With Erap’s alleged corruption, immorality,  economic management incompetence, lack of credibility to govern, some religious leaders and teachers of the law in the land are strongly pressing Erap to resign. They describe his resignation as the prudent, noble, even patriotic thing for him to do. On the other side, there are those who would rather wait on the impeachment process. In the midst of this turmoil are Christians who are after God’s own heart. But the waves of public clamor for Erap to resign are loudly shaking the undefined stance of bible believing Christians. Unfortunately, some have already joined with indignation the bandwagon of the Anti Erap movement while some do not know nor care about knowing which side to take.

All Christians are pro God but we see the emergence of a pro God generation that is boldly joining the bandwagon of the non-pro God or those whose sentiments are louder than their love of God. Allow me to take you to the bible where Christians must derive principles as the plumb line of our motives, attitude and actions.

In John 8:3-11, there were teachers of the law and the Pharisees who brought in a woman caught in adultery. Putting her before the group, they said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"   
"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees are commendable for their knowledge and obedience to the law. They are right about the law and Jesus showed them that he is not  disregarding the law on stoning adulterers to death. So he told them that if anyone is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. Then Jesus went further to show us that he does not condemn. But he told her to sin no more.  If we bring Erap to stand before Jesus, what would Jesus say?

There was also a king in Israel who committed adultery and even plotted the murder of the woman’s husband (2 Samuel 11). But God brought this king to his repentance by sending prophet Nathan to rebuke him ( 2 Sam 12:1-9). Nathan knew the law punishing adultery and murder with death by stoning. If Nathan had chosen to announce this sin in Israel, King David would have been dethroned; even stoned to death. Did Nathan do the right thing? I believe he did. It is clear in the Bible that God will anoint a king among his sons. Obviously, David must not yet die because from his relationship with Bathsheba will be a son who will take over his kingdom after his death. Understanding the plan, heart and ways of God will make us perceive matters wisely. Likewise, did God put Erap as the 13th president and must be removed from office for his sins? God knew the heart and lifestyle of Erap and many Christians also do. Most of his sins were already there before he came to office. Perhaps many Christians did not vote for him nor prayed for his victory. He won. why? If God did not put him there, then he must have allowed Erap to lead our nation. Whatever God’s purpose is, it must be good for us who love God (Rom 8:28). 

We also learn from Jonah who was angry that God did not destroy Nineveh, a heathen and wicked nation deserving God’s judgment. The Filipino Jonahs must have wished, prayed and prophesied that judgment fall on Erap because of his evil ways. Perhaps some Christians did not like him at all since the time he first assumed office because of his disparaging attitude towards Christians. Jonah became angry enough to die because God did not punish wicked Nineveh as he had prophesied (Jonah 4). Could it be that Erap is also like the king of Nineveh issuing a decree for every man or beast to fast; and let everyone call on God, give up their evil ways and violence? (Jonah 3:6-9) What if Erap will indeed repent and turn away from his evil ways, destroy his idols, dump his other women and be faithful to Loi, and adhere to the laws and principles of God and the constitution? God may say to us who are angry enough to dethrone Erap,

“Do you have a right to be angry about the economy?" ........."You have been concerned about this peso, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Philippines has more than 40 million people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great Nation?"    (Jonah 4:9-11 NIV)

Jesus does not condone adultery. He does not also condone jueteng or bribery or any sin, small or great. But he forgives and treats repentant sinners as his friends. He said to the repentant criminal on the cross, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Luke 23:43 (NIV).

Christians must soar high in the heavenly places as with eagle’s wings, fly above the political storm and see through the eyes of the Lord with a pure heart and mind, free of resentment or bitterness. Christians must be aware that it is God who sets and deposes kings, presidents, rulers and leaders of nations and kingdoms ( Daniel 2:21). The Christian’s call and task in the Lord on putting political order to our nation is first worked out in the spirit realm through powerful and effective prayers of intercession and warfare. A prayer principle was mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 6:10. It says, “ your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Then there is this principle he mentioned in Matthew 18:18, "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Paul saw that the battle is not with people but with territorial spirits, principalities, rulers of this dark world and forces of evil in the spirit realm.(Ephesians 6:12)

Our prayer and action must bring political order in the spirit realm then political order will take place in the physical realm. To qualify us in this dimension, we must belong to God’s kingdom adhering to his righteousness and holiness (James 4:7; 5:16). But our spiritual authority over politics in the spirit realm does not detach us from our political responsibilities in the physical. We are both spiritual and physical. The spiritual and physical responsibility of Christians must both adhere to the principles of God, written or unwritten.

So, on which side are you?

A battle of prayers also rages. On one side, Christians are praying for Erap to resign. On the other side, Christians are praying for Erap and our Nation to repent to receive healing of our land (2 Chron.7:14). Which prayer will God answer? On whose side is the Lord?

We can also learn from the Angel with a drawn sword who appeared to Joshua. By that time,  Joshua was preparing to subdue Jericho and perhaps wanted to take a look at its gate and walls while scheming a military assault. As a Hebrew and leader, he knew the rules that while preparing for battle, they must keep away from everything impure (Deu 23:9). He went near Jericho which is considered as a filthy place, full of abomination, Then he saw this angel with a drawn sword, commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua asked him if he is pro Israel or pro Jericho. "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"    The commander of the Lord's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.    (Joshua 5:14,15 NIV)

The angel had to correct Joshua before he gave the Order of Battle. Joshua had thought    he was standing on impure ground. This is a telling event of a common picture of Christians eager to obey the Lord but sometimes surrounded by prejudices concerning people. There is this natural tendency to believe that when God gives favor to us, then we must be better than the rest. Or we treat others as God’s opponent. So we pray against people we don’t like, even curse them using scriptures to their destruction. This is not a holy attitude of God’s people. Certainly, God loves Israel but he also loves Jericho. Yes he hates sin but loves the sinner. So the angel told Joshua to remove his sandals because he is stepping on Jericho, also a holy ground that Joshua must respect. Joshua must not look down on Jericho because of its wickedness that has reached its fullness deserving God’s wrath. 

The principle behind our political success or elevation of position or office to a higher or highest degree over others is not on account of our righteousness but on the wickedness of those people in position. Moses spoke of this principle in Dueteronomy 9:1-6: “Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall--Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: "Who can stand up against the Anakites?"  But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you. After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, "The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness." No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.”

Israel or any person who claims to be in God’s righteousness may become infected with pride if unguarded. Let us remember that our rights, privileges, power, authority, wealth, success, achievements, excellence, honor and rewards are not meant to put others down nor to rule over them and become high and mighty.

Those clamoring for Erap’s resignation or impeachment may have clear and obvious ground for their stance. But deep down in their hearts, is it out of disappointment, frustration, hurt, resentment, bitterness or rage because they feel and believe that Erap is guilty so he is not credible to govern our Nation?

The pointing finger is on Erap. He is like the adulterous woman in John 8:3-11. He is also like King David who committed adultery and murder. Some who are righteous may be like Jonah who is angry that God did not destroy Nineveh for its sins. They are angry enough to press Erap to resign.

Indeed Christians should not ignore the political problems of our Nation. God is concerned with our government. For it is also written, “ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”   (Isa 9:6 NIV). Let the Davids, Solomons, Mordecais, Daniels, Shadrachs, Abednegos, Meshachs rise up and champion godliness in the political arena of good and evil.

The Christian principle and approach in dealing with any political problem or with sinners must follow Jesus, the fulfillment of the scriptures from Old to New Testament. He did not condemn but forgave the repentant sinners to sin no more. The Christian prayer is for Erap to repent and restitute. Our prayer must declare God’s will for Erap, Singson and our Nation to repent and repair what is damaged. Then the Lord will relent from sending calamity. Let us pray that the peso will become like a mighty warrior from the valley of dry bones.

To you who joined this public condemnation on Erap, Jesus may say, “ let him who is without sin cast the first stone on him “. Then Jesus may stoop down to write something on the ground about you that will make you drop your stone and leave Erap to the impeachment process. Jesus will not condemn Erap either. He will tell him to sin no more. If he sincerely repents and makes up, he may continue in office. Or else, God may depose him.

So on which side are you?

------Leo Calderon

Comments 

Send comments to
update@globalwarfare.org.ph
 
But God brought this King....Boy Medina
I’m so blessed with.......Jane del Rosario

 

created 11/11/00