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“If you wish to know God, you must know His Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by His Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Dear brother Chris,I understand very well what the issue is here.. It had not been easy for us either, trying to raise a family some 25 years ago in Texas, just by being Asians!!

Many of those so-called "churches" treated us like lepers at times, and invisible at other times. I remember walking into this huge downtown church in Dallas in front of a caucasian couple, we were "signalled" to step aside for them to pass through.

Just last Sunday in this church (in Dallas) we now attend, where there are only a few black brethren. One of them was told to " sit down and listen" during Sunday school when he tried to ask a question. And he is an adult. Sigh...who are we kidding? (Moderators: if this post is offensive, please delete).

The liberating thing for us who are in Christ now, is, to remember that God is not only a God of love, but He is a God of justice. KNOWing this alone is far better than to look to/for anything else, especially from man.

The unregenerate racists church-goers in this part of the world have not changed, and most likely will not change, they are and will be still sitting there in these church buildings, so what's the point to want anything from them?

As for the true brethren in the Church, they really are not responsible at all, and even if they were/are, have not God forgiven them already? Isn't God's forgiveness alone far better than any apologies. "Pray for those who despitefully use you"...

In my mind,Egypt(world) and Babylon(religious world) are one of the same. We are to separate ourselves from them, while to enjoy where our abode is, in Christ. at the right Hand of the Father.

I hope these verses can lighten our hearts a bit whenever we are dealt with injustice or harm.

2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works..
Hebrews 2:2
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Nothing,nothing bypass His justice.

Peace and cheers,
In Christ,
Margaret

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Brother Chris I am praying for you because I think you are missing what Bro. Paul and many others are trying to say to you. I don’t know your motive but I think there is something deeper here than we may realize. I only pray that you don’t let this distance your self from your brothers on here, but you are very adamant about something that we don’t understand why. This thing seems to mean too much to you for some reason.

Just to let you know my sister who is white married a black man and she tells me that in some places she is accepted better than others. Race problems will be here until Jesus returns and reigns over all. However Jesus sets us free to love everybody without prejudice. Prejudice is only broken at the cross and the world hates the cross. One day we know that the church will have a glorified body just like the Lord Jesus. There will be only one kind of people saved by the blood of the lamb. Let’s forget about those things behind us and reach for those things before us.

In closing, Bro. Chris just think about the friends you have on SI and how many on this thread see this thing different than you do and why is that. Does this make you better than us or we better than you? Are you more spiritual and we just don’t get it or what. We are only a few people and you are talking about getting the church in America (whoever that would be) with Congress (Lord only knows what all they believe) president elect (The majority of the people who voted for him don’t even know the man much less the one’s who didn’t) and we are going to come together and apologize to who… to the people that are already dead, to the people who are still holding a grudge and are having it so much better than their ancestors, to people who are still prejudice by people who are prejudice.

Bro. Chris, I believe you really do want to see the healing between the races and it would be so wonderful if it was as simple as just calling everybody together but that will not happen as long as evil, sin, and the devil is in the world.

Brother you have just started this thread and look where it has gone and we are all believing God for a genuine revival. The church is in this world brother but it is not of this world and Jesus is the only one who can heal all the hurts and the only way we can all get together will be in the age to come in the Kingdom of God when everything that is not of God will be in hell.

It is past my bed time but I couldn’t go until after I posted and brother I hope you receive it in the spirit of Love even if you still disagree, and I hope if I am wrong then God will show me. I only want to bring glory to his holy name!

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"Do what thou wilt." - Satan

Chris... had to time to think longer on this. I just want you to know that I think your motivation is noble. You want to see racial harmony in America. I think we all do.

I'm not disagreeing with your motives... I'm disagreeing with your theology.

When I get to heaven and stand before the throne... God will not say to me "Your grandfather ran moonshine in the 1950's... why should I let you into my heaven?"

He will not say "In 1887 your great-great grandfather shot and killed a man because they couldnt agree on the price of a horse... why should I let you into my heaven?"

He will not inquire of me about your sins, Chris. He will not inquire of me about Ginny's sins.

He will inquire about MY sins. And my answer will be "I am guilty as charged." But my sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb... I am forgiven and pardoned.

I am not responsible for what happened in this country 400 years ago, 200 years ago... or 140 years ago. I am responsible for NOW.

I'll say it again, Chris... for the church to bend a knee and apologize to man for something that God is not holding the "church of right now" accountable for is to put man above God.

I'm like Paul... I know many many black people. I coach with them, I see them on job sites that I'm involved with, I coach black kids in football, etc etc. NEVER has the issue of slavery or Jim Crowe come up. It's not an issue. I love them. As far as I know, they love me. It's no different than my relationships with white people.

I served with them in the military, and on a couple of occasions during that time in my life I entrusted my life to them... and they to me.

My neice married a black guy... he's actually from Ethiopia. I love the guy! He's a beautiful human being.

Thing is, I dont notice skin color until someone comes along and tells me I have to apologize to them for something I had nothing to do with.

Chris... as I said, I love you... but your theologically incorrect on this, and you're espousing revisionist history.

The [b]true Church[/b] is what brought an end to slavery! What do we have to apologize for??

I just wish everyone would get over it. Black AND white. We'll never move forward until we do. Don't pretend it didn't happen, but at the same time dont let it hamstring you.

Krispy

What I would like to know is when America will move foward? I don't how many times in my 33 years of living in this temporary body that I have attended a prayer gathering, heard a president speak on, or seen the majority of America come together on the repenting for slavery and racial injustice.
Again, I ask: When will we move forward? When can there be unity instead of a constant reminder of sin's past?

Let me give a simplistic scenerio (and I am by no means comparing the action and cruelty of slavery to this particular action - it is only the idea that I am drawing from):

Let's say I punched Billy Joe Bob (fictional character) out of frustration yesterday and realized today that what I did was horribly wrong and I came to him and apologized and asked for forgiveness.

#1 Should Billy Joe Bob (now 30 years later since the incident of action occured) still constantly remind me of how I wronged him, even though he forgave me 30 years ago?

#2 If I were truly repentant for my action towards Billy Joe Bob, why should I, and why do I have to spend the next 30 years constantly being reminded of what I did, and also constantly seeking his forgiveness?

What a horrible way to live. There is no life in that - neither for Billy Joe Bob, or myself!

Why must we do the same with the slavery issue? I have a number of black friends. I love them dearly. They too wonder when we will move forward as America. They too don't want to constantly be reminded of their ancestor's past by America continually bringing it up and seeking repentance over and over and over. They want to live free, not in the bondage of memories past.

If most black Americans can wipe the slate clean, why can't we as white people?

Yes, what some of our ancestor's did was wrong and grotesque, but let's move on!

Sister heartsong, I have already gone to God and repented of all my sins and am crucified with Christ. I do not need anybody to deliver me from a generational curse; the cross of Christ is the only deliverance. I must not bring my Lord to an open shame. I must walk in the light in continual fellowship and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin.

I will not ask man to do something only God can do. I will not be condemned by other people’s emotions. When I confess my sins then I believe he forgives and when I go to the cross, I put off the old man and put on the new man. I will not go on a merry go round with the old man. I will not continually ask God to do something he has already done as though I don’t believe he has really done it. Sister if you believe that you have not repented and gone to the cross then I hope you will, for every one must answer for their own sins and not to be busy bodies in other people’s matters.

The death at the cross is the only way to deal with the merry-go-round of emotions that people just can’t seem to get rid of. When I reckoned myself to be dead with Christ on the cross I am through with my past life and all the people who did me wrong or hurt me can’t do me wrong or hurt me anymore because I have died to my self, my past, and I must stay dead in my future with Christ in me the hope of glory. I forget those things that are behind me and I am reaching for those things that are before me. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.