NBS TV’s Marbel Twegumye Zaake on 13th April 2019 had an interview on the theme Spirituality and politics; she hosted a youthful, light skinned lady whose name I remember as Grace Maluya, who claimed to be a prophetic evangelist and daughter to Prophet Elvis Mbonye.
She went on to say her father Mbonye had anointed her to contest for presidency come general elections 2021. I then thought to myself; is this doom prophesy again, destructive dreams or outright deception?
I asked myself; didn’t this young lady hear one senior female government official (politician, names withheld) who recently saidthat even Jesus Christ if contested against President Museveni, the former would be beaten hands down!!!. Abominable isn’t it?
May a Christian serve in the government? May Christians vote in elections in their country? May Christians salute the national flag and sing the national Anthem? These questions are asked because Christians are aware that some politicians are dishonest and some government officials verycorrupt. But what does the Bible say?
When Jesus lived upon the earth, His nation (Israel) was ruled by Rome. The Jews hated the Romans. Roman officials often were corrupt and oppressive. On one occasion when the Pharisees wanted to get Jesus in trouble, they asked Him a tempting question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not”(Mathew 22:15-22)?
If Jesus said it was wrong to pay taxes, He would be in trouble with the Roman rulers. If He said it was good to pay taxes, He would be in trouble with the Jews. They thought He was trapped. Jesusasked them to bring a Roman coin to Him.He asked them whose picture and name were on the coin. They replied, “Caesar’s.”
Then Jesus replied:”Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”(Mathew 22:21).
Every Christian lives in two Kingdoms (nations). One Kingdom is Spiritual (church). The other Kingdom is physical (country). We are citizens of the Kingdom of Christ, which is the Church of Christ,( Mathew 16:18,19; Colossians 1:13).
At the same time, we are citizens of an earthly nation such as Zambia, France, China etc. We must be good citizens in each Kingdom. We have duties to fulfillin each kingdom.
The apostle Paul also lived during the time that Rome ruled much of the world. He was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29). Nero, one of the most corrupt rulers who ever lived, was on the throne when Paul wrote: “Let every soul be subject to governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
The apostle Peter also commanded Christians to”…submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
For this is the will of God that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bond servants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”(1 Peter 2:13-17).
I disagree with politicians; I have heard many of them warn religious leaders not to engage in politics yet there is a very lean line between politics and religion. The two are actually inter-married.
By Nabendeh Wamoto S.P (0776-658433)
