Christian do you fear God?
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111: 10.
I write this directly to Christians here in North America where I live. There are many who claim to be Christians here, who are Christians in name only. God, Jesus and going to church are just part of their lifestyle. They don’t fear God. They don’t do what God would want them to do.
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.
If we claim to be Christians we should be living up to that statement. Further more if we claim to be Christians we should be holding all those who claim to be Christians up to that standard. That not only includes our religious leaders but politicians and others that claim to be Christians.
Sadly as I said many, especially those who claim to be “born again Christians” or “evangelical Christians” do not follow the teachings of Jesus. It’s simply a lifestyle.
Jesus when 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 22:36-40.
Jesus also 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.”Matthew 5:43-45.
There are many in the trangender and LGBT community, even among Muslims and other groups, that do not see this love. All they see is bigotry and judgement of their lifestyle, Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
When 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.
According to Paul at least Christians cannot judge those outside the church. They should expel those who are teaching false doctrine or doing things contrary to the Word of God out of the Church.
Christians must remember when God created man he gave man complete freedom to do as he wished. That is a freedom we Christians must honour. Not protest against.
We Christians should not be protesting against anyone or for that matter against the government. Provided they are not passing laws that restrict our freedoms or the freedoms of others.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.” Romans 13:1.
That means he allows secular governments to rule and put in place laws we as Christians may not agree with.
Think about it when Paul made that statement he was living under the rule of the emperor Nero who was one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Who put Paul to death. Yet Paul could write that.
The job of the Christian is stated clearly when Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
In order to do that we must refrain from judging anyone period. Likewise we should not be protesting against anything. We should be known what we are for not against.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Sadly there are those claiming to be Christians who will not do this. They will be part of a scenario spoken of by Jesus in Matthew,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
On the day you stand before the Lord what will he say to you?
Please think about it.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111: 10.
I write this directly to Christians here in North America where I live. There are many who claim to be Christians here, who are Christians in name only. God, Jesus and going to church are just part of their lifestyle. They don’t fear God. They don’t do what God would want them to do.
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.
If we claim to be Christians we should be living up to that statement. Further more if we claim to be Christians we should be holding all those who claim to be Christians up to that standard. That not only includes our religious leaders but politicians and others that claim to be Christians.
Sadly as I said many, especially those who claim to be “born again Christians” or “evangelical Christians” do not follow the teachings of Jesus. It’s simply a lifestyle.
Jesus when 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 22:36-40.
Jesus also 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.”Matthew 5:43-45.
There are many in the trangender and LGBT community, even among Muslims and other groups, that do not see this love. All they see is bigotry and judgement of their lifestyle, Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
When 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.
According to Paul at least Christians cannot judge those outside the church. They should expel those who are teaching false doctrine or doing things contrary to the Word of God out of the Church.
Christians must remember when God created man he gave man complete freedom to do as he wished. That is a freedom we Christians must honour. Not protest against.
We Christians should not be protesting against anyone or for that matter against the government. Provided they are not passing laws that restrict our freedoms or the freedoms of others.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.” Romans 13:1.
That means he allows secular governments to rule and put in place laws we as Christians may not agree with.
Think about it when Paul made that statement he was living under the rule of the emperor Nero who was one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Who put Paul to death. Yet Paul could write that.
The job of the Christian is stated clearly when Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
In order to do that we must refrain from judging anyone period. Likewise we should not be protesting against anything. We should be known what we are for not against.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Sadly there are those claiming to be Christians who will not do this. They will be part of a scenario spoken of by Jesus in Matthew,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
On the day you stand before the Lord what will he say to you?
Please think about it.
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