Let’s start off this article with the definition of the word nationalism.

“Nationalism is the identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.”

Does the identification with one’s own nation to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations line up with the teachings of Christ and His apostles in the New Testament?

Jesus included all nations into the citizenship of His kingdom.

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Luk 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

Joh 11:52  And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 

Acts 10:34-35 I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.

Rom 1:5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 

Now I’d like to give some attention to two words in the New Testament. The first is:

xenos, G3581, which is defined as a foreigner, a stranger or an alien.

This word xenos is where we get the modern word xenophobia, which means: a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a *stranger, and ye took me in: 

Mat 25:43  I was a *stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 

The second word is paroikos G3941, which is defined as one who lives in a place without the right of citizenship.

Hebrews 11:13-16: Describes Abraham and Sarah as living as resident aliens in the land of Canaan.

Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 

Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 
Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 

3Jn 1:5  Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 

Php 3:20  For our *conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 

The word translated as “conversation” is actually politeuma G4175 and it means: citizenship.

Our citizenship is in heaven and those who are in Christ are no longer strangers or foreigners, but are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God as these bible verses clearly tell us.

One should be able to see from these Scriptures above that the idea of “nationalism” is not a doctrine nor a principle taught by Christ or His apostles in any way; in fact the very contrary of what is defined as “nationalism” is laid out quite plainly.

There is a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is the sense of gratitude and love one has for their country based on the rights and freedoms they have as a citizen, and nationalism is political in it’s ideologies and movements that involve a more extreme and exclusionary love of one’s country—at the expense of foreigners, immigrants, and even people in a country who aren’t believed to belong in some way, often based on racial and religious differences.

My friends, please acquaint yourself with the differences in these two words and always guard your heart from convincing yourself that they are somehow the same. I will not include my personal opinions on the matter of nationalism, nor will I warn of the dangers of mixing this ideology with the teachings of Christ. I honestly believe I’ve provided enough for the Holy Spirit to enlighten the heart and mind of a saint who is seeking Truth. I will end this article with these thought provoking Bible verses.

Rom 10:2  For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. 
Rom 10:3  Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 

God Bless you, I pray the Holy Spirit will guide you into all Truth concerning the things I’ve shared in this article.

Be free and set free in Jesus name~