Faith
By Mercy Osajiugo
Paiko (Niger State) April 8, 2018 (NAN) Rev. Father Christian Achinivu, the Parish Priest of St Martins Catholic Church Paiko, Niger State, has condemned commercialisation of God’s Word, and urged Christians to anchor their faith only on God.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Paiko on Sunday, Achinivu said that peoples’ faith in God was dying because religion had been commercialised by some people.
According to him, some religious activities are now being commercialised against the teachings of Jesus Christ.
”Many things done in the name of God are commercialised, and as a result, faith is dying,
“But without faith, it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
“Quest for miracles, prophecies are now the trend. The more people go for all that, the less faith they are able to have,” he said, quoting Hebrews Chapter 11, Verse 6 of the Bible.
Achinuvu reiterated the importance of faith in the lives of Christians, saying that faith of some Christians had come under attack as a result of search for miracles.
“It is important to Jesus that he finds faith on earth. Whenever Jesus healed someone, he would say: Go, your faith has made you whole.
“He never said: Jesus’s faith saved you, but your own faith.
“Considering what is going on today around the world, the devil is attacking man’s faith, and that is the reason some people are just looking for miracle centres.
According to him, holy life and trust in God to answer prayers are key steps to take for the Kingdom of God.
Achinuvu said that decline in faith had led many to impostors brandishing themselves as pastors, noting that many people no longer spent time seeking God but sought man for miracles.
He advised Christians to de-emphasise material things and seek God with humility and faith. (NAN)
MNO/AOS/IGO
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Ijeoma Popoola