The Colors of Freedom

Red, white and blue are probably the three colors that come to our minds most often when we think of the Fourth of July, America, the flag, patriotism, and the freedom that we enjoy in this great country of ours.  However, I would like to direct your attention to these three colors as they relate to God and to our relationship with Him.

·         Red.  We know that blood is red.  John says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us form all sin” (I John 1:7).  The death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary was the only answer to the sin problem of mankind.  His death paid the penalty for our sin and made it possible for us to have a right relationship with God.

·         White.  White stands for cleansing and purity.  John continues, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us form all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).  The stain of sin is purified and cleansed by Jesus Christ, making us right with God.  That happens only because of the death of Christ on the cross for us and not by any kind of works that you and I can do.  It is only because of Christ’s death that we are cleansed from sin.  Both of these colors are placed together when Isaiah summarizes the action of Christ and the implication that it has for you and me.  Isaiah says, “Come now, let us reason together’ says the Lord.  ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’” (Isaiah 1:18).  What a difference the work of Christ makes for you and me.

·        Blue.  When we think of the color blue, tranquility and peace are the words that come to mind.  Philippians says,“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).  Just the simple words of this verse have a calming effect on people.  And of course, the source of God’s peace is the indwelling Christ.  It was Jesus, who said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).  When fear is removed there is peace and tranquility.

As you celebrate the Fourth of July this year and when you see the colors red, white, and blue, I encourage you to thank God for your freedom and for the United States of America.  Let’s also be quick to thank Him for: (1) Red – The blood of Christ that was shed for us. (2) White – The fact that through Christ we are pure and cleansed from our sin.  (3) Blue – The peace that God gives us through a personal relationship with Christ.

Father's Day

Many accolades are given to mothers on Mother’s Day during the month of May, and rightly so.  However, we hear very little about fathers on Father’s Day during the month of June.  Look at the Apostle Paul’s instruction in the Bible to all of us about parents.  Ephesians:2-3 simply reminds us to: “Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3).  This speaks to both mom and dad; however, let’s focus on three things related to Dad.

1)    We are to honor our father.  The verse says, “honor.”  That means we are to place value upon him, prize him, respect him, and admire him.  Notice that this verse does not say that we are to respect him conditionally – that is, if he is a “good” father then we can give him honor.  Just because our father is who he is, honor is due him.

2)    We are commanded to honor our father.  The verse says to honor is a “commandment.”  In other words, we are to honor our father – not just if he treats us well and does good things for us.  But, we are to honor him simply because God has told us to do so.

3)    The result of honoring our father brings a double blessing.  Notice that the verse says that the blessing includes things “going well with you” and “enjoying a long life.”  When we honor our father it builds him up, it pleases the Lord, and God will bless us in abundant ways.

Make plans now to honor your father – not just on Father’s day, but continually.  Give him the respect that he deserves.  Share something positive with him.  If you need to ask for forgiveness, do it.  If there are some unresolved issues between you, go to your father and ask for forgiveness.  If you father is no longer living, thank God for him.  If there were some unresolved issues that were not resolved before his death, ask God to forgive you.  Make Father’s Day, and each day of the rest of the year, a time to honor your father.

Remembering

Besides Mother’s Day there are two other very special days on the May calendar – Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day.  Both of these days are directed toward honoring the people who are connected with military services.  Armed Forces Day takes place on the third Saturday of the month and is a day to salute everyone in all branches of our nation’s military.  These men and women can be called upon at a moment’s notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for our country.   President Harry Truman announced the observance of this day in a presidential proclamation in 1950.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was designed as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s military service.  Although observance of this day started much earlier, in 1971 Congress officially designated the last Monday in May to celebrate this day.  As we remember men and women who have given their lives, we are reminded of the famous war poem “In Flanders Fields” which was written by Major John McCrae, a surgeon in the Canadian Army.  In the absence of the chaplain, McCrae performed the funeral ceremony for a soldier who had been killed.  The next day, while looking across the nearby cemetery he penned the poem, which only took him about 5 minutes to place the words on paper.  Dissatisfied with his scribbling, he threw it away only to have a fellow officer retrieve the paper and send it to newspapers in England where it was published.  The poem reads:

       In Flanders Fields the poppies grow – Between the crosses row on row,

       That mark our place; and in the sky – The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.  We are the Dead. Short days ago –

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.  If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow – In Flanders fields.

We are encouraged to take time during May to show honor and respect to those who are serving our country and for those who have given their lives for our freedom.  The scriptures remind us to, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (I Peter 2:17).  We are also encouraged to “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Romans 13:7).  We are also told, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

As you reflect on the great sacrifices made by our military men and women, offer a prayer of thanks to God.  If someone in your family, or a friend, has given their life in the service of our country, talk to another member of your family and together thank God for them.  At a family gathering you may want to observe a few minutes of silence and then offer a prayer of thanksgiving.  Above all, let’s show honor and respect to those who served our country and are still serving in harm’s way.