This morning’s sermon will cover “Finishing Well.” So pay attention during the sermon.
This pastoral letter focuses on the beginning of one’s journey of faith as a follower of the Way of Christ. In Part 2 of the pastoral letter, I will write about the middle part of one’s journey of faith in “Stay Right in the Way .”
The Way is the ancient and good path (Jer 6:16). This Way is set up by Jesus to heaven (John 3:13; 14:6).
Part 1 Start right – “I believe Jesus Christ.”
The Christian’s walk in the Way begins by believing in the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? If so, have you read the entire Gospel of John more than once? Do read and notice that the words “believe,” “believes,” “believing,” and believed” occur in the verbal form. These verbs occur almost 100 times in the Gospel of John. In the New Testament, the noun “faith” occurs about 250 times.
So the vital link between man and God is faith. The agnostic cannot come to God unless he believes God exists. The theist believes that the invisible God created the visible world. The question is, “Which is the true and living God?” Which God has revealed Himself fully?
Jesus says, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18)
When a person believes in Jesus, God acts on that faith. By God’s power, He sets up a personal relationship with Jesus (John 1:12).
Do you have a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ? A personal relationship with God is not passed on by family or by tradition. God is Spirit. “Faith” or “belief” is the operating principle by which He will act.
Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Martha responded, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:25-27).
How about you? Can you personally say, “I believe in Jesus Christ?”
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
”Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor 13:5).
If you are not sure, ask a mature Christian to help you. If you are sure, you are already in the Way. Be led by God’s Spirit, and walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
As a confidence booster to ensure that you have started right, or on the right track, do read the Gospel of John and the 1st Epistle of John in 2019. God bless you all with His grace, peace and strength as you begin or renew your walk in the Way.
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
