“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth” (Isaiah 42:3)
TEXT — Isaiah 42:1-7
Message
Naturally shy and retiring, Mahatma Gandhi, was a small, frail man, with a high-pitched voice. His non-violence movement was a key part of India’s independence protests, and has inspired non-violent movements around the world. Gandhi believed that non-violence was the only rational way to achieve a peaceful society. Gandhi’s leadership and belief in non-violence has inspired non-violent movements for civil rights and social change around the world. His tactics drove the British from India. In 1947, British, Muslim, and Hindu political leaders reached an agreement for independence. The agreement created a Hindu-dominated India and a Muslim Pakistan.
From our text, Christ was prophesied by Isaiah to be a peaceful leader. He will be full of the Spirit and power of the Holy Ghost to set justice on the earth and the isles shall wait for his law. His voice will not be heard in the streets, leading a violent protest. His tactics will not imbibe or encourage a bloodbath, in the name of bringing freedom and change. During His earthly ministry, He advocated love for haters, prayer for persecutors, and forgiveness for determined offenders. He healed the servant of the Roman Centurion and reached out to the publicans and sinners. He is indeed, the Prince of peace.
There is no violence in true Christianity. Societies are converted not because they were invaded, but because Christ was invited. He stands at the door and knocks. He only comes in when the doors of our hearts are peacefully and willingly opened. Whatever violence that was practiced in the history of Christianity, was not done by His approval. Neither can anyone prove that Christ, the Good Shepherd, inspired or encouraged him to violence. Reading through His comments and actions in the New Testament, one cannot but see and feel the love of Christ. Satan, and the religions and sects that offshoot from him block people from reading the Bible and coming to the light, because they know that His love is contagious, and that people will naturally prefer a loving Saviour than a creed based on violence, hatred and injustice.
It is only through the love of Christ that we can bring lasting peace on earth. The only revolution that can change society is Jesus’s revolution. When He shall come again, as prophesied in Scripture, he shall establish a millennial reign of unprecedented peace on earth. And only those who preach the gospel of peace are assured of reigning with Him eternally.
Thought for the day
The fastest and most enduring means of changing the world is Christ-rooted peace.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Leave a Reply