Its probably good for you to know about me that I am aware of some of the specific things God has sent me into this world to do. One of those is the ministry of racial reconciliation. You wont see it out of me often, but when God releases me to, I am very serious and sober minded about it. Now the biker world and bikers in general are segregated and somewhat racist, so what im about to say may bother you. This message isnt for the world, its for Disciples who want to follow Christ. Read on.
It burdens my heart, and I know it grieves the Lord that churches are by and large the most segregated segments of society. Within this ministry im very happy that across the board we are beginning to be less segregated. Many of you may not know this, but I have been praying for that, and I was moved recently when a man told me that he had been watching us for a couple years, but is joining now because he saw other black dudes at the USA Run. Chew on that for a minute. People you don’t know are watching you.
Lay aside your personal prejudices and opinions for just a moment if you can. Regardless of what YOU think, what I am about to tell you is the truth. Many blacks THINK AND FEEL racism and segregation still exists, and shapes their life every day. Many blacks feel that the rebel flag has become a symbol of racism because of comments and attitudes they have personally experienced. And I 100% agree with them, because ive BEEN that guy. Ive seen blacks called the N word to their face and just take it here in SC. There is no way you will know these things unless you have a dialog with them. Unfortunately many whites are so entrenched in their ways that they wont even be able to receive what im saying right now. Just posting this on my page in the last couple days got me cussed out with the F-word, comments about how blacks are all on welfare or crack (I know a lot of blacks, but not one on welfare or crack), and even scriptural references about how right the whites were, and how wrong the blacks are (just like the KKK uses scripture).
Now I don’t care one bit how you take what im about to say. Heaven aint all one color. If you choose to ignore the opinion of your Christian brothers because they are black, you don’t belong here, or in church at all, in my opinion. You can leave the club and we wont miss you a bit. We are going to be considerate of blacks opinions and sensitive to their needs, just like we don’t argue about being catholic or Baptist, or if you choose to have a drink out of the cut in the privacy of your own home. If you think a flag is so important, fly it and not the 888. Keep it in your house all you want, build a little shrine to it. Because if waving the rebel flag in your black brothers face on your profile picture is more important to you than trying to include them and be considerate of their opinion, then that flag is an idol to you, and you may as well have a shrine for it. Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
Because damn sure there are some black bikers watching us, some black 1% clubs watching us, and YOUR ACTIONS ON YOUR PERSONAL FACEBOOK PAGES affects us. Our mission statement doesn’t say our ministry is just to white 1% clubs. When you are wearing the 888, you have chosen to be a minister, and align yourself in ministry, not personal opinion. I practice what I preach. I love the rebel flag, I grew up in the south and NOT ONE OF YOU can educate me about the issue more than I already am. But ill be damned (literally cursed by God) if I fly that flag and alienate someone who belongs here, or drive a black brother away with my insensitivity. Even if they are (in your opinion) dead wrong about what the war was about, or what the flag means blah blah blah. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Now the whining begins “but James my personal page is my personal page and I can say and do what I want”. Ive chosen ministry, and that means choosing the best for my brothers, not just saying whatever I want. Weve been telling you for years to clean up your facebook page of 1% likes, alcohol references, girly stuff and other things. Now im asking you to respect our black brothers as well. Because this is about BROTHERHOOD not doing what you want how you want. That’s how the world thinks, not Jesus.
Ive shepherded this club through a lot of divisive issues. And now im leading you on this one too. Be wise and mature. There are plenty of people pointing out racism, reverse racism, Al Sharpton and that blacks had slaves to. Grow up and let the world talk all that junk and perpetuate the constant racial tensions. You need to be a light, not perpetuating racial tension. Grow up. Seek the middle, seek consensus. Be a man of God and a leader, not a follower of the pack and mass media. Post scripture and Godly wisdom, not more crap. There are plenty of positive beautiful things you can post about. If you find yourself getting all worked up about things PRACTICE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: Phil 4: 8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
If what ive just said bothers you, dont respond. Take 24 hours and go pray on it. If it makes you angry, fast and pray on it for 48 hours. Then you can post whatever the heck you want.
Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
1 Corinthians 10:32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God
2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club
http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-ministry-of-racial-reconciliation.html
Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
1 Corinthians 10:32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God
2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club
http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-ministry-of-racial-reconciliation.html
