The Heart of Christianity

The Heart of Christianity
John records Jesus stating clearly why he came,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him  should not perish but have everlasting life.
“For God did not send His Son into the world  to condemn the world,  but that the word through Him might be saved.”
John 3:16,17
If we are true followers of Christ we will not speak out condemning the world. We will not judge the world. That is not what God would have us to do.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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
While we may dislike the actions of those in the world and some of the laws past by our governments. Still we have no right to condemn them providing they don’t restrict our rights or the rights of others.
Romans 13:1,2 clearly states
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. 
The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”                                                                                                                                                 Romans 13:1,2
Remember Paul wrote those words when the emperor Nero ruled. One of the greatest persecutors of Christians. If we wish to truly do the work of Christ we must love the world. If we fail to do
so, this can have eternal consequences.
Paul when writing to the Romans said,
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the LORD, rejoicing in hope,  patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. 
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things,  but associate with the humble. 
 Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” 
                                                                                                  Romans 12:9-21.
We cannot live at peace with all men if we are constantly criticizing their life or lifestyle. We have no right to show even a hint of judgment toward those who are not a part of the body of believers in Christ Jesus.
Remember what Paul said about 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.
Matthew records Jesus being 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 neighbour as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                     Matthew 22:37-40
He also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour 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?  
Matthew 5:43-46.
The more I read the Bible the more I see God’s Love throughout it. The New Testament proclaims that love on virtually every page.
The reason for that love is mentioned in John 3:17
“For God did not send His Son into the world  to condemn the world,  but that the word through Him might be saved.”
                            John 3:17.
We as Christians need to take a careful look at how we are witnessing to others. Asking ourselves are we judging them? Are we loving them? Do the people whom we are witnessing to see our actions as love because if they don’t our witness is to no avil.
The Talmud while not a Christian book gives an interesting story about Abraham it states,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.      That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?
                                                                                                                                The Talmud .
“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....” (Paul to the Corinthians)
It is only through Love that we will win souls for Christ.
Please think about it