Cry aloud too, Minister Walters!
Editor: I read Minster Selmon Waltersâ words from the National Day of Prayer Rally in last Mid-weekâs edition of your papers and I thought it necessary to give some reminders.{{more}}
God has set up His church to call men to righteousness. The members of His church must be moral watchmen in the earth – in every sphere of life, including government. It is true, according to the scripture that the church must pray for governments. However, one must not think for a moment that the church should not strongly criticize members of government when necessary. Consider Bible character like Nathan (sent to rebuke the wickedness of King David and call him to repentance), Elijah who was commissioned of God to rebuke King Ahab for his evil, and John the Baptist, speaking with the authority from God to Herod. All these messengers of God had to rebuke wrongs in high places that the nation may be spared the influence of wickedness and be saved from moral decadence and destruction.
The uncompromising followers of Christ must always speak out against or criticize wrongdoings -where ever it is found! The prophet Isaiah puts it this way, â Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sinsâ.( Isaiah 58:1)
In recounting the experience of the prophet Elijah one writer says: âWould that every minister might realize the sacredness of his office and the holiness of his work, and show the courage that Elijah showed!…they are to âreprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsufferingââ¦In Christâs stead, they are to labour as stewards of the mysteries of heaven, encouraging the obedient and warning the disobedient⦠Their message is to be, âthus sayeth the Lordâ. God calls for men like Elijah, Nathan, and John the Baptist- men who will bear His message with Faithfulness, regardless of the consequences; men who will speak bravely, though it call for the sacrifice of all they have.â E. G. White , Prophets and Kings pg 81.
I wish also to remind you that God only answers the prayers of the humble, repentant heart who is ready and willing forsake all sins and to obey His commandments. God says, âIf my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their landâ 11 Chronicles 7:14.
I sincerely pray that the members of government in our country will humble their hearts to the living God and learn to do good that the citizens of this country will be influenced aright.
Ann-Marie Ballantyne
svgpatriot@hotmail.com
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