There are those who believe that a Minister of the gospel
should be devoid of an opinion on political issues. They anchor their arguments
on several metaphors.Read below
A friend of mine once said that a Pastor is like a father
who should not take sides with any of his children...And as I chewed on his
thought, I came to the conclusion that a father who would not take a stand in
matters involving his children, and call a spade a spade is not just a
"cunning father," but a father who may allow his fears of saying or
doing the wrong things to wreck his household. So, when my friend realized that
his metaphor did not sustain the impetus of his argument, he came up with
another metaphor: A pastor is like a judge in a matter who must maintain his or
her neutrality in a case so as not to show any form of bias. Well, as much as I
see the need for a judge in a matter to be neutral, I also know that that judge
takes a firm stand after he or she had listened to the two sides of the case.
Yes, that judge must rise to the occasion and call a spade a spade...he or she
must tell us his or her clear-cut position in that case...not by his or her
body language by in clearly stated words. And just as I thought that this
answer would satisfy my very "spiritual friend," he came up with
another metaphor, "...but a pastor is like the mouthpiece of God...and as
the mouthpiece of God, he has to speak for God." As I made an attempt to
give him a response on this one, I started laughing, instead. And as I laughed
at his third metaphor, he demanded to know why I was laughing. Well, since my
favorite motivational speaker once said this, "The question determines the
answer," I decided to volunteer another answer to his question. I said,
"I laughed at your words because your metaphor simply contradicted your
position in every way: First, you did not say that a Pastor is the body-piece
of God but the mouth-piece of God. So, that means that if he or she is the
mouth piece of God, he or she should speak out what God has said or did not say
on an issue that is of public and national interest without the fear of whose
Ox is gored. That mouthpiece of God must not keep people guessing with his or
her body language since he or she is not a body-piece but a mouth-piece of
God.Even after this response, my unrelenting friend continued with his line of
reasoning as he ventured another metaphor: But the prophets in the Bible were
very diplomatic in their approach to issues, they did not speak anyhow. Well,
that answer also attracted another round of laughter from me as I gave him this
response: Prophets are not called to be Public relation officers who must
present matters in a way that will suit your convenience, they are called to
say in public what God has said to them in private. That was why John the
Baptist spoke clear words against Herod, Nathan the prophet hit King David with
clear words from God, Samuel the prophet told King Saul in clear words what the
will of God was, Jesus called the Pharisees a 'whited sepulcher...brood of
vipers, Jonah was clear-cut about Nineveh, Isaiah was specific when he spoke to
Hezekiah etc. in order to let them know their inadequacies. So, my drift is
that, no prophecy is of any private interpretation if it affects a nation. The
only excuse that can exonerate a Prophet from speaking with his or her body
language is only if that Prophet has not heard anything specific from God. And
if that Prophet has not heard anything from God on a particular matter, his or
her body language must also not be appended with any great importance. So, my
friend continued: Which of these Prophets in Nigeria do you believe their
positions? Is it Father Mbaka who says one thing in November and changes it in
January? Or Pastor Tunde Bakare who tells you one thing from the Bible and
supports General Buhari who does not read the Bible? Or Bishop David Oyedepo
who lets you know in clear terms that God has anointed him to wage a good
warfare on the Jihadists in Nigeria and backs up his words with actions through
his fiery prayers against them? Or Pastor E. A Adeboye who says nothing
concrete but leaves his members to interpret his body language? Or Rev. Kris
Okotie who abuses President Jonathan everyday, Or Rev. Chris Oyakhilomeh who
chooses not to meddle in politics? Or Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor who has been
shooting fierce faith arsenals against the Jihadists in Nigeria? Or Primate
Olabayo who lets you know his stand per time based on what he claims to have
heard from God? My answer to his questions was: It is not a case of which one
do I believe? It is a case of which one do I understand? And that is because,
you cannot believe or accept what you have not understood. So, while I
understood those who have spoken clearly, I must say that I have not understood
those who are just putting me through the unnecessary ordeal of interpreting
their body language and silence. So, why do you think some prophets are not
willing to speak-out on this issue? he asked....I think it is just a case of
what I call, "religious politics." Such Prophets either have not
heard anything specific from God, or have heard but lack the boldness to say
them for fear of losing the members of their congregations who may not accept
such positions to have come from the Spirit of God. So, does it mean that such
Prophets are simply playing politics with the people...I mean, either way, he
or she will still be on the good side of the eventual winner in an election? my
friend asked. I don't know exactly...But to be on the safe side, I really think
it is a case of "religious politics...." I firmly believe that if a
Prophet is a mouthpiece for God, such a prophet should speak out for God in
clear-cut terms...And if such a prophet does not want to meddle with national
politics, he or she should not allow his or her body language to infer
different meanings to willing onlookers...And such onlookers should, therefore,
do due diligence to either hear God for themselves or simply follow their
heart. May God bless Nigeria.
By
Iyke Nwambie Iyke Nwambie
the President of Advancement Inc.
Via.leadershipplatform
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