The Scourge Of Racism
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Released January 5, 2024
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Long before The 1619 Project, 2021’s The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song television documentary and conservative white Christian accusation of revisionist slander through Critical Race Theory, God in the mid-1980s had birthed in my spirit a creative radio project that would even-handedly and accurately present the facts and a biblical worldview of black history. It was in the aftermath of asking Him the question, why; why slavery and the historic suffering of my people? As I relay in a 2019 two-part Blog, the radio project came into full length existence as the From Slavery To Victory: One Man’s Journey (FSTVOMJ) Radio Special.1
The just under one hour radio special was first broadcast on a Dallas, Texas station February 20 and 21, 1993. Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc. is marking that occasion and continuing to conduct The From Slavery To Victory Education Project the program anchors with plans thirty years later to Webcast it for one year or more on the project Web Site as funding permits.2 As the writer, producer, narrator and dramatic voice in the program, I am very grateful to God to have allowed me to be His vessel in its concept and production as well as to live to see it still be relevant thirty years later!3 For the FSTVOMJ is truly of His biblical and prophetic working in these latter days.
To be sure, the Lord leads me to draw the historical facts of the radio program from reputable scholarly American history sources black and white. I provide a Bibliography for the program on the J-Card insert of its collectable Commemorative Cassette that includes among other well known names, Carter G. Woodson, the Founder of Black History Month.4 However, the biblical and prophetic content come exclusively from the Lord’s instruction in His Word and revelation since He is an Eye Witness to all of history (John 1:43-51)! As a result, the biblical content is easily verifiable by the simple objective reading for oneself of the Scriptures cited during the program.
The words of prophecy the Lord gave me to declare in the program have been testable all along, but especially now, thirty years later! Briefly, God is the One who introduced the office of the prophet to Israel as His designated way for them to receive directives, information, instruction and knowledge whether past, present or future. This was so that the holy people would not follow after the ways pagans sought information He called “an abomination,” (Deuteronomy 18:9-14, NKJV). The Lord formally instituted the prophet’s office by promising Israel to “raise up” “a Prophet like” Moses “from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,” (Deuteronomy 18:15-19, NKJV).5
Very importantly, God also made clear how serious the office and work of the prophet is. He made death the penalty for being a false prophet and taught the means by which the people could know whether a word of knowledge or prophecy was from Him or not. He said, “when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him,” (Deuteronomy 18:20-22, NKJV). Knowing all of this, I made my case for fearing God and will not be among today’s doomed false prophets (Jeremiah 23:9-32; Matthew 7:15-20)!6
As the Lord gave me utterance in the FSTVOMJ radio special, I declared to black American listeners its primary target audience that beginning only a generation after slavery and in the face of His works through Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., many failed to recognize and appreciate His favor in our historical experience. A number in selfishness and greed set about to enrich themselves and turned away from God. Some no longer taught their children His way and others even exalted their African heritage in blasphemous idolatry. Scores in the churches too, were disobedient to God and His Word; establishing their own righteousness, traditions and worldly priorities. Thirty years later, the consequences have been more devastating despite the best efforts of many sinful human entities.
Indeed, in 1993 I spoke of the sons of our community murdering each other, unwed mothers with fatherless children, drug abuse and deadly pestilence such as AIDS destroying many. In 2020, black males were the second highest number of those murdered and fear still grips our cities.7 Black female headed households increased and “fewer than two-fifths of Black children were living with two married parents” according to US Census data.8 Fatal drug abuse continues as do HIV infections. Too, mental illness is on the rise as are an unheard of number of black suicides.9 Mortal entities are powerless to reverse black America’s self-destructive course for good reason. As the Lord led me to declare in FSTVOMJ, it is permitted by Him as judgment for rebellion and apostasy.
1 Read the two-part post that begins June 2, 2019, Message From A Redeemed Black Man, under the categories Biblical Worldview and Black History.
2 Prospective contributors can make designated gifts for the FSTVOMJ at https://fromslaverytovictory.org/Donate. Interested advertisers reach out to us on the Contact Us Page. The Webcast beginning date and time are still to be announced.
3 Why me? You will have to ask God who calls and uses the one He wills without first getting the consent of sinful mortal flesh (Jeremiah 1:4-5; Galatians 1:15-16; 1 Tim- othy 1:12-14)!
4 Get one of the last 100 of the Commemorative Cassettes on The From Slavery To Victory Education Project Web Site.
5 The “Prophet” of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ, who first century Israel was still waiting for as seen in their questions of John the Baptist and his replies (John 1:19-28, NKJV). Note carefully the consequence for not hearing Christ or by calling, any authentic prophet representing His office in Deuteronomy 18:18-19.
6 See the February 19, 2023 post, What Makes You Right?, under the categories Black History and God’s Glory!
7 Black male murder victims numbered 8,469 in 2020 according to statista.com.
8 See the 2020 black female head of household graphic at statista.com and census data US Census Bureau. Black Americans have the highest number of single female parented households while paradoxically the greatest number of abortions in America as seen in KFF’s State Health Facts!
9 Concerning drug abuse, see the SAMHSA 2018 National Survey. For HIV infection rates and deaths see the CDC and KFF Fact Sheets. The OMH provides statistics on black mental health issues.
Even now, thirty years later as the Lord had me assert in the 1993 From Slavery To Victory: One Man’s Journey (FSTVOMJ) Radio Special,1 there is still one last hope for a curtailment of black America’s self-destruction as judgment from Him. That hope is biblically defined repentance leading to the spiritual revival and salvation of many which the radio program seeks to spur in line with the mission and objectives of The From Slavery To Victory Education Project it generated in 1994.2 Over the past thirty years there has been no nationwide repentance to God’s satisfaction among black Americans professing to be Christians to date. Time for repentance and hope is running out!
Curtailing God’s judgment upon black America must begin among those who profess to be Christians because such ones knew (and know) better than to disobey Him in the first place as backsliders and rebels (James 4:17)! This is exactly why God on the occasion of the dedication of the Temple Solomon built gave him a warning. He would bring judgment upon Israel for their sins that could only be turned back by humility, seeking prayer, repentance, His forgiveness and restoration (2 Chronicles 7:12-14).3 Otherwise, though pleased to dwell at the Temple, in wrath for persistent disobedience God would remove it and the people from the land (2 Chronicles 7:15-22).
This latter thing God did to Israel twice; once in 586 BC as the Babylonians destroyed the Temple and carried the people away captive and again in 70 AD when the Romans burned the rebuilt Temple down and scattered most of those they did not kill to the nations. In the parlance of black culture, “God don’t play!” So, why are so many acting like God is playing with regard to judging sin among those professed to be His people? It can only be the devil’s inspired delusion of entitlement to sin out of being victims at work among many unsaved and professed Christian black Americans along with the lie God is no longer serious about or judging it (John 8:44; 1 Corinthians 15:33-34)!
Clearly also, many professed Christian black Americans among those choosing to be secular atheists, agnostics and apostates have decided no longer to believe the truth God is the One that brought our forefathers from West Africa to the New World in chains. Though as victims most do not want to hear it, in accord with His purposes the way our forefathers came and their enslavement was punishment from Him for sin (Lamentations 3:37-39).4 As well, it was so the willing might be humbled and in honest confession and repentance “turn back to the LORD” through the Gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ, as many did (Lamentations 3:40-42; Acts 17:22-31; Romans 1:16-17, 10:11-13, NKJV).
Too, it was God who brought our people out of bondage and into the opportunities to be unimpeachable “witnesses” of His grace, mercy and power to save, preserve as well as deliver souls from any adversity (Deuteronomy 6:20-25; Psalm 124; Isaiah 43:8-13, 61:1, NKJV). We owe God an incalculable debt of gratitude, loyalty and devotion! But the many to include every guilty professed Christian in their churches have repaid Him instead with narcissism fed rebellion; playing the harlot with other gods in idolatry, the cruel sacrifice of unwanted children and trusting more in sinful mortals, their governments, institutions and alliances than God to advance in the world (Jeremiah 2:26-37).
Yet, as He declared to Solomon, God who is longsuffering and merciful is ready to ease up on His ongoing judgment impacting all with only the humility, seeking prayer of sincere confession and repentance of the guilty majority among those who profess to be Christians rebelling against His will, way and Word as it is written! This is to be a full confession of and repentance from every spiritual, moral and ethical departure made from His Word.5 If you don’t know what all of that might be, ask the Holy Spirit to show you with your Bible open. To repent is to change one’s mind about his sins viewing them as a holy God does--not self, neighbor or a so-called “progressive” culture that includes numerous religionist and corrupt pastors with the churches they lead, false prophets and teachers.
Unless there is a turning back to God in full confession and repentance, there can be no forgiveness or hope of revival from Him that temporarily eases back on His judgment just as He had me declare in the FSTVOMJ Radio Special thirty years ago. Indeed, His judgment is to intensify going forward as God moves to consummate His plans to end this current evil age and bring forth the Kingdom of His Son!6 Therefore, time is running out in these latter days to get right with God and stop following the crowd in continuing rebellion and sin against Him. Every guilty professed Christian must decide for themselves whether to turn back to God or not. Those who refuse will personally endure His intensifying judgment and coming wrath (Romans 1:18-2:16; Hebrews 3:7-19; Jude 5)!
1 The starting date and time for the Webcast of this historic docu-drama will be announced in select media and on social media. Prospective contributors can make designated gifts for the Webcast at https://fromslaverytovictory.org/Donate and receive one of the last number of Commemorative Cassettes.
2 Learn more about the project on its Web Site.
3 See especially the second part of the two-part post that begins August 2, 2020, Flavorless Salt Is Worthless, under the category, Call To Repent, to understand why as the Lord has led me, I do not overuse 2 Chronicles 7:14.
4 I still remain amazed at how so many do not finish reading through our brief presentation, The Journey, on The From Slavery To Victory Education Project Web Site. The primary reason no doubt, is that most view it through the deadly worldview of victimization. I challenge all serious black American seekers of truth to read and soberly consider each of the five stops on The Journey unapologetically presenting a sound, biblical worldview of the black American historical experience as has been done in this and the preceding February 26, 2023 post, Thirty Years Later…, under the categories, Biblical Worldview and Black History.
5 Read the August 31, 2014 post, Soul Deep Repentance, under the category, Call To Repent.
6 Believing this truth from God’s Word, the aspiring strong man and great woman of God in the image of Christ I write about in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics, prays accordingly (Matthew 6:9-13). Get a copy of my book at your favorite internet bookseller or brick and mortar bookstore, the Strong Man Store and the FSTVEP Resource Store on The From Slavery To Victory Education Project Web Site.
As a matter of final reflection on being a Christian forty years, I want to glorify God for my many positive experiences as a member of the Body of Christ on earth! For the sake of brevity in this blog format, I will confine myself to the company of the saints, biblical multiculturalism and music as areas of experience in the Body of Christ that have greatly contributed to the joy of my forty year journey thus far. Though I have written much about how religionists and spiritually immature believers weak in willful sin have brought me grief, I rejoice that occasionally in the journey, I have been truly blessed with being in the company of authentic and faithful saints.
These faithful saints were to me exactly what the Bible teaches: filled with faith and the love of God, obedient and true to His Word, unselfish, ready to give, encourage, edify or help, thoughtful, kind, considerate and eager to serve (John 13:34-35; Romans 5:5, 12:9-21, 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-3). They have been an oasis of refreshment to me at strategic moments in my journey; appearing by divine providence at times like a man making his way across the desert who has seen mirages of water and finally comes upon its reality after many days. They shall remain nameless (lest any should be unnecessarily offended), but precious to me--bless them, Lord!
While I have left these saints nameless, I joyfully declare they are from both genders, different ethnicities, races, tribes, languages and cultures! The experience of this reality has been especially enriching for me due to understanding and fully appreciating God’s global, Kingdom cause in the Gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ, as I wrote about recently in the four-part blog, God Of Restoration And Judgment under the category, The Cause with three others! What an absolutely amazing experience to meet a brother or sister in Christ from a place on the other side of the world who as a sinner, has come to Christ in repentance and faith and loves Him with a passion just like me.
As I wrote in another blog, I was prepared for this biblical form of multiculturalism growing up in Seaside on the Monterey Peninsula of California.1 While racism was extant, the forcibly integrated school system was such that many different ethnicities, races, languages and cultures were brought together. From this experience, I learned to appreciate and navigate among those that were from different ethnicities, races and cultures. What a joy to do this when the opportunities have come in the Body of Christ! However, the operative word here is “when” since a major share of grief in my journey has come from among racially bigoted professed Christians.
To this hour, a number of white Southern Baptist pastors here in the Northwest remain cold toward me for insisting that racism no longer be tolerated among their ranks. I made personal appeals, addressed meetings and wrote about how tolerating racism was unbecoming of those professing such high regard for Christ and the Gospel. Even in this 21st century as a continuing link to the days of America’s secular and church sanctioned practice of racism, my word as a black pastor still carried less weight than that of a white one. This led, for example, in one sad case to having others also receive my correspondence sent to an official so my words would be accurately known.
I agree with anyone that would say this sort of thing should not be among professed Christian brothers. However, until racism is dealt with as the sin it is and truly no longer tolerated in the Body of Christ, such actions will continue to be taken by blacks and other minorities that love our white brothers enough not to allow the guilty to reflexively force us into a less than equal place. Instead of being embittered toward me, such men should have godly sorrow and be deeply repentant realizing that a brother in their midst felt compelled to take extraordinary measures to be heard accurately in the multicultural Body of Christ charged to represent Him (Matthew 23:8; 1 John 3:10-15)!
Another important way I sought as the Lord led to build a bridge of multicultural love among Southern Baptist brothers was through an event called “Praisefest.” Out of what is supposed to be our common love for the Lord, we brought worship teams from churches of various cultural groups together to praise Him through the universal language of music. I never heard anything negative about those sweet times in the Lord which is good. Indeed, some of my most joyful experiences of the Body of Christ as His purposeful, multicultural construction have been marvelously through music! Being an appreciator of all kinds of music came from my departed mother as well as through school days experiences in choirs, bands and later in college and seminary, a radio disc jockey (DJ).
From the European Reformation and church hymns that followed along with the spirituals and work songs of my Christian slave forefathers to Black and Southern Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music my soul has been fully blessed “through it all” (the title of an André Crouch classic) by the multicultural music of the saints. As a DJ in Dallas/Fort Worth, how my spirit soared executing multicultural music sets that ministered to listeners and me! I feel so sorry for professed Christians that have never gone beyond their culturally preferred music to enjoy that of brethren from another culture.2 Thank You, Lord, for the foretaste of eternity with You I have enjoyed thus far, in the multicultural company, love and music of Your Body (Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:12-17)!
1 Read the December 6, 2015 blog, Celebrating God’s Racial Diversity Initiative, Call To Repent.
2 While I fully understand the worldly idea behind radio music formatting, what a lost opportunity to build a bridge of brotherhood in the Body of Christ and give a multicultural
witness Christian music stations have missed following this model that essentially mimics segregated Sunday morning church services. I am available on a professional
consulting basis to assist any Christian music programmer that would like to do a better job of offering a culturally diverse music mix.
This Resurrection Sunday, I will celebrate my fortieth year as a born again follower of Jesus Christ; a Christian--glory to God and praise His exalted name! Technically, my day of salvation and new birth took place on Resurrection Sunday, April 10, 1977 which is tomorrow. So, with the Lord’s blessing, I am celebrating my spiritual birthday all week long! And why not do this? Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me (c’mon James Cleveland with a little help from Gladys Knight and the Pips)! I am overjoyed; can you tell? Yes and I am mighty grateful to God too.
Truly, as I recently wrote about in the four-part blog, God Of Restoration And Judgment under the category, The Cause with three others, I am thankful that the divine cause to proclaim the Gospel to the ethnicities, races, tribes and tongues of men upon the face of the whole earth, one day, in the 20th century, reached me; even thoroughly sinful, wretched and no account me! Just as lost, empty and without purpose as I could be; God used one of His dedicated daughters, Mrs. Altamese Lee of Jacksonville, FL (a family friend since my childhood) to share the Gospel with and lead me to pray to receive it in repentance and faith that Resurrection Sunday 1977 after church in her home.
I have shared all or part of my testimony in various blogs and writing platforms, so, I won’t share it all today.1 However, reflecting back on that day, I feel pretty dumb to think at the time I was doing momma Lee a favor to drive up to Jacksonville from Orlando to go to church with her for the “holy day.” No, in her sincere devotion to God and obedience to His Word to “tell it,” she did me the favor for which I will be eternally grateful! And while I do not remember every single word she said to me that day, among her words was that sweet, simple Gospel of Scripture I now also freely share with the soul reading this that may not have heard it plainly stated (Matthew 10:7-8).
Mankind are sinners and condemned before a holy God no matter the station, problems or experiences in life. The Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ is that He came into the world to die on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day to secure God’s forgiveness for and save us from His just condemnation. If one will repent (turn from embracing his sins) and receive the Person (Jesus) and message of the Gospel in child-like faith, then that one will be saved (Acts 2:22-40; Romans 3:9-31, 10:4-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)! This is not about religion, but relationship restored at God’s initiative out of love and grace (John 1:12-13, 3:1-21; Ephesians 2:1-10)!
Again, how grateful I am to God for His love, grace and mercy that came to me through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the new birth and resulting incredible journey I have been on forty years that continues into eternity! My journey, thus far, has had tears of both grief and joy. Grief has come to me from struggles with sinful thinking, attitudes, conduct and habits that God, the perfect Father, has been at work dealing with in me. My, my, how we love our sins! Yet, we born again Christians have a Father that works a discipline plan for us that includes painful chastening to bring us into conformity with His will and seeing our progress, we love Him for it (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 12:1-11).
Beyond grief from my struggles with Satan, sin and self to grow in Christ-likeness over forty years, it has come far too often from professed Christians in the pews and pulpits which to this hour I still find amazing since supposedly, we are all on the same journey as brethren in Christ. Yes, I know as the willfully weak are always so ready to explain, we are all at different levels of maturity in Christ. But really; professed Christians that remain comfortable and immature in sin? According to God’s Word, this is not of Him (Romans 6; Ephesians 4:7-16; Philippians 3:12-21; Hebrews 5:5-14). Such an attitude is of the many corrupt and inferior displays of manmade Christianity the religion deceitfully raised up by Satan to destroy the soul possessing it (Romans 2:1-16, 8:12-13; Galatians 6:7-8).
Oh, but the joy of the Lord in the journey has been so much more than any grief! For the Lord has never failed to meet me in every circumstance good and evil to lead me out and forward in His perfect or permissive will. Daily I have overflowed in the abundance and superior quality of His life by the Holy Spirit. Daily I have experienced the inexhaustible riches of His love, grace in blessings, forgiveness and regularly His deliverances and healings! Because of His mercies and forgiveness new every day, it should be no great mystery why I love my risen Lord so; why I am so sold out and devoted to His service and causes in the Gospel (Luke 7:36-50). Indeed, I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and commend Him and His great restoration in the Gospel to all reading this especially of the generations behind me (Psalm 34:8-22)! Thank You, Lord, for forty years to date!
(Since I will be celebrating my spiritual birthday Resurrection Sunday, this post will stand until my next on Sunday, April 23, 2017--Lord willing. Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday 2017!)
1 I share my testimony of coming to Christ in the most complete form in the final two parts of a five part Journal article entitled, Releasing The Strong Man! in the Journal Archives at The From Slavery To Victory Education Project (FSTVEP) Web Site.
Just as Black History Month, so, Juneteenth is a commemoration started by black Americans for our people and fellow citizens to remember the end of American slavery. Juneteenth is the clever handle used for June 19, 1865 which marks the date the last slaves in Texas heard about the end of slavery with the defeat of the Southern Confederacy in the Civil War a few months earlier and over two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This year we have reached the one hundred and fiftieth year since that first Juneteenth. While this is a good thing and should be celebrated to the fullest, I am concerned about the condition of freedmen today.
There will be Juneteenth parades, picnics, concerts, church services, memorials and many community events featuring political, social, educational, religious and financial heavy hitters celebrating a great moment in our nation’s history; a moment when an evil chapter was brought to its end. Indeed, it was in 1865 Texas and should be today a celebration like unto ancient Israel’s Jubilee year that God instituted for them (Leviticus 25:8-17). Every fiftieth year the sound of a trumpet on the Day of Atonement announced the Jubilee when liberty was proclaimed in all the land. Slaves were set free, oppression banned, fields not planted and debts cancelled.
Launched as it was on the Day of Atonement, the Jubilee reconciled men to God and to each other as families were restored and neighbors brought back together after forced servitude along with other types of oppression due to disputes and indebtedness had divided them. In my mind’s eye I see the ancient Jews and my slave forefathers in their respective historical years of jubilee shouting, leaping, dancing and singing as the long wait to be released from heavy and painful burdens ended in freedom and hope for a better future! However, for both peoples the time of jubilee was all too short-lived as the evil works of human sinfulness in a fallen world overtook them.
For America’s black freedmen in the aftermath of that first Juneteenth, the realities of unabated racial bigotry and hostilities from many of their fellow white citizens have dogged them to some degree or another to this very hour. In spite of this, a relative few especially of those energized by the faith and love of Jesus Christ have been able to move past all artificially imposed barriers of race to achieve much. Accomplished African Americans are found in nearly every field of endeavor including the highest political and legal offices in the land. This post-slavery progress is undeniable and yet, there is still so much holding back the remaining number of freedmen.
Keeping it real, we cannot in all honesty assert the deep seated problems of over the top black male incarceration rates, gang violence, low educational attainment, joblessness, female single parent headed households and poverty are all caused by persistent racism--though most assuredly it has its surmountable in Christ part (John 16:33; Philippians 4:13; 1 John 5:4-5). No, the poor state of many freedmen today is due in large part to self-sabotage in that the guilty have chosen the sluggard’s way of victimization, entitlement, lawlessness and hedonism in all rebellion against God and His Word (Proverbs 6:6-11, 20:1, 23:29-35, 24:30-34, 28:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)!
Freedom from physical bondage did not also equal freedom from the always deadly trio of Satan (the ultimate oppressor), sin and self for many blacks. As permitted by God in perfect mercy and grace, the black experience beginning with slavery was not intended to embitter us in perpetual inner bondage, but bring the willing among us to the greatest possible freedom (Lamentations 3:19-42). This freedom is found by faith in Jesus Christ alone. He is the eternal Jubilee for all yearning for liberty, new beginnings and a superior future (Psalm 146:5-8; Isaiah 42:5-9, 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-21; Romans 8:1-2)! In the freedom of the Son clung to through all adversity, we were meant to be powerful latter day witnesses to all men under the sun and bring much glory to the God of our salvation!
So, did God fail in His good purposes toward us because the greater numbers of freedmen one hundred and fifty years later are in dire straits spiritually and materially? No way! Those who have refused to muster the will to move beyond the admittedly real obstacles of racism even through faith in Jesus Christ from that first Juneteenth until now have failed themselves and their children. Truly, generational patterns of alcohol and drug abuse, irresponsibility, sexual promiscuity and out of wed-lock births (all of which I also once had my time) have taken hold to produce entrenched poverty. To be sure, generational patterns of sin that only a personal life changing faith walk with Jesus Christ can permanently reverse are by no means limited to the physically poor.
The Liberating Gospel Of Jesus Christ!
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NKJV).
The Scriptures teach that if a man will repent from his sins and believe the Gospel he will be forgiven and declared righteous. Such a man will also be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and brought to spiritual life; beginning what is intended by God to be a lifelong journey of growing faith, love, obedience, transformation and empowered service (Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-31, 8:1-17, 12:1-21).
Generational patterns of sin are evident too among those relative few freedmen that have “made it” in the world with great jobs, fat incomes, fine homes, big cars, major achievements and acclaim who are also amid the world’s spiritually poor. The poor in spirit is anyone separated from the eternally rich life of God and as a result are spiritually dead in their sins. Though they live large, possess everything they want and have reached the pinnacle of success, at the end of the day their lives lived in and controlled by sin has left them guilt ridden, ashamed, empty, unfulfilled, despondent and painfully aware something money cannot buy from worldly sources is missing.
Outwardly, it does not look that way. Those that have “made it” even through unscrupulous means seem to have it all together (Psalm 73:1-12). Stars of entertainment and sports smile carefree for the many cameras while successful looking business tycoons and professionals disappear each evening into gated, upscale communities apparently unburdened. Also, in the face of many mother’s tears pleading for an end to gang violence, it continues among happy looking young freedmen because their media glamorized culture of idolatry and self-destruction is profitable. They famously display their wealth on gold rimmed teeth, their ears, necks and fingers.
Everything though, is not what it seems. Spiritually impoverished well off freedmen (yes, those too that wear the church going, outward façade of religiosity) have many sin driven troubles in this life including debilitating addictions, incurable sexually transmitted diseases, divorce (which contributes its share of children to our outrageously high number of female single parented households), incarceration (we have former congressmen and preachers on lockdown too), fear of and early death, increasing suicides etc. Moreover, at death, their greatest trouble now is remaining separated from God in their spiritual poverty and being tormented forever (Psalm 73:13-28; Luke 9:25)!
All that they were sold as a bill of goods contrary to Scripture about money, things, success and fame from the ultimate oppressor in part through his equally duped human agents from the former slave owning majority culture; all that was envied and desired from the shackles and forcefully imposed impediments of centuries of oppression turn out to be futility (Proverbs 3:31-35). Material prosperity does not equal abundant life or righteousness with God as the Lord Jesus warns (Luke 12:13-21). And, while there will have been those that were quite generous with their prosperity, their works can never redeem their souls to God (Psalm 49:5-9; Romans 3:9-20).
Because you are reading this, there is yet hope and an opportunity to be visited by God’s grace in the midst of your spiritual and/or physical poverty. For the living God could have destroyed our pagan forefathers in their native land as they deserved and the remedial judgment of slavery for sin from which we were freed would not have been. But then we would not have collectively known the depths of His mercy as no other people in recent history; the ancient invitation to come to Him for what is in fact life in abundance first issued to our slave forefathers in their chains still open (Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-7; Matthew 5:1-4, 11:28-30; John 10:7-10, 14:6; Romans 3:21-27, 10:6-13).
A number enough among our slave forefathers came to Jesus and a faithful remnant was raised up to have obtained God’s continuing mercy and grace on us to this hour or why are we still here? The proud among us whom God resists do not like to hear the truth that He “gives grace to the humble,” (1 Peter 5:5-7, NKJV). Thus, among the humble physically poor there have been those that are spiritually rich in all faith, abundant life, love, forgiveness and generosity through God’s provision; bringing glory to Him as He wills in the midst of the ones that oppressed them since slavery (Psalm 37:25-26; Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 2:1-10). Of these have come that fewer still of the relative few that emerged from physical poverty trusting in Christ.
This spiritually rich and materially blessed of the faithful remnant has given tangible witness and more glory to God in their well known abilities and accomplishments. Their names are too many for this space, though one such Christian was George Washington Carver. He was convinced until death that God had given him the multiple uses of the peanut we enjoy today. One hundred and fifty years later there can be so many more out of poverty and used of God to witness His life-changing power in the Gospel as well as bringing Him glory in all thanksgiving; aspiring strong men and great women of God in Christ’s image! Therefore, this Juneteenth we sound God’s trumpet in the Gospel anew throughout all the land. Let him hear who will hear and become the Lord’s truly free freedman (John 8:34-36).1
1 Visit https://fromslaverytovictory.org/Donate to learn how to obtain a Commemorative Cassette of the award winning, From Slavery To Victory: One Man's Journey Radio Special .
God warns ancient Israel about their sinful and evil ways in rebellion against Him because He does not want to punish them (Ezekiel 33:7-9). He shows this in a heart rending response through the prophet to their complaint. ‘“Say to them: “as I live,” says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel,’” (Ezekiel 33:10-11, NKJV). The same holds true today for backslidden and rebel professed Christian Black Americans because the holy God does not change in nature or character (Malachi 3:6). It is repent or die in His judgment and approaching wrath!
Thirty years later, the 1993 From Slavery To Victory: One Man’s Journey (FSTVOMJ) Radio Special continues to bear the heartfelt appeal of God for the guilty among black Americans professing to be His people to repent from every way He calls sin in His Word as it is written!1 The Bible is still the final authority for the faith and practice of it by Christians when we read and apply it objectively. Thus, for quick examples, worshipping anyone or thing besides God, having sex outside of marriage between a biological man and woman, feminism, stealing, lying and murdering transgresses, sins against and perverts God’s spiritual, moral and ethical Word written (Romans 1:18-32, 13:8-10).2
Now, I know that Satan has craftily incited some rebels to throw God’s Word into confusion during these latter days by questioning if it is still relevant thousands of years after being written and brazenly corrupting it through subjectively reading into and changing its words supposedly for a better understanding.3 But even if every Bible on earth were corrupted and cast aside, not to be outsmarted by any of His creatures God put a conscience in man that acts as a moral compass either affirming or condemning our actions in this life and which are also recorded on high for the day of judgment all must face to give an account as the apostle Paul instructs (Romans 2:12-16; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11).
From His commanding position and authority as the “Prophet” to Israel (Deuteronomy 18:15-19, NKJV), the Lord Jesus Christ out of His overflowing love for the nation and righteous indignation at their religious leaders for their hypocrisy, spiritual blindness and hard hearts publicly and severely upbraided them (Matthew 23:1-36). Among the things He declared to them that day was He would “send” them “prophets” with other gifted men they would “kill,” mistreat and “persecute” to “fill up” their cup of guilt before God (Matthew 23:32-35, NKJV). From the first century until now, He has done the same within professing Christianity with similar results (Revelation 1:9-3:22, 17:1-6, 18:24).
Indeed, as with Israel of old the Lord has even punished His followers for their sins to the end the guilty might repent (1 Corinthians 11:23-32). No one is saved from sin to “live any longer in it,” (Romans 6:1-14, NKJV). So, the Lord calls the guilty to repent from not only personal, but corporate sin too, such as the practice of Christianity as religion manifested in various powerless manmade forms or that becomes cold and mechanical apart from Him like it did the first of seven churches He sent a message by the apostle John as a prophet. The church at Ephesus had “left” their “first love” and this was enough to destroy them as it is guilty churches today (Revelation 2:1-7, NKJV)!
Therefore, it is high time for professed Christian black Americans that are guilty to sober up about the worsening state of our community the Lord led me to warn about thirty years ago in spite of the sincere and dedicated labor of some to reverse our self-destructive course. It is the holy God that must be approached in the ancient, biblical way prescribed for any hope of a temporary reversal (His foretold end is even nearer today than thirty years ago!).4 In all humility and brokenness, the guilty must seek God in prayer fully confessing and repenting from every kind of transgression, sin, rebellion, iniquity and wicked backsliding. Confession too, must acknowledge God has been right to judge and will be apart from His professed people doing as He wills (Nehemiah 9:33; Hosea 14:1-3).
Though the hour is late, spiritual revival from God among those that turn back to Him will save many lost souls as in obedience, His people again proclaim the Gospel and witness the biblical faith to family, neighbors and even haters; joyfully fulfilling the original assignment He gave us as His slaves during and after being shackled by men.5 Newly restored fathers would turn back to their children and their children to them. Females restored would no longer use sex as a means to get a male’s interest, bear children without husbands or murder them because of inconvenience as they renounce feminism.6 Self-destruction by any means would again be taboo. Otherwise, it continues as God’s judgment who brings His wrath after there is “no remedy,” (2 Chronicles 36:15-16, NKJV).7
1 The start date and time for the Webcast of the radio special will be announced soon in select media and on social media. Interested contributors can make designated gifts for the Webcast at https://fromslaverytovictory.org/Donate and receive one of the last number of collectible Commemorative Cassettes.
2 Read the March 5, 2023 post, Thirty Years Later, Still One Last Hope, under the categories Black History and Call To Repent.
3 Even so, I stand by my Holy Spirit directed exhortation to seek Him with the Bible open to learn in what ways one that is guilty has gone away from God’s spiritual, moral and ethical instruction. See the January 9, 2022 post, Easier To Read Bibles, under the categories Bible Prophecy and Instruction.
4 Read the two-part commentary beginning May 2004 in The From Slavery To Victory Monthly Journal Archive, Come Let Us Return To The Lord.
5 Our Christian slave forefathers left us and the world more than 4,000 spirituals and work songs testifying to their faith in the Bible’s God and His Son, Jesus Christ, while non-violent souls during the 1955-68 peak of the Civil Rights Movement did the same through their courageous examples. Should we, their descendants as Christians, be doing any less?
6 In hope of such a day as the Lord has led, I have written The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics along with the companion Strong Man Of God Men’s Group Study and Great Woman Of God Women’s Group Study to help equip restored men and women to function as He designed. These resources are available in the Strong Man Store, among internet booksellers and brick and mortar bookstores.
7 God is not unjust to “destroy the righteous with the wicked,” (Genesis 18:22-25; Psalm 145:17-21; Romans 5:6-11, NKJV). So then, those unsaved or professed Christian individuals now, in sin that repent and turn to God through faith in Christ will live eternally with Him. This is as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. prophesied in his final sermon be- fore his death. After declaring he had been to the mountain top and seen the Promised Land, he said: “I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” Those black Americans who are faithful Christians will be among all of the redeemed of God just as I am also led by Him to as- sure concluding FSTVOMJ.
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