•••Says God Is Interested In Nigeria
By Kamsi Anayo
The Bishop on the Niger, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, has enjoined Nigerians not to fear as they celebrate Christmas in spite of the increasing level of insecurity of lives and property, rising cost of living, official corruption and political rascality challenging every part of the country.
He said that Nigerians should be fearless in the face of the threating situations because God has interest in Nigeria as a nation.
The Rt Rev Dr Nwokolo gave the soothing admonition at his Bishops Court, GRA, Onitsha, Anambra State, in a 20-minute Christmas Message he sent to Nigerians during an end of the year interaction with journalists in the state.
He said, “As we celebrate the Christmas, we call on everyone, young, old, educated, illiterate, rich and poor not to fear or be terrified by the happenings in our environment. The news is that Jesus is still interested in this world, in our country, Nigeria, and in you, too, for He is ready to defend you and provide for you”.
He explained that the birth of Jesus is Good News because it is personal. It is directed to the individual. This is because God is interested in us, as individuals.
“Every one of us, whether you are short, tall, rich or poor, no matter the situation you find yourself, the Good News is for you because Jesus cares for Nigeria. He cares for us in this state and also cares for our various communities.
“The message of Christmas is for all nations as it is written in the Bible. It is for all of us who collectively have a Saviour who takes care of our individual needs. Jesus Christ is a Saviour who loves us, and Christmas brings this News of Love.
“It is a message of love in a world where governments and individuals may not care, a world where people who you expect to meet you in time of serious needs utterly disappoint you.
“But the love of God which comes through our Lord Jesus Christ, shows us that interest, that love and that care are strong and capable of drawing people together, for love draws.
The bishop further explained what godly love can do in the lives of believers.
“The love of God in those who have accepted Jesus Christ compels us to do those things that have the capacity to change the world and cause transformation, healing and bringing of solutions to the pervading problems that ravage the world today”.
He therefore called on all Nigerians to approach God in absolute sincerity for whatever they thought they lacked or feared they might not get.
He appealed to all Nigerians to, “Just come to Him in obedience with sacrifice and with the spirit of commitments. You will then realize that the message of hope that comes from the love of God is life-changing.
“Jesus brings hope and that hope is what will carry us on and even through the New Year and continue till the final coming of our Lord Christ who will come to take us to our heavenly home.”