Make disciples

Make disciples
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.
This is a call to all Christians. We must tell the world about Jesus in word and in deed. Francis of Assisi noted two things. He said,

Preach the Gospel at all times

 and when necessary use words.

                                                 Francis of Assisi

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                        Francis of Assisi.

As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus we are called to love 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 neighbour 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 neighbour and hate your enemy.'  
       But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..." Matthew 5:43,44.
It is only through showing unconditional love to those around us that we can effectively present the gospel message and win souls for Christ.
So my question to all who call themselves Christians, followers of Christ Jesus is,
Do you truly love the people around you, family, friend, or foe?
Please think about it.

Peaceful life

Peaceful life
In the book of Hebrews we read,
“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.
The apostle Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
The apostle Paul writing to the Galatians notes peace as being one of the fruits of the Spirit. He writes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
The apostle Paul writing to Titus 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.
Paul writing to Timothy states,
"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" 2 Timothy 2:22.
The Psalmist writes,

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

                                                                          Psalm 34:11-14.

The apostle Peter reminds us,
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
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 2:9-12.
It is my firm belief that as Christians we must strive to live in peace with all those around us. To as Peter states,
“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." 1Peter 2:12.
As believers in Christ Jesus it is only by living in peace with those around us that we can effectively present the gospel of Christ.
Please think about it.

The Bible and Science

The Bible and Science
In the Gospel of John we read,
“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.
This is the sole purpose in Jesus coming to this earth. The whole Bible narrative centres around the salvation message. Centres around the way individuals get to heaven.
Sadly many Christians get sidetracked debating evolution and other scientific theories.  Something that is entirely unnecessary. Something that takes them away from the principle purpose of the Bible, how to get to heaven.
Galileo Galilei wisely said,

"The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, 

not the way the heavens go."

                                 Galileo Galilei.

For me it is enough to know that God created the heavens and the earth. Whether he did it in six twenty-four hour days or over billions of years is irrelevant. God is God and could have done things either way.
I feel as a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus, it is imperative that I and all Christians stay if you will, on script. That we proclaim the message I noted above,
“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.
Please if you consider yourself a Christian. Think about it.

At Just the right time

At Just the right time
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. 
The apostle Paul makes a statement here that at “just the right time Christ died for the ungodly”. Those ungodly people, are people like you and me.
Paul notes,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. That all is you and me and everyone that has ever lived.
We all fall short of what God would want for our lives. Sin is falling short of God’s expectations for you. It is doing things that God does not want you to do. And we all sin.
The apostle John states,
"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.
As Christians we believe that as the apostle Paul states we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
We also believe that if “we confess our sin he is faithful just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.
So my question to you the reader is, do you believe this?
If so would you be willing right now to go to God in prayer, confess your sins to God, and accept the forgiveness that comes through Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.

Who is Jesus

Who is Jesus?
Christmas has just passed. A time when Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
There are however many in the world who do not believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour of the world. Yet Jesus even when confronted with possible stoning to death never denied he was God. John’s gospel records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?
“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”  John 10:24-33.
C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.    He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Thus I leave it to you the reader to decide for yourself who Jesus is?
Please think about it.

Let the Peace of Christ Rule

Let the Peace of Christ Rule
The apostle Paul writes,
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15.
Today is the day after Christmas. It is a time I believe we should stop and rest in Christ.
Christmas here in North America has become highly commercial and sadly many Christians have become wrapped up in all of the buying of presents and putting on the perfect meal for family and friends.
It can all be quite stressful. Thus we should, I firmly believe, forget about the boxing day sales and take “some me time with Jesus”.
Take time to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. To even gather with other Christians and be thankful for all you have, and all Christ has done for you.
To give praise to God.
We should as the Psalmist tells us,

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

                                                                   Psalm 100

Please if you are a follower of Christ Jesus take time to praise God this day.

Praise God

Praise God
Luke’s gospel records,
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." Luke 2:8-14.
Today is Christmas day. The day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The day we acknowledge what the Shepherds heard and saw. Angels bringing them good news of great joy that is for all people.
The day we choose to honour and praise our Lord and Saviour.
In our family first thing in the morning the family gathers together my wife reads the Christmas story and we praise God for all He has done for us.
Thus today I would ask you if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus to follow the lead of the Psalmist who wrote,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary;

 praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

 praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                                Psalm 150

 

John's Testimony

John’s Testimony
John’s Gospel records,
“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.
Here is something that if not completely true means the writers of the New Testament were fooled or trying to fool the world around them. If they were trying to fool the world around them then it is perhaps the biggest hoax in human history.
John here make it clear that
1/ “the Word” (Jesus) was God.”
2/ “That through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made.”
3/ “That the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
What John is saying here is God the creator of the universe and everything in it, came into the world He created. God became man.
John makes it clear he has seen the glory of Jesus first hand.
John right from the start of his writings makes it clear that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour of mankind.
Not only that he asks anyone who reads his gospel and his three other letters to believe this also.
So my Question to you on this Christmas eve do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Simeon's Testimony

Simeon’s testimony
Luke’s gospel records this incident when Jesus as a new born was taken by his parents to the temple to be dedicated to God. Luke writes,
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."Luke 2:25-32.
Here, as Luke puts it, Simeon a devout man of God a man who had been promised by God that he would not see death until he had seen the “Lord’s Christ”, proclaims Jesus to be the Lord’s Christ.
I have always contended that if this is a false statement why is it included in Luke’s gospel? Saying anything false about Jesus at anytime would push people away. Especially saying as Luke records,
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ”.
Such a statement could seem outrageous.
Thus from my point of view I can only conclude that Luke believed it to be true.
For us in the twenty-first century we have a choice. We can believe Luke or not believe him. There is no middle ground.
Not only that when it comes to the whole New Testament we have the same choice. We can believe what the writers of the New Testament wrote and believed or we cannot.
The choice is yours.
Please think carefully about it.

Thoughts about Atheism

Thoughts about Atheism
In the book of Joshua we read,

“But as for me and my household, 

we will serve the LORD.” 

                                         Joshua 24:15b.

In my previous blog post I noted that there is a God. Not only that but many who worship God are being persecuted around the world. One Christian dying every seven minutes for their faith. For believing in a God many of the governments persecuting Christians don’t believe exist.
C. S. Lewis noted,

“Atheist express their rage against God 

although in their view,

 He does not exist” 

                              C. S. Lewis.

Imagine getting upset or fearful of something that does not exist. Yet many political leaders, dictators and governments around the world throw Christians and other people who believe in God into prison.
Even here in the west there are many prominent Atheist who speak strongly out against something that they say does not exist. Which begs the question if God does not exist how can He hurt you?
Now I speak from a Christian prospective, as I am a Christian. I know there have been many horrible things done in the name of Christ and I firmly believe that those who did such things were Christians in name only.
As Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23
A true Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus, will follow Christ’s teaching of love for not only God, but one’s neighbours and even one’s enemies. They will follow the words of Christ who 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.
Sadly I do believe this message has got lost in the cacophony of false teaching that is in the media. Especially here in North America.
Still the message, if someone truly wants to find God, if someone wants to have a relationship with Christ is there. All one has to do is look for it.
I think however many atheist are not looking for it. When it comes to God many have their mind made up and nothing will change that.
Thus my question to you the reader is, are you truly searching for God?
Please think about it.

About God

About God
In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                      Genesis 1:1

Peter John Kreeft ph.d wrote,
"How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God? 
The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed." Peter John Kreeft ph.d 
Christians around the world believe in a loving, caring God. Yet many live as someone has said “in unsafe naighbourhood’s” It is even said that one Christian dies for their faith every seven minutes somewhere in the world. While many more are thrown into jail for doing nothing more than worshipping God.
To my way of thinking if everything said about Jesus is not true then someone would have to be mad to believe in Him. Yet there are around three billion Christians in the world today. Many living under repressive governments and dictators. Having to meet in secret.
For me God exists and all the dictators and repressive governments in the world cannot change that. As C. S. Lewis put it,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” .S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
So my question is do you believe in God?

If you're a believer

If you’re a believer
The Psalmist writes,

“The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it,

 the world, and all who live in it;” 

                                                 Psalm24:1.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus you then have to believe this statement. That not only includes those you agree with but those you disagree which including your enemies.
The apostle Peter writes,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
Jesus 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.
This is the prime directive of the church. To see that no one perishes. To show each individual in this world the way to heaven.
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.
My point here is if you believe in Christ Jesus you must be willing to associate with everyone around you and present the gospel message in love, without judgement.
The Psalmist writes,
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.
Only God knows why we are like we are. Only he knows what is going on inside us. Thus only he has the right to judge us.
Time and time again I am reminded of what Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                       Billy Graham.

So my question to you is. If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing your best to love those around you?
Please think about it.

Precious

Precious
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.
For me the most precious thing I have ever found is my faith in Christ Jesus. It is to me that hidden treasure, or that fine pearl. As such I want to tell the world about Christ Jesus. Thus the reason for me writing this blog.
At the same time I get upset at men and women who call themselves Christians that by their actions clearly are not.
I firmly believe that many who call themselves Christians here in North America. Many who are called Christian leaders will hear the words of Jesus who said,
“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.
I believe many in the church community here in North America are suffering what one person said was “freedom”.
They use that freedom to attack other groups they disagree with. Which should not be. James the half brother of Jesus said,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
It was Billy Graham the great American evangelist that said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                   Billy Graham.

Sadly many Christians especially within the so called evangelical community are judging the world around them. 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.
The apostle Paul tells 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.
Sadly those claiming to be Christians do the opposite of what Paul tells them to do. They judge those outside the church and do not act against those who have done wrong or are not teaching sound doctrine within the church.
Please think about it.  

I believe

I believe
The Gospel of John states,
"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.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers. And when it comes to Jesus the New Testament writers truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God. God incarnate.
Just what I believe is in a nutshell symbolised by the Apostle’s creed. This statement of belief is first believed to appear in the third century A. D. I place it here for you to think about,
Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
I believe in Jesus Christ God’s one and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost
I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
I believe in the resurrection of the body.
I believe in life everlasting.
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

On Judging

On Judging
“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
Do you judge the world and those around you? Do you look on people you disagree with, people who are living a lifestyle you disagree with and judge them?
We should not be doing this.
We can however and are told to by Paul to not associate with immoral people who call themselves brothers in Christ. Paul says,
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 
not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat
“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.”  1Corinthians 5:9-13.
Unfortunately all too many Christians do the opposite to what Paul says. They judge those outside our faith and turn a blind eye or refuse to speak out against anyone who claims to be a brother in Christ and is,
“..sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
We as Christians seem to have a bad record when it comes to speaking up against those who are doing wrong within our faith. Things that makes us look bad.
We need to be open and honest. Christianity like any group will from time to time find people in their midst that are Christians in name only. Their actions are not actions of true believers.
We need as Paul says, to, “Expel the wicked from among us.”
After all as Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23
Think about it.

Speak carefully

Speak carefully.

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13
I believe we are going to be held account for all we say and do. That even Christians will be called to give account of their words and deeds.
I believe the Talmud while a Jewish book and not Christian, has a good point when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”  The Talmud.
After all if we profess to be believers, God knows and we know that we believe in God. He knows if we’ve prayed and observed the ritual. He even knows if we truly have dealt honourably and faithfully with our fellow man.
But he offers us a chance to be honest,  asking us do we believe we have dealt honourably and faithfully in all our dealings with our fellow men.”
As Christians we are called to live as good a life as we humanly can.
People around us are looking at us and they notice what we do right and wrong. If our lifestyle is not better than that of the worlds then the world can say, “Why should I become a Christian I am as good if not better than them.”
Billy Graham the American evangelist 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
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                            Francis of Assisi.

Our life and lifestyle should reflect the Love of God. We will make mistakes. We will get upset with people we come in contact with. But the key is when we make mistakes we need to admit them and correct them.
And when we deal with others that have done something against us we must show mercy towards them and forgive them.
It was Jesus who said,
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”  Matthew 6:12
James makes it very clear
“... judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”  James 2:,13
C.S. Lewis wrote,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis
Please think about it.

John's Testimony

John’s Testimony

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  
We write this to make our joy complete.” 1John 1:1-4  
Here in a nutshell is what John himself a disciple of Christ actually seen and believes.
He testifies to have actually been with Christ. Here is a man that more than likely received a physical hug of friendship from Christ himself. Who shared meals with Jesus, who even seen him crucified and spoke with him after he rose from the dead.
John truly knew Christ intimately.
He testifies that Jesus is the life. John States,
“...we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”  
John makes it clear why he is writing this,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John after spending three years with Jesus. Was convinced beyond a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. That he was indeed God in the flesh.
This man had first hand knowledge of Jesus. He would have known if Jesus was truly who he said he was. He would have seen the flaws.
It’s been my experience that the longer you’re with someone the better you get to know them. The harder it is for someone to hide flaws and other things from you.
When I worked in industry we would keep a person on probation as long as we could. Not because we saved money we didn’t they received the same pay as a permanent worker.
We kept them on probation to see if they not only caught onto the job but if they were a reliable employee. That they turned up on time. If they got along with the other workers. Or if they had any negative traits that would compromise the company.
The company had found out that most people revealed their true colours usually within their first ninety days.
It would have been the same for the disciples of Jesus. They had three years to judge his teachings, his life and lifestyle.
They would know if there was anything wrong with him.
They obviously found no fault in him. Thus they followed him even after his death and resurrection.
At the trial of two of the Apostles a Pharisee named Gamaliel one of the finest teachers of his day noted to the Sanhedrin.
“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.”  Acts 5:35-39.
What he is saying is basically false messiahs had arisen in the past but when their leader died they dispersed and the movement came to nothing.
He makes the very valid point saying,
“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”   
I believe history has proven and continues to prove that Jesus is the Son of God.
That the movement he started is from God and that those who are fighting against it are indeed fighting against God.
Think about it.

Faith

Faith
In the book of Acts we read this incident between Paul and Silas and their jailor,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:30,31.
The writer of Hebrews make these two statements,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                              Hebrews 11:1

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." 

                                                                              Hebrews 11:6

Blaise Pascal said,

“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe 

and enough shadows to blind those who don't.”

                                                                     Blaise Pascal.

Thomas Aquinas wrote,

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. 

To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” 

                                                                                Thomas Aquinas.

So my question to you is when it comes to Christ Jesus, what do you believe?

Do you believe this

Do you believe this?
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." Hebrews 1:1-3.
Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh. This is a core belief of all Christians. You cannot be a Christian and not believe Jesus is God incarnate.
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.
The gospel of John records this question that Jesus asked to Martha. It a question all who are presented with Christ Jesus must answer for themselves. John records.
"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.
So my question to you the reader is, do you believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, who has come into the world?
Please think about it.

You and God

You and God
The Prophet Isaiah wrote,
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” 
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”Isaiah 40:6-8.
Over the years I’ve met people who have said Christianity will die out. That belief has been around for centuries. And yet here we are in the twenty-first century and people still believe in Christ Jesus. Not only that people are willing to lay down their life for what they believe.
There is a poem that goes,

“Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then looking in I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating of time

"How many anvils have you had said I, 

"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"

"Just one" said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

"the anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God's word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed- the hammers gone."

                                                              Anonymous.

Thus the question I have for you is. Do you believe in God? Do you believe in the salvation that comes through belief in Christ Jesus?
I ask it because as far as I am concerned believing in God, believing in Christ Jesus is the most important thing a person can do.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
Belief in God is however is a very personal thing. Only you know what your relationship to God is.
So what is your relationship with God?
Please think about it.

Sit with sinners

Sit with sinners
The Gospel of Luke records,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32.
Many Christians I know are like the Pharisees. They like the Pharisees focus on the sin and “good Christians” don’t associate with sinners in their minds.
Such a thing is simply wrong. You will never win a soul for Christ by associating with Christians alone. You will never win a soul for Christ by concentrating on the persons sin.
Christians need to focus more on the salvation message than on sin. Christians need to realize that they must meet a person where they are at. They must show unconditional love toward all they come in contact with.
Christians need to as Jesus did sit with sinners.
We don’t know what Jesus said to the tax collectors and other sinners in Luke’s account.
We do however have the account of the apostle Paul preaching to some other sinners in Athens. Acts chapter seventeen records Paul’s speech to those gathered at the Areopagus. Paul had been speaking in the market place about his faith. What he said perked the interest of a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Who invited him to speak at the Areopagus.
In that speech Paul never mentioned sin, even though as he wandered through Athens and seen monuments and temples to a multitude of gods.
Paul concentrated on the salvation message. As a result some sneered at him. Some became believers. While others wanted to hear more.
This is how believers in our time should be. We should be using wisdom and speaking to non-believers in such away that even if they don’t accept Christ as their saviour. They will at least ask to hear more.
If you claim to be a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. How do you present the gospel message?
Do you present the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus, or do you constantly focus on the sins of those you are talking about?
Please think about it.

The way I see it

The way I see it
In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
If there is no God then the above statement is true.”everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind;...”
Some atheist say when we die we will live on in the memories of others. A statement that is not completely true. Perhaps if we have made a great discovery we may be remembered in some history book. But most of us will be forgotten within a generation or so.
Ask yourself, where was your great, great, great grandmother or father born? What was the colour of their eyes? What was their favourite piece of music? Where is their grave? What was their greatest achievement? Few people can answer these questions.
So my question to anyone who does not believe in God is where is the purpose in life if we are forgotten within a few generations? If all our achievements are only remembered in some dusty history book, or for that matter not at all?
The way I see it without God, life is meaningless. God’s existence makes life worthwhile. God gives us something to look forward to when this life is over.
And I am convinced that if we follow the advice of Paul and Silas who said to their Jailor,
"...Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts 16:31 we will spend eternity in heaven.
Please think about it.

To all who would receive Him

To all who would receive Him
The apostle John speaking of Jesus writes,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
This is the call of the New Testament. The book of acts records this interaction between the apostle Paul and Silas, and their jailor. It states,
"The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts 16:30,31
Speaking to Martha Jesus states,
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;” John 11:25.
Jesus speaking of his purpose in coming to this earth 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.
At the same time Jesus gave a warning,
“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 3:18.
Ultimately it comes down to an act of faith. You either believe what the New Testament states or not.
As C. S. Lewis put it,
“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.

Love the Lord your God

Love the Lord your God
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,
“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.
Jesus when asked,
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 22:36-40.
So my first question to you if you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus is; Do you truly “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind?”
My second question is; Do you “love your neighbour as yourself?”
My third question do you impress the importance of your faith on your children?
Please think about it.

Is your faith dead?

Is your faith dead?
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?  
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.  
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.  
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?  
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:14-26.
Is your faith dead or alive?
James here makes a simple statement. Faith without deeds is dead. One pastor I knew use to say “We must put legs on our faith.”
We must be willing to go into the world and not only present the gospel message to those around us, but help the needy.
By helping those in need in the name of Christ Jesus we build bridges that will lead people to Christ.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.
Please think about it.

Belief< Yes or No?

Belief, Yes or No?
John’s gospel records this conversation between Martha and Jesus,
“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.
Here is my simple question for today. Do you believe as Martha did that Jesus is the Son of God, or do you not? For when it comes to Jesus there is no middle ground.
Please think about it.

Believe

Believe
The book of acts tells of this incident between Paul and his jailor. What he said is as relevant today as it was then. The book of acts states,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:30,31.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
We Christians believe it is our faith in the saving grace of Christ Jesus that saves us. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                             Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists

 and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                               Hebrews 11:6

To me this is obvious. You must first believe there is a God. If you don’t believe he exists you wont even be looking for him.
I believe also there is another reason we must have faith there is a God. A reason why an almighty God will not simply show Himself in a miraculous way.
Someone who believes in anything. Who has faith in anything especially if they can’t physically see it. These people are the strongest believers. People who will go to their deaths for what they believe in.
Do you believe in God?
Please think about it.

A Reason

A Reason
John’s gospel records these words,

“Jesus wept.” 

           John 11:35.

Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh. The apostle John states,
"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.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
Many non-Christians ask the question if God is all powerful and all knowing why would he even bother entering the world He created?
I think the simple answer is to show mortal man that He fully understands the human condition.
Jesus while on this earth functioned as a normal man. He knew what it was like to feel the mundane things of this life. The sun on your face. The smell of dust after a rain. The radiant smell of flowers. The smell of cattle.
Jesus knew what it was like to have a loving mother and father.
Jesus knew what it was like to play as a child. To have friends and enemies.
Jesus also knew what it was like to be wrongfully convicted of a crime, to be beaten and put to death.
In his short thirty-three years on this earth Jesus experienced all that there was to experience about being human. The good and the bad.
Charles H. Spurgeon said,
“A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.” Charles H. Spurgeon.
When we stand before God we can never say “you are almighty and do not know what it is to be human.” because he does.
Not only that in dying for us he showed in human terms how far he would go to point us to heaven.
Billy Graham the American Evangelist said,
“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'” Billy Graham.
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.  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 this statement is false there is nothing to fear. If it is true. At the very least there is a lot to consider.
Please think about it.

Many will say

Many will say
Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23.
Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                              Mahatma Gandhi.

When it comes to many who call themselves Christians Gandhi is right. Many calling themselves Christians are not like Christ. They are not even Christian.
A true Christian is someone who is doing their best to put the teachings of Christ into action in their life and lifestyle. Teachings summed up by Jesus who 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.
For a true Christian Love is the motivating factor in their life. The apostle Paul defining love as,

“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.

A true Christian remembers why Christ came into this world Jesus saying,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17.
Something we can only do by showing God’s love to all people.
Martin Luther King jr. the great American civil rights leader said,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

                                                                                    Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thus I would ask anyone who claims to be a Christian, Are you showing the love of God to those around you?
Please think about it.

Inclusiveness

Inclusiveness
Jesus 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.
Take a close look at the above scripture particularly the sentence that states, “For got did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” John 3:17.
If we claim to be Christians this should be our objective. To save the world.
As Christians we are called to reach out with the love of Christ to all men and women irrespective of their faith, their lifestyle or who they are.
We need to show the love and compassion of Christ without prejudice.
When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well in John chapter four he didn't care who she was. He witnessed to her, offering her eternal life.
This is how we should be as believers in Christ. We should administer the word of God in love as the opportunities arises.
Neither Jesus or his apostles ever preached hellfire or condemnation. Jesus did speak words of correction to the Jewish religious leaders of his day. But then he was a Jew and as such had the right to do so.
Still he never condemned the secular civil authorities of Rome or as we see in the case of the Samaritan woman people outside the Jewish community.
Paul preaching in Athens with all the paganism that was there, never once preached against the practices and lifestyles of the Athenians. 
He presented the salvation of Christ saying simply this is what I believe it is up to you to make your own mind up.
While we can and must win souls for Christ outside the walls of the church. Our churches must be inclusive.
That's not to say we are to relinquish our core values. Far from it we should be ministering the word of God in a positive, loving, unadulterated way.
In a way that will give all people irrespective of who they are pause to think.
If God loves the world and sent Jesus into the world to save the world then we must do the same.
The James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13.
We must remember that one day we will be judged by God and as such do our best to minister His word as far as is humanly possible in spirit and in truth.
It is only by doing this that we will win souls for Christ.
Think about it.

My Job to Love

My job to love

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

                                                                             Romans 3:23.

The Talmud tells this story,
"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.
I listened the other day to some Christian evangelist. At least he called himself a Christian evangelist. I wondered however if he was Christian considering what he was saying.
This man was so negative. He was screaming at all the ills of the world. He particularly took aim at the LGBTQ community.
When he did my heart sank.
Now I'm not gay. Far from it. But over the years I've know some wonderful men and women from the gay community. Most of them have at one point in their life have struggled with their sexuality.  Ultimately however they have made the decision to accept who they are.
These men and women also at one point in their lives were also turned off by people calling themselves Christians.
When I heard this man yammering on about the evils of homosexuality it hurt even me. Were he to say it in Canada it may have even fallen under hate speech.
He made being gay out to be some special sin. There is no special sin. That evangelist has sin in his life as much as anyone be they gay or strait.
Paul makes it clear in his letter to the Romans,
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
                                                                            Romans 3:23.
That all, means all, irrespective of who they are.
I personally do not believe in Hell fire and brimstone preaching. I believe it violates a commandment of Jesus who 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
In an article entitled "Too hot for the Pulpit." Published in Seven a magazine published by Promise Keepers, Mark Hughes. Notes that here in Canada, Revenue Canada has quietly put in place rules that forbid clergymen speaking out on political issues.
He noted that "We can still speak on the hot button issues of our culture, but the day of hellfire and condemnation is long over. We need a more gracious approach." going on to say,
"Recently I ran into an old school friend that had been living in Winnipeg's homosexual community for years. He knew I was a pastor and made this statement, "I guess your church would never welcome someone like me?" I answered, "of course we would, your homosexual sin is no worse than my heterosexual sin. The day you are not welcome, is the day no one is welcome." Mark Hughes
Over the decades especially here in North America it seems the church has got away from Love and salvation. Many preachers have it seems forgotten the words of Jesus who 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
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said something that has resonated with me ever since I heard it. He said,

"It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love," 

                           Billy Graham.

Please think about it.