Gospel
It is the second quarter of the year; the Easter season. As the ‘church’ celebrates the “Easter” Season worldwide; many nations, especially in Africa are also changing leaders.
However, resistant to change by many sit-tight leaders has turned many of these nations into a slaughter-slab. This phenomenon is currently ravaging North Africa and the Middle East, but we pray that the violence doesn’t spread into other nations, especially, Nigeria as she goes to vote a new leader. Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth. Instability in Nigeria means instability in Africa and by extension, the world, especially, the church!
I believe that as God is opening the eyes of many nations to see that most people they call leaders are actually killers, He is also opening the eyes of His Church to know that most festivals being celebrated in the Christendom like Easter and Christmas are actually of Pagan origin, specifically from Baal worship and were neither recognized nor celebrated by disciples and the Early Church until centuries later when they were imported to the church and set up as Christian festivals.
The blame for the failure of any movement, whether political or religious must be on the leaders, but spiritually speaking, it should be laid at the door-step of the Church, as the highest authority recognized by God. The Church holds the key to the nation. “whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mat 16:19). But God’s people have forgotten how to pray and intercede for the land, but rather for themselves, forgetting that a prosperous ‘church’ in chaotic nation is a pitiable element. Lot did not live to enjoy his wealth in Sodom, he eventually lost all, even though he was rich and righteous (2Pet.2:8).
The nation of Libya at the moment can testify to this solemn truth as both the rich and the poor, believers and unbelievers alike are in spiritual distress as the civil war ravage the nation, harvesting souls in thousands, not mentioning Japan and other nations of the world passing through political, natural or economic turmoil. That’s why the Bible admonished us “that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1Ti 2:1-2). The church is a watchman of the nation, but when the watchman is asleep, the nation is at risk.
Although, prayer altars and meetings are everywhere in this nation, yet idolatry, bloodshed, violence, human sacrifices are brazenly perpetuated by politicians, many of who are elders and deacons in some churches.
The church is truly praying for breakthroughs and prosperity, but what about the land to use them? Only when the land is peaceful can the church be at peace. Many leaders of such large meetings are only capitalizing on the needs of the innocents worshippers, who sincerely turn to God for solutions to their problems and for God to do for them what the government of other nations are doing for their citizens, but end up being defrauded by pastors who squeeze the remaining life out of them to build personal, financial and economic empires and institutions for themselves, assuring them of imminent prosperity and breakthrough which never comes!
A random sample of an almost naked lady or in rags in the name of fashion in the society today, will reveal that she’s likely an active member of the choir in a fast lane church, whereas, her counterpart with such a degree of commitment in other religion is likely to protect too much!
Nigeria not only have the largest population of blacks in Africa, but has also been said to have the largest denominational movement in the world, the largest single cathedral, the fastest growing denomination, largest number of prayer mountains and church services, cutting across broad day light services, mid-day, mid-week, mid-night, all-week, all night, seven days, twenty one days, many super Sundays, breakthrough seminars anointing services for wives, babies, visas, etc. I am sure that Nigeria will also have the largest number of pastors in the world, with churches in almost every street of the town.
How good would it have been for God if the zeal some churches used to look for pastors is used to look for souls? They hire pastors with incentives, giving them financial and soul ‘target’ to meet or be sacked. Have any of these achievements made the society better socially, morally or even spiritually? Sadly, it is adjudged as one of the most corrupt nations of the world!
Many years ago, when the proliferation of churches was not as endemic as it is now, the society had more moral values. The church had spiritual integrity; the message was Jesus not just breakthrough, prosperity, etc. A Christian was viewed with more dignity and respect. A Born again is believed and looked upon by the strictness and uprightness of the name he or she professes. Everyone would hire them because of their faithfulness, commitment, trust, truthfulness and integrity, but the reverse is the case now. Today, so called Pastors do more terrible and unbelievable things even more than unbelievers! Fast lane Pastors have redefined Christianity and the Gospel; the fastest way of getting your needs met and realizing your desires, dreams and ambitions regardless of your sins. It is no longer we serving God but God serving us. It is no longer about eternal life but earthly blessings evidenced by the pastor’s extravagant lifestyle.
The church has become powerless by her prayerlessness. Prayers have been replaced with mere desires for solutions, breakthrough, miracles and prosperity and there are Professional Pastors today, who help to give their members metaphysical accent to such lustful desires by entertaining them in their ‘centers’ every Sunday with mere motivational talk instead of sound words from the God, quotable quotes, wise sayings, philosophical, incising and enchanting words to amuse them to their pockets, using portions of the Bible to certify their logical orations.
If we do not pray for our land, we will become a prey in the land. While it took only Daniel to intercede for his land with outstanding results, millions gather every Sunday, praying to the same God, without affecting the land. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Ch 7:14).
Pastors should stop priding themselves with how many listeners they have; God prefers few doers to millions of listeners (Jas.1:22). God is always looking for ‘a man’, not a crowd; he never saves by multitude. Let us pray for our land, lest we become a prey! Let us “pray for the peace of (our own) Jerusalem…” (Psa.122:6).
When Adam and Eve were allowed to choose their destiny, they chose death. Same with Israel who wanted a visible King over them. The best of our choice will not give us the best leader, but with God all things are possible. Let us pray to God to give us good leaders so that we can serve our God faithfully without religious crisis, many which has devastated many African nations and the church.
Our nation is our own Jerusalem. we must pray for the peace in our lands and also in other lands for the sake of the spread of the Gospel of Jesus. Most of he political crisis regionsof the world fall into the 10/40 windows where Gospel is needed. Forinstance, it has been said that the nation of Libya is 98% Moslem, the few persecuted Christians and missionaries there can not even do anything now that there is war in the land, same with Ivory Coast.
Let us pray for our nations. Those that pray for their land shall eat the fruit thereof and prosper that love it (Psa.122:6).
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