Foundation Scripture: Matthew 5, verse 13 to 16.
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The church can have tremendous influence in shaping the moral, social, cultural and spiritual character of every community, society, and nation. She is supposed to be the light and salt of every community, city, society and nation. However, in a situation where the church imbibes the "culture," it was supposed to change her light will become darkness. The transformation of a negative culture by the church requires a church leadership and movement with a visionary character; spiritually, mentally, socially and intellectually developed.
When we evaluate the impact of the church in a society by the size of church auditoriums, congregations and the opulence of church leaders, we miss the major and start majoring on minor. The transformation of the character of a society where the church operates is the measuring rod of the impact of the church.
For instance, looking at our African nations and the number and size of churches within every nation, one should expect to see countries with a strong moral, social, cultural and spiritual character, but that isn't the case. Why? How I wish this question becomes a topic in every interdenominational gathering.
The goal of this message is to help us understand why the number of churches in our nations has not translated into any meaningful transformation in our nations. If the churches are a part of the problem instead of the solution, they can't serve as God's transformational agents.
Christ said; you can't take out the mote from someone's eyes if you have a beam in your eyes. Matthew 7 : 3 -5.
Those words contain the principle required for the church to change the character of any society or nation she operates within. The church can't have the moral authority to bring the needed changes in the moral, social, cultural and spiritual character of a nation if the church is a victim of the same. Darkness can't cast out darkness.
So, the power of the church is in being the church, not in any other thing. Big buildings, bank accounts, assets and others may have their place, but they do not determine the impact of the church.
What does being the church means? The word "Church," in Latin ecclesia, and Greek "ek-ka-lein," means to "call out of. "The church is supposed to be "a call out" people in every nation; not a part of the corruption, political and social madness, the culture of greed, and egotism going on in a country. When the church in a society descends to the level of the people who don't know the Lord, she will exist as "noise" and not a voice.
"We are in the world and not of the world" as the Bible says, is the best biblical description of the church, which can cure the moral, social, spiritual and cultural malaise of a nation. In a situation where the values of the church, sense of direction, and character is same as that of the country she operates within, it becomes practically impossible for the church to become an agent of transformation within the nation.
For instance, when ordinary politicians loot a nation's wealth and use part of the money to support church projects and the churches see no problem with that, how on earth can the church serve as a voice against corruption?
When church leaders amass so much wealth when their people are languishing in poverty, how on earth can the church speak out against the culture of impunity and self-aggrandizement among the nation's elites?
When money becomes the determining factor of the place one occupies in a church, how on earth can the church change the cultural value where money is crowned king," which is why some young men and women get into arm robbery, prostitution, and other vices to meet up?
When the messages from the pulpit glorify the mindsets and attitudes, which the church was supposed to be speaking against, how on earth do you think the church can serve as the light in a dark world?
In a society of selfishness, racism, and individualism, if these same attitudes are evident in the character of the church, she would become a toothless bulldog. A toothless bulldog will bark, look tough and intimidating, but can't bite. Is this the picture of the church in your nation? The church needs change, and you and I can become that change. Let's seek the Lord for the transformation of the church into the light and salt of the earth. That is the breakthrough required for the church to transform society. We pray that this message serves the purpose the Holy Spirit ordained it in Jesus name!
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he comes and rains righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10 : 12.
DrBenard Etta
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