The Tribune

By MINISTER KEITH EVANS

The Bahamas Christian Council recently came under criticism after questioning the conduct displayed during Carnival’s Road Fever.

It is incumbent upon the church, in my opinion, to take a stand for holiness and righteousness in the country. We have all types of conundrums plaguing the 242 that are very pressing. Is the Christian Council the moral conscience of the Bahamas? How far do we move the goal post in order the satisfy the desires of the people? How far have we fallen as a people that we do not respect the clergy or the Church of Jesus Christ?

The God of the Bible always emphatically employs human instruments in promulgating His will. He always sends a messenger to transmit His desired purpose, whether by prophet or seer. The Bahamas Christian Council here in the Bahamas has been under extreme scrutiny from saint and sinner alike for their stance on the much maligned Junkanoo Carnival. In the Bible, God always sends a warning before a judgement and a divine Word before He acts.

History proves this most significant point about God’s divine intervention in the affairs of men. Amos 3:7 says: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” God has used men from the onset of time to accomplish His will and purpose. The Bahamas Christian Council cannot remain mum about something that is harmful to it’s people. To remain as a salient entity amidst a backslidden people, they have to speak the truth of God’s word.

Have we become so desensitised to sin? Romans 1:18-19 states: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness to men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”

To insult an organisation that claims to stand for the word of God is to slide down a slippery slope. St Augustine of Hippo once said that we love the truth when it enlightens us, and we hate the truth when it convicts us. And Catholic theologian Blaise Pascal once said that people almost invariably arrive at their beliefs, not on the basis of proof; but on the basis of what they find attractive.

The war of attrition is steadily being waged against the Bahamas Christian Council and what it stands for. The attitude the people show towards the Council could be indirectly directed towards God. Well, you may say, we’re talking about the Christian Council and not the Church. But you cannot separate the Christian Council from the Christianity. We have become rudderless in aggressively fighting God by disrespecting His word. Take a look at social media and it’s synchronised attacks that are cheeky, brash and almost evil. It seems that we don’t want anyone telling us differently, nor pointing us in the right way.

Matthew 5:13-16 says: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

We have a crisis of conscience in that we have allowed the few bad apples to corrupt the good ones. Yes, not all who profess to know Jesus really know Him, nor have any relationship with Him. There are some that you have to take with a grain of salt as it regards true Christianity. We have the proclivity of vilifying every pastor because one or two who exploited their position. Not all are lost, and not all are misguided. There are some who are truly hearing from the Holy Spirit.

• For questions and comments, e-mail keithevans242@gmail.com or kenazevans242@gmail.com