Pledge Your Allegiance to King Jesus: A Conversation on the American Church, Patriotism, and Politics

The following is an experiment I ran with ChatGPT. I asked it: “Could you help me do an interview style blog post? You can ask me questions and I write my response. When it is all done you can put it into a single document. I would like to have a conversation about the American Church, patriotism, and politics.” 

This is the result.

Paul’s Ponderings Interview | July 2025

In this special edition of Paul’s Ponderings, we sat down with pastor and blogger Paul Steele to discuss a topic that’s as timely as it is complicated: how the American Church navigates patriotism, politics, and allegiance to Jesus. What follows is a candid and thoughtful conversation about discipleship, division, and what it really means to belong to God’s Kingdom.

Q: When you look at the American Church today, what gives you hope? And what concerns you the most?

Paul:

What gives me hope is a renewed emphasis on discipleship and a clearer call to allegiance to King Jesus. After decades of “church growth” focused primarily on Sunday morning worship services, more and more people are talking about the importance of actual disciples as the true metric of church health.

Along with that shift are scholars like N.T. Wright, Scot McKnight, and Matthew Bates, who help reframe the Gospel as the story of Jesus and how He became King. Therefore, the only appropriate response to that reality is allegiance to the King.

My concern, when it comes to the American Church, is politics—and this is both a right and a left issue. Conservative Christians and Progressive Christians alike want to use politics and the U.S. government to do the work of the Kingdom. This has caused deep divisions. Especially on the conservative side, there’s been an unhealthy merging of Republican politics with the Church itself.

Q: You mentioned allegiance to King Jesus. How does that allegiance shape the way Christians should relate to their nation—especially when patriotic values seem to conflict with Kingdom values?

Paul:

This has been something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. In the United States, it’s been possible for a long time to hold dual allegiance—to the country and to Jesus. This is rooted in the belief that the U.S. is a Christian nation. While there’s no doubt that Christian values influenced the founders, that influence is often overstated.

Because of that, patriotism can feel like an extension of our faith. That’s why it’s so important to emphasize that our first allegiance is to King Jesus and His Kingdom. With that as our foundation, we can live out Jeremiah’s call to the exiles—to seek the good of the community. As citizens of Heaven, we work for the good of our communities, and since we have a voice through voting and activism, we should use it.

But we also need to remain humble. We might have strong preferences for how government should work, but we don’t always know the unintended consequences of policies. So we should be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and seek to influence society—remembering that God’s Kingdom is ultimately about His people demonstrating His character, not about enforcing human laws.

Q: In your experience as a pastor, how have you seen politics impact the life and unity of the church—both positively and negatively?

Paul:

To be honest, I don’t have a lot to say about politics having a positive impact on church unity. From my experience, it’s mostly been negative. And I have to admit—I’ve contributed to that. Between 2014 and 2017, I went through what I call my “obnoxious libertarian” phase. I used Facebook (and even the pulpit) to challenge conservative political assumptions. In 2017, a church member called me out on it, and that really made me reflect on how my own political ideology was shaping how I interpreted the Bible—just like I had criticized others for doing.

We’ve had people leave the church from both sides—left-leaning folks who felt out of place among outspoken conservatives, and others who left during COVID because they felt we didn’t open fast enough. Politics can unify, but only temporarily—and usually only if everyone thinks the same way. The downside is that it creates an environment where anyone who doesn’t share those values doesn’t feel like they belong.

It’s also become harder to preach on biblical themes like justice, the role of women, or loving enemies without being accused of “going woke.” Too many Christians let politics shape how they read the Bible, instead of letting the Bible shape their politics.

Q: How do you personally navigate the tension between being politically aware and engaged, while resisting the pull to place your hope in politics?

Paul:

It starts by remembering that I’m first and foremost a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. One of the disciplines that helps me is to daily pledge my allegiance to King Jesus and declare that I am a loyal citizen of His Kingdom. Without that intentional reminder, it’s easy to get pulled into the political drama of the day.

Once I’ve grounded myself in that identity, I can think about my responsibility as a Kingdom representative. That includes prayer—1 Timothy 2:1–4 teaches us to pray for leaders so we can live peaceful, quiet lives. It also includes being a good steward of our freedom through voting and activism.

But I always try to hold my preferences with humility. I’m not wise enough to see all the consequences of the policies I support. And above all, I want to love my neighbor well. The Kingdom isn’t going to come through elections and laws—it’s going to come through love and living out God’s character in the world.

Q: What does it look like for you, as a pastor, to disciple people who are deeply shaped by political ideologies? How do you lead them toward deeper allegiance to Jesus without alienating them?

Paul:

That’s the million-dollar question. A lot of pastors are trying to navigate these dangerous waters of politics and faith. And as I’ve said, this is not something I’ve always handled well.

More than anything, I think we need to create an atmosphere where we let the Bible speak. I often remind people: “The Bible is written for us, but not to us.” We need to read Scripture through the lens of the original audience, not through modern political categories. Once we understand the original message, we can apply it to our context today.

The goal is to avoid unnecessary labels like “woke” or “bigot” and instead ask: “What would the original hearers have understood this to mean?”

I also want people to see that from a Kingdom perspective, our greatest tools for political impact are prayer and disciple-making. Changing hearts will change communities. So my job is to teach the Bible clearly and trust the Holy Spirit to convict people where needed. Whenever we challenge someone’s political views, we risk defensiveness. So we lead with Scripture, with love, and with trust in God’s timing.

Q: If you could offer one message to the American Church in this cultural and political moment, what would it be?

Paul:

It would simply be: “Pledge your allegiance to King Jesus.”

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters. It’s hard to help people see that politics and patriotism can compete with allegiance to Jesus—but that’s often what’s happening. So I want to encourage the Church to obey the truth of Scripture and place our faith, trust, and loyalty in Jesus above all else.

Final Thoughts:

This conversation reminds us that while politics has a place, it should never take the throne. True transformation doesn’t come through elections or policies—it comes through prayer, discipleship, humility, and radical allegiance to King Jesus.

Life Patterns: Living as Citizens of Heaven

Philippians 1:27–30

Have you ever stepped off a plane in a foreign country and instantly felt out of place? Maybe the language sounded unfamiliar, the food smelled strange, or the customs felt completely different. You weren’t unwelcome—you just didn’t belong.

Now imagine pulling out your passport. That small blue booklet instantly identifies you as a citizen of another nation. It shapes how others see you—and maybe even how you see yourself. You’re not just a visitor. You’re a representative.

This is the image the apostle Paul wants us to carry in Philippians 1:27–30. He reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we are citizens of heaven. We might live in this world, but we don’t quite fit in. Our values, our hopes, our loyalties—they come from somewhere else. And just like a passport, our identity in Christ should influence how we live, love, and respond to the world around us.

A Heavenly Identity in a World That Feels Foreign

Paul wrote Philippians while in prison, thanking the church for their support and offering encouragement. In chapter 1, he shares how—even behind bars—the Gospel is advancing. Then, in verses 27–30, he gives practical instruction. If we belong to God’s Kingdom, then we must live like it.

Paul outlines three patterns that shape the life of a heavenly citizen:

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1. Loyalty — Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel (v. 27)

Paul urges believers to “live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” This isn’t about living perfectly—it’s about living faithfully. Loyalty to Jesus shapes our daily choices. It means living in a way that reflects our allegiance to Him and standing united with others in His kingdom.

That loyalty also means we strive together for the Gospel. We’re not solo agents—we’re a team, a body, a church family. Whether it’s praying, teaching, giving, serving, or inviting others to know Jesus, we all have a role to play. That’s what loyalty looks like in action.

“No one can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24) reminds us that loyalty is a daily decision. Money, comfort, politics, success—any of these can claim our allegiance. But as citizens of heaven, our hearts must belong first to King Jesus.

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2. Courage — Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition (v. 28)

Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it: living as citizens of heaven invites resistance. Whether it’s cultural pushback, strained relationships, or spiritual attack, courage will be required. But courage isn’t bravado—it’s quiet confidence rooted in knowing who we are and whose we are.

Our courage serves as a sign. It tells the world that the Kingdom of God is real. And it tells us that we’re on the right path.

Think of Rosa Parks. In 1955, her refusal to give up her bus seat wasn’t loud, but it was powerful. Her stand sparked a movement because she knew who she was. In the same way, when we stand firm in faith, we point people to the hope of Jesus.

Want to grow in courage? Start with community. Courage isn’t cultivated in isolation—it grows in relationships. That’s why the local church is essential. We need one another to pray, encourage, and walk with us through life’s trials.

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3. Awareness — Recognizing That Suffering Is Part of the Journey (vv. 29–30)

Paul tells us that suffering is part of the Christian life. That’s not always what we want to hear, but it’s the truth. Jesus suffered, and those who follow Him can expect the same. But suffering isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign that we’re in the race.

Picture a marathon runner at mile 20, muscles burning and lungs gasping. That pain isn’t a sign to quit—it’s proof they’re still running. Likewise, when we face hardship for our faith, it’s not because we’ve lost our way. It might be because we’re exactly where God wants us to be.

We’re not alone in this. We run in the company of faithful men and women who have gone before us. We’re part of a “great cloud of witnesses” who model what it means to live with enduring faith.

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…” (Romans 8:28). 

Trust that even your pain can serve God’s purpose.

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Living the Difference

Paul’s challenge is simple but profound: Live as citizens of heaven. Let your life be a visible testimony that following Jesus makes a real difference. Let your loyalty, courage, and awareness shine like a lighthouse in a stormy sea—steady, faithful, and pointing others toward hope.

Our lives are often the clearest evidence of the Gospel people will ever see. Will they see the Kingdom of Heaven in us?

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A Challenge for the Week

Everything starts with prayer. This week, ask God to help you find and form a community of fellow citizens—people who will support, challenge, and walk with you in faith. Many of us try to follow Jesus alone, but we were never meant to. We need each other.

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A Final Thought

“There are moments when our greatest act of faith is to remain faithful. Faith is not always the way out of the crisis—but faith gives us strength and confidence to see every challenge and crisis through to the end.”

— Erwin McManus, Stand Against the Wind

This is what these three patterns—loyalty, courage, and awareness—lead to: faithfulness. Steady, resilient, enduring faithfulness to King Jesus.

Let’s live like we belong to the Kingdom of Heaven—because we do.

Faith, Politics, and the Slippery Slope of Power

“When believers surrender to the temptation to associate the faith with a political party, so that a subtle but rock-solid alliance is formed between the church and an entity that belongs to this present age, the dynamics of triumphalism easily take over. Christians begin to quest after cultural domination, seeking political power and cultural approval.”

— Timothy Gombis, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Mark, p. 568

The Tension of Faith and Politics

A tension many followers of Jesus wrestle with is: how do we influence the messy world of earthly politics while faithfully representing King Jesus in everything we say and do?

I believe that Timothy Gombis hits the nail on the head with this thought. When disciples of Jesus get too cozy with a political party, there is the temptation for a divided loyalty. What starts as a pragmatic alliance between the Church and politics as a way to influence our culture can morph into a quest for power—a pursuit of dominance that looks more like an attempt to control than advancement of the Gospel. Sometimes it’s a slow drift; other times, it’s a sudden leap. But once it takes root, the consequences of this relationship ripple far beyond the ballot box.

Lessons from History

History is littered with cautionary tales. The medieval church didn’t just counsel kings—it crowned them, wielding spiritual authority like a scepter to dictate the morality of the culture. Fast forward to today, and we see echoes of that same impulse: religious rhetoric weaponized for partisan agendas, voter guides tucked into pews, faith leaders stumping for candidates. The line blurs between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Favored Party. In those instances, the gospel ceases to be about love, humility, or redemption, and it becomes a tool for winning elections, shaping laws, and shaping culture. Gombis calls this “triumphalism,” a trap that flips the mission of the Kingdom upside down.

A Personal Confession

I’ve watched this happen in real time—and I’ll admit, I’ve been part of the problem. Conversations with friends turn into litmus tests: Are you really a Christian if you don’t vote this way? Churches start preaching platforms instead of Scripture, always finding a way to weave in a political jab rather than truly teaching the truth of Scripture. Before long, Jesus becomes a mascot for a political tribe rather than the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s subtle at first—a sermon here, a hashtag there—but soon, the church isn’t just in the world; it’s of it. That’s the danger Gombis warns about: when faith hitches its wagon to a political party—or worse, a political figure—it risks trading its soul for a seat at the table.

The Kingdom’s Counterpoint

Scripture offers a stark counterpoint. In John 18:36, Jesus tells Pilate:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Those words cut through the noise. Jesus didn’t rally a militia, lobby Rome, or chase the crowd’s applause. His power wasn’t in domination but in sacrifice, which makes God’s Kingdom stand apart from the empires of his day. 

Jesus drives this point home even further in Matthew 20:25-28 saying: 

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (CSB)

Here’s the blueprint: greatness isn’t about control—it’s about laying down power for the sake of others. It’s a challenging standard to live by, but it’s a reminder: the kingdom we’re called to doesn’t need a flag or a party support to endure.

Finding the Balance

The alternative to political partnership isn’t simple. Withdrawing from politics altogether isn’t practical—faith should shape how we engage the world. Justice, mercy, and compassion don’t thrive in a vacuum. But there’s a difference between influence and partnership, between speaking to culture and needing to shape it. Perhaps the model is Jesus himself: he challenged power without seizing its throne. Rather than claiming victory through power, Jesus won the victory through sacrifice.

A Call to Examine Our Loyalties

Gombis’ words are a heart check. They force us to examine where our loyalties truly lie. Are we serving the Kingdom of Heaven and King Jesus, or just propping up the loudest political megaphone of the moment? 

It’s a question worth wrestling with—because when faith and politics fuse too tightly, it’s not just the church that changes. It’s us. And if we’re not careful, we might wake up one day to find we’ve drifted far from God’s Kingdom altogether.

Lessons from the King: Two Ways

Back in January of 2011, Jenny and I were engaged, and I began preaching my first series through the Sermon on the Mount up in Storm Lake, Iowa. I was eager to prepare well, so I bought a few books—some commentaries, and a couple of older works. One was John Wesley’s book on the Sermon on the Mount—Jenny was attending a Free Methodist Church, so I figured I’d better get to know Wesley a bit. Another was by a guy named Emmet Fox. I didn’t know who he was—just saw it was an older book with good reviews on Amazon, so I downloaded it to my new Kindle.

It didn’t take long to realize something was off. As I read Fox’s take, his teaching felt…self-focused. It wasn’t lining up with what Jesus was saying in the Sermon on the Mount. It was more about me than the Kingdom. So, I Googled him. Turns out, Emmet Fox was a New Thought leader—a philosophy that says if you just think the right thoughts, you can manifest your desires. That’s infiltrated everything in our culture—from self-help books to Oprah to even corners of Christianity.

Here’s the thing: I spotted that as false because it didn’t match what I’d been taught about following Jesus, how I practiced following Him, or what biblical scholars have said for centuries. That moment taught me something crucial—discernment isn’t optional for us as followers of Jesus. It’s what keeps us on the right path. This is the truth Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:13-23. We need to be people of discernment.

Discernment Keeps Us on the Narrow Road

Through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us what it means to live as Kingdom citizens—to see God’s will done on earth as in heaven. It’s not about us—our comfort, our dreams. It’s about God’s Kingdom and our loyalty to King Jesus. In Matthew 7:13-23, as He wraps up this sermon, He doesn’t give new rules. He gives a warning: without discernment, we’ll follow the wrong way.

Two Roads, One Choice (Matthew 7:13-14)

Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” When Matthew wrote this, Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD was still future. People thought the Kingdom would come through violence, power, and wealth—the wide road. But Jesus points to the narrow way: poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers.

For them, it wasn’t “hell vs. heaven” like we might read it today. It was “destruction vs. life”—the popular way or Jesus’ way. He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) because they missed it. Today, the warning’s for us, the church. Are we chasing power, comfort, wealth, or Jesus’ character and dependence on God? Ask yourself: Am I following Jesus’ vision for the Kingdom, or my desires with Him as a mascot?

Watch Out for Wolves (Matthew 7:15-20)

Then Jesus warns, “Watch out for false prophets… By their fruit you will recognize them.” Not false teachers—prophets. They claim to speak for God, with visions and dreams. They’re dangerous because they sound right—talking about the Father, Jesus, the Spirit—but lead us off the narrow road. In Jesus’ day, they might’ve preached rebellion and riches. Today, it could be prosperity or self-fulfillment dressed up as faith.

Test them, Jesus says. Don’t just swallow their words. Here’s how:

1. Be vigilant with anyone claiming to be a prophet—don’t lower your guard.
2. Compare their teaching to Scripture and wise counsel (that’s how I spotted Emmet Fox).
3. Look at their lives—deception or integrity? A false prophet can’t live the narrow way any more than a thistle can grow grapes.

The Sobering Truth (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus gets real: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.” People will say, “Didn’t we prophesy? Perform miracles?” And He’ll reply, “I never knew you.” It’s not about words or wonders—it’s about a life reflecting the Beatitudes, a heart transformed by the Spirit, a relationship with the King.

You can think you’re on the narrow road and miss it. So evaluate: Are you following Jesus’ way or what feels right to you? To stay on track, do this daily: pledge allegiance to King Jesus and surrender to the Holy Spirit. That’s the path.

Living It Out

Matthew 7:13-23 isn’t just about salvation—it’s about whether we’ll follow God’s way as His people. Jesus warns us because He loves us too much to let us wander. The Kingdom isn’t popular or comfortable—it’s Jesus’ character, teaching, and reign. Test the voices you hear—Scripture and fruit, not feelings, are your guide. Test your heart, too.

The big idea is this: Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are discerning about what influences their live so they can remain on the narrow road of King Jesus. Discernment isn’t optional—it’s survival. Test the voices you listen to—weigh them against Scripture, watch how they live. But more than that, test your own heart. Pledge your allegiance to King Jesus. Surrender to the Spirit’s leading. That’s how we stay on the narrow road. That’s how we become citizens who don’t just pray “Your Kingdom come,” but live it out—right here, right now.

To paraphrase Dietrich Bonhoeffer from the book The Martyred Christian: “God’s will isn’t ours to control—it’s His grace, fresh daily. It’s not your gut feeling or a spiritual rule. God reveals His will only to those who seek it anew.” We don’t set the Kingdom’s path—that’s the King’s job. Follow Jesus. Use His words in these chapters to weigh everything. That’s the narrow road of King Jesus.

A Prayer for the Journey

Take a moment. Thank God for Jesus and His Kingdom. Ask for wisdom to live as a good citizen. Surrender to the Spirit. If God’s nudging you to follow Jesus more closely, don’t wait—reach out to someone today. Let’s pray: “God, thank You for Jesus. Give us wisdom to follow Your way. We surrender to Your Spirit. Keep us on the narrow road. Amen.”