Today,
I share the comment I wanted to post at FACEBOOK responding to Bishop
Elect Marvin L. Winans Statement Against Racism from Perfecting
Church (Detroit, MI) posted June 10, 2020, 3:18 PM. Daily, Jesus
Christ taught the law and the prophets; and Jesus did not present
himself as an heroic military or political figure seeking to expand
his territory through conquest and guile. Even so, the Zealots and
many among the multitude who had been fed and healed by Christ were
preparing to force Jesus to accept a crown ripped from Herod through
insurrection and overthrow. These supporters became specially
dismayed by the Lord’s lack of outrage at recent tragedies forced
by Rome upon the Galileans comparing it to what befell others in
Jerusalem by chance (except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish).
Those who yearned for Jesus as a prince and an earthly ruler
misunderstood the character and nature of the peace and prosperity
then being offered by divinity. Believers now must exercise
discernment and vigilance to avoid making the same mistakes seen at
the Savior’s first appearing.
The concluding paragraph of the Bishop’s
post (following below) struck me with great power. The many
broadcast news and other presentations of recent arrest confrontation
deaths across the Nation repeatedly show a single, isolated, victim
having no one to turn to, and nowhere to run. Surely, good counsel
to black teens, young adults, and even those who are seniors at this
time is GET YOU SOMEBODY! Where you see the pattern developing
(ABCDEFG, xyz IS COMING). Hit the pause button; freeze the action.
Call for immediate assistance before any further action takes place.
The crisis is not later at the police station, or in the action that
will occur within the courtroom. While yet on the street, there is a
need for clear information on options and possibilities for a suspect
that police repeatedly have shown they are unable to provide; there
is a need for simple agreements (handshakes) and assurances to
resolve conflict that police are not authorized to provide. There is
a need for impartial decision-making; there is a need for respect;
there is a need for trust; and there is a need for unbiased witness.
It is written: Romans 13: 1-10, King James Version (KJV): 1 Let
every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power
but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and
they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers
are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not
be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have
praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for
good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth
not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye
must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience
sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s
ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render
therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit
adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not
bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any
other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to
his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
I
believe we should unite in this struggle for racial equity and
justice. One such step is to become involved in the
political process. Not just voting for a President, but your local
government as well. The judges, prosecutors, mayor, city council.
These positions have a more direct bearing on reigning in the
injustices we see at the local level and work on improving your
schools and communities.
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: There is one alone, and there is not a
second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there
no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches;
neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of
good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for
their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:
but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he
hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together,
then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if
one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold
cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4: 8-12, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Law And The Prophets (06/10/2020); Elephant In The
Room? (06/05/2020); The Nearness Of Kingdom (06/02/2020); Knowing The
True Messiah (05/31/2020); Will There Be Diversity? (10/22/2017);
Fulfillment of His Dream? (04/05/2017); Struggling? (05/11/2013);
Through Much Tribulation (05/12/2013)
“Bishop
Winans”, responding to your statement on racism recently published
in the FACEBOOK public forum, sound counsel within the black
community these days is don’t
try to face challenges by the police alone, and when there are
problems on the street, do not put yourself in the role of a
fugitive. An important aspect of the arrest confrontation scenario
has been the willingness of victims to operate while outnumbered, and
as though they are unaware of the great danger they are being
challenged to meet unassisted. For some, this is a matter of
exaggerated pride; for some it is that they are guiltless; and for
others, it is a misapplication and inaccurate understanding of the
promises for civil freedom, free speech, etc. According to what has
been displayed in multiple incidents, the police are not trained to
“think on their feet.” Properly understood, guilt and innocence
are not the primary focus of the police. (Unasked-for explanations
are called “excuses” and “too much information.”) Also, the
police are representations of the law, and the law will not be
changed or altered during their actions on the street. (This is not
the time, this is not the place.) The law embodied as the police
lawfully can not be argued with, challenged, or quarreled against.
(Tell it to the judge, to the legislatures, and to your elected
officials.) In their confusion and humanity (that may express an
animal, human or divine nature all at the same time), even after
striking a victim multiple times with hands, fists or weapons, the
police will operate with the idea that their victim does not feel
pain until all movement and resistance are crushed. Unknowingly,
they demand no complaint, moaning, groaning, cursing and swearing, or
other sounds of distress; and their immediate goals for their victim
become deny all escape or flight, paralysis, unconsciousness, or
death.
With
the goal that no one becomes injured through a police action,
policies can be established that will allow both a suspect and an
officer at the scene to avoid becoming a victim or an assailant by
immediately notifying someone of their choice regarding their need
for an intervention agent, be it family, friend, co-worker, police
supervisor (e.g., desk sergeant, chief, sheriff), or an elected
official (city counsel member, county executive, mayor). After
exchanging information, a confrontation may be ended with a verbal
pledge by the suspect to appear at the police station the next day,
in night court, or some other venue. Terms of the pledge may include
agreeing to be accountable as a full resident, and having to
acknowledge that unwillingness to cooperate with the police implies a
rejection of all privileges as a good neighbor granted by the
community at large (e.g., driving, parking, trash collection). An
attorney could be appointed as a one-time, emergency legal assistant
to resolve the developing arrest confrontation. Consider again the
following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the
music ministry of Hezekiah Walker:
(1.)
Proverbs 11: 14, King James Version (KJV): 14 Where no counsel is,
the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is
safety.
(2.)
Proverbs 12: 15, KJV: 15 The way of a fool is right in his
own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
(3.)
Proverbs 20: 18, KJV: 18 Every purpose is established by
counsel: and with good advice make war.
(4.)
James 1: 5-8, KJV: 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and
it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind
and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any
thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all
his ways.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, (5.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnaHTOUigJM.) Even
so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according
to your faith.
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Washington,
DC
