Central thought: The Christian is God’s instrument for building a Godly nation.
Hymn: Onward Christian Soldier
Text: Romans 13:1-7, 2 Chronicles 7:11-16, Nehemiah 1:1-4; 2:2-6
Introduction:
Nation Building is one area of earthly life where the church has not been very forthcoming. The church has not been able to go beyond the tripod of preach, pray and complain when it comes to issues of governance of our nation. When it comes to definition, the word nation is referred to as a community of people with some common heritage. National instructions as agencies whose main focus ought to be to mobilize, aggregate and harness citizens and resources to do the will of God, and to ensure the common good of all. If this is well understood, it clearly follows that great nations can only be built by Godly men, on Godly principles. Nations of the world are groping in darkness and backwardness because of absence of leaders with proper mindset, commitment and zeal to do the will of God.
The word of God has revealed to us, before time, where good leadership and prosperity can be found (2 Chronicles 7:14). At this time in our National life, the people of God must rise up to the occasion by hearkening to the voice of God and by showing ourselves as models of good citizenship. The “How and Why” is the focus of this study.
Lesson Objectives:
- To highlight the responsibilities of the believer to his nation as a citizen
- To identify the purpose of Government and how we can contribute to its attainment
- To identify major areas of shortcomings by believers in the past and present dispensations
- To suggest the way forward for believers today
Q.1.) How would you objectively assess the nations of the world today?
There’s a prevalence of under development in some nations of the world due to poverty, corruption, insecurity, unemployment and general mismanagement in government. Nations are discriminated against by other supposed superior nations. There is increased religious inclination by higher level of moral bankruptcy. Other nations have enthroned satanic policies in governance, hence the upsurge of violence, restiveness and general insecurity.
A sober reflection on the state of our nation will compel believers to mourn (fast and pray), to intercede for God’s mercy and grace, and to preach a National repentance. Nehemiah, Mordecai and Daniel are some examples of believers who were patriotic enough to bear national burden.
Q.2.) Enumerate some responsibilities of the Christian in Nation Building.
Nations are built by her patriotic citizens, not by foreigners, and not by wealth. As believers in Christ and as citizens of our nations, there are God- given responsibilities we must consciously execute or our nation to be great. Some of them are as follows:
- To conduct ourselves in a lawful manner by obeying rules and regulations enacted for the common good for all citizens.
- To be patriotic through our support for and participation in genuine National causes, and all activities that promote acceptance, unity and progress.
- To pay our taxes and rates to government for the provision and maintenance of social infrastructure and for the sustenance of public institutions.
- To ensure the protection, maintenance and correct use of public property located in our neighborhoods.
- To always be part of those who take a united stand against evil in the society.
- To show interest and be honestly involved in the process of choosing leaders for our nations at all levels, within the ambits of the law.
- To be involved in consistent and positive advocacy for Godly leadership on one hand, and campaign against abuse of authority, on the other.
- To spiritually uphold our nation before God through all forms of prayers for our leaders, national institutions and citizens of the nation.
- It is also our responsibility to shine as light through exemplary conduct in all our dealings at public, private, domestic or personal matters. To be a faithful steward in small matters is to be a faithful steward in great matters.
Q.3.) What is the divine purpose of the government, and how can we contribute to attain the purpose?
The institution of government is allowed by God for the overall good of the society (Rom 13:1-4). Whether it is democracy, monarchy, gerontocracy, theocracy, or dictatorship, every government has come to play a role and serve a purpose in the agenda of God. He has His own method of appointing and removing leaders. You and I could be part of that method sometimes
Government is put in place by God (or allowing by God) as an agency to enact and execute laws that will promote peace and good order in the society. It is also to harness the use of natural resources for the benefit of the majority and to provide amenities that will improve the standard of living. Government is to serve as God’s agency for justice and should serve as a terror to evil. A protection to the weak and vulnerable, and a caution or moderating influence against the oppressive and overbearing tendencies of the powerful. Government is the platform that ensures cordiality and co-operation within and between nations.
As believers, and citizens we have solid roles to play so that government can live up to these ideals from time to time (1 Peter 2:13-14, Acts 5:29).
We are to accept and submit to government, but not at the expense of our faith in God and relationship with Christ. We must resist, even unto death, every government that seeks to cause a breach between us and God. We should participate actively in the processes of governance. This may involve registering to vote and actually casting our votes at elections, contesting for offices and taking of appointments into positions of leadership when the offer comes; and when in position, we should establish Godly precedents in our units of authority. As believers we should refrain from adopting the styles and values of the unbeliever in our attitude to the public finance. Believers are to pray earnestly for those in government, and we at to be involved in double advocacy i.e. to explain the needs and feelings of the people to government and to explain the limitations of government to the people where necessary.
Q.4.) What are some of the challenges faced by believers involved in government processes?
Believers have been privileged to hold positions of authority, some in elected capacity, some appointed and others by the merit of promotion. There are challenges that they were confronted with, and some of these challenges are still very much around in our nation.
One of such is the problem of allegiance to a mentor or godfather, who will require such a believer to subscribe to an oath before a shrine or a blood covenant, or join a cult or sign down an undated resignation letter. Another one is the level of rot in the system, to the extent that it has become a deep- rooted culture to convert the common wealth of all to the benefit of a few. The believer is greeted with hostility when he tries a change. The materialistic inclination of our present political dispensation is another challenge the believer faces. The expectation of cronies, family members and associates is that he connects them to the pipe of national looting. The believer who is in government is sometimes rejected by the church for flimsy excuses. He is thus put in a position of double jeopardy, in that while the unbelievers regard him as a stranger, the church sees him as an outcast. This explains why many believers never return to their initial fervency once into politics. So many join the bandwagon of extortion, illegal deals and misuse of public property.
Q.5.) What is the way forward for believers on the subject of nation building?
Believers are supposed to be models and good examples to the society in everything. He is the agent of God to bring His will to bear upon the earth. He is to show more interest on issues of governance at any level. He should have a proper understanding of the political terrain before venturing in. And when he is there, he should yield to the grace of God. Boldness is needed to exercise authority. The boldness from the infilling of the Holy Spirit is higher than that of wine or thugs. The believer should know that governance is also a spiritual calling akin to pastoring. There is a strongman to bind every day so he must be prayerful. The believer should learn to capitalize on the initial fear and apprehension that our presence brings to unbelievers when they have dealings with us, and be a witness for Christ. Therefore the Christian must be a true ambassador of Christ always. The church should begin to project her own into nation building, and must rally round them at all times, but more importantly, at moments of trials.
Daily Living Application
2 Chronicles 7:14 is a divine prescription on how to attain an enviable nationhood. Submission to God in humility, prayers, seeking the face (fellowship) of God, repentance and turning from wicked ways will attract the attention of God. It is high time we arise to pray for our nation and bring back the destiny of our people to the path of Godliness, peace, and progress. The change we desire in America should first of all be seen in us and in our environment.
Memory Verse:
Proverbs 14:34
“Righteousness exalteth a Nation: But sin is a reproach to any people”
Daily Devotional Guide:
Monday: A Watchman unto the nations
Ezekiel 3:17-20, Ezekiel 33:7
Tuesday: Faithfulness in Stewardship
1 Corinthians 4:2
Wednesday: Government is of God
Romans 13:1-2, 1 Peter 2:13-14
Thursday: Pay your taxes and rates
Romans 13:6-7
Friday: An example of believers
1 Timothy 4:12
Saturday: Praying for the nation
2 Chronicles 7:14