I take this opportunity to give God's response in the Holy
Scriptures about the current trends in the Makerere University atmosphere.
Whereas the cause of the rioters about exorbitant retake fees may be partially
justified, I do not agree with the measures taken to show their displeasure.
God is not a God of confusion or of disorder. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as
in all churches of the saints” (1Co 14:33). we see clearly that God never
uses avenues that breed confusion in society or in the church. During a certain
point in the ministry of Jesus as He was moving through Samaria and was
rejected by the people, Apostles James and John called for violent methods to
avenge this irresponsive attitude, "And
they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to
Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said,
Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume
them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not
what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy
men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village”
(Luk 9:53-56). The Apostles James and John had a grievance against the men of
Samaria because they had rejected their gospel. They had a desire to burn up
the vehicles and shops of the people of Samaria but Jesus rebuked them. The
same fleshly desire to burn up people and their property which we have seen
demonstrated in Makerere University and Kampala city was prevalent in the
unregenerate minds of Apostles John and James.
There is no way that two wrongs can make right.
When fees for retakes are increased, the solution is not to burn university
property and loot surrounding shops and canteens. This is a classic example of
men and women under =the influence of the devil performing his will. Paul spoke
clearly of how a believer should respond when something wrong is done towards
them, "See that none render evil
for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among
yourselves, and to all men” (1Th
5:15). The solution to evil is not evil. I am aware that even born again
Christians have both taken part in and supported the strike. This is a sinful
act that goes against sound Biblical doctrine. Paul again made a reference to
this in the book of Romans, "Recompense
to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it
be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly
beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it
is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore
if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing
thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:17-21). Apostle Paul makes several
interesting remarks concerning vengeance. Within every human being, the flesh
desires to avenge and do something evil to a person who has done wrong to them.
Many times it is expressed physically with destruction to the person or
property of an individual and other time it simply stays within an individual
in avenues such as hatred and bitterness. The solution Apostle Paul gives is to
"Recompense to no man evil for
evil" (v.17), God saw that men were going to avenge those who have
done evil to them. God does not encourage such actions. He desires us to live
at peace with all men and not in conflict or confusion. Peace can never be
achieved without forgiveness. Not only should we forgive but we should feed our
enemies. God does not nullify the fact that enemies exist or that there will be
no people who wrong us. However, God desires us to leave the matter in His
hands, "Vengeance is mine; I
will repay, saith the Lord" (v.19). This does not sound like He wants
us to take the law into our own hands. Many times even born again Christians
have been involved in such riots because they choose to side in with the world
and worldly opinions rather than choosing to renew their minds with God's word
and obeying that word. When you do good to those who do evil against you, a
greater impact is achieved than when tooth is taken for tooth, "for in so doing thou shalt heap coals
of fire on his head". The Understandable Version New Testament brings
this scripture out clearly, "But [Prov.
25:21-25 says], “Feed your
enemy if he is hungry; give him
something to drink if he is thirsty. For
when you do this, it will be [like]
heaping burning coals on his head.”
[i.e., it can cause him burning shame that can lead
to his repentance and ultimate forgiveness]." (v.20), this shows
us that burning shame will consume the enemy and he will repent of his evil
deeds.
Imagine what would have happened if Jesus had
decided to strike when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Him. You would be
plunging your way into an eternity in a fiery hell without God. Jesus said that
He truly had the power to instigate a successful riot, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom
were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be
delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (Joh 18:36) He
said that it was possible for Him to command His servants to fight but He did
not take that step. Judging by the great support that Jesus enjoyed among the
people, it would have been easy for Him to command the multitudes to fight for
Him. "The Pharisees therefore said
among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone
after him” (Joh 12:19), these were not Jesus' disciples commenting on His
popularity but his enemies the Pharisees. They saw that the whole world was at
Jesus' beck and call. Again Jesus faced a situation in the garden of Gesthemane
where He had the opportunity to start a riot and destroy men with angels, "And, behold, one of them which were
with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a
servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him,
Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall
perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and
he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then
shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" (Mat
26:51-54). Simon Peter an apostle took out His sword and cut off the ear of
Malchus, a servant of the High Priest in his self-given role of bodyguard.
Jesus did not commend him for this "heroic act". Rather Jesus rebuked
this man and told him to return the sword into the sheath or holder.
I remember a time when I was coming out of a
fellowship at night together with my friend Alex. This incident occurred over 4
years ago. During this period we were supposed to be conducting some American
missionaries in their tour and preaching circuit of Kampala. This incident
occurred when I had already left the missionaries and was now at home. From
home I went for that fellowship which was a walking distance away from home. As
we were leaving the fellowship, we were crossing a dark murram road. Out of the
obscure darkness, a speeding bicycle rolling downhill rammed into my leg. This
bicycle was moving at such a high speed that it knocked me flat into the middle
of the road. Not only did I fall flat onto the ground but I also was knocked
out of my senses. I do not remember exactly what happened until I felt Alex
lifting me up and taking me back to wards the house where we were having the
fellowship. I remember that I could not walk properly neither could I speak
well, apparently because the fall had made me knock my jaw on the road. After
cleaning me up, since there was blood coming from my nose we went outside. We
endeavored to look for the nearest clinic but were not able to get one that was
available at that time of night since it was about 9pm. We came back to the
house and I noticed that the bicycle of the man who had knocked me was still
lying there. It had been taken into the custody of the fellowship leaders
since the owner of the bicycle ran off
after he saw what had happened to me. The people around me were saying that
they should keep the bicycle and take the owner to the police the next day.
Within my heart I did not feel any hatred or anger towards the man who had
knocked me down. We were leaving the house when the rider what had knocked me
appeared. I told the people to leaven him alone and allow him to take his
bicycle. I spoke to him and told him that I forgave him. I then asked him
whether he wanted to give his life to Jesus. The man accepted and I told my
friend to lead him through a confession prayer. That rider gave his life to
Jesus Christ under the moonlight just next to the spot where he had knocked me
down before. This was not me but God working through me. This is the principle
of Jesus in action. Imagine what would have happened if I had harbored
bitterness and anger in my heart. This man would not even be saved today.
Now we can get to the principle of Jesus on the
Sermon on the Mount. This was one of the greatest spiritual principles of all
time and still rings throughout the heavens and the earth till this day.
“Ye have heard that it hath been
said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye
resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him
the other also" (Mat 5:38-39). Jesus changed the Old Testament
principle of an eye for an eye and made it null and void. When someone does
something evil to you, you should not resist evil. Offer the other cheek. Jesus
does not advocate retaliation, rather he advocates turning the other cheek.
There is no better conclusion to this message than this relevant translation of
The Message, "Here's another old
saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that
going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If
someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court
and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a
present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion
to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its
unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you
to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When
someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer” (Mat
5:38-44).
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