SOLI FIDE

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-praying-together-6860380/

By Prakash Primulapathi - Press Services International

In recent days, a friend traveled around the city and discovered what he considered a cult. They held a meeting at the end of the street, handed out flyers, and offered free food. Since he had been looking for a church and decided to try these people out, he decided to follow them.

During the meeting, they mentioned some important things that must be considered. We asked about what happened after the meeting. After discovering some important issues, he decided that they were not a Christ-centered group and left.

Now, thanks to God's grace, he avoids dealing with unpleasant people, but how many of us think for a moment about what we know about it and how we know it? Are the individuals we contact honest and trustworthy?

Knowing what the gospel does not include

This friend's story took me back to Galatia. Paul exhorts the Galatians to remain in the truth and freedom of the gospel and not get involved in a rabbit hole supported by other teachers. We must understand the gospel well enough to understand what is not the gospel, like Paul.

Out there, there are more cults and bad teachings than I can handle—even if my book is over 1000 pages! Knowing the truth, on the other hand, is a great way to train our senses to distinguish truth from lies.

Sheer confidence

What does Paul suggest here? The passionate cry of the Reformation was "faith alone, and it was the same with Paul."

Yet we know that a man is not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, so we also believe in Christ Jesus to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one is justified.

In verse 16 of Chapter 2 of Galatians, Paul discusses his pure thoughts about faith in Jesus Christ and what he did for us to be saved. In the Book of 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5, verse 21, Jesus lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died so that we could become the righteousness of God. When he rose, he showed that his sacrifice was acceptable, and now he is a witness to a new life that we can enjoy.

We are saved by faith if we acknowledge Jesus' sacrifice for us, His resurrection, and his lordship over our lives. A bell will ring when someone adds additional qualifications.

Faith and action?

How can we reconcile the Epistle of James that discusses the work at the time? Paul also discusses this in Galatians, Chapter 2, Verse 16. Negative phrases are not related to work but to the law. Paul rejected legal action aimed at salvation. He also writes in Ephesians 2, Verse 10, which says that we were created to do good, so he does not oppose the concept of works.

On the contrary, as a sign of our salvation and sanctification, good deeds flow. Only by faith can we be saved. Cults also often associate work with salvation, but work does not give us salvation. All right, we have to fulfill the order correctly. We can be saved through faith, harmony, and faithfulness to Jesus Christ. Our salvation produces work. According to Genesis Chapter 12 Verse 3, we are blessed with salvation and new life so that we can give salvation and new life to others.

How does this affect my life experience?

Paul gained salvation through work throughout his entire life. However, now he says that it is only through faith. It should also be remembered. How do we live this in everyday life?

It increased my confidence and my personal security. Seeing my own mistakes every day makes me worry about my safety. However, if I am saved only through faith and know that Jesus has fully paid for my sins, I can rest easy and be sure that I am completely saved. I find it easier to overcome sin in my life because I want others to experience the joy and blessings I have experienced as well. With that reassurance and gratitude, I am in a much healthier place to overcome sin in my life.

Friends, this is the liberating truth of the gospel that we can use against the lies of the world and our enemies. We must continue to listen to the good news of Jesus Christ and let it shape and change our lives.

I disciple Canterbury University students through navigators, who are currently working towards a Master of Divinity. My partner and I enjoy rock climbing and adventuring with our dogs in the great outdoors.

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