I had a dear friend of mine (a brother in my motorcycle ministry)
bring up a topic at our monthly ministry meeting that had explosive potential.
We do a devotional at the start of our monthly chapter meetings and his topic
was, of all things, Facebook. I could see the tension build in the room as he
read from his notes. And what was his point? His point was the same as those
Christians who came before us—how do you, as a Christian, conduct yourself in
public. In the old days it was not as easy for us to make an ass of ourselves
to 1000 people in 5 seconds flat.
I have to admit, I have made an ass of myself on Facebook
many times. Most of those were prior to becoming a Christian; however, not all
of them were. I have “liked” things that were off-color. I have posted inflammatory
statements. I have engaged in fruitless political dogma and arguments, and I
have cussed a few people out as well. Thank God for the “delete” button on FB
(laughing).
My brother brought up some great points in his remarks. I
think his words hit a few targets in the room, although knowing him as I do, I
doubt that was his real intent. I think his intent was simple—for us all to
take a look, as Christians, in the mirror. I can think of a half dozen
scriptures that tell us to except criticism from our fellow Christians, but so
many of us allow ego to steal our ability to learn.
This leads me to my main point, which might surprise the
readers. I think we Christians can look at the Trayvon Martin trial and find a
stark parallel. First a scripture:
“If My people (Christians) who
are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV).
This scripture has been in my mind for over a week. This is
the second blog post in which I have referenced this scripture in within the
week.
As I look out and see the violence, the calls for justice,
and the threats…I also see that some who are involved are Christians. I heard
two separate statements by black Pastors that were nothing short of inflammatory.
I thought about all the other murders in this nation—black on black, white on
black, black on white, or whatever—that no one seems to care about. I thought
about the millions of babies we abort—especially in the black communities—and again,
no one cares.
Moreover, I wondered about forgiveness within these
communities and by these Christians? How long will these black Pastors and
Christian leaders allow their church members to remain in state of resentment
over slavery and past deeds by lawless Judges, Supreme Court rulings, and racists
from the days of old? Jesus said several things about forgiveness. I`m
paraphrasing, but here are a few: check your own back yard before you check
your neighbors. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Turn the other cheek. Forgive
seventy times seven—and there are so many more.
I`m calling on all Christians—black, white, yellow, brown,
or whatever—to come together and refrain from the vitriolic rhetoric of the
politicians, the so-called race leaders, and the agents of the enemy himself
who seek to divide us and destroy our witness to a lost and dying world. We
cannot help those who do not know Jesus if we ourselves look and act like the
world.
In 60 A.D., there was one Christian church. Now…sect,
denominations, skin color, and politics divide us. My dear brothers and sisters,
Jesus will not pay attention to these things on his judgment day. Only the
world cares about these things. To my fellow black and white Christian brothers
and sisters—it is up to us to lead the way. May God bless you all. WP
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