God and the Christian

God and the Christian
The apostle Paul writes,
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all men the testimony given in its proper time. 1Timothy 2:1-6
Here Paul tells Christians to pray make intercession and thanksgiving for everyone. Paul even notes we should pray for those in authority that we may live in peace. That such a thing pleases God.
Paul notes there is but one God and Mediator between God and men Christ Jesus. That Jesus that gave himself a ransom for all men.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“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.
Jesus died for all men. That is why Christians need to pray for our leaders. To pray that we can live in peace. For it is in times of peace that the gospel of Christ can spread the fastest.
Christianity is not a faith that promotes conflict. Quite the opposite the early church founders all talked about living in peace with all people. The apostle Peter states,
“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.
To be a Christian we can do nothing less.
We are to pray for our leaders, both those inside and outside the church. We are to pray for our secular political leaders and for all those around us no matter who they are in the church or on the streets around us.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“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 you claim to be a Christian this is what you should be doing.
Please think about it.

God and the Christian

God and the Christian
Lenny Bruce said,
“Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God. Really.” Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."
What Bruce said, is not entirely incorrect. I as a Christian of now over four decades have seen many churches and those calling themselves Christians here in North America walk slowly away from God. It has been slow and gradual. So slow those it’s happening too have not noticed it.
Many have turned from the true purpose of the Church. The real reason Jesus came into the world.
For many calling themselves Christians church has become a social club. Or a group that protests against abortion clinics, gay rights and anything else they disagree with. This is not what God intended. Such things turn people away from Jesus, away from God.
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.

Jesus speaking to His disciples and through them to us 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 the prime directive of the church to make disciple of all nations and teaching them all Jesus taught us.
Jesus made things clear about our attitudes toward other people when He 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?” 1 Corinthians 5:12.
We are not the judges of those outside our own faith. That is up to God. We are to judge those within our own faith making sure they are doing what is right according to scripture.
We are to present the good news of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen to us and present it in a respectful and loving manner.
The other way some calling themselves Christians are falling short of doing what God wants them to do, is in doing good works.
Now don’t get me wrong THE CHURCH MUST DO GOOD WORKS. However that should be an outgrowth of our faith. We should be presenting our faith to the world in word and in deed. The apostle James 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 ?  
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.
Christianity is not a religion as such. It is not a church building we go to once or twice a week. Christianity is a life committed to doing the work of Jesus Christ in word and in deed. It is a lifestyle that should show people the way to eternal life with God.
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
Question: Are you a true Christian living you life and faith in a way that is pleasing to God?
Please think about it.