The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, The Rt. Rev James Olusola Odedeji has called on Christians to eschew all forms of evil and not allow sin to dim their light
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He made the appeal during online broadcast on Ash Wednesday, March 5 which signals the beginning of the 40-day fasting period of Christians known as lent.
Odedeji who noted that the theme of the diocese for the year is ‘be a beacon of light’ emphasised that Jesus has called believers to shine their light so the whole world will see it.
He said, ‘you at the light of the world. Don’t hide your light. Don’t hide your influence. Don’t be quiet when you should speak. Don’t follow the crowd to do evil. Don’t allow sin to dim your light that it may be well with you.’
Earlier in his message he said, ‘The expectation of Jesus is for his followers to be light in the darkness of the world which is characterised by darkness.
‘The world is overwhelmed with darkness. Darkness is everywhere. It has always paraded itself from generation to generation.
‘But Jesus said in John 8v12 that whoever follows me will not walk in darkness. But will have everlasting light.’
While noting that Jesus was very blunt in his presentation, he said, ‘the first thing Jesus said in Mathew 5v14 is that you are the light of the world. This is not open to debate. That is the purpose of our redemption. That is the reason God saved us so that we can make the difference wherever we are.
The light is deposited in your life to lighten the darkness and to reveal God’s purpose for other people’s lives.. It is for you to help the community. It is for you to do that which your heavenly father has sent you to do.”
Bishop Odedeji said further that Jesus has commissioned all believers to go and bear fruit that their fruit may abide.
‘Wherever we are, we are not there to decorate the place or play to the gallery. We are there to be a beacon of light so that through our instrumentality souls will come to the realisation of their redemption.’ He said
Making further allusion to the Bible he said, ‘when your light shines, people around you will see the glory of God. And God will be proud of you. They will glorify your father in heaven. That is when you are fruitful. That is when you can meet God and say, Lord I have done that which you asked me to do.’
