The most common definition of Christian nationalism is the merging of fleshly and spiritual identities, even to the point where one's fleshly (national) citizenship is on par with that of one's heavenly citizenship. Yet this marrying of the 2 citizenships doesn't take into account the Biblical consequences of heavenly citizenship, in which all other identities (nationality, race, class, sex, etc.) become secondary and so-called obligations to those identities should be renegotiated. Paul insists that kingdom citizenship amounted to a transfer from the kingdom of darkness into kingdom of His beloved Son. (Colossians 1:13) The kingdom of darkness that we once participated in was headed by Satan who wielded his power through people dominated by "the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life." (1 John 2:16) The vast majority of people at any given time in history are enslaved to their lusts, so John isn't exaggerating when he contends that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." (1 John 5:19) The nation-state is the natural place for the exercise of power by lust-driven, demonically manipulated members of the kingdom of darkness. Since Christians have been transferred from this kingdom into Christ's kingdom, their primary identity is that of kingdom citizens and all secondary identities come under the Lordship of Christ in the process of sanctification. Our national citizenship obligations are renegotiated, rendering us "aliens" (1 Peter 1:1), who partake of Christ's otherworldly kingdom (John 18:36), and "ambassadors" to worldly members of the kingdom of darkness. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Christian nationalism therefore amounts to an insurmountable conflict of interest of 2 opposing kingdoms with completely different goals and means.
The God-centered Motivation Behind all Good Works
This final episode sums up what constitutes a good work. Good works fundamentally seek the glory of God and aim to honor God as God and give Him thanks. All good works build on the finished work of Christ, which is the application of Christ's work of redemption to all who believe in Him. Christians don't work to be saved, but do in fact work since they are "God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works." (Ephesians 2:10) The latter part of the episode focuses on the response of the two faithful servants in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-29). Both live for the pleasure of their Master and invest the gifts and talents that God gave them to bring Him a return on His investment. The text indicates that they delighted in bringing pleasure to God. This core desire to honor and please our Lord, Who has given us everything, is the driving motivation behind all good works.
ALL ‘Good” Works’ Grow out of Worship
This episode spells out the disconnect between believers' conception of good works and those of unbelievers. Worship of God is the indispensable element of all good works, according to the Scriptures. Believers, because of a cleansed conscience (Hebrews 9:14) and a new heart given at regeneration, aim to worship and serve God, and bring forth "good" works as they abide in Christ. (John 15:5) Unbelievers, even if they accept and adhere to Biblical morals, really don't have the worship of God in view. The basis for good works or being a good person is often the low standard of not committing felonies and/or adherence to acceptable moral standards as defined by the culture at large. Since morality and "good works" aren't related to the honor and worship of God, a completely different standard of what constitutes good works predominates among most unbelievers. And, it is typically based on a comparative assessment of oneself in light of others. These differing standards of what constitutes good works help explain the disconnect between believers' and unbelievers' conception of good works. The latter part of the episode suggests a different tactic in reaching unbelievers, focusing on using the "worship" standard of good works, instead of morality, untethered to worship of God.