One of the first things to do is define the term in the title of this post:
Reconciliation: Reconciliation comes from the Greek family of words that has its roots in allasso [ajllavssw]. The meaning common to this word group is "change" or "exchange." Reconciliation involves a change in the relationship between God and man or man and man. It assumes there has been a breakdown in the relationship, but now there has been a change from a state of enmity and fragmentation to one of harmony and fellowship. In Romans 5:6-11, Paul says that before reconciliation we were powerless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies; we were under God's wrath (v. 9). Because of change or reconciliation we become new creatures. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ( 2 Cor 5:17 )...Reconciliation is also subjective in that the sinner is spoken of as being reconciled. It is a relationship that comes between man and wife as well as Jew and Gentile. If a person is about to offer a gift at the altar and remembers that he has something against his brother he should leave his gift and be reconciled first to his brother and then come and offer his gift. Reconciliation is something done by the one who offers it; it is not just something that happens to the estranged people. ~ Baker's Online Evangelical Theological Dictionary
Many in ministry today view it as an "inconvenience" when they fail. It is merely a disruption in things that must be "managed". There are PR firms and image management consultants that are hired and go to work to manage and minimize "damage" that has occurred due to sinful behavior.
When all is said and done there is a difference between restoration and reconciliation. There there is a difference between changing because one was "caught" and changing because one is truly sorry. Some instances of reconciliation may take a lifetime. Although we may never know the difference from God's perspective, one thing is for sure, God knows. Certainly we've all made our share of mistakes and committed our share of personal sins, but when one never knows what one is really giving up and what it will take to actually reconcile or be reconciled to God as a result of sins and personal behavior.
Although I will deal with the issue in greater detail in a future post, I wanted to take the time to listen to what Jamal Bryant is actually saying in this video. Is he real? Has he really changed? Did he truly repent or did he repent at all? Please speak on this in the comments section if you can, I am interested to hear commentary on this.
Remember Jamal's missive to Ebony Magazine regarding their March 2013 "scandal issue" in which he and this incident was named:
"For 67 years, Ebony Magazine has been the drum beat for culture in the African American community. John Johnson its beloved founder dedicated his life to safe guarding our image with great integrity.
The March 2013 edition has left a hole in my heart. On page 124 they published that it’s alleged I impregnated a 17-year-old member of my church. This accusation is categorically and completely untrue. To publish this with absolutely no source lends itself to reckless endangerment to my children, my congregation and my community.
Ebony is not the National Enquirer. A higher standard is required and the statement jeopardizes my ministry to the youth in my church and community. So it is on moral grounds that a retraction is necessary.
In 2007 I participated in an extramarital affair that resulted ultimately in the termination of my marriage to my incredible wife Gizelle. NO minors were involved but my minor children have been affected. I don’t want them to have to live through any further unnecessary pain.
Matthew 18:15 say’s if your brother has sinned against you go and tell him his fault. I solicit your continued prayers for my family, forgiveness for myself and accountability from Ebony magazine.
Flawed but faithful. I remain,
Jamal- Harrison Bryant
(A Father and Pastor)
Check Out my post from 2008 that also includes what we know know was accurate information regarding Jamal: Parlor Tricks & Magic
# 1...Did he REPENT?
ReplyDeleteEnochWalked said:
ReplyDeletePraise the LORD and God bless youPastor Burnett! I thank God for you and your internet ministry and teaching. Truly thou art a teacher sent by God. Amen. May the Lord continue to strengthen and protect you being on the front-lines being a light in dark world. Amen.
These television celebrity preachers have been a stumbling block to the American church (all sects and denominations) as long as I can remember (30 plus years and counting). From Rev. Ike to Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker to Jimmy Swaggert to this present hour, Carlton Pearson, Todd Bentley, Juanita Bynum, Eddie Long, Jamal Harrison-Bryant and the sad account of Zachary Tims.
Out of all these examples, the only one that I vividly remember where there was a heartfelt open repentance and confession of his sins was Jimmy Swaggert. And today, I truly believe Jimmy Swaggert has been restored and reconciled to the Body of Christ, and it looks like Jimmy Swaggert has been restored to a former level of prominence in television ministry with his own satellite network. Jim Bakker looks like he has been restored and I saw him on one of the Christian satellite networks recently.
Now Todd Bentley was not a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ but there were many mainline pentecostal full-gospel denominations in America that "prophelied" and said this man was running a revival in Lakeland, Florida. I believe Satan uses obviously false prophets and teachers in attempt to discredit the true Church. Well Bentley's private life (drinking) and adultery came to the light and many ministers of satan's church tried to hide this stuff from us.
Carlton Pearson...did he ever at one time believe the very gospel he preached?
Eddie Long. Why is anyone still listening and supporting this man?
Juanita Bynum...she married a man who already had a wife...that in itself should tell us something. I believe she was sincere at one point in time in her walk with the Lord but pride and money have become her snare.
Zachery Tims. Those who enabled him are just as guilty to knowingly know this man had issues and did nothing to save his life. I believe his wife, Dr. Rita Tims had no other choice but to separate herself from his wrongs in order to save her reputation and her children.
Jamal. I must confess that I used to like this brother and covet his gift because he could "draw" the people. But I have learned charisma, charm, and the gift of gab are what they are..."Gifts" and not work of the Holy Ghost! I remember, some 7-8 years ago, early on a Sunday morning, Jamal's television broadcast was playing on TV-1 (When TV-1 first came out, the were catering to us "Church folks", LOL!) This was when I believed the hype(LIE) that if a preacher had a large following, he or she must truly be "anointed" and "blessed" by God. It was at this point in time of my walk in Christ, that God started tearing down my idolatry of preachers and redirecting my focus on Him and Him alone (Thank You Jesus!). Jamal was "ministering" to his congregation and said something that the Holy Spirit immediately corrected me and said false teaching/false prophecy...Jamal said, "Jesus is walking through this sanctuary right now. Reach out and touch Him. Jesus is here right now." The Holy Spirit said to me, "Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father!" Ever since that point in time, I was on full-alert concerning Jamal. Cont'd.
Thanks for the compliments and prayers my brother...I know that's right...discern between the gifts of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of men...The people are in what is called an apostate state or condition...that is sad, but the leaders, including teh singers have led them into that condition...watch what happens...it's gonna be a ride and a half...
DeletePart II. Pastor Burnett, I tell you, it seems to me, that whenever a man of God or woman of God falsely misrepresent Jesus and His word from behind the pulpit, something happens and all of the hidden sins and hidden agendas come to the light. Not many days after I heard that lie come out of Jamal's mouth over national television, that all of his indiscretions came out. Being that I live in the Baltimore-Washington, DC/Prince George' MD metro area, this was a big-time mess and reproach to the African-american churches in this area. But, holiness does not matter out here anymore. The overwhelming majority of the black churches that have large congregations preach a compromised gospel. Barack and Michelle Obama can do no wrong and these modern day priests with the money and the large congregations overwhelmingly back up the Obamas and the Democratic party in total rebellion to the word of God. There are people that claim to be Holy Spirit filled believers and will fight you if you speak against their lord and savior, as Jamie Fox called him, Barack Obama. Maryland has been turned over to become a social experiment. Homosexual marriage is now law of the land in Maryland. Casinos are now allowed to operate in Maryland. Abortion, etc, etc.
ReplyDeleteBack to the question. Did he REPENT? No way. None of these wolves and goats have repented according to what the Bible calls "fruits meet for repentance"... except Jimmy Swaggert if you ask me (I am not calling Jimmy a wolf or a goat). At least in the world system, if a Democrat or a Republican has indiscretions, the party line will make you resign! Why don't the Churches enforce the word of God and sit folks down? Hmmm...
And lastly, Pastor Burnett, I believe freemasonry through the black boule has invaded the churches of God, the governments (federal and state - elected and civil service), the public schools, the HBCUs, and every level of black America and these wolves are wrecking havoc and devouring the sheep. The love of money has corrupted the overwhelming majority of the churches out here and the same goes in the secular areas. Dr. Martin Luther King's dream has become a NIGHTMARE! I don't mean to sound negative and no saints of God, I have not lost my hope in Jesus Christ. But I tell you, we are in a sad spiritual state. The true saints are suffering out here.
There is some type of spiritual force out here that has the sheep mesmerized and stupid when it comes to where they worship and go to church. The people are feeding these monsters. There are people who enable Barack and Michelle Obama, the Jamal Harrison-Bryant types, and so on with their time and their money. That says something about our current spiritual condition and state.
We must watch and pray like never before...
Listening to this video this is a narcississtic man if I've ever heard of one; I, me, mine...etc
ReplyDeleteThis man is self-absorbed
Totally!!!!
DeleteHmmm, from listening to this interview...it's STILL "all about him (Jamal) rather than being ALL ABOUT HIM (God)!
ReplyDeleteKing David said it best in Psalm 51 "Lord, it's You only that I sinned against...create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me..." That's true repentance! I pray that in Jamal's heart, he has done this...but his fruit from this interview says otherwise. IMO
-Godlysoldier
I agree...Sorry, I don't see anything that looks like biblical repentance. The claim will be that he can do that in private, but the complete junk that these folk do is beyond what he was actually "caught" doing...that's just the "tip" of the iceberg.
DeleteIt's about having a large church, control and income...that's it...
Bryant is speaking at Revival Fire in AIM this year. I know we'll be right in his backyard, but really ... Get your $500 seed offering ready.
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be in Baltimore. Isn't that special? They still think his name will draw people...I won't be there for certain. SMH!
DeleteDid he repent? NO! It is still all about him. (Jamal) He went through counseling..with whom? Did he really seek God about what he believed and preached? He doesn't address the false doctrine that will always lead to death and destruction in you life. So at the end of the day he will still be ruled by his sin nature because he has no defense in the "self" he preaches!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I see as well...Just say, I messed up, I sinned and now let me correct my mess up by doing this and that, which, in my opinion, includes going back and doing all that can be done to repair his marriage even if that means coming out of the pulpit. That is obviously something that he didn't want to do, or at least so it appears.
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