“Deceive not yourselves therefore, thinking that you have faith in God, or that you love God, or do trust in Him, or do fear Him, when you live in sin; for then your ungodly and sinful life declareth the contrary, whatsoever you say or think …  Thy deeds and works must be an open testimonial of thy faith; otherwise thy faith, being by without good works, is but the devil’s faith, the faith of the wicked, a fantasy of faith, and not a true Christian faith.  Therefore, as you profess the name of Christ, good Christian people, let no such fantasy and imagination of faith at any time beguile you; be sure of your faith: try it (test it) by your living.”  

Archbishop Thomas Cranmer 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

As we begin this new year, 2026, I want to join you in giving thanks to God for his many blessings in the past year and for his glorious plans for us in this new year. Thank you for preaching the gospel faithfully, being a good example, supporting the Diocese, and praying for us and for one another. You have been a blessing to the Diocese and we deeply appreciate all of you. My prayer for us this new year is that the Lord will increase your capacity to be a blessing to the Diocese and to more people by richly blessing you more than you can ask or imagine. He is able to do so because there is nothing impossible for him.

I have two things to say to the Diocese as we begin this new year.

A Life of Godliness This Year

First, live a life of godliness before God. The year 2026 is another God-given opportunity for each of us to examine ourselves and ensure that we are truly converted, that we are truly walking with the Lord, that our faith is authentic, that our zeal is with knowledge, that our passion is of God, and that we are walking in holiness of life because every year brings us closer to meeting God face to face to give account to Him of how we lived the life he entrusted to us. Writing to the Corinthian Church, the Apostle Paul exhorted them (and us) to:

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”

2 Corinthians 13:5

In order for us not to “fail the test” or be ashamed or be cast away into eternal darkness and suffering after this life we must be genuine followers of Christ Jesus – truly converted. This journey begins with repentance from sin and faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord. There are far too many Christians whose faith is purely nominal. They go to church and are active in some Christian activities but they are Christians in name and busyness only. They are not truly converted christians.

According to the New Testament the real test of genuine conversion is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, obedience to Him as Lord, and holiness of life. A holiness that involves giving up sin (mortification) and pursuing righteousness (vivification). We need to make a decision to walk in holiness of life this year. Holiness affects your speech and your politics! Holiness affects the way you fulfill your ordination and marriage vows. Holiness affects the way you relate to the Diocese and fulfill your obligations to the Diocese including our diocesan Mission and Values. God wants our lives to be marked by holiness, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, truth-speaking, purity of mind and speech, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, honesty, promise-keeping, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit will enable us to do so in this new year when we lean on him by faith and in prayer.

Trust in God This Year

Secondly, trust the Lord in all the circumstances of your life. Life can be tough, lonely, and uncertain especially if you’ve lost your job or somebody you love or your sense of hope or if you’ve been abandoned or ignored. You may feel lonely or you may be physically alone but you’re not alone, you are never alone because God is with you. Jesus, our Immanuel, is with you. When you believe in Jesus Christ, he is in you and he is with you always. Believe that and entrust yourself into his loving embrace as you enter this new year. The Bible tells us in Lamentations 3:22-25 that

“’The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

Let us trust Him to guide and provide for our families, churches, and Diocese. Our Heavenly Father will make all things work for our good and for his glory.

Benediction:
The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

We wish you a Happy and blessed New Year!

Warm regards,

The Rt Rev’d Dr Felix Orji, OSB. 
Diocesan Bishop
Anglican Diocese of All Nations
Anglican Church in North America(ACNA)
Houston, Texas. 

“We are justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. True faith always yields the fruit of obedience to one degree or another.”

R. C. Sproul