Patriotism is not only love of the country of one's birth, but also love of the country of one's naturalization.
Christian patriotism, therefore, is not only love of the country of one's Christian birth, but also of one's Christian naturalization.
Naturalization is that procedure through which persons born in another country -- aliens, foreigners -- become citizens of a certain country of their choice.
Is there, then, anything in Christian experience that corresponds to naturalization? Is there such a thing as Christian naturalization? Read Ephesians 2:11: "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 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."
Aliens become citizens of a government by naturalization. And when in the act of being naturalized they take the oath of allegiance to the new government, the new sovereign, here are the specifications -- copied from a gentleman's certificate of naturalization. You and I were aliens. We have become naturalized into the commonwealth of Israel, the kingdom of God. And now what is involved? Read:--
"This is to certify, etc., that J__ B__ 'on being admitted to citizenship by this court, took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States of America, and that he then did absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the emperor of Germany,' etc., etc."
If he had been a British subject, it would have read, "and particularly to the queen of Great Britain and empress of India."
How much did he have to renounce? -- "All allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate State, or sovereignty whatsoever." And what in particular? -- "And particularly to the emperor of Germany."
And how fully? and for how long? -- "Absolutely and forever renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity." Thus he is to turn his back "absolutely" upon all his former "allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty WHATSOEVER." That is in general. And in particular, to the one to whom he was particularly subject. That is, in earthly governments, the way aliens are naturalized.