Christian life

Christian life
Matthew’s gospel records this someone asking Jesus,
"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,
"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.
As believers in Christ Jesus we must follow these commands of Jesus. They are the base of our faith. You cannot be a believer in Jesus if you do not love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
You must treat others the way you want to be treated.
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 25:41-46.
As believers in Christ Jesus our faith must spur us on to do good deeds. We are Christ’ ambassadors on this earth. It is through our words and deed that people will see Christ. Thus it is incumbent for us to do whatever we can to help those around us.
If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Are you doing what you can to help those around you?
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.

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.

Christian Life

Christian Life

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and He examines all his paths.” 

Proverbs 5:21.

The writer of Ecclesiastes states.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14
Whether you believe God or not He exists. C. S. Lewis said,
“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.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain 
As a Christian I believe everything you do is done before God’s eyes. He will bring everything you do to account.
I also believe there will even be many on that day of judgement who claim to know God and claim to have been working for God, who claim to be Christian, who will see the words of Jesus are true, when he 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.
Many people who have gone to church all their lives. Many who have been evangelist, pastors, priest, teachers, even Popes will hear the words, “Away from me, you evildoers”.
Being a Christian is not just saying a prayer. It’s not just going to church weekly or daily. It’s not just studying the Bible, preaching, or teaching the scriptures. It’s not following a set of rules and rituals.
John the Baptist is recorded in Matthews Gospel upon seeing the scribes and Pharisees as saying,
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:7-10.
These were religious leaders who followed the ritual, preached and taught from the scriptures yet they were not doing things right in the sight of God. They had a head knowledge of God. But they were interpreting the scriptures wrongly for their own purposes.
These men seemed to be very judgmental and judging people can turn people away from God.
Matthew’s Gospel records this incident,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:10-13.
The religious men who were condemning Jesus for sitting with sinners are like some who claim to be Christians today in 2016. They judge others because of their lifestyle.
I’ve heard of Christians who want the right not to serve in their place of business  those who’s lifestyle they disagree with. I’ve heard of those claiming to be Christians who condemn, protest and wish to restrict the rights of those they disagree with. Yet Jesus never did this.
John’s gospel tells us of a woman caught in adultery. She was brought to Jesus in order to trap Jesus into saying something that was against the law. Jesus however reacted this way.
“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 
“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:7-11.
Jesus who had the right to judge the woman did not.
If you claim to be a Christian you must realize that it is not your job to judge anyone. The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
If you are a Christian you must make sure you are truly doing the will of God. That God is established in your heart. That you are not perverting the scriptures to suit what you believe. Because if you are simply following the scriptures you want to follow you are not following God. You are following yourself. Thus you may one day hear the words of Jesus
“...‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:23b.
Please think about it.

The Christian Life

The Christian Life
Jesus spoke this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”   Luke 16:19-31.
I am speaking here to Christians. How do you treat people. The above parable tells of a rich man that treated a poor man badly.
Many Christians can be accused of this.
From a spiritual point we are treating others badly by not telling them about the salvation Jesus brings.
In a purely practical way if we are not showing love to those around us, even if we disagree with them we are like that rich man.
If we by our actions are turning people away from God, we are like that rich man.
If we own a business and are not paying our workers a fair wage and benefits, we are like that rich man.
Christianity is not just a faith, it is a complete lifestyle. In the book of James we read,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
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! 
“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 2:13-20.
If we are in a position to help our fellow man we must be it a physical need or a spiritual need.
While I know the Talmud is a Jewish book not considered the inspired word of God by Christians some of what it says has relevance to Christians. Here is one instance.
“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
Think of it this way. A Christian knows God is real. Thus when he stands before God the above scenario could possibly happen.
The writer of Hebrews tells us in a nutshell how Christians should live. It states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
If we are living a holy life our words and our deeds will line up with those of Jesus. People will see the love of God reflected in our life and be drawn towards Him.
Please think about it.  

The Christian Life

The Christian life.
“If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.” Thomas Aquinas.
Jesus said,
“...I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6. 
The call of Jesus to the world is,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
All too often living here in North America I hear non-Christians saying Christianity is a bunch of do’s and do not’s. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Christianity is as much a lifestyle as it is a faith. It is living by a set of moral values set down by God in the Bible.
Following the moral rules for Christian living is no different than if you are playing a football game.
In a football match one needs to follow the rules in order to have good honest and fair game for all participating.
So it with Christian living. God lays out a set of moral rules for us to live by so that all can have a good life.
The call of Jesus is to Love God, your neighbour, your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.
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.
Making things even simpler 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.
This is what Christian living is all about.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
This is what it is to live a Christian life.
Please think about it.

Christian Life

Christian Life
The Apostle Peter states,
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.   But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
           1Peter 1:13-16.
Is your mind “prepared for action”? Prepared to effectively present the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Are you self controlled? Is your actions different from the evil desires you had when you were in the world living in ignorance?
When I look at this passage I particularly think of some people I’ve met from the United States calling themselves Christians, these are people I believe are committed to Christ. They are wonderful caring people with high moral standards.
Still these people love saying “I HAVE MY RIGHTS”. “It is my right under the constitution.” “This is a democracy and I have the right to protest against things I disagree with.”
These people are completely right they do have the right to protest in a democracy. That is the great thing about a democracy. We have freedom of speech and action. We have the freedom to worship and do as we see fit under the law.
What many Christians seemed to miss was that the constitution and the bill of rights as good and noble a document they are. They are man’s words.
Just because we have the right to do something doesn’t mean we should do it.
It seems to me the “natural man” in us wants to at time stand up against things. We want to yell at the top of our lungs at a group we disagree with YOU’RE WRONG AND I’M RIGHT!” it’s human nature. Especially it seem for Christians who have strong moral and ethical beliefs.
Still protesting against anything short of standing with others against the restriction of another persons rights I believe is wrong for a Christian.
I believe standing up against another group that is causing no harm and is operating legally is wrong and could possibly be an evil desire. Simply because it is not something Jesus would do.
The apostle Peter says,
“But just as he (Jesus) who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
The apostle Paul saying,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....”
       Romans 12:18-20a
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
      Hebrews 12:14.
Question, Are you living a holy life before man and God?
Are you living a life that is in line with the teachings of Jesus.
Please think carefully about it.