Rev Dr Phuveyi Dozo
Naga United Village
Different nations have tried various religious principles and convictions, political ideologies, and philosophical options as the foundation of their nations. For example, Haiti and Caribbean islands opted animistic Voodooism, and Marxism, Nazism, Communism, Non-religion and Secularism by some nations while biblical principle of human governance by some nations. In all these human journeys, shrinking and sinking foundation bring disasters and catastrophes. But strong foundation has not regretted but flourishes with escalation.
Case of Israel
Israelite forsook their Deliverer and worshiped idolatrous gods. Their apostasy brought successive captivity from Assyria, Babylon, and Persia respectively. The fatal consequence was the result of the denial of their monotheistic faith in true God. This proves that nothing can go against the sovereign will of God. Unfaithfulness to God brought complete annihilation to the chosen nation. Few stood firm and strong in captive lands, namely, Joseph, Daniel and his friends, Mordecai and Esther, and Nehemiah who were responsible for the survival, rebuilding of the succeeding generations, continuing existence of their nation, biblical history, and paving the coming of the Savior, Jesus. The history of Israel is the evidence that vulnerability or stability of a nation depends upon its foundation.
Nagaland – which way?
Current issues include liquor prohibition, clean election, political ideology and Naga political solution, peace and harmony, and issue of new world order in global level. These are all good and pertinent subjects. But far more than and beyond all this is ‘lasting foundation’ for generations hereafter which is “Nagas now for the upcoming decades and forthcoming centuries.” It is high time for us to ponder over and contemplate about a strong foundation for the youth in the midst of many relativistic influences, doctrines and ideologies.
Concerning banning or lifting Liquor Prohibition, law enforcing authorities, manufacturers, dealers and suppliers, and drinkers and indulgent are all collectively responsible. Human machineries may fail but eventually, all involved in violation are accountable to God. The Bible warns us with divine consequence for misleading, destroying and harming people (Luke 17:2; Galatians 6:7). People who breach the law of moral value of the citizens and cause others to fall and sin cannot escape. It may happen now or in generations down the road.
Regarding Clean Election, voting is a birthright. Esau sold his birthright for a small quantity of food. It is fundamentally wrong to sell our votes or in exchange for something. Many sell their votes in exchange of benefit or assurance of employment of their sons and daughters. This transaction is an evil practice against our culture, principle of democracy, and ethical value of Christians. Sanctity of vote is a spiritual issue and a moral duty. The man of God refused to accept if Jeroboam would offer him even half of his possession (1Kings 13:8). The prophet Elisha said, ‘No’ to Naaman who offered him his big gifts as a sign of appreciation for his healing (2Kings 5:16). A person of integrity is vindicated in Election. Both Christian candidates and Christian electorates should uphold democratic principle of electing leaders. Money must not buy leaders we want to lead us. We must elect our leaders by clear conscience guided by God to lead people and promote strong moral foundation.
Continuing the journey of Political Solution, monotheistic faith in one God must lead us in the course of political destiny. The principle of the Prince of Peace must be our yardstick that includes peace and harmony, and truthfulness that form the foundation of national stability (Psalms 33:12). In case of political impasses or stalemate, it is spiritual issue. Biblical principle has room for any political form Naga people choose or opt to govern the land.
Addressing the Grass-Root Issue
It is the stable foundation of the ladder of a nation. The importance is ‘laying strong spiritual and moral foundation’ while we talk high of many things and theoretical propositions. The ladder may slip, collapse and tumble down, if it stands on sandy and shaky ground. The teeming hundreds of thousands of children and youth are the people of our foundation. They are your children, grandchildren, and children yet to be born. They must know and learn the truth and put them to practice. Nagaland will not regret decades and centuries ahead if the truth is laid as the foundation of our generation.
Our boys and girls have the right to know their fundamental right and spiritual heritage in their education system. They must be given an opportunity to learn the value of life by connecting themselves to their Creator, God. They will become responsibly mature men and women on stable foundation if they are made aware while they are trainable (Proverbs 22:6). They will become dependable and trustworthy people when their childhood habit is over (1Corinthians 13:11). Their spiritual maturity will overcome side effect and problem of consumption of liquor and its harmful effect. Democratic maturity coupled with spiritual sanctity will do away with undemocratic practice of election. In the same way, our youth or students must be given opportunity to learn and recognize ‘right direction’ in the life course of their socio-political journey. It is a missing link when we debate over transitory issues without addressing grass-root education or treatment.
The truth is the power that can defuse and eradicate forces against morality and integrity of the people. In Nagaland, it is the biblical truth of Christian faith. It is high time for Nagaland to legislate the use of the Bible or Bible literatures in schools for Christian boys and girls. It is also high time for Nagas to formulate Naga political history as social science in education of our youth. The 18th century British statesman Edmund Bruke rightly said, “Evil triumphs when Good Men Do Nothing’? Of course, the statement referred to action of the dictators or totalitarians that led to human devastation during Second the World War. But the truth in it is ‘timeliness to act to generate good result.’ Beyond and above all our debates and arguments, it is time to consolidate our solidarity towards stability of our imminent generation.
Revisiting ‘Nagaland for Christ’
The slogan ‘Nagaland for Christ’ is not a mistaken theme. It was thoughtfully, prayerfully and unanimously coined in 1946 by the Naga leaders and was christened by the NBCC in 1958 as the nomenclature stands for eternal salvation in Christ, transformation in Christ, passion for mission, and clean management of human institutions. It coveys and reflects the foundation of Christian faith when the Nagas turned to Jesus Christ from animistic darkness and emptiness. It could have been an ambitious political motivation if it were ‘Christ for Nagaland.’ But ‘Nagaland for Christ’ is, subjectively, an indication and response to ‘transformation from darkness’, objectively, a passion and zeal for missionary responsibility, and obviously, it is a commitment for responsible and honest governance of human affairs. It is the integrity and a uniqueness that the Nagas want to express. It is a desire and a vision that the Nagas want to do something beautiful and good for their Savior and people.
As a distinguished land of Christians, Nagaland can demonstrate and reflect
• Spiritual quality on biblical foundation
• Principle of Truth as Policy of life
• Work that thrives economic independence
• Environmental sanctity from pollution
• World mission in obedience to the Bible
• Quality-practical grass-root education
• Healthy coexistence with neighbors and the world.
Let us also listen to what some world leaders said about their faith in God:
George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
Napoleon: “The Bible is no mere book, but a Living Creature, with a power that conquers all that opposes it.”
Horace Greeley: “It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”
Queen Victoria: “That book accounts for supremacy of England.”
‘Nagaland for Christ’ is relevant today as He is the Savior and Lord; and in response, we are commanded to proclaim the message, and demonstrate decency of social life as light and salt, and promote public affairs with a unique difference.
Rebirth of Nagaland
It is too early for the beauty of Nagaland to deteriorate and die out. Nagaland has just begun to commence her journey with a long way ahead. It can become a colorful spot to the world with honesty of tribal cultures, churches with Christian values, quality education in schools, and loyalty and sincerity in homes and workplaces. What is the ‘strong foundation?’ It is our relationship with the Source of life. Nagaland will become different only if the people can change. Rebirth of Nagaland means ‘old life replaced with new life which is change of attitude and better human quality.’ Our land can become a clean spot in the world if we become more responsible and honest citizens and inhabitants. It is the inner change. The roadmap and basis of rejuvenation of Nagaland will certainly be:
Returning to God in repentance
We must confess and overcome sin of spiritual complacency and hypocritical superficiality and denominational dividedness, sins caused by state political parties, factional differences, and sin of mismanagement of public affairs. In brief, sin of mouth, heart and action. We need forgiveness from God and from each other. The need is a regenerating, melting and purging power of God that makes men and women of all profession and walk of life honest and faithful.
Principle of Truth
Famine of truth makes us drifting today. Truth must replace dishonesty, disloyalty, greediness, duplicity and fraud, and manipulation in our society. As a Christian, can you be honest? It is TRUTH that can make Nagaland different. Truth has no enemy. Nothing can go against it. It means speaking the truth, doing the truth, dealing with truth, and living the truth.
Root treatment
This concerns our children and grandchildren, and lives yet to be born. The quality of their spiritual, ethical and moral root all depend upon the kind of foundation we lay today in their fertile and correctable age (Proverbs 22:6). What must they learn in their learning process now? What are the values must they learn to build a strong future? Who are responsible to raise them up and with what tool and resources? It is so simple that they should know their Creator, purpose of their lives, and fundamental values that fasten onto them. Credit will come to you as their girders and builders. A wise nation will see vision and prepare stable foundation for its generations ahead.
The Role of the Giants
The giants are the Church, the State and Leaders. While the massive citizens form the body, vision with direction must come from the giants as God has appointed them to blow the trumpet of warning and also lead them to a safe landing. The giants must work together in partnership under the banner of common goal. Like a coin of two sides, in a land of Christians, the state functionary must be willing to yield and listen to the spiritual advice of the Church while the later must have spiritual authority and biblical courage to correct the state towards the imminent stability and destiny of people they lead.
The Rising Giants are the youth of the land. Young people, it is too early for your beautiful land to die and be buried. It is time for you to rise with patriotic passion and peaceful revolution and restore and reform your land from sickness we suffer with. Your land needs Rebirth with the help of God. The Bible reminds us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalms 133:12).
God bless Nagaland!
