The Roman Empire embraced polytheism. The Jews did not.

The Roman Empire permitted each nation to worship their own gods. This facilitated having people who followed different religions living within the same empire.

The Jews were the exception that proved this rule. The Jews remembered their Covenant with the LORD to follow no other gods. (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:7) Their First Commandment was “Hear, O Israel. The LORD, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart”.

If you are following the LORD your God with all your heart, there’ll be no room in your heart for following any other god, including the gods of the Power of Money, the Power of Religion, or the Power of the Kingdoms of the World.

There’ll be no room in your heart for following the many gods of the Roman Empire.

In 70 A.D., the Roman Empire leveled Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple.

In the Twenty-First Century, Nationalism tells people to treat their nation like a god. Their nation becomes the source of their ultimate loyalties. They argue that if we each are free to worship our own nation, this will facilitate all peoples and nations living in peace.

This is a lie.

The nationalism of the British, French, Germans, and Russians caused World War I. The nationalism of the Nazis caused World War II and the Holocaust. Truly, the wages of Nationalism are death.

I am alarmed by the resurgence of Nationalism in the United States and throughout Humanity.

Jesus taught his followers that he has all authority on heaven and on earth. Jesus! Not nations. Not the United States. Not Russia. Not China. Jesus! (Matthew 28:18).

Accordingly, we are to teach all nations to obey everything that Jesus has taught us. (Matthew 28:20). Not to obey everything that Nationalim teaches us.

Therefore, I like to update the First Commandment to be: “Hear, O Humanity. The LORD, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart.”

If you are following the LORD your God with all your heart, there’ll be no room in your heart for following any other god, including the gods of the Power of Money, the Power of Religion, or the Power of the Kingdoms of the World.

There’ll be no room in your heart for the god of Nationalism.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How did Nationalism cause World War I?

How did Nationalism cause World War II?

How did Nationalism cause the Holocaust?

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For related ideas, please read my blog “Nationalism Is Patriotism Gone Astray”.