Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Welcome to the year 2023 and Happy New Year to you and yours.

Today, I write to you about the most important aspect of our faith: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

For many of us, the concept of salvation may seem abstract or distant. We may not fully understand what it means to be saved, or we may not feel the urgency of seeking salvation in our daily lives. However, the truth is that salvation is the very foundation of our faith, and it is something that each and every one of us should be actively seeking.

So, what does it mean to be saved? Simply put, salvation is the act of being rescued from sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a gift from God, offered to us through the grace of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

This passage reminds us that salvation is not something we can earn through our own efforts or good deeds. It is a free gift, given to us by God through faith in Jesus.

But why do we need salvation in the first place? The answer is simple: we all fall short of God’s perfect standard of righteousness. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Our sin separates us from God and leads to death. But through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God offers us the opportunity to be reconciled to Him and receive eternal life.

So, how do we receive this gift of salvation? The Bible tells us that we must have faith in Jesus. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

To have faith in Jesus means to believe in Him and His work on the cross, and to trust in Him as our Savior. It also means turning away from our sin and turning towards God, seeking to follow Him and His ways.

Salvation through faith in Jesus is not a one-time event, but rather a journey that involves a lifelong commitment to following Him. As we seek to follow Jesus and grow in our faith, we will encounter challenges and setbacks, but through the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, we can persevere and be transformed into the people He has called us to be.

So, dear friends, let us embrace the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, and let us seek to grow in our faith each and every day. May we be obedient to His call and follow Him with all our hearts, knowing that through His love and grace, we are saved and reconciled to Him for eternity. Amen.