By Rosemary Wayo
Tamale, July 20, GNA – The Reverend Dennis Debukari Tong, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Tamale, has urged Christians to remain faithful and endure suffering arising from their service to Christ and humanity.
He said the sacrifices of time, resources and energy made in defence of Christ’s Church and in pursuit of salvation could not be compared with the eternal glory awaiting the children of God.
Rev Tong made the call in a homily delivered to churches in the Anglican Diocese of Tamale on the theme: “We Shall Share in the Glory.”
He said the Christian life was not about immediate rewards but the eternal joy that awaited those who remained faithful to Jesus Christ.
He, therefore, encouraged Christians to cast aside everything that hindered their focus on Christ in their quest for salvation.
“Jesus endured the cross knowing the joy that was to come out of His endurance. This is the only way through which we can share with Jesus the joy that is set before us,” he said.
Rev Tong referred to Genesis 28:10-19 and highlighted Jacob’s encounter with God, during which God made a promise to him.
“The promise to share with Christ is there for us but we must move on defying all odds, difficulties and challenges that come our way,” he said.
The Bishop emphasised that Christians must remain focused on Jesus Christ rather than institutions or personal struggles.
Referring to the parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13:24-30, he reminded believers that although the righteous and unrighteous lived together, Christians must not be influenced by worldly practices.
He said “At harvest, the weeds remain weeds and wheat remains wheat. We must endure the sufferings of this present age in order to remain faithful and share in the glory of Christ when it is revealed.”
Rev Tong also emphasised the need for Christians to depend on the Holy Spirit to overcome life’s challenges, noting that those led by the Spirit of God were His children.
GNA
Edited by Eric K Amoh/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Writer: Rosemary Wayo
Email: [email protected]