The Call For Bishop Eddie Long To Repent?

In a stark contrast to Bishop T.D. Jakes who said that there is nothing that can be done regarding Eddie Long except prayer (and we know that prayer is always in order), and that he along with everyone else just needs "the blood of Jesus" while pointing to his "blood bucket" both for himself and others to cover all of our sins; Bishop Paul S. Morton, however has joined many of us in calling for Bishop Eddie Long to repent regarding the recent sex and ethical scandal that has enveloped and threatens to destroy his ministry. Here's a recent message regarding the issue:

Surprisingly, ministers such as Creflo Dollar have stated that Bishop Long simply had a "wreck" and that he should keep on moving and everybody should go home because in essence, like a Keystone cop, "there's nothing to see here". Bishop T.D. Jakes assesses the situation as a "recent tragedy" and that Bishop Long is under a great amount of "scruitiny". This is language that certainly softens the emphasis of what has really happened and doesn't really point toward repentance of any kind.


However, neither of these men, while simultaneously claiming to be Long's friend, have called him to repentance and turning on any issue. Their assessment is basically business as usual and that everyone should be considering their own sins. Is this what friends do? Allow the sins and improprieties of their associates to go unchecked? Yes, we are aware of the fallout on all sides of this issue, but what of repentance and accountability of leadership? 

Whay do I car? I care because I remember in "Watch This Pt. 6" that it was pointed out that Bishop Long once claimed that he was not like everybody else. (I remember Juanita II saying this too) He was not the average "bumbling preacher" simply baptizing babies. He said he was on a "different scale" than the rest of us? Well, that scale demands that Bishop Long repent. I stated the following in the comments section of a previous post on the issue:

"Thanks again and I agree with you in many points however, as I stated, whether Long is innocent or guilty, he's violated a principle of leadership and has not walking in the standard that the BIBLE outlines for the office of a Bishop.

1 Tim. 3:1-7~"1-This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2- A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3- Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4- One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5- (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)6- Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7- Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

Then there's this:

Titus 1:6-7~"6-If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8- But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9- Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."

The proof that he is in violation of the scripture is the mess itself. It becomes a sort of testament that he has not walked in the ways of the Lord. How do I know? The Lord has promised protection against the lies of the enemy for the righteous (Ps. 91) and help for those who endure persecution.  

His persecution is not for the cause of Christ, it is for self and material and flesh and is inspired by flesh. 

There is a text trail and inappropriateness at the center whether he's guilty or not this is not a relationship conducive to a healthy church or leadership.  

What it is is this, IDOLOTRY, makes individuals find an excuse for the excesses of leaders such as this. This is MAN WORSHIP. People defend his actions no matter what the proof and the indictment against him or those like him is." ~ Pastor Harvey Burnett SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 7:59 PM "

A second part of my commentary on repentance went as follows:

"Secondly, you must come to understand that "repentance" is more deep than merely a confession of sin. The Jewish Encyclopedia does an exhaustive work on it and it means "change" of position or heart. One part of what they say is this:

All are encouraged by God to repent excepting him who sins with the intention of repenting afterward (Yoma viii. 9; comp. Amon), or him who persists in his wickedness (Yoma 86b; Ex. R. xi. 2-3; Midr. Teh. i., end). Repentance is especially useless for him who by his teaching and example has caused others to sin (Ab. v. 26; Sanh. 107b); hence the heavenly voice, "All ye backsliding children repent, except Aḥer" (Elisha b. Abuyah; Ḥag. 15a). Gehazi was not allowed to repent (Soṭah 47a). As long as man lives he may repent, but there is no repentance after death, only submissive acceptance of God's punitive justice (Eccl. R. i. 15, vii. 15; Pirke R. El. xliii.; Ruth R. i. 17; Shab. 32a; 'Er. 19a; Yalḳ., Isa. xxvi. 2). Wherefore R. Eliezer said: "Repent one day before death" (Ab. ii. 10)—that is, every day (Shab. 153a; Eccl. R. ix. 8, where the parable of the wise and foolish servants by R. Johanan b. Zakkai is given in illustration). The righteous repent for every sin they have committed (Ex. R. xxiii. 3); the disciple of the wise repents every night for his sin (Ber. 19a; Ḥag. 75a); so Israel is expected to repent in time in order to inherit the future life (Ex. R. xxiii. 11). The heathen, as a rule, do not repent (Pesiḳ. 156a, b); comp. 'Ab. Zarah 3a). "As long as the people are sin-laden they can not be God's children; only when they have repented have they in reality become His children" (Sifre, Num. 112, with reference to Deut. xxxiii. 5; comp. Sifre, Deut. 308).

This is stripping one of one's ego and self reliance. SAINTS should do this regularly even if one cannot identify a person sin (for some reason)

One need not sin to repent before God. As soon as you think you don't need to, then you do." ~ Pastor Harvey Burnett SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 7:59 PM 

 The Bishop's repentance is for the body of Christ and the benefit of the Kingdom of Christ that he says that he is a part of and loves. Further, as I've previously stated, he needs a time of reconciliation so that all may be healed and that he may regroup spiritually and deal with issues as to why and how these things were allowed in his life. Things this deep are not settled on the fly and God has called for much greater than what we are seeing. I simply hope that Eddie, the Bishop, will listen and not plug his ears like so many do when they are confronted with their sins. That's what we can pray for. That there will be true repentance, turning and reconciliation.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ~ "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Blessed!