Issues in the Church

Many people in this world call themselves Christians. Many attend various churches. Many read their Bible and pray, some also fast regularly. Many give financially to the church or various charities. Many are involved in church activities or serve in a ministry through evangelism, helping the poor or using their talents in all sorts of ways for God.

These are all wonderful and commendable things. But what actually defines a Christian? People may call themselves Christian, but what does it mean to be a true Christian, according to the Bible?

Recently I was listening to someone preach. They mentioned in their preaching the reasons why - according to them - Jesus had to come to this earth and die. To my astonishment, among the few reasons they stated, sin was nowhere to be found!!! I know they were not being purposefully deceitful, but it shows how much blindness has come upon the church these days. If there is one thing we should never forget, it is from what utter helplessness and misery the Lord rescued us! The sin of mankind is THE reason why Jesus came into this world and died.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
(Romans 10:13)

"There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
(Acts 4:12)

There is only one name given by God to save people, and this name is Jesus Christ. There is no other name today, there was no other name yesterday and there will never be any other name tomorrow, anywhere, that can save mankind. No Buddha, no Allah, no Krishna, no Guru of any kind, no one else...

According to the dictionary, deception is the art of making someone believe something that is not true. So, when you are deceived, you believe a lie.

The thing about deception is that when you are deceived, you don’t know you are being deceived. Deceived people think they are believing the truth, but in fact they have been sold a lie. You see, deception always has an element of truth in it. If it was a total lie, no one would believe it. So it is usually truth mixed with error. And deception looks good and attractive. It appeals to the senses. It is what people want to hear. It tickles their ears.