Batas Mauricio
CAN Filipinos still greet one another “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” in the face of the calamities and tragedies that struck them this 2017? Indeed, many died from typhoons that came even if it is already December (the month which, from my younger days in Tarlac, was certified typhoon-free already), and from increasingly gruesome and unsolved murders across the country.
What is more, becoming rude and unruly and possessing a grossly defective character on the part of many Filipinos, which was highlighted by the recent incident of a woman matter-of-factly slapping a driver in public, in the middle of a busy road yet due to a very minor traffic altercation, is a fact of life that can no longer be denied or hidden under the rug nowadays.
And, even supposedly lofty government officials continue to be shamelessly engaged in endless brawls, just like the recent verbal tussle between two top officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, on the matter of “small town lottery”, a numbers game, being illegally operated. Capping all of these, of course, was President Duterte’s statement he is in favor of same sex marriages in the Philippines.
We should not forget likewise the controversy hounding opposing groups on the projected increase of prices of basic commodities this coming new year, on account of the recently-approved tax reform law. So, the question really is, can Filipinos still say they will be merry this Christmas 2017, and that their new year in 2018 would still be prosperous and happy?
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As I see it, the Philippines and all Filipinos would face gargantuan problems as the new year ushers itself in. For one, despite the fierce and deadly campaign against illegal drugs and shabu of the Duterte government, it cannot be denied that trading and pushing or peddling of drugs continue to be a nationwide phenomenon. This is the reason why the future continues to look dark and grim, as well as foreboding, for many of our countrymen.
Indeed, if there were people linked to drugs who have been “neutralized” and killed as of now, new replacements have come as fast as the batting of an eyelash. If we are to believe reports that are circulating hereabouts, these new drugs bosses are more ruthless and far greedier than the liquidated drug lords or couriers. This is why many believe that no change has really come on the issue of drugs.
If we add to the ongoing problem of drugs the unending and unceasing descent of Filipinos towards personal sinfulness which is even carried over by them to their official duties and responsibilities if they get appointed to government, it would become very clear that nothing truly changed in the country by the advent–and, after six years, by the end–of the Duterte government.
Is there still a solution? Yes there is, but it would require a truly dedicated action, starting Christmas 2017. To all who truly are believers in God who will commemorate once more His birth in the form of man this year, we can start real change. Change that is not dependent on one man or one group alone, but on God. We must do this by changing our minds, or the way we think.
It is a fact that the mind is the entry of point of evil for any person, and this is particularly true for the mind of an individual who has no knowledge of the Word and commands of God. In order for us to fight off the evil one, we must endeavor to fill up our minds with the Word of God from the Bible (or even from the holy books of other groups), committing ourselves to obey the commands written therein. This will certainly change our lives for the better!
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The devil unmistakably was in control over the people who murdered three youngsters by slitting their throats last month. Without any doubt, no person in his right mind would ever kill his fellow human beings in such a gruesome and barbaric manner.
On the other hand, it has been prophesied that, and warnings were already aired about, the devil controlling the minds of many people. These prophecies and warnings claimed that, during the end times, people will leave their faith in God and would instead follow and obey false doctrines and teachings taught by the devil.
There were also warnings about the sinfulness of man everywhere. Their fear and love of God would desert them, and many would be disrespectful and disobedient to their parents, their elders, and the authorities. Many will become lovers of evil, not of good, and would relentlessly indulge in pleasures of the flesh.
In fairness, the truth be told that man has been this sinful even in olden times. According to what has been written, sinfulness has become the nature of man, becoming disobedient, even of God’s commands. I guess we all know that even God regretted His having created man, on account of his irrepressible tendency to become sinful.
I am certain that if we can have the chance to ask the slit-throat murderers of the three Caloocan youngsters who were killed just last month, they will unabashedly claim that the deceased kids could blame no one else for the heinous crime committed against them but themselves. And they could be right, or they could be wrong.
The only point I wish to make is that, people everywhere have now descended irretrievably towards animalistic and devilish behavior. If they were already sinful beforehand, their present-day counterparts have become more evil nowadays as the world is nearing its end. As it were, it is clear that the devil is working double time to make sure he can bring more souls to hell.
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How has God reacted to man’s sinfulness? At first, He reacted with anger, and He decided to end the human race by water, through the great flood. But He also regretted having done this, compelling Him to promise not to obliterate mankind again.
That is the reason why, at some point, He decided that He Himself would come down to earth from heaven, in the form of man, with flesh and blood, and willingly accepted the punishment that man should be receiving for his sins. This is the rationale for Christmas—to give forgiveness to all men, provided they fulfill one condition.
What is this condition that man must fulfill? We have to believe and have faith that God, whose Name is Jesus, came down to earth from heaven in the form of man. Then, we have to repent for our sins, and start obeying sincerely His commands. If we will not comply with this condition, Christmas would be meaningless for us, in this life, and in the life hereafter.
E-mail: batasmauricio@yahoo.com
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