Modern Reformer
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  • My Blog
    • Helping in Turkana
    • Iceland overview
    • Day 1 in Iceland
    • Photos from the Amsterdam Trip
    • Trip of a Lifetime
    • Our Journey
    • This World Stinks
    • The Elements Shall Melt
    • False Prophets- - AMEN!
    • Death of the Church
    • Who was the last prophet sent by God?
    • Write the Vision
    • Fast Food Christians
    • Jesus Wept
    • The Demise of the Protestant
    • Considering Memorial Day
    • Judas
    • The Downfall of a Civilization
    • Divine Business
    • A Futuristic Short Story
  • Questions
    • Prophecy >
      • What is the point of the "Great Tribulation" if all of the Christians will be raptured?
      • How Do We Prepare for the Great Tribulation?
      • Many preachers say Jesus is coming soon, while there are no clear signs of it. Is it a scare tactic to make people do what they want?
      • Is it true that the Bible says that no one goes to heaven until Jesus comes back?
      • What does the Bible say about Jesus' Second Coming?
      • When does the 2nd Resurrection Take Place?
      • How will Jehovah God save Israel when he brings all nations against it ?
      • When the kingdom of God is established, in what manner ( physically or ?? ) will everybody who obeys Jehovah God will become like Adam ( they will no longer be males and females but all males ) ??
      • Spiritually, What are we on the verge of?
      • When did the 70 years desolation spoken by Jeremiah begin?
      • What is meant by Rome being called the Antichrist?
      • In the book of Daniel 11:21-24, is the despicable man that is mentioned here was Antiochus Epiphanes IV?
      • What is the difference between the Babylonia that were mentioned in the Old Testament and the Babylonia that was mentioned in the book of Revelation?
      • What are the comparison of the verses Ps 83:1-8,Ez 38:7-16, Zech 14:2-3,and Rev 20:8-9--are they the same in meaning?
      • Of that Day and that Hour
      • How Will Jesus' Second Coming Happen?
      • Will the End Times Battle Be Fought With Weapons
      • Biblically speaking what will the world be like after Armageddon?
      • End Times and Sodom and Gomorrah?
      • At which trumpet will Michael and his angels boot Satan and his angels from heaven to earth?
      • When does/did Jesus Christ's reign as King of God's Kingdom start?
      • Is the Beast in Revelation the Antichrist?
      • Jesus Would Return as He Left?
      • What do you think Jesus meant that if God had not shortened those days, no flesh would survive?
      • What are You Looking Forward To?
      • Is This the Beginning of the Apocalypse?
      • What does Jesus Mean When He Says This?
      • Evidence of the Signs of the Times?
      • What will the Kingdom Accomplish?
      • How Will the Scoffers Feel when Jesus Comes?
      • What is the Significance of the Word "Presence."
      • Why Does My Mom Say We are in the Last Day?
      • What Exactly do People Think the Apocalypse is?
    • Doctrine >
      • Can a person worthy of Heaven be OK with others going to Hell?
      • Can the theory of "being born a sinner" and the theory of "age of accountability" exist at the same time? How and why?
      • According to the Bible, why is everyone born a sinner?
      • Do those don't hear about Jesus go to hell?
      • How is Christ the Wisdom of God?
      • Why does the Soul of the Dead Sinner need to be Oppressed?
      • What did Jesus mean when He said: The Way, the Truth, the Life?
      • Is the Fire of Hell Literal? Why?
      • Did Jesus Redeem Everyone? Is Everyone Saved?
      • If a baby or infant died ....he'll become an angel?
      • What is Biblical Faith?
      • Do You Believe in Hell?
      • Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism, which is more important?
      • Question on Death, Sleep, Resurrection?
      • What is the soul?
      • The Rapture
      • Is John the Baptist going to heaven?
    • General Questions >
      • How can the Gospel transform individuals and the society today?
      • Why are dogs not allowed in heaven according to the Bible?
      • Question about Islam and Christianity
      • Is a Person Who Hasn't Heard About Christianity a Sinner...?
      • Are Saints in Heaven Free...?
      • Question on John the Baptist
      • Thief on the Cross Question
      • Does the Bible has a mention about the secret societies like...?
      • Is the Garden of Eden still on earth (hidden from mankind ) ?
      • Does the Bible prove all other religions false?
      • Why do Muslims hate Jews ?
      • What do you think of the Interpretation of Gen. 2:17?
      • Did God Hate Esau from the Womb?
      • What is your opinion of the theological terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God?
      • ​Please can you explain Colossians 2:14-17, where it's says "do not let anyone judge you"?
      • What do you mean by Regeneration..?
      • Is it literally mean that Turkey is the seat of Satan?
      • I'm a Christian but I don't like to go to church...I pray and read my bible in the house....what the bible teaches about fellowship?
      • Abraham the father of Isaac and Ismael...he was Jew or Hebrew..?
      • I'm a believer. I pray that I might win in lottery,sweepstakes, casino...I won....is this a sin?
      • Please Explain Romans 10:9,10
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What is the Purpose of Satan?
      • Why would God do this? And then punish Israel for it?
      • Is the Roman Catholic Church a true church established by Jesus Christ?
      • What is Heaven Like?
      • How long (on average) does it take one to join your religion?
      • Is a judge performing his duties in a courtroom violating Jesus' command, "Do not judge"?
      • How is it that even the demons "knew Him to be the Christ." How did they know?
      • Who is Jesus claiming to be in John 8:24 and what does it mean to "die in your sins"?
      • Does the Bride of Christ have to die first?
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What about Holidays?
      • What is a Biblical Family?
      • How do We Treat Family Members Who Say They are Christians but Don't Acts Like It?
      • What is the Second Death?
      • Question on the Parable of the Two Sons
      • Christ came that we would have life abundantly correct?
      • Who is the Son of Perdition?
      • What are your thoughts on Psalm 137:9?
      • What is the difference between the DOOR in Rev 3:8 and the DOOR in Rev 3:20 ?
      • Out of the Seven Churches in Revelation, which would you say is the closet to your church?
      • What is the main message in the book of Amos, what value does it hold for today’s modern society?
      • Gospel of Thomas question:
      • Question on Tithing
      • Are some people never going to be resurrected from the dead?
      • Does God Love Unconditionally?
      • What Percentage of the Bible Do You Have to Know?
      • Do you keep the Sabbath?
      • Why was Man Excluded Because No Wedding Garment?
      • It is the Day of Atonement...Will you offer a prayer & agree in prayer for their salvation?
      • Did Noah Keep Bees in the Ark?
      • As the Pope's 9-letter surname, Bergoglio, has the word GOG bang in the middle of it, I wonder if biblical?
      • Who is Peter talking about in 1 Peter 4:18?
      • What is the purpose of pigs?
      • Please explain how the meek inherit the earth?
      • Do You Know the Names of Jesus' Two Sheepfolds?
      • Is Jesus in His Human Body in Heaven?
  • Meditations of Joy
    • Overcoming Lack of Confidence to Connect and ‘Fit In’ Part 1
    • All Things in the Name of Jesus
    • The Treasured Life
    • Afflicted in Faithfulness
    • Making All Things New
    • Instinctive Trust
    • #721 Extracting the Precious from the Worthless
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism and Conflict Part 2
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism Part 1
    • Facing Change and the Unknown in Confidence
    • Glorify Thy Name in us, O LORD
    • Remembering Who We Are
    • Deliverance through Overwhelm
    • Finding Stability
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited)
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father Part 2
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father
    • The Expanse of Jesus Prayer
    • The Reality of the Joy Set Before Him
    • The Determination To Do His Will
    • Choosing the Will of the Father
    • He Sustains the Weary with a Word
    • I am willing
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40.27-31 my own Part 2
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40:27-31 my own
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 5
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 4
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 3
    • #698 Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1 A Dear Brother wrote out the main things he was learning in the past year. As I read them I realized that that the Lord was teaching me along similar lines. First he shared: 1. “God’s
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times Part 2Blog
    • Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times
    • Thriving in the house of God
    • Living the Divine Dimensions of Their Love
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 2
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 1
    • Dealing with ‘What If’ Part 1
    • Abiding in Their Love
    • Serving by Night
    • Serving By Night
    • Tenacious Love Part 2
    • Tenacious Love Part 1
    • Reverence for God is an Access to Wisdom and Confidence
    • The Practice of Praise
    • Separate the Precious from the Worthless
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 2
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 1
    • #676 Only One Thing is Necessary
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 2
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 1
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 2 In the Care of the Shepherd
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 1 in the Hands of the Potter
    • The Choice to Rejoice
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 3
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 2
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 1
    • Courage to Go Forward
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 3
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 1
    • The Holy Ground of Challenge
    • What We Remember, What We Forget
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 3
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 2
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 1
    • Paul’s focus in Prison: Part 6b Resurrection power Beyond Our Comprehension
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: In Awe of His Resurrection Power Part 6aBlog
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: Part 5a Never give up praying for one another!
    • Paul's focus in Prison: Part 4 Guarded!
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 3 Going forward with Passion
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 2
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison Part 1
    • LIVING Hope and Joy
    • Arms Wide Open
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited from 2017)
    • “Yet Thou art Holy”
    • Resolutely Going Forward
    • Passover Love
    • Praying for a Word to Give the Weary
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 2
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 1Blog
    • A Night Journey to Peace Part 2
    • A Night Journey to Peace
    • Trusting His Choices
    • Peace Amid the Storm
    • Love is Patient
    • Proving His Name to His Glory
    • Watching in Hope
    • Glorifying His Name Begins with the Realm of Thought
    • "Father Glorify Thy Name"--Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 3 (A roadblock to be aware of)
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 2 (Practical application)
    • Father, Glorify Thy Name
    • Finding His Joy
    • The Blessing of Over-and-Over-Testings
    • Redefining Our Perception of Rejection
    • The Source of all Encouragement
    • Casting our Care and Leaving it There
    • Setting our Face Like Flint
    • Accepting God’s Will for our Beloved Brethren
    • Our Home in Every Challenge: Seeing Beyond the Illusion
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Sure Proof of His Divine Provision
    • Some Lessons from David in Absalam's Rebellion and Unresolved Conflict
    • His Glory: Permission to Prune
    • His Glory: A Call to Re-focus
    • Trade in the Old Thinking for a New Song!
    • A Practical Look at the Armor of God
    • Resting in His Provision
    • His Perspective from the Heights, Borne on the Wings of the Eagle
    • What Would Jesus THINK?
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 2
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 1
    • The Joy of His Love Empowering us to Love Part 2
    • The Joy of Overcoming Irritation: Divine Love Empowering us to Love Part 1
    • The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Sending Portions!
    • Finding Joy Part 2b: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Eat and Drink!
    • Finding Joy Part 2a: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength
    • Finding Joy: The Joy Set Before Us Part 1
    • The Refuge of His Wise and Loving Power
    • Facing the Challenge in the Beauty of Holiness
    • Facing the Challenge with Praise, Prayer and Perspective
    • Enthroning Him upon our Praise
    • Yet You Are Holy
    • Yet You are Holy
    • Another Look at “Arise, Let us go hence”
    • “My Peace” When We Feel Alone
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 5
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 4
    • My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 3
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 2
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 1
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze of Love Part 2
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze
    • Trusting Enough to Get Out of the Boat
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting His Provision in the Process Part 2
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting that what He allows is GOOD.
    • He Knows What We Need, a Call to Praise Amid the Unknown!
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • The Creative Deliverance That Surrounds Us
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 4
    • #547 How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 3
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 2
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 1
    • Our Prayerful Song in the Midst of Whatever Happens
    • #543 What Brings Us Peace No Matter What Happens
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking Part 2
    • He Restores my Soul
    • “Look up and Let Go”
    • Nothing Shall Offend
    • Moment by Moment Deliverance from Fear
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance Part 2
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst Every Circumstance
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’ Part 2
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’
    • Run through the Open Door
    • Dwelling in ONE Master
    • Dwelling in His Shadow and Watching from the Wings
    • Dwelling in the Obedience of Christ
    • Overcoming Some Old Habits of Thought
    • Setting our Minds for Surrender Each Morning
    • Some of Peters Advice for Relationships in these Last Days
    • What Helps us to Accept Every Experience
    • His Leading through the Valley
    • Being His Valiant Warrior
    • Our Valiant Warrior
    • Living Deep-rooted Attachment in Christ
    • Keep on Sowing!
    • Surely the LORD is in the place
    • Red Sea Advice Part 4 The Red Sea Response
    • Red Sea Advice Part 3 The Red Sea Reaction
    • Red Sea Advice Part 2
    • Red Sea Advice Part 1
    • A Call to Peace
    • But Then on The Third Day
    • He Endured the Cross Part 3 Psalm 22 NIV
    • He Endured the Cross Psalm 22 Part 2
    • He Endured the Cross Part 1
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 3
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 2
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 1
    • The Yoke that Gives Us Rest
    • Proper Use of limitation, A Call For Balance
    • Another Lesson in Making Room for Their Surpassing Power Through the Proper Use of our Limitations
    • The Posture of Waiting and Trust that Allows Him To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power 2
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • WE will get through this!
    • Delight to do His will
    • I Know the Plans I Have for You
    • But for a Moment
    • Wake me up, Lord
    • We are a Team!
    • When we feel alone
    • The One Next Step
    • Trusting the Love that Stabilizes Us Through Every Storm
    • Triumph Over Appearance
    • The Joy of His Abundance
    • Express Gratitude
    • Numbering our Days
    • Expressions of His Love
    • The Breadth of His Provision
    • His Faithfulness Behind Every Challenge
    • He Stands at the Door of our Hearts
    • Your Tender Mercies Give Me Life
    • The Craftsmanship of His Workmanship in us
    • With You Wherever You Go
    • Listening to His Voice Amid the Physical Challenge of Shingles
    • A Refuge Better than People Pleasing
    • My Prayer in the Morning
    • They Will Not Prevail
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • How To Be a Refuge Like Him
    • A Very Present Help in Trouble
    • How to be a Refuge Like Him
    • Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • On Which Side Will We Dwell?
    • The Light That Shines on Our Challenges
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 6
    • Plow My Thoughts
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 5
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 4
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 3
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 2
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts
    • Stand in Awe in the Midst of Depression
    • Patient Waiting in the Face of Challenge
    • Our Expectation and Refuge in the Face of Fear
    • His Way of Escape
    • Healing the Root of Fear pt 2
    • Healing the Root of Fear
    • Weeding Day
    • Another Aspect of Wash Day!
    • Wash Day!
    • The Cup of Blessing Which We Bless
    • Our Abba Father
    • Accepting the Gift and Passing it On
    • Accepting the Gift of His Training
    • Open Our Eyes to See
    • The Breath of Forgiveness Part 2
    • The Breath of Forgiveness
    • Living Each Moment for Him
    • Diamonds in the Night
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 7
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 6
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 2
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 1
    • Faithful in the Hour Part 1
    • Delight in His Delight
    • The Beauty of Brokenness Surrendered to Him
    • How to Never Give up Part 2
    • How to Never Give UP part 1
    • Whatever We Do Part 2
    • Whatever We Do
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Tested by the Word of God
    • Waiting on the LORD
    • My Dad Road Sign
    • The Amazing Privilege of Being Coached by the Most High God
    • Casting Both Circles of Care Upon Him
    • The Heart of Deliverance
    • Say Amen!
    • Amen
    • Trusting Where He Leads
    • Made Strong to Listen
    • This is Who I AM
    • The Mindset of Deliverance
    • Strongholds
    • Your Love Has Conquered My Resistance
    • Our Stability Amid These Times and Seasons of Change
    • Precious in the Sight part 2
    • Precious in the Sight of the Lord
    • His Battle
    • Looking to Him
    • Proving Him Holy
    • Rejoice in the Road
    • The Divine Ectetera
    • Waking up to Hope in God in the Present Moment
    • Hiding His Word in Our Heart
    • The Power of Acceptance
    • The Power of Listening From His Love
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight (In Relationships)
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight Part 2
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight
    • The Past and Present Reality of Deliverance
    • Willing To Trust
    • Quieting the Noise So We Can Hear His Knock and Receive Feasting in Place of Empty Snacking
    • An Olive Tree in the House of God
    • Our Choice at Break of Day
    • From Accusation to Acclamation
    • The Pure Joy of What Is
    • Arise and Eat
    • Power Over the Pit
    • His Altar (The Dimensions of Love)
    • Living The Dimensions of Love
    • The Dimensions of Love
    • All My Springs are in You
    • Crucified with Christ--A Prayer
    • Psalm 22 on the Cross to the Ninth Hour
    • The Mind of Christ Revealed on the Cross Part 2
    • The Mind of Christ as Revealed on the Cross Part 1
    • Stop and Savor His View
    • The Final Hymn
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 3
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 2
    • Keeping the Power of the Father and the Son part 1
    • Father Glorify Thy Name
    • She Has Done What She Could
    • The Megaphone of God
    • Teach me to be an influence that honors You
    • Fill Me with Your Willingness and Skill
    • The Greatest Reality Amid any Overwelm
    • Seeing Something New
    • Trusting Him Anew
    • The Power of the Yoke of Jesus
    • How to be Humble
    • Building Faith to Prepare for Any Collision
    • Opening the Door of our Language to God
    • Safe in His Compassions
    • Who He Is in Every Experience
    • Continual Praise
    • Beside Still Waters
    • Faith and Hope in the Midst of Challenge
    • The Beauty of Flaw Wrapped in Perfection Revisited
    • Empowering Love
    • Discovering the Hidden Treasure
    • Thoroughly Known
    • Very Present Help
    • Not by Might
    • Under His Wings I Trust
    • Aiming at Eternity
    • What to Forget, What to Remember
    • Ready to Turn My Life Around for God
    • Triumph Over Circumstances--Don't Kill the Messenger
    • Waterlogged and Triumphant
    • Escape from Stress When We Don't Understand
    • Escape from Stress, Equipped with Hinds Feet
    • Surely the Lord is in the Place
    • Escape from Stress When We Fail part 2
    • Escaping from Stress When We Fail part 1
    • Escape From Stress When We don't Understand
    • From Stress to Peace Part 1
    • Step by Step Escape from Stress
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • Overcoming Illusion
    • The Blessing of Overwelm
    • Jesus is the Door
    • In Perfect Faithfulness
    • The Space to Choose
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • The Voice of our Risen Lord
    • Passover Perspectives: A Night of Watching
    • Passover Perspectives: The Protection of the Father in the Midst of the Cross
    • Passover Perspectives: The Deliverance that will Never Be Forgotten
    • Passover Perspectives: No Fear
    • Passover Perspective: The Far Reaching Power of His Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives: Living Unleavened
    • Passover Perspectives: Eating on the Run
    • Passover Perspectives: The Fires that Proved Him Faithful
    • Passover Perspectives: The Power of his Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives Exodus 12: The Keeping of the Lamb
    • Passover Perspectives: A collective celebration
    • Passover Perspectives: A New Beginning
    • A Prayer for God's Glory
    • Road Sign
    • The Beauty of Perfection
    • Every Hour
    • What will we put in the Relationship Box?
    • Discovering His Everlasting Love
    • His Timing and Strength in Every Phase of Life
    • Trusting Him in Every Valley
    • Trusting the One Who Pours the Cup
    • Smallest Beginning, Greatest Gift
    • Thoroughly Known, Thoroughly Pursued
    • Red Sea Rule #10
    • Red Sea Rule #9
    • Agreeing with God
    • Red Sear Rule #8
    • Red Sea Rule #7
    • Red Sea Rule #6
    • Red Sea Rule #5
    • Red Sea Rule 3 & 4
    • Red Sea Rules #2
    • Red Sea Rules--part 1
    • What Great Honor
    • What do you see?
    • The Power of a Living Faith
    • Awe for God in the Face of Fear
    • No Trial Will Ever Be Too Severe
    • The Work of the Gardener and the Architect
    • Wisdom Out of the Whirlwind
    • Hold On
    • Dwelling in Hope: The power of what we expect and believe
    • Conflict as a Call to Loving Action
    • Trusting His Infinite Wisdom
    • Emotion Management through The Power of Discretion
    • Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly
    • Delight in the Lord
    • Loving New Part 2
    • Loving New
    • To Change the Paradigm
    • My Yoke is Easy, My Burden is Light
    • The Way of Escape
    • Equipped to Face Whatever Comes
    • Time to Trust part 3
    • Time to Trust part 2
    • A Time to Trust
    • Words of Wisdom
    • Wake Up New and See the Bigger Picture
    • Weeping and Finding
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • His Seamless Garment
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • Compelled by Love
    • Test of the Dream Part 3B
    • Test of the Dream --Part 3
    • Test of the Dream --Part 2
    • The Test of the Dream
    • The Love of God in Christ--part 2
    • The Love of God in Christ
    • Shedding Light on Discouragement
    • No More Re-Runs and No more Previews
    • No More Re-Runs
    • Triumph of Trust
    • With You Always, Day by Day
    • Triumph over Temptation
    • Step by Step
    • The Lord, My Confidence --part 2
    • The Lord, My Confidence--part 1
    • Seeking the Face of God and Christ
    • My Always Faithful God
    • The Answer to Overwhelm
    • Every Knee Shall Bow
    • Free to Experience the Intentions of God
    • Finding Bread at Midnight
    • Faithful Wounds
    • Battlefield Strategies
    • Take Time to Be Kind
    • Oh Magnify the Lord with Me by the Power of Thanksgiving
    • What do You Expect?
    • Unlikely Battlefield Strategies Part 2
    • The Miracle of Acceptance
    • Crisis Control
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • The Power of Pure Choice in Christ
    • Let the King of Glory In!
    • Whose Wall Do I Trust?
    • The Power of Thanksgiving
    • The Postures of Possiblities
    • If You Trust Me Let Go
    • Barefoot!
    • Holy Ground: Accepting the Mission
    • Holy ground: Facing the Fire
    • After the Battle
    • Accessable
    • Surrender in Awe and Wait in Joy
    • The Strength of our Spiritual Root System
    • Space to Trust
    • Full of Sap Part 3
    • Full of Sap Part 2
    • Full of Sap
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 3
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 2
    • Mind of Mature Persistance
    • Expect the Unexpected
    • Hearing Through the Ears of Jesus
    • Our Memorial Legacy: Keeping the Feast
    • Our Memorial Legacy
    • The Heart of the Father
    • The Cattle on a Thousand Hills
    • Patient with Process
    • He is Risen! Continue to Seek
    • Never Out-Numbered--Never Give Up!
    • Never Out-Numbered
    • Gathering Forces No Match For the Lord of the Harvest
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice – A Testimony
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice on the Cross
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 8
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 7
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 6
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 5
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 4
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HALI YA SASA YA UKRISTO

SURA YA SITA
 
HALI YA SASA YA UKRISTO
Jinsi tulivyofika hapa, umuhimu wa kisiasa kwa hali hii, mawazo kuhusu mambo haya
 


Mpaka hapa, nimezingatia maoni yangu juu ya hali ya wale wanaojidai ni Wakristo. Ningependa kupanua uchunguzi wangu katika hatua hii kwa hali ya ujumla ya Ukristo nchini. 1

                   Imekuwa ikidhihirishwa kila mara katika historia kwamba kumekuwa na mifumo ya kidini ambayo imeendeleza ustawi wa jamii za kisiasa. Ukweli huu imekuwa dhahiri na kunakiliwa vizuri hivi kwamba sitajaribu kuuthibitisha tena. Imekuwa ikidumishwa, sio tu na wasomi na viongozi wa dini, lakini pia na wanafalsafa wengi mashuhuri na wanasiasa wa kilanyakati.

                   Hata kama huamini hasa ni madai gani yanayoendelezwa na Ukristo, utakuwa na ugumu sana kutotambua kwamba ni mfumo wa dini ambao umekuza faida isioelezeka kwa jamii ambazo umekuwa na ushawishi. Ni katika mwanga huu ndipo tena nasema kwamba hali ya kiroho ya nchi wakati wowote ule ni suala ambalo lina mgawanyiko mkubwa wa kisiasa. Kwa mujibu wa uhusiano huu, inakuwa ni muhimu sana kwamba jamii ikajue ikiwa hali yake ya kiroho iko katika hali ya kushuka au kuendelea. Ikiwa katika kushuka, jamii lazima iamue kama kuna chochote cha kufanywa ili kuzuia kuteleza zaidi. 2

                   Kama maoni ya awali kuhusu hali ya Ukristo katika nchi yetu ni sahihi, basi yakupasa kuwa na wasiwasi kabisa juu ya athari ambayo mambo haya yanaweza kuwa nayo juu ya mfumo wetu wa kisiasa. Wasiwasi huu unapaswa kuwa hata mkubwa zaidi unapotambua kwamba imani halisi imekuwa ikishuka kwa muda sasa na kuwa bado inaendelea katika mwelekeo huo huo tu kwa sasa.

                   Wakati tunajaribu kutathmini hali ya imani katika nchi kwa wakati wowote ule, na kisha kujaribu kuilinganisha na kipindi chochote cha awali, tunahitaji kuwa makini sana ili kuepuka makosa yoyote ambayo yanaweza kupotosha data. Kwa wakati wowote katika historia ya jamii, kuna kile ambacho unaweza kuita kiwango cha kawaida cha maadili ya kukubalika. Kiwango kinaweza tofautiana katika nyanja mbalimbali kwa wakati na pia kati ya matabaka mbalimbali ya watu ndani ya jamii. Wakati watu wanaposhuka chini ya kiwango hiki (au kuinuka juu yake), huwa wanashuka katika umaarufu wao kwa jamii kwa ujumla. Desturi hii hutumika kuwahamasisha wake kwa waume kutafuta kiwango kile katika tabia zao. Inafuatia kwamba iwapo hii ndio sababu ya tabia yetu, haiwezekani kujua kama ukweli wowote wa ndani wa imani upo. Wakristo, Wayahudi, Waislamu, Wabudha, wakafiri, waagnostiki na wapagani wa wazi wote watajaribu kurekebisha tabia zao kwa desturi zilizowekwa.

                   Pia lazima ni tamke kwamba mabadiliko katika jamii ambayo aidha huongeza au kupunguza kiwango hiki hutokea polepole kiasi cha kwamba watu wengi hawajui mabadiliko yanafanyika. Ni ukweli ambao hauwezi kuwa wa ushindani kwamba popote Ukristo umeshinda, umeibua kiwango cha maadili hadi mahali pa juu kuliko vile walivyokuwa hapo awali. Vitendo fulani ambavyo vilikuwa vinachukuliwa kuwa vya kawaida miongoni mwa ustaarabu wa kale sasa vinatambuliwa na kila jamii ya Kikristo kama ilivyo na adhabu kali. Katika hali nyingine, maadili ambayo yalikuwa nadra sana yamekuwa ya kawaida. Tabia moja maalum ambayo Ukristo imeleta ni kukasirika kuliko na huruma zaidi na kuwa mwangalifu katika hasira ambako kimeainisha uhayawani usiyo wa kawaida na kutia utu katika ukatili mkali uliokithiri hata katika tamaduni za kipagani. Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo awali, sifa hizi zinazalishwa katika jamii ambayo imekuwa na ushawishi wa Kikristo, hata miongoni mwa wale ambao hawaamini katika Kristo. Hata na wale wanaokataa madai ya Kristo wataathirika na mabadiliko ya utamaduni kwa ujumla. Hekalu lilibaki likisimama katika Israeli, hata ijapo utukufu wa Mungu ulikuwa umekwishatoweka. Ninafanya uchunguzi huu kuonyesha kwamba tunapochunguza kuhusu hali ya kweli ya jamii, hatupaswi kudanganywa na mambo ya juujuu.

                                      Inaweza kuwa na manufaa katika kuamua hali ya kuendelea au kupunguka kwa imani halisi katika nchi yetu kwa wakati huu, na katika kuamua baadhi ya sababu ambazo zilisababisha hali ya sasa, ili kuzingatia jinsi hali fulani katika jamii huathari hali ya imani ya tamaduni hiyo.

                   Uzoefu unatuambia kwamba mateso mara nyingi huwa na athari kinyume inayotafuta kuzalisha. Kama Milton alivyosema katika Paradise Lost,"Injini yake ya kishetani hurejea juu yake mwenyewe.’' 3 Imani halisi daima hustawi katika mateso. Katika nyakati kama hizo, si rahisi kuwa Mkristo. Hakuna waumini wa kawaida au wafuasi-shingo upande wa Kristo katika nyakati za shida kubwa. Mistari ya vita ni wazi katika nyakati kama hizo na inakuwa dhahiri kwamba ufalme wa Kristo si wa ulimwengu huu. Kadiri ugumu unavyozidi, ndivyo tunasonga karibu na Kristo. Ni kwake tu ndio tunapata kimbilio. Kwa kweli tu wasafiri na wageni. Tunachunguza kwa makini na kushikamana na misingi ya imani. Zinakuwa ndio nanga katika dhoruba.

                   Kwa kinaya, amani na mafanikio ina athari ya kinyume. Yote yanapoonekana kwenda vizuri, huwa tusahau kwamba tuko katika vita. Kiwango cha imani ambayo inatuvukisha nyakati ngumu hulegea wakati maisha ni rahisi. Kanisa linaingiana na utamaduni na Ukristo wa kidesturi huchukua mahali pa imani halisi. Tofauti kati ya Kanisa na utamaduni inakuwa si wazi.

                   Iwapo hali ndiyo hii, basi ni rahisi kubashiri kwamba ni wapi hasa ambapo nchi yetu iko kwa wakati huu. Kanisa limekuwa sehemu ya utamaduni. Limechanganywa katika mandhari hii kama taasisi nyingine. Lina mafanikio ya kifedha. Limekuwa ni nguvu katika siasa na sheria. Hata viongozi wa kidini wameingia katika masuala ya jamii bora hivi kwamba wamepoteza ule utofauti wao wa kiroho.

                   Ikiwa hiyo ndiyo hali kwa wachungaji, hebu fikiria athari ambayo kuendeleza mafanikio ya kibiashara ya taifa na maendeleo ambayo tumekwishafanya katika sanaa zote, sayansi na dosari nyingine zote za jamii yenye utajiri mwingi itakayosababishwa kwenye utunzaji wa aina yoyote muhimu ya imani ya Kikristo miongoni mwa raia. Adam Smith amekwishaona kwamba katika hali ya kiuchumi kama vile ilivyo katika nchi yetu kwa wakati huu, huwa na mfumo ulio na upungufu mkubwa wa vigezo vya maadili katika makundi ya juu kiuchumi kuliko makundi ya katikati na makundi ya chini katika jamii. Sasa tunaona ukuaji wa mafanikio ya kifedha katika matabaka ya kati kama matokeo ya shughuli zao za kibiashara.

                   Hii inapofanyika katika nchi kama yetu, iliyo na mfumo wa kisiasa kama vile tunao, mali pia huwa ni ushawishi wa kisiasa na nguvu. Jinsi mali inavyodondoka kutoka kwa matajiri hadi kwa matataka ya chini, vivyo hivyo faraja na raha ya matabaka ya juu, pamoja na tabia mbaya na mifumo yao ya maadili. Ongezea hii ukuaji wa miji na fursa ambayo jiji kuu linatoa na utaweza kuelewa baadhi ya mizizi ya maadili mbovu tunayoyaona katika utamaduni. Tunapaswa kukubali kwamba ingawa roho hio ya biashara imeleta faida kubwa na maendeleo kwa jamii yetu; lakini kwa asili yake si mfumo unaosaidia katika suala la kudumisha imani muhimu na yenye nguvu.

                   Katika nyakati sawa ile tunamoishi, mawazo ya utiifu dhabiti na kujikana nafsi hufifia huko nyuma. Hata Wakristo waaminifu hulegea na kukubaliana zaidi na uputovu wa maadili katika ulimwengu unaowazingira. Kwa ujumla, wanaume na wanawake wengi hawazingatii sana masuala ya imani. Kwa vile wengi wa Wakristo wa kawaida hawafikirii sana juu ya imani yao au kuchukua muda wa kusoma Biblia, si ajabu kwamba wao hawajui mafundisho ya msingi kabisa ya imani halisi ya Kikristo. Ni kanuni au mafundisho tu yanayoendana na tamaduni kwa ujumla ndiyo zinazingatiwa kama desturi ya kawaida. Kweli zinazoinuka kinyume na mifumo ya utamaduni karibu zinasahau kabisa. Hii ni dhahiri hasa wakati mafundisho haya kukabiliana na tatizo la kiburi, anasa na kufanana na utamaduni. Hata viongozi wa dini wanaonekana kuwa na hofu ya kukanyaga kabisa mambo haya katika mahubiri yao kwa hofu kuwa wataonekana kama washabiki.

                   Wakati wengi katika jamii wanapoteleza kwa njia hii, kila mara tutaona mwana mageuzi akija na kusawazisha mambo haya. Kwa bahati mbaya, jinsi ambavyo baadhi ya waume na wake hawa wenye nia njema wanavyo kabiliana na masuala haya ni ya ajabu sana hivi kwamba juhudi zao mara nyingi huwa na matokeo ya kinyume.

                   Si kana kwamba baadhi yao watajitokeza hadharani kukana imani yao ya Kikristo. Hiyo haiwezi kukubalika kijamii. Wengine, hata hivyo, wanaweza kudai Biblia sio kitu chochote ila kitabu tu kilichotengenezwa na wanadamu, hata ijapo wale wanaotoa taarifa kama hizo kwa kawaida huwa wapumbavu wasio elewa maudhui yake. Wanapokabiliwa katika mjadala, wengi wao wataungama kwamba hawaamini mengi ya mafundisho ya msingi ambayo Bibilia inafundisha.
                   Unapoyaweka mambo haya yote pamoja, inakuwa wazi kwamba nchi inapokuwa katika hali ya kushuka kiroho kwa muda mrefu kama hii yetu, imani ya kweli-ambao tayari ni nadra sana-iko katika hatari kubwa ya kutoweka gafla. Punde tu, itakayobakia ni aina ya Ukristo hafifu ambapo hakuna mtu anayezungumza kuhusu imani yao kibinafsi na dini yenyewe kuonekana kuwa ni kama ishara ya mawazo duni. Kutoamini kwenyewe kutakuwa ndiyo mtindo.

                   Wengine wanaweza kusema kwamba taswira ambao nimeonyesha si dhihirisho sahihi ya hali halisi katika taifa letu. Napenda kusema kwamba hali ya kweli ya imani hapa haina utofauti sana na picha hii. Ni wale tu ambao hawajachunguza kwa makini hali ya mambo ya kiroho katika nchi hii ndiyo watakataa hitimisho hili. Nitajizuia kwenda katika mifano maalum ambayo itasaidia uchambuzi wangu. Tazama ile picha kubwa zaidi na utaona madhara ya kuongeza utajiri na anasa, kupotea polepole kwa tabia na muda zaidi wa kihafidhina, na jinsi maadili mbovu ilivyopenya katika matabaka ya kati.

                   Sikatai kwamba baadhi ya mema yamekuja na maendeleo. Sisi ni jamii ambayo hufurahia kiwango cha juu cha mema na manufaa inayotokana na heshima na adabu kuliko giza na ujeuri wa nyakati za hapo awali. Kwa bahati mbaya, pamoja na kushuka kwa giza, pia tuna uzoefu wa kushuka kwa imani muhimu. Mungu amesahaulika. Ametubariki sisi kwa vitu vizuri, lakini hatuna shukrani. Yeye hutumia maisha kuadhibu kushindwa kwetu kimaadili, lakini hatuyasikii haya maonyo. Jumapili siyo tena siku ya ibada. Imekuwa siku ya furaha na burudani. Hata wakati ambapo siku za maombi ya kitaifa zinapoanzishwa, huwa hatuchukui hizo dakika chache zinazohitajika kuhudhuria mikutano hio. Badala yake huwa tunapanga mikutano ya kibiashara. Ni kejeli kwa ufalme wa Mbinguni. Hatuna kujirudi au toba. Chembe chembe chache za imani halisi zinaweza kupatikana. Kadri maarifa na habari zimeongezeka, uelevu wetu wa Ukristo umezidi kupungua. Hatuelewi mafundisho yake na hatuishi kulingana na mahitaji yake. Ukristo umekuwa kama mfumo tu wa maadili. Kinayae, kibinafsi hatushikilii hizi maadili hata hivyo.

                   Kushuka kwa imani ya Kikristo (kwa pande zote ambazo tumeona) kuna kiini chake kimoja ambacho ninataka kushughulikia kwa undani zaidi. Kulikuwa na wakati katika nchi hii ambapo imani ya Kikristo ilikuwa na nguvu zote ambazo tumezinena hapo awali. Ilikuwa ni imani ya halaiki ya waume na wake ambao waliotufanya sisi kuwa wakubwa.4   Kila ukurasa wa maandiko yao ulifanya kweli za imani ya Kikristo kuonekana, na katika kweli hizi waliijenga mfumo wa maadili ulio mzuri na ulioinuliwa. Kama unashuku ushawishi ambao waume na wake hawa walikuwa nao kwa jamii, soma kazi zao na kuona jinsi hata katika liturujia yetu, misingi ya imani ilikuwa ya nguvu na muhimu. Ukilinganisha kazi hizi na mambo mengi yaliyoandikwa na wanateolojia na makasisi katika wakati wetu, utapata bonde kubwa sana kati yayo. Baadhi ya desturi hii, kwa kweli, ni itikio wa wale waume na wake ambao walishikilia sana mafundisho ya msingi ya imani lakini waliishi katika njia ambayo ilileta aibu kwa jina la Kristo.

                   Kuelekea mwisho wa karne ya mwisho, wanateolojia wa Kanisa la kitaasisi walianza kukutana na kosa tofauti. Walianza kutetea lengo la kuendeleza hali ya maadili na vitendo vya Ukristo, ambavyo waliamini kuwa yalikuwa yametelekezwa. Tatizo ililokuwa na msisitizo wao huu halikuwa kwamba vitu hivi havikuwa muhimu bali kwamba walisisitiza tabia hizi na masuala ya nje pasi na kudumisha umuhimu wa msingi wa kibiblia kwa uhusiano na Kristo. Waliacha kufundisha umuhimu wa kukumbatia upatanisho wa Kristo kuwa ndiyo msingi wa kukubaliwa na Mungu. Walishindwa kutambua kwamba matendo ya mtu kama Mkristo ina mizizi katika uelevu ulio muhimu wa misingi ya imani ya Kikristo. Hii ilikuwa ni kosa mbaya. Kile walikuwa wakifanya ni kubadilisha asili ya imani halisi. Matokeo yalikuwa ni kudunisha imani ya Kikristo ambayo ilikuwa imetoa fadhila nyingi sana ambazo walikuwa wakisifia. Walipoteza Roho ya imani.

                   Hili lilikuwa ni kosa lisilorekebika kwa urahisi. Kama Virgil alivyoandika katika Aeneid, "hali ya kushuka huwa rahisi," matokeo yake ni kuwa kukweya tena itakua vigumu. Mtazamo huu mbaya kwa imani ya kweli umeendelea katika karne ya sasa na, pamoja na matatizo mengine ambayo tumeyachunguza, yamesababisha hali ya sasa ya Ukristo wa kidesturi. Vyombo vya habari vimeongezea tatizo hili kwa kuchapisha makala mbalimbali kuhusu maadili ya umma bila ya kuambatanisha au kuzingatia msingi wa imani ambayo tabia hiyo inahamasishwa. Maadili yametengwa kutoka kwa maswala ya kiroho. Kwa kushangaza, kama vile ufahamu wa Bibilia umekuwa usiojulikana, mfumo wa kimaadili wenyewe, ulioachana na msingi wake, umeanza kunyauka na kufa. Katika siku hizi sio tu kwamba hautasikia misingi hii ya kibiblia ikishughulikiwa katika vyombo vya habari, lakini mara nyingi pia utakosa kusikia yakiongelewa katika Kanisa!

                   Kiwango cha uozo wa misingi hii kinaweza kuelezwa na yafuatayo. Unapodurusu fasihi ya nyakati zetu, kuna aina moja ya kuandika ambayo inatoa mtazamo unaopenya katika maisha ya sasa na tabia. Waandishi wa riwaya, wakiwa ni wanaume na wanawake wachunguzi, wanaweza kukamata katika kazi zao ufahamu wa kina katika asili ya mwanadamu. Iwapo utafanya uchunguzi wa makini katika baadhi ya vitabu hivi maarufu zaidi vinavyopatikana, utapata kwamba ni nadra imani iwe na jukumu muhimu katika maudhui yao.

                   Ni ishara nyingine ya jinsi hali ya hewa ya kiroho imepungua. Kama mhudumu anatoa ujumbe ambao hauna maudhui ya kibibilia, basi huyo mhudumu mara nyingi bado anathibitisha misingi ya imani katika liturujia yao rasmi. Lakini katika riwaya, gari kama hilo halipo. Hata katika vitabu ambapo wahusika kuu ni Wakristo na ambao maisha yao yameangaziwa vyema, hakuna kutaja mfumo wa imani uliozalisha wahusika chanya kiasi hichi. Unapewa hisia kwamba kama isingekuwa na mfumo wowote wa imani, wahusika hawa bado wangetenda tu sawa. Hii ni tofauti katika vitabu vilivyoandikwa na wale wa imani nyinginezo kama Uislamu. Kwa ujumla, utakuta misingi ya imani yao ukitajwa wazi kwenye simulizi. Tabia hushikamana kwa undani na imani.

                   Pia ni uchunguzi wangu kwamba wengi wa waandishi wa wakati wetu, kwa bahati mbaya, ni watu wasioamini. Hata kama mwandishi hapingi imani ya kidini katika maandiko yake, ni kawaida kwa mwandishi huyo kwamba atawasifu wale ambao ni wazi wanachukia imani ya kidini. Kwa idhini yao, wanaimarisha ujumbe ambao waandishi hawa wengine wanatuma. 5

                   Je, kuna shaka kwamba maandiko yako ukutani juu ya kule tunakokwenda? Iwapo tutaangalia kote, tutaona matokeo ya mwelekeo huu katika nchi ambazo ziko mbele yetu katika kufikia hitimisho mantiki kuhusu kuteleza kwa tamaduni. Tunaona katika hali kama hizo kwamba tabia zimeharibika, maadili yamezama kwenye upotovu, tamaa imekiuka udhibiti na, juu ya yote, imani imekuwa na sifa na kutoamini imekuwa ndiyo mtindo.6 Tamaduni inapofika hapa, inafarakana na ukweli kiasi cha kwamba watu wanakana peupe uwepo wa Mungu. Mapenzi ya Mungu kwa taifa yameachwa na mwanadamu amefanywa kuwa Mungu.

                   Hisia yangu ni kwamba wengine ambao wanatambua kudidimia kwa imani ya kidini katika taifa letu wanadai kwamba ninaschukua mantiki yangu kwa hitimisho kali. Watasema hawezi kutokea hapa. Nao pia bila ya shaka watasema kwamba mimi ni shabiki na kwamba mtazamo wangu wa jinsi utamaduni unafaa kushawishiwa na imani ni jambo lisilowezekana. Wanaweza kusema kwamba watu wanaotenda jinsi ninavyopigia debe watakuwa na mawazo ya kibingu zaidi hivi kwamba hawatakuwa na manufaa yoyote dunia. Wangesema kwamba iwapo wengi sana wangechukuliwa hivyo na mawazo, mtambo mzima wa ustaarabu wa jamii ingekatika na kukoma papo hapo.

                   Kwa kujibu, ningeshauri kwamba hoja hizo hazina sifa. Kama ni mbaya zaidi, basi kile nilichojadili kuwa Bibilia inafundisha kitatuhitaji kujinyima raha na starehe za kilimwengu na anasa kwa ajili ya thawabu ya milele. Sio kwamba Yesu hakufundisha kitu kile kile. Yeye hakupendekeza tu kwamba tuyaepuke mara inapohitajika, bali pia alisema tunapaswa kufanya hivyo kwa moyo wa furaha. Ili kuitikia mwito wa Kristo kwa namna hii kunahitaji tushikilia mali ya dunia kwa ulegevu kiasi. Napenda kukubaliana kwamba iwapo wake kwa waume wa taifa letu wangefuata changamoto ya kuishi kulingana na mafundisho ya Kristo, taifa letu, jinsi ilivyo, halingeweza kufanya inavyo fanya sasa.

Kwa bahati mbaya, naweza kuwahakikishia kuwa hii kamwe haitafanyika katika maisha haya. Kwa upande mwingine, ninaweza pia kuwahakikishia kwamba iwapo kitu kama hicho chawezatokea, watu wote kwa kweli wangekuwa bora zaidi kuliko ilivyo sasa. Kama nchi yote ingefuata sheria ya Kristo, tungekuwa nchi ya amani na mafanikio. Tungekuwa mahali ambapo mtu angeweza kuona furaha kwa uso wa kila mwananchi.

                   Ni kweli kwamba katika karne ya kwanza, kulikuwa na wale waliofasiriwa imani ya Kikristo katika njia hio na kuacha kazi zao na familia ili kusubiri kurudi kwa Yesu Kristo iliokaribia. Haikuchukua muda mrefu kabla ya mtume Paulo kukabiliana na matumizi mabaya ya imani hii.  Alielekeza jibu sahihi kwa imani yao kwa kuwatia waumini changamoto ya kukabiliana na shughuli zao za kidunia kwa hamu na bidi zaidi. Kwa kufanya hivyo, wangeweza kuleta heshima zaidi kwa Kristo.

                   Katika mwanga wa mjadala wa sasa, ni jambo la kusisimua kutambua kwamba Paulo aliwahimiza waumini kuitika kwa njia hii wakati yeye vile vile aliwaita katika kipaumbele cha upendo wa Kristo, mtazamo wa milele, njia bora ya kutojali mambo ya ulimwengu na shauku ya kukua kiroho ambayo itasababisha utendaji wa sifa muhimu za imani halisi ya Kikristo ambayo tumekuwa tukijadili. Ni wazi, Paulo hakuona utata kati ya hizo mbili. Tena, Kumbuka kwamba tabia inayotofautisha imani halisi ni hamu ya kumpendeza Mungu katika mawazo yetu yote, na maneno, na matendo; kuchukua neno lililofunuliwa kuwa utawala wa imani na matendo; ili " nuru (yetu) na iangaze mbele ya watu" (Mt. 5:16); na katika mambo yote "kupamba mafundisho" tunayoyakiri (Tito 2:10). 7

                   Hakuna kazi inadaiwa, hakuna kufuatilia kunakataliwa, hakuna sayansi au sanaa imekatazwa na hakuna raha haramu almuradi iwe sambamba na kanuni hii. Ni lazima ieleweke kwamba Ukristo halisi haikubaliani na tamaa au ari katika kutafuta mali au umaarufu, wala haijali maslahi ya wanasiasa ambao wanatafuta ofisi ili kupata pongezi, nguvu ya kibinafsi au utajiri kuu badala ya kutumikia na kutafuta amani, faraja na usalama wa raia wa kawaida. Wanasiasa kama hao ni wanabiashara, si watumishi wa umma. Wamesahau kwamba taifa ni jumla ya watu wake na kwamba mafanikio ya kweli ni jumla ya furaha ya jumla ya kila mtu.

                   Pia inaweza semwa kuwa badala ya kusababisha kukwama katika shughuli za muda tu, imani iliyo hai inaweza kutoa motisha mwafaka kwa ajili ya harakati za shughuli za kijamii ambayo huongeza ufanisi wa mtu na kummwezesha kuelekeza vyema nguvu zake kwa kazi anao mkononi. Pia inamnusuru mtu kutokana na athari ya kukata tamaa mambo yasipokwenda kama ilivyopangwa. Humwezesha mtu kuamini Mungu kwa matokeo anapofanya kazi kwa shauku kana kwamba hiyo kazi ni huduma yake kwa Mungu. Hii kwa kweli ndiyo "siri" ya kuishi maisha ambayo ni muhimu na yenye furaha.

                   Mwingiliano wa jamii pia inaimarishwa wakati kila mmoja anataka kuishi katika amani na mwenzake na kutambua thamani ya wanadamu wote kama wana wa familia moja. Nchi yoyote ile iliojawa na wake kwa waume wanaowaza na kutenda kwa njia hii itakuwa na sifa na hali ya utulivu ulio nadra sana, iwapo, imekwishaonekana katika historia ya wanadamu. Mgogoro na uhasidi ndogo ndogo inayosababisha migogoro katika jamii nyingi itakoma kuwepo, kisha desturi zitafululiza vizuri kama utulivu wa sayari katika njia zao.

                   Hivi ndivyo taifa la Kikristo la kweli linastahili kuonekana. Na pia lingekuwa na uhusiano wa manufaa na nchi zingine ambazo linaingiliana nazo. Taifa lililo na amani na furaha nyumbani bila shaka litakuwa wa kuheshimiwa na kupendwa nje ya nchi. Uadilifu wa taifa la Kikristo la kweli ungewahamasisha kuaminiana katika mahusiano yake na mataifa mengine. Migogoro mingi ya kimataifa hupata mizizi yao katika kutoaminiana na wivu. Hizi mara nyingi husababisha aina tofauti za kuumia. Mambo kama hayo mara nyingi yanaweza kupunguzwa na sera za taifa la Kikristo. Na kama taifa kama hilo likishambuliwa bila haki, roho inayotawala taifa itawapa mikakati ya nguvu ya kukabiliana na uadui kama huo. Ongeza kwa haya yote wajibu ambao Mungu anaweza kuwatimiza kwa niaba ya taifa ambalo linapenda kumtumikia na kumheshimu Mungu katika yote ambayo linafanya.

                   Baadhi ya waandishi kimakosa wanadhani kwamba imani ya kweli ni adui ya uzalendo. Ikiwa uzalendo umefafanuliwa katika kutafuta njia ambayo kwa kweli ni ya utaifa-yaani, matumizi ya nguvu zote zilizopo na rasilimali ili kulazimisha mapenzi ya taifa moja kwa nyingine-basi kwa hakika imani halisi ni adui. Lakini kama uzalendo ni upendo kwa nchi ya mtu na hamu ya kuona haki, amani na mapenzi mema kwa watu wote, basi imani sio adui bali ni rafiki bora wa uzalendo kama huo. Nadharia kinyume inaweza kushikiliwa tu na wale ambao hawajakumbana na jumla ya mafundisho ya Kristo na athari zao kwa ajili ya afya na nguvu ya taifa. Itakuwa ni kama kusema kwamba nguvu za mvuto wa ardhi inapunguza uhuru wa mwanadamu pasi na kutambua wajibu ambao unatekeleza katika kuweka sayari angani kuwa mahala pake.
                  
Itaonekana kwamba mtazamo bora wa uzalendo inatambua kwamba jamii na mambo yake yote mengi ni bora zaidi kuangaliwa wakati ustawi wa jumla wa idadi kubwa ya watu unakuwa lengo kubwa kwa watu wake wote, badala ya kila mtu kujitafutia amani ya kibinafsi na mali. Jibu sahihi kwa wito wa Kristo kwa kuwapenda watu wote, hata maadui wa mtu, linapaswa kuzalisha matokeo haya katika utamaduni wa kweli wa Kikristo. Upendo wa wote huzaa aina ya juu ya uzalendo. Ukarimu na utu wema unayotokana na mfumo halisi wa kidunia kwa kawaida huwa unathibitika kuwa na upungufu: Kwa kawaida hushindwa kutimiza mahitaji kamili ya wale wanaotafuta kufaidika. Gharama daima hupimwa dhidi ya ugumu ambao ukarimu huo huenda ukasababishia yule anayetoa. Ukarimu wa Ukristo wa kweli huenda hata zaidi. Lengo lake ni kukidhi mahitaji hata kwa gharama ya kujikana nafsi. Ni kama mto unaotoka katika chanzo cha utele usioisha. Ni kama maambukizi-maambukizi mazuri-ambayo kwanza huathiri mazingira yake ya karibu na kisha kuanza kuenea nje katika mduara unao fululiza.

                   Unaweza kuona kwamba mengi ya madhara haya yanaweza kushababishwa na mfumo wowote wa imani, iwe ni dini au la, ambayo ilitetea maadili chanya na aliyokuwa na uwezo wa kutekeleza sheria zake. Bila shaka, mifumo yote hiyo lazima ikumbane na kutokuwa na uwezo wa wanaume na wanawake wa kulinda kanuni kama hizo na haja ya nguvu ya juu ambayo inaweza kutusaidia katika udhaifu wetu. Katika hali hii, Ukristo hauna kifani. Haifundishi tu maadili ya juu zaidi na kanuni inayojulikana kwa mwanadamu, lakini kwa njia ya uhusiano na Muumba wa kanuni hiyo ambayo muumini anawezeshwa na Roho Mtakatifu ili kuitunza.

                   Ukristo wa kweli, kwa asili, unaonekana kuwa umestawishwa hasa kwa nguvu ili kukuza maslahi na afya ya jumuiya za kisiasa. Mbona hivyo? Ukweli ni kwamba mifumo mingineyo zina mizizi katika ubinafsi wa mwanadamu. Huanzishwa katika ubinafsi, hukua katika ubinafsi na, huangamia kwa sababu ya ubinafsi.

                   Ubinafsi huu huchukua aina tofauti ya mifumo katika matabaka mbalimbali ya jamii. Miongoni mwa matabaka ya juu, inaweza kuonekana katika maonyesho ya anasa na shughuli zisizo na maana na mapato ambayo hukimbizwa ili kukidhi ubatili wa kujifurahisha. Hapa, ambapo Roho ya ukarimu ina uwezo wa kuzalisha moyo mkuu, ubinafsi huleta kifo tu. Katika matabaka ya chini, ubinafsi hupata kujieleza katika uasi wenye kiburi kwa aina yake yote. Tajiri au masikini, ingawa miumbo ya nje inaweza kutofautiana, mzizi ni sawa. Nafsi inapowekwa katikati ya maisha ya mtu, nguvu zote zitatumika katika jaribio la kutimiza tamaa za ubinafsi na matarajio ya ubinafsi. Hivyo basi, watu kama hao bila shaka watakuwa ni wanaopenda kusifu zaidi mafanikio yao wenyewe pamoja na yale wameweza kutimiza huku wakidunisha yale ya watu wengine. Wao huongeza chumvi matatizo katika maisha yao huku wakipuuza mambo hayo maishani ambayo ni ya manufaa kwao.

                   Ni mitazamo hii ndiyo inayounda tabia ambapo watu hawajali na hawawezi penda na ambapo viongozi hawaongozi na sio wote watafuata. Taasisi zinalaumiwa kwa ajili ya hali ya maisha na jukumu la kibinafsi wala haliingilii katika swala hili. Matatizo daima huwa ni kosa la yule mwingine. Dhambi na ujinga hazijulikani kamwe, na labda hata hazitambuliki. Mahali ambapo hii ndiyo hali, hakuwezi kuwa na jamii yenye afya. Kinyume cha ubinafsi ni moyo unaopenda jamii. Msingi wa afya ya kisiasa na nguvu huwa hivyo. Huzipa nguvu mitazamo na matendo ambayo huelekeza katika ushujaa wa kitaifa.

                   Huu kwa hakika ni uelevu wa maswala haya miongoni mwa wanawake na wanaume ambao ndio waanzilishi wa mataifa na waunda serikali. Huwa wanamnufaisha mmoja huku wakimkandamiza mwingine. Mara nyingine viongozi wanakiuka juhudi katika maswala haya. Sparta mji wa kale ulishamiri kwa zaidi ya miaka 700 chini ya mfumo ambao ulipinga ubinafsi kwa kupiga marufuku biashara na kuweka umasikini na ugumu kwa raia wake. Vivyo hivyo inaweza kusemwa kuhusu dola ya Kirumi. Roho ya kupenda umma ilikuwa sawa na kupenda utukufu, vivyo ikawa kwa himaya sawia na mashujaa wake. Matokeo yake yalikuwa ni hamu kama njaa isiyotosheleka ya kutaka kushinda ambayo hatimaye ilisababisha kuanguka kwa Roma. Wakati ukakamavu wa umma unategemea ushindi, ukakamavu huo utagofuka wakati ushindi umekwenda. Mali na anasa husababisha kudumaa, na kudumaa huishia mautini.

                   Wakati kuendeleza taifa kunawezekana tu kwa kutesa raia na kuwafanya masikini, basi ni kama mbinu hio imetoa hatima kama dhabihu ili kufikia malengo yake. Hii ni kama kujishinda mwenyewe. Wake kwa waume wanaungana katika jamii iliyostaarabika kujaribu kutimiza furaha kuu zaidi kwa walio wengi zaidi. Hakukuwa na furaha nyingi miongoni mwa watu wa kawaida huko Sparta au jamii nyingine yoyote iliyoundwa kwa njia hio. Wala jamii ambao msingi wa uwepo wake ni siri ya tamaduni nyingine haiwezi kuishi kwa muda mrefu. Ni kama vile Roma, itakuwa adui wa majirani wake na janga kwa jamii. Matokeo haya yote ni mifano ya kile kinachotokea wakati mtu anajaribu kuwa Mungu. Jitihada zote hugeuka kuwa na makosa katika utekelezaji wao na kushindwa kufikia madhumuni yao.

                   Hii inanielekeza kutoa maoni juu ya umuhimu wa katiba ambayo chini yake tunaishi katika nchi hii. Ningependa kusema kwamba kati ya serikali zote ambazo zimekuwepo, yetu imefanya bora zaidi katika kufikia usawa baina ya motisha ya hitimisho ya moyo wa utaifa huku ikiendeleza uwezo wa mtu kibinafsi kufikia maisha ya utulivu, faraja na wema. Mfumo wetu umeundwa kwa namna ambayo ubinafsi hauna manufaa. Lengo langu, hata hivyo, sio kusifu mfumo wetu wa kisiasa lakini ni kuonyesha namna Ukristo unavyokinyume kwa kila njia na adui halisi ya jumuiya za kisiasa: ubinafsi.

                   Tunaweza kusema kwamba lengo la msingi la Ukristo wa kweli ni kuondoa ubinafsi wa asili na yote ambayo huja nayo ili kutusaidia kukuza hisia sahihi ya yule tulie na ni yapi wajibu wetu kwa wanadamu wenzetu. Ukarimu ndiyo kanuni inayoendesha Ukristo halisi. Ni matokeo ya moja kwa moja ya kukuza maisha ya kiasi katika kutafuta raha na ufanisi, kiwango cha kutojali kwa mambo ambayo utamaduni umeamua ni muhimu, bidii katika utendaji wa majukumu ya kibinafsi na ya kiraia, ahadi ya kufanya mapenzi ya Mungu, na mtazamo wa uvumilivu na imani ya utwaalizi wa Mungu hata katika hali isiyobashirika na ya kutamausha maishani. Unyenyekevu ni muhimu iwapo mtu atakukuza roho ya ukarimu halisi.

                   Katika sekta yoyote ya jamii ambapo imani ya Kikristo ipo, huwa inapigana dhidi ya gharama ya heshima ya kiutu ambayo ubinafsi unaitisha. Inafundisha matajiri kuwa wakarimu na kuwa na mtazamo sahihi wa upendeleo na majukumu ambayo huja na mafanikio ya kifedha. Mali inapotumika vyema na wale wanao mali wawe na unyenyekevu, basi kutosawashika kwa maisha haiwi chungu sana kwa wale wasio na mali. Kwa upande mwingine, kwa wale wanaoishi katika hali hafifu, imani halisi inafundisha bidii, uvumilivu, ukakamavu na kutambua kwamba utekelezaji wa majukumu unafaa kufanyika bila ya husuda ya matajiri au uchungu kwa hali yao wenyewe.  

                   Kuridhika hutokana na kutambua kwamba vile mambo yalivyo sio vile yanapaswa kuwa na kwamba siku moja yatakuja kuwa jinsi Mungu alivyokusudia. Kiwango cha nguvu inayowekwa katika kutafuta mali ya kidunia, nguvu na umaarufu haifai thamani halisi ya jitihada hizo. Manufaa kuu ya imani halisi ni kwamba inazalisha hali ya amani ya ndani inayoleta kuridhika pakubwa zaidi kuliko vile raha ya gharama kubwa zaidi inaweza kutoa. Haina upungufu wowote wa kijamii, kiuchumi au rangi. Kwa njia nyingine, ni faida ya kutoshughulika na baadhi ya majaribio ambayo mali husababisha. Kuna mengi ya kusemwa kwa maisha rahisi. Hazina ya kweli kwa watu wa imani ni urithi ambao Kristo sasa anaiweka kwa ajili yao ambao siku moja itakuwa wao.

                   Ni muhimu kutambua kwamba kinachohitajika ili manufaa haya yote yatokee ni imani halisi, na  ya kweli. Ukristo wa kawaida au wa juu juu tu hauna uwezo wa kuleta matokeo kama hayo. Mwuozo wa kisiasa unaweza kustawi chini ya Ukristo wa kidesturi, lakini imani halisi italieta kusitishwa ghafla. Jinsi mambo yalivyo kwa sasa, tunahitaji imani halisi zaidi. Tusipo fuata imani wa namna hiyo kama taifa, hatutakosa tu kupata manufaa kubwa ambao imani kama hiyo huleta, lakini pia tutakuwa katika hatari ya kupoteza baraka tunazofurahia kama matokeo ya imani kama hiyo katika siku za nyuma. Tunaelekea kuwa jamii inayopatwa na wingi wa maovu kutokana na kuishi bila ya dini yoyote.

                   Imani ya kawaida inaweza nawiri na kuwa na manufaa ndogo wakati jamii imeiruhusu kuendelea. Lakini kama utamaduni imedorora jinsi yetu ilivyodorora, itagharimu imani yenye nguvu kwa Ukristo kuendelea kunawiri. Katika nyakati zilizopita, tulifurahia jamii ambapo imani haikutendwa tu lakini pia kuheshimiwa. Mengi yamebadilika. Sio tu kwamba tumekoma kutenda imani ya baba zetu, lakini pia sasa tunaiangalia kana kwamba ni kitu cha ajabu cha muda ambao tunafurahi ilipita. Heshima ya mambo ya zamani imekoma kuwepo. Sasa ipo hatari ya kuanguka kwa mfumo kutokana na kukosa kuamini kanuni ambazo ndio msingi wa mfumo huo.

                   Tumeifikia hatua ambapo mkorogo muhimu wa imani halisi ambayo ilikuwa ndiyo nguvu ya maisha ya taasisi zetu za kidini inahitajika ili taasisi hizo ziendelee kudumu. Kanisa leo ni inaendeshwa na wake kwa waume ambao ni tofauti sana na ambao wanashikilia manufaa mbalimbali kutoka kwa wale ambao walianzisha taasisi hizi  kiasi cha kwamba maisha ya Kanisa yako hatarini. Kiwango ambacho imani halisi na muhimu inaweza kutumiwa upya katika makanisa yetu itakuwa ndio kiwango ambacho taasisi hizi zitabadilishwa na mara nyingine tena kuwa na nguvu.

                   Tunaishi katika hali ya upungufu wa kitamaduni. Dini kavu, isiyojulikana haina uwezo wa kuhamasisha uma.Yeyote yule anayefikiria visivyo anajua machache kuhusu asili ya mwanadamu. Watu wanatafuta ukweli na uhalisi katika maswala ya kiroho. Hata kama tabaka za juu zitaridhika na mwendo wa kidini, mtu wa kawaida hataivumilia hali ya kujifanya kama hiyo. Uhisani unaweza kuwa unatosha kwa matajitri, lakini mtu yule pale mitaani anahitaji imani iliyo ya kweli na iwezayokufanya kazi maishani mwake. Uzoefu unatueleza kwamba mtu kama huyo hatafuti theologia ngumu. Theologia haiwafai watu kama hawa. Bali namna ya imani ninaozungumzia haijiu mipaka yoyote ya kijamii. Inauwezo pakubwa wa kushikiliwa na mtu wa kawaida kuliko watu wa tabaka za juu  ambao wamenaswa zaidi katika ufungwa wa roho ya kupenda vitu iliopo katika zama hizi. Mahali pote ambapo imani yenye nguvu imeingia, tutaona watu wakibadilishwa kutoka kwa ukatili wa kishenzi na kuwa wanyenyekevu, wenye adabu na wenye bidii, na chochote kile kinachofanya mtu kuwa wa maendeleo katika jamii.

                               Iwapo kwa neema ya Mungu wimbi jipya la kiroho lingevuma na kupamba moto, hakuna vile ingebashiriwa jinsi maadili ya umma na ustawi wa taifa kisiasa ungeweza kunufaika. Uozo ulio wa sumu unaotunyemelea ungelazimishwa kusitishika. Baraka za Mungu kwa mara nyingine tena zingeachiliwa katika nchi yetu.

Matokeo ya haya kutofanyika karibu inatisha hata kwa kufikiria tu. Ni nini kingetokea iwapo imani ingetoweka katika taifa letu? Hii inapaswa kuwa ni swala ambalo kila mtu mwenye busara anapaswa kutafakari. Kanisa kama tunavyojua, na makosa yake yote na kubadilika badilika kwake, ingekoma kuwepo. Mtu anawezaje kufikiri kwamba matokeo kama hayo yatakuwa ni balaa kwa jamii? Je, hii ingekuwa na athari gani kwenye nyuzi za maadili za mtu wa kawaida? Kudhibiti upotovu wa maadili kungelegea sana. Watu ambao wanatamani kubadilisha maisha yao na kuishi katika uhusiano na Mungu na kulingana na mafundisho yake wangekwenda wapi? Ni nani angekuwa mfano wa aina ya maisha ambayo tunapaswa kuishi?  Nini ingefanyika kwa urithi wa karne hizo zote ambao Kanisa ilituachia?  Tungeweza je kuepuka kujenga kizazi uliozorota? Ni kwa kina gani maadili ya umma yangeweza kuzama? Pengine ni vyema kwamba jamii kama hiyo haiwezi kudumu kwa muda mrefu. Wakati saruji ambayo inayoshikilia taifa pamoja haipo tena, basi nchi mara moja huingia katika machafuko.
                   Wacha nikataje pia kwamba hakuna kitu, ijapo katika asili ya juu ya jamii yetu, kitaweza kuzuia kuzorota inayotukabili. Historia inafundisha kwamba wengi wa ustaarabu wa juu sana ambao ulimwengu umeijua pia ni jamii ambazo zilikuwa na viwango vya kutisha vya kuoza kimaadili. Vivyo pia inaweza kusemwa kwa baadhi ya majirani yetu ya kisasa. Ingawa wanaonekana kung’ara na waliyosafika kwa nje, hali ya sumu ya maadili ya jamii zao ni ya kutisha.

                   Je, ni nini kinachoweza kuwajibikia uharibifu huu? Mtume Paulo alitoa uchunguzi kwamba dola ya Kirumi ilikuwa imezama katika tope la upotovu wa kimaadili kwa sababu ilikuwa imekataa maarifa ya Mungu (angalia Rum 1:28). Acha hii iwe onyo. Itakuwa ni kosa la kutisha kufikiri kwamba hata kama nyuzi za kimaadili ya nchi yetu imedorora, mafanikio yetu na mali yetu itatuzuia kupotoka zaidi. Wala tusijefikiri kwamba hatma ya Roma kamwe haiwezi kuwa yetu pia. Mungu akichoka na sisi , hatma yetu itakuwa vile vile. Na nini kitakachomzuia Mungu asifanye hivyo? Kwa kweli tunaweza kuwa katika sehemu mbaya zaidi kuliko wale walio katika ustaarabu huu wa kale. Kithibiti chao kilikuwa tu ni msingi wa falsafa ya ubinadamu na dhamiri ya asili. Sisi kwa upande mwingine, tuna faida ya kuwa na Biblia, pamoja na maarifa ya jinsi Mungu alivyoshughulikiwa nao, ili kuelekeza njia yetu. Mantiki ya hali ingeashiria kwamba kama Mungu aliruhusu mataifa yao kuzama kwa matokeo ya kimantiki ya upotovu wao, Je, si atafanya hivyo sawa nasi ?

                   Tutafanya nini? Hili ndilo swali muhimu ambalo sote tunapaswa kuuliza. Jibu sio ngumu. Sababu ya kushuka kwa imani na kuoza kwa maadili ni mishale inayoelekeza kwa kile ambacho ingekuwa muhimu kwetu kujiingiza na kiwango kikubwa cha dharura. Matatizo tunayokabiliana nayo kama jamii inapaswa kutazamwa kama matatizo ya kiroho badala ya masuala ya kisiasa tu. Hii ni mtazamo ambao hauonekani hata kuchukuliwa na vyombo vya habari. Tunaweza kutarajia nini kutokana na aina ya ufumbuzi wanaotoa? Bila ya shaka wangetoa maendeleo ya muda tu, sio mabadiliko ya msingi. Kile kinachohitajika kutendeka ni kwamba kila juhudi zinapaswa kufanywa ili kukuza viwango vya maadili ya umma katika taifa letu. Hii ni wajibu ambao unaangukia hasa watu wenye ushawishi na uwezo, iwe kisiasa au kifedha.

                    Watu walio katika nafasi hizi hawafai tu kutumia mamlaka yao na uwezo wao kwa hatma huu, lakini pia wao wenyewe wanapaswa kutumika kama mifano bora ya kile hiki kinamaanisha kwa kujitahidi kufikia maendeleo ya juu ya kiroho na ya kimaadili katika maisha yao wenyewe. Ni muhimu kujihusisha na wale walio na uwezo na ushawishi ambao wanawajibika kwa upungufu ambao tumekuwa tukiuzungumzia. Wengine wataitwa ili kujaribu kushawishi mfumo kutoka ndani. Acha niwape tahadhari. Hili ni mwito wenye changamoto maalumu. Lazima uwe makini na kiasi cha mfumo unaokubali ili kukamilisha kazi hii. Wakati mwingine, Mkristo katika mazingira haya hana utofauti na asiyeamini. Ili kupata ile sawazisho itagharimu nidhamu yote na ustahimilivu unayoweza kuwa nao. Kumbuka, wakati umefika wa kuchora mstari katika mchanga na kuamua upande ambao utachukua msimamo wako. 8 Ni kutokana na jitihada hii ndiyo manufaa halisi huanza.

                   Kuna sababu ya mimi kuchukua msimamo huu. Moja ni mtazamo kwamba kazi kubwa inapohitaji kufanyika, waume kwa wake huwa na desturi ya kupanda na kufikia kiwango cha changamoto ambacho kazi hio inahitaji. Hawana uwezekano wa kutoa juhudi za kishujaa kwa utekelezaji ambao unachukuliwa kuwa rahisi au jambo la kweli. Wakati kuna safari ya kusisimua Zaidi na changamoto zinazohusika, wao huwa tayari kulipa gharama. Wake kwa waume watavumilia ugumu wote na kuipa yote walionayo wakati kazi hio inaonekana kuwa ya kishujaa. Iwapo tendo linalohitajika sio ya kusisimua na ni gharama, watajaribu kulikabili kwa juhudi ya chini na wataweza kushindwa kutimiza lengo kwa sababu hiyo. Katika hali tunayokabiliana nayo, changamoto zitahitaji kujitoa kwa moyo wote kwa kazi. Kujitoa huko kunahitaji ufafanuzi wazi kati ya wale ambao wanakuza imani muhimu na wale wanaopinga chochote kilicho cha "Ukristo" sana. Iwapo una tabia kama hiyo ya kutaka mema kwa nchi yako, wakati wa kusita umepita. Ni wakati wa kuhesabu gharama na kuamua kinachohitajika kufanywa ili kukuwezesha kuwa mtu bora zaidi unayeweza kuwa katika upya wa maadili na maisha ya kiroho ya taifa. Yule anayechukua mtazamo huu ni mzalendo wa kweli.

                   Si muhimu tu kwamba watu wenye ushawishi na mamlaka wawe mfano katika eneo hili, jinsi hii inavyoweza kuwa muhimu, lakini pia wanahitaji kuwahimiza wengine kufanya hivyo. Wanapaswa kushiriki katika jitihada zozote ambazo zinazinduliwa kukuza maendeleo ya kimaadili na kufanywa upya kiroho. Juu ya juhudi hizi zote, lazima kuwe na juhudi makini za kufundisha maadili haya kwa kizazi kijacho. Watoto wetu wanapaswa kukabiliana na matokeo ya kutelekeza kwetu kwa maadili haya muhimu. Watakuwa chini ya ufungwa ya mawazo na mifano ya wale ambao hawana nafasi ya imani ya kweli katika maisha yao.

                   Inahisi kana kwamba tunaishi katika ulimwengu ambapo majoka hatari ya kimaadili yameanguliwa wanaosubiri tu kujiachilia ulimwenguni. Lakini acha nijiweke wazi: majaribio yote ya kurejesha au kulinda tunu na maadili ambayo yamefanya taifa hili kuwa na ukuu yatakuwa bure pasi na kurejesha Ukristo wa kiinjili ulio muhimu.9 Bila msingi huu imara itakuwa vigumu kuinua hali ya maadili katika siku zijazo. Ujasiri na labda juhudi za kila mara za mafanikio hatimaye kushindwa, na jamii kuzama katika viwango vya maadili ambayo yalikuwepo hapo awali. Hii ndiyo maana ni muhimu sana kwamba tufanye juhudi zetu zote ili kurejelea imani ambayo baba zetu walikuwa nayo.

                   Iwapo Kanisa litapata uhuisho huu, mabadiliko yahitaji kuanza na wahudumu wa makanisa haya ya mitaani. Kusadikika kwao kutaamua afya ya mikusanyiko mbalimbali. Popote wake kwa waume wamefunza Biblia kwa uaminifu, juhudi zao zimekuwa na thawabu kwa kiasi kikubwa. Pengine haina haja ya kusema, lakini kwa ujumla, hawa wake na waume ni marafiki wa mamlaka ya kiraia ambao wanajaribu kusaidia. Kwa wale wanaogopa kwamba kufanywa upya kiroho kutasababisha utundu wa mara kwa mara na ushahidi usio wa kawaida, ambao ni kwa hasara ya taasisi, wanapaswa kujua kwamba masumbufu kama hayo sio desturi. Kwa kweli ni wajibu wa wote wanaohudumu katika ukuani kuhakikisha imani dhabiti katika Kanisa. Baadhi yao tayari wanafanya kazi hiyo.

                   Shule na vyuo vikuu vyetu lazima pia zihimize utafiti wa masomo haya yanayokuza maadili muhimu na za kiroho. Katika siku za nyuma kazi kama hizo zilikuwa katika msingi wa elimu ya chuo kikuu. Sasa zimepuuzwa kabisa. Mambo yamekwenda mrama katika wakati wetu hivi kwamba hata seminari ya kiteolojia pia zinahitaji kisomo katika kazi hizi. Matokeo ni aina ya kuhubiri katika makanisa yetu mengi ambayo ni bila ya maudhui halisi ya kiroho.

                   Nawakabidhia kwa dhati mawazo haya wale wote walio na moyo wa ustawi wa taifa. Ni wakati wa kuchukua hatua. Ni muhimu kujua kama hatua kama hiyo imepata motisha ipasavyo au ni jaribio tu la kujipa nguvu mwenyewe au kujinufaisha kisiasa. Pia inaweza kuwa muhimu kuvumilia dhulma ya madai ya uongo ya wapinzani ambao wanaotushutumu. Lakini kwa sababu ni radhi kwa Mungu kufanya mambo kwa njia ambayo imani halisi na maadili safi huimarisha ustawi wa nchi na uhifadhi utaratibu wa jamii, itaonekana ni ujinga kupinga hatua kama hiyo kwa misingi kwamba nia ya mtu inaweza kuwa si safi.

                   Ee, kwamba Mungu angetusaidia tukatie moyoni wa namna ya maisha ambayo andiko hili limependekeza! Ni jinsi gani ingekuwa kuwa vyema tukipata matokeo hayo katika taifa letu na familia zetu iwapo tuliishi hivi! Ni bora jinsi gani kuishi katika nchi ambapo wake kwa waume wako na imani halisi na wala sio ile bandia ya kidesturi! Tungependa kupata kile ambacho mshairi Horace aliomba kwa:
 
 
 Rejesha mwanga wako, Ewe mfalme mwema
 Kwa nchi yeko; kwani ni kama chemi chemi
 Ambapo uso wako ametokea;
 Kwa watu ambao siku huwapitia kwa furaha.
 Na jua kuchomoza zaidi ya uangavu. 10
 
              
 
Vidokezo      
1. Wilberforce akimaanisha England mwaka 1797.
2. Wilberforce alitoa uchunguzi huu bungeni kwa mara kadhaa, akiwanukuu wasomi kama vile mtu wa kupambana na kidini kama Machiavelli.
3. Yohana Milton, Paradise Lost, Bk. 4 mistari 17-18.
4. Wilberforce hapa anaorodhesha idadi kubwa ya Maaskofu na Maaskofu wakuu wa Kanisa la Anglikana katika karne ya kumi na sita na kumi na saba. Orodha hiyo pia inajumuisha mtu mmoja wa kidini na mmoja wa Presbyterian.
5. Wilberforce ananakili katkaa ukurasa huu juu ya mtazamo duni wa Dkt. William Robertson kuhusu uongozi wa Musa uongozi wa sharia, na sifa ya mtu huyo huyo kwa Rise and Fall of the Roman empire ilioandikwa na Gibbon, iliyochapishwa katika kipindi hiki. Katika maelezo kwa toleo lingine la kitabu hiki, Wilberforce pia anaeleza juu ya yaliyomo ya Waziri katika kuunga mkono kazi ya David Hume, mtu ambaye kafiri na mwanafalsafa maarufu wa wakati huo.
6. Wilberforce tena anataja hali ya mambo nchini Ufaransa.
7. Yaliyo katika Italiki ni kutoka Wilberforce.
8. ni lazima ieleweke kwamba hii ilikuwa njia ya Wilberforce mwenyewe. Alifanya kazi kutoka ndani ya mfumo wa kisiasa ili kuleta mabadiliko. Pia aliunda jamii zilizofanywa na baadhi ya wanaume na wanawake tajiri katika Uingereza kukabiliana na masuala ya kijamii ya wakati wake. Ilisemekana kuwa alifanya wema kuwa kama mtindo!
9. maonyesho halisi ya Wilberforce na mkazo wa italiki.
10. horace, Odes, Bk. 4, 5, 5.
 
                  

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