Overcome Evil With Good (Romans 12:21)

Pastor Letlal Haokip *

As the Manipur General Assembly Election 2022 will be held in two phases: February 28 and March 5, 2022, I humbly request all my co-servants of Christ-Pastors, Deacons, Evangelists and elders of the Church to be present before the voting at the polling booth and dedicate the election by praying so that God's will be done.

This is the best way to lead our people into showing God's Will. As the songwriter wrote, "Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before." As a soldier in Christ, we must set an example by marching in Christ's name and overcoming evil with good. Let this election be a different experience for our brothers and sisters who come to cast their votes.

It will not be easy at first but like the book of Zechariah 4:10 says "Do not despise these small beginnings.'

Let this small beginning be a turning point in the history of the Manipur election wherein God's servants are leading people to do the right thing.

Brothers and sisters, like the book of Ephesians 6: 12 says 'We are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities in the heavenly places. We should not hate people nor fuel animosity and hatred but we should pray spiritually for God's intervention and mercy for God's people.

We have to intercede for our people so that God will be gracious to us. Like Nehemiah and Daniel, we have to cry out to God for forgiveness so that He will forgive us our trespasses and heal our land. Like Moses crying and pleading with God for forty days for his people when they sinned against God, God's servants should plead with God for His restoration.

I have a strong conviction that when the Pastors, Deacons, Elders etc walk righteously and plead with God for help, He will hear from heaven. At the same time, we should not shy away or flow with the current but stand up for truth like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego so that we don't bow down to the idol of money and power.

Therefore, it is my earnest appeal to my Co-workers in Christ that let us go to the polling booth and pray before the voting commences and encourage people to follow God's way and do the right things that are pleasing in the eyes of God. Let us promote and educate people for "Free and Fair Election" and also shine for Christ among the people who are not Christian.

Let us set an example and remember Proverbs 21:3, 'To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.'

Let us "Overcome Evil with Good" (Romans 12:21) and "Never Stop Praying" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for the peaceful election.

God bless you.