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Rather than under the Black History category as would still be fitting, I am joyfully permitted by the Lord to put this edited 2012 repost paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. under Holidays as one our nation celebrates annually thanks to yet another hard won righteous battle fought by many souls. This year on April 4th will also mark the 50 year anniversary since Dr. King was assassinated. So, revisiting this post has had extra special meaning for me. For while the Christian dreamer was martyred, his dream has lived on through many like me who were blessed to be alive to experience some part of Dr. King’s Holy Spirit empowered rise to world prominence as God’s drum major.
King’s prominence on the world stage left on it the unmistakable fragrance of Jesus Christ in one of the most powerful “God moments” in modern times. And to think, not only was he a Christian, gifted preacher, pastor and prophet, but so important in my eyes as a child then and now, a black man.1 He was a man that stepped up to lead at just the right time and God used him mightily! Whatever all of their motives, there are those that want to diminish Dr. King and his spiritual legacy. But as I write in this repost, it is too late to tear down the divinely ordained work of Dr. King even if the man is found to have come up short as a sinner.
Originally Posted January 15, 2012
As is typical with celebrated, sinful human historical figures, there are those that have made it their business to inform us about their every personal failing, character flaw and sinful deed. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--whose memory and legacy we remember this January 16th in a national holiday--has not escaped such investigation and exposure. While I respect the right of those so inclined to labor in this task, rarely does the effort seem to cause a major recasting of the historical figure into a new, negative light in the eyes of the public. This is especially true for those that were alive to see, hear and very importantly, benefit from the work of the targeted historical figure.
A fifty-something Bible student, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, Dr. King was a sinner just like me. Even if I did not think so, the Bible declares it (Romans 3:9-19, 23)! That also goes for every man since Adam except Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-15)! I trust God that whatever Dr. King’s sins without repentance, he was and will be dealt with by Him as I continually warn all of us (Hebrews 10:30). Thus, whatever dirt may be dug up and put out on Dr. King, it would not so shock me to my core that I would have to dismiss the spiritual and temporal appreciation I have for the man’s sense of divine mandate, mission and willingness to suffer to help others (which included me) that began in my eyes as a little boy.
I did not understand all of what was going on to be sure. But when I saw and heard Dr. King on our small, flickering black and white television screen, my heart swelled with admiration and hope that all he was fighting for would indeed, someday come to pass. Too, with a child’s heart I wanted to be like him and fight in his righteous cause to uplift black Americans; a cause I have not abandoned to this day.2 Dr. King challenged our nation about loving its black fellow citizens enough to treat them fairly and prevailed legally speaking. His life, however, was cut short by an assassin’s bullet.
In Chapter Four of my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics, I name Dr. King as a high prolife aspiring strong man of God in the image of Christ because he fully answered the Lord’s call to serve Him.3 With faith, courage and zeal he repeatedly put his life in harm’s way to defend the cause of his politically weak, helpless and powerless people. Over and over again, Dr. King is heard to say, “I just want to do God’s will.” That is the heart of Christ, the Strong Man of God and every man aspiring to be one in His image. He was a dreamer, but Dr. King’s dream to better the condition of his people (and all the oppressed) was righteously rooted in the very real mission of his Master, Jesus Christ (Luke 4:16-21) and lives on in the hearts of every faithful Christian--if no one else!
1 Oppressed and mistreated from slavery, black men had been taught in contemptible word and deed by those that oppressed us that we were so insignificant and incon-
sequential in the earth that even the Almighty cared nothing for us. But the work of Dr. King as a Christian black preacher and his resulting global notoriety joyfully
spoke (and speaks) otherwise (Lamentations 3:25-36).
2 Though the biblical worldview of our experience I espouse on The From Slavery To Victory Education Project Web Site, www.fromslaverytovictory.org is rejected by
those among black Americans that revel in victimization, it nevertheless, is the filling up and consummation of the spiritual legacy of our faithful Christian forefathers
from slavery through the work of Dr. King. As a result, I am truly a free black man (John 8:31-36)! Read in particular the May-November 2006 Commentary Series,
The Renewing of Our Minds in the Journal Archives.
3 The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics is available through all major internet booksellers, by order from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore and in the
Strong Man Store.
With this edited 2013 Commentary, I launch the New Year by connecting back into the one just ended to wrap up the Lord’s charge to pastors for now, while also speaking to men in the pews. Of my saddest experiences serving the Lord in local churches over the years has been the countless times I have witnessed professed Christian men fail to accept calls to leadership; instead, letting our sisters (some sensing the inappropriateness of this; others like Eve caring nothing about divine order) take them. Worse, naturally, has been seeing men be purposely overlooked for leadership in favor of women by pastors for any number of reasons to include rewarding faithfulness to them, not God.
Originally Published January 2013
A pastor friend recently suggested that perhaps a reason many women are more visible in church leadership roles today is because they are eager to step up while the men lay back. In a complicated mix of sound reasons including rank rebellion against God's Word, no doubt, my friend is right. Indeed, as the Lord has led, I have spent the last two Commentaries speaking to pastors and Ministry leaders about our stuff.1 But make no mistake about it; the men in the pews are the objects of God's concern too. Surely, our God is not pleased that professed Christian men are refusing to step up and take hold of leadership responsibilities in the home and local church.
In support of faithful pastors everywhere and the righteousness, instruction and truth of God’s Word, I am challenging the professed Christian men reading this who are guilty to repent from every self-permitted reason in disobedience for not stepping up to lead as God has called you. For our Creator made the divine intent very plain from the beginning in Word and deed that men are purposely chosen to lead among equals (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:7-3:21; 1 Timothy 2:13). To refuse to lead as God has ordained is sin as seen in how the Lord spoke to Adam at his fall and because it is the creature rejecting his Creator’s will to His face (Genesis 3:17a; Isaiah 29:16, 45:9-10)!
While it is evident women are also eager and ready to lead, God has elected men to do so in this present age beginning in the home. After this, men are to lead at every level of human social organization and exclusively of those who approach to minister to God in leading public worship (Genesis 8:20; Exodus 28:1; 1 Chronicles 23:13; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; Hebrews 5:1-6).2 Why God has done this is bound up first in His sovereign will that none of us creatures has any standing to challenge (Romans 9:20). As well, He has done this because the leadership of men is tied to the eternal destiny of man as the highest creature of God and ruler over all the works of His hands (Hebrews 2:5-13).
No secular or religious authority on earth has the right to change God's election of men to lead. Therefore, those that have undertaken to do so have put themselves on a collision course with the already simmering wrath of God. Pastors and elders, this means every one of you also no matter how much you call yourself after the rebellion of this world system "setting things right in equality and fairness." As I write in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics, you have no authority to ignore or change God's Word.3 You must obey it as supposedly you are teaching others to do or like all of the disobedient, suffer the consequences too (Isaiah 24:1-6; Jeremiah 25:30-38; Romans 2:5-11).
I fully feel your pain as it concerns the tug and pull of the hostile world culture surrounding us that is constantly calling into question the will, way and Word of our God. They may say His Word is outdated, but you, man of God and faith, shepherd under Christ of His flock are to stand faithful. Or did you not know from the beginning that you were called to war and the rank of a captain in God's army at that (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 4:7-16, 6:10-20; 2 Timothy 2:3-4)? Certainly, you are not ashamed of Christ and our peculiarity as the people of God are you (Mark 8:34-38)? Therefore, you capitulate and surrender ground to the enemy every time you pass over a man reluctant to lead and instead call on the eager woman causing both to sin (Matthew 18:6-9).
As for the professed Christian men in the pews, do not wait, but hasten to your pastor and elders seeking assignments of leadership responsibility; being willing to train appropriately as preparation.4 No more laying back in fear like the men in Deborah's day when it was time for war; step up boldly to read Scripture or pray (Judges 4:4-10). A pastor should be overwhelmed with the ardent response of men aflame, ready to serve for Christ! Woe to him if he does not call upon or permit such ones to serve that seek to obey God in motive and gifting (1 Corinthians 12:18-21; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11). Also men, no more passive labor in the Gospel cause of Christ, but diligent effort to witness and win souls because the Holy Ghost empowers your own (John 20:19-23; Acts 1:8, 2)!
Your experience then, sir, should be like that of Job's reflection of his own in Job 29 before his trials. In the grace and strength God supplies to your life, you are blessed above all of the unsaved. In your irrefutable standing as a godly leader, you are respected in the public square and looked well upon by the less fortunate whose cause you have served. As a man of royal command possessing God's wisdom, your counsel is sought and your words are waited for. Such men aspire to be strong men of God in the image of Christ (Matthew 4:23-25)! Oh, that this were so! The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, "Who is on the Lord's side?"
1 Refers to the December 3, 2017 post, Pastors And Developing Men, under the category, The Cause originally published as a November 2012 Commentary and the
September 27, 2015 post, Empire Building On God’s Program, under the category, Call To Repent originally published as a December 2012 Commentary. For the
point being made, the December 2017 blog reposts directed to pastors, Developing Men: The Equality Trap and Pastors As Developing Christian Men both under the
category, The Cause, are also now included in this reference.
2 Read the three part January 2015 blog series, Worshipping God Without God and the post that follows it, Final Considerations On Worshipping God all under the cate-
gory, Call To Repent.
4 This statement is made with the presumption that Kingdom activity and ministry is involved. Frankly, I do not blame men for not being interested in leading some of the
self-serving, non-Kingdom related programs and activities the churches of manmade religion come up with.
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