2013년 9월 27일 금요일

The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls

Why do people work for companies? 
Some say that they feel happy while working in a company. Others say that they are having a happy work life due to good colleagues. There will be also people who find something worth by participating in community services in the course of working in a company. However, are there any people who continue to work for a company if they are not paid? The primary purpose of working for a company is to live on their salary. Even if they love their jobs or they are happy to work with other colleagues, people have no reason to work for companies if they are not paid.

Then, what’s the purpose of our faith in God?
Some say that they live a religious life to find peace of mind. Others say that they live a life of faith because they enjoy meeting people. Or there are people who are happy to participate in community services while attending the church. However, can these can be the ultimate purpose of our faith life?

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

The most important goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls. A life of faith without the salvation of souls is no more than a job without salary. Although they might feel happy or they think they obtain something worth, their efforts will be in vain in the end. The problem is that many churches teach different doctrines and different religious lives depending on their denominations. Which way of faith is the right one which leads us to the salvation of our souls?

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers [depart from me, you workers of lawlessness – ESV]!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

Those who live a life of lawless faith which does not follow the will of God cannot enter the kingdom of heaven even though they call 'Lord, Lord', act as prophets who preach God, cast out demons or perform many miracles. They can obtain nothing while making many efforts.

Why should we do the will of God to get the salvation of our souls? It’s because the Word of God is the promise of salvation. 

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. (John 6:53-55)

Whether we can receive life or not depends on following this Word containing the promise of eternal life. Then, how can eat and drink the flesh and blood of Jesus?

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover… While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:19-28)

Jesus promised that the Passover bread is His flesh and the Passover wine is His blood. Therefore, faith without keeping the Passover cannot give us the salvation of souls. Those who do not observe the Passover worship God in vain. Religious life which results in the salvation of souls, the goal of faith, is that of receiving eternal life through the Passover of the new covenant. If you believe in God, please live a life of faith which leads you to the kingdom of heaven by following the will of God.


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