By Nneka Okumazie
Populism has maybe probably failed. The totality that any leader could repair it all is talk that should – now – be met with high skepticism.
As great as democracy is, or seems to be, it is clear that absolute hope should not be placed on an election, or any political affiliation.
Yes, policy plans can seem great. Some leaders have more potential than others. But, regardless of the prospects of anyone or party, nothing is certain – for outcomes – politically.
There are so many leaders around the world in recent times that came with some wave, signalling certain shifts, but are clearly a dud, or worse.
Still, populism is far from endangered, as it will remain a tactic, in gaming democracy.
There have been great leaders in different times and situations. There have also been failed leaders.
The contentions of time and change would make it hard to always get it right with leadership in any place – for a long time.
This reality makes it important to always consider how to diversify power – towards programs, policies, activities, etc. in fair and balanced ways for the good of the people and society.
It is important to have systems that share power, so that no position has so much of it, even within that institution that also has a certain power.
Power – in this world seems to be the ultimate. But do humans have any power?
Psalm says all power belongs to God. Christ said all power in heaven and on earth is given to Him. So, if Jesus has all the power, what do people have?
Power is permanent, but people aren’t. So, what people have is position, not power.
Position to do something – good or otherwise, get something, say something, etc. is what everyone tries to get more of, not power.
The person who was breathing yesterday but isn’t today is in a new position, but has lost the temporal power of yesterday.
This makes it important to separate what is assumed to be power from position. Politics is more of position for temporal power. In fact, in a few centuries, every flesh today, with any kind of power, to do, see, hear, feel, smell, etc. is likely to be a skeleton somewhere, or dust.
So, if power belongs to Jesus, why do many often attach cult and sect towards Christianity?
Also, if some people try to align some of Christianity with a cult, what isn’t?
The problem with listing what makes anything a cult is too much focus on what it checks. There are tons of groups or platforms with the same power or control as cults, or sects, but cloaked.
Jesus is the author and finisher of the Christian faith. Jesus, the Saviour, is to be looked on to, completely, not any pastor, or church, religion, figure, image, addiction, or evidence.
The wisdom of Christ is so incomprehensible that the love to die, to save the world, is infinitely puzzling.
There are many established non-scriptural information on who Jesus was or what He should have done.
It should be frightful that to allow all these choices, if there’s power to disallow, what awaits?
Jesus was not a populist or prophet. Jesus did not come to force anything. Jesus knows there might be up to a century of mercy, for those who have ears, to decide.
Jesus is the only being who had walked this earth that gave the most liberty. Following Jesus at any point is voluntary. Believing is also voluntary. Acceptance or commitment is totally optional.
There are rules and ways to know Him better but it is always a choice at any decision.
Those who doubt the power of God will never answer for the Holy Spirit, who speaks to His people, and gives them grace to change or obey.
It is possible to question, cast doubt, or reject Christ, but it is also important to ask why that position is credible.
For many years, people always say there are tough questions for Christianity and no answer. But now, there are tough questions for coronavirus, and no answers.
The phrase ‘what we now know’ is acceptable – even for the proponents of supremacy of science, or scientism. Atheism often skips scientific unknowns.
It is possible to be really smart, very talented or knowledgeable, but misinterpretation and misjudgement comes off that confidence. The reach of human understanding is limited, but many forget.
This is another reason it is often said to worship Jesus, not knowledge, or beauty, but the Creator – giver of those.
In fact, getting carried away by a certain advantage – to make people idolize someone or something, is a quick replacement factor by God.
The Epistles were not writings to lift up any human – subject to stimuli. They are pointer to follow Jesus alone. It is better to watch and pray than to think that there’s salvation anywhere else.
And in following Jesus, it is sometimes almost to the level of being unwanted, rejected, hated, misunderstood, but ensuring there’s much of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.
Also, in following Jesus, it is almost like having a pure heart that won’t think anything bad about anyone, that even if it comes to mind, an individual would multiply it by two and say to self – as a way to discard thinking badly of others.
Wherever Christ is truly the Head, idolatry by cult, sect, addiction, ideology, populism, atheism or anything else will be gone.
[Hosea 2:23, And I will sow her unto Me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not My people, Thou art My people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.]