About the time I was reading I Tim. 5:24: “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before in judgment, and some men they follow after,” Duane “Dog” Chapman, the renowned T.V bounty hunter on A & E was tearfully repenting on many cable shows about his use of the “n” word in a private conversation with his son, Tucker, who was recording the conversation.
Duane’s family wins the prize for a dysfunctional family. Duane and both of his sons have served time in prisons. The oldest, Christopher, went to prison on a robbery charge and the National Enquirer offered him money for dirt about his dad, which he accepted but now regrets. Now Tucker has sold his father’s inappropriate language private conversation about Tucker’s black girlfriend to the National Enquirer. “Dog” says none of his Anglo-Saxon boys have Anglo-Saxon girlfriends and he’s not racist. Both boys, like Judas, sold their father out for money and yet a sign of a Christian is forgiveness, which “Dog” says he has done. He said “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” – what Jesus said as he hung from the cross.
When the true gospel is preached and men come to Christ, they all become brothers. We don’t need all this hype about better race relations. Let’s be honest. We cannot create better relationships by forcing people together. Only the gospel of the grace of God will make a man into a brother. When that happens the color of a man’s skin makes no difference at all.
J. Vernon McGee’s commentary on I Tim. 5:24 says sometimes God will judge a Christian’s sin right here and now but if He doesn’t judge him immediately, it does not mean that He is not going to eventually judge. It seems that prominent personalities who claim Christianity are being judged now. Even TV evangelists have been exposed. “Dog”, a biker, an ex-con and now bounty hunter claims to be a Christian and his black pastor confirms this but had been cautioning him about his careless language. Obviously “Dog” has not attended any required sensitive training programs. However, like so many people who claim to be a Christian but refuse to change their lifestyles and language, he was definitely a Christian who needed a wake up call. His early childhood environment carried over into his persona on his T.V. show as a tough guy, so his habitual bad language is a part of his character. But God has said to him through his pastor and counselor, “If you don’t voluntarily change, I’ll force you to do so.” I believe “Dog” has learned his lesson the hard way as so many Christians do.
Sean Hannity from FOX was the first to have an interview with “Dog” followed by Larry King on CNN. In both instances, he seemed like a truly repentant sinner and whom God can now mightily use and the overwhelming consensus seemed to be that he should not have his livelihood destroyed over this private conversation. Even Dr. Phil agreed “Dog” should not lose his livelihood; however, he seemed disappointed that “Dog” wouldn’t appear on his show to be questioned by the likes of Al Sharpton, who has been a notorious name caller and habitual agitator. Also to appear on Dr. Phil’s show was a black rapper who frequently uses the “n” word and Tucker’s girlfriend’s mother. I didn’t see that show so I don’t know the actual outcome. I personally believe the “n” word had pretty much disappeared from the vocabulary of the majority of Americans until the black rappers came along resurrecting it so what we see as evil, God will use as good and hopefully the black rappers will begin to clean up their foul language and it would be my wish that programs on TV would follow. It’s a step in the right direction. If we aren’t judged now, we’ll be judged later.
By Betty Freauf: For More Information
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