When Prejudice Meets The Word
Last weekend’s message was simple but very difficult for me to deliver. Remember the major point from the weekend, as Malachi helped us to Reset Justice? – “Correcting injustice in the world, begins with God correcting injustice in me. “ It was a heavy message for me to deliver, but God lifted my spirit in an amazing way as someone literally allowed God to immediately deal with the injustice in their own hearts.
After the 11:00 service a man approached me and said he needed to ask me to forgive him. Immediately, I wondered what it could be. He told me that when I was introduced as the candidate for the position of Senior Teaching Pastor, he didn’t vote for me. “I am sure that many people didn’t vote for me.” I opined. So, his comment was no big revelation to me. What he said next was. He said, “You need to know why I didn’t vote for you.” I continued to listen. Because of his experiences in the past, he had developed a spirit of prejudice and racism against black people. In essence, he was saying he didn’t vote for me because I was black. He began to weep and asked me if I would forgive him. I said it wasn’t a problem. He retorted, “Listen! You don’t understand. I really need you to forgive me. I don’t want the junk of prejudice and racism spilling over into my kids’ lives. I didn’t vote for you and I was wrong. God has been and is using your preaching to impact my life.”Wow! To His glory!
I realized what God was doing. This man heard God and was acting on what he heard. I forgave him. We hugged for a good while, weeping in one each other’s arms (Glad we weren’t in the men’s bathroom doing this – Smile! It was a joke). I was moved, humbled, and I rejoiced as I was reminded that God has me in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. God, thank you for using Malachi to help us see that: Correcting injustice in the world really does begin when we let God correct injustice in us. For His glory!
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Tags: Calling, Discipleship, Forgiveness, Grace, Humility, Love, Relationships
August 11th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Powerful!
August 12th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Wow. That is so powerful–to hear about God truly speaking to someone and the Holy Spirit convicting this man to come to you–brought tears to my eyes. One of my greatest fears as an old white Mom of many beautiful black children, is that they will face this prejudice, and I pray that if (when?) they do, the person will be convicted the same. Thank you for sharing.__Marge Jones
August 12th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Good stuff man! Keep doing what God has equipped you to do so well. Here is what I have seen in you so far: Teach on, continue to have passion for people, minister tontheir daily needs (how to make it in 2010!) as well as their eternal ones, show how God purposes the family to be through how you treat yours, be giving to those who are in near proximity to you and be willing to go abroad, a student of God’s Word, approachable and willing to share the wisdom God has given you to those who will receive it. When we learn to love like God loves us how much better this world will be. Keep doing what you do, we’re on the right track, moving forward—one soul at a time.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
The segregated "black church" is historically that way because of non-inclusion. Integration in a church is not as important as UNITY in the church. Being together at one place at one time does not necessarily denote that unity.
In addition, most of the time black people come to a "white" church. The same is not necessarily true for white people to go to a black church…Black people are used to having to live, work, etc in a white world. White people dont necessarily have that experience of it being necessary to live and work in a predominantly ethnic society, so to come to a black church is outside their sphere of comfortability. It is true that the "black church" may not do the ministry that will attact any and all people, but I'm sure in most cases it's not done purposefully.
August 13th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Since we are making skin color the focus, mine is white; almost translucent. You hear all these white churches talk about how they want diversity, they want to make black people feel comfortable in their church. They don't understand why black people don't attend their church. It is because black people "do church" so much better than us. The best service I've ever attended was in prison (about 98% black); my husband and I are involved in prison ministry. I was so excited when pastor Marvin accepted the senior pastor position at Trinity, not because he's black but because he is a powerful preacher. But sometimes 4 weeks would go by with others teaching. If I were a black person, I would think this was a half hearted attempt to draw me in with a black senior pastor who just doesn't preach that often, and I would search out a better church, not because I don't feel welcome at Trinity, but because I find it lacking.
August 13th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Wow…very powerful! Pastor Marvin I thank God for you and your boldness!!! Everything has to be done in God's timing. I've heard many people at Trinity speak about the awesome turnaround that the church has made since your arrival. I've had several of my friends attend service at Trinity…which they said they would have a problem because they attend traditional black churches and are not accustomed to the "music" …but they have truly been moved and blessed by the people of Trinity and your messages. Keep on preaching, teaching, and following the spirit of the Lord. May God continue to bless you for your obedience and bless your family for being a part of what God has in store for His people.
August 13th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Lots of people are looking at negative things (wars, natural disasters, etc) trying to predict Jesus's return. However, the Bible says He coming for a church without spot or wrinkle. I think unity within the church is more of an indicator of our Savior's return.
August 13th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
God bless the man who went to Pastor Marvin and asked for forgiveness…we all know that took a lot of courage and conviction for him to be able to do that…he stepped out there boldly on faith believing in what God's word says…repent and be converted!!! If we all could learn from him….
August 14th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Praise our Heavenly Father for constant miracles and the tangible proof that some need. It takes courage to admit that we are wrong and not following the Lord's will – but when we do, our Father rewards us in very special ways which are evident to those around us. As children of God, we must always obey Him in all things and remember that we make mistakes. As His love is perfect, we can approach others in love, and confess our faults to each other – as we travel on our journey of perfection, it is our obligation to forgive. How precious is our Father I ask you? Praise and glory to Him for our dutiful shepard Marvin at Trinity and for the gift of our Saviour Jesus – who suffered for the forgiveness of us all.
August 20th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
lovin' this.
November 26th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
WOW! God has totally been dealing with me about this and i'm black, well, more than half anyway, you see because i was lighter skinned i always kind of had a prejudice in my heart, but had a heart for Africa, well, then I come to find out I am African, i always thought i was white( imean i am but i'm also african(and other stuff too
) and God has been showing me I held deep seated hatred in my heart towards others lighter skinned ppl because of their hatred for africans, so I hated them and the circle continued, So i guess i just hated everybody white people and black people too…and God is showing me how that has to stop thanks.