Author’s Note
This poem, “I’m Black and Reformed: How God’s Sovereign Hand Dignifies Every Shade of Man,” was inspired by Pastor Anthony J Carter’s book “Black and Reformed: Seeing God’s Sovereignty in the African American Experience.” His work helped me see how the doctrines of grace dignify the lives and histories of Black believers, anchoring our worth, not in race or culture, but in Christ alone.
This poem also rises from a growing concern — the unloving and uncharitable speech I’ve seen among some Christians when discussing “Black culture.” My aim is not to defend a people group, but to exalt a Person — Jesus Christ, who redeems sinners of every shade.
This piece marks a transition in my writing journey from Buddy’s Knapsack to The Black Puritan Society, where faith, culture, and truth meet at the foot of the cross.
I hope this blesses and encourages you.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
-Buddy
God created me in His image, but to them, I was just a number.
The Founders wrote that all men are created equal, but clearly that was a blunder.
Three-fifths of a person, that’s how you feel?
Guess what, God uses the silly to break the seal of hearts once stone, now turned into flesh.
By what standard is your measure of a man?
They weighed us in fractions and called us less than whole.
Your laws and customs crumbled, while God’s grace unfolds.
No longer bound, I’m set free!
With God, I know where I stand.
You see, I’m black and reformed, by His Sovereign hand.
In sin my mother conceived me, I was doomed from the start.
My heart was wicked, my mind debased, and at that present time, my life was a disgrace.
Sin flowed through my veins like water in the Nile River.
Unbeknownst to me, I was an arrow in Satan’s quiver.
I was the MVP on the devil’s team.
Fortunately for me, the accolades I received were all a dream.
However, I was living a nightmare, with no hope in sight.
I wanted to keep going, but I had no will to fight.
No longer bound, I’m set free!
With God, I know where I stand.
You see, I’m black and reformed, by His Sovereign hand.
Let’s talk about the cross, not the ones that people wear as jewelry.
An innocent Man was deemed guilty, carrying His cross to meet death.
He said, “It is finished,” as He breathed His last breath.
Satan thought he had Christ beat, but then he remembered what the Lord said to him by that tree:
“I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (HCSB)
Up from the grave, He arose!
Dead souls now brought to life.
Because Christ gave up Himself to pay the ultimate price.
No longer bound, I’m set free!
With God, I know where I stand.
You see, I’m black and reformed, by His Sovereign hand.
My heart was wicked, my mind debased—I thought my life was over, but God gifted me grace.
Why me, Lord? I hated you!
He replied, “I know, but I still love you.”
“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8 (HCSB)
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
I didn’t know that I was a slave [to sin], but Christ died to set me free!
Hallelujah to the Lamb! Praise His name forever!
Once lost, now found—His glory my treasure.
No longer bound, I’m set free!
With God, I know where I stand.
You see, I’m black and reformed, by His Sovereign hand.
My friend, where do you stand?
Are you in the Lord’s sovereign hands?
If not, what are you waiting for?
You may not see tomorrow.
The vices you enjoy today won’t wash away your sorrow.
Christ's blood will purify you and make you whole.
No need to wander any longer, come home.
No longer bound, I’m set free!
With God, I know where I stand.
You see, I’m black and reformed, by His Sovereign hand.
Jew or Gentile, black or white, made new.
The blood that saved me—saves you too.
The Gospel makes every tribe His own.
By one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Not by skin tone, class, or fame.
No longer bound, I’m set free!
With God, I know where I stand.
You see, I’m black and reformed, by His Sovereign hand.
“Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus — the great Shepherd of the sheep — with the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 (HCSB)