competence in managing people and resources, he made his once-destroyed country prosper.

The opposite is also true. Herod imprisoned Christians to gain the sympathy of the Jews, and several kings of Israel made alliances with foreign kings that benefited themselves. When this was the case, the entire population suffered the consequences of the wrong and merciless decisions of a bad ruler.

Finally, the proclamation of the Gospel in the nation works in line with the prophetic voice of Amos and Isaiah, who condemn oppression, corruption, lies, and the exploitation of people, especially the weakest and most needy. Taking care not to be partisan, except for the truth of the Gospel, the patriotic Christian protests as a citizen against the ungodly paths his country takes because he knows that the consequences are terrible for everyone, not just for himself. It is not a matter of saving face or benefiting Christianity; it is the truth that the fulfillment of God’s law blesses a nation spiritually and materially.