The Character of the Races Capt. Kelly Durant
Do you know the weaknesses of yours?
Today we celebrate the day of the cultures and we will explore some of the different characteristics of a few races. Does the Bible speak of the races, and their good points and bad points, yes, it does.
I Cor 1:22-24
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Do you know how to know if you are truly strong and wise in the Lord? You can only be strong and wise by knowing your weaknesses! (repeat) How many of you know your own weaknesses? I know there are some people that think they don’t have any faults or weaknesses! But everyone does have faults, either by the influence of your people, or race, or by your own human nature. In the case of the Greeks, what should you know about the Greeks?
The Greeks looked for wisdom, and they considered their selves to be too intelligent and too good to accept that Jesus crucified was what God offered for our restoration. One of their weaknesses as a people was that they could not accept a simple faith. Why did Paul mention this? Because he wanted to let them know their fault, and also to tell others who would share Jesus with them about this so they could know what they need to overcome. He had to tell them that the Foolishness of God was wiser than that of men. They held a philosophy that God and his children (and Son) were spirit and by being spirit, they were positive energy while people in the material world were negative and the 2 could never meet. There are still many people today that hold this wrong Gnostic view.
The Jews were doubters, they wanted more than words to believe, they wanted proof, a miracle, a sign. Jesus himself once told the Jews that the only sign they would get was the sign of Jonah and He stated this in reference to the fact that no one can be saved unless they believe in the miracle and power of God that caused Him to be raised from the dead. Matt 12:39-40
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Considering now the Greek and the Jew, let’s compare them to the Hispanics and the Northamericans. What do you think God would say of Hispanics? Do they seek signs and miracles? Do they discern between traditional teachings and Biblical teachings? (pause) Each person should be his or her own critic… with the Holy Spirit convicting and guiding. Just always remember that every man sees his own way as pure in His own eyes, but it is God that weighs the hearts. I think each person knows his or her own self and race better than any one else, isn’t that true? I will take the liberty to talk about the Northamericans, which is a race made up of a soup of many races. I am a mix of 4 races myself! I observe the church here in the USA has become a lot like the Laodicean church in Rev. 3:14 who are lukewarm with their faith and they are not pleasing God due to all their wealth and riches that has divided their hearts, being too interested in the material.
Rev 3:14-21
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Did you know this description can describe many Hispanics who live in this country too? How many of you have know people that when they were down or just arrived, with no money and desperate, they were seeking God and soon afterward, because they sought God, God blessed them and prospered them, and helped them to obtain prosperity? Have you seen that? But the sad part is that once they had it made to a good position, they backslid and got proud and arrogant and decided they no longer needed God. They later thought their riches could save them. How many of you know people in this condition? God’s message to them is that they should repent, they are worthless to God, and that is scary when God says he will throw you away because you do not have a hot love for Him! God tells us to overcome! He says that if we overcome these weaknesses of our character, that he will cause us to have eternal life and to sit on His throne! The problem is that most people want their treasure here and now on earth, but those that use up all their time seeking their needs and greeds will miss out on having heavenly rewards later!
It is wonderful we learn about the beautiful things about each other culture and race. God has blessed each nation with it’s own talents and gifts. But what we must learn as Christians is to distinguish between the good and bad and know well each person and race you are dealing with. There is a problem since Hispanics get close and are more friendly and intimate more quickly than other races that Hispanics often end up disliking each other once they get to know each other in the workplace and in society. Amongst Mexicans, Cubans, Colombians, and Puerto Ricans I see a lot of differences and dislikes of each other, once they know each others faults, but if God brought everyone here to this country, then it is for you and me to learn to respect one other despite the good and bad and the differences! The famous founding father Benjamin Franklin stated that if we don’t hang together, then we will hang separately! ( referring to the Independence War with England, without unity we all fall!) I think most all of you here, despite your great differences, do an excellent job of loving each other in the Lord! It is great we have this special day to focus in on the beauty of our differences! The church is the place where we overcome our differences and love each other! Look how different the apostles were, Peter messing up, Thomas doubting, John always loving and being strong. We should do out best to bring every Hispanic race we know to our church! Here it is where we find the hope for the future! It is up to you to love your neighbor as yourself, and love encourages! Amongst yourselves, remember a hand on the back with words of appreciation will help another person to change and grow better than a sharp criticism which is like a hand swat on the rear! Do you know your weakness? God will work with you and your weaknesses as He worked with the Greeks and the Jews, and with Peter but you cannot be weak in your love for Him, nor in your love for your neighbor! That is a real sin! Do you want to be blessed? Then love those that are different from your self! Be realistic, see the good and the faults, but love anyway, and love with the love of God despite them! Let’s pray to love more to and appreciate our beautiful qualities!
