General Overseer of Redeemed Evangelical Ministry TREM, Bishop Mike Okonkwo has taken a swipe at Nigerian preachers describing what many preach as transactional gospel.
He made the observation while preaching recently at Dr Abel’s Damina’s Church, Power City in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Okonkwo who will clock 79 this year said Nigeria is what it is today because preachers are not preaching messages that could transform lives.
While emphasising God’s grace in a believer’s life, he said, “Enough of transactional gospel. If God is so transactional we will manipulate him.
Everything God did for us we have no hand in it. We are all beneficiaries of the grace of God. Don’t frustrate grace. Don’t despise grace. It is of his mercy, we are not consumed.” He reiterated.
Many preachers according to him don’t preach the love of God adding however that, “what we should know is that we belong to his kingdom.
Christ has been made a curse for us, that the blessing of God might come upon us.”
He kicked against insinuations that believers could carry curse.
“Where is the curse from? If any man is in Christ, he is a brand-new specie of being that has never existed. Enough of being afraid of God.
God is not sitting on the throne of judgment. He is sitting on the throne of grace. Grace is available.
“I am eternally saved and eternally redeemed. All my sins are forgiven, past present, and future. I know it. Why? because I have eternal life. I am not waiting until I get to heaven to know if I am there or not. Right now, I am in heaven.” He declared.
He said further, “I have been around. I know where I am coming from. When I am telling you something believe it. Most of the things we practice in Nigeria are not good.
“The greatest harvest field is the church in Nigeria. If everybody who goes to church understands their identity in Christ this nation will change.
Despite all the churches we are still like this, it does not make sense to me. That shows there is something wrong with the message. People can’t be transformed if they hear the wrong message.”
He added that, “The only thing that can satisfy is to receive Christ. Jesus is one side that fits everything. You have it all other things will gravitate to you. There is something about eternal life. Every human being needs it.
“The greatest thing that can happen to a man is to be born again and after that a mind renewal. Once your mind is changed you are on top. If it is renewed you will exercise dominion. Salvation is not man-made.
God is the only one who packaged it and he is the one that can perfect it.”
