But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show
contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of
Christ. Romans 14:10
Ferguson Ferguson Ferguson Missouri. Outside of the death of Michael Brown what
and where is Ferguson Missouri. How can
I imagine the place?
The image of Ferguson, Missouri is a microcosm of the image
of America. It fosters the separation of lives through race, class, sex and
culture. Our nation lives in the imagination which pervades this spirit on many
levels. The root of this image makes its presence through cold and greedy
hearts. Hearts that desire self-more
than anything else. Hearts which are at war with the spirit of God which is
rooted in love. The apostle Paul paints
a picture through an issue that was prevailing in Rome which is reticent in the
American culture and psyche today. The apostle points this out by making this
statement. But why do you judge your brother? We are a nation that makes judgments about
lives of others that center on the image which is most dominant in our soul.
For instance the image of the African American male centers around violence and
low self-esteem. It also paints an image of the African American
male as an animal with no self-control. These images manifest themselves
through many forms of media (television, film, music, and radio) and concludes
with a prison population which is largely African American. Most of the
institutions created in this nation primarily exclude rights for African
American men to succeed. Without
tremendous effort, sacrifice and determination most of them will never see the
glory of God for their lives. . Therefore the only way of smashing this image
is with the spirit of a Mighty God who created our imaginations in the first
place and is above it all. There is a place in the scriptures that set forth the
action necessary to remove the stigma that plaques our American imagination.
Matthew witnesses through Jesus Christ this action. Here is the action
presented by our Christ "Judge not, that you
be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the
measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your
brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your
brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your
own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” It
is in these words the will we find the peace of God that surpasses all of our
understanding. To set forth the process of healing that was present when Madiba(Nelson
Mandela) became President of South Africa this nation needs to begin to
reconcile them one to another and begin a process of reconciliation such as the
one that fell on South Africa. For Jesus said that the truth will set you free.
(John 8:32) Amen.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.Revelation 7:9-12
