Tag: Faith

Marriage that shows faith

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CHERYL QUIGG

Many people grow up learning about Jesus with their minds. They may know Bible stories, go to church, and speak about faith. Yet knowing facts about Jesus is not the same as trusting Him. Faith is more than information. It is a gift from God leading to salvation. It results in a relationship with the One who gave His life for us.

Every person has done wrong. Whether it is lying, taking something that was not ours, or speaking harmful words, we have all broken God’s standard. Only Jesus lived a perfect life. The Bible teaches that the result of sin is death and separation from God. But God offers a gift that we do not earn. Through Jesus, there is forgiveness and eternal life.

Faith is a Gift, understanding comes from God. IRS Images, 2025.

Faith cannot rest in religion, a church, or a leader. It must be placed in the suffering and resurrection of Jesus. He said He is the only way to the Father. A person must turn from sin and trust the Saviour. Without that, even a faithful marriage on earth does not guarantee life with God in heaven. We are not saved by works.

The way a couple treats each other can show the message of Jesus to others. Marriage should reflect grace, not bitterness. If Christ has forgiven us so much, we should not hold anger against our spouse or others in the church. We are called the bride of Christ, loved and bought by His sacrifice. We are to show that same spirit of forgiveness.

Marriage can also help each partner grow closer to God. A husband should love his wife in a way that helps her walk with Christ, and a wife should support her husband in the same goal. Real spiritual leadership does not belong only to pastors. In the home, both husband and wife can help each other become stronger in faith. Talking about Scripture, praying for each other, and choosing God each day can bring spiritual health into the family.

Faith is not only a Sunday activity. It should fill every day. Work, sports, and hobbies can become more important than spiritual life if families are not careful. Children learn what matters most by watching their parents. If they only see Jesus mentioned once a week, they may think faith has little value. Following Jesus takes effort, but it is always worthwhile.

Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together
Bind us together in Love

Marriage also serves as an example. When others look at a couple, they may see unity or conflict. They may see a love that gives or a love that demands. God’s design is for one man and one woman to share life together and remain faithful. Unity in marriage can help others believe that Jesus is real. Division can push them away.

A strong marriage does not mean life is easy. People do not stay together only when they feel happy. Commitment means staying faithful, just as Jesus never gave up on us. Marriage asks us to grow in holiness, not simply in comfort.

Every person must ask: does my life show the message of Jesus? Does my marriage help my spouse trust God more? Do I follow Jesus only on certain days or in every part of life? Some may be married but have never placed their trust in the Lord. Faith must be real and personal. Only those who belong to Him will share eternity with Him.

A marriage built on God’s purpose can bless many others.

We love, because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Standing Firm in the Freedom of Faith

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RICHARD CORDER

In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul reminds believers that faith in Jesus Christ alone brings true freedom. He warns against returning to the bondage of the law, explaining that anyone who tries to earn salvation through religious rules loses sight of the grace that Christ freely gives. The message of Galatians chapter five is a call to remain steadfast in faith and not to be misled by teachings that add human effort to God’s gift of salvation.

Paul had once established the churches in Galatia and taught them the gospel he received directly from Christ. Over time, however, false teachers known as Judaizers began spreading the idea that faith in Jesus was not enough. They claimed believers must also follow the laws of Moses, including circumcision, dietary restrictions, and Sabbath rules, to be fully accepted by God. Paul writes to correct this misunderstanding. The law, he explains, was never meant to save. It was given to show people their need for a Saviour because no one can keep it perfectly. The law points to Christ, the only one who fulfilled it completely.

Paul reminds the Galatians that salvation is a gift, not a reward for good behaviour. No matter how hard someone tries to follow God’s commands, even one failure shows that human effort cannot make anyone righteous. Christ’s death on the cross paid for humanity’s failure to keep the law. Through repentance and faith in Him, believers are forgiven and set free from sin’s power and the weight of trying to earn God’s approval.

The danger of mixing law with faith is that it shifts trust away from Christ and back to human performance. Paul tells the Galatians that if they rely on circumcision or any other law to be saved, then Christ’s sacrifice means nothing to them. Salvation through works is impossible because anyone who chooses to follow the law must obey all of it perfectly. The moment they fail in one command, they are guilty of breaking it all.

Paul teaches that life in the Spirit is very different from life under the law. The Holy Spirit gives believers freedom and leads them to live in love and obedience, not out of fear or duty, but out of gratitude. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. By contrast, living under strict rules only leads to frustration and disappointment because no one can live up to them.

The apostle urges the Galatians to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given them. Faith in Him alone is enough for salvation and for growth in holiness. To think of the law as a way to salvation would only lead to spiritual stagnation. Instead, believers should hold fast to what they have learned and live out their faith through love, prayer, worship, and fellowship.

Paul also warns of the danger of falling from grace. When people try to justify themselves through good works, they drift away from the truth that salvation is by grace through faith. Good works are evidence of genuine faith, but they cannot save. Even the best human actions are imperfect before a holy God. The prophet Isaiah said that all human righteousness is like unclean rags before Him. Humanity’s sinful heart, as described in Jeremiah, is deceitful and desperately wicked. For that reason, God sent His Son to do what no person could do. Jesus met the full demands of the law and bear the punishment for sin.

Paul’s deep concern for the Galatians comes from his love for the truth of the gospel. He is grieved that those who once received the message of salvation by faith are now turning to a distorted gospel that has no power to save. He reminds them that in Christ, outward rituals like circumcision have no value. What matters is faith that expresses itself through love.

For believers today, Paul’s message remains vital. Many still believe that good deeds or religious rituals can earn God’s favour. But salvation is not about doing; it is about trusting. The Christian life is not lived by rule-keeping but by walking in the Spirit, who gives strength, wisdom, and peace.

When challenges or confusion arise, Paul’s instruction is clear: stand firm in faith. Do not waver between trusting in Christ and depending on works. James reminds believers to ask God for wisdom and to believe without doubting. A double-minded person, unstable in faith, receives nothing from the Lord. Paul calls believers to be steadfast, grounded in truth, and unshaken by false teaching.

Faith in Christ gives freedom, peace, and hope. Through Him, believers wait eagerly for the full realization of righteousness that has already been given to them by grace. This hope is not built on law but on the finished work of Jesus, who said, “It is finished.”

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8–9


Living with quiet hostility toward Christian faith

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DON HEBERT

Many believers today feel worn down by steady criticism. It is not always loud or violent, but it can still sting. Small jokes, unfair claims, etc., these things take a toll. When Christians sense rising hostility, it can shake their sense of peace.

Jesus walking with his disciples. IRS Images, 2025

The teachings of Jesus in John 15 speak directly to this struggle. In the final hours before His arrest, when He gathered with His disciples at the Last Supper and then walked with them toward Gethsemane, He prepared them for life without His physical presence. He also spoke honestly about the hatred they would face.

Jesus explained that believers are often disliked because they belong to Him. The “world,” meaning the moral order that resists God, treats Christians as outsiders. Jesus described this rejection plainly: if the world hated Him first, His followers should expect similar treatment. This knowledge does not remove the pain, but it helps prevent surprise. He wanted His disciples to count the cost of following Him and to recognize that rejection does not mean abandonment. He walked this path before they ever did.

Some today claim to like Jesus but not Christians. But Jesus pointed out that many people actually reject the real Jesus while accepting softened versions that fit their own views. When His followers live by His teachings and speak truth about Him, they may stir the same reactions He did.

Take the world, but give me Jesus
All its joys are but a name
For His love abideth ever
Through eternal years the same

Jesus told His disciples that they once belonged to the world but were now chosen out of it. This shift can make Christians seem like traitors to those still resisting God. People may not realize their conflict with Him, but Scripture teaches that this conflict is real. Believers are not trying to attack others; they have simply joined themselves to the One who offers life. Still, their new loyalty can be misunderstood.

Children and adults alike may fear being disliked for their faith, but Jesus reminded His followers that belonging to Him is greater than any rejection. He also said a servant should not expect to be treated better than the master. If He was mistreated, His people may be as well. Yet He added that some would listen and believe, just as some believed Him.

This raises an important question: is what believers in Canada face truly persecution? While many do not face violence, Scripture identifies insults, ridicule, lies, and public shame as real forms of suffering for Christ. These experiences should not be dismissed. Words can wound deeply. Some believers lose friendships, face hostility in academic settings, or feel pressure in workplaces. Many read hateful comments online and feel shaken. These pressures are not imaginary, and Jesus encouraged His followers to continue standing firm.

Still, not every Christian will face open hostility. Believers should not seek conflict or provoke anger. Jesus explained that hatred toward believers ultimately comes from not knowing God. This should shift believers from anger toward compassion. If people truly knew God’s goodness, they would not reject Him so easily. Their hostility does not make them innocent, but it does reveal their deep need for God.

Jesus also taught that the world’s hatred is without excuse. The people of His time witnessed His words and His miracles firsthand. They rejected God’s clearest revelation. Their reasons were real, but not justified. Jesus was hated without cause, and His followers may experience similar treatment.

The most important preparation for hostility is remembering what Jesus taught. He warned that persecution should not cause His followers to fall away. The greatest danger is not physical harm but abandoning faith.

The core question remains: who do believers belong to, the world or the One who saves? If they belong to Christ, their lives should show it. And they should be ready, with God’s help, to endure hardship with patience and faith.

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

John 15:18

Understanding Worship Beyond Music

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ALEKSANDR IVANOV

There are people today who connect worship mainly with music, but the Bible presents a much deeper picture. Over time, the meaning of “worship” has shifted. It is now often linked to a musical style rather than to a spiritual act of surrender and reverence before God. To understand what true worship is, it helps to set aside everything we know about church traditions, instruments, or songs, and look only at what Scripture teaches.

Imagine someone who had never attended church, never seen Christian music, and only had the Bible. If that person tried to build a worship service, what would it look like? There are no notes or melodies written in Scripture. Yet, the Bible often speaks about songs and praises to God. This means the form of worship was never the focus. Its essence was. If there were no music at all, would we still know how to worship? The answer must be yes, because true worship is not built on melodies but on the heart.

In the Old and New Testaments, music is mentioned, but it never causes conflict or division. Unlike today, there were no debates about worship styles or instruments. That raises an important question: why do these issues divide churches now? If the early believers never fought over music, maybe we are focusing on the wrong thing.

Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 speak of “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Are these meant to separate types of Christian music, or to describe ways the heart responds to God?

Psalms were poetic songs often accompanied by instruments, expressing a wide range of emotions, everything from joy to doubt.

Hymns were solemn songs that praised the greatness and majesty of God.

Spiritual songs were personal songs that carried faith and truth from Scripture.

In all cases, the heart’s gratitude to God mattered more than the sound or rhythm. The Bible never defines a “worship style.” What we often call “worship music” today was never meant to be a genre. Instead, worship is a life response.

True worship begins long before any song. It starts when a person turns to God in repentance and surrender. Worship is recognizing His power and our weakness. It is humility before the Creator. This is why Jesus said the Father seeks those who worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” To worship in spirit is to be renewed by the Holy Spirit; to worship in truth is to live by God’s Word.

Real worship happens when we accept God’s will, even when it is painful. When God says “no,” our reaction shows whether we truly worship Him. To bow before His decision without anger or complaint is to honour Him. As Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Worship is not found in comfort but in submission.

The Psalms also teach that “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” A heart softened by humility is more valuable than any song. When we forgive others, seek peace, and let go of pride, we offer God true worship. If we sing but keep anger or pride in our hearts, the song loses its meaning.

Worship is also giving everything to God. It is trusting Him with our choices, our time, and even our losses. When we face trials and still thank Him, that is worship. It is the daily act of learning to say, “Your will be done.” Music can express this, but it cannot replace it. One could say that glorifying God is the outward expression of this inward worship. It may be through songs, testimonies, service, or kindness. But without inward surrender, outward praise is only noise.

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Romans 12:1

A New Movement of Faith Among the Young

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NELSON NOLAND

As I write this in 2025, something is stirring among young people. For many years, those who worked in youth ministry felt that faith was difficult to plant in the hearts of teenagers. The message of Jesus often fell on hard ground. When a young person chose to follow Christ, it was rare. The world offered many distractions that seemed more exciting than faith. But over the past few years, there has been a noticeable change. Since around 2020, after the global pandemic, a growing number of youth and young adults have begun to seek what is real and lasting. During that time, many lost things they deeply valued, graduations, sports seasons, friendships, and normal routines. When everything stopped, many started asking deeper questions: What is life about? What is true? What can I trust?

This search has opened hearts to God. In colleges and universities across the country, students are choosing to be baptized and to live according to the teachings of Jesus. Many now believe that the way of Jesus is better than any other path. Those who work with youth are witnessing lives being changed more often than ever before. Conversations that once felt heavy and fruitless are now bearing fruit, as young people respond with soft hearts and sincere faith.

The story in Acts chapter 3 offers a clear picture of how the message of Jesus changes lives. Two of Jesus’s first followers, Peter and John, were going to the temple to pray. At the gate, they met a man who had never walked. Each day, people carried him there to ask for help from those entering the temple. When the man asked Peter and John for money, Peter replied that he had no silver or gold, but he did have something greater. In the name of Jesus Christ, he told the man to stand and walk. At that moment, the man’s legs became strong. He stood, walked, and even began to jump and praise God. Everyone around recognized him as the same man who used to beg at the gate. His life had changed completely. He was no longer defined by his weakness but by his worship.

The people watching were filled with wonder. They saw with their own eyes that the name of Jesus brought healing and power. Peter used that moment to explain that the same Jesus who had been crucified had risen from the dead and was still at work changing lives. Because of that truth, many believed. In this we see that following Jesus brings both a new direction and a new purpose. When Jesus called Peter and John years earlier, He told them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” They left their fishing nets behind to follow Him, and in Acts 3, we see that calling fulfilled. They were no longer catching fish, they were helping others find life in God.

To follow Jesus means to change course. It requires turning from one way of living to another. It also gives clear meaning to life. Many young people today are drawn to causes that matter, and the cause of Christ gives the greatest reason to live. It is to help others find hope and reconciliation with God.

Parents have an important part in this movement. Churches and ministries can teach and encourage, but no one has more influence on a child’s faith than a parent. When parents live out their faith with sincerity and love, their children notice. A parent’s passion for Jesus often lights the same fire in the hearts of their sons and daughters.

I believe the book of Acts reminds believers that making disciples is not the job of a few but the mission of all. To do that well, followers of Jesus are called to four things. First, be with Jesus, a person cannot lead others where they have not gone. Second, be bold, faith grows when it is shared, not hidden. Third, be ready for opportunities, God often opens doors in everyday moments. And finally, be humble, it is not our power but God’s grace that changes lives.

Just as the man at the gate was lifted to his feet, many today are finding new life through faith in Jesus.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10