Today, Scriptures are shared on the diversity seen among the responses by Christian believers to the recent massacre in Charleston, SC. Christianity is a promise one makes to GOD, a commitment, and an agreement one shares with others devoted to Deity through Jesus Christ. Multiple streams of acknowledgment, covenant, practice and worship come together for those who embrace the teachings about and from Christ. While intimate and personal relationship to divinity may not be bought and sold as merchandise, Deity must be approached through the humility, respect, and unselfishness that appear in giving, offering, sacrifice, and suffering in innocence. All born again believers are growing, learning, and preparing for the coming of Christ to harvest the earth and receive those of his kingdom unto himself. The body (we say, church) is diverse, and has many different members, who differ in such aspects as their abilities, accomplishments, commitments, spiritual gifts, perseverance, service, skill, and talents. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Robert” (Level 6 with 14,116 points, a member since May 25, 2009) posted the following:
What a contrast between the black people of Charleston SC and people like Al Sharpton. Could there be anything more different?
I have never in my life been so moved by an expression of forgiveness, kindness and goodness. Most people I know who claim to be Christians, I don't think would have reacted that way.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24: 5-14, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: To Live As a Sacrifice (03/08/2014); A Perfected Body (03/09/2014); On Judging Preachers as “Fake” (12/23/2013); Jesus Arose Bodily (12/24/2013); Putting GOD First? (06/02/2013); Need for A New Holy Spirit? (06/03/2013); On Titles and Respect (03/15/2013); On Producing Atheists (03/16/2013); Mockers in the Last Days (11/14/2012); Thoughts Upon A Warrior’s Fall (11/15/2012)
“Robert”, there will always be different responses to the same event among Christians, because believers vary in terms of their maturity, practice, preparation, sacred knowledge, and sanctification. Al Sharpton, and those like him who often endure the accusations, arrogance, presumption, and unkind words from others intended to disrupt and further division, are not one-dimensional as spiritual figures; and must be engaged and understood on the basis of multiple duties, privileges, and responsibilities. More than simply comfort (i.e., showing affection, compassion, empathy) the work of clergy, prophets, and spokespersons from GOD goes beyond self-expression and may include edification (i.e., providing counsel, guidance and instruction), exhortation (i.e., urging believers to act immediately in obedience to divine prompting, and to perform godly action), and displaying the wrath of GOD against sin. Various eternal priorities and purposes are in operation. Therefore, much of a believer’s service is “invisible” to those who are carnal, and is unseen to those lacking discernment that comes by the Holy Spirit. Please, consider again the following:
(1.) 1st Corinthians 2: 11-14, King James Version (KJV): 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(2.) Ecclesiastes 5: 1-3, KJV: 5 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
(3.) Ecclesiastes 5: 8-9, KJV: 8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
(4.) Philippians 1: 27-28, KJV: 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually taken into account. (For example, (5.) Ephesians 4: 4-7, KJV: 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.) 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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