NIGERIA: OUR CITIZENS

Last Sunday, we celebrated Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary in church, and I had the opportunity of speaking on the connection between our faith and our citizenship. The discussion was centered on the advice the Apostle Paul gave to the believers who lived in Rome at that time. The Apostle Paul said; “Be a good citizen. All governments are
under God. In so far as there is peace and order. So live responsibly as citizens. If you are irresponsible to the state, then you are irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible.” (Romans 13:1-3, The Message Bible).

I pointed out to the congregants who gathered last Sunday, that since the government derives its authority from God when we obey government we obey God. Likewise, when we disobey the government or break the laws of the land, we are disobeying God. Since disobedience to God is sin, it means that each time we break a traffic light, we have sinned.

When we make a U-turn where there is a clear sign we should not, we have sinned. When we refuse to pay our taxes, we sin. When we don’t pay our NEPA bills and we have our power supply disconnected and we get a technician to do a reconnection illegally, we have sinned. Dear reader, many in the congregation were shocked to hear sin defined that way, because, for the most part, we have defined sin, only in terms of adultery, murder, or such grievous crimes.

But to be candid, I do not understand how we can pray so fervently, praise so zealously and fast so much, and leave the house of God only to break traffic rules and other laws of the land. According to the Apostle Paul, a good Christian should naturally be a good citizen. When we claim to be believers, but we make nothing of breaking the laws of the country, our Christianity must be of a strange kind.

In Romans chapter 13, the Apostle Paul further encouraged that when we do what is right, we would not be afraid of policemen and other law enforcement officers. He said that we should do what is right, not just to avoid punishment, but because of our conscience. When law enforcement officers are not there to arrest or punish us, God is watching. I pointed out to the congregation on Sunday that Apostle Paul referred to government officials as God’s ministers, to us for good.

So, it is not only those who preach on the pulpit that is ministers. So are people who serve in government, business, and other areas of life. Of course, I am sure that someone would protest that corrupt government officials cannot be God’s ministers. However, has God not blessed us by giving us the opportunity to elect those who will occupy public office? When we refuse to vote for the right person and the wrong person wins, we have voted in the wrong person into office. From now on, you and I cannot afford to sit at home and watch T.V when we should be voting.

Well, you may argue that sometimes you can’t identify any politician who has a motive other than to go and “eat”. Last Sunday, I encouraged that good people in this country should jump into politics now; it is not essentially a dirty game. At least, not the kind described by the Apostle Paul in Romans Chapter 13. It is the people that play the game
that make it clean or dirty, if you, dear reader, can become a card-carrying member of a political party, it will make a world of difference.

Finally, on Sunday, I spoke on Apostle Paul’s encouragement that we should love our neighbors. I said that it is time we look at one another as Nigerians through the eyes of God. We are good people. We should begin to show respect to one another. We should use the words ‘sir’ and ‘ma’ when we speak to one another whatever our status. It
should not be a curse to be a cleaner or security guard.

I said that it is a sign of respect for one another when we stay in the queue, whether at a sales counter or in traffic. I encouraged that we give the right of way to other drivers who want to join the traffic since their vehicles will not roll the road away. I emphasized the need for us to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossing since human beings are the most valuable assets God has put on our planet.

Also, I said that there is a need for us to show courtesy to one another. To use the word ‘Please’ when we request for favor whatever the person’s status; and to say ‘Thank you when someone has done us a favor. Then I reminded everyone of a quote from Dr. Mike Murdock, a popular motivational speaker; “Inside every man is a king and a
fool.

The one you speak to is the one that responds to you”. I told my listeners that we have spoken to the fools in one another for too long, it is time we begin to talk to the kings and queens in us Nigerians”. I challenge you, dear reader, to be part of the new dream, the new vision, the new Nigeria.

We will succeed!