GOSPEL WITHOUT TRANSFORMATION (PART 1)

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

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

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

GOSPEL WITHOUT TRANSFORMATION (PART 1)

The Implication of False Spirituality 

MAIN TEXT:

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”, (Acts 2:37).  

WRITER’S QUOTE:

One cannot really change lives for God if one is not really changed by God.

INTRODUCTION:

Deeply impressed by the concept, “Owerri Gets Transformed with Bumper Harvest”, as advertised by Dr. Casmir Ihegworo, the Vice President (VP) of the West African Advanced School of Theology (WAAST), Owerri, on a billboard for a religious programme being organized in the city, the writer, however, seeks to understand the dimension of the idea, since “transformation” is relative, coupled with the fact that the convener of the gospel crusade is now into partisan politics. The writer is also surprised, noticing the image of Dr. Ihegworo on the said billboard, who had sometime faulted such gospel advertisements, describing them as “religious showmanship”, and therefore, wonders why he (Dr. Ihegworo) has now become a captain of what he condemned in recent passed.

Furthermore, since the writer is of the opinion that transformation is relative, it becomes proper to cite that he, as well, carries the notion that the said “Gospel Transformation crusade” may be another “political agenda” in “gospel clothing”. After all, President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria is currently pursuing the political facet of the concept, which he calls, “Transformation Agenda” of his administration, and every concerned citizen of this country can attest to the fact of the lips-service of the federal government in the programme, that hitherto makes people doubt the credibility of the Jonathan administration, as well as, the negative effects it has on certain areas of the socio-economic life of the people. For instance, the insincerity of the government of Nigeria in tackling corruption, which is part of the transformation agenda is at present adversely affecting some Nigerian youths, as most of them are now frustrated into anti-social lifestyle for lack of employment, and in response have vowed never to fold their hands to watch the criminally minded politicians in the country rob them of the common wealth of the nation.

Consequently, while the government seeks to transform the physical environment of the country, by building roads, bridges, railways, etc., some of it’s citizens take-up arms and ammunitions against the people and government. Similarly, in Imo State, while the government of Rochas Okorocha is busy chanting the slogan of transformation through free education, as well as the over-concentration on the beautification and development of the already developed major cities of the state, which many see as a political game to foster the presidential bid of the governor, some of its citizens, on the other hand, are being plunged into criminality, as a way of making economic fortunes, and these, to mention but a few, are some of the negative results that show up when handlers of any transformation programme(s) become insincere, and so, the writer, by this, desires to find out the position of the organizers of the “Owerri Gets Transformed with Bumper Harvest” Crusade, and what they really want to achieve in the exercise, as he puts forth that;

GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION IS FUNDAMENTALLY SPIRITUAL

Gospel Transformation is Holy Ghost driven, and anything short of this, is false, as no preacher can really bring about a change in the socio-spiritual life of a people if he or she is not spirit-filled. In fact, the preceding verses in the main scripture cited in this piece confirm this, as they indicate that Apostle Peter was able to transform the people during his preaching on the day of Pentecost by the power of the Holy Ghost, and not by human eloquence or oratory, which the result shows that… “when they heard the message, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”, (Acts 2:37-38)

But, today, we have too many preachings without the power of the kingdom, too many religious books without illumination, too many prayers without consecration, too many churches without godliness, too many crusades without divine impartation, too many Christian songs without the spirit, too many worshippers without virtue, too many prophecies without solution, and the more the increase in the present day false spirituality, the greater the evils in church and society, which signals that something is seriously wrong with both the leadership (the pulpit) and followership (the pew) of the church And, if one may ask, how can a preacher whose loyalty is divided between Christ and politics really enforce transformation in society? Also, how can any member of the church with a materialistic tendency be used by God to effect a spiritual change that results in change of conduct in society?. For, the duo, who are carnally minded, cannot at the same time be filled with the Spirit of God, which is the prerequisite for any divine transformation, (Act 2).

So, the organizers of the “Owerri Gets Transformed with Bumper Harvest” crusade and every person engaged in any other form of evangelical or religious services in the Name of Lord are by this called upon to look inwards, as well as consecrate themselves to God, for a Holy Ghost enforced change in church and society, as the upsurge of wickedness in the world of today really shows that the present day church and its preachers, including the writer are yet to achieve spiritual transformation that would in turn transform members of the human community.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS GOD’S INSTRUMENT FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIETY

The reader may have sometimes reasoned with the Very Revered Gary Maxy, the founding Provost of the defunct Wesley International Bible College (WIBC), Owerri, who in a remark says, “Nigeria’s Christianity is millions of miles wide, but one inch deep”. This is because, according to the scripture, “many have a form of godliness, but deny the power”, (II Timothy 3:5). Gary Maxy in another thought provoking statement, also says, “the church is marching down to hell, and the (gospel) ministers are heading the procession”. These expressions of the cited frontline theologian and pastor point to the fact of the present day eclipse of the Christian light, as well as show that most preachers have been blindfolded by Satan, and are now misleading the flock and people of God, and this no doubt calls for transformation.

However, let it be remarked that the Christian idea of transformation is that one must be translated from darkness to light, from the kingdom of Satan to that of Christ, and that the Light of Christ must shine in/through the life of every one who believes, if they must be used by God to transform others. So, it is not just a matter of gospel campaign, but one possessing the substance that makes for divine transformation, which is the Light of Jesus Christ, (Mathew 5:16).

But, how does one reconcile the foregoing with the lifestyle of some preachers who are prone to immorality with women of easy virtue, as well as manifest other forms of questionable behaviour in society, and yet appear as champions in the exercise of transformation? Or, what does the Bible say, about a pastor who manipulate financial figures to his own advantage during church accounts, and at the same time condemn societal ills? Without mincing words, such caliber of people, who are hypocrites, cannot fit into the transformation agenda of the Kingdom of Heaven, as they have nothing to offer in any operation that involves the Spirit of God.

GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION CHANGES INDIVIDUALS FOR POSITIVE CONDUCT IN SOCIETY

The biblical yardstick for measuring a successful gospel campaign is the number of people converted from evil to good, and not the crowd in attendance. Thus, by this standard, it becomes believable that most of the present day gospel crusades and revival meetings may have been efforts without real achievements, as the reader can testify to the fact that inspite of the increased gospel expeditions in the world of today, wickedness still prevails. So, where is the transformation?

In this connection, the writer cites Zacchaeus as a good scriptural example of an individual transformed by means of the gospel for a positive change of conduct in society. For, God’s word records that after his encounter with Jesus,… Zacchaeus stood up and said, “Look Lord, … if I have cheated on anybody of anything, I will pay back four times the amount, (Luke 19:8). But, today, politicians who loot government treasury attend our crusades without a change of heart, armed robbers come for prayers for successful outings, instead of repentance, kidnappers are skillfully encouraged to pay the tithe of their ill-gotten wealth, instead of godly rebuke, etc., and most  preachers who aid and abate such crimes are often seen at the forefront of gospel campaigns, presenting useless transformation messages, and so, the reader is by this informed that there can be no transformation where there is false spirituality

In conclusion, therefore, let it be stated that God looks up to the church to transform the world, however, where the church fails to deliver, God will in reaction look up to the world to judge the church. THINK ABOUT IT.