A Problem with Illegitimacy

I have a problem with illegitimacy.  More to the point, I have a problem when the tag or label of illegitimate is applied to children born out of wedlock.  I ask, "What is illegitimate about these babies, children, teens, and young adults?"  The marital circumstance of their parents perhaps was not ideal, and may have been nightmarish for the Mother, but please let us not impose a label on the child!

As so often I do, I ask you to join me in the Bible for a closer look at how illegitimate the word illegitimate is when describing children conceived and/or born to a couple not married at the time, or ever for that matter.

Let's begin with Psalm 127 . . .
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." (v.3)

Psalm 139 . . .
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (vv.13-14)

Jeremiah 1 . . .
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (vv.4-5)

Matthew 19 . . .
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (vv.13-14)

__________

Well, this is fairly easy to follow isn't it?  Children are a gift from God. The Psalmist says a heritage, and the fruit of the womb (babies) is a reward.  We learn that God knew us before we were born from just a plain reading in Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1.  And the value of children in the ministry of Jesus is evident in the verses from Matthew 19.

How can a child be considered illegitimate if God knows they're going to be born?  Maybe the circumstances of their conception fall under the heading of sin (sex outside of marriage / fornication). Okay that's scriptural, but it is not an indictment of the baby!  Perhaps the parents are not married when the child comes into this world; it happens.

The Bible tells us that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue...." Unfortunately it is used to bludgeon the spirits of little children by labeling them bastards and worse.  They are caused sometimes irreparable harm by the thoughtless comments, accusations, and harsh words directed at them, and in their presence, by adults.

Additionally they suffer verbal blows from other children who parrot their parents' own ignorant rants.  The worst of it may occur from the non-verbal daggers thrown their way as they are shunned, ignored, or minimized for no other reason than the facts surrounding their birth. This is sinful behavior directed at the defenseless, and the practitioners of it should be ashamed.

Please be careful, ladies and gentlemen.  Be careful of the little children, the tweens, the teens, and young adults whose parents were not married when they were born, and/or who were born into a single parent house.  Be careful in how you speak of them and to them, and to whom you speak regarding them.  These little ones are gifts from God, deemed worthy of this life by God's matchless love, grace, and eternal plan.

Scripture tells us they are fearfully and wonderfully made. It tells us they are God's workmanship and are wonderful, and according to Jesus, the kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.

Fearlessly,
JD

Speaking with Eternity on the Line

Most of the speaking opportunities with which I’ve been blessed have been before secular audiences.  There is always an uplifting theme, this is the crux of my messages after all, but a declaration of my faith in God is typically not mentioned.

When I tell audiences, “You can be better than you’ve been, and do more than you’ve done,” it is sometimes received as an affront to their character, accomplishments, education, or life’s journey, but that is never my intent.  As I continue to deliver my remarks all audience members come to an understanding that their lives are meant to count for something larger than a job, career, keeping a roof overhead, or staying in shape through diet and exercise.

In a purely secular (ecumenical? humanistic?) setting everyone can appreciate the question I asked back in 2008, “Why am I here?”  Certainly most have pondered, if only for a moment, that age-old question of our existence on this earth.  What I convey to all audiences is the truth that this question has an answer, and we can know it…with certainty.

In my book, ‘Be Known for Your D.E.E.D.S.’ I relate my own progression through the truth of unique existence, inherent design, and specific passion.  There is a certain ignorance in society (and some societies) when it comes to God’s every day work in our lives.  Ignorance, by the way, is not a bad word; neither is it an insult.  It is a statement suggesting lack of knowledge in a given subject area.

I am bold enough to declare that I possess a rudimentary understanding of God’s love for us, and this knowledge has opened my eyes to, among other things, how blessed we are in the U.S., how amazing the earth’s distance from the sun really is, mankind’s dominion, and why the cycle of life on this planet ensures our continued existence.

When called upon to speak in churches, or to audiences comprised mostly of Christians, I am able to swing for the fences, to coin a phrase.  I can get to the heart of the matter, and express the Father’s will concerning the ‘why’ of our being, and further His agenda for the building of His kingdom (Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…).

‘Be better than you’ve been, and do more than you’ve done’, finds its home in the hearts of men and women who embrace the big picture of life, and the very uniqueness of their own lives.  Minds begin opening to the truth of unique, inherent design when I state the very simple fact, “There’s a reason there aren’t six billion doctors on the planet. We don’t all want to be doctors.”

Speaking with eternity on the line means I will convey God’s truth about our lives, and the importance of living for a purpose beyond our immediate needs.  The folks who adhere to the humanitarian aspects of other faiths, volunteer for philanthropic causes, or earnestly try to ‘pay it forward’ each day, are modeling that piece of God He has provided, though often are unaware of its source.

What I present to audiences is the truth God has blessed me to know, to live, and to share.  He opens doors for me to enter in with the message of higher calling, higher achievement, and higher living.  Destiny is on my lips for all to hear.  I do not hide my faith in Christ.  I do not shrink from being fully persuaded faith in Christ alone is the key to receive all this life, and the one to come, has to offer.

I speak knowing eternity is on the line.

Fearlessly,

JD