Patriotism and nationalism are both powerful, but they are not the same and a Christian citizen should be careful about both.

I have personally known people who could fit into both categories.  Generally, they have been nice folks who I like.

I am particularly inspired by patriots.  It’s funny, though, how one fellow’s patriot is another’s idiot or worse.  Somebody has to define patriotism if they are going to use the title as a label.  Nearly every time (I say nearly, because there are some rare exceptions), the definition is partisan and based upon an increasingly narrow viewpoint.

The New Testament was written during a period when patriots and nationalists could be identified.  There was even a group who were called zealots, due to their aggressive commitment to their political beliefs.

Then, as now, citizens had a tendency to look to government for both their identity and their safety—and even their prosperity.  The people in power thought they had the right approach while those out of power were sure that they knew the right path for the nation and their countrymen (sounds familiar).

In the middle of all that is the point of this essay:  Government, of whatever variety, and in whatever generation, is designed by God to be an necessary instrument of His authority and blessing.  Dependence upon any institution is dangerous.  Christ-followers trust in the Lord.