MARCH 2015 JUST WORDS
ANOTHER CHRISTIANITY: THE OTHER SIDE OF SODOM
MCSNUP PERFECT
It’s election time again in Nigeria, West Africa, and like most other elections one of the candidate of various political parties (the presidential / vice presidential) must be Christian, thus political parties field either Christian/Muslim candidate or Muslim/Christian candidate. This year 2015, the election fever is at a crescendo, and one reason is because for about the first time, the opposition has got a real shot at winning the presidential polls-for the first time their mantra of change is nothing less than formidable-it seems to be everywhere! Whether the ruling party will retain the seat of the president or whether the tide would change remains Nigeria’s longest suspense thriller even with a ‘mere’ six weeks rescheduling; using the language of the sitting President .
Questions have popped up especially in Christian folds, more importantly, there’s been staggering revelations –the least talked about, nonetheless the most important; is the fundamental question, “Who is a Christian?” Many Christians or rather professing Christians have pointed out the risks and benefits of a Muslim president, and a Christian president respectively, in fact some have been very audacious to make bold statement like “the re-election of the president is the will of God “blah blah blah ….And with this position, all Christians are supposed to do God’s will by supporting the president i.e. the ‘Christian ‘presidential candidate.
A couple of interesting dramas are in this scene, the first notably is the Christian presidential candidate, has a Muslim vice for a running mate, and the Muslim presidential candidate has a Christian pastor for a running mate, the drama continues, the incumbent president (Christian by religion) was running mate to a Muslim in 2007 and came to office after the demise of the latter. Furthermore, professing Christian leaders have raised their voices with the cry of; “ the opposition party plans to Islamize Nigeria, should their Muslim/Christian candidate win”; so in the zeal to prevent the islamization of Nigeria, a number of professing Christians now vocally endorse the same man they do not have any real love or likeness for. The same man they say have done nothing substantial in the past six years of his leadership, and accuse of gross corruption! Furthermore, others hold to the position that Nigeria is just one hundred years and the first year after the hundredth year is crucial in the life of the nation therefore to fulfill God’s timetable/calendar they cannot afford a Muslim leadership at the 101th year, in fact they dare play omnipotence saying who leads Nigeria now will lead her for the next 100years, as though they hold the next one hundred years in their sermon note, and commands/dictates who lives or dies in office!
Dramas and more drama. Amidst the entire drama one question stands tall above the elections-who is a Christian? Is it the will of God that the incumbent (‘Christian’) wins? As acclaimed by the so called Christian groups/association. If it were possible to Islamize Nigeria, today would it be healthy for Nigeria Christianity? And most importantly who or what is a Christian nation?
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord! Are we the people of God? Is the Lord our God? Is Nigeria today the Lord’s? Our reactions as professing Christians towards the forthcoming election, sparks great deal of curiosity and this provides sufficient reason to ask who and what it means to be a Christian? It gives sufficient reason to investigate if this Christianity in Nigeria
today is biblical Christianity or is it another Christianity? One thing is certain; those contesting for the elections regardless of the religious divides are at best politicians-simply men at best. The best of men are men at their very best; let alone in Nigeria politics where the worst of vice pervades the so-called “Christian polity!” however in Nigeria politics, religion is at best only a campaigning tools, as the ‘Christian’ party in today’s election already plans to field a Muslim Candidate in the next, vise versa.

We hear from the pulpits that Nigeria is Gods last days trigger; in fact if the ‘from the pulpits’ news on Sunday Evening television is something to go by, Nigeria would almost be said to be the mount olive on which the lord will make his appearance, in the second coming. There’s lot of Religion and braggadocio; and one would rightly

say, we are told that our dear country is the apostle of the revival movement in these last days; that we are responsible for bearing the gospel to the west, and others. The number of church buildings and centers in every street corner I can boldly say ‘without research’ would be perhaps the most in the world. Just visit Port Harcourt Nigeria or any of the states in the South, East or West if you think yours is a nightmare. Anyhow, so if Nigeria is this supposed ‘New Jerusalem’ why shouldn’t we ensure the number one citizen of our dear nation remains and must be Christian regardless; whether we lose the meaning and import of the name Christian in the bid? It is at this point that our woes find her apocalypse! Woes indeed and certainly worse than woes, we march into dooms day and like Nero, the Nigeria Christian doth fiddle while Rome burns.
We hope to make one or two stance in this newsletter, or may be more! The first of which is the inescapable question, who is a Christian? For the record, a Christian is not one by mere-sheer profession of Christianity, that is one is not a Christian because they say so; the scripture talks about those who even have the form(not just profess)-they show the similitude/form of godliness, however they deny the power thereof (2tim. 3:5) the beloved apostle warns us to”…from such turn away…” literally: “Have nothing to do them …” the Lord spoke about some who did: ”many wonderful works in his name…”and yet he referred to them as workers of iniquity(matt.7:22-23), in fact the Lord says: ”not all who say to me LORD LORD will enter the kingdom of heaven…”(matt 7:21), simply, going to church don’t make one a Christian neither does filling-in Christianity in the religion column of a form (including political forms), nor swearing/taking oath with the bible in one or both hands! It’s a shame, the ‘Christian church’ in our day has been mere bathed so pigly that we either no longer can identify the difference between two diametrically opposed ideas; Christianity and Christian religion, or we are simply badly compromised and thus hesitate to acknowledge there is actually a difference.
Herein is our first stance; biblical Christianity is not the Christian religion, if you would have it that way or the better way Christianity is not a religion… The Christian religion in Nigeria has been never so explicitly portrayed as sheer religion, as seen in these electioneering times, it is quite a depiction of the Jews in Paul’s day, for like

those Jew; we pass judgment on others, yet ‘condemning ourselves because we do the same(even worse) things’ (Rm.2:1) only tragironically (tragic ironically) we “think (by such) we will escape God’s judgment?(Rm.2:3) indeed ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you’ (Rm.2:24)might well apply to us . Our country is Sodom and we know it not, in fact we claim to be contemporary Israel of God, sadly enough, we think what gives us a pass is the sheer refusal to pass the gay bill into law- ‘someone needs to tell the emperor that he is wearing no cloth at all!’ So ‘new Jerusalem’ as we proudly would to be called... Like Jerusalem of old: “Hear the word of the LORD You ruler of Sodom; Listen to the law of God You people of Gomorrah the multitude of your sacrifices what are they to me? Says the LORD I have more than enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened animals, I have no pleasure in the blood of Bulls and lambs and goats” (Is 1:10, 11)
Sodom? Gomorrah? Multitudes of sacrifices? Does Sodom also offer Sacrifices? Alas! Again somebody needs to tell the emperor he is wearing no clothes at all! Homosexuals are not the only hallmarks of Sodom, so thanks senate and reps for not passing the gay bill, but still our country is Sodom, “and unless the lord almighty leaves us some survivors, we would become like Sodom, we would become like Gomorrah” (Is 1:9) what defines Sodom? If it’s beyond passing the gay bill-
“See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her but now Murderers. Your silver has become dross; your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves They all love bribes and chase after gifts They do not defend the cause of the fatherless The widows case does not come before them”(Is.1:21-23)
Are these somewhat familiar with our new Jerusalem ...’the trigger ‘of global revival? Our Nigeria? We must set the records straight:
A SICK NATION- A SICK PEOPLE- A PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS NOT THE LORD CANNOT REVIVE A SICK WORLD… A SICK CHURCH CANNOT HEAL A SICK NATION….A PEOPLE, A NATION UNDER A CURSE CANNOT BE A BLEESSING TO THE WORLD…. The blessing is for the people whose God is the LORD (PS 144:15). So where is the justice? It is common knowledge that Justice makes no sense in our new Jerusalem! Where is fairness, equity, righteousness? Murderers are acquitted and the cause of

the fatherless is neglected- the depth of this cesspool we are in can never be fathomed by transparency international, we are at a time where conscience has been murdered in broad day light, and common sense compromised and exchanged for folly! Even in the home; results, the end, how much money raked in- that is the only conscience there is! Regardless of how you get it done, just get it done!-this is our language and values; and virtues are readily lost in this climate, it is no surprise if there is confusion as to who a Christian is: O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Your rulers are rebels-does that ring a familiar bell? Your rulers are companions of thieves-how about that? Oh…oh… they all love BRIBES and chase after GIFTS, aha! Does that click a connection with our Nation? These are the hallmarks of Sodom! These are what marks Gomorrah; not just a hypocritical refusal to pass the gay bill. Of course, homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God
Neither the sexually Immoral nor Idolaters nor adulterer
Nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor
The greedy nor the drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers
Will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 cor.6:9, 10)
This however is not all there is in Sodom, amidst these inglorious prostitution and spiritual wantonness; there is proud religion, thus they pride with their sacrifices, prayers and so on. We do not need a foreign media to fathom the depth of our malodor, our denial in hypocrisy- making excuses for unrighteousness, injustice and corruption; approving of and commending such folly and the hypocritical thinking that we can sacrifice, pray and bribe even heaven with our gifts and thus attract God’s favor- these are proofs that our country is modern Sodom! We hide under the cloak of hypocritical comparison like the Jews of Paul days; even now some would protest; saying if we are Sodom then what is so and so?’ Alas we’re blinded by our many religious sacrifices and festivals; we ought not to be deceived, the LORD says of our sacrifices and festivals:
“The Multitude of your sacrifices-what are they to me?
New moons, Sabbaths and convocations-I
Cannot bear your evil assemblies…” (Is.1:11, 13)
Evil Assemblies? Really? For some reasons it seems wherever there is licensed-broad day light corruption, there is extreme religion, perhaps it is because that is the easiest way to disguise our disgust. It has become so easy to hear our rebel-rulers

mention the name of God-‘God bless you…’ and ‘…by the grace of God’ and the likes choirs even right there, when and where they are carrying out the devils assignment! This further increase our ‘dooms-day’ as profligacy plays the priest of God right in the courts of the LORD.
“…When you come to appear before me,
Who has asked this of you?
This trampling of my courts?
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me…
…I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats…” (Is.1:12, 13, 11)

Sadly, this is our definition of a Christian Nation? Our definition of a people whom the LORD is their God? We say we are a blessed Nation, but alas there is a curse upon the land:
’for your hands are full of blood…’ (Is.1:15)
In fact all our religious festivals the LORD abhors (Is.1:14) still we claim to be God’s new Jerusalem! His trigger for last day’s revival! A people who have rejected the LORD cannot bring his word to the world, God cannot be mocked!
Furthermore we claim to be governed –ruled by Christian leadership, so Christian we are that we even turned down the gay bill, in spite of the looming consequence from those who support it. Indeed Christian /church leaders have said, the reason why the US hesitated in helping us fight the insurgents was because we turned down the gay bill and so that gives us a pass as a Christian people- a nation of God! Again are we a people of God? Is our country’s leadership Christian? In fact some church leaders have condemned the youths and anyone who believes in the leadership of the opposition party as being misguided, and this because the presidential aspirant of the opposition is a Muslim; but:
“When gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature
Things required by the law, they are a law for themselves

Even though they do not have the law… since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their heart…” (Rm. 2:14, 15) and on the other hand:
“….God’s name is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you (who have the law)” (Rm.2:24)


Then what is the value of your ‘Christianity ‘? What Christianity is this, whose hallmark and chief records are the depth of sodomy -Bribery, corruption, theft, oppression, perversion of justice!
We judge others and say they are not Christian!
We claim to be God’s trigger of revival to the
Nations of the world, yet there is truth among
those we call gentiles; and gross falsehood is
the Hallmark of our lives, we build our nation
with bloodshed! So what Christianity is this?
Our departure from Biblical Christianity continues;
We say a Muslim president will Islamize our dear
Nation; again permit I ask this question; what
Christianity is that which dreads and avoids
persecution? Another Christianity? Oh,
how I would this country be Islamized, if that would bring forth biblical Christianity!
History has shown us that biblical Christianity- and yes the church, thrives most when she is persecuted! Our LORD said:
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! (luke.12;49)
The church in acts
“….rejoic(ed) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name…( after they) had them (the church / apostles) flogged…”(acts,5:40,41)
So how now, are we a people weary of persecution, when we know not persecution in the first place; alas it is not for the gospel’s sake that we say” we reject a Muslim president” but for our sheer selfish ends-because to us godliness is a means of gain! A sharp contrast from New Testament Christianity! You wonder what testimony beholds the youth, what form of discipleship we discharge to them, a faith without the fire of persecution!
Whereas the Christian attitude towards elections, is not to be one of indifference;
“When the righteous prosper, the city rejoice: when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy (prov.11:10), we are supposed to have the understanding of our times. Indeed the LORD rebuked the people of his day for not been able to tell the signs of their time, (LK.12:54-57), the men of Issachar, were commended for their wisdom and understanding of the times, in fact they knew what Israel ought to do (1 chr.12:32) similarly the apostle Paul calls on all to:

Walk circumspectly (thus live very carefully) not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Redeeming the time)… (Eph.5:15, 16)
Indeed the apostle says such wisdom is essential to understanding the will of the LORD (Eph.5:17); thus should be the Christian’s attitudes and response to every matter; in fact Christians belong to another kingdom, another world, and their business in this one (world) is to call men (people) out of it! Not endorse people to “claim” ownership of this world! Verily in fulfilling this earnest commission they (Christians) pray for and work for and towards the peace and prosperity of the land wherein they sojourn; but they must be sensitive to making the most of every opportunity not abusing the opportunity and privileges; not craving opportunity that would bring about the satisfaction of their carnal cravings!
Our nation right now is far from being Christian! In fact I do not know where needs the gospel the most, the ‘unreached’ north or the paganized-religiously occultic south-east-west where another Christianity which is none at all has almost barred every chance for biblical Christianity to be offered men- who have been declared ‘saved’ into an eternity of hell by no less an authority by the highly respected church leadership! One region do not know the LORD and at least know they do not know LORD; another region do not know the LORD, howbeit have been so very convinced to think they know the LORD.
In such time as this, do not be deceived, we have at best sheer religion- false Christianity; and at worse apostasy disguised in sheep clothing; and worst of it, there is Sodom masquerading as Christian leadership in all spheres of our nationhood-church, home, governance, etc. yes we need God’s sovereign intervention at such times, but who perhaps would bear it? For God in certain times of intervention into the affairs of a people- his people, have raised up those from without(outside) the ‘fold’ to bring about his purpose and accomplish his work of; ‘cleansing’ and ‘purging’ of the land. Cyrus (Is.44:28-45:6), Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 27:5-11) are some examples. Therefore let us beware, lest in our zeal to spread the gospel to the world; we succumb to another gospel, manufactured nonetheless by us to suit our own world- a gospel which is none at all, a subtle seduction that bears a curse (Gal. 1:.