Is Christianity to liberate or enslave?

The Standard, Sunday, 21 August 2011 14:44
I am amazed at how Christians submit to those who lead them. Christ did not load it over his followers, but his message was to liberate them. What I observe today is that members of many churches have become modern slaves. It is like the norm. The question I pose is: “Is Christianity there to liberate or to enslave?”

Listening to how members talk about their leaders, one wonders who they are following — Christ or the church leaders. I am aware that among the majority of these followers, there are many who really do not subscribe to this sheepish following.

I am not in any way saying leaders should not be respected. Respect is the mark of discipline, but it should not be blind following. Christ refused to be elevated to be God. But what we know is that he was God. The humility that was in Christ is what both members and leaders should emulate. We are all servers, we should not only wait to be served. Christ did not come to be served, but to serve. What we see today is that there are little gods being served in one way or another. It has indeed become fashionable.

Yet Christ says about his mandate: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4: 18-19).

The message is clear. Christians should take heed of the poor, the captives, the needy and the oppressed. Though they are many, today’s Christians care more of their leaders than fulfilling the word as prescribed by Jesus.

No wonder there are others who are saying if one wants to be rich, they should form a church. What we should instead be saying is that if one wants to serve, let them form a church. Many church leaders have become very rich, not because of their sweat, but because of the sacrifices made by church members, some of whom have very little for survival. Instead of the church working against oppression, we have become oppressors ourselves.

Some of the demands that we make to our followers are suppressive. Let us learn from Christ who gave freedom to his followers.

Christ became poor so that we could become rich. We as leaders need to become liberated. The oppressor is not a free person. We need to be liberated to liberate others.

Rev Dr Levee Kadenge

Comments (2)Add Comment

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written by brett tollman, August 21, 2011
I know that is very true what you just wrote but I think its too late now coz our masses are already captives.they are under some kind of spell that only God himself can solve. Zcc Mbugo just to name one. Its members are suffering across the country but the bishop and his wives are sitting pretty.

written by saBhuku, August 22, 2011
Dr Rev If Christ refused to be elevated to God,how then do you call him God and how do you know that he was God. Please tell us where you find this. From the verse you have just quoted, it sounds to me that Christ was a messenger sent by God to do God's work and he confirms this in some other verse that what ever he did the power what not his, but God's. Pafunge.

Bernard Chitapike
Rev Dr, I'm happy that u are seeing the same thing I'm seeing. Churches are now business. I saw letter in standard today. May God bless u.

Thanks Rev Dr. Keep on speaking the truth like our hero Paul who went before us, who was a Real soldier of Jesus Christ. Becoz of the love of riches, pastors have failed to lead followers to the promised land.

Chris Mabuto
Old man how are you? I read yo letter in the standard today and was impressed. I only wish u could say it on all radio and tv stations for the benefit of all!