THE FEAR OF THE LORD 2

 

 

Nigerians are some of the most religious people on the planet. On any given Sunday and indeed several days during the week pews are filled to capacity and church buildings are bursting at the seams, hard pressed to accommodate the teaming faithful. In most churches the crowd in the over-flow sections out-number those in the main building.

Church members attend programmes, conferences and crusades religiously, sometimes travelling for miles to attend these meetings. Almost everyone professes to be 'born again'. Christianese is a common language spoken by all and sundry. 'It is well', 'I am more than a conqueror', 'Greater is He that is in me', 'I receive it IJN!', 'I am blessed and highly favoured!'. The list is inexhaustible.

The question is: Why is Nigeria in such a terrible state? Why do we top the charts when matters relating to crime and corruption are being discussed? If only the religious activity would translate to moral soundness, social justice and equity!

Turn on the news on any given day and one is bombarded with more stories of corrupt politicians plying their trade with impunity, trigger-happy policemen attacking the citizens they are meant to protect, child molestation, domestic violence, rape, prostitution, ritual murders, kidnapping, political assassinations, ad nauseum!

In fact I would advice anyone with a weak heart or prone to depression to avoid the news altogether. They could very easy be tipped over the edge!

So who/what is responsible for this near collapse of our society? Are some of the perpetrators of this crimes not members of the thousands of churches that are scattered all over the place, gracing every nook and cranny? Could it be that there has been a departure from the true gospel? What is going on?

These days you even hear stories of some 'pastors' and 'men of god' whose source of 'miracle-working power is suspect. There have been recent stories of some of these charlatans caught in various scandals including the indecent assault of minors in their care, and robbery! Again I ask, what is going on?

I have focused on the church because we Christians are meant to be the salt of the earth, the called-out ones. We are in the world but not meant to be a part of it. The bible warns that if we who are supposed to be the light have darkness in us then how great is our darkness!

Only a little salt is needed to season a comparatively large quantity of food; likewise a flicker of light is enough to cut through the thickest darkness.

In my opinion the greatest problem facing the church in Nigeria today is not finances, persecution or man-made philosophies. The major problem of the church is a lack of the fear of God.

People call on the name of the Lord but their hearts are from Him (Matthew 15:8), everyone does what is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15, 21:2). They don't realise what the bible says in  2Timothy 2:19:

 

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. "

 

This is the only way to stem the tide of wickedness in our country and avert the judgement of God.