Accra, Jan. 3, GNA - Today is the first Sunday of the year; the day many Christians renew their pledge to follow Jesus Christ, accept him as their personal saviour and to live in accordance with his teachings. Delivering the Covenant Sunday sermon at Ghana Police Church, Accra, The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel K. Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, said the Word took the form of man and came and dwelt among humans because God loved mankind.

He said God in his love sought to redeem man "by identifying with us and by so doing raised man to a higher pedestal" and in view of this every individual mattered to God and so Christians should not look down on any human being.

Most Rev. Prof Asante urged Christians to seek to develop both the spiritual and material aspects of their lives because the spirit of God dwelt in and among humans.

He asked Christians to be charitable and to extend assistance to those in need, citing the admonition of Christ - "when I was hungry you fed me". Most Rev. Prof. Asante advised those placed in authority to perform their duties in humility, saying that it was by the grace of God that people have been assigned to certain positions, adding that true humanity has concern for the poor and the outcast. He urged Christians to resolve to be more humane in the New Year. 3 Jan. 10