Friday, March 29, 2024

Hard times’ll make us wiser, more spiritual -Prophet Oguntomilola


Prophet Ajibola Ezekiel Oguntomilola is the Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Iju, Agege, Lagos. In this interview with GBOLAHAN DADA, the PFN chairman talks about what Nigeria needs to survive the current hard times. He also talks about Christendom in general. Excerpts:


At such a critical time in the history of Nigeria, what is the role of PFN and how has the association been able to help the government of the day?
The role of PFN is to pray for Nigeria and we have been doing that for a long time. We hope that God will intervene because of our faith and trust in Him alone.
Surely, God will help us. He promised in the Bible, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’

How do we resolve the economic crisis, looking at the situation from the Biblical angle?
We can only resolve it by prayers and fasting because it is has been like this in the days of Samaria but the Lord put an end to it. The same God is still alive and he can help Nigeria out of this mess.

How do we see Nigeria’s present problem?
It is a way forward for the wise, according to the Bible in Exodus 23 verse 25 and Genesis 26. Nigerians, irrespective of our religions, we should all know what to do now. We should be alive to our commitments and dedicated to the things of the spirit. We should not be carnally minded. We should hold firm to the promises of God concerning our situations.

What do you think about the current trend where ladies and women even dress half-nude to the church?
It is an abomination for women to enter the house of God naked. Women should be decent in their dressing. But I am not surprised because the Bible talks about perilous times and we should all know that.

Who is a true Christian?
A true Christian is a person who obeys and keeps the laws of God. The evidence of a true Christian is displayed in both faith and action. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). James says, “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Jesus put it this way: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). A true Christian will show his faith by how he lives. Despite the wide variety of beliefs that fall under the general “ Christian ” label today, the Bible defines a true Christian as one who has personally receives Jesus Christ as Saviour, who trusts in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins, who has the Holy Spirit residing in him and whose life evinces change consistent with faith in Jesus.

How do we recognise one when we see him or her?
We recognise Christians by their characters because the Bible says we shall know them by their fruits.

What is your advice to Christians in government?
My advice to them is to remember that this world is a market place. They bring nothing in to this world and they will take nothing out of it; also they must know that anything they are doing today is history tomorrow. So, they should be careful and live a God-fearing life.

“NIGERIANS, IRRESPECTIVE OF OUR RELIGIONS, WE SHOULD ALL KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. WE SHOULD BE ALIVE TO OUR COMMITMENTS AND DEDICATED TO THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. WE SHOULD NOT BE CARNALLY MINDED”

 

Who is your Biblical role model?
My biblical role model is Abraham and Joseph.

What is the role of women in Christian homes?
The role of women is to teach their children and household the way of the Lord, according to Proverbs 31 verse 10.

What is your advice on the way forward for the nation’s economy?
My advice is for Nigeria to keep on praying; the Lord will do it again. He did it for the people of Samaria; He will put an end to famine for us.

The Nigeria economy is currently in a recession and it has resulted in hardship…
(Cuts in) God is at work. Genesis 26 tells us how Isaac dwelt in recession but the Lord blessed him. In situations like this that God is still available and alive for those who trust in him. Enemies were against Isaac and they stood as stumbling block to his progress, but still, God showed his mercy on Isaac and led him to a place called Rehoboth, which means ‘For the Lord has blessed me in this place and I will be fruitful in the land.’

As a man of God, is there any hope for a great change in Nigeria?
Yes. Even if anybody comes to God this time around or trust God according to the Bible, he/she cannot suffer because He (God) will provide and make a way for them. If He can make way for people like me, there is nobody He cannot make a way for. Mark 10 verse 27, but with God all things are possible.

What have been the contributions of both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria towards making Nigeria a better place for all?
The only positive contribution is to pray; which we have been doing. I will continue to say it, our reason of coming together is to seek the face of the Lord. It is not a social gathering or for a politically oriented agenda. We always meet at Ifako ijaye Christian Association of Nigeria under the leadership of Bishop M. O Dare and I’m one of the leaders and representatives of PFN Ifako ijaye province. Even PFN Ifako Ijaye just finished their fire Crusade and prayers for the nation, which we started on September 27 to 29 2016 at Ojokoro mini stadium beside MFM and it was great.

What are the specific things you think that are missing in Christendom?
What is really missing is the fear of God Almighty as God’s people are not saying the truth again.

What is your advice for all Nigerians?
My advice is for all Nigerians to come back to their God; I mean the Lord Jesus, to know that we bring nothing in to this world and we can take nothing out of it.

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