What of Those Who Have Never Heard? (1986) by J. Oswald Sanders, Book Review

Whenever someone asked me, "Is Jesus the only way to salvation?" my answer is, "Yes." Jesus said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). It's not a way or one of the ways but "the Way" and He emphasized on exclusivity,  "No one... except through Me." But what about those who have never heard about Jesus and the Gospel? My initial response is that, except for children and the mentally deficient who are covered by the blood of Jesus, everyone is morally responsible for the light that they have received and for the law written on their hearts through nature, tradition, and conscience (refer to Romans 1-2). So, even if they never heard about Jesus once in their lifetime, on judgment day, they will have no excuse. As for what will happen to them, I say, we can be certain that the God who exhibits His love on the cross will be absolutely fair and that the righteous Judge of all the earth will do right!

Now, where do I get a such conviction? Through the written Word of God, the Scripture, and with the help of books such as this one, that is, by divine revelation (mainly) and critical thinking. I'm all for originality but when it comes to eternal matters, I go to the Author of life and His (flawed yet faithful) saints. J. Oswald Sanders writes this book with compassion, conviction, and clarity. He cares for souls and set out his Biblical position clearly by quoting relevant Scriptural passages with context and supporting them with thoughts from recognized evangelical scholars. He begins not by answering the question directly but first and foremost, with the urgent call of mission and evangelism. Chapter 1: Why Mission? I love it! If you read books on an important topic like this one only out of curiosity, then, it is of no use. But if it's also out of concern for others, then, it will move you to action. This book is a great tool to do just that.

"If what is written in the foregoing pages is the Scriptural teaching concerning the spiritual condition of the unevangelized heathen - and I see no alternative to believing that it is - then how URGENT is our obligation to make Christ known to all men as speedily as possible. We should throw ourselves into the missionary enterprise with abandon," challenge Mr. Sanders to us, the receivers of God's gracious salvation. A student once asked Charles H. Spurgeon about this very same topic. He answered him very directly, "It is more a question with me whether we who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who are lost can be saved." Amen.

Note: I would like to recommend another short book that covers this topic but from a different theological perspective (a.k.a. Calvinism), namely, John Piper's Jesus The Only Way to God: Must You Hear the Gospel to Be Saved? (2010)

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #JesusTheWay #MissionAndEvangelism #GospelOfSalvation #JOswardSanders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been (2018) by Jackie Hill Perry, Audiobook Review

Regardless of who she is becoming or her theology may have been shifted a bit today, objectively speaking, judged by this book alone, I love it! Jackie Hill Perry writes in a very poetic way. It is not just beautiful but also truthful too. With compassion and conviction. Lots of vulnerability and yet not self-centered. As a poet and rapper, Jackie is no doubt an expert storyteller. Although a bit preachy in the end and in between, as a reader, I know her origin story as an ex-gay girl a.k.a. lesbian but above all, I know the good God that she is writing about, "To tell you about what God has done for my soul is to invite you into my worship."

Jackie grew up fatherless, a marijuana user, a pornography addict, and experienced gender confusion. The back cover states: "She embraced masculinity and homosexuality with every fiber of her being. She knew that Christians had a lot to say about all of the above. But was she supposed to change herself? How was she supposed to stop loving women, when homosexuality felt more natural to her than heterosexuality ever could?" This book tells her journey toward change and wholeness. I can imagine what the LGBTQ+ people might think about this book: it's a cliche. A gay girl found a good God, let go of her old lifestyle and married a man, etc. But it's more than that. For one, Jackie admits that temptation does come and go. Yet "I don’t believe it is wise or truthful to the power of the gospel to identify oneself by the sins of one’s past or the temptations of one’s present but rather to only be defined by the Christ who’s overcome both for those He calls His own." Amen!

I have a few unresolved issues about the book though: What happened to her girlfriend after she ended the relationship? After a few years of marriage with Preston, does same-sex attraction (SSA) occur again? How about non-practice SSA who wish to be celibate, any words for them? (or maybe I missed it). Overall, it is a good book to understand how one person can be changed by the good God. "Because a good God made the woman, then being a woman is a good thing." For sure, Jackie writes from the 'tradition' view, not from the 'progressive' view. Some people might disagree with her interpretations, and some will affirm her Biblical view (I'm one of them). This is a story of one person, so, don't use this book to be the standard to measure and judge all SSA or LGBTQ+ people. There is no one size fit when it comes to the sexual issue. It's messy. Continue to listen, learn and explore - and read the Scripture, that is, the Word of God, rightly.

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Romans 1:26-27 The Reason for Homosexual Behaviour (#LetterToTheRomans)

"For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature," writes Paul the Apostle in Romans 1:26-27 and, "the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men..." These are the consequences of something MORE important ⚡What is the reason for homosexual behavior? What is the context of these verses? Where it should lead them - and every one of us - to? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #SinIsSin #ThePowerOfTheGospel

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Cults & Isms (1948, 1962) by J. Oswald Sanders, Book Review

This book formerly issued as Heresies and Cults was first published in 1948 and was revised in 1962. Between these years, God not yet formed me in my mother’s womb. This book is old, brownish and a little bit fall apart. But do not despise its look, it is well research (for its time) and a good sum up for modern-day heresies and cults that are still prevalent in Christianity today. Some definitions, Oswald Sanders wrote: “A heretic is ‘one whose errors are doctrinal, and usually of a malignant character, tending to subvert the true faith.’ The word cult means simply a ‘system of religious worship’ but has come to be associated largely with systems of religious worship which are heterodox.” Heterodox means not conforming to accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs. Throughout the book, Mr. Sanders evaluates each cult and heresy with the Scripture but as the basic for confessions of faith, he refers to the Apostles’ Creed.

What makes a cult a cult? And a heresy a heresy? Mr. Sanders observes: “It will be observed that in the following heresies, the touchstone of doctrine is the Person and Work of Christ. This is the rock on which they all split.” Let me share my observations too (based on my studies of cults especially with the help of the late Dr. Walter R. Martin). Most of them generally hold these five (5) views in common:

1) They believe that all (except themselves, of course. Hello world!) Christian churches are wrong and that theirs’ is a special group that has the real truth about God.

2) They attack the deity and/or humanity of Jesus Christ and either lower Him to the level of man or raise man to the level of ‘Christ.’

3) They deny that man can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone and teach that man can make himself right with God by good works - and by obeying their teachings.

4) They believe the statements of their leaders who claim to have new revelations and/or new interpretations of the Bible or have the authority above the Bible.

5) They claim to believe the Bible but they distort its teachings to suit their own particular beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, man, church, heaven and hell, salvation, and other vital doctrines.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times,” reminds the Apostle Paul to Timothy then and to us know, “some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Years earlier, when Jesus Christ still walks on earth already warned His followers, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray… For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect” (Mark 13:5-6, 22. If you read Mark 13, underlines the words “lead stray” or “to deceive” or “to seduce”). The Apostle Peter recalled Lord Jesus’ warning by saying that there will be false prophets and teachers even among the believers who “will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bring up themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). Knowing that there are spirits of Antichrist and heresies that against or counterfeit the Spirit of Truth, the Apostle John counsel us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

In this book, Mr. Sanders examines Roman Catholicism, Spiritism, Christian Science, Unity, Unitarianism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Theosophy, Christadelphianism, Mormonism (or Latter-Day Saints), Seventh-Day Adventism, British-Israelism, Freemasonry, The Healing Movement, and a summary of other cults. There are two things that we need to keep in mind as we read apologetic books like this: First, the author is fallible, only the Word of God is infallible. Thus, we must examine this book too in the light of the Scripture quotes above. Be like the Bereans, “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). And secondly, any false system of cult, since they don’t subscribe to historical and orthodox Christian beliefs, are subject to change and evolution. Therefore, some of the information in this book is irrelevant or outdated. What they believe yesterday can change its meanings today to avoid being [obviously] false. Beware of wordplay. “As we face the modern heresies, and discover that all are astray on one or more aspects of the Person and Work of our Lord, we too must meet the challenge by the intelligent use of ‘the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God,’” writes Mr. Sanders in the closing of the first chapter, “We have been expressly commanded to ‘contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to saints,’ and we must be faithful to our trust.” Amen! ������✍

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I've read a long time ago J. Oswald Sander's other more popular book, Spiritual Leadership ��� Fully recommend it!

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Repentance: What It Means to Repent and Why We Must Do So by J.C. Ryle, Audiobook Review

 Repentance: What It Means to Repent and Why We Must Do So 

(First Edition, 1878; Updated Edition, 2021) by John Charles Ryle

In the past, although I always said that Charles H. Spurgeon’s books influence my Christian believes (besides the Bible) the most but in terms of number, I read J.C. Ryle’s books the most. Ryle (1816-1900) was the Bishop of Liverpool, England, and had gained a reputation for straightforward preaching, passionate evangelism, and Gospel-centered writings. His books, in my opinion, are easy to understand and very rich in theology and practical applications. I take C.S. Lewis's advice on the reading of old books like this one: “If [one] must read only the new or only the old, I would advise him to read the old.” Lewis recommended reading one old book for every contemporary book or two. I do read old books especially Christian classics from time to time because I know the value and importance of it (but I don’t come close to his recommended ratio). If you haven’t read one old book yet or if it’s been a while, I recommend you to read this book ���

The book opens and closes with this verse: “Except you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5). For sure this is a warning verse. It might sound harsh and forceful or “stern and severe” but as J.C. Ryle explains: “From whose lips did these words come, though? They came from the lips of One who loves us with a love that passes knowledge. They came from Jesus Christ, the Son of God. They were spoken by One who loved us so much that He left heaven for our sake. He came down to earth for our sake. He lived a poor, humble life on earth for thirty-three years for our sake. He went to the cross for us, went to the grave for us, and died for our sins. The words that come from lips like these must surely be words of love.” Indeed, this verse is ultimately a plea from One who loves us so much and desires to deliver us from the fire of hell (“perish”). So important is repentance that when Lord Jesus began His early ministry, He preached, “Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Peter’s sermon at Pentecost began with, “Repent, and be baptized…” and ended with, “Repent you, and be converted” (Acts 2:38; 3:19). When Paul defended himself, he told his audiences that he had taught all people that they should “repent, and do works fit for repentance” (Acts 26:20). "Repent!" is the call to all of us.

J.C. Ryle knows how urgent this call is. As a preacher-teacher, he wants to makes the call clear and unadulterated. So, he skillfully outlines this book into three (3) sections:

1)The Nature of Repentance: What Is It?
2)The Necessity of Repentance: Why Is Repentance Needful?
3)The Encouragements to Repentance: What Is There to Lead People to Repent?

These three sections and the conclusion are packed with biblical truths. The five marks of repentance that J.C. Ryle highlights are very crucial for us to differentiate between true or false repentance, namely: “True repentance begins with 1)KNOWLEDGE of sin. It goes on to work 2) SORROW for sin. It leads to 3) CONFESSION of sin before God. It shows itself before a person by a thorough 4) BREAKING OFF from sin. It results in producing a 5) DEEP HATRED for all sin.” If you have experienced all the marks, then, as Ryle would say, you are a truly repentant person! ��� #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #GrowingLeaders #SpiritualLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #BiblicalRepentance #BishopJCRyle #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists (Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon, Book Review

 Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists

(Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon

I'm not sure when exactly this book was written since Mr. Spurgeon was born in 1834 and died in 1892. Maybe it is his complete book or a compilation of his short writings and sermons. Regardless, this book - although it's old - is still timely and timeless. Timely because doing ministry in the era of a pandemic is quite challenging and Spurgeon is doing a great job of counseling (not motivating, like many Christian leaders nowadays) ministers of Christ to push forward for the Gospel and to win souls. If we know the WHY, then the HOW will follow through.

This book is also timeless because Mr. Spurgeon draws his writings from the well of the living water, namely, the Spirit-inspired written Word of God. His blood, like what he said about John Bunyan, is Bibline (he made up this word). He said of Bunyan that can be applied to himself: "Prick him anywhere —his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his very soul is full of the Word of God." The wonderful thing about reading and listening to Mr. Spurgeon is that you want more of Christ and the danger is that your taste for modern-day celebrity preachers will be lessened. Dangerously good.

If you're a Christian leader, read this book. Equip yourself and don't follow fallen leaders that disgrace the name of Christ. If you're a Bible teacher, listen to this audiobook. I find that these two chapters "Sunday School Ministry" and "Save the Children" are very good for Sunday School teachers. Don't minimize your ministry, your works are crucial! If you're an evangelist, savor this book alongside The Book. People called Mr. Spurgeon The Prince of Preachers but more than that, I perceived that he is "The Soul Winner" after his Master's example (this also a title of his book that I would like to recommend). Of course, some people are called to be evangelists full-time but all of us are responsible to "do the work of an evangelist” just like Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5)

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Kingdom Come, Kingdom Go: Luke & Acts (2007) by International Bible Society, Review-Maybe

 

Kingdom Come, Kingdom Go: Luke & Acts (2007) by International Bible Society

I think I heard first from the late David Pawson that chapter divisions in the Bible are added later in the year around 1227. When I checked the internet, it was done by Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this method and since then, nearly all Bible translations have followed Langton’s divisions (then about 200 to 300 years later, verse divisions were added). It is NOT inspired by God in a sense like the Scripture but it is helpful for 1) Quotations, 2) Memorisations, and 3) References. It is easier if I say, "Let's turn to the Gospel according to Luke chapter 22 verse 10" than to say, "Let's turn to somewhere in the middle of the Gospel according to Luke."

But there are, of course, weaknesses with chapter and verse divisions. First, you'll miss the context of the passage of the Scripture easily when it is divided wrongly. For example, in Matthew 16:28, when Jesus said "some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom" is fulfilled just after that in Matthew 17:1-13 through Jesus' transfiguration. Many people argue the meaning of Matthew 16:28 when all they have to do is continue reading the next chapter! Secondly, you'll assume what the Scripture said isolatedly instead of as a whole. For example, Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them", is in the context of church discipline from verse 15 not a general promise for any prayer meeting per se. Thirdly, you'll see the Scripture as a religious document only instead of the story of redemption ultimately. For example, when Zakir Naik lectures against Christianity, he always quotes like this, "Chapter [bla bla bla] verse [bla bla bla] said..." When I paused the YouTube videos and search some of the verses that he mentions, it was always out of context. To put it mildly, the person of Jesus of his version is very abstract here and there instead of the real God-man who enter into the world history. We too must be careful not to do the same. Don't let chapter and verse divisions distract you from seeing the big picture, the drama, the story of redemption.

So you see, there are pros and cons of having these divisions in our modern Bible. With this long introduction, let me say something about this book Kingdom Come, Kingdom Go. It is actually the compilation of the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the apostles without chapter and verse divisions. Church historians claim that Luke and Acts are two volumes of a single work which traces the story of Christianity from its beginnings in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ up to the middle of the first century AD. I read it like a novel, only that it is not works of fiction but the truth continuation. The translation is from Today's New International Version (TNIV) and I love it!  #1Book1Week #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LukeActs #KingdomComeKingdomGo

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A Survey of Bible Doctrine (1972) by Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Book Review

 

A Survey of Bible Doctrine (1972) by Charles Caldwell Ryrie

When I found this book, there were no covers. I have to make these blue covers by myself 😁 Most seminarian students (I'm not one) and Bible students (I'm one) know or at least have heard about Charles Ryrie (1925–2016). His life and books have influenced many people like Charles Swindoll and John MacArthur. The critical ones will remember him as a dispensationalist only; the learners, however, as a theologian first. Nobody, including me, will agree with everything he writes and teaches. But nobody can deny his contribution of making the written Word of God accessible and understandable through his writings and teachings.

"God intended you to understand what the Bible teaches," encourage Ryrie in the introduction, "This does not mean that you will comprehend all its truths at first reading or even in a lifetime, but it does mean that you can expect to learn a great deal. God used language which He meant to be taken as normally and plainly as the words in this book. So take it that way and assume He means what He said. When a problem arises, look at it again and remember too that God has promised that the Holy Spirit will also help you to understand His truth (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12)." Before I ever understand that 'normally and plainly' or 'literal interpretation' of the Bible is synonymous with 'dispensationalism' (false assumption), I already believe that, unless otherwise, the Bible MUST be interpreted literally. And so, as I read this book, I have little disagreements (so far) and am very much pleased by his simple but thoughtful interpretation of the Scripture. Keep in mind though that men of God like Ryrie are not infallible and it is idolatry to expect one redeemed-sinner to know it all. Plus, my knowledge is still limited. In fact, my disagreements might be due to my faulty beliefs and ignorance. I'm glad I'm not yet arrived. By God's grace, I'm still growing 🙏 At the end of the day, we must examine everything with and by the Scripture. Sola Scriptura.

Contents: 

1) What Is God Like?

2) Is the Bible Inspired?

3) Jesus Christ the Lord

4) The Holy Spirit

5) The World of Angels

6) The Nature of Man

7) Christ's Salvation

8) What Is the Church?

9) What Does the Future Hold?

To go in-depth, read his later works such as Basic Theology and The Ryrie Study Bible 😊💪⚡ #1Book1Week #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #CharlesRyrie #BibleDoctrine

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God Will Wipe Away Every Tear from Their Eyes

 "We say this is the land of the living! It is not. It is the land of the dying," said D.L. Moody in a sermon near the end of his life. "What is our life here but a vapor? ...But look at the other world. No death, no pain, no sorrow, no old age, no sickness, no bending forms, no dimmed eyes, no tears.

"But joy, peace, love, happiness. No grey hair. People all young. River of life for the healing of the nations, and everlasting life. Think about it! Life! Life without end!" 🌬🔥📖 #ServeToLead #ToLiveIsChrist #ToDieIsGain

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Angelus' Quote: Jesus IS the Only Way

 

An Indian told a missionary that he believed in Jesus Christ and meant to give Him his love someday. A native helper turned to him and said,

"If you and I were walking through the jungle and came face to face with a tiger if I placed myself in front of you and said, 'Run, brother, for your life!' would you love me?"

"Yes, surely."

"When, someday?"

The native saw the power of the friend's argument and said, "I will give myself to Him now."

What is your tiger? Near-death experience? Cancer? The meaningless of life? The burden of sins? Your time is short, and only in this life, you have the opportunity to come to Him. Not someday, but NOW. Jesus with a clear and simple term said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6) ⚡📖🙏 #ServeToLead #TheOnlyWay #YourTimeIsShort

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Angelus' Quote: We Are Safer In a Storm with God

 

Reading Mark 4:35-41 about Jesus calms the storm always reminds me of this quote: "We are safer in a storm with God than anywhere else without Him." The twelve disciples have Jesus in their boat, but the "other boats" (v.36) don't! 💪😁✔ #ServeToLead #InAStormWithGod

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Death Is the Debt We Must All Pay

 

Odds that you will eventually die in a car crash: 1 in 25. Odds that you will develop a brain tumour: 1 in 25,000. Odds that you will die in a fire this year: 1 in 400,000. Odds that you will die due to plane crash: 1 in 11 million. And the odds that you will eventually die is 1 in 1. 100% sure!

Blaise Pascal, the 7th-century mathematician, philosopher, and author, wrote: "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created things, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus." You're not ready to die if you're not really live. Jesus, the Son of God, declares: “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying" (John 11:25) ⚡📖💪 #ServeToLead #ToDieIsGain #ToLiveIsChrist

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Angels: God's Secret Agents (1975) by Billy Graham, Book Review

Angels: God's Secret Agents (1975) by Billy Graham

I read this book for the first time during our campus Christian Fellowship (CF) mission trip to Betong many years ago. When we encountered spiritual warfares, I was curious about what the Bible really said about angels - good and evil - Who are they? What is their purpose or mission? And why are they always appear in the Word and frequently in the world today? Late Billy Graham wrote a book on this topic when the people of his generations were getting more interested in the supernatural such as UFO, ESP, and demonic cults. With all the confusion, he wants to direct his readers to biblical truths about angels. He is faithful to the Scripture, very clear, non-speculative and his writing is easy to read.

Billy's wife, Ruth, who was born and raised in China, recalls that in her childhood days tigers lived in the mountains. One day a poor woman went up to the foothills to cut grass. To her back was tied a baby and a little child walked beside her. As she reached the top of a hill she heard a roar and then saw a mother tigress (hey, a female tiger is more frightful than a male tiger) springing at her. "This illiterate Chinese mother had never attended school or entered a church. She had never seen a Bible," writes Mr. Graham, "But a year or two earlier a missionary had told her about Jesus, 'who is able to help you when you are in trouble.' As the claws of the tigress tore her arm and shoulder, the woman cried out in frenzy, 'Oh Jesus, help me!' This ferocious beast, instead of attacking again to get an easy meal, suddenly turned and ran away." Had God sent an angel to help this poor woman?

I remember a few incidents in my life where I suspect God sent an angel(s) to protect me. A man who appeared out of nowhere helped me pulled my car out from the drain and then gone. I was so sure that a wild dog trying to bite and run very fast toward me (I mumbled some prayer, I think) but about 1 meter away, the dog suddenly stopped for no reason. During one of the mission trips, a witch doctor came to us and asked us who 'protecting' us from her spells.

I believe God when He promises us in Psalms 91:11, "He will give angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways." Especially, when we do the works of ministry. [Good] angels are our allies. Do not worship them, but know that they - and us, in some parts - are servants of God. As Mr. Graham puts it: "While we do not place our faith directly in angels, we should place it in the God who rules the angels; then we can have peace" 😊🙏⚡ #1Book1Week #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #Angels #BillyGraham

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

One of the Best-Selling Books of All-Time, Pray Faith Love (Colossians 1:3-4)

“We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people…”
(Colossians 1:3-4, NLT)

PRAY. So many of our prayers are just “Give me, help me, bless me.” Here Paul and his protegee, Timothy, write to the Colossian Christians, “We always pray for you...” And what was the essence of their prayer? Thanksgiving, praising God. Other-centeredness. The focus of their prayer is to God and for “God’s people.” Notice this one word: “always.” Someone said to me, “Honestly, I don’t have any joy in reading the Bible and praying.” Well, we don’t quit taking shower just because we don’t feel joy in doing it. We need it just the same. This is my advice, “When you don’t feel like reading or praying, that’s the time to read and pray!” We need it just the same. Always. “We always pray for you.”

FAITH. “For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” Wonderful! This is what I always said to my students: the difference between Christian faith and other religion is that our faith is “in” Lord Jesus, the God-Man. I believe having faith in yourself in a healthy dose is good. But in terms of salvation, faith in Jesus is the ONLY way. It’s not faith in ourselves or in some religious deeds or ‘just’ faith that saved us but in the One who “purchased our freedom [with his blood] and forgave our sins” (1:14). Believe very hard and be very sincere also won’t do. We can be sincerely wrong. Once I argued with my friend that he doesn’t come for our appointment. I was about to prove him wrong but when I checked my calendar, I was one day early! I was sincere… but sincerely wrong… So, it’s not about mere faith in a higher power but in The Living One, Jesus Christ.

LOVE. “…and your love for all of God’s people…” or saints. Earlier, Paul writes, “May God our Father give you grace and peace” (1:2) and even there is no mention of God’s love for us in this verse, obviously, He does! If the Father loves us, so does the Son, Jesus Christ (inseparable, see 1:3). And the highest expression, example, and display of God’s love is “the cross” (1:20). Loving God is, therefore, the only reasonable response that we should have. So, what’s the connection? “Now I am giving you a new commandment,” said Jesus, “love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34). There is a connection here: If someone lacks fellowship with God, he or she will find it difficult to really love God’s people; and if someone does not love God’s people, he or she could not love God very much either.

Way before Elizabeth Gilbert wrote her bestseller book, Eat Pray Love (2006), the Apostle Paul already wrote, Pray Faith Love (around AD 60-61). Pray always, have faith in Jesus, and love God’s people. Amen!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.