The Black Flag

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In the movie Gods and Generals, the actor portraying General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson speaks of the invading enemy, that if he had his way, they would take no prisoners, and leave no invader alive.

“Colonel Stuart, if I had my way we would show no quarter to the enemy. No more than the redskin showed your troopers. The black flag, sir… No quarter to the violators of our homes and firesides!”

Before a battle, if an army raised a black flag, it meant that they would take no enemy soldier as a prisoner, every last one would be killed, regardless of whether or not they tried to surrender. Santa Ana raised this flag before his attack of the Alamo, and he carried out his threat.

This concept came to mind as I was reading through Exodus, specifically as it relates to us as Christians in the field of temptation, and a Christian’s struggle to become more like Christ, to put away the sinful habits and allow God to sanctify us and make us a man after His own heart. When we are made aware of un-Christ-like things in our life, being forgiven by Christ, our utmost desire must be to put off that dishonoring and displeasing habit, in order to bring glory to our Savior. We must be constantly seeking to become more like He Who saved us. It is not that our good deeds are the thing that saves us, but rather our desire after Him is an outgrowth of the forgiveness that He gave us.

In Exodus 34:12-16, God is talking to the Israelites about compromise – as they go into the land which God gave them, He warns them not to let down their guard, not to be taken by those enticements which seem pleasurable but which are sinful against God:

“Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.”

In the New Testament, this principle is reemphasized in many passages, including these:

“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” - Ephesians 5:3-4

“And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” – 1 John 3:3

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – James 1:21-22

Allow me to clarify something here: once again, I am not suggesting that our salvation is of works or of the Law. It is easy to take verses out of context, and by the use of the passages above I am not suggesting salvation based on adherence to the Old Testament Law, the context of these passages make that clear. What I am saying is that as a result of the amazing sacrifice and gift of salvation to us by Christ, our hearts should be turned to Him and becoming more like Him, and as John said,

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5

Paul outlined this dynamic of being forgiven and desiring to do good rather than doing good in order to be forgiven:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” – Romans 6:1-2

And later, in verse 22:

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

We should desire and seek after the things that God says are good and pleasing to Him. Do we do it because it is required to be saved? No, we do it because we have been saved. But our pursuit of Christ-likeness should be as strong as God’s command to the Israelites not to have anything to do with the enticing but evil things that inhabited the land God gave them. Raise the black flag against the things in our hearts that are displeasing to Him, and allow Him to work in our lives to make us more like our Savior!

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