THE CHURCH, THE NATION, THE LEADERS, THE CITIZENRY – Part 2

Jesus, the Christ spoke against the leaders and politicians of His time, when on earth, because they were wicked and unrepentant. He didn’t pray for them and of course did not hobnob with them neither did his disciples and Apostles. Rather, Jesus warned His people of them ‘...be wary off the leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodias” These were the politicians and pseudo believers in God of that time. (Mark 8:13-21, Mathew 16: 4-12).
The scriptures say emphatically that “when the righteous are in power and authority and the leaders love Justice, the people will rejoice and the land will know stability” (Paraphrased, Proverbs 29:2, 4).
Therefore in the light of the above scriptures I submit unequivocally that, the righteous will never be in government, Justice will not reign, the land will know no stability, and the people will not rejoice, when we wouldn’t change our ways and subsequently take practical and bold steps to effecting it (Nehemiah 9:34-37).
God is no magician, and He wouldn’t perform any magic. God only performs wonders as the wonderful counselor, prince of peace and everlasting Father; He will do wonders, only when we activate the process rightly.
We know God has not stopped revealing to His children both prominent and oblivious, that Nigeria will be great and flourish again; but not until Men begin to call on God rightly, and act accordingly. Our leaders’ honor God with their lips, but their heart is far from God. Some worship God in vain, while some worship false gods. They know what is good but wouldn’t do it, which is a sin to God (James 4:17).
They oppress and suppress the people through their actions and inactions. In the days of Jesus’ sojourn on earth, He openly rebuked the leaders of that time. Jesus was constantly on a collision course with the leaders and political class who pretended to know God and His laws expertly.
These people (Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes) hated Jesus with a passion for his boldness, courage and purity. It is not different now. If Jesus were to be in Nigeria now physically, I am certain, He would do same, again and again.
It is worthy to note that, but for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Elisha, the prophet didn’t want to have anything to do with wicked and heathen kings (2 Kings 3:13-15). This same King Jehoshaphat incurred the wrath of God for doing business with a heathen King (2nd Kings3:13-15).
God hates and warns against fraternizing with wicked rulers or leaders. Nigeria is sick and the corridors of power in all tiers of government are under the stronghold of wicked forces (Proverbs 25:5). Nigerians are groaning under the yoke of bondage and retrogression. These have hampered the natural leadership and model role that God destined Nigeria to provide for the dark skinned people, Africa and the world.
Satan their father, that is, our false and pretentious leaders and their cronies, allies, collaborators and alibi is a retrogressive being. He has always been anti-progressive, because it is his nature (John 10:10; 8:43-44, 47).
These leaders are unlike the mold of Jesus. All they keep doing is sowing evil and wickedness in the name of democracy and leadership. Jesus sowed well, He upturned all the works of the leaders he met and exposed them. In addition, he reformed and informed ignorant ordinary people. Jesus did good everywhere He went. Are children of God not supposed to emulate Jesus?
I must emphasis that Jesus taught that we should be law abiding and carry out our civic responsibilities to the latter. For example, paying taxes and being obedient to laws that do not contravene God’s words – Christians owe that to their country unreservedly. But, that we should pray for the well being of wicked and unrepentant leaders, I do not think so.
Dear readers, it’s your duty to know what God is saying (Proverbs 25:2). Almost all of our leaders are enemies of God because their hearts are far from God (James 4:4), and by their actions and in actions they tenuously harm God’s people – His creatures and creation (His earth) and God will deal with them for that at His own time and in His own way. You are to pray for your enemies: those who harm or try to harm you directly; that is, your human known enemies. I don’t mean your spirit enemies such as demons or Satan. Jesus taught us to pray for such enemies (Mathew 5: 43-48, Proverbs 24: 17-18; 25: 21-22).
An African adage says ‘when you know your enemy, then he or she cannot harm you any more’’. Even a person born blind, deaf and dumb, knows what has become of my country – Nigeria.
The Body of Christ listen to what the spirit is saying in 2 Samuel 23: 2-4, 6-7. Retrace your steps now. The ball is in your court.31/12//08.
Maranatha