For 250 years, America has occupied a remarkable place in human history. Few nations have enjoyed such liberty, produced such prosperity, protected such opportunity, and extended such influence beyond their own borders without making conquest the central aim of their national identity.
As Christians and Americans, this Independence Day deserves more than casual celebration. It deserves gratitude. It deserves reflection. Liberty and prosperity are not merely privileges to enjoy; they are gifts to steward before God.
I believe great confusion has entered the church on two opposite ends of the spectrum. I don’t say this to stir unnecessary controversy, but because Christians need biblical clarity in a confused hour. It is important for Christians in America to know where to stand when it comes to patriotism, nationalism, Christian mission, and ultimate loyalty.
First, I find it tragic that there are many Christians who gladly enjoy the blessings of this nation and its freedoms while refusing to give thanks for the nation that helped secure them. They enjoy religious liberty, protected property, ordered law, national stability, financial prosperity, and the freedom to gather, preach, worship, build churches, raise families, and speak truth openly. Yet when they enter the church building, they suddenly act as though gratitude for America, or a desire to see this nation become more righteous, is beneath Christian maturity.
That is not spiritual depth. That is ingratitude dressed in the language of discernment.
The term “Christian nationalist” has often been used recklessly to discredit any believer who believes Christians should be engaged in public life, grateful for our national inheritance, concerned for the moral health of the country, or desirous that our laws reflect righteousness rather than rebellion. Of course, there is a form of nationalism Christians must reject. But there is also a patriotic cynicism that Christians must reject as well.
I have been accused of being a “Christian nationalist,” as if it is somehow anti-Christian to be a follower of Jesus who deeply cares about the national good of the place and people where God has planted him. So when I am asked whether I am a Christian nationalist, I usually respond by defining what the term means and what it does not mean:
If by Christian, you mean I believe that Jesus came from heaven to earth to reveal God, died a sacrificial death for the sins of mankind, rose from the grave to conquer death, and offers forgiveness and eternal salvation to all who believe upon Him by faith, then yes, I am a Christian.
If by nationalist, you mean someone who believes that God places people within their borders so that they might seek Him and know Him, and that God calls His people to bless their communities by living righteous lives, loving their neighbors, and seeking the good of the nation where He has placed them, then the accusation does not trouble me.
But if by Christian, you mean a moralist who believes Christian values alone can save humanity, or that America should force Christianity upon its people as a state religion, then no, I am not that kind of Christian.
And if by nationalist, you mean someone who believes America is the kingdom of God, that any political party is the hope of mankind, or that my loyalty to America should be greater than my loyalty to Jesus Christ and His global church, then no, I am not that kind of nationalist.
And that leads me to address the other side of the spectrum.
There are some who have equated the Great Commission with American exceptionalism. There are those who confuse America with the kingdom of God, as though the highest mission of the church is to preserve a national identity rather than proclaim Christ to the world. That is a serious error.
Our highest allegiance is not to a flag, a party, a constitution, or a country. Our highest allegiance is to Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. His kingdom is the everlasting kingdom, and His dominion endures far above and beyond every human one.
So church, let us be clear-minded and faithful. We must not idolize America, but neither should we abandon her to darkness while we enjoy the liberties God has allowed us to inherit.
We are citizens of heaven, but we are not useless citizens on earth. God has placed us here, in this generation, in this nation, in these communities, not to retreat into private religion, but to bear public witness. We should pray for our nation, raise godly families, speak truth with courage, serve our neighbors, vote with biblical conviction, defend righteousness in the public square, and labor for laws and leaders that restrain evil and promote what is good. Not because America is our savior, but because Jesus is. Not because this nation is the kingdom of God, but because every nation belongs under the authority of the King.
May we love our country without worshiping it, critique our country without despising it, and serve our country without forgetting that our final hope is not in America, but in Christ alone. And until He comes, may the church be found faithful, grateful, courageous, and engaged for the good of this nation and the glory of God.