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In answering Bible questions, it is often best, to begin with defining the term, in this case, “patriotic.” All words have different nuances of meaning. For example, the English word “hand” has 24 different meanings. The basic sense of “patriotic” is having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country. It can also mean having “love” for one’s country? Let’s start by saying having devotion and love for one’s country is not the same as having devotion and love for politicians. By the time most politicians reach the United States Senate, they are generally speaking morally crooked, perverse, distorted, dishonest, and evasive when they are compared to the “just,” “right” and “correct” ways of the wise servants of God. (Deut. 32:5; Ps 101:4; Prov. 2:15; 8:8; 11:20; 17:20; 19:1; 28:6) This is not always true nor is it always to the fullest extent of their character, but they are somewhere on the spectrum of morally crooked, perverse, distorted, dishonest, and evasive. Yet, all is well because we are not voting for the character of the man or woman, but rather for their voting record. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words, in this case, voting actions speak louder than political rhetoric.

NOTE: What about Nationalism? Nationalism is identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations. So, whatever is said hereon that applies to being patriotic would apply to nationalism too.

So, one could be devoted to and love the United States of America, which was founded on biblical Judeo-Christian values. What one must do as a Christian is make certain that their devotion and love for the United States do not supersede their love for God and Neighbor. It also needs to be balanced. Being a citizen of the United States means that your devotion is to the United States above any other country. It does not mean that your devotion and love are above God and neighbor. Jesus tells us, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. Love God above all else. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matt. 22:36-40) If a Christian places their country above God and neighbor, it is bordering on idolatry. When a country asks a Christian to do something that goes against the Word of God, we reply as did the apostle John and Peter. But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”—Acts 5:29.

Romans 13:1 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
13 Let every soul be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God, and those that exist have been placed by God.

Does this verse mean that God has miraculously set up and established every governmental authority since the beginning of man? No, not at all. God is indirectly allowed governments to form, meaning that they serve a purpose by their presence. Many governments make some effort to make laws that protect their public. Some governments abuse their power in the extreme, like Adolf Hitler. Obama abused his power in that he willfully contributed to the United States abandoning its biblical Judeo-Christian values and shifting toward the liberal, progressive worldview. He also willfully weakened the United States’ ability to protect the world from existing threats. Governmental authorities exist because God has allowed them to exist. In some cases, some leaders use their power to protect religious freedom and promote a biblical worldview. The United States has protected the world for over a century from wicked nations and other threats, spilling much of their people’s blood and treasures. The world has largely been ungrateful. However, this peace that we have had since World War II, has allowed Christians to carry out their evangelism work with relative freedom.—Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, [why?] that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Certainly, logic dictates that if we are urged to pray for a politician; then, we can clearly act on behalf of our prayer by voting for that politician. Why do we pray and vote for politicians? We vote for politicians that have a track record of passing legislation that will protect religious freedoms while we lead a peaceful and quiet life carrying out the great commission that Jesus gave us. We have, but one leader, Jesus Christ, and the United States have been a great tool to protect Christianity for over a century, and it can do so up unto the great tribulation. Furthermore, we do not know what the future holds in detail, but we do know that the great tribulation is on the horizon and things are going to go from bad to worse. – Matthew 24:21-28; 2 Timothy 3:1-7.

Therefore, let us carry out our ministry because the time is short, and we can use this period of peace wisely. We need to find a way for true Christians to unite under one God, becoming one in doctrine, word, and deed. We need to proclaim the Word of God, teach and make disciples. (Matt 24:14; 28;19; Ac 1:8) Not all so-called Christians are going to survive Christ’s return. (Matt 7:21-23, 1 John 2:15-17) Jesus asked, “when I return will I really find the faith”? (Lu 18:8) Not at this point and time with our 41,000 different Christian denominations all swearing they are the truth and the way even though they are all divided. Even churches within the same denominations are divided because of autonomy. Christ’s second coming will happen in one of two ways.

ONE: Jesus chooses true Christians out of all of these denominations, and the false Christians will hear the words, “‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matt. 7:23)

TWO: Before the end comes, one true form of Christianity will develop and all true Christians will see the light and migrate in the name of uniting under the one God. (Ex. 3:12; 19:17; Deut. 4:35; 4:39; Josh. 22:34; 2 Sam. 7:28; 1 Ki 8:60)

So, again, should Christians be patriotic? Reasonably, in a balanced way, yes. However, a Christian’s ultimate devotion, love, and obedience are to be reserved for God alone and your neighbor.