A Christian group, Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN) Abuja Archdiocese, has urged Christians to desist from alteration of date of birth or documents for whatever reason not to lose focus of eternity.
The resolution is contained in a communique issued at the end of a 3-day conference on Sunday in Abuja, organised by the Archdiocesan Service Team (ADST).
The communique, signed by Brother Vitus Chukwudolue, the Chairman of ADST and Sister Angela Odunukwe, the Secretary, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the theme of the 8th Conference is -“At a Time Like This’’, taken from the book of 2nd Timothy chapter three verses one to five.
The theme was chosen in response to the challenges faced in the family, society, Church and the nation at large.
The group after messages, discussions and professional workshop, urged Christians to focus on advancing and entrenching the Kingdom of God.
It also resolved that in every sphere of life, every Christian was expected to portray the following virtues- diligence, hard work and honesty.
“That in addition to prayers, every member should seek to obtain requisite knowledge and skill needed to succeed in every sphere of life.
“That no member should be involved in the following- over invoicing of goods and services, inflation of contracts, dealing and use of substandard materials, dealing in fake drugs, examination malpractices, abortion, extortion and bribery.
“Also, operating and patronising special-help examination centres and cheating, as well as involvement in sex for marks among other vices.’’
According to the communique, every member should pursue righteousness and seek to know the mind of God in his word and in the place of prayer.
In addition, the group observed that the problem in family, society, church and the nation at large was as a result of lack of God’s presence in the lives of Christians.
Earlier, Chukwudolue said a child of God who must survive in the world, should have in-depth knowledge of the time and be abreast with all the skills and doggedness required.
“We are in the last days; people have become lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, and disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and without love.
“The conference avails us the opportunity to tap into God’s grace to be able to withstand the pressure of the time,’’ he said.
According to him, the theme is very apt at a time that the country is going through economic, political, moral and social challenges.
Speaking at Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, Abuja Archdiocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr John Oluma, spoke about the merciful, loving and caring attributes of God.
Quoting from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 15 verses three to seven, the priest said God was in the business of seeking for lost souls.
He, therefore, urged Christians to learn the following lessons from the Gospel as “God knows them individuals and love them personally in respective of what they are going through.
“You can lose your position just like the lost sheep lost his position, so you need to get close to the shepherd and have a relationship with Him.
“You are God’s possession, a coin has monetary value; your value is in connection with God, who owns us.’’
NAN reports that the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN) started in Abuja in 1982 and now has no fewer than 90 prayer groups and 25,000 members in the Archdiocese.