Rev. Floyd Rose 

I am human, not by choice, but by chance. I am black, not by choice, but by chance. I am American, not by choice, but by chance. I am Christian, not by chance, but by choice. I chose to be a Christian.

I chose neither to be human, black, male or American. It is what it is, and I share a common bond with all other humans. I share a common bond with all other blacks, whether in America, South America or South Africa. I share a common bond with all other males, wherever they live.

I am an American, and therefore I share a common bond with all other Americans, whatever their political affiliation: Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Or their political persuasion: Liberal, Conservative or Moderate.

I am a Christian and therefore, I share a common bond with other Christians, whatever their denomination: Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Church of Christ or Church of God in Christ. 

They are my brothers and sisters, not because of what we can do in this century, but because of what He did for us in that century. Christ, who is the “author and finisher of our faith,” died for all men everywhere. It is His blood that makes us brothers and sisters.

We must all hold these truths to be self-evident “that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These rights are not granted by, nor derived from the state. They are God-given.

We were all born, and must all die. Sometime between birth and death, influenced by religion, race, family, friends, community or nation, we become what we become. Yes, we were all born, all live and must all die.

The rich man, the poor man,

the beggar and the thief;

the lawyer, the doctor,

and the Indian chief.

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker,

and even the undertaker.

We must all die.

We may be in different religious, racial and denominational boats, but we are all sailing in the same human ocean. We can either choose to continue to try to sink each others’ boats, or all sail toward the love boat, and enjoy a fellowship of unconditional love where these differences make no difference.

In the words of Jesus, if we treat all men as we wish to be treated, wars will cease, poverty will end, and we will enslave, oppress or segregate no one.

I know not what course others may take, but for the time that I have left on this earth, I intend to treat all men, whatever their race, religion, creed, color or sexual orientation, as I wish to be treated, and fight for their right to do the same.

Here I stand. I can do no other.

So help me God!

Floyd Rose is senior servant with Serenity Church.