By 'Gbenga Bankole
"Our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives. We should cherish it and nourish it. Christ paid a dear price for us to be given the privilege of being called God's children. Now let's ask ourselves: how did we respond to what Christ did?Go over the year and honestly evaluate your relationship with God. Have you grown in obedience to God's word? Have you grown in fellowship with the Holy Spirit? Have you grown more dead to sin and self and more alive to Christ?," says the President of Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, Pastor Abraham O. Akinosun.
Pastor Akinosun noted this in his New Year Message exclusively obtained by CAC NEWS.
The Cleric also advised Nigerians to repent of any unconfessed sins and go over the previous months and years and see if there's any unconfessed sin in their lives.
Pastor Akinosun tells all Nigerians to forgive and release any and all offenses.
He said: "look back to all that happened to you in 2019. If you were hurt or offended by any person, admit it to God and yourself, and forgive your offender. You don't need to hear your offender's apology or words of sorry. You can just forgive here and now. If you've offended yourself by failing in something or doing something wrong, just repent of your sin before the Lord, accept His forgiveness, and forgive yourself too. There's no point in condemning yourself for something that God has already forgiven."
The Cleric said Christians must pray fervently for Nigeria in 2020 and ensure they offer prevailing prayers for evangelism to thrive in Nigeria.
He added: "pray for our country, Nigeria, to overcome security challenges and for terrorism to be completely uprooted. Pray for a strong political will for war against misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds. Let us offer serious prayers against politics of bitterness, killings, vandalism and destructions. Nigeria is our Jerusalem and anyone who desires for her to be successful shall prosper. Do not engage in cursing the nation, don’t develop unpatriotic attitudes towards Nigeria in any form. Always pray that the country will overcome its challenges and be a better haven of rest for her citizens.
1Tim. 2:1,2 - “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
While urging on love for neighbours, Pastor Akinosun said
do unto others what you want them to do to you.
The Cleric stated: "love your neighbour. There is no law likely to be broken by a loving heart. A truly loving individual would not devise evil against his neighbour. “Let love be without dissimilation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”. Rom. 12:9, 10. We are witnessing spiraling rise in crimes in the country because people are living in hatred. If love could replace hatred in the country, heinous crimes would abate. Therefore, I implore you to love and pray that love would fill every heart in Nigeria."
Pastor Akinosun further advised all Nigerians to engage in honest businesses, adding that it may be a menial job or it may be laborious, ensure that you earn your living through honest means.