Christian living
I believe truth is truth wherever it is found. Here is a truth from the Talmud a Jewish book that backs up Christian teaching. It states,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"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.
Christianity is very much a faith of both words and deeds. We are told to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. James points out that we are to do our best to help those in need. The early church did. The book of Acts records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
We as twenty-first century Christians need to follow the example of those first Christians. We need to be meeting together, studying God’s word, showing Love to those around us, meeting the needs of the needy, and praising God.
We need to be living a life different to that of the world.
Billy Graham once said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham.
Sadly this is true.
We as Christians need to look at our life and lifestyle and ask ourselves, am I truly living a life that is acceptable to Christ? Is my lifestyle different than that of the world? Is Christ truly reflected in my words and deeds?
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Take a look at your life and ask yourself what is my sermon telling those around me.
Please think about it.
I believe truth is truth wherever it is found. Here is a truth from the Talmud a Jewish book that backs up Christian teaching. It states,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"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.
Christianity is very much a faith of both words and deeds. We are told to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. James points out that we are to do our best to help those in need. The early church did. The book of Acts records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
We as twenty-first century Christians need to follow the example of those first Christians. We need to be meeting together, studying God’s word, showing Love to those around us, meeting the needs of the needy, and praising God.
We need to be living a life different to that of the world.
Billy Graham once said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham.
Sadly this is true.
We as Christians need to look at our life and lifestyle and ask ourselves, am I truly living a life that is acceptable to Christ? Is my lifestyle different than that of the world? Is Christ truly reflected in my words and deeds?
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Take a look at your life and ask yourself what is my sermon telling those around me.
Please think about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment