The Scourge Of Racism
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Among other things, this edited 2013 repost is a real world illustration of just one evil done by those that have practiced loveless Christianity the religion of men in America from its founding.6 That its practitioners and churches have helped to morally undergird and maintain the nation’s racial double standard is the focus of this part two. An appropriate call to repent is made to the guilty.
According to Microsoft Encarta Dictionary, a double standard occurs when a principle, rule, or expectation is applied to some people, but not others in a way that is unfair. America’s historic racial double standard where its laws, system of justice, morals and rules of social conduct were unfairly applied to blacks in favor of whites is perceived by many to remain largely, though covertly intact. So, while the American justice system is supposed to be blind, given the history and present hour realities, most honest Americans must concede that the tables being turned and a black man killed a white man, they would be shocked if he were to be found not guilty--“stand your ground law” or not.
It is a fallen world--you know I get that. However, keeping it real and straight to the point of our strong man of God cause, white men weak in the sin of racism professing to be Christians and operating out of churches claiming to represent Christianity have for centuries been the enabling moral force behind America’s racial double standard.7 Because of that fact, to this day in many predominantly white churches a white man’s word or teaching still carries more weight than a black man’s no matter how biblically sound. Too, a white man’s evil deeds will be reflexively excused or explained away, while a black man guilty of the same behavior would be more severely dealt with.
I know this because I have been part of predominantly white denominations since 1980 and am presently a member of a predominantly white church where I have experienced the racial double standard.8 Indeed, because of it, some of the white readers of this post that are guilty will automatically dismiss what I am saying in denial rather than taking it to heart and repenting! Some of my black brothers will say, “Get out of there!” But if professed white and black Christians never interact, how will we ever resolve issues like the racial double standard; as brothers, presenting to the world the commanded, superior way of Christ (John 13:34-35; Romans 15:1-7)?
Safely retreated into segregated camps apathetically retaining the racial double standard status quo is not now nor was it ever God’s solution! Truly, it is a state of sinful defeat that especially professed Christian conservative white Americans live in that tolerates all of the racial negatives including the double standard in the camp without any serious attempt to remove them.9 As I have already alluded to as a reason, many practice counterfeit Christianity the religion of men. It allows one to profess being a Christian without having to demonstrate any real “fruits” of repentance so that impostors proliferate within their ranks (Luke 3:7-14; Galatians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:16-23, NKJV).10
Corrupting Scripture to arrogantly rationalize redefining men of color as sub-human and inferior, the majority of their forefathers as professed Christians established the racial double standard; upheld to this hour if not overtly in word, covertly by deeds. Falsely believing God shared their wicked view of non-white men, they failed to realize (or care) their sin with disobedient others cast shame upon Christ’s name among its consequences (Romans 2:17-24; 1 Timothy 5:14-15, 6:1; Titus 2:1-10)! Using double standards falls biblically into the category of showing partiality which God does not do and condemns as sin (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34; Galatians 2:6; James 2:1-9).
Therefore, let every professed Christian be warned from the sinful issue of racial double standards raised again in the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman: repent if you are guilty lest the God who shows no partiality you claim to serve deals with you personally as your sins deserve (Romans 2:1-11; Galatians 6:7-8; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:13-21). Moreover, recognize this and every effort to communicate God’s call to repentance to you rebuffed for whatever reasons including racism, serves as a witness against you “before the judgment seat of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11, NKJV). God in wrath will also destroy your religion (Revelation 16:17-21). To the relative few faithful working to repair racism’s damages: your reward awaits you; keep working!
Nonetheless, the work of the faithful will not forestall God’s coming wrath upon this and all nations guilty of prolonged and severe oppression of subjugated peoples. For just as Judah, what God allowed as punishment for ancient sin in the case of my people and all surviving minorities from America’s colonial times was only to be for a little season. As He did to Babylon, His vengeance is about to fall on the nations “at ease” that unmercifully lengthened their pain. This will be followed by His mercy extended to Jerusalem and the lowliest of souls waiting in faith for Him (Isaiah 47:1-7; Jeremiah 25:8-33; Zechariah 1:12-17, 2:6-13; Luke 1:46-55, 6:20-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, NKJV).11 The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, "Who is on the Lord's side?"
6 See the two-part post, Christianity The Religion Of Men beginning August 21, 2016 under the category, Instruction.
7 Read my September 4, 2016 post, Christianity The Religion American Style and those that follow that month under the category, Call To Repent.
8 Once, in a one on one meeting, the pastor had a knife under his leg that was revealed when he rose up out of his chair to leave the room briefly. Upon his return,
I asked about the knife since there was no reason to fear me. I was told it must have fallen out of his pocket and was carried only out of the norm of his cultural up-
bringing. After sharing the incident with church elders that included a police officer, it was dismissed as my misperception--an outcome most blacks are familiar with.
Perhaps so, but because of the racial double standard also practiced in many predominantly white churches, I have no doubt that had it been me with the knife, the
incident would have been seen and handled differently.
9 I make a distinction between “conservative” Christians which tend to be white and those souls from every hue like me that are “biblically conservative” in likeness to the
Lord Jesus (Matthew 5:17-20) as I discuss in an April 19, 2015 repost, On The Lord’s Side, under the category, The Cause. Though there is generally an overlap in
some shared morals, in contrast to conservative Christians who are more worldly political and patriotically intense, biblical conservatives have as our uppermost con-
cern love for Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit preserving, applying and living out the eternally transcendent truths and instruction of God’s Word as it is written!
As a result, there is no tolerance of or accommodation to the sin of racism in our ranks. Read my December 11, 2016 post, Professing Christian Racism Is Sin Too,
under the category, Call To Repent.
10 Read the July 8-22, 2018 posts that discuss biblical faith, false and real Christians as well as authentic Christianity.
11 For a summary historical examination of the rise and fall of Christianity as a manmade religion along with God’s foretold judgments on the nations, read the February
24-March 17, 2017 four-part blog series, God Of Restoration And Judgment, under the category, The Cause.
As I do in the opening paragraph of this now re-titled, two-part and edited 2013 repost, I write the introduction acknowledging that I am well aware of the continuing news of especially young black males being gunned down by police and citizens white and black.1 Some in foolish retaliation have targeted and murdered police officers. None of this is righteous in the sight of the God I serve, the Lord Jesus Christ, who in accord with His Word is indignant at the needless carnage however it occurs since men can, but refuse to turn to Him for salvation and deliverance from evil hearts (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 15:19; John 3:16-21, 36; Romans 1:18-32; Revelation 6:12-17, 19:11-16).
From the Lord’s impartial judgment, the killing of black males and any retaliation all stem from sin that is common to every human heart and deceptively played upon by the original murderer, Satan (John 8:44). The handiwork of the deceiver is everywhere to be seen in the tragic taking of human lives up to and including his not so subtle instigation and sustaining of the racial double standard born of the sin of racism that exists in every fabric of American society. For truly, at the end of the day as this repost reveals, our nation’s racial double standard has even been falsely portrayed as upheld by God through Satan’s master stroke, Christianity the religion of men. God is not pleased!
Originally Posted July 21, 2013
My first reaction last year after hearing about the shooting death of Trayvon Martin at the hand of George Zimmerman was sadness for the young man and his family followed by the familiar sickening revulsion at how and why he was shot as news reports presented details of the event. Not wanting to be presumptuous and waiting on the Lord’s release, I have held my peace on the matter until now. Let me be clear: the killing of a human being by another whether it is in the womb or the streets saddens me because it also grieves the living God who made man in the divine image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27, 6:5-6). The guilty should repent now before the Judge of all the earth!
There is a sense spiritually originating principally from Satan, that the killing of a man is an attempt to eradicate any vestiges of God displayed through His marred image uniquely resident in mankind (Genesis 3:1-11, 4:1-8, 6:11-13, 9:5-6; Isaiah 52:13-15). Even so, regardless of why finally George Zimmerman (who calls himself Hispanic) for legal purposes says he shot Trayvon, the fact he carried a gun and uttered the contemptible things he did to the 911 dispatcher as a prelude, condemn his subsequent actions on High (Matthew 5:21-26).2 If he has not already, he should repent and turn to Christ through faith in the Gospel for salvation from His perfect justice (Revelation 20:11-15)!
Trayvon’s violent reaction to George Zimmerman’s invasion of his space is in no way being excused here. His is a reaction every black American male in the sinful flesh can empathize with though, most would not carry out; certainly none walking in the Holy Spirit who helps aspiring strong men of God in the image of Christ when called upon (Romans 8:12-13; Galatians 5:16-25).3 In slavery and Jim Crow America, black parents that wanted their children to live exercised a similar restraining effort in their lives and whipped them to teach the self-control that would keep a white man from killing them. Faithful Christian parents also taught trusting all vengeance to the Lord (Psalm 7).
However, a post-Civil Rights generation in large numbers does not know the Lord of Scripture who brought us out nor do they care to employ the restraint of their careful forefathers. They resent the fact our people were oppressed in such a way that they could not express their outrage at injustice or defend themselves against unprovoked harassment. Trayvon died expressing his angry reaction to George Zimmerman’s irritating racial profile (which shamefully is still a continuing fact of life for blacks and other racial minorities in 21st century America) and all it got him was dead.4 And while he may be a hero to some on earth, he is not to any on High (Matthew 5:38-48).
Just or unjust under the laws of man (specifically, Florida’s so-called “stand your ground law” which is unjust particularly since it wickedly emboldens concealed gun carrying citizens to act aggressively toward those they might not otherwise engage in non-life threatening encounters--Jeremiah 17:9), a jury has given its not guilty verdict in George Zimmerman’s murder trial. No amount of marching or retaliating violence will change it.5 Nevertheless, Trayvon Martin’s death, the Florida law and the trial has started some righteous conversations about issues of racial profiling, the definition of self-defense, criminal proceedings etc. I would like to challenge readers of this blog to also consider one of the larger issues raised in this case, that of our nation’s racial double standard.
1 The police ultimately as agents of authority “appointed by God” have His permission to kill a man in the narrow instance of carrying out their lawful duties (Romans
13:1-7, NKJV) and never as an issue of the sinful heart such as racism. For God Himself holds them accountable. Therefore, our sons must be taught to respect
police authority and refrain from evildoing; trusting that God who gave them their skin color (Acts 17:26a) will deal with any of His agents that make being black a
punishable crime (Psalm 82, 94:1-11, 20-23; Lamentations 3:34-36; Luke 3:14-17; James 2:8-13).
2 Read the December 27, 2015 post, People And Guns under the category, Biblical Worldview.
3 I write about Christian men as aspiring strong men of God in the image of Jesus Christ in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. It is available at all major
internet book sellers, by order at your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or in the Strong Man Store.
4 I fully empathize with the instant anger Trayvon felt and every black American male feels when being targeted for the God given blessing of being us. However, as I
had to begin to learn after becoming a born again Christian in 1977, my anger does not lead to the outcome of God’s righteousness (James 1:19-20).
5 Read my November 29, 2015 blog, When The Glory Comes, under the category, Glory To God! A divinely initiated paradigm shift in the way of the world that shall
stand forever is about to happen. Faithful Christians know that God expects us to wait for it a little while longer in persevering faith and patience (Psalm 37:1-11;
James 5:1-12).
To deny Christianity the religion of men on earth is long overdue severe divine judgment is to be completely out of touch with Bible history and reality. Yes, it is true that God is merciful and patient with us as my willfully weak and sinning brothers like to remind me. Yet, the instruction and events of the Bible show that God’s longsuffering patience and forbearance to judge His people finally does come to an end. That time has come for great Babylon and her daughters! Of the many centuries long sinful practices professing Christians have that you can be sure are lumped into the unfolding judgment of God in His house is racism by all that are guilty.
It is commanded (not suggested) by Jesus Christ that His followers love each other as He has loved us so the on looking world will know that we are His people (John 13:34-35). Clearly, for centuries professing Christians in great numbers have not obeyed the Lord as seen in the many unloving ways we do each other and in no less a manner than the evil practice of racism. As a result, we have failed to give the world the right picture of Christ in us as His followers. Prominent among those historically guilty of practicing racism are those of white, European descent, the dominant ethnicity in Western societies and many others by conquest.
Conquered and enslaved ethnic peoples were introduced to many forms of Christianity, but generally not shown its love driven racial and ethnicity harmonizing biblical reality in most cases as history records. Now, in this 21st century, the world is fragmented along racial and ethnic lines to such an extent, the fulfillment of the Lord’s prophecy about widespread conflict as an important sign of His near return is beginning to occur (Matthew 24:7a). Here in America, so many have in great delusion wanted to believe racism and ethnic strife was behind us, but as I lamented in my November 29, 2015 blog, “When The Glory Comes” under the category, Glory To God, not so!
To my ongoing grief out of loyalty to my Lord Jesus and His Kingdom first, rather than having been part of the solution, professed followers and churches identifying with Him are a major part of the continuing problem of racism in our nation.1 I repost this 2011 blog in part because it is still my hope that with godly sorrow and repentance from the sin of racism (2 Corinthians 7:8-11), Holy Ghost fired national racial and ethnic love driven harmony will finally come forth among all who profess to know Christ and led by those of the white ethnicity as is appropriate (Romans 5:5). Then maybe we can say something to the world about how it is supposed to work in Christ by our example.2
Until then, sadly, I must report that my most recent hopeful effort on mission from the Lord to be part of the solution at the church named in this blog repost failed as the reflexive and entrenched carnal attitudes of racism and religion displayed by the pastor and elders stymied my every attempt to fit in as I am and be accepted on biblical terms which I also shared with them. Though I was blessed to make a few lifelong friends from the experience, my departure for the sake of peace in December 2014 resulted in me returning to “my place” in a predominantly black American congregation.
This leads to the other important reason I am making this repost. It is to give the following solemn warning to all professing Christians: Jesus Christ means business about all of the commands and instructions of His will stated in His Word (John 15:9-17)! Therefore, realize the historic failure of professing Christians in their churches to love in celebration of God’s racial diversity initiative has brought and is bringing His severe judgment upon the guilty (Matthew 23:8; 1 Peter 3:8-12).
And as the ones who knew the Lord’s will in the Gospel and were given much to fulfill it in carrying it to the races and ethnic groups in the most far flung lands on the earth, those of white, European descent will suffer many more stripes for even defiant disobedience to His command to love in the willful practice of hating in racism what are supposed to be your brothers in Christ (Luke 12:47-48; 1 John 3:10-15, 4:20-21). Those stripes include watching their proudly beloved idol, Western Civilization, crumble to the dust (Isaiah 2:12-22). Intensifying global ethnic strife and persecution of Christians going forward will fully expose all that have no love to their eternal anguish (Matthew 25:31-46).
Originally Posted December 11, 2011
After much prayer with amazing answers from God, regular attendance, visitation with our prospective leaders and fellowship with the people, my wife, Mary and I sought membership and were received into Hinson Baptist Church of Portland. While at this late date in our nation’s existence it should not matter, it does, so, I share that the church is predominantly made up of Christian white Americans. This is one of the reasons my wife and I are convinced our Lord has sent us to Hinson that we may on purpose be vessels of His love in obedience to His command to all Christians found in John 13:34-35.
The historical wall of race that continues to divide churches in America is a great sin and tactical error that Satan has exploited to fullest advantage. Indeed, we Christians are disqualified to speak with authority on why worldly diversity initiatives of tolerance are wrong to include same sex relationships as acceptable when we cannot accept brothers and sisters in Christ that we know are racially different by God’s purposeful design. The picture of Heaven is that of the ethnicities gathered together in Christ before the Father’s throne in joyful assembly (Revelation 5:9-10). It is not perfection that enables that reality in Heaven as much as it is willful sin in us that hinders it on earth.
Growing up in the small community of Seaside, California in the sixties, we were forced by integration requirements to go to public schools where we mixed with persons from a variety of backgrounds. Amazingly, all things considered, we kids got along pretty well though I, among others felt compelled to hold white adults in authority accountable for being fair. Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders--you name it, all were represented. Did I mention we were sinners and not all honoring Christ’s command or empowered by the Holy Spirit to love each other? My wife had a similar experience growing up in San Jose. Our experiences of living in racial diversity no doubt have contributed to our willingness to obey the Lord’s leading to join Hinson.
If sinners of the world can celebrate and enjoy racial diversity, what is up with the people of God? Again, it is willful sin manifested in bigoted, racially intolerant attitudes and flesh driven religiosity that allows it. Those that are guilty must repent and submit in obedience to our Lord’s command to love each other. This can be done without abandoning the ethnicity and cultural heritage God blessed us to be born into. Those that require this are sinning against the Lord. Of their many attributes, the strong man and great woman of God celebrate God’s racial diversity initiative by accepting their own racial identity and honoring others in theirs as from Him! Get my book, The Strong Man Of God to learn more about the character and demeanor of His strong men and great women.
1 Read the May 4, 2014 blog, Moral Pressure Rightly Applied, under the category, Call To Repent.
2 Read the March 8 & 15, 2015, blog reposts Known By Our Love, Pt. 1 & 2, under the category, Instruction.
Two days after celebrating the one hundred and fifty-fifth year since the end of slavery here in America on Juneteenth and now, for Father’s Day, I write as the Lord leads to speak to the globally seen first degree murder of black American male, George Floyd, by a white male Minneapolis police officer as three other officers watched back on May 25, 2020. All of the men have since been fired and brought up on charges in the case which is righteous. In the meantime, violent rioting, looting and protest marches broke out in cities across America. While the rioting and looting have calmed down, protest marches demanding the end to national systemic racism and police reform persist.1
I have said little publically as is typical when these all too frequent events occur since I am not my own, but the Lord’s watchman/prophet speaking what He puts in my mouth and at the time He wants it spoken (Ezekiel 33:1-9).2 What I have written in social media posts as the Lord led has been directed to black and other angry protesters calling for peaceful protest and thoughtful consideration of the fact the problems of racism and police misconduct are larger and more difficult to overcome systemically than a few changes in laws, policies, procedures and in the extreme, defunding the police which no society built on the rule of law as ordained by God can afford to do (Romans 13:1-7).
To be sure, as with the Law of God, so, the laws of man are made not for those that are righteous, but those that are “lawless,” (1 Timothy 1:8-11, NKJV)! To keep order, the police are hired among other reasons as agents of society to enforce its laws amid those that for whatever reasons break them. Depending on the law, an encounter with police can occur for those that are otherwise law abiding.3 For credibility, the police are expected by God if not the governments that hire them or the people they serve to be law abiding--the same as us preachers who supposedly discipline ourselves so, after preaching to others, we are not “disqualified,” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NKJV).
Without a doubt though, in only the news clips I have viewed the white police officer that kept his knee on the neck of George Floyd cold-heartedly murdered him.4 It was shocking, sickening and infuriating to watch as it surely has been for blacks since our forefathers as slaves began to make their inhumane voyages from West Africa to this land. For as in those days among heartless slavers and on May 25th, the evil eyes of that white police officer displayed utter contempt and disregard for George Floyd as a human being; the same contempt and disregard for human life that is in the thoroughly evil heart of Satan who hates all (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-11, 17-19; John 8:44, 13:21-30).
It is therefore, understandable that most black Americans are outraged. What has been new and amazing to see is the unprecedented numbers of white, other Americans of color and those around the world that have risen up in protest too. Watching a man being murdered as he pleads that he cannot breathe while the police officer responsible and those with him ignore this, should be more than any normal human being can take without some kind of moral offense and need to act! For this reason, I appreciate the largely peaceful uprising that has occurred in the stand many are making against systemic racism and for police reform in our society.
I am also glad my children and grand-children old enough get to see this brief moment when all but a relative few willful white Americans that refuse, finally understand our righteous cry to end the bigoted, contempt driven mistreatment of black Americans and especially our men who have been strategically targeted since slavery.5 Nevertheless, I urge that all move away from the street protests for your health since God’s Coronavirus judgment remains and because you have the attention of the nation and world--changes man can make are taking place! Keep vigilant through every legal means to hold government authorities accountable. Lastly, check yourself too, as I have urged in social media posts--racism is an issue and evil of the human heart (Mark 7:20-23)!
As such, not only our police officers that are guilty, but you also need what only God has the power to do and that is transform hearts. He has made His power available to all through repentance and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day; sending His power through the Holy Spirit into the hearts of those that believe to make loving our neighbor possible--or if you are white, do you only intend to march for, but refuse to love your black neighbors (Matthew 18:1-5; John 3:1-8; Titus 3:1-7)? This is a clarion call for authentic Christian white Americans to redeem the failure of your forefathers to be true ambassadors of reconciliation and represent biblical Christianity as God intended to all (2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2).
Still, I must caution particularly my fellow Christian black Americans that will please God and do His will biblically not to walk again into the snare of believing we have arrived at what we have waited for so long: a widespread permanent change of heart among and acceptance by our white neighbors.6 Indeed, we have seen this movie before and already the call to defeat is being sounded by those who lead the Civil Rights Movement today; who make our righteous quest for racial, morally equivalent to gender and sexual justice.7 The dream of racial harmony well articulated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963, yet awaits the Second Coming of Jesus Christ because as He foretold, even natural human love that could get us close is diminishing as lawlessness increases (Matthew 24:12).
1 Before I could begin to reflect good before the Lord about this post, another black male, Rayshard Brooks, was shot in the back in Atlanta, GA by another white officer
while fleeing arrest on Friday, June 12th. That officer was fired immediately and has since been charged with murder.
2 See the July 29, 2018 two-part repost addressing the Trayvon Martin tragedy, The Racial Double Standard, under the category, Call To Repent.
3 I have had a few traffic violations over the course of my more than fifty years of driving, for example, and a couple of incidents that brought me into direct encounter
with the police. Most officers were professional and courteous. But as a black male, I have also had the humiliating experience of being disrespected by a few arro-
gant white police officers that were overbearing in wielding their authority.
4 Those that have watched the entire video time out the episode at eight minutes and forty-six seconds.
5 Read especially part two of my 2015 Father’s Day post, Mama’s Boys, under the category, Black History that began on June 21st. While it is an ancient tactic of war-
fare to target men for death when subduing peoples because of their natural will and ability to protect their families if given the opportunity, the prolonged and cruel
acts of guilty white males from slavery to thoroughly oppress, humiliate, dominate and demoralize black males with religious sanction surely ranks high among all of
the evil acts of mankind. I urge all men to read my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics to understand how to handle our business in the image of Jesus
Christ as God wills. Get a print copy or digital download of the book at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com and Apple
(digital only). You can also purchase a print copy in the Strong Man Store.
6 Does anybody remember the 1978 Allan Bakke Affirmative Action Reverse Discrimination case and the Supreme Court decision? Also, see the November 29, 2015
post, When The Glory Comes, under the category, Glory To God! The counsel the Lord gave me in this post stands and will be fulfilled sooner than anyone reading
this can imagine! However, ‘“the just shall live by faith,’” (Hebrews 10:35-39, NKJV). We do not wait for sinful man, but the living God!
7 A man I have deep admiration and respect for as one of the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, Congressman John Lewis, expressed the politically and socially
liberal heart of today’s leaders and participants in an interview on June 7th while visiting the DC street painted “Black Lives Matter” with its Mayor and reported by
BET.com. Search the Bible from Genesis to Revelation to see if God ever sanctions racial injustice (Deuteronomy 1:17, 10:17-19), calls mortal man other than male
or female (Matthew 19:1-4) or sexual perversion righteous in His sight (Romans 1:18-32). You automatically kick the God of the Bible to the curb and assure certain
eventual defeat when you advocate for and make coalitions with those in active rebellion against Him (Psalms 2, 33:12-22; Isaiah 31:1-3; 1 John 5:4-5).
I wrote to guilty pastors, elders and churches in a January 27, 2019 post footnote, “How can you seriously expect the world to hear you from God’s Word and you do not even obey it?”1 The fact of the matter is blatant disobedience to God’s Word has characterized many professed Christians, their churches and other ecclesiastical bodies reaching back to the apostles (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; Galatians 3:1-4). During the past 500 years, breakaway European Protestants protested the disobedience and corruptions of Catholicism only to find themselves in independence doing all of the same things as their mother (Revelation 17:1-6).
Both groups wickedly gave religious undergirding to the bigoted, violent and dehumanizing form of slavery my forefathers endured while passing down to them their manmade forms of Christianity the religion corruptly drawn from the Bible.2 Thanks to the continuing support of its many powerless manmade forms extant like yeast throughout American Christianity, racial bigotry and discrimination also remains a foil to the realization of a widespread display of biblically commanded, Holy Spirit fired love and brotherhood.3 This is to the glee of Satan who along with racial bigotry has initiated all of the deceitful strongholds of sin among the many harlot churches today God in His wrath will destroy (Amos 5:16-27; Revelation 16:17-19, 17:15-18:8)!4
Like our nation at this moment, American Christianity in the main is a racially divided house about to fall as I write in this edited 2013 Commentary.
Originally Published February 2013
The now deceased Rodney King's appeal, "Can we all get along" was moving, but not realistic for worldly men. His appeal came in the face of rioting after a 1992 trial acquitting white Los Angeles police officers of beating him that was captured on video and seen globally. For professed Christian American men, getting along in racial harmony is supposedly not to be the problem it is for worldly men since we have God resident in us. However, the nearly four centuries Christianity has been in America tragically presents contrary evidence. Aspiring strong men of God in the image of Christ celebrate diversity in His Body; fostering unity, harmony and where needed, healing.5
It is Black History Month again. The occasion may seem to be a purposeful discomfiting reminder to white Americans of the racism that once ran so deep among their forefathers, an attempt was made to destroy black contributions from American history. However, to prevent the loss of our history, help build appreciation in blacks and willing others, black educator and historian Carter G. Woodson created the special emphasis last century that now spans all of February. Nevertheless, as the uproar in Rodney King’s beating twenty years ago and subsequent events such as last year’s killing of black teenager, Trayvon Martin, show, racial tensions remain skin deep.6
Tensions are apparent too in churches that are racially homogeneous and wish to remain so. How could racial segregation as initiated by whites during slavery and continued by many of their descendants along with reciprocating black and other minorities professing to be Christians remain to this hour? Why can’t we come together in our racial diversity as Christians? As the Lord led, I explored this issue through a booklet I wrote in 2005 entitled, The Scourge Of Racism.7 In it, I conclude racism in the churches is a failure by professed Christians to obey the Lord's command to love one another (John 13:34-35).
I also write about the failure to love one another in a number of blog posts.8 This failure is tied to America's brand of Christianity the religion where impostors devoid of the Holy Spirit and weak believers quenching His fire in willful sin, practice all manner of evil including racism. America's Christian house is divided in defiance of the Lord all claim to follow and His teaching that "a house divided against a house falls," (Luke 11:17; NKJV). If the guilty do not repent from the toleration of racism and other sins that divide, the Lord's teaching will soon be fulfilled since it can be no other way (Luke 11:23, 21:33)!
As I assert in The Scourge Of Racism, God our Creator from the one man, Adam, has made us all different by purposeful design that mankind in all of their diversity might with common heart seek Him (Acts 17:24-28)! Our diversity of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, language, body size, abilities etc. is all to the glory of God in this present age and to be celebrated.9 This, the aspiring strong man and great woman of God in the image of Christ do! For we all in Christ have been brought together in our diversity as sons by God through Christ, the blood He shed to save us on Calvary's cross and the new birth by the Holy Spirit. In Him, men are God's household and forever family held together in divine love (Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:11-22, 3:14-21)!
This is biblical Christianity that will only continue to seem as high idealism and deluded wishful thinking to professed Christians in divided churches until authentic repentance and revival sweeps through. In repentance, professed Christian white men must cease assuming they are superior to their brothers of color; that every way they see things or idea they propose is right because of their self-appointed standing as superior. They must also give up the notion that men of color should despise themselves and embrace every white value to gain acceptance. Truly, all are to be like Christ and obey His command to love each other as He has loved us (1 John 3:10-24, 4:20-5:3).
Professed Christian black and other men of color in repentance must let go of legitimate anger not just for past, but God knows about the ongoing racial injustices we suffer among many of our white, ostensibly Christian brothers. Bitter victimization is appealing, but is not God's way of love that forgives rather than keeps records of wrongs suffered (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Also, stop looking for sinful men to fully vindicate your suffering. As aspiring strong men of God in the image of Christ we are waiting for divine vindication that will occur when Christ soon returns--unless you scoff at His coming (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; 1 Peter 2:19-23; 2 Peter 3:1-9)?10 The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, "Who is on the Lord's side?"
1 The quote is found in the eighth footnote of the post, Contending For God’s Design Of Masculinity In Men, under the category, The Cause.
2 Read the two-part, August 2016 post, Christianity The Religion Of Men, under the category, Instruction.
3 See Christianity The Religion American Style posted September 4, 2016 under the category, Call To Repent.
4 Much of Western Christianity (my fellow black Americans well represented) continues to want to idolatrously recast God away from His eternal holiness, righteousness,
justice and enduring commands for this mortal age with ear scratching preaching (2 Timothy 4:1-4) and emotion charged, supposedly loving, female led so-called wor-
ship in sin. The worshipper may have “enjoyed” what was taking place, but the issue is did God? The God of the Bible’s ancient rebuke stands as declared by the pro-
phet Amos in the Scripture listed to which this footnote refers. He does not accept nor is He pleased with worship no matter how sincere or emotional that is mixed with
sin! Truly, before Amos, the prophet Samuel proclaimed, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” and the Lord Jesus: “If you love Me, keep my commandments,”
(1 Samuel 15:22-23; John 14:15, NKJV). Read the three-part series of posts beginning January 4, 2015, Worshipping God Without God, under the category, Call To
Repent. The Lord’s judgment of the unrepentant is just!
5 Learn more about the aspiring strong man and great woman of God in the image of Jesus Christ from my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics and compan-
ion instructional resource, The Strong Man Of God Men’s Group Study. They are available in the Strong Man Store.
6 Read the two-part post beginning on July 29, 2018, The Racial Double Standard, under the category, Call To Repent.
7 The booklet is available on the Resources Page of our companion Web Site, https://fromslaverytovictory.org.
8 Read the four March 1-22, 2015 posts on love as an inescapable requirement of biblical Christianity under the category, Instruction.
9 See the December 6, 2015 post, Celebrating God’s Racial Diversity Initiative, under the category, Call To Repent.
10 Read When The Glory Comes, posted on November 29, 2015 under the category, Glory To God!
What does the racially motivated murders of the black American Bible study participants at the Emmanuel AME Church of Charleston, SC on June 17th and the June 26th United States Supreme Court decision making same sex marriage the law of the land have in common spiritually and morally speaking? Both expose again the failure of corrupt manmade Christianity the religion historically practiced by an influential majority of professing white Christians of all denominations that have sanctioned, even cherished the privileges of racial inequality and inequity which secular champions of political correctness and tolerance are wrong-headedly attempting to fix.
If with truly converted hearts in the power of the Holy Spirit the early colonists, founders of the nation and those going forward had stood firmly in the biblical worldview that the equality of humanity as persons was of God, the inequalities of racism even in slavery would not have been (Ephesians 6:5-9; Philemon). In the flesh though, religious men do no better than rank sinners and are actually worse since they corruptly use religion to justify their wicked ways. So, now, our nation--built on a flawed religiously constructed and supported foundation of racial inequality and inequity upheld for almost four centuries by the professing stewards of Christianity in their churches and seminaries--seeks to correct things by making everything equal and fair in its own flawed worldly view.
In a biblical worldview all apparent inequalities and inequities are not the same. God considers goodwill relations between human beings different from intimate same sex relationships since by His design we are expressly male and female for His purpose of procreation (Genesis 1:27-28). Also, while the eternally perfect God requires men to act by His standard of fairness in our transactions with each other, His standard does not apply to what He has forbidden nor in disagreement are we to invent our own (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Isaiah 29:15-16). Therefore, many talk defiantly now, but they will bow in absolute humiliation at the soon glorious appearing of the righteous Author of the Word of God and our Judge (Matthew 5:17-20; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 1:7-8)!
In the following still relevant July 4th 2011 commentary from our Ministry’s Strong Man Of God Monthly Newsletter as this week’s blog, I appeal with Christ’s heart especially to my conservative professing Christian white brothers that are guilty to thoroughly renounce your racism still so evident in your default attitudes of racial superiority and contempt as well as deeds of exclusion and discrimination bound up in maintaining racial inequality and inequity.
Originally Published July 2011
Ever since broaching the subject of equality in my commentary entitled, Childish Arguments back in March this year (see my May 3, 2015 blog), I have been deeply desirous before the Lord to deal with the issue head on and as fully as this limited space permits. The same goes for equity or fairness. Both of these biblical and highly moral terms have been co-opted and corrupted by various individuals and groups since the founding of our nation. Consequently, it is very fitting on the occasion of America's 235th birthday to call us back as a nation to the original intent of the Author of equality and equity for He is surely judging us at this hour for our failure to live out His definitions.
How high, noble and true are the words of the Declaration of Independence that declare, "all men are created equal." The words are true not because sinful men said so, but because a holy Creator made all humanity from the one man, Adam (Acts 17:24-26). No one man is innately superior in nature to another. Though to suit His creative glory God made mankind of different physical appearance and varying abilities, we are all from the one original man and equal in standing before our Creator. There is no qualitative difference between men when God the Righteous One is doing the judging. However, when fallen, sinful men judge, now all manner of human inequality enters in.
Some contemporary white historical commentators such as David Barton and David Von Drehle in a recent Time Magazine article on the Civil War assert the "all men are created equal" statement was an attempt by the nation's founders to address the reality of human inequality involved in slavery.1, 2 In American style slavery a whole race of people were deemed inferior and suitable only for perpetual servitude. The attitude of contempt and judgment as unfit for equality held toward blacks by many whites has continued to this day even with an African-American President. Shamefully, among those whites has been and are many professing to be Christians (Galatians 3:26-28).
The moral concept of equity has come to man from the Lord as He introduced to Israel His requirement of their being just in their dealings with strangers and each other (Leviticus 19:33-37; Deuteronomy 25:13-16). The Lord Jesus came along and emphasized loving one's neighbor (whoever that human being was) as one's self as the motivation for fair dealings and then some (Mark 12:31; Luke 6:27-36, 10:25-37). The apostle Paul was later inspired by the Holy Spirit to explain the absolute reason for love as the high motive in human relations when he wrote, "Love does no harm to a neighbor," (Romans 13:10a, NKJV). Sinful humanity does not naturally possess this kind of love.
The history of slavery, Jim Crow segregation and institutional racism in America clearly demonstrates how human hearts filled with contempt for others will not treat them with equity. A devastating Civil War had to be fought to end slavery. Legal battles continue to reverse institutionalized racial inequities throughout American society. While white men chafe under the finger of responsibility for much of this ungodly legacy of American racial inequity, there is nowhere else to look historically since the Women's Suffrage Movement is evidence white women were not in control of society. This is not said to blame for blame’s sake but to call the right persons forward to lead to action.
As the Civil Rights Movement taught us, we cannot legislate our way into what the nation’s founders had in mind for us as a free and equal people. We must love our way into it. And since as fallen sinners we are not able or willing in our own strength to love each other equally and fairly, then what we are really talking about is turning back to God for help (Ephesians 3:14-21). Therefore, this is a special call to my Christian white brothers and pastors in particular as aspiring strong men of God in the image of Christ. Lead out in owning and repenting from the historic sinful attitude and willful practice of treating black and other racial minority men unequally and unfairly.
Indeed, it is because of the half-hearted effort to do this in racial reconciliation talks that have gone on since the 1960s Satan has been enabled to co-opt the righteous equality and equity quest of racial minority men for rebels against the divine order. Talking and public platitudes have yielded so very little given how pervasive this evil is in our nation and the churches. The hour grows late and time is running out to get this right. True repentance is reflected in deeds as John the Baptist chided the religious leaders of his day (Matthew 3:4-10). Therefore, let the loving begin in obedience to the Lord's command (John 13:34-35; 1 John 2:7-11, 3:10-23, 4:7-21)! The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, "Who is on the Lord's side?"
1 David Barton, Setting The Record Straight: American History In Black & White (Aledo, Texas: Wall Builders Press, 2004), 17-18.
2 David Von Drehle, “The Civil War 1861-2011, The Way We Weren’t,” Time, April 18, 2011, 40-51.
Of the many sins that professing Christians of all American hues that are guilty must repent from before experiencing authentic, Holy Spirit fired revival is the practice of racism. Founded upon the twin evils of human arrogance and showing partiality, the American legacy and reality of racism and all of its related evils has been shamefully intertwined with and sanctioned by that which is outwardly professing Christianity from colonial times. If the proclamation of the Gospel will bear the greatest possible fruit in souls saved during the temporary door of opportunity God is opening, then the true nature and character of biblical Christianity must be put on display by us.
Catholicism by way of Georgetown University currently on the hot seat within professing American Christianity does not bear alone the institutional shame of being fully engaged in the business of slavery which was completely predicated on the presumed racial inferiority of my black forefathers. To this hour, many conservative white evangelicals still believe themselves racially superior. And though there have been many welcome public apologies for and denunciations of past racially based sins by evangelical leaders, the evil is so systemic and culturally entrenched, many especially in the rank and file carry on in their ways as if no apologies had been made.
Being a black American, of course, I am an experienced witness to the still practiced racial arrogance, discriminatory attitudes and conduct of many of my white brothers that profess with me to be Christians. I have written about some of my experiences in a booklet entitled, The Scourge Of Racism.1 For this blog, though, the Lord has led me to pinpoint from my experiences how progress toward real, biblical brotherhood is stymied primarily due to the typical white evangelical’s natural presumption of racial superiority. This attitude persists in spite of Scripture teaching the rise, fall and wisdom of peoples and kings is the sovereign work of God (Psalm 75:4-7; Daniel 2:20-23, 4:28-37).
Many of the even well meaning white evangelical brothers I have known over the years do not see how the presumption of superiority is deeply embedded in them through cultural conditioning. By default as a result, these brothers cannot begin to accept, for example, that the way they see a matter or a solution they have may not be right compared to what is offered by their brother of color. To this day, a once close brother expects me to apologize to him for the hurt he experienced because I told him the truth about his presumption of racial superiority and how it had influenced his judgment. Tangible evidence then and since proved he was wrong.
In denial (and pride), he not only maintains his position, but clearly does not appreciate how I may have been hurt by having my sound judgment from God rejected in his false presumption of superiority. He believed he had moved beyond racial bigotry. He had to a degree, but in his heart where self-perception and worldview reside, he still needed repentance and the Holy Spirit’s renewing work to transform and empower him to see me as his equal in Christ subject as he to error. Now, expand this brother out to the many well meaning evangelical Christians also with the same need along with the smaller, but still significant number that are racially bigoted and proud and you have this planet sized elephant seated in the midst of professing American Christianity.
To be sure, we Christian black Americans deeply wounded from four hundred years of America’s racism are a piece of work in glacial progress too. Add to all of this the deceitful work of demons through manmade Christianity the religion widely practiced by men operating in both camps and one that is willing can easily see how the Lord’s call to repentance is justified. Indeed, biblical Christianity is founded upon and driven by the love of God which brought Jesus Christ into the world to die for, save and reconcile fallen mankind as sinners back to God. That same love of God is poured into the hearts of those that repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit who also renews our minds and regenerates our souls (Romans 5:5-11, 12:1-2; Titus 3:1-6).
The Holy Spirit so transforms us that as new creations, we think and act as our Redeemer. God is love! Christ commands us therefore, to love and make Him known by our love for each other (John 13:34-35).2 And since love does no harm to a neighbor and in His perfect character our God shows no partiality, the arrogant mindset, attitudes and acts of racism are incompatible with biblical Christianity--period (Romans 13:10; James 2:1-10; 1 John 4:20-21).3 It is not possible that the world should out love us who profess to know God intimately is it? Yet, media images abound with young white, worldly faces taking a stand with blacks and other minorities against racism among their other social justice causes, while historically silent and aloof evangelicals largely remain so.
In the Donald Trump era made possible by an over 80% evangelical vote, the Lord calls all professing to be His followers to repent from any willful and lingering practice of racism. The Gospel message and witnessing of Christ can no longer stand to be tainted as it has been historically by the hypocritical practice of racism among professing Christians if we will be fruitful in this temporary door of opportunity God opens for us. The world saw enough of this a generation ago and rejected it; they will rightly continue to do so. Only Holy Spirit fired love for each other as our Lord Jesus originally commanded and His power will authenticate our message and witness going forward. The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, “Who is on the Lord's side?”
1 This booklet is available in the FSTVEP Resource Store.
2 Read my March 8-15, 2015 blog, Known By Our Love, Pt. 1&2, under the category Instruction.
3 Read the December 6, 2015 blog, Celebrating God’s Racial Diversity Initiative, Call To Repent.
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