The focus of our church this month is on spearheading active national transformation.
Nearly all people are citizens of a state, and almost all countries have a civil society. Society plays a major role in our lives and calls for our responsibility.
If we live in a society and give it nothing in return, then we are actually thieves. Jesus is our example in all things. He also lived in a civil society and was notable because of His active participation in it. Jesus’ goal was not fame, but influence through being useful to society by solving its problems.
Jesus did not solve all the problems of the society in which He dwelt, but He did as much as He could, thereby fulfilling God’s will. This is the very reason the Father sent Him into the world. What is God’s will for us? It is written in His Word:
“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.” (Matthew5:14-16).
The way Jesus spearheaded active national transformation
Jesus provided society with the fruits of His vocation. He labored, working as a carpenter.
“Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon” (Mark 6:3)
God commanded Adam to labor even in the Garden of Eden. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15). The New Testament reaffirms this commandment. Jesus Himself is an example for us in this area. Every true Christian ought to use his talent and skills to enrich the society in which he lives and the world at large. Simultaneously, we gain our livelihood in so doing. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7).
The Lord commands us to restructure the society and bring health to it in diverse ways such as creating healthy and safe families, educating our children in a godly manner, serving others through access to our homes, diligently fulfilling our duties at work and providing jobs for others.
Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons and commanded His disciples to do the same.
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18).
Jesus fed people and helped those who were in need. We can also influence the society through social work.
Social work is one of the obligations of every true disciple of Christ. In the past we had needs. Having received aid, having had all of those problems solved, we are now in a position to help others in similar situations. All such areas are potential directions for our social work since we’ve passed through them. God allowed us to undergo certain experiences and now it is our duty to help others into their own victory.
It is God’s will that we visit those in prison, look after the sick, the hungry, the poor, orphans, widows and the disabled. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:34-40).
Jesus spread the truth, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and commanded every believer to do the same.
In so doing, we destroy the lies sown into the world by the Devil, thus purifying the national spiritual atmosphere.
The increase of our influence is manifold when we not only lead our relatives and friends to the Lord, but go on to help them become disciples of Jesus Christ.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16).
The mass media is a means of influence.
We can write books, produce audio and video materials, use social networks and so on.
Not everyone will write a book, but there are those of us who are called to do so; therefore do not neglect this gift and call of God. Numerous revolutions and reformations throughout the world have occurred as a result of the fact that someone wrote a book which in turn inspired another person to execute what was written therein. Thanks to the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe, 9 years after its publication the abolition of slavery was effected in America. Media is a powerful tool for spearheading active national transformation!
You should now examine yourself on the five points we’ve explored.
Hopefully you have definitely found at least one way in which you can influence society, spearheading active national transformation. Now is not the time to be idle and passive, but it’s the time to spearhead active national transformation! Let your light shine! Be influential! Be active!
With love and respect,
Pastor Tope Omotoye
Translated by Daria Unichenko
Edited by Kizito Leacock
Recommended books to read:
- “Spearheading national transformation” (eng) by Sunday Adelaja
- “Leader in Action”(rus) by Sunday Adelaja
- “How to become an European, or the signs of a healthy society” (rus) by The University of Life
- “How to revive a country and build a civilized and developed nation” (rus) by The University of Life
