June 17, 2019
By Sulaiman Momodu
(beyondborders.column@gmail.com)
In the first part of this article, I stated that every religion claims to be the truth and most of the major religions in the world have sects with each religion and each sect claiming to be the truth. I also stated that there is absolutely no need for arguments and that people should believe what they want to believe not least because God gave us a free will.
In our contemporary world though, millions of people have chosen not to believe that God exists which means immorality can now be legalized. The question is, for most people who believe in God, is your belief helping to convince others that God exist? Or do you engaged in vices with impunity that promote disbelief? Are you following the crowd in doing things that are absolutely wrong?
Sierra Leone is reputed to be a religiously tolerant country. At most ceremonies, Christians and Muslims share their belief by offering prayers which underscore the point that both religions worship one God.
In my study of the Word of God, it is evident that while most people believe in God, this belief is usually nominal, including by some so-called religious leaders who have various motivations for doing what they do. Usually, most people go to the house of God but most times even before leaving the premises, it is straight back to sinful activities that can make even the devil bow down his head in shame.
In my earlier article, I mentioned about Christopher Eric Hitchens (now late), a British-American author, columnist, essayist, orator, journalist and social critic, who in his controversial book God Is Not Great argued that religion poisons everything, a view that I strongly believe is totally absurd. Hitchens also argued that religion promotes poverty, a view that I believe is completely erroneous.
What atheists should understand is that the Word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
In recent times, both Muslims and Christians observed periods of fasting and prayers which are indicators of belief otherwise why abstain from food, drink, sexual relations etc over falsehood?
In “attacking” God and discussing issues they do not understand, atheists reveal their own ignorance about spiritual issues. By attacking religion, or by extension arguing that God does not exist, atheists basically say that there is no need for people to gather every day, or every seven days, or on any high and auspicious day, to proclaim the Creator of earth and heavens and that there are no evil spirits, evil altars, no angels etc.
As the world becomes increasingly entrenched in immorality, it is sad to note that there are even people who doubt that Jesus Christ for instance ever lived. I would like to point out a few historical evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ written in Scripture. Isaiah 7:14 says: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel”. The question is – did Jesus choose his birth by a virgin which was foretold hundreds of years before his birth? No. The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” (Micah 5:2). Did Jesus choose Bethlehem as his birthplace? No.
A few years ago, I had an unforgettable encounter with an atheist who said she decided to become an atheist because those who say they believe in God do abominable things that demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that they are unbelievers.
In my study of Scripture, if you really want to experience the power of God and have a life changing experience, do not merely be hearer but doer of the Word of God and you will experience His promises.
The truth is that most of the issues and challenges we experience in our lives, family and countries are most times as a result of ignoring the Word of God – intentionally digging our own graves and then crying to God not to allow us to die. Ridiculous. You see, to do what is right, we must first understand what is wrong.
In Sierra Leone, it is clearly a disgrace that we have people who want to be called “honourable” for instance but who blatantly abuse such titles. Regrettably, instead of demanding that such criminals repent or be deservedly sent beyond bars to serve as deterrent to others, we endorse their vices by protesting on the streets that they are “saints” thereby encouraging impunity.
Scripture says – do not be conformed to this world but be you transformed. We repeatedly do what is wrong, but we want to experience peace and development? I am sorry, it does not work that way. We do not want to be accountable, but we want to have efficient services? I am sorry, the Word of God does not work that way. We do not want to make sacrifices and move out of our comfort zones, but we want to be successful in life? I am sorry, the Word of God does not work that way.
If I may ask, can we truly say we believe in God when we engaged in vices with blatant arrogance? Can we truly say we have the fear (reverence) of God when we are fornicators, adulterers, liars, idolaters, rogues, criminals and only interested in the here and now? Always remember that what we really believe should change our life and our ways of thinking and doing things otherwise we do NOT truly believe. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. You think about it.
About the author: Sulaiman Momodu is a former editor of Concord Times newspapers. He has also worked for United Nations peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. He is currently a student of Theology.