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There is something deeply rooted in the human heart about love for home.

The land where you were raised. The freedoms you enjoy. The people you live among.

For many of us, patriotism comes naturally. And for me, it runs deep. I come from a family where service wasn’t just honored—it was lived. My grandfather, my father, my uncles… all served. And that didn’t stop there. I served. My wife served. My son served.

So, when I think about patriotism, it’s not abstract.

It’s personal.  It’s tied to sacrifice. To commitment. To something bigger than yourself. And because of that, I have a deep respect for this country. A gratitude for the freedoms we often take for granted. A desire to see it flourish and do what is right.

But as I’ve walked with Christ, I’ve also had to wrestle with something deeper. Because while I love my country…I do not ultimately belong to it.

Scripture reminds us, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims…” (1 Peter 2:11, NKJV).

That word—sojourners—means temporary. We are here. But this is not our home.

Hebrews speaks of those who lived by faith as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13, NKJV).

And Paul makes it unmistakably clear: “For our citizenship is in heaven…” (Philippians 3:20, NKJV).

That truth changes how you see everything. And if I’m honest, there have been moments where I’ve felt the tension of that. Moments where what I saw in culture—or even in the direction of the nation—didn’t line up with what I knew to be true from Scripture. Moments where I had to step back and remind myself: My loyalty to Christ comes first. Always.

That’s not always easy to live out. Because it’s possible to slowly let something good…become something ultimate. And when that happens, things get out of order. There is nothing wrong with loving your country. Nothing wrong with honoring those who have served. Nothing wrong with being thankful for freedom. But patriotism has to stay in its proper place.

Because when it moves from gratitude…to identity…it becomes something it was never meant to be.

Scripture warns us gently but clearly, “Do not put your trust in princes…” (Psalm 146:3, NKJV).

Not because leadership doesn’t matter—but because it was never meant to carry our hope. Our hope belongs to God. Not systems. Not nations. Not politics.

God.

At the same time, this doesn’t mean we withdraw from where we live. In fact, Scripture teaches the opposite. We are called to be faithful citizens right where God has placed us.

Paul writes, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities…” (Romans 13:1, NKJV).

Peter adds, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…” (1 Peter 2:13–14, NKJV).

That means we don’t step back from society. We step into it—with purpose. We live with integrity. We treat people with respect. We contribute to the good of those around us.

Even when things are difficult. Even when we don’t agree with everything we see.

Jeremiah told God’s people, while they were in exile, “seek the peace of the city…” (Jeremiah 29:7, NKJV).

They weren’t home. But they were still called to be a blessing where they were. And that speaks to us. Because being a Christian doesn’t make you less engaged. It should make you more faithful in how you live. But it also means recognizing where your highest allegiance lies. Because there will be moments when faith and culture don’t align.

And when that happens, Scripture gives us clarity:

“We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29, NKJV).

Christ comes first. Not harshly. Not arrogantly. But clearly. And even then, we are called to respond differently. With respect. With humility. With truth. Because at the end of the day, this is what I’ve had to come to terms with: I love my country. But I belong to Christ.

I’m grateful for where I live. But I’m grounded in something eternal.

I am a citizen here…but I am an heir of a greater Kingdom.

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36, NKJV).

And neither is ours.So we live in that tension. We honor where God has placed us. We serve faithfully. We seek the good of those around us. But we never forget—we are just passing through.

And while we are here…we live in such a way that people don’t just see good citizens—they see followers of Christ.

 

Stay rooted,

Pastor David
gracepastordavid@gmail.com