Friday, January 31, 2025

Chile or Chilly?











If you were asked to spell ‘Chile’, what would you say? Chile, chilly or chilli? Please don’t panic as it really is Chile 3 ways. It was this third chilli that I prepared for an evening meal that got me thinking of the three chilly options I’m presenting to you today.
 
The first Chile is officially known as the Republic of Chile. This is a developing country and is one of the most economically and social stable nations in South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica. The Republic of Chile occupies a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and has Peru to the north, the Drake Passage to the south and Bolivia to the east. Santiago is the capital city and Spanish is the national language.
 
My second chilly is when it’s not warm and is typical of a winter’s day when the temperatures drop and there is a definite need for the heating to be put on. Some synonyms for chilly include crisp, brisk, wintry, and snowy. It can also be used in the context of being unfriendly or cold.
 
Our third chilli is the infamous chilli con carne, chilli with meat. Chili con carne is a spicy stew of Mexican origin containing chili peppers, meat which is typically minced beef or steak, tomatoes as well as kidney beans or pinto beans. Other ingredients used can be garlic, onions, and cumin. In our home, a tin of baked beans is often used as well as some tomato passata and a splash of tomato puree or ketchup. 
So, where does the Bible fit in, you may be wondering? There’s only one Jesus. The Bible clearly warns that ‘there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].’
 
How do you react to that? Who or what is Jesus to you?
The verse emphasizes that salvation, being rescued from sin and given eternal life, can only be found in Jesus. It clearly and simply states that there is no other way to be saved apart from Him. Jesus is the only way to obtain salvation and have a relationship with God.
 
This verse should encourage us to examine our beliefs and faith by proclaiming that salvation is found in no one else and there is no other name by which we must be saved. It is a prompt for us to reflect on the importance of Jesus in our lives and the significance of His sacrifice for our salvation.
 
This theme of exclusive salvation through Jesus is found elsewhere in the Bible. Jesus Himself said that “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Another example comes from the first letter of Paul to Timothy: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” It is a consistent message and there is no confusion.
 
Are you relying on your own efforts to be religious and lead as good a life as you can or are you placing your trust solely in Jesus? Salvation is a free gift from God and is available to anybody who is prepared to ask God to lead their life and journey with Him day by day.

DAILY MESSAGES WITH MEANING (11/10/24)
Written by NIGEL BINDING 

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 
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