CHRISTIANITY IS NOT 'MA TRY MA KWƐ’ – METHODIST BISHOP
Posted on Wednesday January 04, 2023Story: Emmanuel
Ashong, Accra
Christians have been told
that the faith is not ‘ma try ma kwɛ’, a popular Ghanaian
parlance that loosely translates ‘let me try and see’.
Making the pronouncement
at a Church Service held at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Palladium – Accra
on Sunday, January 01, 2023, the Methodist Bishop of Accra Diocese, the Rt Rev
Emmanuel Borlabi Bortey indicated that, “You cannot call yourself a Christian
and say, ‘ah well, I’m trying’. No no no, salvation is a gift of God. He, who
has the Son, has life. So if you have believed in Jesus, and reckon Him as your
Lord and your Saviour, then you are saved”, adding “other religions will say
‘ma try ma kwɛ’. Christianity is not ‘ma try ma kwɛ’. Christianity is
assurance that in Jesus, my sins have been forgiven”.
Explaining the essence of
the new covenant God establishes with His people, Bishop Borlabi Bortey revealed
that, “Under the new covenant when Jesus takes away our heart of stone and
gives us a heart of flesh; when He performs that miracle, that surgery; and
renews us from within, our wants and desires are changed. Obeying the law of
God is not something we are forced to…what we enjoy is to do the will of God”.
“All human beings need
this spiritual surgery by which we are given a new heart and a new nature which
is able to live in holiness and righteousness. Not in our own strength because
in our own strength we are all wicked people…but when Christ comes to dwell with
you, He gives you that grace to forgive and to love all men, even your enemies”,
the Methodist Bishop reiterated.
The first Sunday of the
New Year is a special occasion among Methodists across the globe, where members
renew their covenant with God and pledge to live a dedicated Christian life in
keeping with their vows to the Lord. Christened Covenant Sunday Service, the
occasion also presents a unique opportunity to thank the Lord for ushering
members into a New Year.
The Superintendent
Minister of the Accra Circuit, the Very Rev Victor B. B. Boyetey led members to
take the covenant vows which partly read, “I am no longer my own. I belong to You.
Your will, not mine be done in all things. Associate me with whom you will. Let
me be of service, even if it means suffering”.
Members also declared
that, “I lay my whole life on the altar and yield myself and all I have to your
pleasure and disposal. And now, O Gracious and blessed God, Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, I am yours and you are mine”.
The Service saw members,
who were mostly clad in white apparel and their organisational uniforms, sing
and praise God for the gift of a New Year.
The Circuit Minister for
the Accra Circuit, the Rev John G. Bortey Jnr led members in prayers of
thanksgiving, confession and intercessions.