On CHARLESTON....SADELL BRADLEY - NEW LIFE COVENANT CINCINNATI 062215

The blood shed in Charleston last week is still speaking...but what is it  saying?  These precious lives, thrown together in a moment of impact still reverberating throughout the nation and world, have testified so strongly about so many things: racism, the confederate flag, gun violence, and most of all the love of Jesus Christ, that knows no bounds.  When it's all said and done, the influence that these martyred Christians and the response of their Christ-like families will have done more for the Kingdom of God and it's powerful precepts and rule of love, than they may have ever done in a bible study or services...to the Glory of God!

When Cain killed Abel, he was motivated by jealousy. God had favored his brother's sacrifice over his. Similarly, 21-year old Dylann Roof basically said, "You all (African-Americans) have come and taken what is mine! I hate you for it, and the only way I know how to change that is to get rid of you."  The Lord asked Cain, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground." (Genesis 4:10) Abel's blood cried out for vengeance, and Cain received a curse. The blood of the 9 from Charleston is also crying out, but for what?

The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for ALL our sin has once and for all reunited those who believe to God the Father - and to one another. No longer do each of us regularly have to slaughter spotless animals to cover our sins. Jesus' shed blood has appeased God's wrath and opened the way for ministry of reconciliation for those who do not yet believe. His blood says,"God is not counting your sins against you.  If you repent and turn to the Father, you will be forgiven and gain access to life with Him now and in Heaven." Yes, this is the message of the Gospel, even to Dylann Roof. That's a hard pill to swallow for African-Americans right now, (even I vacillate from anguish to anger...), but somehow it wasn't too hard for the victim's families who encouraged the young man to do just that - repent and turn to Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul. 

The firm foundation of their faith, an inspiration to us all, believed Paul's truth in Hebrews about what the blood IS speaking:

You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance  like the blood of Abel. (Heb. 12:24)

If you find my assertion that God could forgive and even call Dylann Roof hard to believe, you might only look at Saul of Tarsus who, 'in the name of God' persecuted, tortured and and killed Jesus' followers.  Saul was a murderer of Christians, just like Dylann Roof. He did it because he thought he was right and indeed godly, just like most white supremacists.  His life was spared by the very One he was assaulting. Jesus engaged Saul to follow Him, to live for Him and to lead others to do the same - even those Saul previously thought were his enemies. Christ changed his name (Paul) and purpose.  God used the notorious influence of this murderer to tell the story of redemption from even what we would deem the worst sin! The writings of this criminal powerfully lead and instruct us to this day. The ways of God are higher than ours, and so are His thoughts. (Isa. 55:11) Nothing is impossible...

Finally, I would encourage you to listen to this powerful song "Charleston" by Steven Curtis Chapman.  The song references Romans 12:9-21 that tells us the many things we, as Christ followers are to do in situations such as these:

• Love sincerely. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good. (vs. 9)
• Honor one another and be devoted to one another (vs. 10)
• Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (vs. 12)
• Share with those in need and practice hospitality (vs. 13)
• Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. (vs. 14)
• Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. (vs. 15)
• Live in harmony with one another. Do not be conceited. (vs. 16)
• Do not repay evil for evil. (vs. 17)
• If it is possible with you, live at peace with everyone. (vs. 18)
• Do not take revenge. Vengeance is the Lord's, He will repay (vs. 19)
• If your enemy is hungry, give him food; thirsty give him drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Because of Christ's atoning sacrifice for us (we ALL have sinned - Romans 3:23) The hope is that their conscience will be motivated to change. (vs. 20)
• Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (vs. 21)

I believe, THIS is what their blood is speaking...