Christians have been told that applying Bible principles is a life or death matter in view of Jesus Christs’ words in Matthew 10:32-38. According to that scripture, “Everyone, then, that confesses union with me before men, I will also confess union with him before my Father who is in the heavens; ³³ but whoever disowns me before men, I will also disown him before my Father who is in the heavens. ³⁴ Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. ³⁷ He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me.”

Delivering a talk based on this scripture and entitled “The Truth Brings, Not Peace But a Sword”, Nelson Nwankpa, one of the speakers at last weekend’s convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ota, Ogun State, made it clear that serving God faithfully requires courage.

“Confessing union with Jesus Christ needs courage but it is necessary if we don’t want to be disowned by him and by his father, Jehovah God. And we know what it means for Jehovah to disown us. It simply means that we have lost his approval and have lost the gift of everlasting life ,” Nwankpa said.

He, however, clarified that “it is not the truth that causes the division in families but the unbelieving family members Satan is using to oppose the truth. It is becasue people tend to oppose change.”

Nwankpa reminded Christians: “We have accepted to suffer and to face shame to be accepted by Jesus,” adding: “If we put any human ahead of Jesus, we are not worthy of him.”

Apart from the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witneses at Ota, conventions would also hold in English and local languages in several other Nigerian cities until December 22. The cities include Agbor, Akabo, Akure, Awi, Badagry, Benin City, Daluwon, Enugu, Igwuruta Ali, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Nko, Ilesa, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Katsina Ala, Kwali, Lekki, Makurdi, Mgboko Umuoria, Okitipupa, Oyede, Sokoto, Ubogo, Uli, Uzuakoli and Zaria.

A statement by the News Service Department of the Convention Organisation said: “Everyone who is interested is invited to attend. Seating is free and there is no collection of any sort.”

•Photo by Chris Nkwocha shows a demonstration in progress at the "God's Word Is Truth!" Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses at Ota.

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