It Ain't

It ain’t

“It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
                      Mark Twain
I write this to both none Christians and Christians alike. Mark Twain the American author wrote,
“It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
                         Mark Twain
You don’t have to know much about Bible to have something to worry about, or at least consider seriously. For example Jesus made these two statements,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 
John 14:6
“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.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
                                                                       John 3:16-18
If even those two statements are true then anyone reading this has a great deal to think about.
If those statements are true and I have no doubt they are, then the place you will spend eternity hinges on whether you believe them or not.
For the Christian there is more to consider.
Matthew records this conversation Jesus had. The man asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                    Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus earlier in his ministry said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  
Matthew 5:43-47
The apostle Paul writes of love,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                                                                           1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
The book of James states,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” 
                                                                                                                   James 2:14-20
The Apostle Paul gives us a warning. Writing,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                             1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
In short, we Christians must love God, our neighbours, even our enemies. We must pray for our persecutors. We are not allowed to judge those outside the church that is God’s job. Never the less we are to keep our own house in order and expel the wicked from among us.
A spot light is on the Christian. Our words and deeds may determine the eternal resting of those with whom we come in contact.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                             Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.