By Chioma Obinagwam
A pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has called on Christians to move beyond the rituals of church attendance and embrace a lifestyle of honest self-examination, warning that participation in religious activities is no guarantee of righteousness before God.
Confiance News gathered that Pastor Cephas Afebuameh of RCCG Solidrock Parish delivered the charge during Sunday’s service, anchoring his message in a pointed two-part question he posed to the congregation: “Am I doing well? Is it really well with me?”
“Participation is not righteousness
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 11:29 and 2 Corinthians 13:5, Pastor Afebuameh stressed that self-examination is not merely a practice reserved for moments at the communion table — it is a continuous, personal spiritual obligation.
“Membership is not uprightness,” he told the congregation. “The matter of self-examination is important. We are not judging anyone; we are asking that you examine yourself.”
The warning of Cain
The sermon drew heavily from the account of Cain in Genesis 4, using his story as a cautionary tale for believers who may be drifting spiritually while still appearing outwardly successful.
Pastor Afebuameh noted that Cain’s offering was rejected not because of what he brought, but because of the condition of his heart. “When you do well before the Lord, you will be accepted. It doesn’t matter what others say,” he said, referencing Isaiah 3:10.
He pointed out a sobering observation — that fruitfulness and even visible achievement can coexist with being outside the will of God. “Cain’s wife conceived. He built a city. But every mention of Cain in the Bible was placed there to warn us,” the pastor said, citing Jude 1:11.
He also cautioned against mistaking God’s patience for divine approval of sinful living. “That God has allowed you a long rope does not mean that He is slack and you should remain in sin. He is still merciful — but time is running out.”
Three who cannot be deceived
One of the sermon’s most striking moments came when the pastor identified three parties that no believer can successfully deceive: yourself, God, and the devil.
“You cannot deceive yourself,” he said. “Deep down, you know where you stand.”
A call to come to your senses
Referencing the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, Pastor Afebuameh framed the entire message as a call to spiritual sobriety.
“The essence of this message is for us to come to our senses,” he said. Citing Acts 3:19, he declared that repentance is not optional. “You need to allow the Holy Spirit to constantly speak to you, to help you check yourself.”
He also warned the congregation against the false comfort of collective religiosity, reminding them that divine judgment is individual, not institutional. “There is not going to be congregational judgment in heaven. There won’t be group judgment in heaven.”
Pastor Afebuameh closed with a reflective challenge to every member present: “When you leave here, what will you be remembered for?” — a question drawn from Matthew 7:21, where Jesus warns that not all who call on His name will enter the kingdom of heaven.
The service concluded with a congregational prayer: “Lord, please have mercy upon me.”
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