Good Friday: Why few people would carry the cross today

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified in order for our sins to be forgiven; but are today’s Christians and churches practicing the values for which Jesus put his life on the cross? If Jesus returned today would he be proud of the conduct of churches and Christians? Donah Mbabazi talked to a cross-section of people and below are their views. *** Kibirango I will start off using a scripture from the Bible. Jesus spoke through John to seven churches in Asia Minor and He had some commendable things He said to them but He had some other disappointments concerning the way these churches conducted themselves. Jesus wasn’t particularly happy with them as written in the book of Revelation chapters two and three. Based on that, if Jesus was unhappy with the first church, He definitely wouldn’t be happy with what is happening today because there are many churches whose authority isn’t Christ but selfish leadership, even if they claim Christ as King. On the other hand, I also know Jesus is and would be happy with some servants if He came back today, because they have served Him and His church selflessly and have been faithful to His mandate regarding the great commission. Pastor Hassan Kibirango, Christian Life Assembly *** Nakazibwe Some churches are money minded and others are not the live examples of how Christianity should be. We hear about rape cases, false prophets, all this has turned the face of Christianity the other way round. However, there are those Christians who are good samaritans and some of them help do great things such as helping the needy. We are in a world which is full of challenges and we are all human beings, so we need the Holy Spirit to guide us. Joan Nakazibwe, fashion designer *** Rwakahungu I think if Jesus came back today, apart from some individuals, He would be happy. However, the way some people are trying to interpret the original gospel in church is somewhat confusing but to a large extent, the church and Christianity in general are still spreading the core values. Another thing is that receivers of the gospel interprete it differently. Paul Rwakahungu, cashier at UAE Exchange *** Ujeneza My point is no, Jesus wouldn’t be happy with today’s Christians. We pretend that we are prayerful people yet after mass we go ahead and do what the Bible or Christianity prohibits us from doing. Some church leaders do it as business and Christians do it as a celebration, people just go to church for the sake of it. Yves Ujeneza, fresh graduate *** Kalisa Churches nowadays compete for followers by advertising themselves as the ones who perform lots of miracles. This is total contradiction of what Jesus taught and this has killed the meaning of Christianity. Simon Kalisa, student *** Bushara I would say that Jesus wouldn’t be happy simply because most of the people are pretending to be Christians yet in reality they are not; they just hide behind religion and do filthy things which are an absolute shame to our Saviour. Some churches are after making money; not into teaching the word of God yet this is not what the Bible says. Wilbur Bushara, doctor *** Sanyu To a bigger extent, Jesus wouldn’t be happy with today’s Christians. You see, today pastors have turned churches into businesses, some even pray from places which are at the same time used as clubs, disco places which Jesus in his time had condemned. Maureen Sanyu, office administrator *** Paccy If Jesus was to come back today, I don’t think that He would be happy with how Christianity is today but I believe that He loves sinners and that He would be ready to forgive. I think Jesus would not judge all Christians collectively as everyone will be judged according to his or her sins. Odda Paccy, musician *** Bizimungu One can never know but Jesus might actually be happy because He Himself said that He knows that we are sinners and we are God’s children. He knows everything so when He decides to come, He will already be aware of what’s taking place. Laban Bizimungu, cashier at UAE Exchange *** Bitorwa According to Acts 1:6-7, the Father is the only one who knows the fixed time that He has appointed Jesus to come back and He is the only one by His own choice, His authority and His personal power that has the right to judge. Knowing that we are the bride waiting for the groom, our role as church, which is the body of Christ, is to evaluate ourselves on a personal level, we don’t know when He is coming but He is coming soon, soon could be tomorrow or tonight. So the question should be how ready the church is, how ready are you and how ready am I? Liz Bitorwa, Women Foundation Ministries *** Asiimwe Today’s Christians no longer love each other yet Jesus recommended that love is the greatest of all gifts. People nowadays segregate each other depending on their wealth; others use demonic powers to perform miracles, they prophesy lies to people. They basically sin even more than before. Acts such as fornication, divorce, sleeping with animals, rape among others are the order of the day. I don’t think Jesus would be happy with Christianity if He came back today. Ambrose Asiimwe, procurement coordinator, Society for Family Health *** Munyaneza Christianity was beyond dynamic; however, as vibrant as it was, it has changed over time. I could say that it has virtually disappeared, churches are confusing, some are led by false prophets and it is really hard to make the right choice. Christianity has changed a lot and whether it’s religious leaders or the followers, they all do as they please, so I don’t think Jesus would be happy with either Christianity or the churches themselves. Rodgers Munyaneza, accountant

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Good Friday: Why few people would carry the cross today