At last Autumn here! For the last few weeks we have seen signs indicating that winter is around the corner! The Canadian Wild Geese are training their young ones to fly in formations and to follow their leaders. It is so interesting to watch and listen to them honking their orders to the younger generation born this spring. Then there are the various species of green trees gradually turning into shades of light green, yellow, orange, brown, fiery red and colors of deep wine. Oh so beautiful!
Welcome to our Blogspot. We trust that you will be encouraged and helped as you read our Posting today. We continue, as we said we would, on the topic of what does it mean to say: “ I am a Christian?” We want to again go into the Scriptures to see what it says, and not what I think it means.
No doubt, you who are reading this, consider yourself a Christian. As a native-born Aruban, and fellow Antillean of the islands around, as Bonaire and Curaçao, St. Marten, etc; I am totally aware that the great majority of us consider ourselves CHRISTIAN. And if someone would ask us how we became a Christian, many of us would answer more or less in the following manner: I was born a Christian; I grew up in a Christian home; or I became a Christian when my parents had me baptized.
BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THIS VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT?
In our first message about that name we mentioned that the Word Christian is mentioned only three times in the Bible. And those called Christian, were called that because they believed in Christ, and followed His teachings, and those by the Apostles. But, before that they were called believers, disciples, brethren, but they were also called saints and the Church. Today, after more than two thousand years, the world is still confused and mixed up about titles and names.
But thanks be unto God, Who has made it possible for us to have the Holy Scriptures, through which we can learn and be taught, repent and be corrected in the way of God. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.
The name Christian alone is NO guarantee for entrance into the Kingdom of God. However, personal faith in Jesus Christ, motivated by repentance of our sins, is the guarantee to forgiveness and eternal life. This incredible and inexplicable blessing is offered to every living person in the entire world, by grace without money and without price. But, there was a price that had to be paid, and that was the shedding of the blood of Christ, the son of God, on the cross for us. He died in our place to reconcile us to God. We can read the following words in the Bible: “You were bought with a price; therefor honor God with your body.” 1 Cor. 6:20 and 1 Cor.7: 23. And also in Ephesians 1:7,8 we read, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
Dear friends, the blood of Christ is included in His life, and in the cruel way in which He was crucified for us. But God, the Father on the third day, through His power raised up Christ from the dead, and gave Him a NAME above all other names both in heaven and on earth.
One day, friends, all knees will bow to this Jesus, but the better time to do this is today, even at this very moment. Do not delay, obey today.
Written and prepared by Bicento & Betty Henriquez
Write to us at: bbhenriquez@shaw.ca
Or Write us a Comment - as one did last week. Thanks so much!
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