February 15, 2025
Reflections By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

THE TESTIMONY OF LIFESTYLE

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Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

As Christians, it is very important that we become conscious of the role our LIFESTYLE plays, both in adding meaning to the FAITH we profess and in convincing others on the need to share the same Faith. Where there is no agreement between the Faith we profess and our day to day Lifestyle, then there is a very big problem. This may explain why, for example, here in the country, we have many Christians, preachers, evangelists, pastors, prayer ministries, churches, etc. and yet there is increase in crime and people are fast abandoning the faith. A Latin adage beautifully captures what we are saying thus: โ€˜Verba movet, Exampla trahunt’ (i.e Words move, Examples carry). Indeed, you may speak so well and even in tongues but if your LIFESTYLE contradicts your WORDS, then you cannot inspire even an ant.

Jesus Christ understood the connection between Word and Lifestyle so much such that he was not only conscious of that but at a point in his life he stopped and asked the Apostles questions on that thus: โ€œWho do people say I am?… Who do you say I am…?” (cf. Mk 8:27-35). Unfortunately, a number of Christians and ministers do not care about the above in their day to day LIFESTYLE. This is exactly the reason why we are where we are today. Unless we are ready to struggle on daily basis towards upholding LIFESTYLE that is in conformity with the FAITH we profess, we would not really make any headway. The Catechism is very clear on the above thus:

… In order that the message of salvation can show the power of its TRUTH and radiance before men, it must be AUTHENTICATED by the witness of the LIFE of Christians. “The witness of a Christian life and good works done in a supernatural spirit have GREAT power to draw men to the FAITH and to GOD (cf. CCC n. 2044).

Surely, upholding a LIFESTYLE that is worthy of the FAITH we profess is not always easy but that is actually part of the CROSS that we ought to carry on daily basis as true sons and daughters of God. Jesus himself made it very clear thus: โ€œIf anyone will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his CROSS DAILY and follow me” (CCD no 342, Mk 8:34f). We must reject all the erroneous doctrines of the world which denounce the CROSS and all the Christian DISCIPLINE associated with it. Those who propagate such doctrines are โ€˜ENEMIES of the Cross of Christ’ (cf. Phil 3:18-19).

We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, always obtain for us the graces that will enable us remain faithful to the end, Amen๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

Remain blessed!

contributor
Rev. Fr. David Okolie is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. He is a prolific writer, retreat preacher and social media evangelizer.

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