A Christian Response to Patriotism in Corporate Worship By Ryan Wardlow

Ive felt a growing frustration for years at the way American Christians confuse patriotism with following Christ. It has been a common practice for years to sing patriotic hymns in our worship gatherings. However, I feel that we must ask ourselves whether patriotism is appropriate in corporate worship or not. Why don't I sing patriotic songs in our worship services, especially around Memorial Day and Independence Day? Is it a lack of patriotism? Absolutely not. I am extremely patriotic. I can remember when I turned 18 years old, marching into the Plymouth post office and proudly registering for the Selective Service. A few months later, I was able to vote in my very first Presidential election. Since that day, there has not been a state or national election that I have not voted in. As a Pastor, I strongly encourage our church members to vote, even if they do not vote the same way as I do. I feel it is our duty. I will place yard signs and bumper stickers for the candidates who I believe will stand for Christian values. I will get involved in events that promote freedom and liberty. I am very patriotic. However, I do not believe that our corporate worship is the time nor the place to be focusing on our nation, but rather it is a time to be focusing on our Savior. Let me give a few reasons to support this: 1. Our citizenship lies in heaven. We enjoy the privilege of dual citizenship. Our earthly citizenship means that we are Americans. We should be proud of this. However, when we meet together for corporate worship, we are celebrating a much higher citizenship - our citizenship in Christ's Kingdom. Let me put it this way... how would you feel if you went to a patriotic parade, and the very first float that passed in front of you had an Iraqi flag and was playing "Mawtini", the national anthem of Iraq? Any patriotic American would be furious. It would be disrespectful, distasteful, and dishonoring to all those who have fought for our freedoms. This is the same thing that we do to our Creator when we place patriotism as the main theme of our worship. 2. By focusing on our country and patriotism we send mixed signals about what it really means to be a Christ-follower. It can easily sound like being a good U.S. citizen is the first step to living out the gospel. In reality, we are called to take up our cross daily and follow Christ. 3. We often elevate patriotism to the level of idolatry. We are explicitly commanded to have no other gods before the one true God. Patriotic celebrations fill us with emotions and warm

feelings toward our country, but they also take our focus off of our Savior. When our worship is focused on anything other than Christ, it ceases to be true Christian worship. Because we are still affected by sinful desires, our heart is constantly being drawn to God-substitutes. Many of these substitutes can actually be good. They can include family, children, careers, food, or our country. But if these things are not kept in their proper place, they can easily become idols. God-substitutes ultimately compromise the entire purpose of our worship gatherings. Conclusion Nowhere in scripture will you find any writer encouraging patriotism in the body of Christ. Even in the midst of persecution, they were encouraged to passionately pursue after righteousness and holiness. When asked about a Christian's relationship with their government, Jesus responded to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's. So what is the proper way to involve patriotism in our worship? 1. Celebrate the Giver, not the gifts. Living in America is a blessing. We enjoy more freedoms than most countries around the globe, especially the freedom to worship. However, we must not focus more on the blessings of God than we do the One who has given us those blessings. 2. Thank God for the freedoms that we do enjoy. Don't take God's blessings for granted. Don't become complacent. Express in your worship your gratitude to God for all that he has given - including your heritage. 3. Pray for our country and its leaders. Pray for wisdom, and direction. Pray for their salvation. Pray that they would make God-honoring decisions. Don't take this to say that we should not be patriotic. Quite the opposite. We SHOULD be patriotic. However, when we meet together for corporate worship, our focus should be completely on the One who called and saved us, and anything that detracts from that worship should be avoided. May our gatherings exalt our great Savior, edify the body of Christ, and transform lives for the glory of God.

Pastor Ryan Wardlow