The heart of the matter is, what is at the centre of a man’s heart?
The agitation to legalise prostitution, abortion, and same-sex marriages in Kenya does not surprise me and it should not surprise any believer. These abominations were present or spoken of even in the days of yore (1 Kings 3:16, Gen. 19:4-5). When people decide that they want to do what pleases their hearts, there is nothing you can do about that (Romans 1:24). (I can’t help using the only oldest book I know of that can help me support my argument – the Bible).
This past weekend, I attended an alumni meeting in my alma mater and the big debate was whether the institution should allow people of other faiths to be admitted into the institution. Many were of the contrary opinion. They felt that the new constitution was to blame for that predicament. I am of a contrary opinion. For me, this is an opportunity to live and practice our faith in an infectious manner without compromise.
The above issue, together with the issues of whether to legalize abortion, prostitution and same sex relationships throws us back to the big debate before the referendum vote in 2010. I was and I am of the view that morality should not be legislated. If we are to make illegal these practices, and Kenyans obey the same, is that enough to save the souls of men? I don’t think that God is pleased with obedience without love. People need to obey God because they love Him and not because they are compelled by the law, no matter how good the law is! This is the ‘Simon-of-Cyrene-kind-of-obedience’ (Matt. 27:32). I highly doubt if God rewards this kind of ‘forced’ obedience.
I remember how the men of the cloth were vigorous in their campaign against the constitution. Where did the vigour disappear? To me, that was misdirected energy. I wish they would maintain the same tempo even now, and preach the gospel, which leads unto salvation for the souls of men.
As for any woman who is forced into prostitution (or any other vice) by circumstances, I can only sympathise with her. But my question is, honestly, is this the only activity she can engage in to fend for her family?
Her problem, just like that of those who are advocating for the legalization of prostitution, abortion and same-sex marriage is not a problem to be dealt with using legislation. It is a far deeper problem than just a social problem. It is a problem of the heart.
If the heart has a problem, you cannot heal it unless you do a surgery, and reach the heart to rectify the situation. By simply saying that we should not legalise these practices, we are simply trying to superficially treat the disease afflicting these people without healing their hearts, which are ailing. That is where the problem lies.
What we are attempting to do by making these practices illegal is what I call circumcision of the flesh minus circumcision of the heart. Using the laws of the land to make people obey God is a futile exercise if the hearts of men are not circumcised to obey God! (Deut. 30:6).
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