FOUNDATION OF FAITH PART I

Starting this sunday I will start to share to all my readers the Foundation of Faith every sunday. This is a part of my studying of God's Words. I hope that some of the stories that I will share to you will give moral lesson and at the same time will strengthen your christian faith as well mine. SALVATION.. What is Christianity really all about? How does the Bible apply to my life? Who is Jesus Christ? Each lesson is part of a topical section, covering topics that are essential to forming a Bible-centered worldview and deeper walk with God. Let's start with salvation ... I was sitting in her little house when 95-year-old Amelia told me how she came to accept Jesus as her Savior. Many years before she had stood at the doorway of a church in Latin America. She was afraid to enter, but listened intently as the preacher said, "Jesus is your Savior. He will save you from your sins. When you are in need, call on Jesus." That day she walked back up the hill and when she entered her room she heard a rustle. Suddenly, before she could run, a large boa constrictor snake wrapped itself around her. She could see the large head in front of her face as it began to squeeze. She remembered the preacher's words and in desperation she cried out, "Jesus, save me! Jesus, save me!" The snake loosened its coils, fell from her and slithered out of the room. Needless to say, that day Amelia not only thanked the Lord Jesus for saving her physically, but asked Him to save her spiritually as well. The same Lord Jesus that saved Amelia can save you. WHAT IS SALVATION One day a young man from a university said to me, "There are many roads to salvation and heaven. Sincerity is the key to reaching heaven. You may believe whatever you wish as long as you are sincere." Was he right? Is being sincere enough? Or can a person be sincerely mistaken? The Bible is very clear in saying that freedom from sin comes only through Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:5 says, "He [Jesus Christ] loves us, and by his death he has freed us from our sins." Acts 4:12 states: "Salvation is to be found through him [Christ] alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us." So, in defining salvation we can say that it is pardon from sin, but we must add "through the death of Jesus Christ." Who needs this salvation? Everyone has sinned and been sentenced to eternal death or separation from God. Ezekiel 18:4 says, "The person who sins is the one who will die." And in Romans 3:23 we read, "Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence." All mankind is in need of forgiveness of sin and pardon through Jesus Christ. VERSE OF THE WEEK But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. - John 1:12 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17