The bible in Matthew 6:10 says, “May your kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. This scripture is more than two thousand (2000) years old. Jesus Christ himself will always say the kingdom of God is in your midst. It is only a circumcized heart that can pray for the kingdom of God. An infidel does not know what is it to covet God’s kingdom. it’s neither tangible nor physically seen. It is what grows within each and everyone who has taken the bold steps of faith: Realize you are a sinner, you can’t save yourself, recognize the sacrificial purpose of Jesus for the sinner, repent and renounce your sins, confess them to God, call upon Jesus Christ for help, Believe by faith and receive Jesus Christ into your heart, then God will begin to water His unit of vineyard in you, as you continue in His stewardship. Through your faithfulness, you will be equipped with the tools and gifts you will work with.
Let me ask you this poignant question. How close are you to the kingdom of God?. This question is good for those who call themselves christians as well as for everybody who thirsts after goodness. It is unfortunate that those who claim to be christians in public service in Nigeria have never lived up to expectations. It is one thing for them to claim they are incapable of effecting a change and it is another thing to soil their hands in the polity. Before Jesus Christ came, only few people were living in the kingdom of God. These were people who cared less for their personal gains. Their aim was to please God in life and in death. God’s arm of protection shielded them from all evil. People like Daniel, David (in the front of Goliath), Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. etc.
In the new testament, we can as well see the disciples and their encounter with Herod, Sanhedrin, Pharisees and Sadducees; miraculous escapes came handy for them in difficult times as they propagate the word of God with boldness. The more we do and stand in the will of God the larger His Kingdom is established in our lives and all around us. The more compromises we make through sinfulness, the more the Kingdom recedes from us. How many christians obey Mathew 18:8-9? (Please read yourself). Nobody wants to be decapitated yet we want to stay in the kingdom of God, NO WAY.
Jesus who says the kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent taketh it by force knows from the days of John the Baptist that satan placed spiritual bobytraps everywhere for those who clamour for God’s kingdom! Nigeria has been under democratic governance since 1999. Now that we are celebrating the 23rd anniversary, what impact has that made on the welfare of Nigerians? Coincidentally the celebration of this year’s democratic anniversary is very close to transition in two states of the federation: Ekiti and Osun with the general elections that will cap it all early next year. Batons of power will change from one hand to the other in several places with fun fare by both the political parties of the new comers and well wishers (Friends and Family Members) who see this as their own time to make it in life. (What happens to other people?). In reality the good things of life are closer to those who belong to privileged positions in public service, churches, industries, business environment and other spheres of influence that determine human fate. For your information; there’s no better opportunity to impact lives for God’s kingdom than public service. Lessons like forbearance, love, sacrifices, forgiveness and continence will be learnt and put to use. My experience as a personal assistance to a former deputy governor (2007-2010) who’s an uncle to me was a great school. With all abstinence and kind generosity, I came back to live in my uncompleted bungalow without windows, mosquito nets, ceilings and modern conveniences. Thank God, none of my family members got sick even though we had toddlers in our midst. People wondered what could have become of me in my three years of selfless service in government house. As the Lord leads, I was instructed by the Holy Spirit to begin a car wash centre which invariably turned out to be a soul washing centre that led to the present church God had placed upon my shoulders.
Why do you see yourself first in public positions? (In relations to the largeese of office). Who do you represent wherever you are privileged to be?. Most unionist who are entrusted to serve as the voice for the voiceless members of the various unions including the Nigeria labour congress, Trade union congress, NUT, Asuu, Asup etc, have they not traded away the ultimate demands of their members for “Ghana must go bags”?. A good number of them are living large on the dues that are meant for their members when occasion call for them to fight for the rights of the members. Most journalists are said to covet “brown envelopes” just to envelope or seal up the truth and publish vague information just to mention a few.
We may not necessarily go for ordination before we expand God’s kingdom. Mordecai, Daniel, Joseph, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego proclaimed God’s kingdom and name through their acts. Several people who knew me in government house when I was a personal assistant to the deputy governor are now members of my church congregation. They have never relented in bringing new members. It’s high time we realised that we are God’s workmanship wherever we are for the establishment and expansion of his kingdom.