THE FAITH THAT SAVES

Faith in or of itself cannot save, but it is the object of that faith that saves the sinner. And in this case the object mentioned is the Gospel. The Gospel simply means Good News. And the incredible beauty of this Good News is, that it is for all humanity. It is Good News coming directly from our Heavenly Father directed directly to you, who are reading this message, and of course for all of us.

Give close attention that this Good News is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes. Not only for the Jews, but also for people from all other nations in our world: including Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, all the islands in the Caribbean.

However, pay close attention to the fact that, notwithstanding the glory of the Gospel, and the power of God that goes with it, there remains this very important factor, and it is this: for the power of God to be operative in a person, the person MUST BELIEVE.

The word “believe” and “faith” work together here. One of the principal motives to have faith is: that no one in this world can believe for us. No angels, nor saints who have passed on, nor saints in Christ who are alive today, can believe for us. Nor can our beloved fathers or mothers believe for us. The truth is that this good news of justification towards God is directed towards each one of us individually. This message, this offer of eternal life does not come from man, but from the God Almighty, the only true God who created us, and all things that are created. He is the One that cannot lie, so every single person who believes with his whole heart, can do so with complete confidence; because He is the One Who called us in the Gospel, and is faithful. That is why FAITH is something personal and individual.

We will continue with a few other clarifications about the word Faith. Many years ago I already heard different explanations about faith. I personally defended the religion in which my parents were trusting, and which they passed over to us. It was during the year1947, more or less, and upward, that our islands were blessed with the Gospel of Grace by God’s power.

My personal defense against the Gospel was this: “Well; their message is good, but I believe that if we are faithful in the religion we were born in, is sufficient.” Today I am so grateful that only a few days after I pronounced those words, I was convinced by the Gospel and the Spirit of God, that: that trust based on religion was false. Also that forgiveness for sins, is only found by faith in the One that died on the cross for our sins, and that God raised Him from the dead on the third day. The Scriptures are very clear about this truth in Acts 4:12, where it says: “ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Friends: remember Religion CANNOT save, it is Christ, Who gave His life for us, and Who alone can save.

Not too long ago, in World News, there was a section of news about a soldier on duty in the war in Iraq, how he was saved from sure death, because he was carrying a Bible in his shirt pocket. When a rifle bullet hit the Bible, the bullet veered off, saving the life of the soldier. I did not hear anymore about this incident, but if it is true, I must surely be thankful for the soldier, as well as his family. Furthermore, I hope and trust that this young soldier is one whose faith is in Christ, in the Only One Who can save us from the wrath of God that is coming.

But, nevertheless, I do want to give this admonition. It is not enough just to have a Bible, be it in our pocket, or in our handbag, in our car, or in our homes. That Bible, in itself, CANNOT SAVE US. It is the MESSAGE that we read in the Bible that speaks to us about our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ, Who save us. That is, IF we believe with our whole heart that it is for our (my) sin He died and rose again from the dead, to bring us to God. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we invite you, we plead to all who read this message, that you will repent of your sins, and put your faith in the Lord Jesus. Then you will experience the power of God that is in the GOSPEL that we are proclaiming.
Written and prepared by Bicento & Betty Henriquez