More Scripture points are shared, today, on commitment, persecution, and suffering among Christian believers. Black and White Americans, believers and non-believers alike may not continue as though we can conduct “business as usual.” On the one hand, the recent massacre in Charleston, SC is no more a despicable and shocking betrayal than the slaughter of schoolchildren in their classroom, the murder and use of worshippers as hostages in a mosque, or the destruction of a trade center using a passenger jet. On the other hand, it is in the light of such incidents, we who count ourselves civilized are required to make the needed response whereby no such events will ever be repeated among us. It never fails that, when religious fervor expressing only bias, hatred and prejudice are unleashed, obedience, respect and love to GOD are replaced by cruelty, malice and murder. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Gino Hunter” (Level 4 with 2,772 points, a member since March 21, 2011) posted the following:
Christians, what's the difference between Dylan Roof killing and the Apostle Paul killing?
Dylan killed less Christians did Paul.
Preachers number one books they quote from is from one who had Christians killed.
People are making a big deal because of the killing in South Carolina like this is something new.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9: 57-62, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: One Faith, One Lord? (09/26/2014); Healing is By Relationship? (09/26/2014); Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013); Confusion 2013 (01/13/2013); Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012); A Slaughter of Innocents (12/15/2012); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012); Christians Who Ignore GOD’s Laws (10/25/2012)
“Gino Hunter”, the tone of your question suggests you feel there should be no public outrage, collective repentance, and private introspection (i.e., “soul searching,” self-examination) as a response to the recent massacre in Charleston, SC. Saul of Tarsus committed atrocities against the early church as a legitimate representative of the High Priest, and in the role of a special prosecutor. Saul served as an officer of the court in the same way as do all executioners who must perform punishments in judgment. The acts, goals, intent, and motives of Dylan Roof and Saul of Tarsus emerged from two very different spirits; and we have yet to see what divine and eternal purposes will be accomplished in the recent event. Here are a few of the admonitions, encouragements and reminders that help Christian believers maintain a correct balance, and avoid spiritual confusion and error:
(1.) 2nd Timothy 3: 12, King James Version (KJV): 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(2.) 2nd Corinthians 13: 3-5, KJV: 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
(3.) Philippians 3: 8-11, KJV: 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
(4.) Galatians 2: 20, KJV: 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually taken into account. (For example, (5.) Galatians 5: 19-25, KJV: 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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