Sir,
Despite what Mr Donald Mackenzie says (‘Contradictory Biblical quotes’, 30/12/14) the Bible, being the inspired and infallible Word of God, never contradicts itself and has never deceived anyone.
There is indeed only one way to be saved from our sins. When the Philippian jailor, out of concern for his soul, asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” he was told: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30,31). We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8,9).
Those who have been justified freely by God’s grace are called to a life of good works – not to earn salvation but as the appropriate way of showing their gratitude to God for His wholly undeserved gift. Jesus said to His disciples: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Having come willingly to Christ believers realise that it was the grace of God that enabled them to come and that they were given to Christ before the world began.
They know that the sin in their hearts is such that they would never, ever have come otherwise!
The gospel of Christ is simple enough for a child to understand. If we are lost in the end we will have only ourselves and our sin to blame, not the Bible.
Rev David Blunt
Free Church (Continuing) Manse
17 Knockline
Isle of North Uist
Grace and faith
1 January 2015