Set Aside Every Culture That Contradicts Heaven: Pastor Onuabuchi Charges Church On Kingdom Identity
By Felix Oti, Awka
The Assistant Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Ogudu Onuabuchi, has urged Christians to set aside every culture that contradicts heaven.
Speaking on the theme “Kingdom Identity”, he said if we are children of God, we must manifest the culture of the Kingdom, so that we will not be rejected.
He described Kingdom culture as the lifestyle, language and mindset of citizens of heaven living on earth.
“You are on earth, but you are not of the earth. Our privilege, our culture, is the kingdom culture,” he said.
Pastor Onuabuchi listed three elements of culture: language, values and ethics.
On language, he quoted Ephesians 4:29, saying no corrupt communication should proceed out of the mouth of a believer, but only words that edify.
On values, he said a child of God must cherish the Kingdom above position and glory, and seek first the Kingdom of God.
On ethics, he quoted Philippians 1:27, warning against hypocrisy. He said conduct must agree with the gospel whether anyone is watching or not, because God is watching.
He taught that God begins with relationship before responsibility. You do not serve to become a son, you serve because you are already a son.
He said believers are citizens of heaven and ambassadors of Christ, with the ministry of reconciliation, according to 2 Corinthians 5:20.
He charged them to think like heaven, not like their location, and to speak faith, not fear, according to Mark 11:23 and Romans 12:2.
“Holiness is not legalism. Holiness is royalty,” he said. “You behave well not because you fear punishment, but because of who you are.”
In conclusion, he said identity is not determined by your past, background or people’s opinions, but by what God says about you.
“Just as the constitution is supreme, where our culture contradicts heaven, we must set it aside. It does not matter if it looks good or if it is our tradition.”
He ended with an altar call, saying the greatest Kingdom identity is salvation, because you cannot represent a Kingdom you do not belong to.
