The welcome accorded the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, at the recent Festival of Life vigil organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) calls for much reflection in the Body of Christ.
We ought to rejoice and be grateful to God for EVERY SINGLE soul that the Lord brings into our midst in search of the truth of Jesus Christ. As, Christians, we are agents of reconciliation between God and man. It will be completely irreverent for me to explore Cameron’s motive for attending that service. That is between him and God. But, as men, we cannot fail to notice that the visit coincides with the Prime Minister’s electioneering campaign in the British polls that is less than three weeks away. He has been PM for almost 5 years, and this is his first and only time of attending the service. One cannot but hope that this was not just ANOTHER campaign stop in Cameron’s busy schedule. For that is not why the church congregates.
His presence at the service electrified the atmosphere. He really did have the people of God jumping, hooting and whooping. When he was given the microphone to address the crowd, the people rose up in unison and gave him a prolonged standing ovation. (The last time I saw him get such a rousing reception was at the Conservative Party Convention among his party faithfuls). And after the event, the photo-op was not missed. The photograph of the PM with the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye, and the leader of the RCCG in UK, Pastor Agu Irukwu, became an instant hit on the social media.
Why should we be concerned by the reception that was given to the PM? It has to do with the Prime Minister and his true disposition to the Church of Christ in the UK. At no time in the recent history of the UK has Christians been as persecuted and PROSECUTED for their faith as we have in Britain today. Let us be fair to the PM, Britain is a secular country and the rise of aggressive secularism in the country is beyond the PM. So, we are not holding Cameron responsible for the state of the nation. Rather, we are looking at his credentials as an individual, in relation to the Church.
Less than two years ago, David Cameron rode roughshod against the Word of God by leagalising same sex marriage in the country. When parliament was debating the motion, the Church of Christ in the UK rose in unison to lobby, cajole, and appeal to the government not to desecrate the marriage institution as ordained by God. Even the normally, very liberal Church of England opposed the legislation. But Cameron adamantly refused to budge an inch. He railroaded the legislation through parliament at an almost unprecedented pace, and did not rest until the same sex marriage bill was passed. The bill was not a part of the manifesto of the conservative government, and so Cameron was NOT under pressure to deliver on an electoral promise. It was a project that he took upon himself and successfully executed.
When the gay agenda was to be pushed into legislation in Nigeria, David Cameron was one of the strongest influences pressurising the Jonathan administration to facilitate the agenda. Cameron’s government threatened to cut its financial aid to any developing country that fails to support and promote gay rights. Yet, the word of God is clear that homosexuality IS A SIN. One of the major champions that is promoting that particular sin is the same man, unrepentant, that the RCCG assembly rose up yesternight to cheer and applaud to the highest heavens – in the house of God!
Homosexuality is not the only way that Cameron has kicked the church in the groin. It is now difficult for most Christians to stand up in the public sphere to declare the word of God, or to openly live by some Christian precepts. There are several cases in court, both in the UK and at the European courts, where Christians are being prosecuted for standing for simple Christian convictions. Cameron is barely on record in helping Christians to enjoy the rights that RIGHTFULLY belong to them. It is clear that Cameron CANNOT influence courts and similar institutions, but those that are familiar with British politics know that a sitting Prime Minister has a huge level of influence in shaping opinion. And that influence goes quite a long way (he used it heavily for the homosexuality aganda). In how many situations has Cameron used this influence POSITIVELY for the Christian faith?
In a recent Easter broadcast, he called the UK a ‘Christian country’. But many commentators were quick to observe that the broadcast was aimed at mollifying the outrage of conservative Christian voters (like myself) at Cameron’s stance on matters relating to the Christian faith. Many naive Christians hailed the speech as a triumph for Christianity – without looking for corresponding action that matches the Prime Minister’s rhetoric with his public action relating to Christianity.
By giving Cameron a rousing, heroic reception, the RCCG fold has hurt the sensibility of those that are genuinely concerned about the government’s stance on matters relating to the Christian faith in the country. Those who are praying for Christians losing their jobs for simply following Christian convictions. Those footing the legal bills of Christians that are on trial for standing up for the teachings of Christ. Those who are telling the government that their actions are deeply hurting the Christian community.
With the reception he got yesterday, will Cameron think Christians are silently groaning and worried about the persecution of Christians in this land? If Cameron’s visit had been to an evangelical, Bible-believing church, would he have gotten anything near the same level of adulation?
Please do not misunderstand me. As Christians, we know that we do not wrestle with flesh and blood. We know we are commanded by God to respect our leaders. We know our obligation to pray for them. But do we not also have the moral responsibility to let them know the truth? To let them know that we are deeply pained and saddened when God’s laws are trashed and Christianity is ridiculed in the public sphere. Don’t we have that obligation in contending for the faith?
This is the obligation that the leadership of the Church in Nigeria has consistently failed to extend to our political class in that country. This is the tendency that makes the Church leadership to be very comfy with successive corrupt politicians in the nation. This is the tendency that led to the embarrassment of the Church at the recently concluded elections in Nigeria where pastors were allegedly bribed for votes. Yesterday, that tendency played itself out on an international stage. And those that think deeply will not fail to see the significance.
Based on all the foregoing, on what basis did we give Cameron a heroic welcome in God’s name yesterday? (If the pursuit of the interest of the Kingdom of God in the United Kingdom is truly paramount in our hearts.)
Finally, to all those that suffer directly from the consequences of the attack on the Christian faith in the UK, please be assured that the hero’s reception that Cameron got yesterday is not reflective of a collective disposition. A lot of us share in your grief. A lot of us stand with you outside the House of Parliament to protest against ungodly policies. A lot of us join you in praying for the return of godliness at all levels of society in the United Kingdom.
Yesterday we could have warmly welcomed our Prime Minister. Observed the necessary protocol of acknowledging his presence at the service. Prayed for him earnestly. Showed him the love of Christ in every way we could. And respectfully remind him, probably in private, of the pain we feel at some of his policies. That would have made him to think. And not to leave that venue yesterday feeling like the champion of the Christian faith in the United Kingdom.
Thanks for reading, God bless.

OAM4J & emusmith

Hmmmm. Politicians. Anyways he's got my vote. Conservative!