Antioch Alexander

Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law, because by works of the Law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavour to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:16-20 At that time, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as He stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no cl

With the Sign of the Cross, the old monk Abba Joseph trapped in his cell a dark and miserable demon who had come to tempt him. "Release me, Father, and let me go," pleaded the demon, "I will not come to tempt you again." "I will gladly do that, but on one condition," replied the monk. "You must sing for me the song that you sang before God's Throne on high, before your fall." The demon responded, "You know I cannot do that; it will cause me cruel torture and suffering. And besides, Father, no human ear can hear its ineffable sweetness and live, for you will surely die." "Then you will have to remain here in my cell," said the monk, "and bear with me the full struggle of repentance." "Let me go, do not force me to suffer," pleaded the demon. "Ah, but then you must sing to me the song you sang on high before your fall with Satan." So the dark and miserable demon, seeing that there was n

Do you want there to be a Church? Then you must be the Church! The Church building is not there to provide services for you when you need it: we need to be there to serve the Church, serve Christ, to the best of our ability. Go to Church. Go to Church on time. If we want our children to grow up in the Church, for converts to see the importance of our Faith, then they need to see our commitment. Do football fans turn up at the stadium for the last ten minutes? How much more commitment can we show to God, who has promised us eternal life, than fans to a team? Give to Church. Not only money, give prayer, give time and energy, talents and resources. Let your giving be an expression of your Faith, not out of the Church's need but out of your own. Be the Church : be present and active.