Negro Spiritual
While channel surfing one night I stumbled across Rev. Jeremiah Wright giving the keynote address to members of the NAACP in Detroit Michigan, the speech was carried live on CNN. Within five minutes I was hooked; glued to the television. Mr. Wright certainly has a commanding and entertaining presence at the podium. Humor, singing, dancing, he does it all.
It is easy for certain people to be swept away by such showmanship. The good Reverend seems to think if the Christian community would link arms with their Muslin, Hindu, and Jewish neighbors— sing a few Negro Spirituals— we can then all ride the peace train to the promised land.
Jesus never talked about many paths to salvation – but one; a narrow path which only a few find (Matthew 7:14). Jesus claimed himself to be that path; the way, the truth, the light, the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Jesus is the only name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). To teach otherwise is akin to calling Jesus a liar and the Holy Writ hogwash. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph 4:4) One…one…one… not many… one! The common ground we seek is found at the foot of the cross.
Am I divisive? Narrow-minded? Bigoted? Some will think so, “Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Gal.4:16)
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)
No amount of eloquence, no amount of flamboyance, showmanship, or theater will replace the truth. Fluff will never replace substance.