There is no Christianity by going with the tide.
Another name for a Christian is “holy,” means, different, set apart from the world for the sole purpose of proclaiming/declaring the goodness and glory of God, the God who called us out of darkness into His wonderful and marvelous light.
Christianity is an identity that affects, impacts and influences every area of our lives, mainly by the words we use to communicate our ideas and opinions, whether in speech or writings, because what comes out of us tells who we truly are and who we truly worship (Matthew 12:34).
The word of God says,
““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
What a sacred call!
Whatever we do and say should ultimately glorify God!
But while we talk, write, think, reason and analyze like the people of this dark world, people who have no fear of God in their hearts, how can we say we are “Christians?” We can’t unless we “re-write” the Bible.
So, I am appealing to all young Ethiopian Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, to speak, write and act for the good of all Ethiopians as you are called to be, “the salt of the earth”, and “the light of the world,” so at the end our heavenly Father will be glorified.
Am I saying “Do not get involved in politics as a Christian?”
No! There is no way for me to say that. If there is a right season for Christians to get involved in politics, this is the time and this is the season because the lives of many are at stake. So, yes, if we indeed are in Christ, this is the season for our light to get brighter as the darkness gets darker.
However, the way we get involved should be according to the word of God; first and foremost, by seeing every human being as God sees them, an honorable creatures of God, created by God, made by the fingers of God, in the image and likeness of God. If we miss this, we miss the rest. If we get this, we get the rest according to the word of God.
We shouldn’t say, “I am just one!” We should always remember that God works with the one who avails her/himself for God. God + One of us = Majority!
Let me close my appeal today with a passage taken from Paul’s letter to the young Christian and minister, Titus:
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” Titus 3:1-11 ///