CAPTIVATED BY FEAR
Following my seemingly “controversial" post two nights ago, I
have received a few words of advice and warnings. Someone asked that I be
careful and watch my family, another said my action was condemnable by God. The
funniest to me was a reference to people who criticized men of God in America
and died mysteriously. I am really concerned about the origins of these
sorceries that have made people who supposedly have the Spirit of God within
cringe perpetually. They say nobody should speak against men of God and
unconsciously at times extend such privileges to elected politicians. Just imagine
Marylyn Ogar instructing Nigerians to desist from speaking against the
president of Nigeria; is he God? Even the British prime minister is regularly
on the hot seat before the UK parliament.
I was at a very big Abuja church sometime in 2008 when people
started to leave the auditorium before the close of service. The pastor was
making announcements at a time when the meeting ought to have ended about 1
hour prior to that. Then he noticed some people sifting out of the exits and
declared to them that they were walking out on God and were risking their own
lives without “sharing the grace” at the end. The first thought that came to me
was that the pastor must have been a wizard. Why was he not faithful in keeping
to time in the first place? Why did he not apologize to his congregants for grossly
overshooting the clock and plead for their understanding? What if I had to exit
a service to attend to an emergency, would I be regarded as walking out of
grace?
I must state that some of the comments of disapproval I have gotten
were very much expected and not surprising as regards their sources. What is
disheartening is that many more exist who clutch to the “judge not” and “touch
not my anointed” clichés. Articles abound in cyber space that contains enough
ammunition to blow up these destructive viewpoints into nonexistence. I will
not attempt to preach another sermon but point out the reasons why I choose not
to be silent today, tomorrow and by God’s grace for the rest of my life. I will
by His grace continue to stand on the side of truth, righteousness and justice.
I was not brought up to be blinded by ancestral, religious or cultural
prejudices; even my siblings know that I do not care to stand alone as long as
truth is upheld.
Several biblical scriptures tell us about the Spirit within us and
how that translates to being anointed [2Cor1:20-22]. We are baptized into one body
by the same spirit [1 Cor12:13] and God’s anointing abides in us and teaches us
all things [1Jn2:27]. I do not think it is proper to ascribe superstardom to
any man because of some perceived personal contribution to the kingdom. No man
is above error, we do not help those over us if we cannot tell them the truth on
occasion. Who would see his pastor’s zipper down or his trouser tucked into his
sock without any attempt to inform him? There is no monopoly of anointing and
everyone must be humble enough to have their ways scrutinized regularly. Everyone should be accountable to his fellowman and to God ultimately.
1Tim5:19 tells us clearly that anyone who brings up charges against
an elder (a pastor) before another should do so before 2 or 3 witnesses. The next
verse states also clearly that those who keep on sinning should be rebuked in
front of everyone. The true church is not a secret society or a cult where
classified information exists. Everything we need for now has been declassified
in the word of God, Christ is risen therefore they is no need for sepulchers in
the kingdom. I did not write anything anonymously or with false pretence; I did
not gossip about anybody but simply saw a can of worms and wrote about it. Any right
thinking person would frown at the mess that is now characteristic of Nigeria;
blunders upon blunders constantly getting concealed under concrete lies and
scams. There should be no one that is immune to charges brought against them. The
immunity clause for specific government officials in Nigeria reinforces
corruption and impunity. These same vices have also manifested in the house of
God. “Men of God” have become infallible and their words do not drop to the
ground. Eli in 1Sam2:29 was said by God to have honored his sons more than God.
Samuel had clear charges brought against his sons by the elders of the land; we
should not feign ignorance when such happen and be proactive instead of
defensive to respond appropriately. Charges ought to be genuine and not fictitious;
why should anyone who is aggrieved be denied equity and justice?
The “Judge not” syndrome is very common among believers taking up
various dimensions when being expressed, sometimes used in combination with “touching
not” the anointed. Many are quick to quote Matthew 7 to neutralize judgmental
spirits. Matthew 7 was a case of two individuals with different sizes of wood
in their eyes. Judge not would have translated to both fellows remaining with the
wood in their eyes because neither was qualified to remove such. However verse
5 advises that the fellow with the larger object should remove the wood he
ignores before he can be deemed fit to remove the smaller bit in another’s eye.
John 7:24 has Jesus himself telling Pharisees to judge righteously after
healing a man on a Sabbath day based on the merit of the act instead of mere
tradition and law. 1Cor6 is very explicit about how to judge. Someone mentioned
to me that I am only being a boy and ought to be fearful instead of raising my “filthy
finger” against men of God who have liberated cities from witchcraft and
sorcery whereas I cannot boast of 100 souls given to Jesus as my contribution
to the kingdom. How does he know my count of souls? Is there a spiritual
barometer that measures heavenly soul condensation? Are the supposedly
liberated cities completely free from the grip of Dumbledore?
Touching anybody referred to outright physical contact and violence
leading to death. David was anointed for the throne but chose not to smite Saul
because he did not want a life of guilt. He however addressed Saul thereafter
in front of his soldiers [1Sam24:10]. Saul repented at the time from chasing
David and withdrew to his palace. Saul was anointed and there is no
contraindication to speaking up to even anointed folks and that includes anyone
with the deposit of the Holy Spirit inherent. I have been accused of
discrediting the church on social media by talking about the controversies
surrounding the CAN president. The church has existed for over 2000 years and
has experienced a great deal of trials and controversies throughout that time.
Everything is out in the open already; financial scandals, child abuse
scandals, power tussles etc. There is nothing new under the sun and by the way,
are the issues surrounding the CAN president and the fallout in the body concealed
news? All these things have happened but it does not undermine God’s supremacy.
The Ark of the Covenant fell into the hands of enemies but it never meant God
was captured. What further damage could I possible do to the body of Christ
that is not presently exacerbated by the actions and inactions of our leaders?
The conspiracy of silence has only led to the scattering of God’s
flock and Jer23:1 announces a woe to those responsible.It should not be about
how many souls I gave to God because it is the Spirit who convicts of sin and
God drawing men unto himself. Our task is to remain faithful to all his word,
do righteousness and ensure justice. Not all who call him Lord and raise even
the dead would gain access; there are weightier matters.
I do not know where all these threats of sudden, mysterious and
horrible deaths come from. When Aaron
and Miriam rebelled within themselves about Moses marrying a Cushite; they got
summoned by God who came to Moses’ defence. Korah, Dathan and Abiram also
confronted Moses and accused him of fraud. He was innocent but still gave
account [Num16:15]. The ground opened up and they were gone. Nehemiah, Elijah, Esther,
Elisha all faced opposition in Old Testament times but not everything was met
with drastic measures. The only record of anyone getting struck down in the New
Testament was Herod, an unbeliever who did not give glory to God [Acts
12:22-23]. I do not quite get why I should be held spell bound by any fable
about mysterious happenings that are devoid of apt scriptural references. Is it God who is going to smite me because I
put up a disclaimer about someone who I think is not representing Christians in
Nigeria properly? Is it the “man of God” who would read what I have written and
rain a curse of death on me or for my hand to wither like the fig tree? Even on
the cross, our Lord was thinking about the entire human race irrespective of whether
they pierced his side, drove nails into his limbs, gambled over his garment or
told him to save himself. Christ cares as much for Oritsejafor as much as he
cares about that suicide bomber who is on her way to wreak havoc somewhere. God
cares for folks like me having our struggles as much as he cares for those we
think are not good enough for salvation. Thankfully, that ball is not in our
court to strike.
I may not have a room where I am addressed as presiding bishop; but
I speak the truth even though somebody said I need to know the facts before “floating
blog”. I will claim the “Cyber space Revival assembly” as my platform and all
who equally stand for the truth and are interested in weightier matters as my
congregation. There is no monopoly of anointing in this assembly and nobody
knows everything. If anyone does not doubt the ordination and anointing upon
Temitope Joshua; let them not doubt mine as well. I owe no man nothing but
Love.
“For God had not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind” 2Tim1:7 (KJV)
Jide Akeju
21/09/14
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