We are reminded by the biblical history that God repeatedly warned the Jews against their allegiance in false gods and deities. He told the Jews to be faithful in obeying His commandments. God told the nation to educate and instruct their generations to love God with all their hearts, soul and strength (Deut 6:4-9; Matthew 22:37).
But, against the direction of God, the leaders disobeyed Him and were attracted to Baal worship by establishing shrines for idols and deities. The result of their disobedience and apostasy was unimaginable successive captivities with disappearance of their kingdoms and wealth. A special case was the king Zedekiah who was awarded with God’s painful anger. Famine hit his kingdom, his army fled, he was captured, his sons were killed before his eyes, his eyes were put out, bound and was taken as captive.
Haitian voodoo deities failed to save Haiti in its history. The leaders dedicated their nation to Voodoo in 1791 and 1991 successively. The Church was too weak to uphold biblical faith in the true God against the wave of abominable native spiritism. Haitian children were taught at a very young age all about Voodoo which became the national religion.
On January 12, 2010, 3 millions were hit and affected when a major earthquake shook the nation. The religion of voodooism with its false deities was introduced to the nation by the leaders.
On the other hand, the leaders of a nation can make their people flourish when their God is the Lord (Psalms 33:12).
The Israeli leader, Joshua, promulgated, declaring, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Mordecai told Esther “You have come to royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
The Jews were saved from annihilation because of the love of Esther for God and her people.
The piety of the army officer, Cornelius, was recognized by God (Acts 10:4) because of his deep devotion and faith in true God. There is no mistake when the biblical principle became the foundation of a nation.
The USA founded its nation on biblical foundation with “In God we trust” in their currency. No surprise when such a nation became the influence and superiority of the world.
Nagaland has become ‘Nagaland’ because of God. God has been with the Nagas in all their journeys and transitions. The Nagas decided to follow the true God some 150 years ago.
“Nagaland for Christ” was declared by the pioneering Naga leaders in 1946. It means, Nagas and their land would be clean and free from pollution of idol-worshipping or idolatry, big-bang hypothesis, evolutionary theory and relativistic indoctrinations. The slogan loudly speaks and conveys that ‘Nagas will uphold the message that changed them from animistic darkness, and proclaim it.’
Therefore, Nagas will not accept any compromise with a subversive ideology and fanatic fundamentalism
- that will weaken and wipe out Christian faith in the true God.
- that will mislead our generation from biblical foundation and heritage.
- that will destroy our historical uniqueness and distinctiveness.
Let us promote healing and progress of Nagaland, and uphold godly value that will have global rippling effect under God.
God bless Nagaland!
Rev. Dr. Phuveyi Dozo,
Naga United Village