The Christian Mission

  The Christian Mission

The apostle Paul also wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians5:18-20

The apostle Paul could not have made things more clear. If you consider yourself a true Christian your job is to help reconcile people to God.

Our job is to reach people for Christ. To show the love of Christ Jesus to those around us. To tell them

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17. 

If you say you are a Christian and are doing less than this it is time to reconsider what you truly believe.

Please think about it.

The Test

  The test

The apostle John writes,

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:7-10.

Here is if you will the litmus test for someone who claims to be Christian.

1/ He does right.

2/ He does not sin.

John making it clear,

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:10.

The way I see it this is how we should judge anyone who claims to be a Christian.

Please think about it.

Christs reason for coming

 Christs reason for coming

Jesus said,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10,12.

Here put simply Jesus gives his reason for coming to this world. To lay his life down for his sheep.

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Sin is falling short of God’s ideal for us. Sin separates us from God.

God knew that we could not live a life good enough to be with Him that is why he sent Jesus,

Paul stating

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

The apostle John stating,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."1John 1:9.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

He is

 He is

In John’s gospel we read,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

In my previous two blogs I have written about who Jesus claimed to be and who his disciples believe him to be.

In this blog post I tell about what Martha a friend of Jesus believed Him to be and she makes it clear. She believes Him to be,

"I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,".

So again as in my previous postings I ask you to consider who you believe Jesus to be?

I would however ask that before you make your decision. You read the New Testament and see for yourself what the writes of the New Testament believed Him to be.

Please think about it.

God's Son

 God's Son

In Matthews Gospel we read,

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  Matthew 16:13-17.

In my previous blog. I said Jesus claimed to be God incarnate. Today’s scripture reading is a conversation between Jesus and His disciples. Here Jesus asks them who do they believe Him to be. To which Peter answers,

“You are the Christ the Son of the living God”.

Keep in mind these men had sat under the teachings of Jesus for a number of years. They knew him personally and as such were in a position to judge who He was.

So either they were deceived or Jesus is the Son of the living God. God incarnate.

This is a choice people hearing about Jesus today must make. Either he is the son of God, God in the flesh, or he is not?

Please think about it.

Is He or is He not?

  Is He or is He not?

John's gospel records this incident in the life of Jesus. John writes,

"Then came the lire of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.  

"The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.  

I and the Father are one." 

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 

"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." John 10 22-33.

Jesus was no dummy. He knew the Jewish law of the day. He knew what the penalty for blasphemy was, yet He still maintained to be God incarnate.

Which to me means anyone reading this portion of scripture has a black and white decision to be made. 

Either Jesus was and is who he says he is. OR He is a monumental lier in all of history. One nearly three billion people around the world today, and millions more throughout history have believed.

Thus the question for you dear reader is do you believe Jesus is who He said He is or not?

Please think about it.

Do you trust?

 Do you trust?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6.

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." C. S. Lewis.

Personally I think this is easier said than done. That being said, I believe God wanted it that way. In the book of Hebrews we read,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                           Hebrews 11:1

People who have faith in someone or something are the strongest of followers. A true follower will quite literally go to the grave for what he or she believes in.

Thus it should be for followers of Christ Jesus. For followers of God.

If you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you willing to go to your grave for Him?

Please think carefully about it.

Do people see God in you?

  Do people see God in you?

The apostle Peter writes,

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1Peter 4:11.

What Peter is saying here is; If you are a Christian your life should always reflect God. So that God may be praised. 

Thus the question becomes, If you are a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus, is your life reflecting God?

When people see your deeds and here your words, do they see the Love of God reflected in them?

Please think about it.

Do they see it?

  Do they see it?

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

                                                                                                      Ephesians 4:1.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you live a life worthy of Him?

When people see your life do they see the fruit of the spirit?

The fruit of the spirit being listed in the book of Galatians as,

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness...

self-control.... 

Galatians 5:22.

Do people see these fruits in your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

Their Stronghold

  Their Stronghold

The Psalmist writes,

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; 

he is their stronghold in time of trouble." 

                                                                      Psalm 37:39

We many go through a lot in life but if we put our trust in God, He will be there for us in our time of trouble.

That being said it takes a man or woman of faith to truly trust God in the hard times of life.

Do you trust God in both the good times and hard times of life?

Please think about it.

Treat others

  Treat others

Jesus said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.

This is something I live by. We must be willing to treat others the way we would like to be treated. By doing so we can reach the world for Christ. If we fail to do so we risk turning people away from Christ.

Question. Do you treat people the way you like to be treated?

Please think about it.

A Believers Pledge

  A Believers Pledge

I’ve listened with interest and disgust over the last little while at the debates in political circles around the world but particularly in the United States. 

Sadly it seems hate and prejudges seems to be flooding into our society from all directions. Even men and women calling themselves Christians are being drawn into it.

With that in mind I felt prompted to write this the Believers Pledge.

As a believer in Christ Jesus,

I pledge...

To Love.

I Pledge...

As far as it depends on me...

To live at peace with all people.

I Pledge...

Never, Never, Never! To attack anyone...

Physically, or verbally.

Even if I vehemently disagree with them in any way.

I Pledge...

Never to demean anyone.

No matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, or their lifestyle.

I Pledge...

As far as humanly possible,

To uphold the dignity of all whom I come in contact with.

I Pledge...

To obey the words of Christ Jesus who said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have others do to you

for this sums up the law and the prophets.” 

                                                     Matthew 7:12.

   Please think about it.