Faith
Hebrews 10:11 " Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then he sat down at the right side of God." (GNT)
Christ offered Himself as Ransom for all men - on the Cross of Calvary. That sacrifice of Himself wherein He shed His blood to wash away our sins and to open the gates of heaven for GRACE is a one-time sacrifice. He does not do it over and over again as depicted in the "mass" done by Catholic priests. He does not become the wafer or "hostia" that people take in "Communion" but He comes to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit the moment we receive Him personally as LORD and Savior. Only through personal and actual experience can a person understand this (Titus 3:4-7).
The doctrine of "transubstantiation" that the Catholic Church teaches is a man-made doctrine and nowhere in the Bible, the Word of God, does God say Christ becomes a piece of bread, the communion host. We should not bow down nor worship this "bread" in the monstrance as "Christ", ( like what the nuns taught us in grade school at St. Mary's College). This "adoration of the Blessed Sacrament" is a deception that never really bring us to the knowledge of the True God of the Bible.
Only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can a person be saved. Only through Jesus Christ can a person receive the grace to live victorious from sin and to be able to follow Christ. There is no "other" way and the Bible says "For there is one God and ONE mediator between God and man - Christ Jesus Who gave Himself as ransom for all men..." Mary and the saints cannot "pray" for us, neither can they save us. Religion cannot save us either. We can go to God through His Son Jesus Christ Who alone is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. (Galatians 4:6) "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit Who calls out, 'Abba' Father."
The truth that God wants to teach everyone is this - "For the wages of sin is death (spiritual separation from God) but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." Today that gift is ready and given to all who would come to Christ to receive Him. This is not about religion but about accepting Jesus as your personal LORD and Savior. Revelation 3:20 says "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me."
In the middle east, when someone comes and eats with you - it means a "fellowship".
A relationship has been established. Once a person allows Jesus to come into his heart, the indwelling Holy Spirit comes into the person's whole being and he becomes a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17) That person becomes "born-again" in spirit - the very essence of what Jesus said in John 3:3 - "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless He is born again."
John 1:12 further assures us "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave them the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor born of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
John 3:6-7 "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at My saying 'you must be born again.'
Hebrews 4:7 says "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Daily attending masses or going to processions for the Black Nazarene or "Sto. Nino" will not save you. You cannot "work for your salvation" by doing these things. Salvation was already done on Calvary by Jesus Christ, ONCE and for all.
He alone is the Worthy Perfect Sacrifice, there is no other one who can do it for you but Jesus Christ. When you come to church, you WORSHIP Him because His Love was so great He gave His life for you. (John 3:16)
John 3:16 tell us that "God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him (puts their complete trust in the saving work of Jesus on the Cross) shall NOT PERISH but have eternal life."
Eternal life, as Jesus declared it, is KNOWING God. John 17:3 says "Now this is eternal life: that they may KNOW You the only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent."
Only Jesus Christ died on the Cross for you - because of His great love.
That love continues to be poured out for you. Be assured that you have a High Priest in heaven, the Son of God Who prays for you and completely saves you.
" ...but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:24-25)
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