In the background of the harmonious musical violin being played, Dr. Ravi Zacharias, in his audio sermon, "Creedal Affirmation," gave this powerful statements, "The world has heard long enough how the blood of Christ saves us from the guilt of sin, the world is also watching us to see if it saves us from the power of sin... How important it is that somewhere your life touches somebody else's life not just that they hear but that they see and feel your Christianity within your own bonds." How true! With the approaching of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, the topic on Christ's death, burial and resurrection will soon be sounded in the pulpits of our Churches again. Yes, Christianity hinges its foundation on this indispensable work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. This message has changed individuals, societies, tribes and nations immensely. But with the gradual years of being Christianized by the Western missionaries, this glorious message has become somewhat ineffective and unmoving for so many in the pews. What matters most is that the Cross of Christ should not be trampled upon with irreverence and mocked by others because Christians represent that Cross of Christ as a go-between people and God. Therefore, these Holy days are not to be merely a day of commemorating a dead Christ or in discoursing theoretically about what the Lord has done for human race but in propelling the believers beyond the knowledge of Christ's work.
The world is watching us to see if these religiosities of ours have any significant outcome in our lives, families and society. The debunking of the idea of God's love for mankind shown in the person of Jesus Christ is primarily due to the failure of Christians to exhibit the true nature of Christianity. I do not demean the preaching of the gospel verbally but if this gospel only ends in the pulpit, it is not worth a dime. Who will buy it? The gospel that people are crying for is the practical evidence of the power of Christ in the lives of believers. Glancing through the history of Christianity and reading the lives of dedicated missionaries, there was one thing in common that made the difference. It was love in action, It was truth in action. It was justice in motion. It was not the promotion of a Church or a denominational affiliation but the uplifting of people's condition and predicaments. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. It was the light and love that people saw in the message of Christ. The Book of Life emitted through not only in words but in the lives of missionaries that gave light to their eyes. It was that, that brought people to the true knowledge of God.
In the book, "The Book that Transforms Nations" by Loren Cunningham, the YWAM founder, the writer describes poignantly, "No country is too hard, too poor, too filled with their Christian religion. The whole truth is too hard for them to digest and so the only way to escape these bags of duties is to leave some uncomfortable portions of the biblical truths and cling on to some that suit their lifestyles. That kind of Christian living costs them nothing and they flow with the motion. Nominalism is birthed right out of that. That’s the picture of the many Christians in our society, as we see it.
Now, the burden to seek and search for the one lost coin and sheep is not found in many yearly church agendas. It is only filled with this and that special progammes. Everyone is busy, busy building their own kingdom, not God’s. The reaching out to the least fortunate people and the sick with financial and material blessings is only seen in pictures and magazines. What about biblical secret giving? The form of godliness with outward appearances but devoid of power in Christian living has become a mockery to Christ and His kingdom. And we're all equally guilty here. That's the reason why the introspection and questioning of our own faith is to be evaluated and judged. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God and this judgment will bring to light in understanding what the Church truly stands for. The societal reforms, I believe, should be initially embarked by the Churches. The attitude of 'wait and watch for God to bolt out of heaven" won't happen unless God's children wake up and take up their own given responsibilities. The discipleship of believers in setting a biblical standard in their workplaces and professions is the way to go. The Churches should lead the way in the process of building the nation, not government. The role is gigantic but achievable with God on our side.
With the commemoration of Christ's work on human's behalf, the Christians will remain ever grateful to our Saviour. The love and justice of God executed in the Son of God, witnessed publicly by the Roman world gave the impetus to the disciples to turn the world upside-down. Now, it was the bloody Cross that drove many saints to the gallows and being martyred for Christ. That's why the impact of this message felt upon the listeners was one which was persuasive enough for people to embrace the unpopular Christ. It was nailed with genuine love and truth. For centuries, this news has travelled far and wide to places and believed by innumerable nations in the midst of severe persecutions and resistance, why? Because there was always a mixture of preaching the truth and living it out. That was what revolutionised the nations.
Today, the Church needs to exemplify and embody the truth of God's word in practical living. The Church should also strive for the highest good in leading the world and not vice-versa. It should bring to fruition of all round developments in societal reforms, political arenas, education, women empowerment, environmental issues and natural habitats, etc. The world will only know the love of Christ when we step out of the institutionalised comfortable buildings. Notice that it was Jesus stepping out of his heavenly abode to become one of His own creations. He went beyond the moral teachings and preaching in His ministry. He chose to give His all for the salvation of mankind. It was that extravagant sacrificial love that captured the hearts of the disciples to follow in the footstep of their Master. The Christians, therefore, has no other option except to follow the Same principal laid out in the holy writ. Apostle Peter wrote, “To this you called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps,” may we follow our Lord’s example in following His footsteps bringing a change to the world! God bless.
Vebu Khamo, Kohima Bible College
