T
he countr y of Kenya is in the f inal stages of an election year. It is a season of political shenanigans amongst the elite autocrats, and simultaneously a season of debilitating anxiety and fear for the powerless majority. The last few cycles of “democratic elections” have wrought chaos, riots, tribal retaliations and thousands of deaths. This is not a disparagement of Kenya. Such agendas, emotions and outcomes are characteristics of most f ledgling “democracies” and “developing” countries. Indeed, one would have to look far and wide to f ind any countr y whose election process promotes transparency, accountability, justice and the common good. Clearly, our hope should never be in human governments.
Many citizens of this world, if not most, succumb to the common mantra of demigods worldwide: “Come to me! For Peace, Prosperit y and Securit y!” These words are not mere political slogans of humanistic bravado. Nor is this increasingly common phrase merely coincidental. “ Peace, Prosperit y and Securit y!” is most of ten a cunning campaign and basic temptation to this: Covetousness. The promised fruit is not a tonic, but rather a toxic brew. God has warned us these days would come. And come they have… “ ‘Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone [is] given to Covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, Peace!’ When [there is] no Peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,’ says the LORD.” Jer 6:13
The prophetic warning could not be clearer. The phrase “ Peace! Prosperit y! Securit y!” in the mouth of the ungodly, is not merely an empty political promise…it is an enticement to eternal destruction (see 1 Thes 5.1-3). And yet that is not the half of it. We cannot rest this case with a par tisan indictment of politicians and populism pundits. We must f irst look at ourselves… “For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God.” 1Pe 4:17
The propaganda of carnal “ Peace, Prosperit y and Securit y!” is promoted by many pulpit ministries, churches and doctrines. Appeals to the f lesh abound in the church today. Indeed, the “Prosperity Gospel” is the single greatest spiritual impediment and obstacle we face at the Bible Schools. Local Pastors and Ministr y leaders are not only promoting such deceptive doctrines…they also forcefully resist and oppose God’s counsel to the contrar y. Their prayers for the nation of Kenya plead not for Repentance, Righteousness and Salvation, but for “ Peace, Prosperit y and Securit y”…for ecumenical cooperation and handholding…for an end to tribalism and tribulations. But NOT for godly reasons. Not for eternal rewards. Nor for the redemption of their kin and kindred. But rather for satisfaction of worldly, f leshly comfor t and desires. And God is not obliging… “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend [it] on your pleasures.” James 4.3
Indeed, Biblical words, phrases and principles have been high jacked for thinly veiled carnality and f leshly pursuits: Promotion, Breakthrough, Har vest, Abundance, Peace, Security, Prosperity, Dominion, Kings and Priests, Promotion, Reaping, Rest, etc. have morphed from calls to Holiness into appeals to the Flesh. No wonder politicians f ind the church’s occasional rebukes more than hypocritical and less than irrelevant. Indeed, the collusion of the church with the ways of the world has reached “biblical propor tions” in our day…
“ ‘For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’ And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her Sins, and lest you receive of her Plagues.’” Rev 18:3
We have a merciful plea from our great and gracious God. “Come out!” Come out of the misplaced pursuit of political “ Peace”…for there is no Peace with my fellow man, if I have not made Peace with God through Jesus. Come out of the pursuit of f inancial and material Prosperity…which precious few can handle without compromising Holiness. Even Solomon could not. Come out of the pursuit of super f icial Safet y and Securit y…God Himself of fers to be our Protector. If He is for us, who can lif t a f inger against us? Without Peace and Reconciliation to God…there is no true Peace. And no one can get us there but Jesus. No politician can get us there. No church can get us there. No pastor can get us there. Only Jesus. Let us “promote” Jesus, not Prosperity to the people. Let us place our Hope in and cast our cares upon Jesus, not some program, politician or popular preacher. Let us work fast and furious within the church…to remove the teachings and toys that weigh us down with earthly pleasures and pursuits. It’s not a time for building the best audio/video system, basketball courts, café’s, kitchens, theatres, picnic grounds, playgrounds and another round of techno upgrades at the church. The day is far too gone for that. Darkness is quickly blanketing this wayward world. It’s time for fasting, weeping, repentance…and real sacrifice for the sake of others... “And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for Weeping and for Mourning, for Baldness and for Girding with Sackcloth. But instead, Joy and Gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’ Then it was revealed in my hearing
by the LORD of hosts, ‘Surely for this Iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to your death,’ says the Lord GOD of hosts.” Isa 22:12
These were not words to those “outside.” This was an urgent Warning to God’s people. God’s “people” had become worse than the unsaved masses. And together with the world, they were running straight to disaster. Let this not be the prophetic destiny for our families, our generation, our people and nations. This is what we teach the Pastors and Ministry Leaders in the urban slums of East Africa. And we see a miraculous movement of God’s hand in our very midst. The first semester of this year, we had one of the largest enrollments of new students since inception: 72 Pastors and Ministry Leaders…added to the 235 already continuing in the program. They did not come because we are “relevant” to this generation. They did not come because we offer a “family friendly environment” or captivating video snipets. They did not come to hear pulpit pundits and popular promises. Rather, they came to hear the undiluted Word of God. Taught like Jesus did…plain spoken, easy to understand and apply, soothing to the
they came to hear the undiluted Word of God. Taught like Jesus did… spirit, but infinitely offensive to the flesh of all mankind. The fruit is glorious. The Peace, the Prosperity, the Security…is truly out of this world! David savored such a balm to his weary soul… “I will both lie down in Peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in Safety.” Ps 4:8
Let us rise to the occasion…by beginning on our knees. Pleading Repentance, Belief and Obedience... for Kenya in this approaching election (Aug 8), for our churches, and for all mankind…through Jesus only, the Prince of Peace.
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