The Bible teaches us to be thankful in all situations. 1 Thes. 5: 12 says, “ give thanks in all circumstances ; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV). Yes, we are to give God thanks in all situations: in sickness or in health, in failure or in success, in poverty or in riches, in power or in powerlessness, so and so forth. But the question that is being asked today is, is it right to give God thanks when we are successful or victorious through unfair means? This question is being asked by many God-fearing Christians as some elected members of the recent Nagaland Legislative Assembly election held on 27 February, 2018, begin to organize “Thanksgiving Services”. If a person is elected through unfair means such as: with illegal proxy votes, polling booth capturing, or with purchased votes, can give thanks to his/her supporters but not to God. Because God, being holy, righteous and just, does not accept anything that is unclean (Lev. 19:2; 20:7; 1 Pet.1:16). Romans 14: 14 says, “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to Him it is unclean.” The Election Commission of India has beautifully spelled out what to do and what not to do during elections in India. For example, serial No.4 under the list of Don’ts of the Code of Conduct of the Election Commission of India says, “No inducement, financial or otherwise shall be offered to the voter.” But purchase of votes is prevalent everywhere in Nagland during elections. Again serial No.20 says, “No liquor should be distributed during elections.” But it has been learned that some candidates were supplying trucks of liquor in the recent election. Anything that is against the law of the country is “wrong” and is evil. Hence, it becomes “unclean”. But churches in Nagaland seem to be silent in this. It is painful when we are corrected, but the result of that correction is always healthy and peaceful. Therefore, the Bible says, “Blessed is the man whom You instruct..” (Ps. 94: 12).
Second question is, therefore, should the church leaders participate at such “Thanksgiving program”? The church leaders should be able to say “No” to what is wrong and evil, and “Yes” to what is right and good. When church leaders participate in both “wrong and evil” and “right and good” church members will be confused and will be in deep perplexity which may affect their spiritual life. And therefore church leaders should be more careful than the followers for we are accountable to God. Hence, a time like this, when wrong and evil are seen as right and good, church leaders should ask God for wisdom to discern between right and wrong, and evil and good, as Solomon did ( 1 Kings 3: 5-13) and stand firm with what is right and good as described by the Word of God. The Bible says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”( Rom. 12: 21 NKJV).
God bless Nagaland!
Rev.J.Thungjamo Lotha
