The Tribune

By DR. ALBERT S. FERGUSON, J.P. LUKE 19:45, 46 NKJV. Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'" In this upcoming political season it is critical for all of us to keep uppermost in our minds that the church, i.e., the church of Jesus Christ, which He purchased with His very own blood, is a "house of prayer." Today, it appears that the church building is a venue for everything--concerts, shows, meetings, political rallies (called by other more palatable names), celebrations, etc; and pulpits, and holy altars are frequently used as tools for politicians, "would-be politicians", and pastors who have already openly declared their political allegiances, to pursue their own political agendas, which include issuing subtle messages to congregants as to recommended political decisions. God is judging, and will judge these politicians for their premeditated and wilful deeds, and God is judging, and will continue to judge these pastors, who wonder why there is no revival in their churches and why the Holy Spirit's influence is so often absent from their midst; the latter being camouflaged by the performances of skilled musicians, praise teams, "bodily exercises" and calisthenics during church gatherings. Let's be clear about this--some pastors have a right to do whatever they wish in their churches. It belongs to them! They say so! They speak of "my church" and "my pulpit." Really, as "sole proprietors" (i.e., the owners) of small and medium-sized church-businesses, such pastors have rights to do as they please. This is essentially the point that the church's rightful owner raised in the gospel passage above. You can do whatever you wish in your own place, Jesus was saying, but My house (the temple of the true and living God) is a house of prayer, and nothing else, commercial or political, is acceptable. So Jesus drove out the business persons and overturned their sales and display tables, and afterwards, the Bible tells us this: "The chief priests, and leaders of the people, sought to destroy him," which is exactly what will happen to members within the churches who oppose party politicking in the house of the Lord. There is nothing wrong with political groups attending a worship service. They come as worshippers, should be warmly welcomed, received and acknowledged as worshippers, without labeling from the pastor and without speeches by their aspiring politicians/candidates/leaders on the altar of God. But if they are going right out of church to engage in ungodliness, character assassinations, lying campaigns and other activities aimed solely at destroying people and seeking votes at all costs, then that same church which received them as visitors should be first to condemn their ungodly activities, through press releases, so they cease to use God's house as a "poppy show" (as my granddaddy used to say it). Many politicians will be calling upon pastors within their campaign environments to "bless" their new campaign headquarters. When I was younger and a less-experienced minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, my pastor asked me to fill a request to pray at the opening of a campaign headquarters, since he could not make it due to a prior engagement. I went, but as I observed all of the attendant activities, and listened to all of the foul speaking and statements, and took a panoramic view of the area, I simply left. I could not fill the assignment. The Holy Spirit within me was grieved. I know that "God does not bless mess" to use a local expression, and my Bible fully educates me about useless prayers. (See James 4:3-5). I am not saying that ministers and pastors should not pray at campaign headquarters openings. They are free to "bless" anything and anybody they set out to "bless" (meaning to give their personal affirmation or endorsement to). The historical record of people's memories will show that some such ministers and pastors blessed candidates/parties and declared them victorious, and it just did not happen! Therefore, ministers of the gospel ought to use the name of the Lord in the fear of God, and as His ambassador, and must not misrepresent God, and the name of the Lord, because God Himself will surely judge them. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." Exodus 20:7 NKJV. "You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me." Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:14 NKJV. "My house is a house of prayer." The Lord's house, the church which belongs to God, is a house of prayer. Let's not lose sight of this, and let us be unafraid to declare it loudly, openly and unapologetically within our churches, during this political season, and beyond. * Dr. Albert S. Ferguson, J.P., is a minister of the gospel serving in the Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries church, an educator, businessman and author. He can be reached for comments, or further elucidation, at e-mail albertsferguson@gmail.com and at website: www.academybahamas.com.