Article | - 9:30 am
Faith is an essential aspect of human life, operating as a fundamental force that influences daily actions and decisions. It can be seen as a vital “organ” of the human experience, guiding individuals through their routines and beliefs.
In many cases, people exercise faith in ordinary circumstances—trusting that when they rise from bed, their legs will support them, that the bus, car, or airplane will reliably transport them to their destination, or that prescribed medicines will produce the intended results. This general type of faith is practical and not necessarily connected to religious beliefs.
However, within a Biblical context, we can identify two distinct types of faith described in the Bible:
• Faith to receive miracles and blessings;
• Faith to repent from sins, surrender to God, and follow Him wholeheartedly until the end.
Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:20-24)
The Lord Jesus clarified the purpose of the miracles He performed during His time on earth and still performs repentance. They are meant for people to see the works of God, wake up, and understand that He exists and that everything written in Scripture is true.
“The people in these cities had faith to receive blessings, but they did not have faith to turn from their sins and surrender their lives to God. So much so that many of them shouted as Jesus walked towards Calvary, “Crucify Him!” This same situation is repeated today. People rarely come to church to be saved, but to solve problems. And there is nothing wrong with that. But many people receive and leave because they did not have faith to repent,” explained Bishop Renato Cardoso during the Sunday Service at the Temple of Solomon.
Today, Jesus brings you the same reflection. You have witnessed many signs in your life or the lives of others, but you still have not repented. What are you waiting for? What is stopping you from repenting?
“This text makes it very clear that no excuses will be accepted, especially for those seeing the signs. Make your choice; repent, which means a change of thought and attitude. You used to think one way and now, you think the way God teaches in His Word. It is a change of thought reflected in a change of behavior,” he explained.
The doors of The Universal Church are open daily with daily prayer services and meditation on the Word of God, and a main service on Sundays at 10 AM. All are welcome regardless of religion or background. Come as you are.
For more information on locations, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141. You may also contact us via our contact form (click here).
For those who live in areas without a location of The Universal Church, you may also connect to our Virtual Church via Zoom Conference.
Contributors:
Rafaella Rizzo (Translated and Adapted From Original)
