Today’s a great day to consider this question: what is the follower of Jesus’ proper relationship to their country? That question feels more complicated these days, with the patriotism of some spilling over into a sort of Christian nationalism, while others, distressed at America’s sinful past and present, wonder if there is a place for patriotism of any kind. To those in either of those places, the Bible offers these words: we are citizens of heaven first, nation second. I find these words give me a lot of freedom in what it means to be an American and a Christian, and I hope it will for the rest of us too. Primary text will be Phil 3:18-21.