Good evening Pastor Sheila,
I hope this email finds you well!
As you may know, Xxxxxx and I talk a lot. Often times, I have questions that she advises me to ask you. I admit I haven't been doing so, but this time, I promised her that I would! As such, I obtained your email address from her and am finally reaching out.
Something that's been on my heart a lot and that I brought up with Xxxxxx is the subject of curses and blessings, especially concerning the black race. My dad has introduced our family to the topic of curses and blessings through the late missionary and preacher Derek Prince, and I admit it has opened my eyes to truths I hadn't seen before.
Amongst other things, it caused me to wonder if (and then conclude that) the black race is under some sort of curse. In the past, I've pondered why wherever one goes, an increase in the number of blacks in a given location is followed by an increase in poverty, violence, poor education, broken families, etc. I began to think that perhaps it was God's type and shadow of the kingdom of darkness – how it's thoroughly evil and will always remain "under" so to speak. Yet I never held unto that as truth; it seemed to contradict what I know of the God I serve. Where in the bible does it talk about God using different colored races to illustrate the different "shades" in the spiritual realm?
But with my new understanding of the power of curses to really subject generations to oppression, I've come to believe that the black race is under a curse. Though I'm not sure of the origin of it, I believe it may have something to do with past (and present) idol worship, witch craft, and the continued glorification of sex among the race. With that, the only way to break this curse is to do so in the Name and the power of Jesus.
This is a topic I want to bring up with the Christian fellowship I am a part of at school. The fellowship is called Intervarsity Multiethnic Christian Fellowship, and an important topic amongst the group is racial reconciliation in Christ. That being said, I wanted to know if you have any opinion or insight on this issue.
Thank you so much for reading through this email, and may the Lord continue to bless you for all you do for His kingdom!
I look forward to your response,
C.
Pastor’s Response
Hello C.
First of all, Noah cursed Ham's descendants, but God brought forth a saviour through Cush, his son. Nimrod could have been Messiah, but he failed to overcome his sin nature and became evil instead of righteous.
After that, God went to Mitzraim (Egypt), Ham's second son through Ephraim, who represented the mixing of the blood of Ham (Ephraim) and Shem (Abram), Noah's first son. But Ephraim fell into idolatry and was overcome by the gods of Egypt.
However, Joshua was an Ephrathite, and Phinehas, who was renamed Elijah, had an Ephrathite mother, and Jesus inherited Elijah's spiritual office.
So the black race has a rich heritage with the Lord, actually much richer than Shem, the progenitor of Abraham.
The stronger you are, the harder you fall, so the black race is cursed until such time as they are delivered by Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit anointing is not strong enough to overcome our fallen nature. Only the man, Christ Jesus, our new man/nature can do the job. The curse will be broken in Him.
In the meantime many blacks were helped by the Holy Spirit, but as you noticed, many blacks who have been in church their whole life, still fall into poverty, drugs, etc.
The opportunity to exchange our nature (the nature of the First Adam) for the nature of the Second man (Adam), Christ Jesus, is available now for everyone who has faith in Jesus Christ, but very few know about it. We are waiting for the Lord to advertise this opportunity. Hopefully it will be very soon. In the meantime, it is available at LEM/CCK for those who are willing to experience this change, which is difficult.
I hope I answered your question.
Love in Christ,
Sheila R. Vitale
Pastor, Teacher, Founder
Comment:
Good afternoon Pastor Sheila,
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my email. I do have another question thought: What do you mean by 'We are waiting for the Lord to advertise this opportunity'? I thought the church was supposed to declare Christ (and His salvation through renewal) to the nations, which I assume is the opportunity you are referring to.
Pastor’s Response:
I said:
"The opportunity to exchange our nature (the nature of the First Adam) for the nature of the Second man (Adam), Christ Jesus, is available now for everyone who has faith in Jesus Christ, but very few know about it."
The Church is to declare that salvation is in Jesus Christ. Most Christians believe that intellectually and think that there is nothing more to do. This is "the Common Salvation." The salvation of your spirit.
Jude 3
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. KJV
The salvation of your soul (personality) is a process which involves identifying your sin nature, also called, "The First Adam." This process does not begin until after we receive the New Man, Christ Jesus, the Second Adam.
1 Cor 15:47-49
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
KJV
Receiving he New Man is a process that can take a long time of study and prayer and living for God, so this experience is not for everyone at every moment. The message of the New Man is only or those who receive permission from the Lord to go on to spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus.
Heb 6:1-3
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
KJV
God bless you.
Pastor Sheila
Comment:
Good evening,
Thank you Pastor Sheila, that makes sense!
I pray God continues to bless you and further His kingdom on Earth through you.
Have a good night,
C
