By Lt. Gen. Retd. V.S. Atem - CV
Deputy Ato Kilonser
Before God no one is holier than the other. By race Jews are not more acceptable or more accessible to God than the Greeks or the African blacks because of the skin. No woman however beautiful she looks; she is not more pleasing before God than an ugly woman or a leper because of her beauty. No Church is closer to God because of its age than a young church just born recently. The span of year of being a Christian doesn't reserve a better or a higher seat for you or me before the throne of God. No denomination has the hegemony of power or favour before God. But unfortunately, Nagas are over conscious about denomination and thereby we are easily drawn away from each other affecting our unity and above all "LOVE" for one another. One and all of us are just required to believe and confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ died for our sins and had risen again and is seated at the side of God as the only saviour of mankind, that whoever believes in Him has been sealed with the Holy Spirit for everlasting life.
We must live in unity, bearing with one another and upholding one another. Jesus Christ the hope of all mankind is not sectarian or denominational, nor He goes by the majority. He is universal, compassionate and merciful to one and all. He welcomes all of us, great and small, rich and poor man and women transcending race and colours.
Till the beginning of the '70s, I had seen a lot of uneasiness, inconveniences and hitches among the rank and file of the national workers on the issue of denominations; assertion of majoritarianism was glaring; mentality of "holier than thou" was strong. Some elements were overzealous to treat others as untouchable. Thank God, the top echelon of the national leadership remained clear, balanced and firm about inter-denominational co-existence. After much prayers and deliberations, a historic decision was taken and formed the Council of Nagaland(lim) Churches (CNC) on 5th September 1974 at UNSETI National Assembly with a vision for the future generations not only for smooth, harmonious and loving mutual acceptance among denominations for all time to come.
Praise the Lord! Heartfelt gratitude to God, Jehovah of the Nagas for protection, guidance and bringing up the CNC with all His blessing till today to celebrate this Golden Jubilee with all pomp and gaiety to His glory.
Having been shattered politically by the Shillong Accord in November 1975, we returnees from Alee (China) Command led by Mr. Th. Muivah, the General Secretary, with Mr. Isak Chishi Swu and few junior colleagues, decided to establish our base in Eastern Nagalim under Burma. Eastern Nagas were politically, socially, spiritually and in all ways in pitch darkness. People were wildly engaged in head-hunting, naked and unreached. They had no knowledge of Hell and Heaven. As soon as Mr. Isak Chishi Swu was elected leader of the People, he took utmost pains to reach all peoples with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, the only saviour son of God and the hope of mankind. Still, we were condemned for forming the NSCN and called us communist, thinking Christian Socialism was a brand of Chinese Communism not Naga National Socialism. The devil got hold of the reign of terrors and spread the smear campaigns against Mr. Isak and Mr. Muivah led-Naga dedicated patriots, "communist" who were in fact working sleeplessly for saving the Naga Nation from the clutch of India and Burma on one hand and on the other, to lead our people out of darkness and loss into the marvellous light of spiritual salvation. We were reminded of John 16:2 that time to think that killing of national patriots under the leadership of Messrs. Isak and Muivah was a service to God. But we did not allow ourselves to be defeated by this satanic design. With broken heart, we took rifle on one hand and the Holy Bible on the other as the Israelites had done under the leadership of Nehemiah to repair the wall of Jerusalem. The good Jehovah has never failed to us when we seek Him whole heartedly.
God did answer our prayer and showered the fire of the Holy Spirit over the people. The lepers got healed and rose to witness, the paralytics rose up and joined the preaching to witness for Jesus' name. The deft were restored the power of hearing. The dumb got the voice and spoke for Jesus' work of salvation. In no time, the number of people accepting Jesus as Saviour swelled and hundreds after hundreds got baptised. Our most venerated late Chairman Isak Chishi Swu as President of the CNC and Chairman-Yaruiwo of the NSCN/GPRN, grappled with innumerable problems. Church leaders came and saw with their own eyes, and satisfied themselves. The little sparks of the CNC spread out in no time like wildfire and Eastern Nagalim was engulfed by the fire of Revival. Today, Naga Baptist Convention, Myanmar, the youngest convention among the ethnic nationalities, is the largest convention since 90% of the Naga population have become Christian.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! All credits we do give to Him, our Jehovah. Yes, Jehovah sie! Alhoishe! God is good all the time.
Without Mr. lsak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah, our history could have been altogether quite different today.
Be brave oh CNC! God is on your side. We must forgive all those who had spitefully condemned and opposed us. Let us be humbler. But we must tighten our belt with the spirit of live! Live! Die! Die! for this land of Christ.
RAISE THE BANNER OF NAGALIM FOR CHRIST HIGHER AND HIGHER.
Lastly, as apostle Paul said, in Philippians 3:23-14, let’s forget and put the past failures, mistakes and sins behind and let’s press forward, keeping our eyes fixed on the Promise of God’s “Restoration”, and crown of victory.
God bless Nagalim!
God bless Nagalim!
God bless Nagalim!
All for His Glory!