Saturday 1 July 2017

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FEVER: KENYA 2017 ELECTIONS ~ 1

HOW TO CAMPAIGN AND SUPPORT OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Photo courtesy of http://www.nation.co.ke/election2017/3439870-3439870-f00bc6/index.html


Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.James 3:13‭-‬18 KJV

If you expect this to be a political blog, guess again. I deal only in truth, for it is only truth that can bring forth peace and transformation in a nation. The greatest threat to peace, truth, reconciliation and justice is our conversations.

I'm looking at the social media and there are a lot of name-calling and accusations thrown around by supporters of different political factions. The same goes to news, this being perpetrated by the politicians themselves. Most of these defend themselves in the name of rebuking and correcting the wrongs of their neighbor, which is why I decided to set things straight.

WHO HAS THE RIGHT/AUTHORITY TO REBUKE?

There are three main authorities that one can use: scriptural, judicial and moral.

1. SCRIPTURAL

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John 1:1‭, ‬14 KJV

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Matthew 28:18 KJV

Those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior have God-given authority to speak on all matters. Those are the only ones with the right an ability to understand scripture and apply it appropriately.

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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 KJV

Remembering that in many words, sin abides, the only way that Christians can rebuke is through scripture, which means thorough study of the same.

2. LAW

Judge not, that ye be not judged.   For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.Matthew 7:1‭-‬2 KJV

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.John 7:24 KJV

“ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.  “ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “ ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord .  “ ‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
Leviticus 19:15‭-‬17 NIV

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?John 7:51 KJV

If you hear such a rumour, investigate it thoroughly; and if it is true that this evil thing did happen,Deuteronomy 13:14 GNB

My greatest shame is that even those who are versed in the law of the land, do not follow the rule that a man is innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Who appointed you as judge, all you who spew accusations against your opponents and declare them guilty and liars? If you have sufficient evidence, why don't you take up the matter in court? Furthermore, we should be wary of anymore who speaks ill of their opponents or their chosen candidate for such are the ones who sow discord and strife. If you choose to CONVINCE your neighbor that your candidate is better use facts. Those who are keen to rebuke, let your facts be irrefutable.

3. MORAL/ETHICAL

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.   And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.John 8:15‭-‬16 KJV

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 KJV

Why, then, do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?  How dare you say to your brother, ‘Please, let me take that speck out of your eye,’ when you have a log in your own eye?  You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.Matthew 7:3‭-‬5 GNB

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8 KJV

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things... So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Romans 2:1‭, ‬3 NIV

This is a deep-rooted issue. I name you hypocrites, all of you who go addressing the imperfections of others before your own. I name you hypocrites, all of  you who claim that their political affiliations are free from corruption. Look into your own camp. Let NASA and JUBILEE supporters and candidate rebuke their own, as well as any other supporter or candidate. Then can you start rebuke others, having gained moral high ground.

In conclusion, let us live in love, peace and unity. God bless Kenya.

Coming soon: What is expected of Kenyan?