“I Don’t See Color” – Yes, You Do.

“I don’t see color.”

Oh, really? Huh…

There is a segment of the population that has color blindness, but the individuals that boldly state this sentence are not discussing the diagnosable medical condition. They aren’t saying that they have Red-Green Color Blindness, Blue-Yellow Color Blindness, or (the very rare) Complete Color Blindness. The ones that ignorantly state that they “don’t see color” are attempting to convince others that they treat everyone equally. The vast majority of people who say this are unaware of just how obvious this lie is to people of color.

Quick test – A stoplight: you can see the colors? Green, yellow, and red? You see them. If you can’t truly see the colors, that’s a bit different. 

But, this doesn’t apply to most people. People are obviously different skin colors. You see that. It’s okay to say it.

You See Color Now

You see color, and that’s for your good.

It’s for our good that we see differences because we have the chance to celebrate together in our unity in Jesus. He doesn’t show anyone of any race and ethnicity favoritism, and his focus is more on people from every nation worship him as Lord (Acts 10:34-36). He sees color and he died for anyone who would respond in faith. Acknowledging our differences is only half the battle. After we acknowledge our differences we need to be friends with people unlike yourself. Love should be your aim and reconciliation should be the result.

Now, there is a sin that we’ve seen too much as of late.

White supremacy, like any racial supremacy, is sin, and a complete misunderstanding of the work of Christ. I referenced this in my article “We Need Unity, Not Uniformity,” that “he tore down the dividing wall of hostility,” “so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace” (Ephesians 13-26). We are not supreme to anyone and we now have peace through Christ.

Since we see color, you can respond one of two ways: love in word and deed to all people (like God) or divide people into who is an isn’t worthy of your love (sin).

You Will See Color in Heaven

Okay, let’s just say that somehow you believe you’re “colorblind”. Even though I’ve already said that can’t be true and seeing color is for your good, I know there are some who will defiantly disagree with something so obvious. If you still believe that you don’t see color, you better get ready for a shocker: heaven will be diverse!

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:9-10 (emphasis added)

John, here in Revelation, says his vision of heaven is full of diversity. Denying this, you are denying a reality that is heavenly and glorious. If heaven truly is diverse-to-the-max, why would you deny it on Earth? Heaven will be colorful – and so is the world today. That’s a good thing!

John makes it clear to us that there will people from all over the world (every nation, tribe, and language). Instead of reducing our diversity to dull homogeny, celebrate diversity in the unified Church.

The world is full of color, and that includes people. Open your eyes and hearts to your brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world.

You see color. That’s for your good and God’s glory.