2Chronicles7: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
SOCIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
As new testament believers, we are conversant with the imputed righteousness of Christ that was bequeathed to us as a gift when we gave our lives to Christ(Rom5:1,17-18). That righteousness is the very righteousness of God(in Christ) given to us which makes us appear before God without fear or guilt. That's the righteousness that makes us say, "I am the righteousness of God in Christ"(2Cor5:21). Truly, that's who we are. However, reading through scriptures, there's another type of righteousness that God *expects from all regardless of our faith. That's what some scholars call, "Social righteousness ". This is the righteousness that entails doing the right thing at the right time at all times. It cuts across all spheres of human endeavour. It involves upholding justice and equity for all regardless of tribe, status and religion. This type of righteousness is the reason why some "unreligious" nations are far better than some "religious" nations. It is this type of righteousness that is implied in this scripture: "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.*"(Prov14:34)
Can everyone do the right thing( socially) regardless of their faith? Yes, because we are created with the ability to make choices whether good or bad. Sincerely, we cannot have a nation where all leaders would be born again. That's utopian. The only time when the kingdom of this world would be ruled with heavenly righteousness is during the millennium with Christ as the supreme head. However, we can have a nation where leaders( regardless of religion) can be practitioners of social righteousness. In the bible, God raised leaders who weren't part of the covenant of Yahweh to rule with the rod of social righteousness: "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;"(Isaiah 45:1 KJV). Cyrus was a Persian( not a Jew) King who was anointed by God to put an end to the evil Babylonian reign. Another example is Jehu. He wasn't a worshipper of Yahweh but God used him to execute judgement on the house of Ahab who wrought great evil (2Kings 10).
If we would experience national healing, we had better started practising social righteousness first as an individual then as a nation. Stop driving against traffic, don't accept bribes or extort people before discharging your duties. Discharge your duties properly and professionally. Let's practice social righteousness from our various homes. If you see your child(ren) with items you didn't buy for them, ask them to know how they got it and return where necessary. Teach them to value work and merit not cutting of corners. Get them to study hard and do not promise to enrol them where they'll be assisted during examinations as some parents do. Teach them to help people genuinely without taking advantage of them. I have heard stories about those who demanded for money before returning a lost phone to the rightful owner. That's bad. Hey! It wasn't the person's wish to misplace his/her phone. If it is in your power to help, do so without charges. Our value system must change. We must stop worshipping money and seeking rewards for doing the right thing. Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do regardless of reward.* We must develop the right attitude to nation building.
PRAYER Father, I receive the grace to practice social righteousness in Jesus name.