By Harris-Okon Emmanuel - Warri
The Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, Dr. John Okeoghene Afareha, has called on Nigerians not to be weary of what they are currently experiencing in Nigeria because it was destined for them to go through these challenges and emerge stronger and prosperous in fulfillment of Christ prophecy.
Afareha, who made this call in his homily during the closing ceremony of the ‘Year of Faith’ at the headquarters of the diocese in Warri, enjoined Nigerians to strengthen their faith in God Almighty who has power to solve their problems, adding that they need God more to redeem them from their present predicament.
The cleric urged Nigerians to look up to God Almighty and rely on Him to achieve the needed peace and development as according to him, every word Christ prophesied has been fulfilled.
He enjoined Christians not to be afraid of persecution because Jesus said during his earthly ministry that his disciples will face persecution but with a promise that he would be with them during their trials and tribulations. “After the outpouring of the spirit on Pentecost, we saw how the disciples were indeed persecuted, imprisoned and put to death as he had said would happen.
Then during the time of the persecution of the early Church in Rome, the Christians were betrayed by their relations and friends who testified against them for believing in the strange doctrine. Those who are now truly disciples of Christ have the same mind as Christ, and Christ’s thinking is very different from the world’s. No matter what generation we find ourselves as long as we believe in the truth taught and lives by it, we will come across people who will dislike us or even hate us simply for thinking differently from them,” he said.
Afareha who supported his sermon with several bible passages, noted that the happenings in the world today were clear indications of the fulfillment of the bible, urging Christians to follow the teaching of Christ.
“We make promise that we will never abandon God again. Some cling to him only when they feel helpless and hopeless but when things get better, they go back to their old ways of life. How easily we forget God amidst the material world we live in, but God’s word remains. Things may fall apart, disasters and wars many come but God is love and his Love endures forever.”
The post Catholic priest tasks Nigerians on steadfastness appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper - news,sports,politics,bussiness.
