What We Can Learn From God's Choosen People, The Jews, About Finances!

I have decided to revisit this essay because I think it's content is a valuable lesson for African Americans. 
The Jewish people have traditionally been know for their financial
IQ and their success in business. The ancient Jewish Law taught ethical and moral ways of doing business as well as personal responsibilities. It has been said by many writers that the Jews acquire wealth as a way to accomplish their perceived social responsibility. Their quest for wealth is not for selfish reasons, but for the betterment of their people, which is the teaching of God.

Rabbi Celso Cukierkorn, states that, "the Jewish financial system is the oldest in history and has survived the test of time". John Louis Muratori states, " The Jewish system of success is found in the Torah. The Jews have used this information for thousands of years." This information is taught in the Synagogue, and passed down by ones Jewish grandmother, or uncle to the younger generation. The Torah is know to we Christians as the Old Testament. The Hebrew meaning of the Torah is "teaching, instructions, custom, system, and law. What Muratori is telling us is that the Jewish System is an "Intergenerational Process" which means that the information and practice of this process is passed on from one generation to the next. This information is supported both by a oral and written tradition. The Torah, in Proverbs 13:22 informs us that " A good man leaveth and inheritance to his children's' children.. The Jews believe in leaving a legacy of the love of God, morality, ethics, education, skills, and finances.  For hundred of years this success with $$$ has caused many to dislike, distrust, envy, and hold contempt for the Jewish people. Many have made jokes about the Jewish people and their financial success.


The basics of the Jewish System has been considered as a very valuable system of dealing with money by many non religious people and organizations. Elements of this system has been incorporated into secular theories of financial success. As we all know many Biblical practices have become the bases for current laws, and social norms.


Does the system really work? Well, Jewish people make up 0.2 % of world population, but they are 8% of the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest people. In the USA 46% of Jews make over $100,000 per year, while only 15% of the general population earn such salaries.


The core of the Jewish System, says Larry Kahaner, is the belief that charity is every ones obligation. Most donations kept close to home are the most blessed! The Jewish people believe that helping an individual with a loan or a job, is the most noble form of charity. They value learning, and believe it is a life long process, and believe that bankruptcy is not an honorable way out of debt, and don't believe that one should accrue debt.


Steven Silbiger has written in his book, The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to Enduring Wealth of a People :


1. Understand that real wealth is portable; its knowledge and education


a. Build your child's self esteem


b. Build the ability to delay gratification


c. Choose the best education possible


d. Develop and demonstrate informed and literate habits


e. Create the education expectations and constantly stress its importance




2.Take care of your own and they will take care of you.
a. Patronize your peoples business and organizations
b. Provide charity that helps your people become self-sufficient

3. Successful people are those who pursue a professional career
 
4. Develop your verbal confidence
a. Encourage your children to ask questions
b. Proactively explain new ideas to your children
c. Have active dinners together as a family
d. Encourage participation in performing arts and sports


5. Be selectively extravagant and prudently Frugal
a. Live within your means, and save and invest your money
b. Understand money equal security and power
c. Don't throw money away, buy the best
d. Stay married if you can; divorce is very expensive
e. Practice diversity, low cost, long range investing
f. Avoid Debt
g. Drive your car for a long time

OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES

(THE TORAH)

There is a close relationship between accumulating and retaining wealth and wisdom. It was in 1Chronicles 1: 10-12 we find Solomon asking God for "wisdom and knowledge" so he could do a better job as a leader of his people. God was pleased with Solomon's unselfishness, his concern for others, rewarded him with the wisdom and knowledge he requested. In addition to his request God gave him an added bonus of riches,wealth and honor. In the book of Proverbs Solomon offers wise counsel regarding financial situations. In Proverbs 1 6:1-5 tells us to help our friends, but not to the extent that our own family will suffer. In 1: 6:6-11 He counsels the reader of the relationship of being lazy and poverty. He says we should study the ants, who by instinct, know that they have to work to provide for their survival. The ants have no brains, no leader, no counsel, but know that they have to work diligently to survive. Solomon warns here also that lazy person will dive head first into a life of poverty. In Proverbs 6: 30 He tells us that if a man steals because he is starving he should not be despised. However, when this man gets on his feet he is to restore sevenfold, even if it means giving up all the substance of his house. Here we find the Jewish sense of personal responsibility.

God gave Solomon so much wisdom and he passes that wisdom on to us, and we are to pass it on to our children. If we practice, integrity, wisdom and pass it on to our children we will leave a valuable inheritance for them. If we are able to accomplish this we are considered a good man/woman. The book of Proverbs explains to us what wisdom is and where to find it. It tells us that if we follow the word of God we will be successful spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, socially, physically and economically. It also warns us of the consequences of laziness, greed, sexual lust, lying, pride, disdain for the poor, envying the oppressor, wealth by fraud and deceit, not paying one's debt, not planning, not seeking counsel, being impulsive, not helping your neighbor in need , not giving instruction to children, and much more.

I never hear much of these thing taught in our Churches today. It seems that Psalms and Proverbs are only used as a source of traditional scripture reading at the beginning of many Sunday services. Once the Black Church really understands and teaches that the scriptures have much more to say about finances , than Tithes , they and their congregations will be blessed. If the scriptures teach 15 lessons about money, giving, debt, investing, planning and you only teach 1 of the 15, do you really expect to be successful?

Please Hear What I'm Not Saying by Charles Finn Part II

I don't like hiding,

I don't like playing superficial phony games.

I want to stop playing them.

I want to be genuine and spontaneous and me,

but you've got to help me.

You've got to hold out your hand even

when that's the last thing I seem to want.

Only you can wipe away from my eyes the

blank stare of the breathing dead.

Only you can call me into aliveness.

Each time you're kind, and gentle, and encouraging,

each time you try to understand because you really care,

my heart begins to grow wings..

very small wings,

but wings!

With your power to touch me into feeling

You can breathe life into me.

I want you to know that.

I want you to know how important you are to me,

how you ca be a creator--an honest-to-God creator

of the person that is me, if yo choose to.

You alone can break down the wall behind which I tremble,

You alone can remove my mask,

You alone can release me from the shadow-world of panic,

from my lonely prison, if you choose to.

Please choose to.

Do not pass me by.

It will not be easy for you.

A long conviction of worthlessness build strong walls.

The nearer you approach me,

the blinder I may strike back.

It's irrational, but despite what the books may say about man

often I am irrational.

I fight against the very thing I cry out for.

But, I am told that love is stronger than strong walls

and in this lies hope.

Please try to beat down those walls with firm hands

but gentle hands, for a child is very sensitive.

Who am I, you may wonder?

I am someone you know very well.

For I am every man you meet,

and I am every woman you meet.

By Charles C. Finn

CONTROLLING FEAR THROUGH FAITH!

THE USE OF FEAR!
   I have decided to update and amend this essay on fear.  My reason for this was how fear was used during the very ugly election we just experienced. Fear is used being used in the fight over gun control, and in the battle of the budget in Washington.
   We all have experienced fear at some point in our lives so we can personally identify with the concept.  Lisa Fritcher says, "fear is a powerful and primitive human emotion.  It alerts us to the presence of danger and was critical in keeping our ancestors alive.  Fear can actually be divided into two stages, biochemical and emotional.  The biochemical response is universal, while the emotional response is highly individualized."
     When one is faced with danger the body reacts in a fight or flight reaction.  This means there is a increase in heartbeat, rapid breathing, increase in blood pressure, and a increase in  the flow of adrenaline.  We have all heard stories of people accomplishing superhuman feats when faced with the fight or flight situation.  Mothers have lifted heavy objects off of loved ones, soldiers have done heroic feats in the mist of a deadly battle.  However, in some cases when confronted with dangerous fear, some have become paralyzed and unable to act or react.
     The emotional component of fear is a more subtle unconsciousness feeling of unpleasantness , or an unconscious sense of pending doom that hinders action and progress.
     The spirit of fear can be passed on to our children if we are not careful!  How?  Its how we relate to our children when they want to be involved with those things that we fear.  When we allow our fear to interfere with the exploration, growth and experiences.  There will a tendency, by the parent, to be smothering and over protective of the child.
     We who are Christians must look to the scriptures, not psychology, for a true discussion of fear. A essay written by a writer for "Gotquestions.org states: "In the Bible there are two types of fear that is mentioned.  The first type is beneficial and is to be encouraged.  The second type is a detriment and is to be overcome.  The first type is to have a fear of the Lord.  This type of fear does not necessarily mean to be afraid of something.  Rather, it is a reverential awe of God; a reverence for His power and glory.  However, it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger.  In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes."
     In Psalms 111:10 we are told that the beginning of wisdom start with our fear of the Lord.  This same thought is reinforced in Proverbs 1:7-9.  These scriptures give the responsibility of teaching wisdom to parents.  This dispels the notion that wisdom is something one can only gain from attendance at a major university, or seminary.  Proverbs 19:23, 14:27 and Proverbs 14:26 share other promises for those who reverence the Lord.
     In 2 Timothy 1:7 we see Timothy coming up against tremendous opposition, and intimidation, and doubt from Christian's and non Christians regarding his message.  Paul reminds Timothy that any fears that he may be experiencing did not come from God, because God has given all believers the spiritual resources needed to overcome any trial, temptation, or threats. A good example of this is Peter who, because of fear denied his relationship with Christ when confronted with physical harm.  Yet this same Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit during Pentecost, became a brave and bold minister of the gospel in the face of death and imprisonment. We see the Deacon Stephen, full of the Spirit, showed no fear as he was stoned to death by the angry crowd.
     In Psalms 56:11 we are told that if we put our trust in God, we shall not be afraid.  Then we are asked the question, "what can man do to you?  John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." In Romans 8:15 we are told that we did not receive a spirit that makes us a slave to fear, but we received the Spirit of Sonship and by Him we cry Abba, Father."


COMMON FEARS:    
     Many of us have fears such as heights, spiders, snakes, the dark, flying, death, public speaking, being alone, going to dentist, earthquakes, cancer, success, failure, violence, safety of a child. Many of these fears had their genesis in our childhood and have continued to be part of our unconscious psyche well into our adult lives.  How has your fears shaped and influenced your decision making?


FEAR BY CONDITIONING: THE MANIPULATION OF FEAR
     In 1920 the psychologist John Watson set out to teach a 11 month old infant to be fearful of white rats.  The infant, Little Albert, had no fear of the rats at birth.  He enjoyed playing with them without any fear. To instill fear the researchers began to create a loud terrifying noise every time Albert would reach for the rats.  Over a period of time, of this conditioning, Albert would no longer touch the rats but would cry when confronted with them.  This skill of conditioning has found its way into every fabric of society.
     Have you every noticed that when the media has a story of poverty, crime, illiteracy, welfare, it is always followed by images of African Americans? Fear conditioning can easily cross into the manipulation of fear. In the history of African Americans Whites have controlled all aspects of our existence by the use and manipulation of fear.  We were powerless and at the mercy of those in power.  The tools of fear were lynchings, castration, and beatings. Now the fear tools are threats to stop funding Head Start, and other forms of early education.  We are again experiencing the last hired first fired phenomena,
     In a 2008 article in the Harvard Crimson Alex Castelanos a Republican media consultant( often seen on TV) is quoted: "Fear is a key strategic instrument in political campaigns."  Castelanos says such fear is both important and necessary part of politics. "We need more fear in politics," he said.  He said every time the Republicans lead people back to 9/11 in N.Y. it plays on the security threat in which Democrats are perceived as weak.  Every time the Democrats talk about Katrina, Bushes numbers would fall.
     When Obama was elected President (both term) the right created fear by saying He is a secret Muslim, He was not born here, he is a socialist, he will destroy the foundation of America.  This fear created the "Tea Party", and increased the sales of guns!
     Then there is the issue of abortions and gay marriage.  Yes I know what scriptures say, but is this what is really fueling these issues, or it something more diabolical.  The Republicans know that they can't get the Black and Hispanic vote, but they can get a few minority Christians to cross over with these issues.  These people are only interested in these babies while they are in the womb, once they are born they vote down all programs to help that may help the same children and mothers. Is it because they know that one of the leading causes of poverty, and its results, are teenage mothers, and divorced women.  Why would this part of the Bible be so important to them while they ignore love, care for the poor, morality, and honesty.  The party who says they are the party of Christ(Republicans) have shown themselves to be hypocrites. The ones who preach against homosexuality are secret homosexuals, and those who preach family values are guilty of adultery and fornication.
CONSERVATIVE RELIGIOUS LEADERS USE OF FEAR
     Jim Wallis writes in the HuffPost article about Dr. James Dobson and his disdain for Obama.  In 2008 Focus on the Family published a letter called, "Letter From 2011 in Obama's America. This was an effort to make Obama someone to fear, and frighten Christians. How this guy is supported by many African-American with donations to Focus On The Family is a puzzle to me. The letter, says Wallis, " depicts terrorist attacks in American cities, churches loosing their tax exempt status for not allowing gay marriages, restrictive religious speech, liberal censorship of conservative talk shows, Israel nuked,power blackouts because of environmental restrictions, liberal supreme court, and finally good Christians families would migrate to Australia and New Zealand.  What happened to Ephesians 4:29-31, Titus 3:2, and Col 3:8.  In other word if you elect Obama this will happen."
     Then you have Billy Graham's son Franklin saying that Obama is not really a Christian because he has the seed of Islam in him because of his father.  You have Rev. Jack Van Impe telling his followers that Obama is the "Anti Christ!  You have Pat Robertson a rubber stamp for the GOP, and Ron Parsley speaking in subtle code language such a " they are trying to destroy Christian values, we need a reformation to save America. 
     Why should one be surprised, because this is nothing new.  All one has to do is pick up your scriptures and read about the Sadducee's, and Pharisees of Jesus time. These two groups were so different, but they had in common their hatred for Christ.  There is a old saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So politicians and evangelicals may not have much in common, but they have in common the hatred for Obama and the Democratic Party. We saw this evident, in the 2012 election, with the Evangelical Christians putting on hold their disdain and belief that Mormons were not real Christians. These men like the Sadducee's love the access to power, and the powerful.  They are willing to turn the other way so not to acknowledge the sin of those who philosophy of life they agree, even if  it's contrary to scriptures.
     These conservative religious leaders pay more attention to Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and the pundits at Fox News Network than to the scriptures. The chief goals of Limbaugh, Beck, and the rest of Fox News is to feed the fears of conservative white men 60-80 years of age. The we have the conservative evangelical right leaning preachers who turn and bend the scriptures to meet their ideology. They turn and twist scriptures to frighten their followers.  Their Christianity is no longer religious but Theo/Political full of partisan propaganda.  Vote for my man or you will end up poor, vote for my man or you will end up dead, vote for my man or the Mexicans will take over, vote for my man or we will have one of those inferior, affirmative action Blacks in the White House. The standard code statements, is that want thing to go back to the way they were 20-30 years ago.  If you are Black or Latino you know what that means!
     The use of fear by the GOP seems to have back fired on the issue of social security and medicare. The elderly who mainly vote Republican are upset, angry, and frighten that they may loose their benefits under the Ryan Plan.  I always wondered why these folks voted the way they did, because I knew some of them were unemployed,  had no health insurance, and limited income.  They had allowed lies and fear to cause them to vote against their own best interest.

GREAT QUOTES ABOUT FEAR:
" The crowd neither wants nor sees knowledge, and leaders of the crowd in their own interest, try to strengthen its fear and dislike of everything new and unknown.  The slavery in which mankind lives is based upon this fear."
                                                                           Georges Gurdjieff
                                                                                                                                           
" The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers fear."
                                                               
                                                                              Nelson Mandela   

" The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjust terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
                                                                       Franklin D. Roosevelt

"The concessions of the weak are the concessions of fear."

                                                                                   Edmund Burk

"Father O father! What do we here.  In this land of unbelief and fear."                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                               William Blake

"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believers ear!  It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear."
                                                                               John Newton


"You are frighten of everything.  You call it caution.  You call it common sense. You call it practically.  You call it playing the odds, but that is only because you are afraid to call it by its real name, and its real name is fear."
                                                                                 Mike Farren


"Fear breeds upon itself because it is a hermaphrodite capable of endless reproduction.  Fear is a contagious disease, spreading from its first victim to others in the vicinity until it becomes panic.  Fear is the afterbirth of reason and calculation.  It takes time to recuperate from fear."
                                                                         
                                                    Ernest K. Gann, Fate is the Hunter


"Fear is a great poseur. Men especially are loath to admit that they are scared, even to themselves. Instead they convert anxiety into more acceptable feelings( anger usually )."
                              
                                                   Ralph Keys, The Courage to Write
"Fear is an acid which is pumped into one's atmosphere. It causes mental,moral and spiritual asphyxiation, and sometimes death; death to energy and all growth."
                                                                                 Horace Fletcher


"Fear is like a fire.  If we control it will help you; if uncontrolled, it will rise up and destroy you. Men's action depend to a great extent upon fear.  We do things either because we enjoy doing them, or because we are afraid not to do them."      
                                                                                    John Milburn


"All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty.  Duty is the essence of manhood."
                                                                       General George Patton

"We are largely the playthings of our fears.  To one, fear of the dark, to another, of physical pain, to a third, public ridicule; to a fourth, of poverty; to a fifth, of loneliness...for all of us, our particular creature waits in ambush."
                                                                            Horace Walpole

" Fear sells.  Fear makes money. The countless companies an consultants in the business of protecting the fearful from whatever they may fear know it only too well.  The more fear, the better the sales."
                                                Daniel Gardner, The Science of Fear


"Inaction breeds doubt and fear.  Action breeds confidence and courage.  If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it.  Go out and get busy."                                                             Dale Carnegie


SUMMARY:


     In this short essay, I attempted to bring  attention to the many faces of fear, and how they can affect our lives.  We are confronted with self-imposed fear as well as those fears used by others to manipulate our behavior.  Some fear serves a noble purpose such as teaching a child to be cautious of strangers, or the dangers of playing in the streets.  The fear of loosing a job, or failing a class can be a motivating factor in meeting time lines and completing task.  I accepted Christ, as my Savior, because of my fear of going to hell!  Over time I realized that my salvation was more than, a get out of hell free card, it was a life of love, obedience and faithfulness.
     I can remember when I was a freshman in college and attending my first political science class.  The instructor walks in, introduces himself, and says," there are 18 people in this class I need to tell you that 10 of you will probably flunk this class." After those statements 8 people dropped the class.  This instructor turned out to be a big Teddy Bear, and most received A's and B's in the class.
     There are people who won't invest in the stock market because they are afraid that they will loose their money!  This reminds me of the servant described in Matthew 25 and Luke 19 when Jesus discussed the Parable of the "Talents and the Minas.  In both of these parables the master was displeased and angry that the servant allowed fear to win over faith and wisdom. The master in both cases takes from the fearful servant and gives his portion to the obedient faithful servants.  Do you sometimes wonder why you can't get ahead financially?
      Some people are afraid of failure, so they are unwilling to try anything they don't consider a sure thing. I have heard some say I want to be a teacher, but I heard that its very difficult to pass the CBST. Then there are those who are, for some reason, afraid of success. If you are not careful your fears can become a self-fulfilling prophecy!
      We who are Christians are to live by faith, for we know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!  As I tell my children, " In spite of what you hear, read, think, or feel, rely only on the word of the Lord for your direction and comfort.  Do not allow fear to keep you from reaching your calling, and your God given potential.  Do not allow politicians, clergy, television, radio, newspapers, books, pundits or anyone else manipulate you with fear.
     I would like to thank you who take time out of your busy lives to read these short essays.  If you enjoy please share with 2 other people.  If you feel that I am off base, please let me know. 




    

    

Please Hear What I'm Not Saying by Charles C. Finn : Part 1

Many years ago I was introduced to part of this poem while working as a therapist in a psychiatric hospital.  The patients in my groups found the poem to be very personal and healing for them.  I happened to come across it again thought I would share with you.

Don't be fooled by me.

Don't be fooled by the face I wear

For I wear a mask, a thousand masks,

And none of them is me.

Pretending is an art that's second nature with me,

but don't be fooled, for God's sake don't be fooled.

I give you the impression that I am secure,

that all is sunny and unruffled with me,

within as well as without,

that confidence is my name and coolness my game,

that the water's calm and I'm in command,

and that I need no one, but don't believe me.

My surface maybe smooth but my surface is my mask,

ever-varying and ever-concealing.

beneath lies no complacence.

Beneath lies confusion, and fear, and aloneness.

But I hide this. I don't want anybody to know it.

I panic at the thought of my weakness exposed.

That's way I frantically create a mask to hide behind,

A nonchalant sophisticated facade, to help me pretend,

To shield me from the glance that knows.

But such a glance is precisely my salvation, my only hope,

and I know it.

That is, if it is followed by acceptance, if it is followed by love.

It's the only thing that can liberate me from myself,

From my own self-built prison walls from the barriers that

I so painstakingly erect.  It's the only thing that will assure me

Of what I can't a assure myself, that I'm really worth something.

But I don't tell you this. I don't dare to. I 'm afraid to.

I'm afraid you'll think less of me, that you'll laugh, and your laugh would kill me.

I'm afraid that deep-down I'm nothing and that you will see this and reject me.

So I play my game, my desperate pretending game.  With a facade of

Assurance without , and a trembling child within.  So begins

The glittering but empty parade of Masks, I tell you

Everything that's really nothing, and nothing of what's everything.

Part II to come

Amen

Christian Liberity: A Sermon You Won't Hear On Sunday!

 
     The Apostle Paul, in my opinion, was the greatest preacher and teacher other than Christ himself.  Paul was a very educated man who had studied Jewish Law and Rabbinic Traditions under the most celebrated scholar of that time Rabbi Gamaliel. Paul had been a persecutor of Christians, and was present and witness the stoning death of Deacon Stephen.  The Lord had plans for Paul and hand picked him to be His ambassador, teaching and preaching the New Covenant Gospel to the Gentiles. For you who don't know, we are spiritual descendants of the Gentiles so we should pay specific attention to the scriptures as they address the Gentiles. We all should be grateful to Paul for bringing us the gospel of the New Covenant.
     After Paul's conversion, the Holy Spirit gave him significant grace, faith, gift of celibacy, endurance, charisma and the manifestations of the "fruits of the spirit', to complete the mission that was set before him.  In Galatians 1:13 Paul tells them, 'For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measures and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.  But when God  had set me apart even from my mothers womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus."
     Paul is telling us that He is no ordinary minister! He tells us that he was not trained in a Christian Seminary, or  trained by flesh and blood (other men), but received all of his information directly from heaven.  Ordinary ministers, usually receive their call to preach by the instructions and assistance of others and by others.  Paul lets us know that this was not the case with him,  that he received all of his information and authority from Christ Himself. Paul also tells us that he was able by the direct influence of Christ to overcome all his prior indoctrination and teaching against the doctrine he now preaches.
     Why am I starting off my essay on Christian Liberty talking about Paul and his education and his conversion?  I am doing this because of what I hear, or don't hear on Sunday's, that does not match up with what Paul teaches in the scriptures. If I have to make a choice between what Paul says and what I hear in a sermon, I will always side with what Paul says, because he had been ordained by Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit.  Today many ministers preach and teach what has been passed down to them during generations of word of mouth and denominational interpretations of their elders.  This preaching, with the exception of, social justice, has been very legalistic, subjective, leaning towards their personal conscience rather than what the scriptures proclaim. This practice has placed a very heavy yoke of legalism on the people listening to these teachings.
     At one time, in history, the Black Minister was the most educated person in the congregation, now he may be one of the least educated. We have many ministers who proclaim themselves  Doctor, so and so, who have never earned a BA or MA, and somehow were able to get their doctorate in divinity. What ever happened to humility?  Why would you try to be something you are not.  Once they speak, or attempt to compose a composition their true status is often evident. In Matthew 23:5-8 Jesus tells the Pharisees that they were only interested in public attention, honor at the banquet table, the chief seats, and the respectful greetings of Doctor/Reverend by men. In Matthew 23:12 Christ said that "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles themselves shall be exalted."  I guess this is another scripture that these folks neglected to read, or felt it was written for others and not them.  I am amazed at what I hear coming out of the mouths of some T.V. preachers and from the pulpit disguised as the gospel of Jesus. I am further surprised at the emotional exhibition and yelling of Amen that comes from the audience while this is being preached. What's going on, can't people tell the difference between scriptural truth, personal opinion, or man driven doctrine? 
    Let's start with Mark 7:6 when the Pharisees and the scribes asked Jesus, "Why walk not thy disciples according to the traditions of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands? He answered and said to them,  that it had been prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is is far from me.  He goes on to say that they put aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things they do. Jesus uses the example of washing pots and cups as outward traditional works which has not much to do with salvation, liberty, or the gospel of loving our brothers and sisters.
     Then Christ goes on to give them a concrete example of one of the commandments that they had replaced with their man made traditions.  In Mark 7:10, He tells them how Moses had told them to honor their father and their mother; and whosoever curseth father and mother, let him die the death. In Vs 11, He tell them how they have taught the Law of Corbin,( that is to say) that they taught the people that they were to give to the church first, before taking care of their needy parents!  He then says in vs. 12 that because of this teaching you have made it impossible for the people to help their mother and father.  In vs.13 He tells them that by teaching this they were making the word of God of none effect through their tradition which they have delivered: and many such like thing you do. This practice of teaching man made traditions and doctrines, as the word of God, continues in the church today!  How many of us grew up hearing that women should not wear pants, wear makeup, that dancing is a sin, that drinking is a sin, that tithes is a NT command and should be paid before any thing else, etc?  Jesus just said in Mark that you should take care of your parents before you take care of anything else, even the church.  Have you ever heard Mark 7:10-13 preached in your church?  Why not?
     The Book of Romans is considered, by many scholars, as the book that describes and explains 'the 'Doctrine of the Christian Church.'  Paul, in Romans 14, addresses and describes who are Strong and Weak Christians.  What Paul says in theses scriptures are a complete reversal of what I had been taught in Sunday School and Church Services.  Paul says in Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in the faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgement on his opinion. Then is Romans 14:2, He tells us that the Strong Christian, has faith that he may eat many things, but he who is a Weak Christian eats vegetables only. In(vs.3),'The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat, is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. (vs 4) 'Who are you to judge the servant of another?  To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Paul goes on to give the example of how one person regards one day above another, and another regards every day alike.  Then in Romans 14:5 he tells us that we must fully be convinced in our own mind, or our conscience. Dr. Larry Keefauer & Clare Weaklery in their book on the personal reflections of John Wesley relate Wesley's reflection on the concept of conscience.  'Wesley states that Paul tells us that conscience is from God.  He says it is the faculty or power implant by God in every person.  Through his conscience man perceives what is right and wrong in his own heart or life, emotions, thoughts, words, and actions.  He sites Romans 2:14,15 in which Paul says, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law,  do by nature the things contained in the law, these things having not the law, are a law unto themselves. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another."  Paul is telling us that people who have not yet hear the gospel have the law written on their hearts by God.
     In 1 Corinthians 10:23 Paul tells us that all things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Paul is saying that if God did not declare it a sin then it is lawful to him. In Galatians 5:13 Paul said ye have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  In 1 Corinthians 10:29 Paul says, 'Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other for why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? Why are others judging me for decisions I make that are between me and God and not sinful or evil?  Colossians 2:16  tells us that no one is to act as our judge in regard to food or drink or respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath Day, thing which are mere shadows of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.  In 2:20-23 Paul ask us that if we be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world are we subject to ordinances? Touch not; taste not; handle not, which are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrine of men. By what authority do they call things sin that God has not declared sin? By their own conconscience and insecurities!
     What is Paul saying?  That Christ has given us liberty and we are free from all those ordinances and rule set by men in the church.  We have been taught that Strong Christian are the ones that can  follow the rules set forth by the church or denominations.  Paul tells us that it's the Strong Christians that  enjoyed the freedom from man made rules and legalism. He tells strong Christians not to flaunt their liberty or misuse it, or cause another to stumble by it.  Let me say it again , it is the weak in the faith that need rules for all aspects of their spiritual lives and believe that all others should do the same.
     Bob Deffinbaugh made a very important observation when he said, " While 2 Christians may disagree on whether or not a Christian should drink wine, or eat certain foods, no Christian should dispute the fact that lying, stealing, and immorality are sins.  These are biblical and moral absolutes.  All Christians should agree that love is the greatest commandment and if they don't show love they missed the spiritual point of the gospel.
     John Wesley states, "The Bible is a lantern for a Christians travel. It lights all his paths. This alone is his rule of right and wrong.  It show him what is good or evil."  He goes on to say,"Nothing is evil, but what the Word forbids, either by words or undeniable inference.  Whatever the Scriptures neither forbids nor requires is neutral. Those matters are neither good or evil."  What happens in our churches is that our ministers treat those neutral matters as sin and evil, thus misrepresenting the Word of God.  Why do they do this? Using Paul's definition of of a weak Christian one could only conclude that we may have weak Christians preaching in our pulpits on Sunday morning's.  A writer at Loyola University describes those who are weak Christians as condemning, self righteous, and will accuse others of doing wrong even when they have done nothing wrong.  These individuals will keep others in bondage and exalt themselves above others.  It is the holier than thou syndrome.  In today's church there is very little independent thinking, we are a bunch of Christian Robots who can't tell the difference between scriptural doctrine and man made doctrine as stated in Mark chapter 7.  Those who have been indoctrinated with the religious oral tradition, of the elders, are not open to see anything in a different light. Their belief system is so strong that when they read scriptures they read to enhance their existing bias knowledge base.  Have you ever written a paper, and when you finish had someone edit it?  The editor found that you had left out key words, and phrases that you knew you included?  This happened because in your mind you read in these words even though you were not writing them down. A situation like this happens when many people read the scriptures.  They read into the scriptures things that are in their psyche/mind and that they strongly believe.  However, they don't have an editor to alert them.  The Holy Spirit is to be our spiritual guide and editor when we allow Him to do His work.!
     In the book of James we learn that the Law of God is a perfect law, and nothing can be added or deleted.  We must take the scriptures and read, digest , internalize and act.  Max Baxter's commentary on the Book of James calls a religion without liberty a vain religion.  He describes a vain religion as one with much show to appear religious in the eyes of others.  People are more concern at appearing religious than being religious.  In vain religion there is much censuring, reviling ,and detracting of others.  Vain Religion also causes people to readily speak of the faults of others, or to censure them as holding scandalous error, or less wise, than them."  This is what Christ was saying to the Pharisees when he told them of their concern for washing pots and cups.
     Why is it more comfortable for preachers/ teachers to preach 90% of their sermons from the Old Testament?  When was the last time you heard a New Testament sermon or a sermon about Christian Liberty?  Paul had confidence in God's power and was not afraid to teach Christian Liberty.  If you will read the breath, dept, length, and height of the scriptures you can learn much about how Paul approached the people in his teaching and writings. The majority of the time Paul would start off a letter or sermon with remarks such as I thank my God always concerning you, then he continually reminded then of what Christ had done for them and the strengths, gifts and resource they had in Him.  Paul would tell the people to always remember what Christ had done for them, and that they should not give all that up and slip back into their old ways. He would tell them that in Christ they could resist evil and stand against those who would challenge their faith.  He would warn them against those who would teach them other doctrines that were different than the message of Jesus, and not to allow others, even angels to burden them with man made doctrines.  When was the last time you have come in contact with such a sermon?
     Why are things the way they are in church?  Why are certain parts of the scriptures never preached? Why are other parts preached over and over?  The Gospel is the "Good News" or glad tiding  of  redemption through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The man, in our generation, who most emulates the teaching of Paul is Billy Graham. He is almost never controversial, self-centered, because he always preached exactly what thus said the Lord. He preaches a pure and simple gospel of Gods love, grace, hope and deliverance.
      I think part of the problem in the Black Church is we give more importance to those things that affect our emotions, than those things that build and develop inner spiritual stability.  Another problem is we delegate the imparting of all biblical knowledge to other and take no personal responsibility.  We enjoy quoting scriptural sayings and phrases without any clue of the practical applications in our lives. In Psalms 119:99-100 the Psalter David tells us, ' I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation, I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed your precepts. In these scriptures David may be saying that his elders and teachers had become distracted by formalities of religious tradition and practices, and neglected the continued study of true essence of the scriptures. David continued to study and meditate on the scriptures which resulted in his increased scriptural knowledge base.  In Hebrew 5:11-13 the apostle tell the Hebrew Preachers that he had much to teach them, but they were dull of hearing.  He tells them that as long as they had been preachers they ought to be teachers, yet from what he has seen they need someone to teach them the elementary oracles of God, and that they needed milk and not solid food.  For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. I am not the one saying this, but this is coming from Paul's mouth. Paul is saying how can I depend on you to teach anything of substance when you are so lacking in knowledge and wisdom yourself!  If Paul sat through some of our current church service how do you think he would react?  Would he shake his head in disbelief, or would he shake his hear with a nod of approval.  Would he drop a note in the collection plate addressed to the Pastor, citing the directive of Hebrew 5:11-13!  We have some men in the ministry, today who need to stop teaching until they are properly taught themselves.  How do you know you don't know?  John 7:17-18 'If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, he is true, there is no unrighteousness in Him." 
     Many of the problems in the Black Church comes from the oral tradition model, or oral folkloric transmission of scriptural information. Scriptural interpretations have been past down by elders informally from generation to generation quite often with man developed doctrines freely added and never challenged by a learned and well read congregation. In the book of Acts we read of the people of Berea, whom we should try to emulate in our religious practice.  Act 17 tells us that, "The people of Berea everyday they studied the Holy Writings to see if what was being preached was true/correct."  The young preachers are often captivated with how the older preacher can stir up the membership, the number of people who become happy and shout during the message, and the number who walk the aisle.  They try to emulate their voice, tone, mannerisms and demeanor, never questioning the content and authenticity of the message.
     It appears, to me, that in the Black Church there is very little questioning of teaching, preaching, and formalities of the church.  If Martin Luther had not question the teaching and practice of the early Catholic Church, we all would be worshiping the Pope today.  Instead of questioning, we go from church to church trying to find something that we feel is missing.  What I have found is that many go to physical church to fulfill guilt, or to socialize, but look to certain television and radio programs for their spiritual food..  I once asked a friend why she gave money to a TV minster, and not to her local church?  She told me that she gives money to those who feed her spiritually. If you look on Facebook, or other social media outlet you will see people quoting and praising Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, David Jeremiah, Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, TD Jakes, or Joseph Prince.  It is apparent that they feel that these individuals provide the spiritual food they need.
     Some of you will read this and say, 'I never looked at it this way before, and others will think I am so far off base that I must not be truly saved!  I am not afraid to question, or speak up when what I hear in church does not line up with I read in scriptures. May the Lords grace and love abound in your lives, and you enjoy the liberty of your faith and your salvation.  Those of you who are strong, show grace and love in your Christian freedom.  Those of you who are weak, don't project you insecurities on to others.
    
    
    

Christ In Our Modern Society

     Have you ever thought what would happen if God dispatched Christ to earth in  modern day form and  wearing clothing worn by today's common man.  His dress and language would be current, but his teachings and beliefs would be taken directly from the New Testaments.  If He were to sit next to you while you were on your cell phone what would he hear? If He was walking in the rain would you offer Him a ride not knowing He was /Christ, but just a common man. If He was outside McDonald's dirty and hungry would you offer Him food?
     If Christ dressed in a shirt and tie attended Sunday School Class would He recognize your teachers interpretation of the scriptures?  If He disagreed with the teachers interpretation would he be chastised and asked to be silent so that the teacher could complete the lesson plan.  Now Christ leaves Sunday School for 11am Service.  How would He feel about your service.  Would He be pleased with the choir choice of songs?  Would He feel that they were worshiping Him or self gratifying their own emotions, egos and pride?  Would He see depth and internal gratitude, or would He see superficial emotions driven by the beat of the music. How would He feel about the sermon.  Was the teaching focused on the purity and liberty of the gospel, and the grace and compassion of the Lord. Or was it full of man made traditions that places added yokes on the backs of believers.  How would He feel about collection time? If He could hear some of the things said about NT giving how would He feel? What would He say to those teaching New Testament Tithing? If Christ attended your Trustee, Deacons, or business meeting how would He feel or what would He think?  Would He want to kick over tables and chase people out of the meeting?
     If Christ walked the earth today and taught the NT Message, he would face the same outcome from today's modern church leaders. They would see His teaching as a threat to their control and power.  We would see some strange alliance as we saw between the Pharisees, and the Sadducees in olden times. There is a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Modern preachers would see Christ as a threat to their man made traditions and self interest interpretations of scriptures.  They would have to face the fact that they only shared those scriptures that give strength to their beliefs, denominations, would be exposed by the living Christ. He would wonder why the New Testament Church spent so much time teaching out of the Old Testament.  Church leaders would convince their, unlearned members, that Christ was as fraud and should be 5150 , or banned as a heretic. The many church members, who never studied the scriptures, would join the clergy in pushing Christ out of the church.  Why? because they were never able to distinguish the real words of God from the made up interpretations of men.. I think Christ would walk away shaking His head saying , forgive them Father for they know not what they do!  They have missed the entire reason that I came in the flesh.  The law was written on their hearts, but they still believe in justification by works and not by faith.  The weak Christians put rules and regulations and disregard the liberty of the gospel. The strong Christians flaunt their liberty thus causing conflict in the body.  Will Christ see love among the Christian brethren in the Church? Or will He instead see division and mean spirited Christians at work in the church?  I am just thinking out loud!

Forgiveness Part II

Unforgiveness Is A Sin Of Omission!
     James 4:7 tells us, "Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."  Scott Ashley in his article in, Good News Magazine of Understanding, writes "Sin can be what we don't do.  The Four Gospels are filled with examples of this sin.  Jesus often clashed with those who were diligent about strict literal obedience of God's Law, but never realized God expected more of them.  In Christ day the Pharisees referred to a detail list of what could and couldn't be done lawfully on the Sabbath; they were diligent about tithing down to the last seed or grain of spice, they spent hours studying the law, fasting and praying.  Yet Christ called them blind guides, hypocrites and a brood of vipers."
     Ashley goes on to say, " These people simply didn't comprehend the intent of God's Law.  They put great effort into not committing sins, they concentrated so much on this struggle, that they failed miserably at doing what they should have been doing." I agree with Asley's assessment and see the same thing in the church today.  There are discussions about, is it okay to go to happy hour with friends, should I go see Smokey Robinson if the show is at the Casino, should Christians dance, should a Christian have a glass of wine with their meals, then clothing issues and it goes on and on.  In Matthew 25:34 Jesus tells us that, if we want to sit on his right hand, we must feed the hungry and thirsty, cloth the naked,visit the sick and those incarcerated, and befriend a stranger. 


Have We Forgotten That The Lord Forgave Our Sins?
    We often overlook or have memory laps about the sins we committed prior to our salvation , and even in the mist of our salvation. Many of us came out of lives of fornication, adultery, addictions, crime, abuse, cheating, murder, abortions, and all sorts of sin.  Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood so that our sins would be forgiven.  In 2 Peter 1:9 we are reminded " he who lack these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.  Forgiveness was not a easy undertaking even in the time of Jesus and the  apostles.  In Luke 17 Jesus tells the disciples that if a brother sins against you rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  Then Jesus carried it further when He said, "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, "I repent, you shall forgive him.  What?  The apostles were smart and said, if that's the case please"increase our faith."  The apostles were saying that this is very diffilcult! Lord, you will have to add to our faith for us to pull this off.  Then Jesus tells them that all they need is the faith as a mustard seed to forgive.  In Matthew 18:21-27  Peter asked Jesus the same question, "Lord how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Up to seven times as you said in one of our earlier meetings?  Jesus answered, " I do not say to you , up to seven times, but up to seventy  times seven. In other words Jesus was saying forgiveness has no numerical number! Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  Yes, that means even forgiving those who have harmed us in some way.
     Then in the same chapter of Matthew Jesus offers a parable, " Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  And when he had begun to settle accounts one was brought to him who owed him ten thousands talents.  But he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and that he had, and that payment be made.
     "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all."  Then the Master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. "But the servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denaril; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!"  "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all."  "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. "So when his fellow saw what had been done,they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.  "Then the master after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me, "Should you not also had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?"   "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the tortures until he should pay all that was due to him.  " So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
     This parable is to let us not forget the great debt that we owe our Lord, and all the sins that He forgave us.  We seek grace from the Lord for the forgiveness of our sins, but we seek justice when others sin against us!


Forgiveness Means There Is A Change In You!  It Does Not Mean That The Trespasser Changed!
     The Lord expects us to forgive those who trespass against us no matter how awful the trespass.  He expects us to find it in our hearts to let go of thoughts of revenge and vengeance.  Forgiveness does not mean remaining in a dangerous situation of possible harm.  In past years the church was approaching forgiveness in a very dangerous way.  A women in the church would tell of physical abuse, and seek guidance from the church.  The church would talk to the abuser and the abused, often telling the women that she had to stay in the relationship because scriptures would not allow her leaving except in the case of adultery.  The abuser would say he was sorry, asked for forgiveness, and promised never to do it again.  Well guess what, it did happen again.  Here is a situation where the wife should forgive her husband, but should leave the relationship for her safety. Forgiveness does not mean remaining in a dangerous situation. Also, forgiveness does not mean that one does not inform the legal authorities if a crime against humanity has been committed.  A prime of example of this is the recent events in the Catholic Church and priest.  The church leaders would forgive the priest and transfer them to another parish endangering children with sexual exploitation and abuse at the new site.  The thief on the cross asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins, and Jesus did, but he was still executed.
     To forgive some one can mean a change of personal boundaries with them.  I can forgive a person who I trusted and stole from me, but I don't have to give them the keys to my home to prove my forgiveness.  I know some of you are confused by this and find it a contradiction to forgiveness.


Steps To Forgiveness!
     First of all we have to believe that we can do all things through Christ that strengthen us!..Then in John 5: 5-14-17 were Jesus says, "You are My Friends if you do whatever I command you.  No longer do I call you servant, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you fiends, for all things that I heard from My father  have made known to you. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the father in My name He may give you. You can, like the disciples, ask for more faith in order to forgive!
     Secondly you need to take out a piece of paper and write down the names of all those that you have found it difficult or impossible to forgive. You are bringing these issues to the surface to address them once and for all. Then draw a line down the center of the paper and write on the top of paper pros and cons of forgiving this person! You must take into consideration what the scriptures say and add this to the list. Once you write these things out you have been lifted out of the sea of denial!

Then you must pray for the release of your hurt, anger, an feeling of vengeance:

Dear Lord help me with my unforgiveness. This person has done something awful to me and I am finding it so difficult in letting it go. I know its not good for me spiritually or physically to feel this way but Ijust can't get it out of my mind. Lord I know all things are possible through you who strengthens me. Lord take this anger, and hate from me so that I can be in your perfect will. I now know I can't dealwith this without you, so I am giving up ownership of my will to you.

This is just a sample prayer, you will have to pray a prayer that comes from your heart with sincerity.

Summary:

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the Lords command to Christians regarding the duty to forgive. We now realize that the Lord bases His forgiveness on our ability to forgive others. We find examples in the scriptures that tell us that we need the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit in order to achieve the difficult task of forgiveness. We have been told, by scriptures, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
In order to begin the step of forgiveness, we must first admit that we have a unforgiving heart. We must be able face our inability to forgive those who have hurt, abused, or traumatized us. We learn that we must let go of all thoughts and feelings of vengeance, revenge, and prayers of destruction towards our transgressors.
We have learned that forgiveness constitute a change in you, and not necessarily a change in the transgressor. The Transgressor may have asked for forgiveness, or may have denied your accusations and your perceptions of the incident. The transgressor may have died, in prison, or completely out of your life. It is not important how the transgressor responds, it is only important that you forgive. Forgiveness does not mean allowing yourself to be a ongoing victim!
Why is forgiveness so important to the Lord. He knows the toll of unforgiveness has on the psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual health of His children. Research has shown that holding such strong negative emotions in over a period of time may result in illness such as cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The Lord does not want to see the human spirit so bound up and imprisoned that it becomes incapable of showing love. It is so difficult to love the Lord thy God with all our heart, soul, and mind with the weight of unforgiveness weighing us down. The scriptures tells us that love covers a multitude of sins.
It behoves us to pray for the release of our unforgiving spirit, and if necessary we might have to fast and pray. We learn that the sins of omission are as serious as the sins of commission. It is important to study what Jesus said in regards to the Spirit of the Law versus the Letter of the Law. As a New Covenant Church we spend too much time in Old Testament Teaching. Jesus warned against putting "NEW wine" in old wine skins. Is this as clear as mud? Amen

The Core Of The Christian Faith: The Forgiving Christian! Part I

The concept of "forgiveness" is often mentioned but hardly ever taught.  It is a very difficult concept to teach, because most don't understand the breath  and dept of this action commanded by Jesus.  The word forgive is mentioned 48 times in the scriptures and the concept is mentioned 116 times. We all have said the Lords Prayer in which we repeat  "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."  Have we really considered what this statement means?  We are telling the Lord that we understand that our forgiveness, by Him, is dependent on our act of forgiving others! (Matthew 6:12)  In Luke 6:37 Jesus says "Forgive, and you shall be forgiven."  In Mark 11:25  Jesus tells us that we must not hold anything against anyone while we pray, if we want our prayers answered.. Would you agree that the Lord's forgiveness is conditional?

In order to approach the study of a subject one must be able to define it.  Too often we Christian teachers, preachers quote scriptures by memory without knowing what they actually mean.  So lets start this discussion by giving a definition to the term "forgiveness".  Wikipedia defines "forgiveness", as a process of concluding resentment, indignation, or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistakes, and/or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution."  The Oxford English Dictionary defines "forgiveness" as to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on the account of an offense or debt."

Katherin Piderman, Ph.D, staff chaplain at Mayo Clinic, defines forgiveness "as a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.  The act that hurt or offended you may always be a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other positive parts of our life."

Mary Fairchild defines "forgiveness" as a choice we make through a decision of our will, motivated by obedience to God and His command to forgive.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord Forgave You!

Larry James states, " Forgiving someone else is to agree within yourself to overlook the wrong they have committed against you and to move on with your life. Non forgiveness keeps you in the struggle.  Being willing to forgive can bring a sense of peace and well being.  It lifts anxiety and delivers you from depression.  It can enhance your self esteem and give you new hope."


Alexandra Asseily, author of "The Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut, writes "forgiveness allows us to let go of the pain in the memory and if we let go of pain, in the memory, we can have the memory, but it does not control us.  When memory controls us we are the puppets of the past."

Quotes About Forgiveness:

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner is you"!

Lewis B. Smedes

" The Weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

Mahatma Gandhi

"Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has just crushed it".

Mark Twain

"Always forgive your enemy..nothing annoys them so much."

Oscar Wilde

"Forgiveness is the release of all hope for a better past."

Alexa Young

"There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness."

Josh Billings

"The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness".

William Blake

"Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it

forgets revenge and dares to forgive injury".

Edwin Hubbel Chapin

The scriptures tells us in Romans 12:17,19-21 to "repay no evil for evil, and "do not avenge yourselves, but rather give peace to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, "says the Lord.  In Ephesians 4:26 we are told "Be angry , and do not sin" do not let the sun go down on your wrath. These scriptures teach about relationships and reconciliation. The Lord tells us that he is the only one who has the authority for vengeance. In some cases of unforgiveness we tend to share our situations with others.  We seem to gain superficial healing by sharing with others our hurts and inability to forgive.  In Ephesians 4:29 Paul  warns us against voicing anger, harsh words ,meanness, and having a bad attitude towards others.  Yes even if its the one who hurt, or abused you!  He says in 4:31 that we have to let bitterness, wrath, clamor, evil speaking be put away.  If we do not let it go and continue with such behavior we "grieve the Holy Spirit."(Ephesians 4:30)

Why Is Forgiveness So Difficult?

In most cases there has been a situation in which someone has done something awful against you or a member of your family.  It could have been betrayal of a unfaithful husband or boyfriend.  It could be sexual exploitation or sexual abuse by someone you trusted.  It could be a past boss or employer who discriminated against you because of your sex or race.  It could be the drunk driver who killed a loved one in a auto accident.  Maybe it was a church who didn't seem to appreciate your service and seemed to have favorites.  Please add your on personal story or stories to this list.

How Did Your Incidents Make You Feel?

 Emotional Bondage!
Emotional bondage is a condition that is self directed and self nurtured.  Your past experiences becomes a mental tape recording that often replays without you consciously hitting the on button.  There may be a trigger, such as seeing the person, experiencing a similar or familiar situation, or hearing about a similar incident.  You become a prisoner of your past, which has an adverse affect on your present which may control your future.


Unforgiveness Can Be Contagious!
I am a father of 6 children, 4 girls and 2 boys.  If someone mistreats, abuse or hurt any of my children, it is the same as doing it to me.  If one of them shares with me an incident that has cause them emotional or physical harm, I can find myself having strong negative feeling towards those who hurt them.  This sense of anger, hate, rage, and need for revenge can permeate throughout the entire family.  We have one enemy who has now negatively affected 6-10 people.  Now we have 10 people living outside the will of God.  1 John 3:15 says whosoever hated his brother is a murder.  Yes but does John understand that this person deserves to be hated? Yes he does, and it doesn't matter. We have given up our control to someone else who is some where enjoying life, dead or may not even remember what s/he has done!

We Are Only Human, How Does God Expect Us To Forgive Those Terrible People?
First Jesus Himself set the example of forgiveness in Luke 23:34 when Jesus was on the cross suffering great pain and humiliation at the hands of the Roman soldiers.  After all he had been thorough he looked up to heaven and said," Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  Well yes Larry that was Jesus, but I am not Jesus.  Well what about Stephen in Acts 7:55-60 who was filled with the Holy Spirit, was being stoned to death by his religious enemies.  Stephen cried out to the Lord for strength then said in a loud voice, " Lord do not charge them with this sin." And when he said this, he fell asleep.  We call this a dying declaration. If Stephen can forgive we can forgive, for he was mere human just like us.

Jesus Attempts To Prepare Us Like Stephen.
The Disciple Stephen was chosen as one of the first "Deacons" because he had a good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, faith, power, and wisdom.  With these qualities his enemies were not able to resist the wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke.  He was able to exercise all the gifts God had given him.  We can learn from Stephen that the Lord has given us the blue print for Christian character building so that  when we are faced with the need to forgive we can.  Remember Stephen was a mere mortal just like us.

The Blue Print Of Christian Character:
The cornerstone of our Christian Character is based on "love".  In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus says that the great commandment is that "we shall love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind." And He went on to say that the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In I Corinthians 13 Paul gives a brief description of fruits of love.  He says, "Love is patient, love is kind, and it is not jealous, love does not brag, not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoice in truth, bears all things, endures all things, and love never fails.
Then Jesus gave the disciples the famous sermon on the mount better known as the Beatitudes.  The Beatitudes is taken from the Latin (beatus) meaning blessed or happy.  These are blessings of divine favor bestowed upon a person resulting from the possession of a certain character quality.

Blessed are the poor in spirit! (character)

Their spirit has a need for God

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (reward)

Blessed are those who mourn, (character)

a deep sorrow for ones sin, want to repent

For they should be comforted. (reward)

Blessed are the meek. (character)

a submission to Gods authority

For they shall inherit the earth (reward)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, (character)

a driving passion for Christ to be filled

For they shall be filled. (reward)

Blessed are the merciful, (character)

The ability to forgive, kindness, compassion

For they shall obtain mercy (reward)

Blessed are the pure in heart, (character)

a inward holiness, cleansing

For they shall see God (reward)

Blessed are the peacemakers, (character)

Reconciled to God through Christ 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

the ability to forgive

For they shall be called sons of God. (reward)

Blessed are those who are persecuted for

righteousness sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven

As we see if we can develop these blessed character traits we would be  better able to deal with the issue of forgiveness.  The second stone in the building of Christian character is the fruit of spirit.  Most Christians are so busy searching for spiritual gifts such as healing and speaking in tongues that they loose sight of the true fruits of the spirit.  The fruits of the spirit provide proof that one is filled with the Holy Spirit.  We can always judge a tree by the fruit it bears.  We all proclaim to be Christian Trees!  Paul says in Galatians 5:2-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit  is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.  If we don't show these qualities then we must not be filled with the spirit no matter what we profess.  Paul later says in Gal 6:1-2 Brethren if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness...  This is telling us that we who proclaim to be spiritual should not be pulled into conflict and discourse with others.  We are to be peace makers. 

We then must assume that Stephen had all these qualities thus was able to forgive those who were in the act of murdering him!

Part II will be posted soon.  If you are new to this site, I invite you to read some of the older published post.  Go to bottom of this page and click on Older Post.  If you enjoy, please share with others.

Thanks for your time!