Calvin said as much too: “as often as we mention Faith alone . . . we are not thinking of a dead faith, which worketh not by love, but holding faith to be the only cause of justification. (Galatians 5:6; Romans 3:22.) It is, therefore, faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is not alone.”

The Apostle Peter draws attention to similarly critical issues in his second letter. He notes that we have been called to be partakers of God’s glory, blessed with unshakable promises: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3–4). All done! We should say. Yes indeed! But then he goes on to speak against the complacency that leads to lukewarmness: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (2 Peter 1:5). Faith must be supported with responsible Christian conduct and ethical standards. We must make every effort to know what God’s will is. This might mean listening to the testimony of others, spending time in healthy Christian material, attending fellowship to study the Bible with others and praying together. This is knowledge through access to the right information.

Advent challenges us to avoid the narrow-mindedness that makes us dodge Christian obligations to ourselves, our families, our neighbours, friends, our communities, God’s Church and the society. We must seek ways to press on as people walking in the light of God, living as children of light. That way, we will not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but will rather be committed to exposing them, so that God’s Kingdom will come among us. Do you know all that you ought to know at this point of your Christian life? Do you have Bible-based convictions that make you stand your ground for Jesus, whatever others choose to do? Or are you just carried along with every wind of doctrine without verifying the spirit behind them? Advent is a time for serious soul-searching.

How much are we prepared to invest in our Christian lives to enlighten us? How about attending conferences, buying books (and reading them!), waiting on God to know His mind (and to obey!)? See how Apostle Paul put it to the Ephesians:  Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart… (Ephesians 5:15–19).

We must open our eyes to see the distance ahead of us and then press on. We must seek to know what will help us grow into robust, Christlike, heavenly-minded but earthly-relevant children of God in a straying generation, where we are to shine like stars.

Most Rev. (Dr.) Emmanuel A.S. Egbunu, Bishop of Lokoja

We are quickly approaching the end of the church year and the beginning of the season of Advent and Christmas. This season is often one of the favourites of the church, even as the weather gets colder, we enjoy the warmth, the familiarity and beauty of the age-old traditions of the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

This year, however, is anything but familiar – we are still in the grip of a global pandemic that continues to rage and surge in communities throughout the world and we are force us to modify our normal celebrations.

Who is guiding us in our daily living? On whom are we focusing as we do our shopping or visit family or attend a holiday party? Is our delight truly awe of the Lord? Who and what is your focus? the struggle “is always between grace and sin, between the Lord who wants to save us and pull us away from this temptation and the evil spirit who always throws us down” in order to defeat us. Are the decisions we make in union with God or dictated by selfishness?

As we continue to make straight the path to God, let us be mindful of our own difficulties in loving each other.
Let us not put conditions on God; rather, let us truly examine our own heart that it is open to receive the Word made flesh to dwell among us.

May we have the spirit of strength to follow Jesus; not to judge Him, but to befriend Him.
May we make room in our heart for God’s actions and be accountable before the Lord.
As Christians, we should be well poised for this waiting.

Advent is a season of waiting – yes waiting for the celebration for Christmas, but more importantly, it marks a season of waiting for Jesus’ second coming. As a church we have been patiently waiting for that day for almost two-thousand years plus, perseverance is a hallmark of our faith and so I call each and every one of us to keep the faith and to embrace the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love that we experience and celebrate in the Advent season.

Waiting isn’t easy, but by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the faith and support of our fellow Christian. I pray that we will persevere and not lose hope. God is with us; God is with our church; God is with our nation, our state and our communities. That I know, and I pray that you will know that truth too.

May God bless us and our families this Advent and Christmas season, and may we all persevere in the faith as we wait for better days that lie ahead.

Yours in His Matchless Grace.

Pax Vobiscum.

The Rt. Rev’d Gabriel O. Elabor, OSA, JP.
Anglican Bishop of Esan