(BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE)

The Primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion, the Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh has charged Christians to hold onto the name of Jesus in the year 2020, because it is the only name that has never failed and will never fail. The Primate made this known while delivering his New Year message at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Abuja.

According to Primate Okoh, to travel along this year, one needs this name that heaven and earth honours, to be victorious. He quoted copiously from the Bible, pointing out the power in the name of Jesus and the fact that the name works for only those who believe in that name and those whose ways are pure in the sight of God.

He said, “For the name of Jesus to work for you, do not have two faces – one for a life of evil and one for Church and religious activities.”

The head of the Anglican Church in Nigeria urged believers not to take the name of Jesus in vain by living hypocritical lives, because according to him, the name of Jesus is sufficient for all ramifications.

The Most Rev. Okoh observed that the New Year reminds all that time is like a moving train that keeps moving. According to him, some are able to hold on by the grace of God, while some others fall off, not because of their own weaknesses (lack of exercise, lack of good food and water, or bad accommodation), but because that is the design of nature; that after some time, those who are here are not here anymore.

Hence, he called on all who have gone astray to retrace their steps to Jesus, stressing that man cannot guarantee anything about his journey on earth, but God can. He pointed out that the only thing one knows about 2020 is the number of months, weeks and days it has, but only God knows what will happen in those weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds.

Therefore he said, “The name of Jesus is your weapon for 2020 and your compass.”

Primate Okoh concluded his message, noting that the difficulties Nigeria is passing through as a nation can only get better if Nigerians genuinely recognize the position of God in their lives. He emphasized that injustice and peace cannot work together, no matter the prayer.