Patriotism

Patriotism is the opium of the masses. Those who are caught up in its euphoric urges are controlled and manipulated outside their own consciousness. Patriotism, at its heart, is built on depraved and wicked impulses. Those who desire to follow Christ in purity should be purged of its influence. Do it, throw it away, or it will destroy you. With it, the masses are led to hell. “God and country” is the refrain at which Satan cackles in delight; it is the idol which he has created. The diabolic nature is seen in the sheer numbers which are deceived. Those who have escaped its grasp (whom I know personally) are so few that I think I could count them on my hands.

Patriotism, in essence, requires holding a relatively small group of people in higher regard than all the other inhabitants of the earth. The deep rooted selfish nature seen here is of the same strain which caused Adam to fall in the garden. It is a concept which drives one to hope that one’s self and friends are treated well in life, even if at the expense of all the other inhabitants of the world combined. A patriotic fellow desires that the goods he buys in his country are cheap, the goods his country sells are expensive, the foreigners in the country are treated as a second class part of humanity; in short he hopes that all of humanity is beaten down that he may be exalted. Could a more selfish attitude ever be promoted in the name of Christianity? Never! The real Christian attitude is to hope for the betterment of all humanity (not just your part), to desire that all receive justice, and to work for the advancement of all in the world. Patriotism, by its definition, ceases to exist when the above criteria are true. According to Funk and Wagnall’s Desk Dictionary, a patriot is “one who loves his country and zealously guards its welfare.” Part of the deceptive nature of this issue is that one can feel good that he is looking out for others, helping them in their pursuit of happiness. The deceived scarcely realizes that he is included in this class that he desires to do well.

Those who resist the revealed truth of God in this matter are either agents of the devil or deeply deceived. The former are of no concern to us; it is the church that is deceived that the full might of spiritual intensity should be directed. Because of the promises of God toward His church, I can in confidence pray for the deceived knowing that God will hear. Nevertheless, the example of Lot is always in front of me, reminding me that indeed it is possible for a Christian to waste his whole life and end up being more of a curse than a blessing to the world. How then can I sin against God in ceasing to pray for the church? It is the glory of Christ; He will not cease pleading for it. I too should follow in His footsteps.