A Note to the 21st Century Church

A note to the 21st Century Church
Think about this...
Jesus and his disciples,
• Never Voted.
• Never Protested.
• Never judged anyone outside their own faith.
Yet they within a century they had spread the Good News of the Love of Jesus Christ throughout the known world.
They did so by,
• Presenting the Love of God to their neighbours and enemies alike.
• Showing Love and Mercy to all those they came in contact with.
• Living as far as possible at peace with those around them.
The disciples put into action the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
And the words writer of Hebrews,
“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.
They followed the teaching of the Apostle Peter who wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century, are you doing this?
Please think about it.

A note from Peter

A note from Peter.
The apostle Peter writes,
“His (Christ’s) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
                                              2 Peter 1:3-11
Here is something all Christians need remember. The apostle Peter lists the things that make a Christian.
1/ Jesus has given us “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him.”
2. Jesus has given us “great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
 As a result we Christians must,
“make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love”.
If we do these things Peter tells us,
“...if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 Peter then issues a warning,
“But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
However Peter is quick to tell us
“... be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
While it is true we are saved by faith. Our faith should show in our actions and interaction with those around us. People should see the positive qualities of Jesus in us. As the apostle Paul notes,
“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 call of the Christian is to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. We cannot afford to do less. The writer of Hebrews reminding 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.
Francis of Assisi made a very important point when he said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                              Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon telling those around you?
Please think about it dear Christian as your actions may have eternal consequences.