FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES

Sam AwedaTuesday, November 25, 2014
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THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS IN NATION BUILDING (2)


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Continued from Part 2

ing David ruled in righteousness and developed the realm very fast. But when he too erred, Prophet Nathan was not afraid to draw his attention to his sin (2Sam. 12). King David was guided by other prophets including Nathan and Gad and of course Samuel, who anointed him.

That wicked king, Ahab with his witch wife, Jezebel had Prophet Elijah who did not spare him but constantly warned him of his evil reign. The prophet Elijah even commanded drought, which lasted for three and half years with the hope that it was going to bring the king to his knees in repentance (1king 17-19).

Prophet Elisha checked Kings Jehoshaphat & Jehu.

The great prophet Isaiah checked Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah and Manesseh in that order of succession. Isaiah paid the supreme price however. Bible history had it that King Manasseh had Isaiah tied between two trees and had him sawed into two.

Prophet Jeremiah warned relentlessly kings Eliakim (Jehoiakim), Jehoiachin and Zedekiah in that order of succession until God gave Judah to king Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon who took them captives and exiled them to Babylon in 605BC, 597BC & 586BC respectively in what is described as the worst catastrophe that befell the Jews in the Old Testament history (2Kings 24,25; 2Chr.36; Jer.).

So, the way it is, is that some people will choose politics as vocation. But God plans it that the custodians of Spiritual matters, who seek the face of God, day and night will guide, counsel and check the politicians for the good of the citizens.

These checks and balances continued till the appearance of Christ on the scene, if we recollect how John the Baptist confronted king Herod after he unlawfully took his brother's wife while the brother still lived. John also paid the supreme price. He was beheaded by Herod, at the demand of his adulterous woman.

Among the qualities or characteristics of a religious leader for effective service is that he must not be given to filthy lucre i. e. he must not be greedy for money as we read in 1Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7. This implies that he will be contended to live a simple life. He will forgo any life style that can set other people up for a high life style, which eventually will lead them to do all kinds of ungodliness in order to be rich.

So Spiritual leaders must shun ostentatious life and be examples of modest living. This will allow them to perform their God given role as demanded by God in the building of the nation.

With how things have degenerated today in Nigeria, where almost every infrastructures are collapsing very fast, with hunger and poverty staring many citizens in the face, in spite of the heavy revenue coming the way of the nation, I cannot understand how the spirits of all Religious leaders are not fired up to rally together and seek the face of God for a way out.

Spiritual leaders are the ones, who God placed the responsibility on, of shaping and modeling and repair of the country. After all we are the ones who meet the people in thousands all mornings, afternoons, nights, every Friday and Sunday. God expects us to use these forums to teach them how to behave right so that we can all live in comfort and we all can be partakers of the wealth of the nation.

If you are just tuning in, I am preaching on the topic "The Role of Spiritual Leaders in Nation Building"

It is my strong believe that though problems may defy all human proffered solutions, it can never defy spiritually, inspired directives, pursued in faith, without doubt and with all sincerity.

What I believe we need urgently is a coordinated combined/collective action by all Religious leaders of all faiths. We should meanwhile set apart the little doctrinal disagreements between our different faiths and wage a combined war against whatever obstacle, which will not allow citizens to live upright and secure a place in heaven.

Though the Christians believe that we are saved by grace through faith, nevertheless that faith is dead, without backing it up with good work.

Poverty is an obstacle that must be fought in Nigeria today. Poverty is making citizens to commit sin, which ordinarily they might not have committed.

So the Religious leaders of all faith must come together to fight all obstacles that will prevent our followers from getting into rest at the close of age or what else is our goal?

A solemn Assembly of people of all faith is very much desired. We tried it in October 2013, it was not successful. I hope with all my explanations today, the people who stood against it at the time will have by now understood my plea.

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