Kota Kinabalu: This time around, a common Christmas message from churches in Sabah is salvation through walking along with God.At the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Christmas Eve, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Bishop John Lee, reminded the congregation that if they wanted to experience salvation, they must keep God's Commandments.
He said Christmas offers peace, love, light and salvation to all of us so that we experience freedom from sin.
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"This is because a Saviour has been born to us - the Lord and God.
God has come to take away our sins, the darkness of sin.
God gave us His greatest gift - the Saviour. God sacrificed His Son for our salvation.
Bishop Lee said if Catholics want to experience salvation, they must reject the godless way of life, adding that worldly desires and unrighteousness will lead them to doom.
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He also called for prayers for the leaders of all Christian communities.
"Let us also pray for forgiveness and reconciliation for all peoples on Earth, and promote peace and justice in society."
Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM), Likas, Senior Pastor Lee Tak Vui, said Jesus was born for humanity to save His people from sins.
"God sent His Son into the world to be our redeemer as Lord and Saviour.
He shed blood on the cross to bring us salvation. Christmas is a time to affirm our faith and ask God for forgiveness of our sins. Through Him, we receive forgiveness. You and I, we are all sinners," he said in his sermon.
Saying sin causes us to be alienated from God, Senior Pastor Lee said commission of sin or crime and its consequences was reflected in reports in the electronic and print media.
"You hear or read about the bad news when you turn on the TV or read the newspaper. Bribery, corruption, all the wicked things happening in the world every day. All these affect our daily lives. Without solutions to sin, the world cannot be a better one."
On Christmas Day, SIB Likas (English) Senior Pastor Lee Lee Dusing described Christmas as a season of joy and celebration, and a remembrance of the birth of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
"It is a time for us to renew our relationship with God.
Spend time with Jesus. Christ has come to fill our hearts with love, joy, peace and goodwill," she said.
Head of SIB in Sabah, Rev Jerry Dusing, and wife Senior Pastor Lee Lee invited the Founder cum Chief Mentor of the Indian Evangelical Team, Dr P.G. Vargis, to come and preach a Christmas message at the Christmas celebration held at the New Fellowship Hall in Likas.
In his presentation, Dr Vargis, who is based in New Delhi, said: "I am here to talk to your heart. Your preliminary need is salvation.
Move with God, keep close to God. God can't help you if you don't come to Him.
"Don't go away from Jesus. With Jesus, you are a hero. Without Jesus, you are zero.
"Ask the devil to leave you. If you live in sin, you won't be able to recognise Jesus. Come back, He is waiting for you."
Dr Vargis, who has visited 37 countries and written 56 books, said it was not too late to change as long as they obeyed God.
Calling on sinners to come back to Him, he said they (sinners) should not delay to tomorrow or next month but do it today.
"Tell Jesus you are going to change today. Speak to Jesus and tell the truth.
I smoked, I drank, I hit my wife, I hit my husband.
Ask the Lord to give you one more chance and He will lift you up."
Offering advice to parents, Dr Vargis said the greatest gift that parents can give their children is teaching them how to pray.
"I have no land, no car, no house to give my five children and one foster-child.
But I teach them how to pray. This is my greatest wealth for my kids," he said. "I impart to them the knowledge that God gave me."
Meanwhile, Janny Yapp in a testimony sharing session related how she turned to God in her journey with breast cancer in 2007 when she underwent surgery and chemotherapy.
"The first thing that came to my mind is the Saviour.
I have overcome cancer. God heard my prayers.
God has become real to me," she said.
