When they see you

 When they see you

The apostle John writes,

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.  

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.  

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John 1:4-6

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

So here is my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian. When people see your words and deeds do they see God in you?

Please think about it.

What are you doing for others?

  What are you doing for others?

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

While I know the Talmud is a Jewish book and not Christian it presents an interesting scenario. It states,

"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

The great American civil rights leader once said,

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” Martin Luther King, Jr.

So the question if you are a Christian becomes, what are you doing for others? At the very least are you doing what 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.

Please think about it.

Christian love in Action

  Christian love in action.

The apostle John writes,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”1 John 3:16-18.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

"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.

Campolo was right. Sadly however while there are many churches and Christian organizations out there doing good, helping the poor and feeding the hungry. There are many that could do more.

In helping the poor and feeding the hungry we are showing the love of God in a tangible way. 

St. Augustine wrote,

"A Christian is: a mind through which 

Christ thinks, 

a heart through which

Christ loves, 

a voice through which

Christ speaks, 

and a hand through which Christ helps" 

                                                                             St. Augustine.

Please think about it.

Living your faith in word and deed

 Living your faith in word and deed

The apostle John writes,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18.

Here is a very simple Christian life principle. We are to show our faith by our actions. It couldn’t be simpler than that.

So the question is, if you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you living your faith not just in words, but in your actions?

Please think about it.

What do others see?

  What do others see?

Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

As Christians we are told to let our light shine so that they may see our good deeds and praise God the Father.

Thus the question I would have for anyone who claims to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus is, When people see you do they see someone who reflects the light and love of God?

Please think carefully about it.

Your life and your lifestyle

 Your life and your lifestyle

The Psalmist writes,

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4.

If you claim to be a Christian do you truly seek to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?

What is more important to you, the things of this world or the things of God?

Take a good look at your life. What is your life and lifestyle telling others? 

When others see your life do they see that you put God first?

Please think about it.

What's done for Christ

  What's done for Christ

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14.

In the past year I have seen several people I know pass into eternity. These were godly people whom I am certain went to heaven. That being said.

I look at all they owned. Their possessions on this earth. All are no longer theirs. They have been dispersed among family, friends and even in some cases strangers. Even the words they have spoken and the deeds they have done will one day be forgotten by most if not all people.

That being said there is an old saying that states, 

“I have one life it will soon be passed,

 only what’s done for Christ will last.”

                                                                Author unknown 

Most people will never be well known. Most people will never present what they believe to large crowds. Nor will the words they write be read by millions. Most people will live there life in quiet obscurity.

That being said, those people can tell the people around them about God and the Salvation that comes through His One and Only Son Christ Jesus. Which is all God requires of all who love Him.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus are you telling those around you that you about the saving grace that comes from Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Christians think of it this way

  Christians think of it this way

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" 

                                                                 Matthew 7:12.

Think of it this way

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

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

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,

As God loves you...

unconditionally.

Peacemaker

 Peacemaker

Jesus said,

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." 

                                                                                                           Matthew 5:9.

Are you a peace maker? And by that I don’t mean some diplomat that tries to bring peace to some war.

You can be a peace maker right in your own country, town or neighbourhood.

I find particularly in the current political climate here in North America. Christians, at least those calling themselves Christians, are looked at war mongers. While they may not be starting a physical war between nations. They by their actions are causing rifts between Christians and everyone else.

Sadly many calling themselves Christians are getting involved with politics. Something a Christian should never get involved with. Someone has said,

“Combining religion and politics is like combining water and gasoline. The water is undrinkable. The gasoline unusable. And the whole thing is explosive.”

Many Christians are using politics to try and stop anything they disagree with. They believe the lie that Canada and the United States are built on Christian values.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Canada and the United States are secular democracies. They are as culturally as diverse as the Roman empire.

I’m sure when the apostle Paul walked into Athens he could have yelled “you heathen God is going to send you to hell!” But he didn’t instead after being invited by the Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers to speak at the Areopagus he said,

"Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." Acts 17:22,23.

Paul and all the other apostles never tried to restrict the rights of others. Paul even tells us to, 

"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 and the apostles knew that by trying to restrict the beliefs and lifestyles of those they disagree with could backfire and cause their faith to be restricted.

If we are to be true Christians in 2024 we need to live at peace with those around us. We need to extend the hand of friendship and present our beliefs not force our beliefs on others. 

      We need to listen to them. To treat them as equals. For it’s only in doing this will we win souls for Christ.

There is a phrase the late American evangelist Billy Graham said. He said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                 Billy Graham

It is only by doing this we will be called Peacemakers and be called sons of God.

Please think about it.

 Whatever you do.

In Colossians we read,

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17.

As believers we are called to, in word and deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Do you

 Do you

The apostle John writes,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Is this the kind of love you show to those around you? Do you love not just with words, but with deeds?

Do you do what you can to help others?

Please think about it.

Showing God's Love

  Showing God’s love.

The apostle John writes,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

Do you love in word and in deed?

In the book of James we read,

“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.” James 2:14-17.

It is important that we as Christians reach out in love to those who are in need. We as believers in Christ Jesus need to show our love for those around us in a physical way. It can be as simple as giving a few dollars to someone begging on the street, Contributing to a worthy charity, even getting involved with ministries that help feed the poor or those living on the street.

Thus my question to you:

Are you showing your love for those in need around you in anyway you can?

Please think about it.

Do people see God in you?

  Do people see God in you?

The apostle Peter writes,

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1Peter 4:11.

What Peter is saying here is; If you are a Christian your life should always reflect God. So that God may be praised. 

Thus the question becomes, If you are a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus, is your life reflecting God?

When people see your deeds and here your words, do they see the Love of God reflected in them?

Please think about it.

A note to Christians

  A note to Christians

In the book or Colossians we read,

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:16,17.

This portion of scripture needs little explanation. As believers in Christ Jesus we are to let His teachings dwell in us both in word and deed. 

We are to admonish one another when there are problems in love.

And above all in all we do, in word and deed do it in the name of Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christian,

Don’t just think about it. 

Do it!

You must be willing

  You must be willing

Jesus said,

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  

For I have come to turn " ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:32-39.

This I believe is a statement everyone considering becoming a Christian should read and take to heart.

Simply put Jesus is saying if you are going to follow me you need to realize that it’s all or nothing. I must be first in your life. And you must be willing to give up everything for me. Not that, that will necessarily happen. But never the less you must be willing to give everything up for the cause of Christ.

The reward for doing so is eternal life in heaven with God.

Thus my question for you;

Are you willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ?

Please think about it.

"Do you live up to Philadelphia's standard?

  Do you live up to Philadelphia’s standard?

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 3:7-13.

Here is the church Jesus praises. Finding nothing wrong. It’s a church many falsely think they are.

However to those who truly are following God the way the Church at Philadelphia was following God will be rewarded by living in Gods temple. Never having to leave it.

God will even make their enemies fall down at their feet.

They will also be kept from the hour of trial.

Take a few minutes to evaluate your life for Christ. Do you honestly think your spiritual life lives up to the standard of those in Philadelphia?

Please think about it.

Acts of Righteousness

  Acts of Righteousness. 

In Matthews Gospel we read of Jesus saying,

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4.

Here Jesus makes it clear we are to do our righteous acts quietly and without fanfare. 

Sadly this is a message lost on many Christians especially here in North America. 

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to reassess our motives for giving. Are you giving to the poor because you think it’s the right thing to do? Or... Are you giving to the poor because you want to be seen as righteous in the eyes of men?

Why not take a few minutes and pray. Ask God to show you your true motives for doing acts of righteousness.

Please think about it.

Faith without deeds

  Faith without deeds

In the book of James we read,

"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.

What James is saying here is simple. We as believers need to help those in need. Our faith should spur us on to doing good works. Otherwise as James states our faith is dead.

Believers in Christ Jesus are called to Love. You cannot fully love if you see someone in need and don’t do what you can to help them.

Jesus said,

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42.

Please think about it.

An Ambassador for Christ

  An Ambassador for Christ.

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to remember every day that we are Christ’s representative in our communities, our neighbourhoods, and the world around us.

As such we need to present Christ in the best possible light through our words and deeds.

Thus the question becomes.

Are you representing Christ to the best of your ability in word and deed.

Francis of Assisi wrote two things Christians need to remember, 

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

And

"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                                           Francis of Assisi.

If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Full of Good Works

  Full of good works

In the book of Acts we read,

"Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity." Acts 9:36.

Are you a Tabitha? Does your faith in Christ spur you on to do good works?

What acts of charity have you performed this week?.....This month?.... This year?

While there are some acts of Charity you can do alone. Why not get involved in your local church and ask them how you can serve God and those around you?

Please think about it.