By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Ho, May 2 GNA – Reverend Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP), George Akuamoah-Boateng, Ho East Presbytery Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana (EPCG) Saturday advised Christians to always be physically, environmentally and spiritually clean.
He noted that cleanliness was a virtue akin to spiritual purity.
Rev CSP Akuamoah-Boateng gave the advice in his welcome address at the one-day extraordinary 16th Synod of Ho-East Presbytery of the Church held at the Dela Cathedral Ho Kpodzi.
It is on the theme “Cleanliness is next to Godliness – Keep Clean.”
The Synod was attended by delegates from all Pastoral districts and church groups and schools in the Presbytery.
The Synod Moderator stated that personal hygiene, tidy environment, and moral uprightness reflected respect for oneself and others.
“Personal hygiene and tidy environment is a divine standard that brings practical habits to the fore, with deeper ethics,” he emphasized.
The Re. CSP Akuamoah-Boateng intimated that a clean body and home mirror a pure heart adding that true godliness requires inner spiritual cleansing.
He said this understanding was highlighted in religious teachings from ancient to modern interpretations in the Bible.
The Synod Moderator noted that from a moral spiritual perspective, individual efforts should be directed at ensuring a pure heart before God, good virtues, honest actions and abstaining from evil and corruption.
“Symbolically, we should endeavour to live a disciplined life, respect for oneself, others and community and also uphold a clear mind in all things,” he admonished.
The Rev CSP Akuamoah-Boateng continued that in many traditions physical cleanliness was a religious requirement that showed one’s devotion, as cleanliness demonstrated a sign of piety.
He reminded Christians not to forget that God’s kingdom operated on internal purity and not just external actions.
“Inner integrity involves purity of mind, will, desires and affections free from hidden motives like hatred, greed, lust and self-centeredness among others,” he noted.
The Synod Moderator stated that Jesus Christ called for a radical internal transformation where the core of the individual believer’s motives and desires became clean and singularly focused on God.
He hoped the deliberations of the Synod would propel the Church and nation forward.
Rev Dr Abraham Doeviga Akoto, Men’s Desk Programme Officer of the Church who represented the Standing Committee of the Church, praised the Presbytery for their unity of purpose and the good working relationship they had with the Headquarters.
He advised the delegates to be worthy ambassadors of the Church in their various communities.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade