Love Your Enemies: A 4th of July Reminder

This week, America celebrates its independence.

Barbecues, fireworks, parades, flags. And rightly so—there is much to be grateful for in the freedom, opportunity, and sacrifice that mark this nation’s history. I’m thankful for those who served, for the ability to speak freely, worship publicly, and lead in a church without fear of persecution.

But as followers of Jesus, we must also ask an honest question:

Are we celebrating freedom, or are we worshiping it?

Because something strange has happened in the modern American Church. Somewhere along the line, we started confusing the cross with the flag—blending our national identity with our Kingdom calling. In the process, we’ve often allowed politics to shape our theology more than Scripture does.

July 4th is a great time to be grateful for our country. It is not a time to forget who our true King is.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” —Philippians 3:20

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” —Matthew 5:44

There’s a troubling trend in the American Church. We’ve confused the cross with the flag.

Too many believers have yoked the Gospel to American power, policy, or political preferences as if Jesus died to make our nation stronger rather than our hearts new. When that happens, we stop preaching Good News for all people and start defending the good ol’ U.S. of A. for our kind of people.

And that’s not the Gospel. That’s idolatry.

Let me be clear: loving your country is not a sin.

Thanking God for freedom, opportunity, and sacrifice is right and good. But when national identity eclipses Kingdom identity, we risk turning the mission of God into a platform for self-preservation.

And Jesus never called us to preserve ourselves. He called us to lay down our lives.

Too many times, we identify the enemies of America, or the free world, or of whomever while forgetting that at one point you and me were enemies of God!

“While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.” (Romans 5:10)

So why do we struggle to love those we label as enemies now?

Think about it: Who are “our enemies”? You can name them by heart I bet: China, Iran, North Korea, Palestine, Russia. Many of the countries American Christians view with suspicion or fear are home to faithful, persecuted followers of Jesus. are home to faithful, persecuted followers of Jesus. They are members of the household of God. Our brothers. Our sisters. And in those same countries, there are millions more who have yet to hear the name of Jesus even once.

“The Gospel must be preached to all nations…” (Mark 13:10) not just the nations we approve of!

The Great Commission was not written in red, white, and blue.

The blood that covers sin doesn’t come from a Bill of rights, but from a Savior’s wounds.

And the Kingdom of God will not be ushered in through military strength, economic dominance, or cultural pride, but through mercy, justice, and self-giving love.

So when American Christians defend nationalism at the expense of global compassion, we have not just lost the plot—we’ve betrayed the King!

This moment in history demands clarity:

• The Gospel is not an American export.

• The Church is not a political arm of the state.

• And Jesus does not wave our flag—He bears our sin.

  
  

“God’s kindness leads to repentance…” (Romans 2:4)“The Lord is not slow…He is patient, not wishing that any should perish…” (2 Peter 3:9)“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…” (Psalm 103:8)

We must remember: God is not Republican or Democrat. Not conservative or progressive. He is holy. And His kingdom is not of this world.

So if we find ourselves more emotionally invested in defending a national identity than demonstrating Kingdom mercy, it’s time to repent.

We are citizens of heaven.

We are ambassadors of reconciliation.

We are sent to proclaim good news to all nations—not just ours.