Romans 2:25, Being a True Blue Christian

Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

The old English phrase “true blue” has its origin from the blue cloth that was made at Coventry, in England during the late middle ages. The town’s dyers in Coventry had a reputation for producing material that didn’t fade with washing, that is, it remained ‘fast’ or ‘true’. The phrase ‘as true as Coventry blue’ originated then and is still used (especially in Coventry) today. Coventry had formerly the reputation for dying of blues; insomuch that true blue became a Proverb to signify one that was true to his confession.

The Coventry story gives credence to the meaning of the phrase, that is, to be true to who they claim they are. We call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ. But who is a true Christian? The Covenanters were a group of 17th century Scottish Presbyterians who swore to uphold the National Covenant and oppose the rule of King James IV of Scotland. This is not the King James VI that commissioned the translation of the King James Bible. These Covenanters wore blue as their badge and those who unequivocally supported the cause were called ‘true blue’.

The Jews were circumcised because God commanded it. They were a people set apart for God. The outward sign of the circumcision sets them apart as a people who practice God’s law. But if they failed to obey God in their daily living then the outward sign of circumcision will not make them a “true blue” Jew. Likewise the professing Christian who do not obey God’s law from the heart is not a “true blue” Christian. It is better than he be not called a Christian than to profess being a Christian and not live as a Christian.

May God help us to be true to our confession as children of God through Jesus Christ. Amen.