Tuesday 17 June 2014

IS FAITH ALONE SUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION?

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ecclesiastes 4-7

The turning of water to wine in Cana of Galilee has been a subject of debate in many Christian circles. Some are saying the wine was a non alcoholic wine, others are saying we are not sure; it could have been an alcoholic wine. I have heard some school of thought say, it was actually a fruit wine – grape wine to be precise.  The bible did not tell us whether the wine was alcoholic or not and I don’t think, the author of the book of John intentionally kept that information from us to hide something. James 1:17 says every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Every gift Jesus gives is PERFECT and GOOD. If Jesus gives you a wine, you can be rest assured that the wine is not only good but perfect also. I post this question to you, is alcoholic wine good for your health? Is alcoholic beverage, perfect for your spiritual and physical growth?

Many of us have been deluded into thinking that FAITH alone can SAVE a man, we justify this with John 3:16 which says for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting lifeA lot are easily swayed by this convenient formula of salvation, all you need is accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior and you are sure of heaven. One has only to believe in the Son of God to gain eternal life. Is that what the bible teaches?  After you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, are you allowed to tell little white lies, purposely commit sin with the intention of asking for forgiveness later, etc?

Brethren, the bible do not sanction this belief neither can faith alone save man. James 2:14 says what doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? Faith would be useless if not coupled with works. We cannot claim to have surrendered all to Christ and still be keeping malice! FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS INSUFFICIENT.  James 2:17 says  even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. We cannot say we are saved and still accept bribes, abuse public offices or allow evil practices by pretending as if you don’t see it! Faith must be accompanied by works to make it perfect. Asides our faith, we need to do the will of God. Matthew 7:21 says not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. We need to accompany our faith with good deeds and obedience to the word of God. Philippians 4:15 says let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Everyone around us must know that we are different. No one has an excuse to misbehave! If you are struggling in one way or the other, ask the Lord to help you and He will help you.  Heaven will cost you something, but it is worth it!

ACTION POINT: Pray that the Lord will help you today in your areas of weakness! Also determine from today to stand out for Christ!

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus. 

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