PART I:
HEAVEN'S CITIZEN IN WORLD
Chapter I
Christian Patriotism
WHAT is Christian patriotism?
Patriotism is love of country. And the country that one loves
is the country of one's birth, or of one's adoption by naturalization.
Christian patriotism, then, being Christian love of country, can be
nothing else than the Christian's love of the country of his Christian
birth.
The Christian birth is the new birth; it is the being "born again,"1 John
3:3 which is being "born from above." And for a Christian
that place that is "above," from which the Christian is born, is heaven.
Heaven, then, is the Christian's country. And even so saith
the Scripture: "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and
heirs according to the promise."2 Galatians 3:29 And to Abraham
it was said, "Get thee out of thy country, . . . into the land that
I will show thee." "He . . . obeyed," and thenceforth he and all his:
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek
a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from
whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He hath prepared for
them a city.3 Hebrews 11:13-16 |
Patriotism, then, being love of one's country, and the "heavenly country"
being the Christian's country, Christian patriotism is nothing else
than love of the heavenly country. True patriotism is "the spirit
that, originating in love of country, prompts to obedience to its
laws; to the support and defense of its existence, rights, and institutions;
and to the promotion of its welfare." The Christian's country being
only the heavenly country, Christian patriotism is nothing else than
the spirit that prompts to obedience to its laws; to the support and
defense of its existence, rights, and institutions; and to the promotion
of its welfare.
The spirit that originates in the love of the Christian's country,
is none other than the Holy Spirit. For without being born again,
there can be no Christian; and there being no Christian, there can
be no love of the Christian's country - no Christian patriotism. Being
born again is to be born of the Spirit. Therefore without the Holy
Spirit's creating the new creature and the new life, there can be
no Christian patriotism.
Are you a Christian patriot? Do you love the Christian's country above
all other countries? Have you the spirit that prompts obedience to
the laws of that country, above all other laws; that supports and
defends its existence, rights, and institutions above and against
those of all other countries?
Does Christian patriotism, this support and defense of the rights
and institutions of the Christian's country, involve fighting? - It
certainly does. Read: "Fight the good fight of faith."4 1
Timothy 6:12 "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal," yet they
are:
mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;
casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ.5 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 |
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the
shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints.6 Ephesians 6:13-18 |
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