Ever since the Red/ Blue Map of the 2000 presidential election, there has been a steady increase in the use and meaning of Red and Blue States, which has in turn led to the notion of a Red and Blue America. This is typically used to divide the country into opposing camps of religion, morality, and, of course, politics. In the view of this humble blogger, this distinction between Red and Blue Americans has crossed a dangerous line, as it is now commonplace to characterize one’s political opponents as unamerican, wholly other, and evil. Once the opponent is viewed with such animosity as a villainous enemy, all bets are off, with the ends justifying any means of defeating the foe.
Rather than speak of Red and Blue America, let us consider Americans generally and Christians particularly as Blood Bought America. First, all Americans enjoy the freedom and liberty purchased by the blood of patriots who des to give them such rights and privileges. Therefore, it is only fitting that every American should grant his countrymen the right to completely disagree with him and to hold ideals and values which may be contrary to his own conscience. There used to be a common saying, that while I disagree and disapprove of what you say, I will fight to the death to defend your right to say it. This is the heart of E Pluribus Unum, the great (and challenging) motto of our country. It is high time Americans, whether Red or Blue, returned to the ideals of our fathers.
Second, and most importantly for Christian Americans, is that we have been freed from the damnation of our sins and enjoy liberty in the Holy Spirit because we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it behooves us to consider the name of Jesus and the proclamation of His Gospel in all that we do. We are called to honor Him and to seek first and foremost His kingdom and His righteousness. The political realm invites moral compromise and vitriol, two things which should be (must be) anathema to the Christian. Moreover, if we vilify our fellow citizens on the other side of the political aisle as evil henchman of the devil, we will then never fulfill our Great Commission to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15; cf. Matt 28:19). We may be citizens of America, but our highest allegiance and first priority must be our heavenly citizenship. As ambassadors of Christ, we cannot afford to misrepresent our Sovereign Lord as we proclaim His Gospel.
Perhaps, this brings us to both the problem and the resolution for the Christian. The problem being that once we place anything else above our commitment to the Gospel, whether political goals or otherwise, we inevitably fail to rightly represent the One to whom our ultimate allegiance belongs. We would be wise to remember the Lord’s judgement upon His people of old, who caused His holy name to be profaned wherever they went (Ez 36:21). But the resolution is simply to recommit ourselves to the proclamation of our Savior’s Gospel and to remember that only His light can truly dispel the darkness.
