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Religion of Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Source: Christian Council of Ghana

Use Easter to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice for mankind – CCG

Easter is a time for us to reflect on what Jesus Christ did for mankind on the cross of Calvary over 2000 years ago. It commemorates the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ after his redemptive self-sacrifice for the eternal salvation of mankind. It offers us the opportunity to ponder and appreciate the gift of salvation offered to us at Christ’ expense, and guard it jealously.

The season teaches us the extraordinary sacrifice Christ made, and the sufferings he endured to save each and every one of us from eternal condemnation. It also reminds us of the selflessness, love and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly sojourn. It was a difficult period but He persevered.

As a people and children of God, we must also be willing to make sacrifice for one another and our beloved country. It is of a truth that the times we live in are very challenging for us as a country, but we must be willing to make sacrifice for the sake of peace, harmony and the prosperity of our homeland Ghana.

In this period of Easter, we urge the Church to make the death and resurrection of Jesus the centre of their ministry and avoid the commercialization of the gospel. The gospel was given to us through sacrifice, and the Church must exhibit this characteristic of Jesus, and focus on leading people to live for Christ rather than manipulating them in the name of ‘prophecies and miracles’.

Let us celebrate the Passiontide in sober recollection of Christ's crucifixion. Let us think about how we can help to steer our nation back on the road to prosperity, by working in the spirit of oneness and love.

It is our prayer that as we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, his lessons of self-sacrifice, brotherly love, placing others before self, tolerance, obedience, respect for lawful authorities, dutifulness, diligence, honesty, justice and fairness to all will take firmer root in our beloved country and help us to overcome present challenges and build the more peaceful, secure, united, and prosperous nation of our dreams.

We admonish everyone with 1 Peter 1:3-5, which reads “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see” (NLT)

We wish every Ghanaian a blessed Easter in Jesus’ name.

Rev Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong

General Secretary