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A Call
To Turn To Righteousness!
In recent weeks I read the wisdom literature written by Solomon and
others namely Proverbs, Ecclesiasties and Song of Solomon. There is so
much guidance to those who will seek to be admonished by the Word Of God.
In times like these we cannot rely on our own knowledge but rather take
counsel in the Word. Talking to a group of youngsters last Friday I found
myself sharing the promises of God as contained in the Bible. We are living
in difficult times where hope could only be found by standing on the promises
of God and seek to find solace therein.
There is a break down of law and order in the region as never seen before
from Jamaica to Suriname. It calls for a collective response if we are
to first, seek to understand the problems and then seek to find solutions.
Our leaders met here during the week to find a way to deal with the economic
downturn that threatens our people with greater poverty given the lack
of support from the developed world whose agenda does not include our
poor island states. Where do we turn? This is a test for Bible Believing
People. We must now stand on the promises of God and take action consistent
with the commandments he handed down to us in his word.
In today’s world when we look around, we see that mankind is on a
course in the opposite direction of what God has ordained for his people.
The seeds that have been sown have in due season bourne fruits and many
among us have over time questioned whether there is a God and have said
and done things to defy the existence of such a Mighty One.
On the other hand many religious leaders in spite of drawing their congregations
attention to the way of righteousness, they act and live as though the
God they speak about doesn’t exist. All the time their congregations
are looking on. They begin to dilute their involvement. In the meantime
for those who will discern the other side can validate the Word of God.
Gal. 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that will he also reap." But the portion of scripture most
apt to those that would have us to believe that their actions could be
hid from God. Luke 8:17 "For nothing is secret, that shall not be
made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come
abroad".
We have to clean up our act and begin to act in concert with the word
of God. Leadership must mean more than control and the right to a good
life. Leadership must mean caring for the less fortunate and not take
advantage of them.
Do not take advantage of those who God has entrusted in your hand to lead.
Seek to emancipate the people rather than enslave them. Where there is
no vision, the people perish.
The challenge is how do we return to a path of righteousness? While it
is an herculean task, it is not unsurmountable. If we will put God first
in our plan to take back our rightful place as a people of faith with
an unwavering position, standing on the promises of God it will be well
with us. It is impossible for us to seek any other position. We have seen
the hand of God stretched out before and we must be convinced that he
can intercede on our behalf once again. It is not our will but His will
that we should prosper and live in peace and no shouting from the pulpit
will do it except for a conscious decision by God’s people to talk
the talk and walk the walk of righteousness for all men to see and glorify
our Father who is in Heaven.
This process towards righteousness is best achieved by a conscious decision
by each one of us to acknowledge what is our purpose in life.
Firstly, to recognise that there is a God and serve Him. Secondly, to
love our neighbours as ourselves. We are too ready to take the place of
God and chastise our fellowmen rather than show a path toward loving,
caring and sharing. We must be forgiving but we are so willing to trample
under our feet, and when our time comes around we want to be treated differently.
In closing, I am always one who subscribe to the rule that stands out
in man’s relationship with man, "Do unto others as you would
expect them to do unto you without exception."
Don’t be fooled, until the coming of our Messiah, we shall all live
and die, many times leaving behind those we seek to persecute. And those
who feel they have gotten away, their sins are carried on to their 3rd
and 4th generations. So therefore, it beholds each of us to live a life
that its legacy will be one worthy of being remembered as a life lived
in obedience to the will of God.
Keep the Faith - God is in charge!
August 17th, 2002
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