What is faith? 

Let’s look at the Scripture:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” Hebrews 11:2

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he rewards those that diligently seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  Romans 10:17

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”  James 2:14

What is apostasy?

Apostasy means falling away from the faith.  It can involve denying the existence of God, denying the truth of Jesus Christ, denying God’s law and moral teachings, denying the Holy Scriptures.

In the final Book of the Bible Jesus cautions the Church to not become lukewarm.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”  Revelation 3:14-16

True faith sincerely desires to serve God.  So while we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ and not by good works, Jesus desires that good deeds flow from our faith and love for Him.

St. Paul speaks about the great apostasy and the coming of the Antichrist in this passage:

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,  not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”  2 Thessalonians 1-4

We will find signs of the apostasy everywhere, even inside our churches.  I personally know people who have been hurt by priests who were disguised as men of God when truly they were devils.  Financial corruption, deceit and violence has found its way into our churches because Satan is determined to find ways to destroy people’s faith in God.

Do we need to ask God to strengthen our faith?

Are we being faithful to Jesus or are we worshipping foreign gods like money, pleasure, entertainment, power etc. 

A Secret on How to be Faithful to God!  Fall in love with Jesus!

Have you ever noticed how people in love look at each other?  Their eyes are focused on each other; they are listening attentively to each other. They delight in pleasing the one they love.  That’s the type of love Jesus desires.   People who love Jesus focus on pleasing Him and do not associate with people who are offending God.  They are prudent and cautious in the activities they pursue.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
 or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
 and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

I fell in love with Jesus at the foot of the Cross.  When I began to meditate on the Passion of Christ, I realized how much Jesus loved me and how much I loved Him.  Suddenly this Scripture became emblazed in my mind:   “We love because He first loved us!”  1 John 4:19  How can we not love Our Saviour Jesus Christ who loves us so much that He consents to being brutally tortured and killed for us so that He could pay the price of our sins?  Think about it!  Remember Jesus dying on the Cross for you each day at the time He died for you, 3pm. Meditate on the Passion of Christ and fall in love with Jesus and your focus will be solely on pleasing Him!