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Mzbel |
Even
if the supposed research of this searching young woman were true, it matters
little. Yes, whether Christ has been made-up or not matters little; and I will
explain why.
As
a recap, the musician Belinda Ekua Amoah—or Mzbel as she is popularly known—in
a conversation on Restoration With Stacy, when quizzed about her belief in
Jesus Christ, stated: "I don't want to offend anybody. I used to believe
in 'it' but I did my own research and I think 'it' was made-up but I might be
wrong. The same story 5000 years ago happened in Egypt..." She went on to
add, "I used to believe in 'it'. I prayed in tongues ... but now trust me,
I will not believe in it anymore."
We
must respect the young woman's right to choose what she likes to believe. It is
her exclusive territory we are not licensed to trample upon. Even her delivery
shows that she extends a modicum of deference to those she knows will be
offended by her comments. And likewise, I will strive to return the courtesy to
her. After all, we can agree to disagree in a spirit of fragrant decorum and
stainless civility.
Firm
Conviction
A
fictitious religion will not merely shake but totter under the weight of
divergent public opinion. Nonetheless, genuine Christianity has stood the test
of time, and will continue to endure the most stringent challenge to its
veracity. Even if notable people choose to abandon it, Christianity will endure
as long as our little race remains. Yes, people are leaving the church, but
equally true is that the doors of opportunity have swung open for many to
continue flooding into its fold.
My
firm conviction is that Christianity will last because it is not man-made—it is
God-ordained, an act of divine institution and providence. Solomon has an
important reminder to would-be critics: "I know that, whatsoever God
doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from
it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him" (Ecclesiastes
3:14).
Over
the years, people have willingly died for the faith because they were convinced
beyond doubt about its veritability. Harrowing pains and revolting deaths that
martyrs experienced, and several others continue to endure, demonstrate that
life goes much deeper than sticks and stones. Indeed, the senses and sensations
cannot be fully decimated.
If
Belinda Ekua Amoah read or watched and was able to synthesise information to
convince her of her new position; on the hand, there are countless others who
have read the Bible and gone on to fortify and solidify their belief in Jesus
Christ.
Losing
Little
Many
times I have circumrotated on the relevant question of how different my life
would be, if I was not a Christian. Yes, how marked the difference would be,
has been an occupying thought.
When
I have given wings to my fancy and imagined a life without Christ, I have
always converged at the point that my life would be much different. However,
compared with my ideal life, a life in Christ aligns in perfect syzygy. And
there is a solid reason for holding such a firm position.
As
an example, I ask myself: If I do not drink because of my walk with Christ, and
I am spared from cirrhosis; how much do I lose? What visible pleasure from
alcohol tramps a healthy functioning liver?
If
I don't gamble my fortunes away thanks to my religion; how much am I worse off?
Wouldn't compulsive gamblers love to turn back the clock on what has become an
unbreakable addiction?
If
I don't break my wedding vows owing to my love for Christ (John 14:15), and I
avoid STDs and romantic mess ups; how worse can it get?
And
if I decide to give my money to a church because I believe in what it does; how
different is that from others who give their money to causes they believe in?
Don't unbelievers give money to charities they are passionate about?
What
do unbelievers do and have that I am losing out on? Show me one benefit that I
am missing out on because of my belief in Jesus Christ. What exactly does the
world have to offer me? And if my life is quieter and more peaceful because of
my relationship with Christ; how can I be expected to live a better life? Let compos
mentis Homo sapiens sit down and observe life critically, and see that
some who choose to believe in Christ do so, for a far superior reason after
surveying the field. For such people, it is not a careless imposition but one
reached after careful thought, considered evidence and deep conviction.
When
people complain that Christianity has been used to enslave us, and that even
those who brought Christianity are deserting the faith, so we should do
likewise; I seriously wonder. We must learn the sensible act of separating the
concepts of religion from those who misapply such concepts.
I
love to think—it is pleasurable fun—and I have written and will continue to
write about development, not just for Ghana but for the whole continent. In
reality, I do so, owing to the same faith that many criticise.
Evidence
Beyond Doubt
Mzbel
says she has done her research. We must give her the benefit of the doubt.
However, anybody who dabbles in, or trades polemic arguments will concede that
in our day, we can find evidence for everything. Yes, give me any topic, and I
will find you statistics to support a certain position.
However,
there is a more powerful argument than just what someone has written about. The
apostles told us something important: "That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked
upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was
manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that
eternal life, —which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That
which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his
Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:1-3).
Today,
there are varying attacks on the Christian faith. In our world of free speech,
anybody can say what pleases them. Such is what free speech has become. Yet, on
a more personal note, what can never be taken from me is my own experienced
transformation. Meeting Christ and the change that he has effected in my life
can never be expunged either by illimitable denunciations or convoluted
statistics or research.
Let
all the celebrities or famous people gather and sing from Mzbel's hymn sheet,
or she should furnish the whole world with her research (aspects of which I
have read about and rightly dismissed); I will never waver in my faith in Jesus
Christ. The soul has never yet been born who wields the redactional arsenal to
change what has transpired in my own life. It is the best transformational
evidence that will stay with me till my last sun sets, and I end up slumbering
in a grassy God's acre, if Christ tarries.
My
faith is not predicated upon what somebody says or believes. And saying this, I
must rightly warn my fellow brethren who do not have a personal testimony and
whose faith is founded upon public opinion or discourse. We don't believe in
Christ because some celebrities or educated folk do, or tell us to do so. True
faith that lasts must be forged through personal experiences. Anything short
and we risk tergiversating the faith either in the short-term or long-term.
So
Mzbel can say what she believes; it is her prerogative. While I believe that
the young lady's shadow has darkened the doors of doubt, that is if she has not
fully entered; I respect her right to careen off the course. I only pray
that she re-examines her research, and also perhaps refreshes her memory
whether the smoke she mentioned was a case of her hallucinating, or she truly
had a life-transforming experience.
Anybody
finding their faith shaken because somebody has a lapse of faith—and
consequently turns their back on it—should examine themselves and see whether
they were in the faith at all
And
to those who sidle off the expected path, not only did the Bible perceive they
will, but it also captures the reason for such missteps: "They went out
from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no
doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made
manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19).
To
all who have met Jesus Christ, and have a solid testimony of such true
experiences: Keep the faith, and leave the doubters to go on doubting.
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).
Let
me resume work on my next piece Africa Needs Change, Not Aid (2).
I
shall return with my talking drums.
NB:
All texts from the King James Version of The Holy Bible.
Angelina K. Morrison is interested in national development, true religion, and self-improvement. She enjoys thinking, and writes stories only when the muse grips her. Her first short story, Gravellatina is a breathtaking five-part series available now at Amazon. You can email her at angelinakm75@gmail.com, or find her at www.angelinakmorrison.blogspot.com or Facebook page.
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