Cayetano urges Christians to counter harmful culture, anchor hope in Christ
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday urged Christians to become a counterculture that shapes society according to the values of God’s kingdom, rather than allowing prevailing social values to shape their beliefs and actions.
Speaking before around 2,000 members of the Blessed Hope Christian Community Church in Cagayan de Oro City during its 40th anniversary celebration, Cayetano said culture plays a critical role in whether individuals and institutions remain faithful to their ideals.
“Every single politician, including myself, has this challenge. We enter (politics) very idealistic, but the question is, do we beat the system? Or does the system beat us?” he said.
“And you know what plays a role there? It’s culture. And culture is active. If as Christians we do not change the culture, the culture will change us,” he added.
Cayetano cited corruption, revenge, abortion, and other social problems to illustrate how culture can influence people’s values and behavior.
He said Christians must not simply condemn these issues but should also address the circumstances that allow harmful practices and attitudes to take root in society.
“Ang kingdom ni God ay may culture. Ang kingdom ng demonyo, may culture — y’ung culture ng sakit, culture ng korapsyon, culture ng revenge, culture ng abortion, of death. (This) is the culture of the kingdom of the devil,” he said.
“So if they look at our churches and they cannot see the kingdom of heaven, we cannot provide an alternative,” he added.
Cayetano challenged the Blessed Hope Christian Community Church to extend its mission beyond its members and become a source of hope in the wider community and the nation.
He said Christians can counter harmful culture by living out their faith in their communities and demonstrating the values of God’s kingdom through their actions.
At the same time, Cayetano urged Christians to anchor their hope in God rather than in political circumstances, institutions, or people, particularly amid uncertainty and fear.
Speaking about uncertainties surrounding his political life, including the possibility of imprisonment, Cayetano said his security cannot ultimately depend on people or institutions.
“Where is my hope? My hope is in the living God. My hope is that, ‘Lord, wherever you put me, that’s where you meant me to be,’” Cayetano said.
Cayetano stressed that faith does not mean the absence of fear, but refusing to allow fear to become paralyzing or cause people to lose their trust in God.
“Please share the blessed hope in the Lord Jesus Christ to the rest of the country,” he said, challenging the church community to carry its message of hope beyond its congregation.
Filipino Version
Cayetano hinikayat ang mga Kristiyano na maging ‘counterculture’
Hinimok ni Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Linggo ang mga Kristiyano na maging isang counterculture o puwersang humuhubog sa lipunan na naaayon sa salita ng Diyos, sa halip na hayaan ang pag-iral ng kultura ng mundo.
Sa kanyang mensahe sa humigit-kumulang 2,000 miyembro ng Blessed Hope Christian Community Church sa Cagayan de Oro City para sa kanilang ika-40 anibersaryo, sinabi ni Cayetano na malaking bahagi ang kultura sa pagpapanatili ng mga prinsipyo ng isang tao at ng mga institusyon.
“Every single politician, including myself, has this challenge. We enter (politics) very idealistic, but the question is, do we beat the system? Or does the system beat us?” wika ng senador.
“And you know what plays a role there? It’s culture. And culture is active. If as Christians we do not change the culture, the culture will change us,” dagdag niya.
Binanggit ni Cayetano ang korapsyon, paghihiganti, aborsyon, at iba pang problema sa lipunan bilang mga halimbawa kung paano nakaaapekto ang kultura sa pagpapahalaga at kilos ng mga tao.
Ayon sa kanya, hindi sapat na kondenahin lamang ng mga Kristiyano ang mga isyung ito. Aniya, kailangan din nilang tumbukin ang mga dahilan at sitwasyong nagbibigay-daan para lumaganap ang mga maling gawain at pananaw sa lipunan.
“Ang kingdom ni God ay may culture. Ang kingdom ng demonyo, may culture — y’ung culture ng sakit, culture ng korapsyon, culture ng revenge, culture ng abortion, of death. (This) is the culture of the kingdom of the devil,” aniya.
“So if they look at our churches and they cannot see the kingdom of heaven, we cannot provide an alternative,” sabi pa niya.
Hinamon din ni Cayetano ang Blessed Hope Christian Community Church na palawakin ang misyon nito at maging pag-asa para sa mas malawak na komunidad at sa buong bansa.
Ayon sa kanya, maaaring labanan ng mga Kristiyano ang maling kultura sa pamamagitan ng pamumuhay ayon sa kanilang pananampalataya at pagpapakita sa kanilang mga komunidad ng mga pagpapahalaga ng kaharian ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga gawa.
Kasabay nito, hinikayat ni Cayetano ang mga Kristiyano na ang kanilang tunay na pag-asa ay manatili sa Diyos at hindi sa politika, mga institusyon, o ibang tao, lalo na sa panahon ng kawalan ng katiyakan at takot.
Sa pagtalakay sa mga kawalan ng katiyakan sa kanyang buhay-pulitika, kabilang ang posibilidad na makulong, sinabi ni Cayetano na hindi maaaring umasa lamang ang kanyang seguridad sa ibang tao o mga institusyon.
“Where is my hope? My hope is in the living God. My hope is that, ‘Lord, wherever you put me, that’s where you meant me to be,’” sabi ni Cayetano.
Binigyang diin pa ng senador na ang pananampalataya ay hindi nangangahulugang mawawala ang takot, kundi ang pagtangging hayaan itong maging dahilan upang maparalisa o mawalan ng tiwala sa Diyos.
“Please share the blessed hope in the Lord Jesus Christ to the rest of the country,” aniya, habang hinahamon ang komunidad na dalhin ang mensahe ng pag-asa lampas sa kanilang kongregasyon.
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