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
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.
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?
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
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
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?
"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.
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
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.
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
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.
Remember this
"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
Put this way it means;
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 on others
however good they may be.
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,...
unconditionally.
Please think about it.
In 2023 this means
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
Put this way in the year 2023 this means;
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 on others
however good they may be.
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,...
unconditionally.
Please think about it
How are you treating others?
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.
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.
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.
I know we are all human, make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.
Thus my questions to you.
Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you?
Are you trying to live a holy life?
Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires?
Are you living a good life? Above all are you treating those around you in the same way your would have them treat you?
Please think about it.
But did we not...
Jesus 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.
Where do you stand with God?
Take sometime to look at what you are doing for God. Will you hear the words of Jesus quoted above or will you hear Jesus when he says,
"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.'" Matthew 25:34-40.
Please think about it.
Everything is laid before God
The writer of Hebrews states,
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12,13.
As a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. I firmly believe the Bible is the bedrock of morality. It is by the laws laid down by God that in the Bible that we as individuals will ultimately be judged.
That being said I believe God through Christ Jesus has given all who would believe in Jesus forgiveness for our sins. The apostle Paul stating,
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.
The apostle John writing,
"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.
Do you believe this?
Have you confessed your sin to God and accepted the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.
Do you?
In the book of Revelations we read,
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelations 2:1-7.
It is said each church represented in the book or Revelations can refer to a church, a church denomination or even a person in the present day.
Here while the Lord comments on the Ephesians deeds and hard work. That they have not tolerated wicked men. And that they have hated the practices of the Nicolaitans an heretical group. The Lord also notes,
“Yet I hold this against you:
You have forsaken your first love.
Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first”.
Some scholars note that this could mean that they have lost their love of God, of Christ. Some have even said they have lost their love of each other. While others say they have lost their love of both.
Either way The Lord makes it clear if they don’t repent they will loose their status before God.
As individuals we need to look at ourselves and say; Is God truly my first love? Do I truly love those around me. Family, friends, and foe alike?
Do I need to repent?
Do you?
Please think about it.
A Christian Principle for Living Deeds
James the half brother of Jesus states,
"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.
There are many Christians who will tell you, you are saved by faith. That is true. However James here make it clear our faith needs to be accompanied by works. Good deeds. If we indeed have true faith in Jesus it well spur us on to good deeds. Simply believing in God should never be enough for the believer in Christ Jesus. We need to put our faith into action.
Is your faith spurring you to good works?
Think about some ways you can perform good works, in your church, neighbourhood, or among the less fortunate in your community.
Please think about it.
Act justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly
In the book of Micah we read,
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Question does this describe your life?
Do you;
Act Justly,
Love Mercy,
Walk humbly, with God?
Please think about it.
Shine
Jesus said,
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”Matthew 5:16.
Francis of Assisi said,
"The deeds you do
may be the only sermon some persons will hear today"
Francis of Assisi.
So what are your deeds saying to the world around you? Are they reflecting Gods Love?
Please think about it.
