News of the Govt official who thought God could be bribed has came as a challenge most especially to those passionate about preaching the gospel.
Since the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, we are only able to proclaim it to one while on earth.
It grieves God when people die in their sins for the Bible says that He does “not want anyone to perish, but that everyone should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Charles Obong, 52, worked as a senior personnel officer in the ministry of Public Service from 2006 to 2016.
Before his death on December 17, 2016, after a long illness, he saved more than Shs200 million to bribe the Almighty Father on Judgement Day so He could forgive his earthly sins.
Obong was buried in a metallic coffin estimated to have cost Shs20m at his ancestral home at Adagani village, Bar-pii parish, Aromo Sub-county in Lira District, on Christmas Eve.
The Aromo Sub-county chairman, Mr David Elic, said his brother-in-law had left behind a will, dictating that upon his death, his wife Ms Margaret Obong should deposit huge sums of money in his coffin.
He planned to convey the money to God as an offertory so that the Almighty Father could forgive his sins and save him from hell fire.
He reportedly also instructed his brother Justin Ngole and sister Hellen Aber to bear witness to ensure his
“This is a very big joke. Let me say it’s mockery before our Maker. Silver and gold belongs to Him, therefore God doesn’t need anything from us except we accept him as our Lord and saviour. Period.” said one Johnstone Mutava, reacting to this story.
“How I wish he could have used the money in paying tithe, buying food and clothes to the needy – but what he did was like booking a front seat in hell – Sorry for him, but whatever you plan to do in order to make your name clean, do it before you die. ” Anne Achieng Olowo commented.
Like Johnstone and Anne , many Christians have come up to say God cannot be bribed – which is true. Issue is, this message comes to us the living; for Charles Obong, the candle blew out.
Jesus Christ came for sinners, not for the righteous. He shed His blood on the cross for the sins of mankind, died, and on the third day rose again.
When we admit our sinfulness and turn in faith to Jesus Christ, we receive forgiveness and the gift of eternal salvation. That is the good news of the Gospel. God “wants all people to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
Most often, we are quick to judge who does, and does not deserve God’s mercy. Political leaders need someone to shepherd their soul too.
This is a challenge to us to share the gospel in every situation where we find ourselves, and to everyone.
People have to know the grace of God and the finished work on the cross. Obong wanted to pay for something someone (Jesus) already paid for.
Money can’t and will never buy the grace and mercy of God. People have to be taught that, now!
male@ugchristiannews.com
