Or is it? I had been struggling with this area for quite some time, I grew up in a church that has never issue any statement of any sort with regards to public issues, government policies that seem to compromise the rights of the common man, injustice among others. It is either we perceive that we have a perfect system or that we have the best people in the high places. The official stand is always this, the church should only be concern over the spiritual needs of its' members. The position that religion and state should never be allowed to mix had been wrongly quoted in defence of the church's reluctance to speak and act. This is all very troubling to me as I read the scriptures and written records of the past christian heros.. they were all very relevant to the society they live in and there was no separation between spiritual matters and non-spiritual matters. Their ability to articulate their beliefs in word and deed has brought about much positive change to the era they live in.
Our faith is one and our calling to be more like Jesus simply does not allow us to adopt the middle ground or be fence sitters. The consequences of practical christian living in an unchristian world scares us, I really mean it scares me. Now if I am fearful about standing up for what I believe in, what is right and good, conversely standing against injustice and evil, how then is God glorified in my life? Must we confine God's principles of justice and fairplay to remain only within the sphere of 'the church'? The physical walls of the church? It is sad that we who profess to know the way, the only way, can't actualize what we profess to knowand believe in. Now do I know or do I not? Do I believe or do I not? Have I been set free and free indeed or am I still struggling with the petty issues of my own misdirections? I dare say that we pay more attention to the details of our next meal than to the many pressing issues afflicting our country. We place more concern about our next car, holiday and bonuses then we are of the prospect of our country being changed to a islamic country, the destruction of education, the proliferation of corruption..etc.
BTW, is there such a thing as a christian nation, a buddhist country, a muslim nation? How do we define these? Why do we allow unscrupulous politicians play the religion game on us? Is God please with those who try to institute these forms of religious piety? God gave us all a free will, a choice, to choose for ourselves, to seek him. It is mere mortal man playing God that tries to place man-made restrictions on other to perpetuate their own interest. Am I speaking in riddles? I am troubled.. The christians have lost much influence over governments, arts, education, politics, society, music... I believe it is time for us to act, to voice our stand, speak our mind... We must arise, we must start taking some risk, we must step out of our comfort zone...
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD , and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD .
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:5-12
Lord help me. Read this, a good letter.
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