There is a Zakaria in all of us

For these past few days, the nation has been gripped with news of abuse of power and expected preferential treatment in the form of Dato Zakaria, Klang UMNO division head, and municipal councillor. When I first saw his mansion aired over the TV, my jaw dropped. It was a massive and magnificent 4 storey bungalow with a castle like protrusion.

As my thoughts laid on this subject matter, I cannot help but feel that we are in many ways like him - a Zakarian.
We only admit our sins when it is exposed. If at all geniune repentance comes only when we are cornered with our sins. When we have no way to maneurve then will we stand up and admit it together with our sins ugly head exposed. Our folly does not end there, we continue to blame on everything we see and know in our path. We do not call sin, a sin, but we call it using names like, "the way I was brought up", "I was provoked", "he deserved it", "its not so bad everyone's doing it", etc, etc. We are experts in it. Zakaria blamed on the architect, on the opposition, on situations. His friends said that we should give him a break and not bring him down because he had a humble beginning. Without true repentance for our sins, our previous standing with God count for nothing. We have only ourselves to blame. We can't even blame Satan on judgement day. I paraphrase CS Lewis' statement, "At the end of the world, there will be one group of people who will tell God, "Thy will be done." There will be another group of people to whom God will say, "thy will be done." If we choose to sin, our will to sins will condemn us.

Our sins should turn us remorseful. I read that he tried not step down from his political positions and no remorse shown for wrongdoings. Zakaria built a heavenly mansion here on earth that got him into trouble. Are we also guilty of this? We pursue unhealthy relationships, maintain certain vocabularies, banish certain attitudes and idolise items rather than Jehovah. These are all heavenly mansions on earth. Heard about the portion of scripture that says everything will be tested with fire at the end of times. What can last through the refiner's fire? Why not build your mansion in heaven?

I read with amusement about Zakaria trying to play hide and seek with the Sultan. Adam tried that too with God. We cannot run away from God. In our sins, we shall perish.

Our quest for wealth should never turn us away from God. That is why Jesus says the harder for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.

Guard our hearts in righteousness.

Put off the Zakaria in you and put on the Jesus from above.

May the Lord bless us and keep us in remaining faithful to him.