Dr. P Dozo
The Bible proves that no nation is outside of the sphere of God. A nation fails the moment its leadership opts to operate outside of divine guidance of God. The nation declines when the rulers and leaders refuse to accept the dose of bitter advice and correction from God through His chosen people who were the prophets in OT and church leaders in our time. Separation of Church and state is by their symbiotic nature with church as the common spiritual platform for all believers while the latter is a common agenda for all the citizens. The functionaries are different in nature and characters but the two entities meet to augment the welfare and wellbeing of both realms. Thus, the church leaders are valid people to participate in common affairs knowing that God holds the destiny and welfare of the people.
God has designed different leadership. He called some to socio-political field while some to church leadership. Certainly, a medical scientist is professionally a doctor. A pastor is called to take care the ministry of a church, and a missionary to proclaim the message. For instance, God has called me to serve Jesus Christ and I know I cannot serve two masters. But I have a democratic right to express my view as a political being and nothing is in contrary to my spiritual commitment in it. Similarly, I believe God has called some people to be public and national architects to engineer, plan and design the shape and future of the people of the land. In it, I pray and want to see that such vision is carried out with the help of God. Thus, leadership is like a spectrum having different calls and roles. Knowingly, I would not ask a politician to spearhead in missionary work; I would rather motivate him to participate in support role as a believer. Likewise, I would not expect the political or national authority to call upon the Church for a political decision, if not for a special situation, apart from prayer role.
Precisely, a church leader is not outside of political shepherd of his nation. He has every right to participate and express his or her view. However, God has called some specific architects, designers and experts to make responsible decision on behalf of the people.
Extravagance of Festival Celebration
While rediscovery, preservation and promotion of the value of our indigenous culture is the need, the process will swallow up the lifeblood and life-nerve of our generation if our leaders fail to put a timely check on it. Celebration of lavish festivity and Pride are two sides of a coin. The latter leads us to destruction as the Bible warns us (Prov 16:18). Festive pleasers will argue with many good reasons from ancient, cultural and traditional perspectives. One must agree with such good reasons. However, festival means special food and drinks coupled with endless merry making. And going beyond the limit invites paganization, upheavals of family, weakening academic studies, loosening the hands of working culture, damaging spiritual and moral vitality, and ruining our economy.
While living in a scientific age with global concern, the Hornbill being the orbit of Naga festivals, it encourages and leads our land to a proliferation of community, tribal and sub-tribal festivals, neighborhood, church, classmates, companies, unions and associations, and friends feasts and picnics. The Bible warns us that eating and drinking cannot go together with righteousness, peace and joy (Rom 14:17). If we continue our festive mindset at this rate, in 15-20 years, we will harvest regrettable consequence of academic, scientific and spiritual downhill. Big visions and goals for upcoming generation are dumped and compressed into the bottle neck of ‘Hornbill.’ Indeed, it is sacrificing our moral, spiritual, and economic progress making. What is more important for our posterity is something more lasting and valuable than festivals. Hornbill extravagance can be turned into exploring indigenous university or intercultural research that will boost our generation into world class.
Christianity is the foundation of manifold blessings of our land. Our leaders must be sensitive to the will of God who delivered us from darkness. We must dedicate our land to God, the Creator, and not to the deities of festivals or mere traditions. It is almost 140 years since the message of transformation came to our land; and we must bear a higher spiritual maturity by now. Our land will shine with God if the sun still goes down. God has promised His blessing ((Deut 28:12-14) of opening of heavens, lending to the nations not borrowing, and being top not the tail if we will obey Him.
Taking the Life of Your Own Brothers
We are deeply pained with factional clash and killing as highlighted in our daily news papers. Satan rejoices when Christians quarrel and fight. Killing is a strategy of Satan who can be symbolic of many embodiments. As believers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we must love each other. It is a subjective matter and not a compulsion. Killing cannot bring solution, rather elimination minimizes the strength of humanity and the spirit of brotherhood. The law given in the Old Testament is fulfilled by Grace and Love in the New Testament.
Failure of Old Weapons
Triggering rifles and seeing fellow brothers falling down. No solution.
Claiming and quarreling among the hunters before the hunt is over.
Different ideologies lead to premature taking of life. No solution.
Stained hand is silent guilt and it will eat up your flesh and blood.
Loving enemies is painful but patience brings sweet result. Solution is here.
Killing is destroying what God has created. It is a serious matter.
Applying New Weapons
* Remember you are a believer of Jesus Christ who loves you and took your place.
* Restrain triggering rifles and pray for a moment. Jesus prayed for his persecutors(Luke 23:34) on the cross.
* Love is the most powerful weapon that can change human hearts (Luke6:27)
* Peace comes only from talk and dialogue and not from bullets.
* Refrain from terrorizing habit. It will hunt you in return.
* Work, eat and give to others instead frightening people.
* Depend upon God who holds our destiny. Pray for roadmap from God.
Merry Christmas!
