We expect opposition  
when Bible teaching exposes a popular untruth  
Grace and only grace will save us, but the idea we do nothing to earn our salvation is offensive 
"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. 
  
Staff of Letio Faka-Kalisitiane 93FM Tonga have been facing their toughest test yet 
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." 

The need for Grace in the Islands   
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 . . ." 

A word of encouragment 
to our staff from Jesus 
  "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)