The Sunday News
Pastor Brian Moyo
The back to sender concept that has flooded both the Pentecostal and apostolic church movement of today is a very controversial topic. But the controversy fades away when it is looked at carefully against the Bible.
I am stunned to note that some ministers deviate from the standard God set which is the Word and replace it with man-made concepts which have no backing from the Bible.
On trying to analyse some of the issues, I am confused whether the problem is on interpretation of the scriptures or it’s a planned thing meant to serve personal interests and probably wow congregates.
God is love, the greater portion if not all the Bible talks about the love that God has for mankind. As Christians, we imitate our loving Father and so by nature we ought to be loving, caring and compassionate.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him”. (1 John 4: 16). The validity and authenticity of the “back to sender” concept is the theme of the topic. I have heard this concept from many ministers but honestly I am not convinced that this is the will of God basing my argument on the Word of God.
The Bible points it clearly that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but with principalities, powers of darkness which then means that most of our problems are spiritual in nature. (Ephesians 6:12).
There are agents of the devil who practice witchcraft and evil practices which negatively affect other people’s progress.
As I have alluded to previously giving reference of Ephesians 6: 12, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but principalities, powers of darkness.
My understanding is that we should not put the blame on flesh (men) who can be used as agents by the devil but on the source, the devil who is behind all evil done. The point I want to put across is that it is the devil who has captured someone’s mind and made him captive and is now his agent to steal, kill and destroy.
We should not retaliate, or hate the person in question but overcome evil with good by having love, “Above all, love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4: 8).
Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour He lives in you, whatever you encounter commit it unto Him, “Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord and he will deliver you (Proverbs 20: 22). This is reiterated in Deuteronomy 32: 35, “it is mine to avenge; I will repay.
In due time their feet will slip, their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them “God sees whatever we go through and moreover He is the highest authority and so when people rise against you I do not think there is anything rational and noble than acknowledging Him because He cares for you.
To me the issue of “back to the sender’’ does not hold water and I believe portrays carnality at its peak. It is a violation of God’s Word, “Do not repay evil for evil be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge; my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written,” It is mine to avenge; I will repay says the Lord” (Romans 12: 17-19).We are urged not to avenge or retaliate but leave it unto the Lord He is the one who would fight for you what is needed is to present your case before Him.
The Bible which is our manual and guide says we ought to love our enemies, “But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mathew 5: 44-45).
Jesus makes His teaching clear and practical by showing that He is compassionate because the sun and the rain come to both the righteous and the unrighteous which means that the wicked as well have to live just like the righteous with the hope that one day they will come to their senses.
This is contrary to some teachings done nowadays. The Man of God makes the declaration that all your enemies must die.
Bearing this in mind, everyone who is not on your side or against you must not live. I feel this is height of folly and the work of the devil.
In everything Jesus is our model, He went through a lot of pain and agony when He had all the authority but He committed himself unto the righteous judge, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2: 23).
I am reminded of David, when he killed Goliath the Philistine giant. Women sang in celebration, they credited him with tens of thousands and Saul with thousands which aroused jealousy in Saul and he hunted him clamouring for his blood.
However, this was not successful God put him in his hands but he did not kill him.
I believe we have got a lot to learn from David, someone had been searching for him in order to kill him and the person ended up in his hands but he did not kill him.
This is strange, it shows maturity. He said the following words to the enemy who was now in his hands “May the Lord Judge both you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you”. (1 Samuel 24: 12).
Saul was evil-minded because even after this incident he kept on pursuing David to kill him but to no avail. Saul was again put in David’s hands but he did not kill him but remarked, “The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.
The Lord delivered you into my hands, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble. (1 Samuel 26: 23-24). We thank God for a man like David who had insight and better understanding than some of today’s ministers.
David was supposed to kill Saul the moment God put him in his hands because he was his enemy who had come to kill him.
Some minister’s motto is “all your enemies must die,” but if looked against the Bible one would not be wrong to say the concept is not only satanic but not Biblical
ν to be continued
