The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has said that divine mercy, rather than human intelligence or personal effort, is the ultimate determinant of safety, success, and destiny in life.
Pastor Adeboye made the statement on Sunday during a special Thanksgiving service themed “Gratitude” held at the International Headquarters of the RCCG in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The cleric delivered a sermon titled “The Value of the Mercy of God,” in which he emphasized the role of divine intervention in human affairs.
While preaching, Adeboye referenced the recent car accident involving world-famous boxer Anthony Joshua along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He described the incident as an example of what he called God’s “uncommon mercy,” noting that the athlete survived the crash under circumstances that suggested divine protection.
According to Adeboye, reports indicated that Joshua had changed his sitting position in the vehicle shortly before the accident occurred. The pastor said such a decision could not be adequately explained by logic or foresight alone.
“I read in the newspapers how Anthony Joshua swapped his sitting position while travelling in the vehicle that crashed,” Adeboye said. “I wonder what could have made him change his seat if not God’s mercy.”
He used the incident to underline his belief that survival and greatness are not products of human brilliance alone. Adeboye stressed that intelligence, planning and effort have their place, but they cannot fully account for life’s outcomes.
“I am alive because of the mercy of the Lord,” he told the congregation. “It is not my cleverness, but the mercies of the Lord.”
Reflecting on his own life, the RCCG leader recounted his journey to faith, revealing that he was once openly critical of Christianity. He said that during his time as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, he often questioned and mocked Christian beliefs.
Adeboye recalled that his first encounter with the RCCG happened unexpectedly while he accompanied a friend on a research trip to collect soil samples near the Lagos coast. During the trip, he noticed the church’s signboard and modest structure.
“I saw the signboard and the ramshackle building,” he said. “I referred to the church then as the ‘little dog with the big name.’ I wondered what was wrong with the people there, but I noticed they had peace.”
He explained that years later, during a difficult period in his life, he was invited to the same church he had once ridiculed. According to him, his eventual conversion and salvation could only be explained by God’s mercy.
“It is by the mercy of God that I am saved,” Adeboye said. “Until today, I cannot understand how it happened other than mercy.”
Challenging widely held ideas about self-made success, he said human ability alone does not produce greatness. He argued that education, skill and hard work are insufficient without divine favour.
“God’s mercy makes one great; it is not your ability that made you who you are but God’s mercy,” he said. “Some of you say, ‘I went to school, I studied hard, that’s why I am successful.’ You’re joking.”
Extending the message to the issue of salvation, Adeboye said entry into heaven is not earned by human effort. He stressed that protection, preservation and eternal life are gifts rooted in God’s mercy.
“Your ability cannot take you to heaven,” he said. “It is by God’s mercy that you are protected, preserved and ensured you make it to heaven. I can’t die until God says it is time.”
He concluded by urging believers to honour God, openly testify to His mercy and use their influence to draw others to faith. Adeboye emphasized that time, destiny and the future remain under God’s control.
After the service, the RCCG Regional Pastor in charge of Region 1, Pastor Oladele Balogun, also spoke to journalists on the subject of divine mercy. He warned that although mercy is a gift, it can be abused and ultimately lost by individuals, families and even nations.
Citing biblical examples, Balogun said mercy is not unconditional and can be withdrawn through persistent disobedience. He referred to the biblical figure Ephraim, who he said lost a privileged position due to unfaithfulness.
“It is possible to abuse the mercy of God,” Balogun said. “You can abuse it if you neglect the living God and begin to worship idols, or if you disobey God and commit sin.”
He added that repentance remains the path to restoring lost mercy. According to him, even at the national level, turning back to God can reverse negative circumstances.
Speaking on Nigeria’s challenges, Balogun cited issues such as violence, kidnapping, corruption and idolatry. He said a return to God would bring renewed mercy to the nation.
He further expressed the view that the RCCG operates under a covenant of mercy established by its founding leaders and sustained under Pastor Adeboye, which he said explains the church’s continued growth and influence.
