Gospel e-Letter

Mary trusted in God for salvation, just as she happily confessed in the Magnificat, “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:48). When our first father Adam sinned, the entire human race fell with him into sin. Together with David, we can all confess, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). Similarly, the Apostle Paul taught that Adam’s sin had repercussions on all humanity: “one trespass led to condemnation for all men” (Romans 5:18). In Christian theology this is called “original sin.” During church history it was debated whether Mary was tainted by original sin. Many Christians still believe that all people, including Mary, are conceived in sin. In the nineteenth century the Roman Catholic Church defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, namely that Mary was preserved from all stain of sin from the first moment of conception. Even though there is disagreement on the time when Mary was redeemed, whether at conceptio...

On the 27th October 2011, the Vatican organized a ‘Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world’ to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic gathering in Assisi, Italy, in 1986. This year’s event was led by Pope Benedict and included representatives from several Christian denominations, non-Christian religions, including Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, as well as non-religious people. The event included talks, a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Francis and prayers. God’s people are called in Scripture to pray for peace. Moreover, Christians have a message of hope and peace to proclaim to the world, for we are ambassadors of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Why should there be so much trouble and injustice in the world? The Bible tells us plainly. Sin is the underlying cause of war and strife between nations, in our communities, in our families and even in our hearts. Sin is the root of all human misery for it separates us from God. T...

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...

Someone wrote to me, “You say that you believe and that you are saved right now. I suppose this is the result of some form of prayer said with sincerity and published by some Protestant or Evangelical group.” I would like to share my response about this important issue. No, I am not saved because I said a prayer. Many wrongly assume they are saved because they said the "sinner's prayer" or because they went forward in an evangelistic meeting or signed a card. This false idea is not much different from the Roman Catholic doctrine that a person is born again by submitting to water baptism. It is arguably worse than baptismal regeneration, for Christ did command his disciples to be baptized, but He never conditioned salvation on walking up an aisle and repeating a formula.

According to Roman Catholic teaching, the whole world has been redeemed by the work of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis said: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class!” Is this true?

Jesus was introduced by John the Baptist as "The Lamb of God." The significance of this title becomes clear as the drama of redemption unfolds, starting from Genesis all the way to the Book of Revelation. God called Abraham to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. On the way to Mount Moriah, Isaac asked his father about the sacrificial animal. They had brought a knife and fire, but they did not bring a lamb with them. Abraham reassured him, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:7-8).

We cannot enter into the glorious presence of God as long as we are polluted with sin. The Bible warns us that nothing that defiles shall enter Paradise. We need purification! Catholics are taught and expect that after death “they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification" (Catechism 1030,1031). The Bible clearly teaches how we can be washed from our sin. The Word of God assures believers that "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). His blood really and actually cleanses "from all sin." God's people praise Him "who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Revelation 1:5). And again, Christ "had by himself purged our sins" (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus Christ and nothing else is the believer's purification. Perhaps up till now you have hoped that after death you will go to a ...

Can a genuine Christian lose his or her salvation? Can a child of God end up in hell? It all depends on God because he is the Saviour. From beginning to end, salvation is his work. Therefore we should rather ask if God can lose any of his chosen ones whom he knew and loved from eternity past. Scripture teaches that the Father’s purpose will be accomplished. “Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Rom 8:30). God determined beforehand the glorious destiny of his people even before they existed. Moreover, the Son of God came to earth to fulfil God’s eternal plan. He said: “this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day” (John 6:39). The Father gave all believers to Christ; he came to the world to redeem and give them a glorious and immortal body. The Holy Spirit too works on behalf of all believers. They are t...

It is not my intention to discuss the question of ‘eternal security’ here. I feel compelled to write about a much more important subject. For someone may have ‘assurance’ of salvation, and yet he may not be saved at all! There is such a thing as false assurance. I am concerned about this issue for two reasons. First, I am worried about many evangelical Christians who are spiritually misguided. They presume to be saved and to be eternally secure but as a matter of fact, they are still lost and in danger of the fire of hell. I am also very much concerned about the false impression that Catholics and others have of the evangelical message. The popular ‘gospel’ proclaimed in many evangelical circles is a caricature of the real one. I do not fault Catholics who oppose and reject it. A young man, let’s call him Ben, attends an evangelistic meeting. He hears the message and responds to the altar call. He makes a decision for Christ and prays the sinner’s prayer. His heart is full of joy....

We don’t know when, but a time will come when we have to depart from this world. At that hour nothing but one thing is essential. It will not matter how much wealth and possessions we had accumulated. We will leave all behind us. We must let go of everything - even our loved ones. With tears and sorrow we have to say our final goodbyes. Not even our health will matter anymore. Our bodies will crumble and fall. Only one thing matters: our soul! For in the momentous hour our spirit will leave to meet our Maker. That hours marks the beginning of eternal bliss or everlasting woe. Our eternal destiny depends solely on our relationship to God during this life. We must make a fundamental choice. Either we trust in God completely or we do not trust him at all. We cannot entrust our souls to anyone else. He alone is worthy of our wholehearted trust, confidence, obedience and adoration. He alone sent his beloved Son to reconcile us to himself, to forgive us all our sins, and to bring ...

Mary is blessed among women. She received the unique privilege of becoming the mother of the Messiah. No other woman in history has ever or can ever receive such an honour. Yet when she opened her mouth, at the visitation of her relative Elizabeth, Mary did not speak about her own greatness and glory. The opening words of the Magnificat, “My soul magnifies the Lord,” reveal the passion and devotion of her heart to God. She was marvelled at how God looked upon her, his servant, in her lowliness. Along with the great privilege, God also adorned Mary with a humble spirit. Her spiritual vision remained clear and unobscured by pride. She is lowly, God is exalted; she is a servant, God is the Lord over all. Her desire was the exultation of God’s holy name for the great things he had done for her. This does not mean that we cannot admire Mary’s beautiful virtues, especially her humility, faith and obedience to her calling. In so doing we will not detract in the least from the glor...

(Gospel e-Letter - December 2015) The Lord Jesus told us plainly what our life’s purpose should be. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Our ultimate aim should be to meet the Father, both now and for eternity. We were created to know and glorify him, to experience his love and be enthralled by his majestic beauty. Jesus also told us how to reach our goal. “I am the way,” he said. We can approach the Father through the Son, who came down from heaven for this very end. Jesus insists that he alone is the way. No person will ever be welcomed by God except through his Son. Such an exclusive claim jars in the ears of modern society. The nineteenth century mystic, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, expressed the sentiment of our own culture. He says that there are various ways to God, just as “a man can reach the roof of a house by stone stairs or a ladder or a rope-ladder or a rope or even by a bamboo pole.” Most peopl...

Last month’s gospel e-letter (Who's going to heaven?) was intended to stimulate discussion on the all-important subject of salvation. Th ree characters, Abe, Ben and Carl, represent millions of Christians worldwide. Here they are again: All three believe in the Lord Jesus and the principal truths of the Christian faith, including the doctrines listed in the Apostle’s Creed; they also believe the promises of salvation written in the Bible. Abe and Ben are baptised, attend church and pray regularly. Both of them are zealous for good works and try to avoid sin, though they admit that sometimes they fail. Abe is motivated by love and gratitude to God for his grace and salvation. Ben also thanks God for his goodness, and additionally, he is also motivated to do good works to merit more graces and eternal life. Carl prayed to receive Christ as Saviour. He is not baptised, does not attend church regularly and has not yet submitted to Christ as Lord. His life has not changed since he w...

What do you think about the following three professing Christians? Let us call them Abe, Ben and Carl. Who is in a saving relationship with the Lord? Who is on the road to heaven? All three believe in the Lord Jesus and the principal truths of the Christian faith, including the doctrines listed in the Apostle’s Creed; they also believe the promises of salvation written in the Bible. Abe and Ben are baptised, attend church and pray regularly. Both of them are zealous for good works, and try to avoid sin, though they admit that sometimes they fail. Abe is motivated by love and gratitude to God for his grace and salvation. Ben also thanks God for his goodness, and additionally, he is also motivated to do good works to merit more graces and eternal life. Carl prayed to receive Christ as Saviour. He is not baptised, does not attend church regularly and has not yet submitted to Christ as Lord. His life has not changed since he was born again. He trusts in the finished work of Christ on t...

The Bible answers the vital question:  How can I be right with God? The apostle Paul makes this incredible statement in the epistle to the Romans: "To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). God justifies the ungodly! He does not say, "God justifies the righteous." That would have been perfectly understandable and just - and it would have spelled despair to all of us sinners. He does not even say, "God justifies the ungodly when he converts and starts doing good works." Paul insists that it is to him "who does not work" but "believes" that God accounts as righteous. God justifies the ungodly by faith alone. Now that is the good news that we need to hear! Click here to download a free copy of the e-book.

Is a person saved by faith, or by faith and works? Are good works necessary in salvation? These crucial questions are most clearly answered in Ephesians 2:8-10: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. There are three important truths to note in this passage.

(Gosepl e-Letter - July 2011) What are we living for? What is the purpose of life? Oftentimes we are too busy and preoccupied with many cares to stop and reflect on this crucial question. Or perhaps we are afraid to think deeply about the meaning of life because the prospect of death makes everything seem vain and futile. We naturally rebel against such a thought. There is a spark of eternity in our soul. We are attracted to beauty, goodness, love and joy, and we continue to yearn for more and more of them. But how can we know for certain? Maybe we are letting ourselves be deluded by our psychological needs; perhaps we’re just inventing sweet religious tales to satisfy our desires. For those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus, the answer is right at hand. Jesus points to himself as the answer, “I am the way,” he declared. That is his mission, to take us to the goal for which we were made. He told us plainly what the purpose is. “I am the way, and the truth, ...

It is not hard to see why John 3:16 is the best known and most cherished verse in the Holy Scriptures. It is packed with truths about God’s kindness and his provision for our joy and life. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Is it not amazing that God loves the world that has rebelled against him? Our first parents disobeyed their Maker, and we, their children, continue to do the same to this day. Every sin that we commit is, in effect, an act of disobedience and defiance against our Creator. Even so, the Bible tells us that ‘God so loved the world!’ Even more amazing is the measure of God’s love. God is good to us; he gives us breath, health, food, family and so many good gifts. But all of that is nothing when compared to the ultimate expression of his love. He ‘gave his only Son!’ God could not have loved the world more than that! God gave his Son in three ways: The Father gave his Son ...

Ever since my childhood, I never cease to be amazed by the momentous event of the first Christmas. The angel told Joseph not be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because what was conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit. “She will give birth to a son,” he told him, “and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” The Son of God, who was eternally with the Father, and by whom all things were created, became a man and came down from heaven to our world. The eternal King was clothed in humility and dwelt among us; the infant of Bethlehem is Emmanuel, God with us! Jesus came to fulfill a mission that no one else could perform; he came to save his people from their sins. For we have broken God’s Law, we are guilty before him, we deserve his punishment and wrath in hell. Thankfully Jesus saves sinners from the guilt and dominion of sin, from death and hell. Sadly Christ is of no benefit to some people, for he saves his people but they do not belong ...

(Gospel e-Letter - May 2009) On Good Friday several parishes in my country hold processions to mark the passion and death of Christ. As part of this religious pageant, men carry heavy wooden crosses on their shoulders or drag heavy iron chains fastened to their ankles. They do so to fulfill a vow and as a form of penance, that is, to make satisfaction for their sins. Their zeal and religious devotion is evident, and we should not doubt their seriousness and sincerity. Conscious of their failures, they are making a heroic effort to cleanse their souls and please God. Sadly their zeal is not according to the knowledge of the gospel. The apostle Paul addresses a similar situation in his letter to the Colossians. Some Christians in that church had taken it upon themselves to follow certain ascetic practices which were not commanded by Christ or the apostles. But Paul denounced them as mere “commandments and doctrines of man”; he declares that, “these things indeed have an appear...