When a nation loses its conscience

Amos 3:10 “The Lord has said that, they don’t even know how to do right, they have become rich from violence and robbery.”

History has shown that from time to time, nations of the world condemn a country for committing crime against humanity or violating internationally accepted standards, conducts or norm.

The Scripture is explicit about God’s stand on issues of injustice, corruption godlessness and all their likes. I don’t want to sound alarmist, and I am not just being pessimistic.

I only wish to add a little to the torrents of warnings, preaching and messages being delivered by few men of God against the ills in our land.

In the days of Amos, Israel’s situation was frightening and alarming. The people were simply described as not knowing how to do right.

Wickedness overflew the nation like a mighty river. As a result, the people were dwelling in sin. They could no longer tell right nor wrong. There was no longer any national conscience.

The sins, which Amos enumerated over and over, were among others:

• Selling the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals (Amos 2:6).

Poor, innocent people were traded for paltry sum, which is nothing short of modern day human trafficking and child labour in which Nigeria is thriving.

It’s blood money, my friend, and God is warning you. You leaders repent

• They trampled upon the heads of the poor Vs 7, In Exodus 23:6-8 God commands that the poor be protected from injustice.

It’s no longer news that some Nigerians die in the cell without their cases being tried, while others are in the prison because of injustice and oppression. Some people in the pinnacle of power have refused to obey the rule of law.

• No 3th says father and son sleep with the same young girl (7c, Lev. 18:7) has to say do not dishonour your father having sexual relation with your mother… Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife.

Today, the boy is her boy friend, while the man is the Sugar Daddy and the game goes on producing high level of sexual promiscuity, thereby destroying our nation. God have mercy!

• They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge Amos 2:8a. Brazenly, they used their ill-gotten gains, even in places supposed to be holy places – and may end up receiving awards and titles from the society and even the church.

You know what I am talking about, that all these chairmen of boards, parastatals and other bodies that have graduated from stealing in millions to stealing in billions, go for thanks giving service while and after being in office- to say God I thank you I was not caught by the EFCC. What a terrible thing!

• The fifth in chain was that they drank wine taken as fines. Uncontrollable extortion in our nation is alarming. Nevertheless, God has solutions for everything and we continue next week.

The Rt. Revd. Dr. U U Nmeregini
Methodist Bishop Of Agbani Enugu State.