Clergy Tasks Faithful On Dedication To Service Of God

From: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

Lead pastor of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), LCC Birshi Gandu, Reverend Appolos Jonathan has charged Christians to make good use of the New Year to serve God faithfully.

Reverend Appolos, who gave the charge during in a message to mark  the first Sunday service of the year 2024, noted that it is only by listening to the word of God that people will lead better lives..

He said that looking at the critical condition of the economic meltdown and hardship in the country, people should maintain their stores properly in order to have enough food for their family and even help those in need.

According to him, having enough food in stores will stop them from involving in stealing, Kidnapping, banditry, arm robbery and other criminal activities.

He further said that by storing food items carefully, it will also help government to focus on infrastructural development that will help people rather paying attention to donation of food items.

Reverend Jonathan called on the congregants to continue to listen to the word of God in order to have His blessings in abundance.

Also speaking, Licence Pastor Yusuf Musa Maigari (Chongfilawos) who read from the Book of Hebrews 12:14, drew the attention of the church members on the need to ensure the life of holiness in everything they do.

“This year 2024, you must make sure that whatever you do, you must faithful and maintain the life of holiness. Whether you are a tailor, plumber, engineer and others, make sure you keep to your promise and be holy”, he said.

“Holiness generally refers to the state of being holy, sacred, or spiritually pure. It often involves a connection to the divine or transcendent qualities and is commonly associated with religious or moral significance”, the pastor explained.

“Holiness is the state of being saintly, dedicated and set apart (Consecrated) for religious purposes.

To be holy means to separate oneself from the world and to draw close to God, living as He wants us to live”, he added.

Maigari, who apoke on the theme: Living in Holiness, further stated that living in holiness typically refers to leading a life that aligns with moral and Spiritual principles, often guided by religious beliefs.

“This involves striving for purity, righteousness, and adherence to ethical values in one’s thought, actions and relationships”, the pastor noted.

“Our text encourages believers to actively pursue a life of peace and holiness. The call to make ‘Every Effort’ implies a deliberate and intentional choice to live harmoniously with others while maintaining a lifestyle, characterize by moral uprightness”