American Royalty

Tonight the deification of Michael Jackson comes to a crescendo with the public memorial in Los Angeles. Please read the article that I’ve linked to; it is a microcosm of America’s illness. One man is quoted as saying:

    “It’s the passing of a great soul. He brought people together, helped express something that’s in us all.”

He’s right about one thing; Michael Jackson did “express something that’s in us all.” It’s called sin.

Michael Jackson was a drug addict and a pedophile. He was also an incredible talent who could have been used mightily by the Lord. Most tragically he is the product of an ungodly father:

    “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

By all accounts Joe Jackson tormented his son Michael. He used his sons’ talents for the enrichment of himself. He did not protect his children; he did not look upon his boys and girls as:

    “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:4-5)

It was said that Michael primarily and the rest of the boys in general had a hard time pleasing their father. At the Black Entertainment Television Tribute for Michael, Joe Jackson said referencing the tribute:

    “I’m glad it’s happening, but they should have saluted him when he was living so he could have enjoyed or saw all this.”

I believe those words will haunt Joe Jackson forever. So could have you Mr. Jackson. You could have saluted him when he was living. You could have told him how well he did when he colored you a picture at 5 years old. You could have loved and hugged him after a show instead of critiquing him like some stage manager. You could have loved Michael because he was your son.

Beloved I am not picking on this family tragedy. I am merely illustrating biblically what happens when a father does not love his child unconditionally. Does your son have to do something good to receive your praise Dad? Do you dole out love based on performance?

The hardest lesson I ever learned with being Eddie’s father, and my girls for that matter, is that I cannot love them conditionally and if I do it will hurt them. Eddie once told me in an email while he was still a teen living with his mother that he was sorry he wasn’t the son I wanted. I had that coming because the email I had sent to him was based on conditional love. It hurt my heart to read that but it was much needed. I cried out to God to know how to be a father to Eddie and the Lord said, “Love him like I love you, with unconditional love…agape love.”

Fathers, please do not exasperate your children. Learn to teach them the provision and protection behind every precept and principle you instill in them. Help them to understand that the Lord’s way is the best way. Help them to understand that the Ten Commandments were given as a mirror to show us how to live our lives. And teach them that because of sin we can never fulfill the law completely and that is why we need a Savior in the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest thing a parent can show a child is the way to Jesus.

The man quoted in the article said, “It’s the passing of a great soul.” Sadly, it is the passing of a condemned soul.

    “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)

Michael Jackson once claimed to admire Jesus; he obviously knew about Jesus. Knowledge and admiration for Jesus Christ does not bring salvation. Satan knows Jesus better than any human. The Bible does not say if you know and admire Jesus you will be saved.

    “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Perhaps social commentators will look upon Michael Jackson life and see its frailty. I pray that his worshippers will walk away after this is all said and done and realize, my king is dead and now I have nothing. I pray that America will see that when we make royalty out of celebrities and worship them as gods, that when their idols die their hope dies with them.

I pray that if I should find opportunity from the Lord that I will boldly share the Gospel with anyone who needs not the king of pop, but the King of the Universe.

I pray that this and many other events to come will bring revival to America.

Please return to us Lord Jesus…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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