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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

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!

9 comments:

  1. OK, the first issue is forgiveness...the criticism is that Morton is saying that forgiveness can't be extended without repentance and some are saying that's not biblical. This is one of my responses to this issue when one quoted the following verses:

    Mark 11:25-26~25-And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26-But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

    The statement rendered along with that was: "God knows who is truly repentant; you don't. Our directive is to forgive."

    Matthew 6:14-15~ 14-For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15-But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

    My response was as follows:

    "Let me communicate this a little better because I was on the fly in my last comment and using my phone...

    Now, what I was alluding to was the purpose of forgiveness and the context...Forgiveness in the context of the verse that was quoted is for the person doing the forgiving. The verse that Ron brings up in context is talking to a person (let's say me) when I'm approaching God. If I haven't forgiven, then I am to go to that individual right? "when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:" In other words my prayers are ineffectual as long as I don't forgive if I have something against someone.

    Does that context even fit this case?

    Does Bishop Morton have something against Bishop Long? I don't think that was the context of his statement. Morton is saying that Long has done something for which he needs to give an account and that he should address the church ASK for forgiveness and get it right. He's already been in private council with him and Long has rejected any further dealings or council. Why would Morton be condemned for asking Long for a standard of scriptural accountability commensurate with his "office" and ministry?

    Wouldn't a BISHOP ask for forgiveness for placing himself in this sort of situation? Wouldn't one address with confidence the allegations instead of saying, "the man in the news isn't me"???

    The church can forgive him in the sense that it won't hinder church growth and salvation. But noone is under any obligation to forgive a person that doesn't think and hasn't communicated that he is wrong and is need of forgiveness. This is what Bishop Morton was saying."


    Now, show me if I am wrong about this assessment as it pertains to Morton's comments.

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  2. I am not too sure about the statement to not forgive, but I am glad and encouraged by the fact that he actually said the "s" word. SIN!!! He called what Eddie Long did SIN, and is trying to hold him accountable. That is what should happen. I am praying for everyone involved too, but we still have to call sin what it is.

    Eddie Long does need to be called out! Bishop Morton seems to be doing just that!

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  3. Ok, Pastor Burnett, I am thinking more and more about that statement not forgive if the person does not ask for forgiveness. I do not agree with that at all. Here's why:

    Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
    Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

    This scripture is about MY heart toward God concerning the deeds of others. This allows for NO exceptions to forgiveness. There is no condition of the offeding party asking for forgiveness.

    I have heard Benny Hinn make that statement when referring to what some people did to him a long time ago on TBN. It did not sit well in my spirit then nor does it now when Bishop Morton states it again.

    Now we are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and in ICor. Paul states:
    1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

    So here we see we are not to have fellowship with the likes of Eddie Long et al. when they are unrepentant.

    The forgiveness of sin done to you is a commandment given by Jesus. There is no wiggle room there, but the fellowship, trust with the same position or place etc. must not be restored until that person has repented and those in authority can see some fruit of that repentance.

    Please let me know if I have erred in my understanding of scripture. I just can't seem to get that statement made by Bishop Morton to reconcile with scripture.

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  4. Think about something; How many times have people done things to you and to this day do not think what they did was wrong? I know that I have plenty of those cases in my own life. Now God commanded me to forgive those folks AND I was even required to help a few of them! (talk about hard!)

    I don't believe our forgiving people has anything to do with THEIR perception of their actions or non actions. God will deal with them, but our hearts must be clear before God which means we have to forgive no matter what. Really for our own sakes!

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  5. Marcia, I see an feel ya on this one, but follow this through with me for a minute...why would God hold us to a higher standard of forgiveness than he does? God does not forgive anyone unless they ask. Don't get me wrong, forgiveness is liberating for us and for the individual receiving it, but there are different types of forgiveness. I can forgive the abuser for my benefit, but to receive the abuser as if he/she had never done wrong is in essence, facilitating the abuse. So we are left with the question, what type of forgiveness does the Lord require of us? The type that relieves vengeful reactions from us, or the type that simply shrugs and says "that's OK"? We can forgive the bishop as not to seek revenge or judgment, but we cannot pardon his actions until he asks.

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  6. Marcia,

    Thank you also for commenting. There are many who have never explored or thought about this issue like we are talking about it. Some assume that all degrees of forgiveness are the same because that is how it has been taught.

    The Lord said vengeance is his and he will repay. We are to forgive individuals from that perspective and standpoint so that we do not exact revenge or judgement. That liberates us, but does not free the offender from repentance and restoration when able.

    Now, what are the implicatins of forgiving (pardoning a person's sins) a person when they have not sought it? Many. We extend a gift to someone and they may not want that gift. This is an imposition upon a person. It could also be a violation of a persons's will IF they think they are correct. Now, they can be convinced that they have done wrong and the forgiveness extended would be one that does not seek retaliation. But onnce a prson has reconciled that they have done no wrong, or don't seek repentance when the case is presented, then all one can do is free themselves. The offender cannot be pardoned.

    Example 1: Man abuses or molests a child. Child grows up and confronts him. She says, I forgive you. He says I had a right to do what I did.

    Can she forgive him? YES
    Can she pardon his sins? NO
    Is she right? YES

    This fella expresses no remorse and can only be forgiven to the extent that she refuses to take matters into her own hand, but this man is without excuse or pardon.

    Example 2:Man abuses or molests a child. Child grows up and confronts him. She says, I forgive you. He says Thank you for I am truly sorry for what I did. It never shouls have happened. Please forgive me.

    Can she forgive him? YES
    Can she pardon his sins? YES
    Is she right? YES

    This man expresses remorse over what he has done and asks for forgiveness. She has every right as an act of her free will in accordance with his free will to forgive him and pardon him from his sins.

    Sometimes forgiveness (to us) is equivalent with further exposure to sin and abuse. Forgiveness forsters responsibility to the one being forgiven. Eddie Long doesn't even step up to the plate. He simply says, "that ain't me"...that's called denial. How can a person be forgiven as in pardoned when they even deny any responsibility for their acts and actions?

    Thank you my sistah for allowing me the opportunity to expound a little further...I forgive you for making me do this-(LOL!!!)

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  7. I am so heartily sorrowful for these my misdoings! LOL!!!

    Ok, so I got up early this morning to explore this further, and I found some interesting scripture that helps me understand what you are saying much better.

    A couple of scriptures:

    Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
    Luk 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

    So this scripture says IF he repent forgive him. So while we are to rebuke sin at the same time we must never tire of exercising forgiveness the moment the offender is sorry. So the level of forgiveness here is different than in Matt 6. which denotes a forgiveness that means we are not going to try to exact revenge etc.

    2Co 2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
    2Co 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
    2Co 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
    2Co 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

    Vs. 7 suggests that they were NOT to forgive him until he repented and the Lord instructed them to do so through Paul.
    "The desired effect was obtained, for the man was humbled, and they had shown the proof of their obedience to his directions. 3. He therefore directs them, with all speed, to restore the excommunicated person, or to receive him again to their communion" (Matthew Henry)

    I understand more clearly now.
    Thanks for the insight!

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  8. U got it my sistah! And you communicated it much better than me-LOL

    This understanding can really clear up the obligation of both the individual and the church etc. toward those who have gotten caught up in ungodliness.

    Most ministers are void of this understanding.

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  9. I have a hard time accepting any teaching from a word of faith preacher who has referred to Bishop T.D. Jakes as a “black Billy Graham."

    Morton doesn't even understand what it is jakes preaches (oneness) and yet he supports him.

    Also even if Fast Eddie were to repent he has been DISQUALIFIED from public ministry. There is no going back to church as usual like Paul Morton said.

    Eddie Long, according to scripture (1 Timothy 3) is no longer acceptable to serve in ministry.

    ReplyDelete

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