Jesus, Empire, and the Fruit of the Spirit

How should Christians think about nationalism, immigration, and power?

Christians face a profound tension: we are citizens of earthly nations, yet our ultimate allegiance lies with the kingdom of God. The real danger emerges when political identity, nationalism, fear, or power overshadow Jesus as our true source of hope. It's striking how many Christians prefer quoting Paul over Jesus; however, it is Jesus’ words that should guide our lives. Jesus addressed concerns related to others, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount. This is the vital area where the line between the Cross and Empire becomes blurred.

Jesus refused a political position.

John 18:36 - “My kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus was clear that his purpose on earth was not to overthrow governments. Yet, the crowds desired a revolution—a figure of power, dominance, and a warrior king. Instead, Jesus entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, defying both an oppressive empire and fierce nationalist sentiments. He did not conform to any political label. In modern culture, there is immense pressure on Christians to align strictly with ideological camps—whether left or right, progressive or nationalist, activist or isolationist, liberal or conservative. Yet, Jesus consistently challenges every tribe and ideology, inviting a deeper reflection beyond simple labels.

Christ followers are told to love the other.

Ephesians 2:19 “You are no longer foreigners and strangers…” Throughout Scripture, Israel is reminded that they were once foreigners in Egypt. God consistently urges care for strangers, refugees, and outsiders. While legitimate concerns about borders and social stability are understandable, many Christians have permitted fear to overshadow the inherent dignity of all people. Recognizing this biblical call challenges us to prioritize compassion over apprehension.

Here’s the tension–

As followers of Christ, we must unite our response around essential principles: compassion paired with wisdom, justice alongside mercy, truth complemented by love, and strength balanced with humility. The Christian church has a duty to stand against both the dehumanization of immigrants and naive idealism that overlooks complex realities. While these challenges are not simple to solve, our response must emulate the example set by Jesus. Consider his encounter with the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11 as a powerful model for compassionate care and mercy.

Christ followers must understand Power.

Jesus demonstrates how vigilant we must be against unchecked political power. In Luke 4:5-6, Satan tempts Jesus by claiming dominion over all the worldly kingdoms. Revelation 13 further uses vivid symbolism to portray worldly political systems that abuse their authority. Why should Christians heed this warning? Because power often corrupts, fosters fear, demands loyalty, sows division, and turns people into enemies. Does any of this sound familiar? When Christians pursue dominance rather than sacrificial witness, they cease to resemble Jesus. Jesus transformed the world—not through force or political influence, but through sacrifice, love, truth, humility, and unwavering faith.

Christ followers are called to be peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9-16 “Blessed are the peacemakers…salt of the earth” ... Peacemaking is not an act of passivity but a bold, courageous stance in divided spaces. Christians must be distinguished by their refusal to sow hatred, their resistance to propaganda through truth-telling, and their commitment to preserving human dignity and loving enemies. While no nation is the kingdom of God, they should also not claim to be its protector or promoter. The early Christians, living under far more violent empires than many modern democracies, changed the world without confusing Caesar with Christ. When the church becomes enslaved to political power, it loses its prophetic voice. A crucial question arises: “Can Christians love their nation without worshipping it?” Once political loyalty becomes ultimate, Jesus inevitably takes a back seat.

Learn more about what it means to examine ourselves and cultivate "the fruit of the Spirit" in Episode 195 of the All Saints Podcast: "Jesus Didn't Come to Earth to Make People Religious."


If you're interested in diving deeper into this topic, these are some books that I recommend...  

Separation of Church and Hate by, John Fugelsang
Fugelsang critiques the alliance between American Christianity and right-wing political power, arguing that many public expressions of modern Christianity contradict the teachings of Jesus. Through humor, cultural commentary, and biblical references, he contrasts the compassion-centered ethic of Christ with fear-based nationalism, exclusion, and culture-war politics. The book calls readers to recover a faith rooted in mercy, humility, justice, and love rather than ideology and tribalism.

The Violent Take it by Force – Matthew Taylor
This book explores the growing influence of charismatic Christian nationalism and prophetic movements within American evangelicalism, especially those connected to politics, conspiracy culture, and spiritual warfare rhetoric. Taylor traces how segments of independent charismatic Christianity became deeply intertwined with populism, January 6, and apocalyptic political imagination. He argues that these movements are reshaping American religion and democracy by framing political conflict as a cosmic battle between God and evil.

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory – Tim Alberta
Part memoir, part investigative journalism, this book examines how white evangelicalism in America became increasingly fused with political identity, especially during the Trump era. Alberta writes both as an outsider journalist and as someone raised within evangelical culture, giving the book a deeply personal tone as he documents churches fractured by fear, anger, and partisan loyalty. He argues that many Christian communities traded spiritual integrity for political power, creating a crisis of witness that now threatens the future credibility of the American church.