Neutrality has expired,’ Cleric tells christians at Lagos West Synod, five dioceses gather

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Christians have been urged to remain steadfast in their faith and avoid spiritual compromise at a time when the line between good and evil is becoming increasingly blurred in society.

The charge was given by the Venerable Dr. Femi Adetoro, Rector of All Saints Anglican Church, Boston, United States, during the 3rd Session of the 9th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West held on Thursday at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos.

The synod, themed “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” drawn from Exodus 32:26, brought together clergy, bishops, church leaders, and members of the diocese for spiritual reflection, policy deliberations, and church development discussions.

Preaching on the synod theme, Adetoro said the present generation faces a critical moment where Christians can no longer afford to be passive or neutral in matters of faith and moral conviction.

“In a world where evil and good now wear the same faces, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish those who are on the Lord’s side from those who are not,” he said.

Drawing lessons from the biblical account of Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 32, Adetoro noted that although God raised Moses to deliver Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh, the journey to the Promised Land was never easy.

He explained that while Moses was communing with God on behalf of the people, the Israelites became impatient and demanded that Aaron make a golden calf for them.

According to him, impatience remains one of the greatest destroyers of destiny and divine purpose.

“I pray that impatience, a destroyer and killer of destiny, will not ruin the purpose of God in the lives of His people,” he declared.

The cleric likened the Israelites’ impatience to the struggles many believers face while waiting for divine intervention.

He encouraged Christians not to abandon God during difficult seasons or seek alternatives outside their faith because of temporary delays.

“What is that thing you have been trusting God for which makes you feel forgotten? Just as God eventually remembered Israel, He will intervene in your situation,” he said.

Adetoro stressed that Christians must openly identify with their faith, insisting that the era of neutrality has ended.

“In the practice of our faith, we cannot afford to be neutral. The stage of neutrality has expired,” he said.

He described Moses’ challenge to the Israelites — ‘Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me’ — as a timeless call to believers.

“This is not the time to hide our faith. It is time to show our colours, wear our Christian identity both inside and outside the church, and stand courageously for what we believe,” he added.

He, however, warned that standing for Christ may come with sacrifices, including strained relationships, lost opportunities, and difficult personal choices.

“This charge comes at a cost. It may cost you friendships, relationships, and even certain jobs, but conviction must not be traded for convenience,” he said.

In his opening remarks, Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Olusola James Odedeji, thanked God for granting the diocese another synod session and for sustaining his episcopal leadership.

He prayed for peace in Nigeria and across the world, urging leaders to take decisions that would alleviate the hardship facing citizens.

Odedeji also encouraged Christians to remain committed to supporting the work of God, noting that divine vision would always attract divine provision.

“God’s vision will never lack God’s completion,” he said.

The bishop appreciated the 22 bishops who attended the synod and announced that four other dioceses of the Church of Nigeria also commenced their synods on the same day.

The dioceses include Okigwe South, Abuja, Niger Delta, and Ilesa, bringing the total number of dioceses holding synods on Thursday to five, including Lagos West.