The countdown magazine, though a Christian magazine, has always worked towards feeding the total man. knowing that even as Christians, we are not; living in isolation we are living in a national community that is mixed, and in fact, it is in our ability to influence the society we live in for the lord, that our success and victory lies-Matt 5:14-16. Today, the scripture is being fulfilled to the letters. when we consider what things are going on all around the globe-the good the bad and the ugly. While thanking God for the good, this edition of countdown magazine is out to draw attention to the bad and the ugly. To remind the world (the readership) of the anticipated soon coming of Christ, which is the thrust of the magazine- the countdown to the coming of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

As Christians, sometimes we can’t help wondering why Nigeria seems to be experiencing the negative fulfillment of scriptures more as if the lord is coming for only Nigerians and we aren’t ready. At the national level, everything seems to be wrong with us and we are breathing so hard under the yoke of perilous times, thereby going retrogressively rather than making progress, despite global technological advancement. It is no wonder though, on the other hand, for the Bible says “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people-Prov 14: 34.

Among the many sins/foreign gods that are working against our national progress are the following, though not limited to them- the love of money, position, power, overestimation of self, pride, arrogance, greed, immorality, addiction, occultism, pleasure, indiscipline and worldliness.

Love of money is at the root of most corrupt practices in our national life today, where people are not ready to wait for God’s blessing but go ahead to seek money, hook, or crook.

Closely related to that is the love of position and power. People seek positions and power using money to get more money and at the end of the day, no amount is enough, therefore the circle continues. This is more rampant among politicians and technocrats, but no one is exempted.

Overestimation of self, resulting in pride and arrogance is also a serious clog in the wheel of our national progress where people do not want to admit that there could be others who are higher in the hierarchy and better qualified than them or even if they are more qualified it is still only a matter of chance/opportunity and that no condition is ever permanent in life. The way up is indeed down, and power is transient. Unfortunately, this even comes to play in the church.

Greed, which is a twin brother(sister) of selfishness is yet another clog. This is due to a lack of contentment, which automatically shuts God out, forgetting that it’s only godliness with contentment that brings about great gain. 1Tim 6:6. It is also the blessings of God that make men rich without adding sorrow to it.

Immorality, which leads to all manner of sexual perversion, including homosexuality, incest, etc. all in the name of exploration are there, rapidly choking and causing a lot of sets back for many otherwise promising youths as well as older people who are not able to control themselves because it is not up to any man but the holy spirit of God in those who know or have God In them.

Pleasure includes a state of gratification, frivolous amusement, or a source of delight or joy. In most cases, it is very much related to the point discussed above immorality. Pleasure is often a matter of self-pleasing and there is hardly ever a limit to it, just as the bible says, that the eye is never tired of seeing, or the ear ever tired of hearing.

Addiction Because pleasure is not exhaustive, addiction is an inevitable result. Addiction could result from anything and anything. A man, woman, or youth could be addicted to anything, from food, to drink, drugs, sex, and even violence, all due to a lack of self-control and discipline.

Occultism could result from negative influence from other people who have been involved to curiosity on the part of the naïve and inexperienced youngster. It begins with a peep into the supernatural power or by seeking to know about some secret knowledge, which once tasted, tends to hold the victim captive.

All these traits never stay or stop at the individual level with anyone being held by them. They always develop and grow into hydra-headed monsters, which is a matter of time get to affect the nation because those who are possessed by them live to manifest their fruits at home, at work, in business environments, in church, and everywhere they are found. Eventually, the collective influence automatically constitutes clogs in the wheel of the progress of the nation because like begets likes; as God is not mocked wand whatever a man sows, he is bound to reap in the long run-Gal 6:7.

With all these in place, we can only continue to intensify our prayers for our dear country Nigeria, while also seizing every opportunity to evangelize even as we keep on living the life of Christ as examples of the believers in all manner of conversation.

May God continue to have mercy on us. Amen.

Maranatha - So come, Lord Jesus,

By:Mrs Comfort Ogunmola