Nationalism and the Christian

pretty sure he's referring to 1John4:20.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Although, I think John is referring to Christians when he says "his brother" yet; I definitely think there is an element of "brotherhood" among your kinsman and countrymen, it's just not as strong.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
With respect to nationalism, Paul (I think) explains that God divided the world into nations "that they might seek after him", so even though there is not a lot of explanation behind it, we know that's part of God's plan of reconciliation. And we know from Romans that, the power of government comes from God. We are supposed to pray for our nation, and it's rulers, and we are supposed to submit to government to the extent that it's not asking something immoral of us. I think we owe fealty and fidelity and in return we should get, to some extent, faithful governance- if not faithful to God, at least faithful toward Godly principles, or... at least some principles. Of course our faith should always be in God- and never in the actual government itself.

Biblically, when John the Baptist was preaching the kingdom of heaven, some men that were already soldiers asked John what they should do:
Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
Basically, "don't abuse your power". He didn't tell them they had to stop being soldiers or serving the government in order to be right with God.

But whether or not you ought to do it, that's between you and the Lord.

Hitch said:
We are forbidden to say we love God we have never seen if we fail our brother we have seen. I reckon the same applies to country.


"Forbidden" to say we love God? No, we are not.

If you say so...but in Reality land that is an edit.

Makes no sense to me either.

What I don't understand is if it's Caesar's then why doesn't Caesar come take it back? I don't see why the Christian needs to become an unpaid subject of a government in order to return the government's property to itself. If the government wants to run a government then that's their priority; if they want help then start paying up a salary to every citizen.

I'm speaking strictly political of course since we are talking about nationalism.

@Magenta is one of the most respected members of this site. Your slur was uncalled for.

Let it go. You're outnumbered by one or many.
It was an edit. They chopped your post to take issue with a part that in actually then voided the context.
You'll not win.

Your slur was called for.................... Now you cant say I edited your post without admitting they edited mine

If that were true you wouldn't demonstrate you know so little of its content.

You're not going to win.
Ever seen one of those billboards boasting of a local restaurant? And its menu? "Voted best in the state!"
Ever wonder who they polled?

And your proof is?

So this whole place is infected with an overwhelming supply of senior pastors daughters ?

Right there.
You didn't address what I said well prior. You just avoid the matter.

IOW, you have ZERO proof!

You keep giving me proof.
And you prove you don't really bother to read and comprehend what someone is saying to you.

Not a good look in a discussion forum.

Your comment about me was "Your ignorance can be educated by reading the Bible." Now prove it.

Initially believing in and living for Jesus of the Bible.

Stretching it how? Abortion isn't murder? Sending soldiers to die and kill innocent people isn't murder? How about dropping nukes on thousands of innocent people in Japan? Yes, on Judgment Day it will be judged as murder.

I took the same oath back in the day.

Thank you for your service, brother. 🇺🇸🙏

Bansville for you.