The Madina Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Anthony Kwabla Ahalivor, has called on Christians to discard their former lifestyles and adhere to the core values and principles of the kingdom of God.
Apostle Ahalivor said this on Sunday, 23rd December, 2018, at Sychar Prayer Grounds to climax the Madina District 2018 Christmas Convention which was on the theme, “No Jesus, No Salvation” taken from Acts 4:12.
Speaking on the topic, “The Values and the Principles of The Kingdom of God” based on Matthew 5:20, he said the Pharisees and the Scribes looked pious but they were far from the kingdom of God due to their hypocritical attitudes.
He, therefore, urged Christians to demonstrate genuine lifestyles by adhering to the values and principles of the kingdom of God.
“The fact of the reality is that until our righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, we will never enter the kingdom of God. This is because life in heaven operates according to God’s kingdom principles and values,” he stated.
Apostle Ahalivor urged Christians to eschew sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy and the like, (Galatians 5:19-22) since those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“We have been chosen by God as His very own and we have been called to represent Him to others by adhering to His kingdom’s values and principles. Remember that your value comes from being one of God’s chosen, holy and royal children and not from what you have achieved or accomplished,” he stated.
He encouraged believers to determine to live in accordance with the values and the principles of the kingdom of God which includes love, joy, peace, kindness, and goodness (Galatians 5:22-23).
He stressed the need for Christians to forgive one another irrespective of magnitude of the offense so that they can move on in life, saying, “The more you forgive, the more you set yourself free from emotional imprisonment and psychological trauma because the person you have issues with, may be enjoying his or her life without thinking of you.”
In order to forgive genuinely, Apostle Ahalivor encouraged Christians to increase their love towards one another since love is one of the key values and principles of the kingdom of God demonstrated by Christ, even to His enemies.
He also advised Christians to determine to live in unity, peace, and joy in order to promote sanity in the home, community and God’s house. He advised believers to stay away from backbiting, sabotaging, gossip and defamation which kill souls and destroy relationships.
He also admonished Christians to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus in their relationship with one another.
He called on believers to respect, obey and humble themselves under the authority of their leaders in the church, community, and workplace. “The same leaders you disrespect, disobey, devalue and act arrogantly toward them, will be the ones to lift you up to the next level of life. How will you feel when you meet these same leaders you disregarded at the door of opportunities?” he pointed out.
Apostle Ahalivor, therefore, urged Christians to devote themselves to the activities of the church and the kingdom business.
He also urged children of God to be hospitable to all persons especially strangers, since hospitality open doors, brings favour and blessings (Hebrews 13:2). He stated, “God’s angels will not visit you with their wings but they will come as visitors and strangers, so never neglect those who come close to your door or underrate the power and opportunities derived from genuine hospitality.”
He further noted that patience is another kingdom value and principle which is pivotal in life. He advised Christians to exercise patience in everything especially issues concerning life, prosperity and dealing with people.
As part of his annual donation to the needy in the church, the Madina District Minister, Pastor Kofi Okyire Appianing, used the occasion to donate assorted items to 60 aged and disadvantaged members in the district.
Report by Joshua Asamoah Darko, Madina Area.
