The Test

  The test

The apostle John writes,

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:7-10.

Here is if you will the litmus test for someone who claims to be Christian.

1/ He does right.

2/ He does not sin.

John making it clear,

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:10.

The way I see it this is how we should judge anyone who claims to be a Christian.

Please think about it.

Citizens of God's People

  Citizens with God’s people

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.” Ephesians 2:19.

Here the writer of Ephesians makes it clear “we are citizens with God’s people... members of His household.”

This is something we as believers in Christ Jesus should always remember. While we might be citizens of the country we are born in. The moment we accept Christ into our heart we become citizens of Christ. AND not only that we become members of God’s household.

Please think about it.

Unforgiveness

 Unforgiveness 

Jesus in what is commonly known as the Lord Prayer said,

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors..... 

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, 

your heavenly Father will also forgive you

 But if you do not forgive men their sins, 

your Father will not forgive your sins.”

                                                      Matthew 6:12,14,15.

Forgiveness is one of those things that can be hard to do. Yet we must. 

C. S. Lewis wrote,

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable 

because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." 

                                                                                  C.S. Lewis.

Truth is if you have unforgiveness in your heart. You don’t have peace. And that can tear you up inside. It may even be bad for your health. There are individuals who have many people who have passed through their lives and offended them. Men and women whom they need to forgive.

Forgiving someone who has wronged you can be difficult but we must do it. We must forgive. It’s a commandment from Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christians a follower of Christ Jesus, do you harbour unforgiveness in your heart for anyone?

If so take a moment to ask God to forgive you. And even if you can’t meet with the person who has wronged you, take time to pray and ask God to accept your prayer for forgiveness. 

Please don’t just think about it. Do it.

If

  If

The apostle Paul writes,

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Someone once told me that today in this life we can only imagine what heaven is like. The Bible provides all we need to know with respect to getting to heaven. While at the same time giving us glimpses explaining in human terms what heaven is like. 

I think anyone who believes in God wants to go to heaven. Thus I firmly believe that anyone who wants to go to heaven. Should be at the very least reading the words of Jesus and what the disciples believe in the New Testament. After all it can’t hurt. 

If what is said in the New Testament is wrong all those who follow its teachings will at the very least have lived a good life. 

If on the other hand, and I believe this, what is written in the New testament is right. Then we will pass from this world into an eternity of happiness. 

Please think about it.

A Christian duty

A Christian duty

The apostle Paul writes,

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:13-15.

Jesus 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

It is the duty of all Christians. All who believe in Christ Jesus, to take His message of the Love of God and the Salvation God offers through Christ Jesus to the world. Be that the world at large, their family, friends, or neighbours.

And we cannot do this by judging those around us.

In order to do this effectively however it must be stressed that when we present the word of God to those around us, we must do it in love.

When Jesus was accused of sitting with "tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 9:10-13) he didn't judge them. If had they probably wouldn't have listened to him. 

Likewise when Paul spoke in Athens to the Epicurean Stoic philosophers and others in the Areopagus (Acts 17) he didn't judge them. He instead presented the Gospel message and let them determine if what he said was right or wrong.

This is the example we must follow.

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."  Luke 6:37.

This is especially true when we are talking about where a person will spend eternity. Only God can judge where someone will spend eternity.

Interestingly the only time a believer in Christ Jesus can judge anyone is when they are judging those who claim to be Christians. The apostle Paul writing,

"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." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

This I believe is a safeguard to assure that those who claim to be Christians are preaching the true gospel message.

 So are you telling people in your world about the Love of God in Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Are you a new creation?

 Are you a new creation?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  2 Corinthians 5:17.

If someone truly give their life to Christ I truly believe their life will change. The rate of change will vary from person to person but anyone who puts their trust wholly in God will inevitably change to exhibit the characteristics of God.

Those Characteristics called by the apostle Paul the fruit of the spirit being,

“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.

That being said we are all human and slip from time to time.

The American evangelist, the late Billy Graham said,

“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” Billy Graham.

All true Christians I believe experience what Billy Graham is saying from time to time. All who truly believe in Christ Jesus will have to from time to time go to God with tears in our eyes and say ‘O God forgive me’ ‘help me.’

Upon hearing those prayers I truly believe that God will answer them and give strength and comfort to those who say them sincerely.

Thus my question to you dear reader; have you placed your trust in Christ Jesus? Are you a new creation?

Are you showing the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control?

Please think about it.

Do Good

Do Good
The Psalmist writes,

“Trust in the LORD and do good; 

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” 

                                                          Psalm 37:3.

Here is something we as Christians should be doing. Trusting in God and doing good. This is what we should be remembered for.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
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 2:9-12.
Here in North America many times Christians are remembered for what they are against or who they have attacked or for who’s rights they are trying to take away or for their political stance. This should not be so.
In terms of eternity it dose not matter what a government or anyone else says or does. God will one day bring everyone to account including Christians.
What does matter is that Christians, those believe in Christ Jesus trust in the Lord and do good. The apostle Paul writes,
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18.
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.
That being said I think it can be safely said that all Christians. All those who believe in Christ Jesus would want to live in peace. Would want others to do good toward them.
The reward for living in peace with those around you, is that we will enjoy safe pasture. A place where we can tell others of the Love of God and the salvation God offers through Christ Jesus. Which is exactly what Jesus expects of all those who believe in Him.
Please think about it.

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.

Christian, What is Jesus to you?

Christian,...What is Jesus to you?
Jesus told this Parable,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.   When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”Matthew 13:44-46.
If you claim to be a Christian do you believe this. Is your faith in Christ the most precious thing in your life. Is it so important that you need to tell others what you believe.
As Christians we have an important duty before God. Matthews gospel records,
“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.
If you believe Jesus when He said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Then you must at the least engage those around you in conversation about Jesus. You must do this because their eternal destiny may rest upon what you say and do.
As Christians we cannot take our faith lightly. We must present the good news of Jesus in spirit and in truth, in word and in deed to others.
We must as the writer of Hebrews said,
“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.
For without us doing this those around us may never even know the truth about Jesus.
Please think about it.

Something to think about Christian

Something to think about Christian

My wife a former church librarian and ultimate book worm never one to turn down books of any description received a box of books some time ago. In it was one book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul, the apostle Paul, writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 
                                                                                         2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
Note Gallico states"...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.”
We only have to look within so called Christian history at the crusades to see misguided men charging off in a so called holy war to kill and defeat the so called pagan to see what Gallico deplores.
We can point at I.S. and other terrorist groups around the world today and see what Gallico is talking about.
We can also see it more subtly in the words and deeds of some evangelist and preachers in the media today in the west. Men and women who heap judgment on those whom they disagree with instead of showing love.
What Gallico wants is true Christianity. People who practice, Love of God, Love for our neighbour, love for our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
Francis of Assisi said it best.
“Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.”
We as Christians need to show the world around us the true meaning of what it is to be a Christian.
We need to live a life acceptable to God a life which others will see and want to emulate.
Jesus said,
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 
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 5:13-16
Paul Gallico and may others in this world are looking for what Christ offers. We as Christians need to be living a life so close to God that these people without us even saying a word will see what we have and want it.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
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 2:9-12.
Please think about it.

Three wise men

Three wise men and Christ
I could write books on what Christians should do but the three men I quote below tells us in a nutshell how Christians should act with respect to the world around them.
If we follow what they say we can reach the world for Christ.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” 
Francis of Assisi
Several centuries later 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
Before them all however the brother of our Lord Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council 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.
As Christians we need to be reaching out to all people in every strata of life, from the very poor to the very rich with the love of God.
When it comes to the poor we need to be doing all we can to help them in a material way as well as a spiritual way.
When it comes to those who have plenty or even have great riches, we need to show them they have a spiritual need also. That while there is nothing wrong with being rich in this world. The riches of this world cannot be taken with them when they leave. Only what is done for Christ will last.
All men and women everywhere need to know God loves them and it is our duty as Christians to deliver that message.
Please think about it.

Sons of God

Sons of God

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 
                                                                                                     Galatians 3:26-28.
What a wonderful thing to be called Sons of God.
The gospel of John records,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 
John 1:12,13.
When we believe in Jesus. When we accept Christ by faith and allow him to come into our heart and mind we become children of God. Christians should never forget this.
As believers in Christ we must remember that we are representing him at all times be it on the street in the work place or wherever we go.
People whether or not we realize it notice what we do and what we say. They see our actions they even know if we attend church or not and they judge us.
We must be cognisant of this.
Francis of Assisi said two things that cannot be stressed enough to the true Christian,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                Francis of Assisi
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                               Francis of Assisi.
Our life and our lifestyle should reflect Christ. We should be open and honest with all people.
We should also be real not “bible thumpers” hitting people, especially non-
Christians over the head with scripture.
We should not try to be as my friend puts it “holier than thou”.
We should live in the real world. A world that we will not always agree with or approve of. But we should not be quick to criticize it. The apostle Paul stating,
"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.” 
                                                                                  1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Our job as Christian is to win as many souls for Christ as possible. In order to do that we must be able to talk to people on their level. Starting with something they understand.
The apostle Paul when invited to speak to the Athenians started by noting the temple to an unknown god. Then from that point of commonality presented the gospel of Christ. We should be doing likewise today.
Think about it.

A Fragrance

A Fragrance

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  
To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”
2 Corinthians 2:15,16
There are two kinds of people that hear the message of Christ those who smell the sweet aroma of life everlasting through accepting Christ Jesus as their saviour and those who see it as the smell of death, those who reject Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians in a previous letter wrote,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
                               1 Corinthians 1:18.
  Christians are entrusted with a sacred duty to present the two options all people have to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their lives or to reject Him. Jesus 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.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." 
                                                                                                             John 3:16-18.
Christian teaching is black and white. Either you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and go to heaven or you do not. There is no in between.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 
                                                                                                              C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The choice however is up to the reader.
I would urge anyone who is truly seeking the truth about God to pray and ask Him to show you the truth.
I would ask you read the New Testament read carefully the first four books, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and see what Jesus and others said about him. Then make up your own mind.
Please think about it.

Not Everyone

Not Everyone

“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.
If there is one thing that bothers me as a Christian it’s those who would call themselves Christians but are not. Men and women who claim to be doing the work of God yet are not coming close to doing what Christ wants.
Someone who has the spirit of Christ will exhibit what the apostle Paul when writing to the Galatians calls the fruit of the Spirit,
“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.
A key thing in the Christians life is loving not only God and your neighbour but your enemy as well. It is showing love to those you disagree with no matter who they are or their life style.
Paul defines love as,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                                                          1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
We cannot win a soul to Christ if we are constantly speaking of the evils of the world. It is not our job to speak of the evils of the world. I am quite sure those living in the world know what is wrong with the world.
At the same time we cannot win a soul to Christ by even attempting to restrict the rights of any group. It is not our job to judge the world.
Paul writing to the Corinthians made this clear when he said,
"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.” 
                                                                  1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
When I see and hear some preachers both in the media and out I find it hard at times to see the love. And if I as a Christian can’t see the love I doubt very much that those outside the church can see the love.
We as Christians need to remember the words of Paul to the Romans,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8.
It’s been a long time since I came to know the Lord but I know one thing. If the people leading me to Christ were constantly pointing out what sins were in my life, I would have turned away from them. I would never have made the best decision in my life.
By preachers preaching the evils of the world constantly at people is doing the same thing. They are turning people away. We cannot force Christ or our beliefs on someone it doesn’t work
Yeshuyahu Lebowitz a Judaic scholar wrote,
"You can ‘t force people to do what they don’t want to do, to feel what they don’t feel.  If someone wills one thing, you cannot tell it to will another.  It has to come from within."
                                               Yeshayahu Leibowitz,
                                                        (quoted in “Of Thorns, Idols,
                                                         and Prophecy,” Hadassah, May 1990).
What we as Christians need to do rather than constantly preaching about the evils of the world is to present the life changing message of Christ to the world.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
"Let us preach Christ, let us be faithful to proclaiming the Gospel, but let's leave judgment in the hands of God."
                 Tony Campolo
Francis of Assisi said,

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 

to be understood as to understand; 

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

                                                                                      The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.
Think about it

Because

Because

The following is what I believe each individual Christian should be able to say and people able to see in their lives. It’s simply called Because and I present it hear for you to think about.

Because

Because...

“...He (God) first loved us.”

       1 John 4:19

I will...

love God

Because...

“...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

I will...

love God

            

           Because...

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40:

“...you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

I will...

love God and my neighbours whoever they may be.

Because...

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”   Luke 6:27,28

I will...

Love my enemy.

Because...

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

I will...

love my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Because...

The apostle Paul said,

 “Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

 it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil

 but rejoices with the truth.  

  It always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails....

                             1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,

I will...

I will show this kind of love to those around me.

Because...

The Bible says, 

“Now abides faith, hope and love, these three; 

but the greatest of these is love.  

1 Corinthians 13:13

I will...

Have faith hope and love in God 

and for my fellow man.

Because...         

According to Ephesians 2:8,9:

“...by grace you have been saved through faith, 

and not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, 

not of works; lest anyone should boast.”

I will...           

Have hope in Christ and present this hope to my fellow man.

   Because

According to Romans 5:1,2: 

“...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God

 through our LORD Jesus Christ, 

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace 

which we stand, and rejoice in hope of glory of God.”

I have...           

I have peace with God and rejoice in the glory of God

Because of this and much more

I will love both God, and my neighbour 

who ever they may be.

Quiescence

Quiescence

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                                                     1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Love is the essence of Christianity. You cannot be a Christian and hate you must love.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
Matthew 5:43-46.
We must be different from the world. Our love should never be contingent on anything someone does or doesn’t do for us or to us.
God set the example by sending Jesus into the world while we were still sinners. The apostle Paul telling the Romans,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8 
Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 defines clearly what true love is,

Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, 

it does not boast, 

it is not proud.  

It is not rude, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, 

always trusts,

 always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails...”

Is this the kind of Love you have?
Think about it.

An Interesting thought

An interesting thought
Here’s something for you to think about from the Talmud it says,
“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.
Logically to me it makes sense. When you’re before the thrown of God you can’t deny that he exists.
God already knows whether you’ve prayed and observed the ritual. He even knows if you’ve dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man by his standards
But he want’s your opinion. He wants to know if you feel you have dealt correctly with your fellow man. He wants if you will, you to have your say.
We have a very personal God. He wishes to get to know the individual on a personal level. He requires that all people, but believers in particular to deal honourably with those around us.
James writes,
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  
Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  
You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.”
                                                                                                     James 5:1-6.
James make it very clear that God knows the wrongs that people commit and will punish them.
I firmly believe that Christians at all times must deal in an upright and fair manner with all whom we deal.
We must never take unfair advantage of anyone at anytime because God.
Sadly I have heard over the years people who will not deal with those who call themselves Christian businessmen because they do not deal honourably. Which tells me at the very least they are not truly committed to Christ or are not Christians at all.
My wife is fond of saying, if you have to say you’re a Christian even in advertisements for your business they you just may not be a good Christian at the very least.
Francis of Assisi said it best,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 
                                                                                  Francis of Assisi 
If you are people will notice the difference without you telling them.
Think about it.