As Easter is celebrated across Christendom the world over, Christians have been urged to reflect Christ’s victory over sin, death, and hell in the way they live their lives.
The Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, the Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor, made the call in his Easter message delivered at the Chapel of Grace Bishop’s court, Ekwulobia.
According to him, the sacrifices and victories of Jesus secured for man will amount to nothing if Christians do not live in reality.
Bishop Ezeofor observed that due to the finished works of Christ on the cross, and his resurrection, Easter should be a time of joy and victory for all believers in Christ.
“Man was lost and separated from God due to sin. Through sin, death came into the world and has ravaged man, creating fear and anguish.
“But, through Christ, God began the reconciliation work to redeem man from sin, death and hell. God turned his back on him when he faced his passion just because he wanted him to pay for the sins of men, even though he was without sin.
“When Christ died, he descended into hell and conquered the grave, and on the third day, he rose from the dead.
“The power that resurrected Jesus from the dead is what every Christians need today to lead righteous lives, please God and gain eternity afterwards. Without that, we, as Christians, cannot overcome the devil.
“That’s why it is important that every child of God must know Christ personally and experience the power inherent in him, to be able to succeed in life,” Ezeofor insisted.
The prelate called on Christians to live above sin in order to inherit the kingdom of God.
He urged Christian faithful to make their celebration of Easter a reality by showcasing the victory of Christ’s resurrection through the way they live their lives.
He also emphasized the importance of extending alms and support to the needy and less privileged in society.
Bishop Ezeofor, who maintained that Easter has no connection with masquerading and other traditional practices, pointed out that such practices were never part of the Christian celebration, but part of the antics of the forces of darkness Jesus came to deliver the world from.
Right Reverend Ezeofor, who is also the National Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican communion, EFAC-Nigeria urged the faithful to ensure that what they engage themselves in are in tandem with the Christian faith to avoid contradicting the essence and true meaning of Easter.
