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Christians politics – Part 1

By Chimezuo O. N. Nwankpa
04 November 2018   |   3:53 am
Several sermons, teachings, seminars and conferences have been delivered on Christian participation in politics, but without much significant impact on the church and on the political trend of our nation. Rather, it seems as if it is becoming worse by the day. Probably, the focus of the teachings must have been more on the need…

Chimezuo O. N. Nwankpa<br />

Several sermons, teachings, seminars and conferences have been delivered on Christian participation in politics, but without much significant impact on the church and on the political trend of our nation. Rather, it seems as if it is becoming worse by the day.

Probably, the focus of the teachings must have been more on the need and advantages of having believers in leadership positions than to achieve result.

Deacon Arc. Akuro Parker, in his discourse on A Practitioners Perspective said, “We are very convinced of the need to have believers in politics for the peace and development of the land, but the big question is why are the teachings not effective? Why are criminal activities increasing alongside number of Churches and Ministers?

Many politicians across our nation belong to different Churches, where thanksgiving ceremonies have always crowned their electoral victories.

Some of these politicians attribute their victories to prophecies from notable men of God, but despite strong prayers and decrees against evil men taking over power from one regime to another, the situation gets worse. This is abnormal, hence, no better governance.

I do not believe that God has forsaken us or has not been answering our prayers, but I think we have failed to obey God at various forms or levels of governance because God through His Word, the Bible says, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1), and we are yet to arise as to switch on the light to overpower darkness, rather we dwell on compromises.

We have to do the needful before God can answer us. Remember, fasting and prayers and speaking in tongues could not calm this turbulent sea, until Jonah was thrown into the sea (Jonah 1:11-15).

To have a change in our political results, there must be a change in our understanding and practice of politics.

The process, you’ll agree with me, determines the product. The fraudulent and violent electoral process is the reason for the fraudulent and violent society.

How do we prepare and build the man – the politician and enthrone him? It is garbage in garbage out and the Apostle Paul, while writing to the people of Galatia and us today says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked” for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7,8).

Whatever your position, action or activities in the political, religious, economical, academic, social world or platform; the point is clear that all these activities are seeds, which we are sowing and must reap of it.

Beloved brethren, our level of expertise in the application of the appropriate Word of God will determine our level of success in political leadership.

Deacon Akuro Parker, a one-time Senatorial Aspirant under the defunct UNCP in 1998, and governorship Aspirant in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 said, “there is a gospel of political leadership yet to be preached, hence the gross darkness in this area.”

In 2010, Bishop David Oyedepo organised a nationwide Golden Jubilee rally and there, he queried the Church for clearing the political bush without planting.

He further stated that the Church in her sleeping state has given too much room to the devil; and this is in agreement with what the prophet Isaiah said, “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.” (Isaiah 56:10KJV). Methodist Men’s Fellowship in their anthem says,

“Rise up, O men of God
Have done with lesser things
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of kings.”

His Grace The Most Revd. Chimezuo O. N. Nwankpa, Archbishop of Uyo Archdiocese, Methodist Church Nigeria.

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