The Anglican Bishop of Jalingo, the Rt. Rev. Foreman Nedison, has reminded Christians that those who abandoned all and followed Christ never miss their reward. He said Jesus would always care for His own.
Speaking on the theme: “Follow Me – The Benefits and Implications of Christians Following Jesus” taken from Matt. 4:19, the Bishop, who was the guest preacher at the synod, held at All Saints Cathedral Ughelli, noted that Peter and early disciples that followed Christ were transformed from uneducated fishermen into influential fishers of men. He explained that Jesus is not user of men but maker of men and so, to follow Him is to be made in life.
He said: “Those who leave something to follow Jesus stand to gain, both here in this life and hereafter, as Jesus continues to bless/reward those who faithfully follow Him.”
The Guest Preacher said to faithfully follow Jesus entails self-denial and making God’s interest first priority. This, he said, means placing God over and above self, by loving Him with all heart and mind.
The Bishop, while listing the benefits of following Jesus to include access to revelation and mysteries of life, Kingdom and empowerment for preservation, ascribed the dearth of revelation in the church to the large number of ministers that are not truly following Jesus. He underscored the importance of revelation in every sphere of life, as well as the power to do exploits and be protected.
The Bishop of Ughelli and Archbishop of Bendel, the Most Rev. Dr Cyril Odibor Oghene Odutemu, who presided over the Synod, enjoined Christians to be obedient and follow Jesus with their time, connections, relationships and resources, even as he assured them of enjoying fruits of the land, when He returns.