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One of the most deadly viruses to infect the church began its attack on the early church, and to this day continues to ravage faiths. It is a disease which feeds on that good, supernaturally healthy gift we call faith. Faith is so pure a gift, so clear, so simple that to inherit eternal life all we require is to put our faith in Jesus, the Saviour, and turn away from our hostile sinfulness. It is called Repentance and Faith.
The best know text in the Bible is John 3 v. 16: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life".
What could be simpler? We turn towards God and put our trust in Jesus. Doing good deeds doesn't save us , neither does being religious, nor believing that God exists - even the Devil believes that! In scripture, total trust, total faith in Christ is the only way into Eternal Life, which begins when we commit our life to him, and not when we die. Well, where does the virus strike? Just there! People say 'I believe in Christ, so I'm saved.Now I'm free to live as I like, I've already received the gift of eternal life'. Wrong. There is all the difference in the world between a living trust in Jesus Christ and merely believing in him. The virus attacked the early church, causing some folks to say 'I believe, so I'm sure of going to heaven.Now it doesn't matter how I live.' Wrong.That's not faith, that's mere belief, and merely believing never saved anyone, for we can believe in God, but live like the Devil.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed", but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2: 14-17
A Prayer: Almighty God, who calls men and women to come to you, just as they are, grant that our coming to You in Christ may transform in every way the way we live. For his sake and ours.
Now read 1st Letter of John, Ch.5
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