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(Editor´s Note: This is the conclusion of a two-part article calling on black Americans to adopt a biblical worldview of our history and future.)
Not victimization but salvation is the right view and interpretation of the black experience in America. For while God could have completely destroyed our West African ancestors from the face of the earth, in accord with His sovereign will and grace, He permitted our bondage so that many could be saved! And who in his right mind would scoff at the precious gift of eternal salvation as a consolation? Only he who is without it! Indeed, for the gift has come not to righteous men, but as it is written, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us," (Romans 5:8, NKJV).
Those of our slave forefathers who sought the God of the Bible for help in their travail, found it as they put their faith in the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ! In contrast to the pride and insolence of even many today who will not accept the truth that a just God would judge and humble a people through slavery, our Christian slave forefathers were able to do so because they knew their own sinful ways. In humility and submission, they confessed to God that they were sinners worthy of His judgment. "How do you know that, sir?" It is the confession of every man seeking mercy and forgiveness from the Lord for his sins (Psalm 51:1-4).
Our Christian slave forefathers and their Christian descendants who endured Jim Crow segregation did so accepting their plight as it was, from God´s hand. Was it hard? Yes! Was it degrading and humiliating? Yes! Were some martyred? Absolutely! Did they struggle with impatience and despair? Yes! What gave them hope? The fact that God is merciful. "His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning," (Psalm 30:5, NKJV).
Very importantly also, these saints were comforted in their long night by the case history of the Jews recorded in the Bible. In the similitude of Judah´s captivity to Babylon wherein the people were instructed to settle in until their discipline was completed, so many black Christians from slavery to the middle of the 20th century did the same. They were encouraged as were the captive Jews of Judah such as Daniel, that God had plans of a future with peace and hope. In that future, the grateful redeemed would enjoy the gracious ear of the Lord whenever they sought Him (Jeremiah 29:1-14). Thus, these saints submitted to God.
The Bible teaches that "Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)…and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him," (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV). In fact, God accounts faith (understood as reliance upon as well as one´s whole trust and confidence) in Him and His Word as righteousness. This was true for Abraham some 4,000 years ago, our slave forefathers 400 years ago and anyone today who puts their faith in the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ for salvation (Romans 3:21-5:5)!
Someone will say, "Well, so what, God considers me righteous for believing in His Son. How does that help me and all black folks live and thrive everyday in a world hostile to us?" The same way it helped our Christian slave and free forefathers who obtained the righteousness that is exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ; righteousness that moves God to exalt a nation! Truly, you are only here today to ask such a disdainful question because God rewarded the tear filled faith and obedience of our Christian forefathers.
Solely through the strength and provision God supplies to His faithful ones, did our Christian forefathers persevere during the long night of slavery and enforced racial bigotry of segregation (Psalm 5:11-12, 33:18-22). The morning of joy many never saw for themselves but which we, their descendents, received in the breakthroughs of the Civil Rights Movement, are of the rewards the Lord bestows on the righteous who wait for Him (Psalm 37:39-40, 75:9-10, 146:5-8). In deep gratitude we were to continue our emergence from the rod of God´s discipline to joyfully declare to a world breathless with wonder, what the Lord can do for those who trust in Him! You see it was never all about us, but the Lord who saves lost humanity! But we would rather be victims.
If we had built on the faith of our Christian forefathers, the Lord´s righteousness would have obtained for us all of the precious promises of Scripture on this and the other side of heaven! In the face of ongoing racism and discrimination for example, the victory of the righteous is embodied in the apostle Paul´s staggering question, "If God is for us, who can be against us," (Romans 8:31b, NKJV)? What about everyday provisions? David said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread," (Psalm 37:25, NKJV). But we would rather depend on flesh.
Therefore, listen to the wisdom of Solomon, those who claim to lead black people: "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death." "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." "In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death." "He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded." "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people," (Proverbs 10:2, 11:4, 12:28, 13:13, 14:34, NKJV).
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