Dr.Tseibu Rutsa
Naga Christians, Let us see reflect where we are in the light of Exodus 20:1-7. What happens when we use God's name wrongly? It’s call breaking the law of God. In other words, we are not allowed to use God's name in vain under any circumstance. We are only allowed to use His name for teaching His word and when praying to God. Breaking these commandments is punishable in the sight of God.
Verses 4 -7 states: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them, for I the LORD your GOD, am a JEALOUS GOD, PUNISHING the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing LOVE to a thousand generations of those who love and keep my Commandments. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your GOD. For the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuse His name” (Bold letters, added).
No one who uses God's name for their personal gain can escape the wrath of God. But when I look at what’s happening among our leaders, I’m so sad to see our politicians and national workers using the name of God for their own benefits for too long. By doing so, we have been inviting the judgement of God upon ourselves. Especially, on March 8th caption in Nagaland Post appeared as "Ministers, Parl, Secys back TR to return as CM.” In the same report, Mr. CL John minister of RD said, “TR Zeliang was "crucified for no fault of his." He further claimed that NPF would continue "till the second coming of Christ."
But may I remind what we are all forgetting: This present Government has blood in their hands. The precious brothers’ blood are crying out from the ground to GOD (Gen 4:9-13). Let’s not forget that God is not sleeping. But so far we see no sign of remorse or repentance from the present Government leaders, which shows that our politicians can take public lives if need be and get away with it. They have made Nagaland to become lawless Land. Recent incident shows that our leaders have no concern for the citizens of Nagaland as long as they can hold on to their table of power. More so, they have no respect for the Lord Jesus Christ in their leadership, which actually is been given to them by God, good or bad.
Let us see what the Bible says when God’s name is used wrongly. First, they seem to be just Christian faith on their lips but not been born again by the spirit of God. Most of them, by their actions, show that they are just hypocrites, making a profession of God's name, but not living up to that profession. “Having the form of Godliness and denying the power of it” (II Tim 3:5); they Worship in vain (Matt. 15:7-9); their oblations are vain (Isaiah 1:11,13-14); their religion is vain, (James 1:26). These are all against the law of God.
Second, they are breaking the law of God. If they, and we, make promises to God, but fail to keep our vows to the Lord, we are taking His name in vain (Matt. 5:33, Eccl. 5:4, Gal. 6:7). This means we are against the law of God. Third, cursing in the name of the Lord is tantamount to blasphemy and that is against the law of God (Lev. 24:15-16). Fourth, false swearing in the name of God is forbidden (Lev. 19:12, Deut. 10:20, Matt 5:33-34, and James 5:12). For that matter, taking an oath in God's name means that we are showing others that we could be trusted because God is trustworthy. But when our actions betray our oath, we are violating the law of God. Fifth, to propane the name of the Lord is against the law of God (Lev. 18:21, 19:12, 22:32). Sixth, we are guilty of breaking God’s law if we profane His name by committing abnormal sexual relations (In Lev. 18:6-24). Seventh, the Bible says that we are against the law of God when we are stealing, doing false dealings, and lying (Lev. 19:11).
Also, our excesses in wicked living also seem to be bringing us closer to God’s judgement. For this, read this Romans 1:21-32. I’m very afraid we Nagas are living on this Bible passage as God seems to have allowed evil to prevail in our land, because we have endorsed wickedness for very, very long time. I believe it’s high time we so-called Pastors, Reverends, denomination/council leaders to sound the trumpet of prophetic warning in the churches. How can we be silent spectators any further when our people are dying spiritually and politically in our land. If we allow this situation to continue any longer, there wouldn't be much Christian influence in our land. Soon we may not have any one who can stand and defend for the true faith of the Nagas. And, we may not have leaders who can protect the rights of the Nagas politically and historically, also.
By the way, who says Pastors and Church leaders can not involve in civil administration and political affairs! As a matter of fact, it’s time the righteous people to lead us to the promise land. After all, its truly a Christian state, let the true Christian leaders bring a stoppage of this wicked period of time once for all and pave the way for the next generation.
God Bless NAGALAND.
