By Ada Mere
Salvation has been described as a free gift from God and a veritable tool for the kingdom of God.
The Founder and Leader, ArchBishop of Living Christ Mission Inc., His Grace the Most Rev Prof. Daddy Hezekiah OON, Proprietor and Chancellor, Hezekiah University, Umudi ,Imo State made the statement during the church 32nd Anniversary of the church’s youth wing at the Administrative Headquarters in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Daddy Hezekiah maintained that salvation is like birth mark and license to a child of God, adding that salvation is separation and deliverance from sin, wickedness, worldliness, devil’s dominion, spiritual slavery, bondage, impossibilities and spiritual death.
The man of God hinted that salvation is a spiritual link between man and his creator, and a platform for Christianity.
“It’s a necessary tool for all breakthrough, spiritual growth, renewal and spiritual exploit. It’s a total change from sinful life to a renewed glorious God like life. It is the pathway to righteousness,” Hezekiah said.
Speaking further, he said without being saved, one cannot be part of God, or righteous, holy or make heaven, noting that our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, died on the cross of Calvary to make salvation easier for us.
In his soul-reviving and renewal sermon titled, “WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION,” Daddy Hezekiah citiing the book of Romans 8, first and second books of Timothy, stressed that every Christian has a role to play as a child of God by purifying himself to be successful and a noble vessel of honour.
He stated that one needs a rebirth by God to be part of God’s kingdom. Citing Romans 8: 1, he said, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. He urged Christians to sacrifice their sins and wickedness for God’s redemption.
Hezekiah regretted and expressed displeasure that many youths hardly pray, read their bibles or seek after righteous living. He described what is going presently as perilous times hence Christians ought to go back to God because according to him, the days are evil and the world is full of wickedness.
Hezekiah noted that “God is the hope of Christians in the ages past and their hope for years to comes.”
He urged youths to shun youthful passions, worldly fashion and aim at righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call the Lord with a pure heart.
Speaking on the characteristics of salvation, the Prophet of God pointed out that a Christian that has salvation is controlled by the spirit of God, likes praying and reading the bible, hates sin, and sets mind on heavenly things.
On the importance of salvation, Hezekiah stressed that salvation links one with God, makes him to take perfect control of the person, the spirit of God dwells in the person, makes one a heavenly citizen, a co-heir with Christ, adding that for one to be covered with the blood of Jesus, one would be alienated from ancestral bondages and curses, and would have the righteousness of God, would have to please God, and be the son of god.
The cleric listed the essential factors that affect salvation either positively or negatively to include marriage, environment and place of worship, type of friends, occupation or work, and love of money.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Temple youths humbly appreciated God for His unconditional love, care and perfect protection inspire of the increase in death, sickness, hardship and various uncertainties in contemporary society.
They equally thanked God for sparing their lives and keeping them in faith as they celebrated the 32nd Anniversary of the youth wing of the great church.
They also recalled that Daddy Hezekiah formed the youth wing in 1992 to unite and raise youths who genuinely hunger and thirst for the Lord through holiness and righteousness, adding that the man of God has by the grace of God, instilled an uncommon knowledge and fear of God in many youths by teaching the undiluted word of God,
Meanwhile Daddy Hezekiah has called on the youths to be exceptional and role model positively impacting and influencing society with righteousness and desisting from social vices such as indecent dressing, immorality, and get- rich-quick syndrome.
The youths lauded Daddy Hezekiah for leading them to Christ, awarding most of them scholarships, assisting those in business, building houses for the less privileged, providing food to the poor, paying hospital bills and offering financial support to countless individuals.