UPDATED 28 FEBRUARY 2008
Editors Note:
Almighty God has declared that all
races that inhabit the planet earth have a responsibility to have some
knowledge and understanding about their history and culture. Those that have sought
to destroy, deny and distort the history and culture of other people are
ungodly.
The greed for material gain at the
expense of oppressed people has resulted in a world full of madness. Meanwhile,
the gifts of the Creator have been turned sour by unprincipled Fools in an
insane pursuit for money and materialism. Meanwhile, these Fools have attempted
to tamper with the natural order of the world. Almighty God ordained this
natural order of life before the earth was formed.
Peace,
Carl A. Patton, FreedomJournal
SOME
NOTES ON BLACK HISTORY
Part
5: God Ordains Black History
In the name
of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
The FreedomJournal again is thankful to the Creator for His mercy and
blessings. We come as a servant of Almighty God and as a witness to the Supreme
Power of God. We come also realizing that the people of God have many enemies.
However, under the New Covenant, Jesus Christ, The
Messiah, The Bright and Morning Star has, as it is written, declared:
Matthew 5: 44-45
"But I say unto you, Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
those which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the
unjust."
As we go through the storms that are
a part of this life on this earth, the believers feel the Power and Presence of
Almighty God. Jesus has taught us to love our enemies. This is possible if you
give yourself fully to God. The love of your enemies is not a sign of weakness;
it is a sign of strength. God did not say be a doormat, nor did God say allow
your enemies to do you harm.
As we pray for our enemies we ask God
to give us strength to show love to those for whom we may not feel love? We
also advise the people of God to make the correct interpretation of Old
Testament scriptures. Many theologians argue that the Pharisees often noted
scriptures that contradict the New Testament revelations on love for your
enemies. Examples of this are found in Leviticus 19: 18 (often noted as
teaching that love only those who love in return). Psalm 139: 19-22 and Psalm
140: 9-11 as meaning they should hate their enemies.
With those words as a preface we will
continue our discussion. The history of Black people has been a history of
persecution. The history of Christianity has also noted a history of
persecution. The Book of Acts in the New Testament gives us a description of
the beginning of Christianity.
The Apostles were frequently
persecuted and imprisoned for preaching about the Word of God and our Savior
Jesus Christ. In Acts Chapter 16 we see one of the greatest testaments to faith
recorded in the Bible. Here we see Paul and Silas on a mission of preaching the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and adding to the church. However, as they stand for God
the unbelievers come to persecute them.
These brave men who stood up for God
were stripped, beaten and imprisoned illegally. Yet while imprisoned they
prayed and sang praises to God. As they praised God others listened, this
included the prisoners and the jailers. Thus their faith not only caused God to
free them but it was also a witness for others to come to Christ.
For the record the Bible is full of
strong Prophets and Apostles. The submissive qualities of these men and women
are found in their total submission to God. To humble yourself
before God is found in the classic definitive qualities of the word humble.
However, to humble yourself before man in the flesh is not the total submission
that you give to God. The humble nature of man is found in an unselfish
attitude and expressions of love for other people despite race, class,
religion, sex and ethnic origins. This unselfish nature will not allow you to
be puffed up and full of selfish pride. It is the slave time ungodly Christian
doctrines that noted man to humble himself before other men because of race and
class. The Bible disputes this, as God shows no favor to humanity based on race
or class.
Further scripture references toward
enduring trials and temptations are found in Luke 6: 22 and James 1: 2-4.
Persecution and trials are permitted to strengthen our faith, cleanse us from
materialism, develop perseverance and bring us to maturity.
We will now turn to the historical
record found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. In Joshua 4: 21-24 we find a
mighty word:
"And he spake unto the children
of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come,
saying, What mean these stones?
Then ye shall let your children know,
saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord your God dried
up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord
your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were
gone over:
That all the people of the earth
might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord
your God forever."
The monument of 12 stones was to be a
constant reminder of the day the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry
land. Their children would see the stones, hear the story and learn about God.
All people, this includes Black people have special dates, traditions, and
events that will help their children learn about God's work. The historical
record of oppressed people is a revelation from God. A recollection of these
events will help keep memories of Gods faithfulness alive in your family and
community.
The Book of Joshua is further
revealing as we look back on verses six and seven:
"That this may be a sign among
you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
Then ye shall answer them, That the
waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord: when
it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones
shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel forever."
All rights reserved by
FreedomJournal Press 2009.