CHRISTIAN CONDUCT FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

----‘’ let your light so shine

(in elections )before men, that

they may see your good deeds and praise Father in

Heaven” , (Mathew 5: 16 NIV).

INTRODUCTION:

            The conduct of someone is the way they behave, and Christians are expected to behave like Christ, as they are believed to be recipients of his divine nature. In line with this, Ben Onyeukwu posits that the “Christian nature” is a reference to a determinative quality that marks out the entity we call “Christian”. He further remarks that the term describes the fabric, as well as the very essence of the person who wears this sacred appellation. In the  words of Jesus, “not  everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven”----(Mathew 7: 21). This shows that not everyone who says they  are Christians that are real to their claim. Therefore, the Christian conduct for credible elections presupposes that Christians should be objective, transparent, impartial, as well as lawfully stand in opposition to anything that militate against credible elections in the state or nation where they  are citizens or participate in elections. Based on this, therefore, the writer opines that:

CHRISTIAN NATURE IS THE FOUNDATION FOR GOOD CONDUCT DURING ELECTIONS

            Someone’s nature is the character they show in their behaviour. Therefore, the Christians nature is the character of the indwelling  Christ which they display in their behaviour, and this type of practical Christian life, as Dr. D. James Kennedy puts it, “begins with a resolution to repent”, since all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23). Sequel to this, one who wishes to be endowed with the nature of Christ that makes one a Christian of good conduct must; repent of one’s sins, (Acts 3:19), ensure that such sins are confessed and forsaken, (Proverb 28:13), as well as experience the spiritual rebirth of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5). In the words of Ben Onyeukwu, it is only when one comes to the point of possessing God’s nature of holiness that one becomes empowered to resist the influence of political tuggery, brigandage, political killing and a host of other political vices that mar credible elections.

            The assertion above points to the fact that Christianity is not a nominal religion, but a practical one, in which adherents are expected to demonstrate the virtues and lifestyle of Jesus Christ, in whatever they do, as well as in elections. This raises doubts as to whether those who claim they are Christians, but engage in tuggery, double- dealing, brigandage and other forms of malpractices during elections are really what they say they are. According to Del Yocum, Jesus is the example of what men ought to be, since He exemplified holiness in every aspect of his life and ministerial endeavour, and so, every Christian is indebted to showcase such a lifestyle in whatever they do and this should also be demonstrated during elections.

            But, the alleged statement, “one man, one vote can’t work, PDP will win”, as credited to Prince Lemmy Akakem of the Peoples Democratic Party  on the front page of the Wednesday, February 23 to Thursday, February 24, 2011 edition of the White – paper Newspaper does not portray a Christian, conduct for credible elections, instead, it displays a complete aberration of the Christian faith, and shows an attitude of do – or – die in elections, which God’s word condemns. Prince Akakem may not be alone in such a depravity, as there are as well other individuals or groups who may have been drafted to cause mayhem during the April, 2011 elections in Imo State and other parts of Nigeria, and these people of notoriety may still have their names on the top lists of the membership of  certain Christian denominations, yet without the experience of the redemptive  touch of Jesus Christ . To such a people, the scripture says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” --- (Acts 3:19).

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT DEMONSTRATES THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST DURING BLECTIONS

            The character of a person consists of all the qualities they have that make them distinct. And, if someone behaves in character, they behave in the way expected of them. On the other hand, if they behave out of character, they do not behave as they are expected to. Therefore, in the words of John MacArthur, “we (as Christians) must reject all that is ungodly  and false and never compromise God’s standards  of righteousness”, noting further that, “by means of godly living, believers are to be the conscience of whatever nation they reside in”. Put contextually, Ben Onyenkwu posits that Christian conduct during elections harps on the political behaviour of Christians in an electoral process or system, taking cognizance of the laws of the Land, as well as what the scripture says about the Christian general modes of life and operations in society. Apparently, it is during the period of elections that the highest degrees of political malpractice are manifested in the political land cape of nations. And the faith of the Christian at this time is tested by God and man. At the instance of this; monetary offers to induce the Christian party agent(s) to falsity election results, bribes to influence the Christian to vote the unpopular or dubious candidates, the advancing of huge sums of money to the Christian for the snatching of ballot boxes, offers of political appointments to the Christian faithful(s) to serve as tug(s) and secret oaths that would not permit the disclosure of the masterminds of political violence are presented as ways of luring the Christians out of the faith. However at this testing period those that do know their God will remain strong and focused.

            The Christian should bear in mind that during elections, God looks at them as agents of light that should exert positive influence on the electorate, (Matthew 5 : 16 ), as well as instruments He wishes to use to install legitimate government, ( Romans 13:1 ), and so, sees them as disappointments where they fail to reflect His glory in the electoral process. By this, the Christian becomes duty- bound during elections to ensure that, elections are not rigged, but free and fair by maintaining a high sense of orderliness, decorum and impartiality, bearing in mind that it is only in an atmosphere of peace and order, as occasioned by the good conduct of Christians and other well – meaning citizens of a country or organization that the enthronement of governments after God’s heart can emerge in any society. On this note, the writer advocates that the erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo’s “ do – or – die” pattern of politics be dropped for the politics of peace and progress, the political campaign of calumny that promotes violence in society be jettisoned for “issue based” politics, the money induced voting that is the bedrock of bad governance be discarded for “conscience informed voting, newspaper advertisements that seek to portray certain political candidates in bad light be thrown – off in  fovour of those that highlight their programmes, unethical radio – television jingles that display primitive ways of political campaigns give way for those with refined and well articulated messages, as no political activity which undermines Christian virtues and values that is akin to Christian conduct or demonstrates the character of Christ which is the foundation for good behaviour and credible elections.

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT IS THE BEDROCK FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

            Christian conduct characteristically, sues for peace, equity and fair play, and one without this propensity that inspires good actions is lacking in the basic fluid of the Christian faith. For the purpose of charity, credible elections draw from ethics, and according to Josef Imberg, ethics means the principles governing our ways of acting, and also the fundamental teaching about these principles, whereas, the personal application of such principles  is called “morality”. Be informed also that Christian ethics hinges on Christ and His teachings, which form the mainstay for Christian life and conduct, from which good behaviour that makes for creditable elections is achieved. Suffice to say here that, the foundation of God stands firm, sealed with this inscription: the Lord knows those who are His, and, everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness”, (2 timothy 2:19).

            Therefore, election rigging is wickedness, and not Christian conduct, the snatching of ballot boxes is evil, and does not stem from the character of Christ, the falsification of election results is devilish, and not a Christians way of life, voter registration malpractices are nursed in hell and not in Heaven, campaigns of calumny during elections are inspired by Satan, and not by Christ, and those who do such things, do not have the mark of God, but that of the devil. Note also that there are people of double  standards in the Christian church, who need to repent of their secret dealing with the devil. For common knowledge shows that certain individuals who are members of the church are as well members of secret fraternities, and by the standards of the Christian faith such people are never Christians, but agents of the devil in the church. With no apologies, the political class parades a greater number of such persons, who are “half men” and “half devil” and Christians are by this advised not to take after their rigging examples during elections, as their conduct betrays both God and society.

            In conclusion, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praised your Father in Heaven” as we have in the gospel  pictures what God expects  from Christians of all walks of life. Therefore, the Christian should exemplify the conduct of Christ in their careers and civic duties. GO FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS.