No Favourites

No favourites
The book of Acts records this statement by the apostle Peter,
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism  but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35
Long story short. Until this point most if not all those who came to believe in Jesus were Jews. This however changes when a God fearing Roman centurion get a vision from God telling him to seek out the apostle Peter and hear what he has to say.
The apostle Peter a devout Jew who’d been taught from birth to not do anything against the Jewish food laws and traditions also received a vision.
The book of acts records,
“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.  
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.  
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.  
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 
  The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.  
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.  So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Act 10:9-20.
Peter went with the men to meet Cornelius and his household, where he told them about Jesus Christ. It was at that point Peter realized that the gospel of Jesus Christ was for all people. The book of acts noting,
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism  but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35
Jesus before His ascension into heaven said to the disciples,
“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.
The word we translate in English as nation actually means “ethnic group” thus Jesus was making it clear to his disciples that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was meant to be heard by every ethnic group in the world. Something that it seems became real to the apostle Peter when he met Cornelius.
This is something true Christians today believe to be true. The salvation and eternal life Christ Jesus offers is open to everyone on the planet.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Romans 10:9-13
Please think about it.

You never know

You never know
The book of Acts records the day when Saul, known later as Paul, became a follower of Christ. His conversion illustrates two things. First of all you never know who God will use, and an act of faith taken by a man named Ananias.
Luke the author of Acts records,
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest  and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  
“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.  
For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,“Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  
In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  
And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said,    “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,  and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” Acts 9:1-19.
Saul as this portion of scriptures states was an enemy of what was then called The Way or believers in Christ.
He had received letters from the authorities in Jerusalem to arrest any man or woman found to be following Christ. God however had other plans for Saul.
As Luke the writer of Acts notes on the road to Damascus Saul had a supernatural encounter with Jesus.
The voice was not just in Saul's head. The people with Saul heard the voice but saw no one. However Saul obeyed the voice.
Another man Ananias a believer in The Way, also heard God’s voice telling him to go and minister to Saul.  Ananias was justifiably hesitant. He knew who Saul was and that he had intended to persecute the early church. Still he acted in faith, in obedience to God. He went to Saul and ministered to him.
Ananias that day acted purely on faith. He had no idea that Saul who would later become known as Paul would go on to be a powerhouse for the Christ.
That Paul himself would be persecuted and later die for being a follower of “The Way”
That Paul would write a large portion of the still to be written New Testament.
That Paul would be an integral part of taking the Gospel of Christ throughout the known world. That the words Paul would write would be encouraging believers in Christ Jesus two thousand years later. 
The story illustrates that believers in Christ need to know the voice of God and be willing to act in faith. For you never know who God will use to present the message of eternal life through Christ Jesus to the world.
Pleases think about it.

Of God

Of God
The book of acts records the following incident between the apostles of Jesus and the religious leaders of their day. Those religious leaders had told the apostles not to preach in the name of Jesus. Yet they continued to do so. Thus they were arrested.
The book of acts then records,
“Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.  
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:27-42 
Luke the writer of Acts tells us the religious leaders were furious with the disciples wanting to put them to death. However cooler heads prevailed in the name of man named Gamaliel. Whom Luke describes as
“a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people.”
Gamaliel gives them a brief history lesson of incidents that the religious leaders knew about. How several men claiming to be of God led several groups of rebels against the status quo. However when these men were killed their followers scattered and the movement they started amounted to nothing. He then went on to say about the apostles,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 
Those religious leaders must have thought what Gamaliel said had merit for rather than having the apostles put the death they simply had them flogged. Which still didn’t stop the apostles for preaching in the name of Jesus.
The book of Acts recording,
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
Considering it has been two thousand years since this incident, and the followers of Jesus are still growing despite persecution in many countries around the world. I think we can say what the apostles were teaching and what believers in Christ are teaching today is of God.
The question however comes down to what do you believe.
Is Jesus the one and only Son of God, the Saviour of mankind or is he not?
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Sometimes Christians Forget

Something Christians forget.
The apostle Peter wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Sadly all too many Christians in North America don’t remember this statement.

1/ They don’t remember that they are aliens and strangers in this world. 

And, 

2/They don’t live good lives in front of the world around them.

Too many Christians in North America get involved in Politics. They mix their politics with their religious beliefs.
Someone once said mixing politics and religion is like mixing water and gasoline. The water is undrinkable, the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture explosive.
Christians are not called to mix their faith and politics. We are called to present the gospel of Christ to the whole world. We can’t do it if we are taking a political side.
I believe the only time Christians have the right to take a political stance is if the government is attacking publicly any peaceful law abiding group. Be it because of their faith, their race, or their lifestyle. I believe at that point we as Christians especially if we are living in a democracy even if we disagree with the group being persecuted must stand up for their rights.
A good example is Nazi Germany in the years leading up to and throughout the second world war. Far too many people Christians included, did not stand up to Adolph Hitler and his henchmen. The result was world war two and the death of between 56,000,000 and 60,000,000 men women and children. Soldiers and civilians. The worst conflict in human history.
Martin Niemoller a German Lutheran pastor and initial supporter of Hitler, who later became an Anti-Nazi wrote,

When they came for the Communists, 

I did not stand up, 

because I was not a Communist. 

When they came for the Jews, 

I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. 

When they came for the Catholics, 

I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. 

                 When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.                                                                                        Martin Niemoller

Pastor Niemoller spent eight years 1937-1945 in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps for his beliefs and standing up to the Nazi’s.
I wonder how many Christians living in North America today would be willing to stand up for the rights of other faiths to practice their faith? For Communists to participate in the general elections?  For the rights of the LGBTQ community to exist?
That being said in a truly free and democratic society everyone has the right to practice what they believe. To live a lifestyle they want to live provided they bring no harm to anyone.
Such a society make living a Christian life much easier also.
In a free and democratic society Christians can openly share their faith, can exchange ideas, with all people without fear.
                Please think about it.

Christian life

Christian Life
The Book of Acts records,
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.  
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.  
There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales  and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 4:32-35. 
This is how true Christians should live. Helping those in need however should not end by simply helping other Christians it should extend to the world around us. Be that need in our neighbourhood, our town our country or around the world.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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 Christian faith is very much a faith of action, not faith alone. As believers in Christ our faith should spur us on to do good works.
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ, are you helping those in need in whatever way you can?
Please think about it.

Truth

Truth
In my previous blog I quoted  Acts 4:1-22, where we read about Peter and John being brought before the religious leaders of their day for preaching in the name of Jesus. They warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus. To which Peter and John replied,
“But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  
For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”Acts 4:19,20.
Luke the writer of the book of Acts tells what happened when Peter and John reported to the other believers what had happened. Luke writes,
“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.  
When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:“ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’  
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  
They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”Acts 4:23-31
Put simply the believers prayed and gave praise to God.
The believers then as believers today know, that what they believe is true. Those early believers were not put off by the arrest of Peter and John.
Instead they did what all true believers in Christ do. They prayed and praised God. They did it because they knew first of all that they were right in their beliefs.
They also knew that those persecuting them must consciously or subconsciously believe that the facts about Jesus is true.
After all if Jesus was just a man and those who were believing Him were believing a myth why persecute them. A myth cannot hurt anyone.
On the other hand if everything the New Testament writers said about Jesus is true then people have a lot to consider. John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
“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.
C. S. Lewis said of Christianity,
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it. 

What we have seen and Heard

What we have seen and heard
In my previous blog I spoke about how Peter and John were used by God to perform a miraculous healing of a well known man sitting at the gate Beautiful in Jerusalem. The book of acts goes on to tell the reaction of the Sadducees and other religious leaders. It states,
“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.  
They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  
They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.  
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 
The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.  
Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family.  
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!  
If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  
He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’  
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  
But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.  
So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.  
“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.  
But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” 
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  
For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.” Acts 4:1-22 
In this incident a man who had obviously been sick for a long time, a man that was forty years old. Was healed and God received the glory for the healing.
Still the religious leaders of the day who had opposed Jesus, arrested Peter and John. Having done so they couldn’t figure what to do with them. After all it was a good deed. A man was healed.
Their solution was to tell Peter and John to shut up and not tell people about Jesus. Something they would not do. Peter and John replying to religious leaders saying,
‘But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  
For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19,20.
What happened to Peter and John is happening to believers in Christ around the world today. Men and women who are proclaiming the word of God, men and women who are doing good works in the name of Jesus, are being imprisoned for what they are doing. Some are even dying.
These men and women and indeed believers in Christ all over the world however truly believe what Peter and John did was right. They can and do say to anyone who would tell them to be silent about Christ the same words the two apostles said,
 “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 
For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”
Matthew’s gospel record Jesus speaking to his disciple saying,
“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.
It is a message believers in Christ will continue to proclaim no matter the circumstances, for it is the single most important message mankind needs to receive.
Please think about it. 

The Message

The Message
The book of Acts records,
“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.  
Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.  
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.  
Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  
So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  
Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  
He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.  
When all the people saw him walking and praising God,  they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 
While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.  
When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?  
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  
You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.  
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. 
“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.  
But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.  
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:1-19.
I have always said that if the miracles recorded in the Bible were not true, why would the writers include them. For if they were not true it would work against what believers in Christ were saying. As a result I believe they must be true.
In this case Peter and John participate in the healing of a man who was well known as a beggar at the gate Beautiful.
Peter is quick to point out that it is not he and John that healed the man but God. He states,
“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”
He then gives the crowd a brief talk on how Jesus was allowed by the people to be put to death even when the Roman governor wanted to release him.
Peter however notes,
“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.  
But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.  
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”
The message Peter gave to the crowd that day is the same message believers in Christ present to the world today.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
To the Ephesians Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9
Salvation is a gift of God. A free gift. A gift we can accept of reject. The choice is always up to the individual. God will not impose his will on anyone.
Thus the choice is yours do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?
 Are you willing to accept by faith the free gift of eternal life God offers you or not?
Please think about it.

The Example

The Example
The book of acts gives this few word snapshot of how the early church believed. It reads,
“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 
The early church set an example for all believer in the years and centuries to come.
They were in one accord.
The followed the teachings of the Apostles.
They had fellowship with one another.
They broke bread together.
They worshipped openly in the temple courts.
They lived such good lives that they enjoyed favour of all the people.
It’s interesting to note that Piliny the Younger writing to the Trajan around 112 AD wrote this about Christian,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind...”Piliny the younger.
Piliny was looking for something negative to say about Christians in order to have them executed. There is no record of him finding anything. That however did not stop him from executing known Christians. Being a Christian in the first century AD was enough to get someone executed.
From this account of Piliny, and the account in the book of Acts, we can assume that those first century Christians followed the teachings of Peter who wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
As Christians living in the twenty-first century this is how we should be living.
Please think about it.

The First Sermon

The first Sermon
The book of Acts records this speech of Peters on the day of Pentecost. Peter states,
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.  
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  
David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,   because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 
“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.  
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.  
Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.  
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.  
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.  
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ 
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”  
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:22-42.
Here is something of note. Peter’s first sermon was on the day of Pentecost when devout Jews from all over the known world were in Jerusalem.
It is safe I think to assume that because this was a major Jewish holiday, the majority of people who heard Peter’s sermon were devout Jews from all over the world. They knew the Jewish scriptures. They knew the prophesies about the Messiah, the Christ.
It is to these people Peter presents what he and all followers of Jesus believed.
1. Jesus was handed over by wicked men with God’s foreknowledge to be put to death.
2. Jesus died and was raised from the dead.
3/ Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God.
4. Peter emphatically states,
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Peter believed Jesus was the Messiah.
When the crowd asks Peter what to do, he states what all believers in Jesus believe you should do,
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38.  
The bottom line here is the same today as it was in Peter’s day.
Every individual who hears about Jesus has a choice. You either believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ, the suffering Messiah who died for your sins or you do not.
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Why would Christians

Why would Christians
John’s Gospel records,
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:24-31.
Here is a simple question that begs an answer. Why would the followers of Jesus say he rose from the dead if he did not?
After all to say anyone rose from the dead would seem to be an outlandish belief. Something quite unbelievable.
The apostle Paul even says,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
The early followers of Jesus were in the process of building the church. To make a outlandish claim like Jesus rose from the dead had the potential for stopping them. Yet they persisted in that belief as do all believers in Christ Jesus to this day.
Thus it is my contention that either the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is true. If not it is one incredible lie believed by millions for over two thousand years and by close to 3,000,000,000 people on the earth today.
The question is not however what believers in Christ Jesus believe it is what you the reader believe.
Please think about it. 

The Purpose

The Purpose
The apostle John quoting Jesus wrote,
“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.
Here are two verses that if you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus you must never forget. It has two points.
1/ God Loved the world
2/ God’s Son Jesus, came into the world to save the world. 
            Not to condemn it.
As believers in Christ Jesus we must remember this, for the simple reason our job until the return of Jesus to this earth is to continue the work of Jesus. That is to save souls for Christ.
You cannot win souls for Christ unless you love the people in world. You may disagree with the way people in the world live, their morals, their religion, their lifestyle. That being said however you must love the individual.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Paul also states,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
That all means everyone on the face of the earth. Christian and non-Christian alike are sinners.
The apostle Paul goes one step further saying,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”1Timothy 1:15,16
I think as believers in Christ Jesus in the twenty-first century we should look on ourselves as “the worst of sinners” saved by the grace of God. I think if more Christians thought of themselves as Paul did “the worst of sinners” we would have a better take on evangelism. On telling the world about Jesus.
Paul I believe was so successful in his ministry not only because he was called of God but because he was a humble man. A man who looked at the world around him and realized that he could have been anyone of the people he witnessed too. A person far from God. A person in need of the Love of God.
The apostle Paul as well as the other apostles kept their focus on what Jesus said,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17.
It was not the job of the apostles nor is it the job of any believer in Christ Jesus to judge the world.
The job of the believer in Christ Jesus is to present the Love of Christ to the world in order that they may receive eternal life.
If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus, do you see winning souls for Christ as your duty to God?
Please think about it.

Build Yourself Up

Build yourself up
Jude the half brother of Jesus writes,
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  
They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”  
These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”Jude 1:17-21.
Here Jude points out that in there will be scoffers who will go their own way. These are men who will divide believers. Men and women who do not possess the Spirit of God.
It is a common theme throughout the New Testament. All the writers of the New Testament warns against false teachers. Even Jesus did so.
Jude warns believers not to follow them but rather build themselves up in the faith. To pray and keep themselves in the love of God.
In other words if you claim to be a believer in Christ you need to pray and study the scriptures not just in church or in a bible study, but for yourself. To pray and ask God to show us the truths within the scriptures.
For it is in doing so that we will draw closer to God and keep ourselves from straying.
Please think about it.

Warning False Teachers

Warning False teachers,
Jude the half brother of Jesus warning about false teachers writes,
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.  
For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Jude 1:1-3
The Christian life is very much one of vigilance. We must be on guard when it comes to our faith. We must watch out for those who claim to be believers in Christ but are not. Jesus himself warned about such people saying,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“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 7:15-23.
It is easy for anyone to string a series of scripture verses together, verses taken out of context made to sound like truth, when in reality it is not the truth.
Especially in within the multimedia world we live in we need to be more vigilant than ever. There is a lot of false information out there.
There are men and women claiming to be believers in Christ who in reality are not.
  Jude says of these people,
“These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.  
They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Jude 1:12,13.
Thus it is imperative that we as believers in Christ read the scriptures for ourselves. That we be unafraid to question pastors, evangelist, teachers and others who claim to be teaching the word of God. An honest teacher of God’s word will not be insulted by you questioning them.
At the same time it is imperative that we stand up to false teachers and cast them out of our congregations.
The apostle Paul telling us,
“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.
Please think about it.

Christians Consider this

Christians Consider this
The apostle John writes,
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” 3 John 1:11.
 Question, do you do what is good?
I ask the question because we quite often don’t always do what is good. In fact quiet often we may think we are doing good but are not.
Consider this. The apostle Paul wrote,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”Titus 3:1,2
Now ask yourself this question. When a secular government grants rights to groups of people, is it right in a secular democracy, such as we live in here in Canada and the United States, where all are equal, to even attempt to restrict the rights of others, even if we disagree with them from a religious or moral prospective?
Is it right for you as a believer in Christ to force your morals and beliefs on someone?
Consider this. 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.

Think of it this way,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

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
Matthew also records Jesus as saying,
“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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
To do what is right as a Christian is to show unconditional love to all people even if we disagree with them. To do less is wrong.
My point here is, in a secular democracy in which we live, with a government according to the apostle Paul that is allowed to rule by God. We have no right to restrict the rights of others. Nor do we have the right to impose our faith on others. To do so is simply wrong.
The scripture record is clear. Jesus and the disciples lived in the Roman empire. Perhaps one of the most ethnically diverse empires ever to exist. An empire that tolerated what believers in Christ would have considered sin.
Yet there is no record of them protesting against any of it. In fact they did their best to live at peace with all people presenting their beliefs in humility. Respecting the views of others.
The apostle Paul even said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18
The apostles did it and in doing so they changed the world.
Thus the question becomes, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing good or are you, perhaps well intentionally to your way of thinking, trying to restrict others and impose your beliefs on them?
Please think about it.

Christian Life

Christian life
The Apostle John writes,
“The elder, 
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  
It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.  
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.  
They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.  3 John 1-6.
Here the apostle John commends Gaius for continuing to walk in the truth. He states,
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
What John is saying here I believe reflects what God will say to believers who walk in truth.
Thus my question to you the reader.
If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus are you truly “walking in the truth”? Are you truly living a life acceptable to God?
Does your life truly reflect the Love of God in all you do?
Before you answer the questions read what James the half brother of Jesus wrote. James wrote,
“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
Thus the question becomes, is your faith leading you to do good works?
Please think about it.

Walking in the Truth

Walking in the truth
The Apostle John writes,
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.  
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.  
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:4-6.
Over and over again the apostle John emphasizes that believers in Christ must love. Love must be the motivating force behind all believers in Christ. As I have quoted in previous blogs 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.
  What Jesus is saying here echos the words spoke in Deuteronomy that states,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7
If you truly love God then you will love all whom He loves. That means everyone. Jesus speaking of himself said,
“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
It is our duty as believers in Christ to show God’s unconditional love to others. The apostle John emphasizes this over and over again.
It is only by showing the love of God to those around us that we can truly win the world for Christ.
Francis of Assisi penned a wonderful prayer that illustrates this. He wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                    Francis of Assisi

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ, ask yourself does this prayer reflect my life?
Please think about it.

Idols

Idols
In the final line 1 John. The apostle makes a definite statement all believers even today must obey. He writes,
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21.
In John’s day idols were everywhere. Idol worship was in every city, town and village in the Roman world. Temples to the various Roman god’s were easily spotted.
Today in the twenty-first century we have as many idols if not more than existed in John’s day. They are just harder to spot.
Idols are anything we worship other than God knowingly or subconsciously. Money is perhaps top of the list. There are people who put the making of money above all else quiet often even their families. But there are other things. Everything from the latest designer clothing to computers to cell phones, consumer goods, to sporting and entertainment events, to
We just have to look at when a technology company announces the release of its latest, greatest gadget. The lineups for it start early in the morning and go for city blocks.
Now there is nothing wrong with having money or the latest electronic gadget or going to or participating in sports or entertainment events. Money, gadgets and other things can make our lives easier. Sporting and entertainment can help us relax.  The problem comes when we desire them more than we desire God.
Especially if you consider yourself a Christian you need to carefully consider what place money and possessions  and other things have in your life.
You need to ask yourself the question do I put the things of this world, ahead of God?
Please think about it.

Believers Beware

Believers Beware
The Apostle John writing to believers in Christ Jesus said,
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3.
Here John is clearly speaking to believers in Christ. He is warning against people claiming to be believers in Christ that are not. This points back to what he had earlier said in this same letter where he noted,
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.  
They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” 1 John 2:18,19.
What John calls antichrists are those who sat under the disciples teaching but now deny that Jesus is divine, the Son of God the saviour of mankind, God incarnate.
There are such people around today who call themselves believers in Christ Jesus who deny his deity.
The fact is you cannot deny the divinity of Jesus and the fact that He is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind and be a Christian.
John makes things clear who Jesus is when referring to Jesus as “The Word”, he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“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.
The apostle Paul speaking of his own faith in Christ noted,
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”Galatians 2:20.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ? 
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ? 
  And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” 
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. Hebrews 1:1-8.
The facts are simple in order to be a true believer in Christ you must believe in the divinity of Jesus.
That being said as in the days of the apostle John as today there are many teachers and preachers out there claiming to be believers in Christ Jesus who are not. That is why we must heed the warning of the apostle John who said,
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1John 4:1.
The test for telling if someone is a true believer in Christ Jesus is if they believe what the New Testament says about Jesus. If they believe what the writers of the New Testament said about Jesus is true.
If they believe Jesus is the One and only Son of God. God incarnate. The Saviour of Mankind who died for the sins of all who would believe in Him.
Please think about it. 

Christian Actions

Christian Actions
The Apostle John writes,
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
John here echoes the words of James the half brother of Jesus who said,
“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 first and foremost a faith of action. It is our faith that saves us. It does however not stop there. True faith spurs us on to good deeds.
As believers in Christ we must help those in need to the extent we are able. I believe the more we are able to help people. The more God will hold us accountable.
Jesus summed up how believers in Christ should act when he 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.

Put it this way. If you were hungry and in need of clothing or shelter. Would you not want someone to help you. Would you not want someone to help you?
Jesus said this,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.
Please think about it.

The Reason

The Reason
The apostle John speaking of Jesus tells us,

“But you know that he appeared 

so that he might take away our sins. 

And in him is no sin.” 

                             1John 3:5 

I was once asked the question “why did Jesus come into the world?” The following is simple answers. The apostle Paul writes,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
To the Corinthians Paul writes,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,..” 1 Corinthians 15:3.
To Timothy Paul writes,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1Timothy 1:15,16.
The writer of Hebrews tells us.
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3.
In short God loved us so much he send Jesus to die for our sins so that we could have eternal life with Him.
The twentieth century author, C. S. Lewis said,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
Lewis noted something else about those who believe in Christ. He wrote,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
The apostle John who knew Jesus personally, tells us,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10.
Luke’s Gospel illustrates the choice every individual who knows about Jesus must make when he tells of what happened on the day Jesus was crucified. Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43.
There is no middle ground with Jesus, either he is the Son of God who died for the sins of all who would believe in Him or He is not.
The choice is yours and it may be the most important choice of your life. To quote C. S. Lewis again,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it.