One unique feature that stands out about Jesus Christ’s personality was his Authority. People who heard him were amazed because he was not like any other Jewish teacher who only taught them the truth. Jesus spoke the truth as he lived and embodied it. The moment this God-man spoke, the lawmakers and orators of their day had to remain quiet. No one could trap him in his words. His was the final word. He spoke red-hot words to the elite religious and political body of that day that made him very unpopular. But this was not so amongthe ordinary common folks of their day. His was a soothing word and a balm of healing for the ailing people. He was not a man pleaser but God’s. Years later,this characteristic was very obvious in the lives of the early Church. The Church and the apostle had the authority to decide on all important matters of dispute and legal actions relating to the society. They had the authority to point faults at the corrupt kings, magistrates and administrators of different fields.Nagaland is a state where Churches are playing a deciding role in almost every sphere of undertakings. But are the Churches losing their authority? If not, then why are we so silent? Our silence in the midst of immorality and rampant corruptionspeaks volumes that something really fishy is going on within the church itself. How do we expose the lies and secret of the evils if we are a part of the Babylon harlot? How do the Churches point fingers when they are on the wrong side? I am embarrassed, to say the least, to see that many church leaders do not have the authority to point out the faults of the society even-handedly. The fact of the matter is that the very corruption we see in the world has invaded God’s house. How can we expect change when change hasn’t been realised in our own home? “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God,”this axiom should be sounded in the pulpits and among the Christian community. The book of Romans in addressing the Christians stated, “You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law?” As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:21-24). In simple sentence, Paul is reprimanding the Christians whether their lives are matching up to the standard of their God-given principles!
There’sunrest among the few godly remnant among the believers praying for the churches to take its position again. Only then and then will the society witness a radical transformation in our society for his glory. It’s time that the Church resounds,“Back to the Bible.”It’s time to retreat for a second and reflect if we have walked too ahead and people are strayed behind us. They are not following us anymore. Churches are too lost in traditions, trends, tribalism, denominationalism, group-ism and self-promotion while the real church lies at stake. The generation of these thousand souls lies in our hand and we will be responsible for it.The Church can’t flow with the world now. The impending judgment may birth out right among our midst. Hence, the Church leaders of all dependent or independent Churches should open their eyes to see the danger signs ahead and make some amendments before the situation gets out of hand.
