I’ve written a lot lately, in response to the spiritual decline of the USA, about how this world is not the home of the Christian, and that we should not be so attached to our nation that we forget that we belong to God’s Spiritual kingdom.
Having said that, it’s okay to love your country.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Romans 9:3
Many Jews had rejected the Gospel, a sad fact that Paul experienced firsthand (Acts 13:46). Nevertheless, Paul loves his heritage. In fact he loves it so much he wishes he could trade places with the Jews who have rejected the Gospel, so they could be saved and he condemned. Obviously these are the impassioned words of a heartbroken man, and should not be held against him.
Paul is simply expressing how much he loves the Jews and his attitude toward them. He takes things to the most extreme point possible, by saying that he would go to Hell if it would save them. Of course he can’t do that, and—thinking clearly—he would not, and that is why he said “I could wish;” he knows it can’t happen.
Let no one say that Paul did not love his people. As much as frustrated Americans talk about the spiritual decline of their nation, they should know it’s okay to love their country and weep for its demise Yes, this world is not our home, and the USA is not our true nation (we belong to Christ’s spiritual kingdom), nevertheless we live here and we should love our land. Paul certainly loved his, and felt great sorrow in knowing that many of them were not saved. Some American Christians are quick to outright dismiss their heritage, but Paul wore his on his sleeve and was glad to call himself a Jew. He just understood his priority was with Christ.
I am an American, and glad to be one. There is a lot that is great about being an American. I am sad to know that so many of my national brothers are in condemnation. Nevertheless I will be faithful, because my greater love is Christ and His nation.
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