OUR SELF WORTH IS BASED ON CHRIST ALONE
The Lord Bishop of Asaba Diocese Anglican Communion the Rt. Rev. Justus Nnaemeka Mogekwu has asserted that the key to an accurate self – evaluation of our self worth is based on our identity with Christ by whose grace alone we are able to do anything good. The Bishop made the assertion while presenting the Bishop’s Charge to the 3rd Session of the 12th Synod of Diocese of Asaba Anglican Communion holding presently in St. Philip’s Anglican Church, West End Asaba Nigeria.
He stated that “We must also judge our intentions through this prism of what is inside of us in contradistinction to what we want to make people see on the outside. He opined that “If therefore our motives matter so much to God, then we must judge them by God’s own perspective for our own spiritual health.”
The Bishop who is the third Bishop of the Diocese since its inception in 1977 who was speaking on the theme for the Synod ‘Examine Yourself’ taken from 2 Corinthians Chapter 13:5 noted that listed some indices that will help in evaluating our self. They are in the following areas. Marriage: In marriage, it is expedient to ask yourself what is your motive in seeking for a woman’s hand in marriage or accepting a man’s hand in marriage? Is it for wealth, Social Security, Children or Sexual satisfaction?
In Church Service, when you offer yourself or your resources for the service of God are motivated by a sense of gratitude to God or are you doing it to of receive standing ovation or be rewarded with a position in the church? Do you desire the office of a priest/Bishop/Pastor because of godly desire to serve or you are there for self gratification and self aggrandizement? On the area seeking public office, he said that all persons seeking election into such offices will tell us they have the altruistic reasons. Unfortunately some of them end up going into such office at all cost. In the process, some may unleash tugs and killers.
The Cleric finally noted that our self worth can only be enhanced only if we remember that our very life is a battle ground between the Spirit and the flesh. He reminded Christians that as “we follow the Holy Spirit, we must not rely on our own human effort. Our evil desires and natural inclinations (which lead us to sin) as we allow the word of God to dwell richly in us in all wisdom shall be identified and done away with.” Summarily, he advised that a Christian must at every moment, be on his toes. His life must be one of daily examination, daily repenting and daily connection to the Holy Spirit. He warned that Christians must ensure that they do not after naming the name of Christ and preaching to others, become a castaway on the last day.
On hand to witness the presentation of the Bishop’s Charge were some other Bishops from within and outside the Bendel Province of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. Notable among them were retiring Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Rt. Rev. J. E. Edewor who incidentally was one of the priest that served in the host Church before he became a bishop, Rt. Rev. David & Mrs Joy Obiosa of Ndokwa Diocese, Rt. Rev Emamezi of Western Izon Diocese, Rt. Rev Christian Ide of Warri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Jolly E. Oyekpen of Akoko Edo Diocese, A representative of Rt. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, A representative of Rt. Rev. Dr. Onekpe of Ika Diocese, etc.
