Gospel e-Letter

Salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. No one can earn it through their own efforts. If we try to secure salvation by our own works, we risk missing the heart of the Gospel—complete reliance on Christ. Yet, true faith is never empty or inactive. A life touched by God’s grace is a life that bears fruit. If someone claims to have faith but their life remains unchanged, they are only deceiving themselves. We are not saved by our good works—we are saved by Christ’s finished work on the cross. However, salvation is never without good works, for when God saves a person, He creates a new heart that longs to obey Him and bring glory to His name. Even in the brief moments before his death, the repentant thief on the cross revealed God’s grace at work in his heart. He rebuked the other thief for mocking Jesus and publicly identified himself with the crucified King. Likewise, the Philippian jailer, upon believing in Christ, immediately began living out his faith—ca...

The term "morning star" appears multiple times in the Bible, but its meaning varies depending on the context. 1. The Fallen Morning Star Isaiah 14:12 – How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!" This passage is traditionally understood as referring to the fall of Satan, who was once a glorious and exalted being but was cast down due to his pride and rebellion against God. He was likely given the title “morning star” because of his beauty and splendor among the angelic being, who are also referred as stars. However, he proved unworthy of the title, as his arrogance led to his downfall. 2. The Morning Star as a Symbol of Christ 2 Peter 1:19 – "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." Here, the morning star represe...

"The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15) Jesus spoke about two different paths in life: a wide road that leads to destruction and a narrow one that leads to life. Naturally, we all want to be on the right path—the one that leads to heaven. But how can we be sure we're on it? The Gospel: God's True Message The gospel is the only way to eternal life because it is God's message to us. Throughout history, people have created many different religions, but these man-made paths cannot lead to true salvation. The Bible reminds us that ‘the world through wisdom did not know God’ (1 Corinthians 1:21). That means human ideas and philosophies alone won’t bring us to Him—we need His truth. The Bible: Our Reliable Guide Thankfully, God has given us His Word in the Bible. It wasn't just written by ordinary people—it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. That’s why we can trust it completely. The Bible i...

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, stood before the crowd and declared, "I find no fault in this man" (Luke 23:4). He knew Jesus was innocent. He saw through the schemes of the Jewish leaders, recognizing that they had handed Him over out of envy (Matthew 27:18). Pilate tried multiple times to release Jesus, saying, "I have found in him no guilt deserving death" (Luke 23:22). In a final act of protest, he washed his hands before the people, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood" (Matthew 27:24). Yet, despite his words, he ultimately sentenced Jesus to be crucified. Was this a cruel injustice? From a human standpoint, absolutely. The sinless One was condemned as a criminal. Roman soldiers mocked Him, beat Him, and nailed Him to a cross—an execution reserved for the worst offenders. It was the ultimate miscarriage of justice. But behind this apparent tragedy, the hidden hand of God was at work to fulfill his Sovereign plan. Long before, Isaiah had ...

"You only live once, so enjoy the ride while it lasts! Don't bother about tomorrow!" The Apostle Paul makes an interesting point: if death is the end of everything—if there is no resurrection—then the logical approach to life would be to indulge in all the pleasure we can while we have the chance. He writes, “If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’” (1 Cor. 15:32). Isn’t this the very mindset of our world today? Many people reject the idea of Jesus’ resurrection or the hope of life beyond the grave. But if death is truly the final curtain, what is the point of it all? Why spend years studying for exams, working hard to build a career, saving to buy a home, or striving for success—if, in the end, everything vanishes like mist? If our existence is nothing more than a fleeting moment between birth and oblivion, then life itself becomes absurd. The wise and the foolish, the rich and the poor—all share the same fate: emptiness, darkness, noth...

During this Jubilee year, the Catholic Church is offering a plenary indulgence to those who visit certain churches and fulfill specific conditions. While this tradition holds meaning for some, many Catholics may not fully understand what a plenary indulgence entails or why it’s significant. If this feels unfamiliar or distant to you, take heart— God’s love and grace are available to you too. Dear friends, God’s arms are always wide open to embrace anyone who turns to Him, at any time, not just during special occasions. If you feel burdened by the weight of your sins, know that today is the day of grace for you. The Scriptures offer a beautiful and clear path to reconciliation with God: through repentance and faith in Christ. These are the only steps needed to receive His forgiveness. No human tradition can add to the simplicity and power of his invitation. It’s important to remember that the forgiveness God offers comes solely through Christ. His sacrifice is sufficient, and His blood ...

For many Roman Catholics, saints are often thought of as a special group of faithful individuals who have been formally recognized by the Vatican through a process called canonization. However, the Bible offers a broader and more inclusive perspective on who the saints are. For instance, in his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul greets the believers with these words: “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse.” Here, Paul uses the terms "saints," "faithful," and "brethren" to refer to the same group of people—those who are followers of Christ. So, who are the saints? According to the teachings of Catholicism, saints are those who have been canonized by the Pope after their death, having led lives of remarkable virtue. Yet, the New Testament presents a different view. It teaches that all Christians are considered saints, not because they have achieved perfection, but because they belong to Christ. Paul’s letters were not add...