I am a bit late with this contribution, but as the old adage says – “Better late than never.” The subject is still relevant. So, here it is.
I am not a prophet, I have never attended theological seminary, and I am not really a great Christian by any means. In fact, I am merely a sinner saved by grace because I believe in, and have accepted the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus Christ. That’s all.
However, I can state with authority that the recent “miracle water” craze was a hoax based upon two criterion.
(1) There is nothing that God has for you spiritually that will cost you even one red cent insofar as the purchase thereof is concerned.
(2) The only way you will be healed from any affliction is by your faith in the risen Saviour, Jesus Christ. This new development in religious affairs in this country is a dangerous one.
In the past few years, we have witnessed a proliferation of “Bishops”, “Reverend Doctors”, “Prophets”, etc, etc. And along with these “men and women of God”, there has been an explosion in their wealthy life styles. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has become for many, a gospel of prosperity and celebrity.
The Bahamas, or more precisely many Bahamians, like to claim that the Bahamas is a “Christian” nation. I am afraid that they are confusing Christianity with mere religion. We certainly are a very religious people, but religion is to blame for so many of the world’s problems today. People are killing one another over religion.
Church leadership has become a very lucrative business these days. Add to that the fact that so many of our Reverends are so involved in politics in this country, and you have a situation where the truth has become blurred, and indeed secondary to the aspirations, mainly financial, of many church leaders.
The Bahamas is a blessed nation. We are a very fortunate people, and we should be a model of Christian strength and maturity to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, we are squandering our blessing, and sooner than we think, we will lose it.
Just like in so many instances in-the. US where Americans need to stand up and be heard, it is time for Bahamians to stand up and be counted for the cause of something bigger than mere religion.
For those who need a “sign” to confirm their faith, we have had the sign of all signs since Jesus rose from the dead. Our sign is the resurrection. Our faith is to be such as to be sufficient to see us through to the “end”.
While there may still be cases of miraculous healings today – and. I believe there are – and there may be wonderful things that one can do because of their being under the real influence and direction of the true Holy Spirit, it is very important to remember that Jesus said that it was far more advantageous for us to love one another, than to prophesy, or speak in tongues, etc, etc. For in so doing – loving one another – we demonstrate to the world that we are his disciples, and that we have “fulfilled the law”. And, charity is the greatest of spiritual gifts.
Finally, I believe that personal zealousness causes us to desire spiritual gifts that we feel we are capable of handling, and which seem to be too slow in coming.
However, with the things of God, there is always order, and no confusion whatsoever. All things must be done in such a way as to edify the Church of Jesus Christ and not ourselves. Bahamians are an emotional people, and I believe that to be the greatest reason for much of our spiritual confusion.
“There is nothing new under the sun”. Jesus is still who He said He was. The Gospel is still what was preached by the disciples of Christ in days of old, and Salvation comes by the same means it did since; Jehovah made it available to us through the blood of Jesus Christ. “Ain’ nuttin’ change”.
BY: WILLIAM (BILLY) ROBERTS, Abaco
