It is a common belief that law is a profession that teaches the art of manipulation to its practitioners. Do you remember the sarcastic compliments that lawyers have been subjected to throughout history? They are often called liars. But how true is this?
It is undeniable that the law is one of the noblest professions in the world. The nobility of law stems from its origins in the English legal tradition, which once restricted the practice of law to only those who were ardent and pious in their faith, during the reign of King James.
Lawyers have always been at the heart of God’s work. The relevance of lawyers in Christianity suggests they have had a significant influence. Do you remember the Apostle Paul in the Bible? Let me remind you! Before his encounter with Christ, Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin and a Pharisee. He was well-versed in Roman law and was a respected figure among the extraordinary men of his time. After his conversion, Apostle Paul went on to write nine books of the Bible! Impressive! In fact, he wrote the majority of the books in the New Testament. And guess what? Apostle Paul was a lawyer!
In our present age, lawyers are God’s instruments of influence, tasked with enforcing Christian values and ideals. In every professional setting, the importance of lawyers can never be overemphasized! No wonder lawyers are regarded with such distinction. Unlike other professions, the Christian lawyer’s primary responsibility is to faith and the cause of justice. This is clearly reflected in the anthem of the Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), which reminds us that the first responsibility of a Christian lawyer is to their faith and to the pursuit of justice.
DOES SOCIETY HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF LAWYERS?
Yes, it does. Lawyers are the standard-bearers of excellence and prudence in society.
Emmanuel Waba
Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.
Last modified: January 18, 2025
