Haireiwangbe Kuame
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]BEL brought the firstling of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering (Gen.4:4).
When anyone offers a sacrifice from the herd or from the flock, to be acceptable it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish (Lev.22:21). Apostle Paul urged the believers, I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Rom.12:1). Today in our society, we expect many good things from the Theological Students and Theological Trained persons; we expect them to change our corrupted society. But as far as my knowledge is concerned, most of the parents have selected the “wrong persons to do the right thing and we have selected the weakest persons to lift up the heaviest thing”, as many of the parents first select the obedient and sharp ones from among their children for secular studies and others. But who are disobedient and who use drugs and alcohol are sent for Theological Studies to serve God.
So many drug users and alcohol addicts come to Study Theology. If we continue with this same tradition, Theological Institutions will turn into Rehab Centre in the near future. So is it better to send them first to Rehab Centre or would we send them to Theological Institution in order to change them? And is the Theological Institution the right place for those people? If those people come to Theological Institution, do they have to change themselves or they have to change the society? And will they be able to change the society?
While they themselves could not change, we want them to change the corrupted society, but we do not send “Changed Persons.” Secondly, nobody come to Study Theology without the proper recommendation from the local Pastor and Executive Secretary.
Pastor knows his sheep personally by name and he knows the sick and healthy, weak and strong among the sheep, then how could the pastor certify to the sick that she/he is healthy! And how could they testify to the weak that she/he is strong. God taught us not to bear false witness, because we are His witnesses. Jesus said,” You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Physically they may not be exactly lame, sick and weak, but practically they may be disqualified. Because “the Lord does not see as mortals see; human look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam.16:7).” Jesus said, “if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit (Matt.15:14).” So we need to be careful and not send the blind for God’s ministry otherwise they may lead the society and fall into the pit.
