The Long Forgotten Ministry

The ministry of the Church is of a prophetic nature, in the sense that, it is carrying on the role of the prophets of old, of Jesus Himself and of the Apostles.

God communicates through His creation. In the early days God chose someone to be His prophet, to be His mouthpiece, to speak to people. God would speak to him something and he was to repeat it verbatim. Through the prophets He gave people rules to follow. Through them He announced what He would do in the days to come and warned people about impending judgment for disobedience. The prophets also fulfilled the office of the priests in the early days.

Today, there isn’t much of the foretelling aspect of it, because whatever God wanted people to know regarding their eternal salvation during their temporal life on earth has been put together in the form of a book - the Bible. So, it is just a matter of forth-telling, proclaiming it as it is written. Prophets of old said, “Thus says the LORD“, while we say, “Thus says God’s Word”.

All believers have a part in the Church’s mission today. We have a prophetic/priestly ministry to fulfill (1Pet.2:5, 9-10). Prophetic ministry encompasses all that the Church is commanded to do in the areas of its worship, nurture and evangelism. The Church should focus on all the three. Prophets should encourage the practise of God’s Word and rebuke the negligence of it. We must allow the Word of God to guide us in every area of our lives. 2Tim.3:16 says,

“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.“(CEV)

Jeremiah’s life was typical. In Jer.28 we read the contrast between a true prophet of God and a false prophet.

Saying What God says!

The prophets’ job has never been a comfortable one. He was the most unwelcome person among his people. He proclaimed the most unpleasant message and people considered him as a stumbling block or obstacle on their way. He brought messages of rebuke and judgment.

However, because of their people-pleasing and pleasant messages false prophets thrived. Messages of prosperity and wealth who wouldn’t want to hear! So, they had entry into royal palaces and wealthy homes. They would speak in the name of the sovereign LORD things which the sovereign LORD has not spoken. They are neither true to themselves nor to the LORD. But, a true prophet of God has to speak on God’s behalf whether the message is what people would like to hear or not.

Jesus fulfilled the ministry of a prophet in its true sense though He was much more than a prophet. He spoke all what God wanted to speak to the people and only what God wanted. Jesus said,

“I don’t speak on my own. I say only what the Father who sent me has told me to say.” (Jn.12:49 CEV)

Jesus was disliked by the Pharisees because He announced God’s displeasure on their hypocrisy.

We are called to be the prophets of God within our family, church and community. We need to use the Word to correct an erring brother, strengthen the weak, and build up the body of Christ. We need to build mutual accountability among ourselves where we can check each other for our own good. But often we fail to fulfill our responsibility as true prophets of God because we are afraid of the response of the audience and damaging our reputation.

I am thankful to God for the Godly people who have helped me watch myself through their eyes. John K. is one of the first among them. I still remember our meetings, when the first thing he would ask is “What did the LORD speak to you today?”

Saying it at any cost

The true prophet receives no accolades from the hearers. But, with their lying flattery the false prophets earn favours and honours. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. At the end of the day he had only tears and agony for the reward. He was interrogated, threatened and attacked. His life was at risk (Jer.26:7-16). Yet he conveyed God’s message. It was not that Jeremiah did not desire his people’s deliverance and prosperity, but that was not what God told him to convey.

Jesus satisfied God’s law by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the entire human race. He conveyed God’s message of salvation to the people. But he had his share of agony and sorrow. He had a lowliest birth, poor man’s life and no place to stay. He went through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. He received a cross and a crown of thorns. Knowing all this ahead of time, He committed Himself to God and finished His mission. The result! God honoured Him with the name above every name, the name at which the entire creation will bow down and worship!

We need to help build the body of Christ by proclaiming the Word which is able to reprove, rebuke, teach, correct, encourage and edify. We are asked to share one another’s burdens (Gal.6:2) even if it is not the most pleasant thing to do. We may not be appreciated but we are becoming obedient. God will be glorified and His kingdom strengthened on earth.

Hating What God Hates

The LORD says: Don’t brag about your wisdom or strength or wealth. If you feel you must brag, then have enough sense to brag about worshiping me, the LORD. What I like best is showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone on earth.
Someday I will punish the nations of Egypt, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, and the tribes of the desert. The men of these nations are circumcised, but they don’t worship me. And it’s the same with you people of Judah. Your bodies are circumcised, but your hearts are unchanged. The LORD said: Listen to me, you people of Israel. Don’t follow the customs of those nations who become frightened when they see something strange happen in the sky.But you, Israel’s God, created all things, and you chose Israel to be your very own. Your name is the LORD All-Powerful. (Jer.9:23-26;10:1-2, 16)

This morning I went through the book of Jeremiah 9:23-10:16. The Lord is reminding His people through the prophet, in very strong terms, two key issues. These are two sins that God hates. First is ‘hypocrisy’ and the second ‘idolatry’. Several places in the Scripture we find instructions and warnings to keep away from these sins. Jesus often rebuked the religious folks for their hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is spirituality without Godliness or Christianity without Christlikeness. This promotes external religion instead of internal reformation. People wear their religion these days and its hollow. The qualities of our God, like justice, mercy, love and kindness, should be reflected through our lives. We must allow Christ to reshape us into His likeness.

Idolatry

Idolatry is not only bowing before and idol. Giving God’s place to anything else or anyone else too is idolatry. It is creation orientedness rather than Creator orientedness. We tend to give more thought and prominence to the creation of God than God Himself. We are quick to blame others for idolatry but ignore our own practice of it.

God wants us to hate these sins as He hates them.

Reactions of a Fallen Leader

The day after the New Moon Festival, when David’s place was still empty, Saul asked Jonathan, “Why hasn’t that son of Jesse come to eat with us? He wasn’t here yesterday, and he still isn’t here today!”Saul was furious with Jonathan and yelled, “You’re no son of mine, you traitor! I know you’ve chosen to be loyal to that son of Jesse. You should be ashamed of yourself! And your own mother should be ashamed that you were ever born. You’ll never be safe, and your kingdom will be in danger as long as that son of Jesse is alive. Turn him over to me now! He deserves to die!” (1Sam.20:27, 30 31)

Can someone fall from grace? Can someone who was chosen be rejected by God?

With regard to salvation the answer is “No”. But when it comes to serving God the answer is “Yes”. This we see in the lives of several leaders. Saul started well as the first king of Israel but turned out to be a failure in the sight of God. So he was rejected and someone else was appointed in that office. Towards the end of his tenure Saul demonstrated the traits of a fallen leader.

Insults associates in public

An efficient leader observes his associates closely and guides them properly. He keeps track of the moves they make and commends them for work well done and corrects them when they goof up. But, fallen leaders do this with wrong intentions- to prove them wrong and inefficient and to pin them down. Saul does the same with David. The youngest son of Jesse had a name but Saul is addressing him as “that son of Jesse”. It sounded sarcastic in the royal assembly. Perhaps, Saul had forgotten his roots and was pointing his finger at the lowly background of the shepherd boy.

Saul expressed his jealousy towards the upcoming leader and a servant of God’s choice. He tried to exert his authority and establish his supremacy which revealed his unwillingness to accept God’s authority.

Expects associates’ support even when he is wrong

Saul attacks his own son Jonathan for aligning with David instead of supporting him. Saul wanted to establish his dynasty in spite of God’s rejecting him and his family. Jonathan on the other hand risked his chance to the throne by supporting David. But he knew he should yield to God’s sovereignty.

Attempts to remove associates who are obstacles

Problems are opportunities for leaders. An efficient leader makes strategies to overcome obstacles. A Godly leader will look unto God for solutions. Associates are his strength.

But  a fallen leader will see a Godly associate as a threat and will try to eliminate him. Saul  saw David as an obstacle on his way. Instead of allowing God to settle things he tried to clear the way himself.

However, God is still the Kingmaker.

Godliness Through Adversities

 Adversity strikes all people, whether Christian or non-Christian, because adversities are part of human life. Natural calamities, accidents, sicknesses and man-made disasters can devastate our lives because nobody can stay prepared to face all these at all times. Though incomprehensible, if God permits these painful experiences in our lives while He loves us dearly, He must be seeing some better outcome than mere agony.

Apostle Peter in his letter to the Church says,

“So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1Pet.1:6-7)

Peter reminds us that:
1. Adversities are short lived compared to eternity
2. They are used for an endurance test of our faith
3. They help purify our faith
4. Successful endurance brings much glory in the presence of God

Apostles Paul writes to Christians in Rome, saying,

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Rom.5:3-5)

In a Christian’s lexicon ‘adversity’ can be spelt “Godversity” because adversity is God’s university for training His people in Godliness. God is preparing us for a sin-free eternity. Though positionally we are seated in the heavenly realms (Eph.1:20; 2:6), we are practically being chiseled and molded into the image of God’s holy Son and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are being made fit for ruling over God’s creation along with Jesus Christ in His kingdom. Tough earthly ventures like Mountaineering, Skydiving, Space mission and service in the Armed Forces need tougher training. Conditioning the body, mind and spirit to take up the task as life’s mission is very essential. Serving God’s purposes in a sin-filled atmosphere demands the highest endurance capacity and only the toughest training will equip us to be seasoned in Godly character.

Since it is tough many get tired and quit. Though we are assured of the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we find it very hard to face it on a daily basis. We need constant reminders from the Word of God as well as support and encouragement from fellow believers to go through this experience. Godly people can continue to be Godly in spite of adversities. How can God’s people persevere through adversities? God calls our attention to the experiences of some of His people narrated in His Word.

See God’s providence in every situation

Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the first son of Rachel. Jacob loved him very much, thus causing the other siblings to dislike Joseph. God had specific plans for this young man and gave him dreams about it. This invited the wrath of his family. His brothers wanted to get rid of Joseph. They threw him in a pit and later sold him as a slave. Thus he landed up in a foreign land. For no fault of his Joseph had to endure the displeasure of his own family brothers. But the Bible tells us that God was with him during this adversity. Joseph fared well in Egypt. Though a slave, he was given responsibilities and the freedom to operate. He kept his integrity and exercised absolute faithfulness even when there was no one to check on him. And the Bible says God was with him because he behaved as if God was with him all those times. His integrity took him to prison but he still remained faithful waiting for God to work. God lifts him up to be the ruler of Egypt, next only to the King. He was instrumental in preserving the lives of his people in times of greater adversity. But, at last when God brought them together as a family, Joseph revealed his attitude that kept him going as a man of Godly character. The Bible records it in Gen.45:5. “I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don’t be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.” He was able to see the providence of God even in adversity.

Stick to the commitment to honor God

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were victims of war when the land of Judah was conquered by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezar. They went through this time of hardship even though they were Godly men living upright lives. God was chastising His people for their sin but He had specific plans for these Godly young men.

Though captives, they were taken to Babylonia as trainees at the royal palace. Unlike other captives, they had special privileges, such as royal food and beverage, education and training, etc. They were also under obligation to perform for the foreign king once they complete their training.

In a strange land among strange people they were left alone with no spiritual guidance. But as part of the covenant people of God they had certain obligations to their God. The new situation was inviting, but Daniel and his friends were determined to stick to their commitment to worship and honour their God through their lifestyle. There were other young Jewish men who were brought with them for the same purpose. The Bible says nothing about them. Perhaps they succumbed to pressure, or found it convenient to adapt, or accepted the lifestyle of royal executives, or simply wallowed in the luxuries and pleasures only the world’s most privileged would have. However, these four men stuck to their commitment to honour God through their lifestyle, even at the risk of their own lives. They decided to remain true to their commitment to follow God’s instructions regarding food. The book of Daniel says, “But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.” (Dan.1:

Seek God’s mercy to tide over the situation

God was with them as they decided to stay with Him. So, on the completion of the training Daniel and friends ranked the best. In the personal interview they impressed the king the most and qualified to be appointed as the king’s Personal Advisers. They soon built up a reputation and created a track record not just topping the list of wise men in the entire country, but distancing the rest with an unmatchable superiority.

Things were seemingly going well until the king had a terrible nightmare that disturbed his sleep as well as peace. All the wise men and advisers were summoned to explain the dream and its meaning. They pleaded that if the king would narrate the dream then they could explain the hidden meaning. But the king insisted that they relate both the dream and its implications or else face execution. When the order was about to be implemented Daniel requested for some more time. He and his friends fell on their knees seeking God’s mercy to tide over the situation. And God did show mercy by revealing the dream and its meaning to Daniel.

Sign over the glory to God when He brings deliverance

Daniel, while explaining the mystery, did not forget to give the credit to the God of heaven. He admitted his limitations as a hapless human but glorified his God before whom nothing is hidden. He projected his God as the revealer of mysteries and the controller of events. Daniel was not carried away by the honour and promotion given to him. Though the king bowed down and worshiped him and ordered others to do so, it did not make Daniel think he has become a superhuman. He realised his role as a servant of God and continued to perform his duties faithfully. He also realised the role of his co-workers in his success and remembered to honour and elevate them as well. As a team they shared the suffering as well as the joy. Fellowship with the brethren will ease our suffering and increase our joy as God’ people. This is God’s way of preparing His people for His purposes in this world and the next.

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Rom.5:3-5)

Man of God in Distress

As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me;
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” (Psa.41:4)

Distress and agony visits everyone and stays for longer with some. One’s knowledge and experience of God will come to his rescue at such times. For a Christian it is a part of his training for his future reigning in God’s glory. David was a man who went through this experience in spite of his being anointed as King of Israel to succeed Saul. His Psalms are mostly the reflections of his relationship with God.

The books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles paint the backdrop of many of these Psalms. Psalm 41 reveals the agonizing prayer of the man of God. The context probably was the rebellion of his son Absalom and the betrayal of his trusted friend Ahithophel (2Sam.15:2-6; 16:23). David had been in mental agony as well as physical pain. The guilt of his being slack in fulfilling his duties was eating on him. In such distress he knew there was only one place to confide-the presence of the merciful God. If at all David has any confidence, it is in the character of his God.

Principle of receiving and showing mercy

David starts at the right point-the nature and character of God. He tells God his understanding about God’s nature. God shows mercy to them that are merciful towards the helpless. In other words, you give mercy and receive mercy. However, David is not relying on his virtues here. Instead, he is leaning simply on the mercy of God, admitting his unworthiness and sinfulness. He is pleading for spiritual healing before he can experience physical healing.

Principle of having and losing friends

A powerful man has a lot of friends. But they all desert him as he loses his power. Worldly friends are a commercial lot. They are there as long as opportunities for profit are there. Opportunistic relationships are not built on true love but on flattery and hypocrisy. Such friends turn enemies swapping sides for better benefits. They visit you in your sickness with malicious intentions, to demoralize you, to aggravate your condition and to spread gossip with the information they have gathered. As David narrates, it is a painful experience to go through. The only solace for a child of God is the presence of God, from where he she can draw strength.

It is natural to become bitter and revengeful. Eventually one becomes physically indisposed. David felt guilty that he had neglected his daily responsibilities, thus allowing his rebellious son to take undue advantage of the situation. So he prayed for spiritual and physical healing. He is duty bound to discipline his enemies for their rebellion against God’s anointed. However, the focus is on David’s humility in acknowledging his sinfulness and utter helplessness without God.

Where Do You Belong?

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. (Rom.5:18-19)

In God’s account, there are only two places where people of the world would belong-In Adam or in Christ. The Bible calls Adam “the first man” and Jesus “the second man” (1Cor.15:45). Jesus is also referred to as the “last Adam” (1Cor.15:47). All those who are born into this world are born in Adam. But all those who have placed their trust in Jesus are born again in Jesus. This is the billion dollar choice each one has to make.

In First Adam

This doesn’t require anything from your part. This is the default position in which mankind is. More than that by our deeds we declare that we are in Adam. We disobey God and rebel against Him. We go after our own desires and refuse to repent. The Bible says “there is no one who seeks God” (Rom.3:11; Ps.14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20)

In Last Adam

This is by the grace of God. However, one needs to acknowledge his sinfulness and depravity and humbly come to God trusting in His provision through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will quicken that person the moment he/she thus responds to the call of God. This last Adam is God’s provision for man’s sin. He is the only way because no one else qualifies for this propitiatory role (Jn.1:29,36; 14:6; 1Cor.15:45-47). The Bible affirms that those who are in Adam will all die, but those who are in Christ will live eternally (1Cor.15:22). God has done everything in order to bring us to Himself and has left the choice to us. A ‘billion dollar’ choice indeed!

Where is your position today? The option is still open and its free!

Peace-Maker

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life. (Rom.5:1-11)

People the world over are seeking peace. Rebels are fighting and Governments are negotiating for peace. Even the terrorists claim that they are in the struggle for global peace. Unfortunately, none of these people know peace. But in the midst of all these turmoil there is a group that enjoy the real peace because they have discovered the source of peace.

Peace with God

The Bible reveals that a sinner, whether he agrees or not, is an enemy of God. Jesus came as God’s initiative to reconcile the sinner with God. Through faith in Jesus one can make peace with God. He is the “Prince of peace”, the real peace-maker. There can be no real peace in the world unless this Prince of peace reigns in the hearts and lives of people. Without individually making peace with God and finding peace within one’s own self there can never be peace among people. Religions, philosophies and governments are at a loss here.

Peace With People

Jesus alone can reconcile a sinful man with God. By faith in Christ Jesus I can experience this peace. No one else can give this peace or take it away from me. All those who have experienced this peace are given the mission of promoting this real peace. We are called to be peace agents in a strife-torn world.

As we are drawing near to the return of the Lord for His church, we see more and more unrest. There are wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and natural disasters at never before frequency, and increasing hatred among people groups. Religion is against religion and nation against nation, as foretold by the Bible. Immediately after the rapture of the Church, the Antichrist will appear as the trouble shooter, offering a false peace and deceiving those left behind.

Uniqueness of the Christian Faith

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Rom.5:1-5)

Christian faith is unique in its offering of a specific means to get right with the Almighty God, who is absolutely holy and perfect. We cannot expect such an awesome God to be pleased with our worship unless He has made us acceptable to Himself. Our utmost stringent observance of rituals, prayers, fasts, pilgrimages and almsgiving cannot qualify us to be accepted in God’s presence.

It establishes Peace with God through Reconciliation

The Bible reveals that God initiated the act of reconciliation between Himself and mankind while we were still rebellious. We never initiated it, we never could. It has to originate from unconditional love which God alone possess. In fact the Bible reminds us that God is love. God initiated reconciliation and invites us to be in right relationship with Him, as Father and children. Since God has shown us the example we need to initiate reconciliation with one another. The Holy Spirit extends His help by filling our hearts with the unconditional love of God. Without having ‘peace with God’ it is impossible to have lasting peace ‘with one another’. Thus peace with God and with fellow beings does not just remain a theory in Christian faith.

It emanates unfailing Hope through Suffering

This is one of the so called ‘paradoxes’ of the Christian faith in the eyes of the world. The Bible states that it is by dying that you live, it is by giving that you receive, and it is by choosing to be humiliated that you will be exalted. There can be no crown without the cross and no glory without the groaning. Suffering develops endurance, endurance builds Godly character, and character brings unwavering hope! Suffering is the way God perfects His people and prepares them for sharing in His eternal glory.

God’s (unconditional) LOVE brings (indestructible) PEACE which in turn produces (unending) JOY. This is what we need, the world needs!

Crux of the Matter

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. (Rom.4:13-25)

What is the kernel of Christianity? How is anybody put right with God?

Religions advise you to follow traditions, rituals, a set of rules, or practice certain disciplines. However, it is clear as the day light that no one can earn acceptance in God’s presence by doing these.

Faith

God’s justice does not allow any filtering to see what percentage of holiness you have achieved. The Bible makes it clear that no one can earn salvation by his/her merit. It is not a reward one can earn or a salary one can work for. The only wage we can earn is death. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom.6:23). Being made right with God is purely a gift from God. Anyone can receive it by faith. And no one can have it without faith.

What is this “faith” according to the Christian Scriptures?

Human beings in general operate on faith. We believe in the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the food we eat and the vehicles we travel by. We trust our banks and other institutions. We have faith in the doctors and the medicines they prescribe. It would be impossible to live without this basic element in human relationships. Faith is always revealed in our action. I would not go to somebody who offers me a gift unless I have faith in that person. This is at the human level. But when it comes to the God of the Bible, the Bible says

Gift

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. (Rom.3:23-28)

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Eph.2:8-9)

Faith or Rules?

The Scriptures say, “God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him.” Money paid to workers isn’t a gift. It is something they earn by working. 5But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him. (Rom.4:1-12)

Religions of the world teach that you need to follow a set of rules to be acceptable to God. This is a sinful man’s futile attempt to reach the Holy God. No religion can assure you of the forgiveness of your sins. Neither can any one of them guarantee you eternal life. But Jesus offers you these and a host of other blessings. Knowing this, will you still go for religion or want to trust Jesus?

Rules Insufficient

Those who claim the legacy of Abraham argue that Abraham was accepted by God because He observed the rules like circumcision. They try on their own merit to earn God’s favor and get to heaven. They also try to look for others who can recommend their case before God. However, these rules and recommendations are of no avail.

Faith Sufficient

God accepts people only because of their faith in Him and His Word. Abraham acted in obedience because he believed God. Obedience should result from faith. Obedience can not bring faith, neither can it make anyone acceptable to God. The Bible says, faith is the key. From beginning to end it is faith and nothing else. Once you have believed, then God begins His work of transformation in you. Then you will want to obey and follow God’s instructions. This obedience of faith will be pleasing to God.