The Tribune

By MINISTER KEITH EVANS

You might be pondering in your minds exactly where I am coming from with this seemingly vague topic. But there is nothing vague about. This came to me as I was considering that once upon a time were a Christian nation, but now we are just a religious nation.

The prophet Jeremiah was commissioned by God to run throughout the streets of Jerusalem to find one who walked in justice; to search for one who upheld integrity, who walked in holiness and uprightness. Sounds familiar? Reminds me of the patriarch Abraham, who interceded for old Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18. But we won't delve into that within this article. However, it behooves me, to be a harbinger, a John the Baptist, who was a voice crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord!

It's about time we as a Bahamian people wake up to righteousness. Proverbs 14:34 states: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

We've heard it preached, prophesied, taught, written on numerous occasions that the Bahamas needs to repent. I need you read this article carefully, and attentively. We have become nonchalant and desensitised spiritually so that God's word often falls on hardened hearts. Not good!

"Run, Jeremiah run," I can almost hear God's voice beckoning the weeping prophet. In case you didn't know, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

The key word here is "inspiration", derived from the Greek word "theopneutos", which is translated "God-breathed". It is very important that we understand the Holy Writ and how God used 40 different writers from different walks of life over a period of 1,500 years to write His Bible, and to comprehend the genres of Scripture, whether it be poetry, historical, songs, prophetic et cetera. Jeremiah was of no exception here in the grand scheme of things. God told the prophet to run throughout the streets of the capital city Jerusalem. Jeremiah 5: "Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places; If you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgement, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her."

The spiritual and religious disposition within Israel, or the southern kingdom of Judah, was very fragile. God's people were now running on fumes spiritually speaking, and their worship of the one true God was lacklustre. There was a call for reforms and repentance constantly by God's spokesmen, but to no avail. God told Jeremiah to run. Which brings to mind the movie "Forrest Gump", starring Tom Hanks. Gump, as a kid, was about to be attacked by three boys. He ran and ran, with his young friend beckoning him to "Run, run Forrest, run!"

I believe that God is still calling for His people to get up out of the four walls of the Church and run. Nassau continues to be bombarded with senseless killings and other crimes as well. Grand Bahama, on the other hand, continues to struggle from a economic standpoint. We are at a crossroads as a nation. We need God! The Commonwealth of the Bahamas needs to be healed! With all that is going on, the Church needs to rise to the occasion. Isaiah 60:1-3: "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And Kings to the brightness of your rising."

Arise, Church of Jesus Christ within the Bahamas, and let's make a significant impact. A church that could only be seen and not felt is not a church, but a social gathering. Running throughout the streets, will you see the people lifting up the name of Jesus Christ? No. When I walk throughout Freeport I hear profanity, see our young ladies dressing provocatively. So much corruption and evil is within our Land. We need to return to the discarded values of the past and get back to being a true Christian nation.

The late Dr Myles Munroe on TBN once said" "God lives in the Bahamas!" We have been placed here strategically by God for a purpose, I believe. Run, Jeremiah run! Look on social media and see the gross darkness being perpetrated by our civilians. Run, and you'll see all of the drunkenness and debauchery going on. Run, Jeremiah, run and you'll see the religious hypocrisy portrayed by religious leaders.

There's a shift that is going to happen in the foreseeable future. God is going to hearken to the cries of the remnant of the true believers within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. There will be a time of refreshing, a time of spiritual awakening. Run, Christian, run! I will end with this with a heavy heart crying out for the loss of life among our young men. Our young men being killed and going to jail. Bahamas, run for Jesus and see what is happening in our streets! If you need prayers and a word of encouragement. Please contact me at keithevans242@gmail.com or kenazevans242@gmail.com. Find . me on Facebook at Keith Evans or Wakeupeverybody242.

Be blessed!

• Minister Keith Evans is the host of the 'Wake Up Everybody' show.