I was just thinking about - - -
This past weekend has seen The Rev. Jeremiah Wright in various media formats defending his use of theology and nuances that he affirms are common in Black Theology and within the Black Church. Whether or not his defense resonates and/or enlightens, remains to be seen. Obviously, there are elements of what he has said that are very inflammatory.
It reminds one of some of the dialog in The Book of Job, In Job 11:1-5, we find these fascination words: "Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock? You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.' Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides."
The words of Rev. Jeremiah Wright have proven to be a distraction to one Presidential candidate and will haunt him for the rest of the campaign because of the opportunism of rival candidates in their persistence to keep the focus on those particular matters rather than dealing with their own integrity issues, as well as the major proposals being promoted for this nation. The bottom line for both the Candidate and his former Pastor is found in the words of Jesus Christ in Luke 6:45, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." In Matthew 12:36-37 we find further amplification by Jesus Christ when He states, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
These words apply to all of us so that we maintain integrity in our speech and character in our lives. Ones word should be his bond. We are to champion truth and speak with kindness and compassion while being firm and resolute for that which is true and righteous. We need to flee from the compromises that so dominate our age and nation. And, we need to insist that truth be manifested in all areas of our life and culture. We can be kind, compassionate, encouraging with our words while we maintain fidelity, firmness, and demand for the truth.
You think about this with me - - -
It reminds one of some of the dialog in The Book of Job, In Job 11:1-5, we find these fascination words: "Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock? You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.' Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides."
The words of Rev. Jeremiah Wright have proven to be a distraction to one Presidential candidate and will haunt him for the rest of the campaign because of the opportunism of rival candidates in their persistence to keep the focus on those particular matters rather than dealing with their own integrity issues, as well as the major proposals being promoted for this nation. The bottom line for both the Candidate and his former Pastor is found in the words of Jesus Christ in Luke 6:45, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." In Matthew 12:36-37 we find further amplification by Jesus Christ when He states, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
These words apply to all of us so that we maintain integrity in our speech and character in our lives. Ones word should be his bond. We are to champion truth and speak with kindness and compassion while being firm and resolute for that which is true and righteous. We need to flee from the compromises that so dominate our age and nation. And, we need to insist that truth be manifested in all areas of our life and culture. We can be kind, compassionate, encouraging with our words while we maintain fidelity, firmness, and demand for the truth.
You think about this with me - - -
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