Rev Dr Phuveyi Dozo
Naga United Village
The pre-Gospel era of Nagas was an animistic darkness. The power of the gospel began to transform the Nagas beginning from 1872 and it continued to ripple in a spectacular rate of movement. The new faith gained the ground resulting in ‘Christians in majority’ by turn of 1990s. The Gospel liberated Nagas from the bondage of old ritually superstitious religion. The eyes of the remote Nagas were now opened to see who they were with spiritual and social aspiration that led them to a new future. Hence, the Gospel brought them manifold blessings.
God Nagas Have Chosen
Like and unlike many nations, the Nagas were right when they dedicated their land to the sovereign God, the Lord Jesus Christ. They chose the God in whom they have their allegiance, not their former or minor gods, territorial spirits or deities. With the dedication, ‘Nagaland for Christ’ was coined as their slogan. It is a historic and prophetic declaration to announce their spiritual choice. Hence, the nomenclature became their emblem to identify that they have chosen Jesus Christ like people who chose Krishna for Hindus, Buddha for Buddhists and Mahavir for Jains. Representing the minds and interest of the Nagas, the slogan conveys a dimension of:
1. Subjectively, acknowledging what good work Christ has done for them and what good work they can do for Jesus.
2. Objectively, what Nagas want to tell others beyond about what God had done for them and a beautiful thing that they can do for them as a healed person.
3. Imperatively, what responsibility the Nagas have in response to what God wants them to do with a willing heart of obedience.
The term is a non-discriminative or an antagonistic name. It is neither exclusivism nor political attention in it. It is both inclusivism and accommodative in scope. It does not force people out but invite people in. It is a spiritual and holistic nomenclature. It conveys a desire for equality, honesty and holiness in practice based on biblical principle of following the ‘Prince of Peace.’
Evidence of ‘Nagaland for Christ’
The veteran Nagas, succeeding leaders and current generation can all testify about the work of God in the life and journey of the Nagas among which the followings may be a few evidences:
• The Ten Commandments were memorized and emphasized upon in our hearts.
• The miracles of God guided the Nagas in the journey of their political struggles.
• The land became a land of Christians through a series of revival movement.
• Church buildings dominate all conspicuous points throughout the land.
• Theological colleges mushroomed for Christian education with many graduates every year within and outside.
• The land became a missionary land by both sending and supporting.
• Churches are established and organized from villages to State level.
• Undeniable Christian influence in society, schools, politics, and public life.
• Elected leaders are Christians backed with prayers.
• By and large, Nagaland is known as a land of Christians.
A Forward Journey
Every Naga will agree that ‘Nagaland is a land of Christians’ (a state of Christian majority). The banner ‘Nagaland for Christ’ may not outstandingly appear or be advertised at Nagaland entry points like airport, train station and transport entries since it is a matter of spiritual vision hereafter. The qualities and trends that will reflect the uniqueness of Nagaland are:
1. Spiritual Wellbeing: Beyond church building fashion, assurance of eternal life is evidenced in peace, holiness and honest living in any profession at any place.
2. Quality of the Land: It is evidenced by Christian quality in governing public affairs with honesty and integrity including total liquor prohibition and absolute Clean Election.
3. Biblical Truth in School Education System: Christian boys and girls have every right to differentiate the foundation of their faith and heritage from relativistic theories and hypotheses they learn in schools. This can be introduced by the legislation of Nagaland.
4. Missionary zeal: In response to the command of Jesus and as compassion, Naga churches have zeal to take the Gospel to people where they need to hear yet through holistic and integrated methods like education and social services where relevant.
5. Healthy coexistence: As children of the Prince of Peace, Nagas must live in peace and unity internally with each other and externally with our neighbours and human community.
Living in a land dedicated to the sovereign God, let us conscientiously walk and live in peace and love. You will not like to make our land a home of quarrels, hatred and brawlilng. The beauty is within your heart. Let our land be full of the knowledge of God as water covers the sea (Isaiah 11:9).
May God bless Nagaland!
