Anglican Cleric, Rev. Sunday Okonkwo, has called on Christians to reciprocate God’s death on the Cross of Calvary with godly living.
Okonkwo who made the call during a sermon to mark the Good-Friday service at the Church of The Pentecost Awka, Diocese of Anglican Communion of Awka, on Friday.
He said that the Christian calendar of Good Friday service is an annual service to remind Christians of whom they profess and to encourage them to follow His footprint always.
Okonkwo, who spoke to his faithful on a theme tagged “Jesus Suffered and died for you”, urged Christians to constantly strive to represent Jesus Christ in all their actions as a way to pay back his death for them.
He said that the Good Friday service is a continuing journey of Christians’ Holy Week which started with the palm Sunday service, as “Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly and sanctified the temple.”
“Jesus took our imperfections and saved His believers from Judgement by His death on the cross.
“So what have you done to appreciate Jesus for this huge sacrifice? Do you still live in pride, secret sins, idolatry amongst other ills,” he asked.
Okonkwo picked passages of the Holy Bible from Isaiah 53 and advised that members should read from verses 1 to end of the scripture for more quality understanding of how Jesus worked.
He said that Jesus in Holy Bible John 1 verse12 assured the faithful of His forgiveness of all wrong doing,
Okonkwo said that Jesus has laid His life for all the believers and appealed that the faithful at this time should shun immorality, civil disobedience and all acts that do not promote His teachings.
“Christians are urged no matter the provocation not to engange in act of retaliation but should ensure peaceful coexistence amongst the people,” he advised.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that people were called to read the seven words of Jesus on the cross.
NAN reports that after the words on the cross, prayers for peaceful transitions, political stability, economic development, enhanced security services amongst other petitions were offered to God. (NAN)