Corruption is a Cancer

Corruption of any kind has a devastating effect on any community and nation. It is no wonder therefore that the levels of corruption in different sectors of our country are daily eroding the moral fabric of our nation at an alarming rate and hindering any form of sustainable development.  The Lord warned the children of Israel in Deuteronomy about the evil of corruption when he said;  

You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 16:19-20).

Oh how we need to heed this charge from the Lord today before our country is completely ruined and utterly destroyed. Isn’t it common practice today that for one to receive services in public offices one has to “buy people lunch” or “buy talk time” for someone or for one to get a contract one has to “give a token of appreciation”. In some cases your files go missing and they can only be found if you grease people’s hands. In other instances, when you go to shops the workers want you to buy from them under the counter. It’s terrible that money can buy you a job, a contract, a school place and even a pass in school.

What we need to realize is that corruption eats away the moral fiber of society like cancer destroys the cells in the body. It never stops until it has completely wiped out everything. The Lord warned the Israelites not to be corrupt and instead to pursue justice. The problem with corruption is it breeds laziness in a country. Everyone does not want to do their job despite being paid for it because they want you to give them “something” for motivation. As a result work never gets done in companies and institutions. Workers are not concerned about productivity but with how they can make self-enriching deals. More seriously corruption in the different sectors of society incurs the wrath of God because even though the deals are done in secret, the Lord sees how corrupt minds are perverting justice and causing the innocent to suffer. God cannot be mocked, whatever a man sows that he shall reap.

Thankfully there is hope! The solution to corruption is changed hearts. Ultimately the anti-corruption commission or any other non-governmental organization cannot wipe out corruption. The ultimate solution to corruption is a radical and life transforming change that comes from a knowledge of Jesus Christ. What we desperately need as a country is people to hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ which takes corrupt, self-serving people and turns them into dignified and God-honoring individuals living with integrity. The bible says we become a new creation and the old passes away. This then begs the question, if the members in our churches are truly Christians, why is corruption seemingly on the rampant? Are we living holy lives and pushing back the kingdom of darkness by proclaiming the gospel? 

"You are what you wear"

The saying “you are what you wear” is not an accurate statement. It is in fact more accurate to say your dressing says a lot about your character. In biblical terms however, “you are what you wear” is a very true and accurate statement. Christians are supposed to be in the business of putting off dirty clothing (sinful habits), undergo renewal and put on clean clothing (Christ like virtues). This is Paul’s exhortation to the Christians who were recipients of the book of Colossians. He says in the third chapter from verse twelve to fourteen;

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

 Who should wear the spiritual clothes?

Paul uses three phrases in verse twelve to describe the position of the people who should be doing the putting off and putting on. The phrases also point to the work of God in drawing a people to Himself. God calls people to a community and the traits are to be seen and worked out in the context of a community i.e the church. He says that those who are to be putting these spiritual virtues are;

a.         Chosen: He freely and lovingly chose us not by merit or worth but because of His pure and perfect purpose and knowledge, which we do not deserve.

b.         Holy: God has declared you holy, set part for Him- the pleasures and wondrous opportunities to be used by Him.

c.         Loved: God loves you and accepts you more powerfully, passionately, purposefully and deeply than you could ever fathom.

What should they wear?

Clothe yourselves/put on carries a sense of urgency and notice we have a responsibility to be growing and emulate the character of Christ. And he gives us examples of the traits to put on.

a.         Compassion/tender mercies: This is caring empathy of another person outside of selfish nature. It is to recognize, emotionally identify with and interact with those who are hurting, and helping them by gathering others with the abilities and resources to them.

b.         Kindness: Readiness to respond with righteousness and thoughtful consideration beyond how people treat us or how they may or may not deserve it.

c.         Humility: Lowliness of mind, acknowledging your poverty, not exalting yourself. This comes from the realization that Christ is supreme and all in all and we are mere servants.

d.         Meekness/gentleness: Strength under control. We encourage and place others first with action and encouragement, not manipulating, deceiving or over powering them.

e.         Patience/longsuffering: Joyfully enduring the trials, persecution and suffering that people bring in our lives.

f.          Bear with/forbearing: Hold up or put up with those who rub you the wrong way; liking the unlikable and loving the unlovable with a good attitude and response.

g.         Forgive: We must be willing to bear the cost, just as the Lord did. Lack of forgiveness fuels discord and reconciliation. Remember how you have been forgiven.

h.         Love: Above all (this is a priority) it is not earned and given freely. It is a choice you make and it is despite the person. It is love that binds these together.

What is the goal of wearing these clothes?

Have you ever wondered why most homes, churches and countries lack genuine peace? Why there is persistent conflict between people? The answer is simple we are not applying ourselves in the business of putting off sinful habits and putting on Christ like virtues.

Love for others encourages unity and oneness in the home and in the church.   If homes, churches, communities and nations are going to know harmony and Christlikeness these traits must be evident among us.

Viewing our culture through scripture

The charge the apostle Paul gave to Titus about the tradition and conduct of the Cretans has been on my mind lately. Paul says to Titus, “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth” (Titus 1:12-13).

Every group of people has a set of beliefs and traditions that are contrary to the teaching of the Bible.  And these beliefs tend to be so imbedded in our fabric that they become our normal way of life. The Cretans were known for being liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons, and Paul writing to Titus urges him to rebuke them sharply and confront them with the truth of Scripture (sound doctrine) so that they may live according to the teaching of Scripture and not according to the unbiblical teaching of their culture and tradition taught by people who do not adhere to the truth of God’s Word.

Lying and hypocrisy

I may be pushing the generalization here, but it is safe to say lying is an acceptable vice in our society. Growing up, parents taught children how to lie by giving them threats that they never intended to follow through or instructing them to tell visitors they are not home when they are sleeping perfectly. How many times do people promise to make an appointment at a certain hour and show up an hour late? Schools have to battle exam malpractice because cheating is a common trend. People go to funerals and feign crying in order to keep up appearances, and when the majority of our political leaders speak, they promise heaven on earth and reality is screaming otherwise. Jesus made it very clear the devil is the father of liars (John 8:44), and those who are Christians must put off lying (Colossians 3:8-11).

Promiscuity

There is a saying in Bemba, “Ubuchende bwamwaume tabupwisha chupo,” meaning a man’s mischievous immoral behavior is not grounds for breaking a marriage. In other words it is normal and expected for men to live immoral lives because they are “men”. In fact when brides are being prepared for marriage they are taught to expect their husband to cheat on them, and they have to learn endurance and keep the home. This is wickedness, and as you would expect the Bible does not tolerate such nonsense. The Bible teaches that husbands must be selfless in loving their wives to the point of been willing to die for them (Ephesians 5:23-28); it teaches holiness and purity in the marriage (Hebrews 13:4), and it also gives adultery as grounds for divorce in cases where reconciliation is unattainable (Matthew 19:3-9).

The grace of God has appeared to all men teaching us to deny ungodliness

Thankfully, regardless of the culture and tradition we grow up in, there is no person who is beyond redemption. Paul’s words to Titus in the very next chapter should be an encouragement to all when he says, “ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

Introducing Pastor Noah Chisenga and Cornerstone Baptist

This is a second in a series of three posts on the mission work and missionaries pastors of Faith Baptist church. This week I would like to introduce you to Faith Baptist’s second church plant, Cornerstone Baptist in Wusakile. 

Cornerstone Baptist Church is pastored by Noah Chisenga. The work begin as a bible study in 2009 and began holding Sunday services the following year. It became a church plant of Faith Baptist in the year 2011.

Noah Chisenga came to salvation in 1992 through the evangelistic efforts of Kwacha Union Baptist in Kitwe later become a member of the same in church. He sensed and answered the call to ministry in the 2006. He went for theological training the same year and graduated in 2008 at Fiwale. He later enrolled at Central Africa Baptist College in 2013 and is set to graduate this year.

The Chisenga's at their home in Wusakile

Noah is married to Rebecca Moyo Chisenga and the Lord has blessed them with 5 children Deborah, Abigail, Caleb, Joshua and Sovereign. Pastor Chisenga has a passion for evangelism and a heart for the youths. 

He has been involved in a number of church planting works namely Kawama, Sarbina and Mansa in Luapula province and later joined the leadership team at the Union Baptist in Luanshya. He got involved with the work of Cornerstone Baptist in 2013 under the leadership of Sandala Mwanje. Faith Baptist ordained and sent him as Missionary Pastor to Cornerstone in 2014.

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Cornerstone Church is currently meeting in a classroom at a primary school and are in the process of acquiring a piece of land where they can build their own auditorium. Our desire and plan is to finalize this process by the end of this month.

Please take time to pray for the Chisenga’s as they labor in Wusakile and also pray for the church to be a beacon of light in Wusakile and beyond. 

Meet Pastor Noah Mukwato

Faith Baptist Church is privileged to be involved in the work of church planting and by the grace of God, we have three mission points in Wusakile, Mindolo and Kalulushi and support two other mission points (Twatasha by Ganerton and Chantente by Kakolo) in partnership with other sister churches and in the coming weeks i plan to introduce you to the men and their families who are laboring in God’s vineyard. In this blog I will share with you the Lord’s doing in Mindolo, which is being pastored by Noah Mukwato.

Noah Mukwato gave his life to the Lord in 2008 through the efforts of door to door evangelism of Emmanuel Baptist Church, a church he later became a member of. After completing secondary school in 2009, he felt the call to ministry and enrolled at Central Africa Baptist College for theological training in the year 2010 and graduated in 2012.

Noah got involved with the work in Mindolo in the year 2010 when a missionary couple Dan and Kristy Elmer started a bible study in 2009 at their home. The Elmers left in 2011 and Noah continued having a bible study with the people. In 2012 Hector and Paola Garcia partnered with Noah in the work and later in the same year Faith Baptist Church adopted Mindolo as its mission point.

Noah Mukwato & Hector garcia

Noah then did his internship with Faith Baptist Church in 2013 for a year, and on 1st September 2013, the bible study become a church plant meeting at a school with an attendance of about 20 people on Sundays. Noah was ordained as the missionary pastor to Mindolo in 2014. He got married in July 2014 to Mwansa Mwewa Mukwato. They are blessed with a baby girl Gift Mukwato.

Noah, Mwansa and Gift

The Mindolo Church has since constituted membership, and their membership currently stands at 27 today. They are currently applying final touches to their church building. Pastor Noah is also in the process of training three men for the leadership roles praying the Lord would call some to be elders in the church.

We thank God for his faithfulness and goodness in the work in Mindolo and for using so many people in different ways to grow the church in Mindolo. Please take time to pray for the Mukwatos as they minister in Mindolo for encouragement, boldness in proclaiming the gospel and provisions for their various needs, and pray for the church in Mindolo as well.