WHAT MANNER OF LOVE

Dearly beloved, one major challenge of today’s church folks is the inability to know, accept, and indeed become intimate with the truth of God’s unconditional love. You need to understand that God’s love for us is – Agape love; that is love regardless of what you have done. Agape love is that kind of love that requires nothing from man, but rather it is love that reaches out even when you are undeserving. That is love unconditional!

We see the display of His Agape love first in redemption. Romans 5:6-8 clearly tells us about His love in redemption: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly: for scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’’ In other words, God did not wait for us to know Him; He did not wait for us to come crawling on our knees, but rather He paid the price even when we had not come to terms with the fact that we were on the wrong side of the law; while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Secondly, we see His love displayed in forgiveness. Do you remember the story of the prodigal son? This is a classical example, of the love of God. The boy asked his father to give him his inheritance and he collected it all and left the house and went to a far country where he squandered it all. But look at the love of God; rather than shut the door against the boy for wasting his resources, the father was every day expecting the safe arrival of his son. Notice that when the boy eventually returned to the house, the father ran to him while he was yet afar off. He quickly made available a robe that fitted the young man, shoes his size, a ring for his hand and even much more, his father threw a lavish party to welcome him back home. That is love in action.

Beloved, June 10 is around the corner. We thank God for the life of our mother in the Lord, popularly known as Big Mummy or in some quarters, Bishop Big Mummy. Without a doubt, she has been a blessing to every one of us. God has used her Ministry to wipe tears off many faces. The testimonies abound to lives changed and transformed under her Ministry all to the glory of God.

I, therefore, call on every member to join her on Saturday in a two-hour special worship service from 9:30 a.m. to lift hands of praise to God who has blessed our generation with this gift. Don’t sit at home and wish her well. The Bible rightly says that in the multitude of people is the King’s honour (Prov. 14:28), so come out en mass and let us celebrate her.

As the hosts, we should be here before the guests, so I implore you to be seated by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. It promises to be a great time in the presence of the Lord. I look forward to seeing you there.

As you go about your assignment this week, favour will encompass you like a garment, Grace will speak for you, goodness and mercy shall follow you. June is our month of celebration; get ready, a miracle is coming your way. You will celebrate in Jesus’ name. I bless you.

Maranatha!

In His Royal Service

Dr. Mike Okonkwo

The Presiding Bishop