Leonard Sweet, wow —-

As America marks 250 years of independence this Fourth of July, I celebrate as a patriot, not a Christian nationalist.

Jesus is not the chaplain for any political party. He is not the exclusive property of any nation. Neither left nor right holds a patent on the Messiah. He doesn’t join our political spectrum. He transcends it.

Jesus did not come to establish a temporary political utopia. In the words of Origen, Jesus is autobasilia: He Himself is the kingdom. He is not a member of any party, for He Himself is the party. He Himself is Jubilee.

I love my zip code. I love my tribe. I love this nation, and I celebrate this historic milestone with deep passion and gratitude. But as a follower of Jesus, I answer to a higher citizenship. I love my country, yet my deepest loyalties are eternal.

Happy 250th, to a land I love.