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Need for Grace in the Islands |
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In the words of
Willy Florian, Tonga's Station Manager,
"Here in the Island people thought that receiving eternal life is through good works, going to church, abiding to the pastor and be active to every religious duty.
But the Radio has been helping us be set free from this big lie from the devil, that it is through having a close relationship with Jesus and having Him into your heart, and it is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ . . .
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Grace and only grace will save us
But the idea we do nothing to earn our salvation
is offensive
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"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9 NKJV)
"For if we could be saved by keeping the law, then there was no need for Christ to die." It could not be any clearer than these words from Galatians 2:21 (NLT).
These and other verses have seen an amazing revival of repentance in Tonga. But they have also caused offense.
Some have expressed anger at having attended church and obeyed the rules all their lives, because they were told this would get them to heaven.
Others have expressed anger, insisting on salvation through "grace plus" something else - like obedience to tradition, giving your money to the church, etc.
Sometimes this becomes vicious and personal, with confrontations, threats, and destructive gossip.
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Staff of Letio Faka-Kalisitiane 93FM Tonga
are
facing their toughest test yet
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| Last week they faced threats of violence and had a group of people force their way into the studio. And now the gossip is starting . . .
I thank God for our workers' faith and commitment to press on anyway. As Sia, one of our senior workers emailed today, "but this tide will come and go but the work of the Lord still goes on, halleluih amen."
- Please pray the new believers won't be drawn away from their new faith in Jesus by gossip and rumour.
- Pray for the angry people who use ungodly ways to protect their position and false ideas of the Gospel.
- Pray for our workers, Willy and the staff and the men on our Tonga board (Loni, Fale, and Paula).
For their unity, encouragement, and personal safety.
- Pray for a quick end to this present strife
as we continue telling people about salvation fully completed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Would you also please consider
emailing a brief message to
our
faithful workers in Tonga.
Share a Bible verse or just say you are
praying for them.
(It's a huge encouragement when our local
workers learn that believers from other countries are praying for them.)
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A word of encouragment
to our staff, from Jesus
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"Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man's sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven . . ."
(Luke 6:22 NKJV)
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Grace and only grace is
essential to the Gospel of salvation
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|  How can I truly receive Jesus Christ
as my Lord and Saviour unless I first
see my great need for His great grace?
Whenever I stop thinking about
His grace towards me I quickly lose
my desire to live in humility,
with obedience and faith in His Word.
And may God's great grace also abound in you!
Graham A Carter [ email me ]
President of UCB Pacific Partners
 to help us bring salvation by grace alone
to God's people of the South Pacific
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