19 Nov (full length) God is not red, white, blue – as you may think; yet our lord wears purple
God is not Red, White or Blue; as we may think. (yet our Lord wears purple)
A familiar Christian song from the 1960s was, “Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love” based on John 13:35. As an evangelical Christian – a follower of Jesus Christ – I have contemplated much over several years as to whether that is still true and/or a current view. My burdened heart and grieving spirit have led me to conclude that many non-Christians, if asked, would not identify many Christians, by our love.
First, however, let me say: For those who would not call yourself a Christian or do not hold to the beliefs I am listing below, please accept my sincere appreciation for who you are as persons worthy of full value and respect that should be extended to each and every human being. And I welcome any opportunity to become acquainted with you, hear your thoughts & beliefs if our paths do meet.
But I am speaking primarily to any who hold the belief that there is One God who is Sovereign over all who created heaven and earth and who – through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus – has offered full propitiations for our sins through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This gift of forgiveness – and ultimately eternal life in and through Jesus – is for all who believe and call upon His name. These beliefs we affirm in holding to the truth of these following scriptures:
- That every human being has value and should be treated with dignity and respect because they are created in God’s image: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man (Hebrew implies male/female) in our image, after our likeness…So God created man in His image, in the image of God He create him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27 ESV)
- That God’s love extends to all without partiality: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16 ESV)
- Yet God has a particular plan for redeeming and saving the world from sin: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’”. (John 14:6 ESV)
- “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”. (Acts 4:12 ESV)
- God’s command to us, as of greatest priority, is spoken to us by Jesus: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31, see Mark 12:28-34 for full context ESV)
6. God invites us into relationship with Him and to be empowered by Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Him: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, my question to each of us is this; What are we known for in the eyes of our family or friends or acquaintances or co-workers or strangers? If it is not clear to others of our love for God and our love for them, also, then I believe we have failed God’s command and need to repent (Psalm 51:4, 10-12).
Are any of us allowing ourselves to be bitter or course joking, divisive or distaining towards others – in word or thought – when speaking of or to others who may have a different view politically or religiously or socially? Then may we heed these words, “If anyone says ‘I love God’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20 ESV).
Consider, also, Jesus’ own sobering words, “I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV).
Or those of Isaiah who humbly recognized:
“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips…” (Isaiah 6:5 ESV).
Have we become idol worshippers, putting more hope and unwavering trust in a political party or political leader or religious or social leader rather than in the LORD, who alone is to be worshipped? Or are we focused more in having our identity be that we are Red and Republican or Blue and Democrat or White and Independent, rather than calling on God’s Holy Spirit, moment by moment, to make us more like Jesus?
Holy Father forgive me. Lord Jesus save me. Holy Spirit empower me for your glory.
God is not Red, White or Blue in the sense of being Republican, Independent or Democrat. God is Holy and to be honored and revered above all else (Exodus 20:3-6, Psalm 146:3-10)
But our Lord wears purple.
While Jesus was betrayed and falsely accused and beaten and flogged – because of our sin and for our sake (Isaiah 53:3-6), he had a purple robe placed on him mockingly (Mark 15:16-20, John 19:1-3). Purple is also formed when blue and red/scarlet come together.
Moses was instructed very specifically, when constructing the Tabernacle, to use blue and purple and scarlet yarns; always in that order (Exodus 36:8). Biblically speaking, the color blue can be associated with sky, heaven and God. And red/scarlet, biblically speaking, can be associated with earth and Adam (human beings) and sin.
Brothers and Sisters, may we remember that Jesus – who is God – became flesh (John 1:1-4, 14), so that he might reconcile us to God, and is also calling us to partake in the ministry of reconciliation as well (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). The work of Jesus “has broken down the dividing wall of hostility…” (Ephesians 2:14). Indeed, God calls us to unity – not uniformity – (John 17:11-26).
We may have convictions that cause us to vote Republican or Democrat or Independent. But may we seek, anew, Jesus to be our model as we interact with others:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition (rivalry) or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (held on to), but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:3-8 ESV)
Finally, and with great joy, may we also remember that purple is also associated with royalty. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every should bow, in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).
So, in order to love God and love others – those being the greatest commandments according to Jesus – may we choose to neither deny nor fear the realities around us, but acknowledge this nation is dealing with a pandemic, and political, racial and social unrest. May we reset our hearts on Jesus – who is Lord overall – and who is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1),. May we be like David and – in humility – ask, “Search me O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24). Then may we keep praying fervently for the wellbeing of others; seeking how best to love and serve those around us. For, unlike Cain, we are to be our sister’s and brother’s keeper.
What a joy it will be when we are known to all – believers and non-believers – by our love. “…Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). For a more theological and in-depth resource, consider reading “For the Health of the Nation,” from the National Association of Evangelicals. For a wonderful Christ-focused prayer for our nation, consider: https://christnow.com/how-to-pray-down-christs-supremacy-on-a-nation-in-crisis/