Bishop Onyia says God is faithful, trustworthy even in tempting times

By Stanley Nwanosike

Rt. Rev. Christian Onyia, the Bishop, Diocese of Nike Anglican Communion in Enugu State, says the God Almighty is faithful and trustworthy in all times, especially in tempting and unfavourable times.

Onyia said this in a homily he delivered on Sunday at the ongoing Second session of the 6th Synod of the Diocese at the Church of the Beatitudes, Trans Ekulu, Enugu; with the synod theme: “The Covenant Keeping God”.

The bishop noted that God’s faithfulness in all things is fully embedded in his covenant with men; and those that call on His name and follow Him daily must live to obey Him in all righteousness and truth, departing from sin and wickedness.

He said that “God does not only love to establish covenant relationships, but He is faithful, sensitive and responsive to keeping His own part of the bargain, that is, diligent to fulfil unto mere mortals like us, His own covenant obligations”.

Onyia, who alluded to the book of Deuteronomy 7:9 in the Holy Bible, said that without doubt, without fail, without any possibility of variation, God is faithful and He can be fully trusted.

According to him, He (God Almighty) can be relied upon. God, this God we are talking about, is a faithful God; “I am a living testimony.”

The bishop said that He keeps covenant and mercy: without fail, “our God is alert and alive to His covenant obligation and responsibility” towards everyone he created and has not abandoned anyone.

“The Synod theme was carefully framed recognising the existence of some covenant keeping gods, hence we chose “The Covenant Keeping God” as our theme. God is not “a covenant keeping god” but, “The Covenant Keeping God”.

“All other gods, even when they seem to keep covenants, always fail either as a result of the price or sacrifices presented to them.

“Evidence abound on how gods who promised to respect covenants gave up the same subjects when a higher offer/sacrifice was made to them by another person,” he said.

The cleric said that Christian walk with God can never be complete or fruitful until we understand this subject of Covenant and begin to bring its elements into our relationship with God, and with one another.

“Covenants are not only important, they are powerful. If an individual has understanding of covenants and respects them, covenants will protect and defend the individual.

“On the other hand, if a person walks carelessly and violates covenants, the covenants will fight the person involved.

“Anyone desiring a meaningful walk with the Lord cannot go far or achieve much without a covenant,” he added.

(NAN)