Love and the Christian

  Love and the Christian

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'  

      All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.

We must also love our enemy. Jesus stating,

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour 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?  

And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47.

The definition of Christian love

The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians defines Christian 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

Would you not want to be loved like this?

Please think about it.

So in everything

 So in everything

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.

The way I see things is that if a Christian truly believes that we are to do to others what we would want others to do to us then we have to tell the world around us about Jesus.

The most important thing in the life of a Christian is knowing Christ as his or her personal saviour. That is why Christians must follow the words of Jesus who 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.

Jesus never told us to impose our faith on someone. He simply said make disciples of all nations. 

You cannot make true disciples if you are trying to impose or force your faith on them. Those who hear about the saving grace of Christ Jesus must choose to for themselves if the message is true or not. They must make that step of faith and believe in Him.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Truly believing in God is an act of faith on the part of the individual. Without that faith it is impossible to please God.

Do you believe in God and the saving grace that comes through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

The Shepherds Testimony

  The Shepherds Testimony 

In the gospel of Luke we read,

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,    "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:8-20.

Here Luke who in chapter 1:1-4 states that he has, “carefully investigated everything” tells of the angels appearing to the Shepherds. 

      To my way of thinking this has to be true simply because Luke is recording a supernatural event. An event that if not true would put his credibility at risk. And by extension Christian belief.

 The key point here is that the angels tell the shepherds that a Saviour is born. “Who is Christ the Lord” and the shepherds believe them going to Bethlehem to see for themselves. Additionally they tell those around them about this Saviour.

For us in the twenty-first century the message of the angels and shepherds comes down to whether we believe them or not.

Was Luke in relating this story telling the truth or creating a fictional story that has fooled the world for millennium.

The choice dear reader is yours.

Please think about it.

Trust in God in all circumstances

  Trust in God in all circumstances

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.”

                                                                     Proverbs 3:5,6.

This portion of scripture stands on its own not in need of explanation. It simply tells us to trust God even if we don’t know what is happening.

That if we acknowledge God in everything we do He will make our paths strait.

If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus do you acknowledge God in all circumstances?

Please think about it.

A good name

  A good name

The writer of Proverbs states,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name

 in the sight of God and man."

                                                           Proverbs 3:3,4

The apostle Paul writes,

"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

If you claim to be a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you show this kind of love to those around you? For in doing so you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Please think about it.

Tell your world about God

  Tell your world about God

In the book of 1Chronicles we read,

"Give thanks to the LORD, 

call on his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done. 

Sing to him, 

sing praise to him; 

tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,..." 

                                                                     1 Chronicles 16:8-12 

Here the writer of Chronicles tells believers to tell the world about God and all that He has done for us.

If you are a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

If you are not it’s time to start telling the world around you about your faith in God.

Please think about it.

A Prayer

  A Prayer

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:22,23.

This is my prayer for all those who truly love God and His one and only Son Christ Jesus.

Take time today and everyday to draw near to God.

Please think about it.

To dwell in the house of God

 To dwell in the house of God

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 seek to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?

Can you say with the Psalmist,

“The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

                                                                            Psalm 23.

Please think about it.

The Universe was designed

  The Universe was designed. 

The Psalmist writes,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." 

                                                                                                  Psalm 19:1-3

I like this portion of scripture. It points us to the heavens. The heavens that when studied correctly show how the universe and everything in it was formed by God.

Stephen Hawking said,

“The universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us" Stephen Hawking.

Hawking also said,

“It would be difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of God who intended to create beings like us" Stephen hawking.

The fact is the Universe was created and designed. And it’s design points us to God.

Please think about it.

Believing in God

 Believing in God

“You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                           Jeremiah 29:13

As the old year passes away. I firmly believe that all people need to take some time to seek out the truth about God and what He means to them.

For me I have no doubt that God exists and will show Himself to all those who earnestly seek Him. True this takes a leap of faith but that’s what God requires.

In Hebrews we read,

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Faith defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope 

for and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                                 Hebrews 11:1.

I think God requires us to have faith because people who have faith in anything are the strongest of believers. People who would literally go to the grave for what they believe in.

So my question to you dear reader is... Do you believe in God?

Please think about it.

What are you declaring?

 What are you declaring

The Psalmist writes,

"Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvellous deeds among all peoples." 

                                                         Psalm 96:1-3.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, are you praising God and declaring His name among the nations. Are you telling of God’s marvellous deeds to the people around you? Are you declaring God's name to those around you?

Please think about it.

Your Help

 Your help

The Psalmist states,

"On my bed I remember you; 

I think of you through the watches of the night. 

Because you are my help, 

I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

My soul clings to you; 

your right hand upholds me." 

                                                 Psalm 63:6-8.

The Psalmist here shows his devotion to God. From what we read God permeates through his life. He thinks of God in the night. He knows where his help comes from. 

In Psalm 121 the Psalmist states,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.” 

                                                      Psalm 121:1,2. 

As believers in Christ Jesus we know our help comes from the LORD.

Do you?

Where does your help come from?

Please think about it.

Do you know the Lord?

  Do you know the Lord?

In the Gospel of Luke we read this annunciation to the Shepherds,

"Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord." 

                               Luke 2:11

This is the reason that Jesus came to this earth. To save all who would believe in Him from their sins.

Near the end of Luke’s gospel we read, of this interaction between Jesus and the two men who were crucified with Him. Luke records,

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

The criminal that believed in Jesus, did what we all must do I’m sure without any prompting. He confessed his sins directly to Jesus and asked Him to remember him when he entered His kingdom.

This man had no chance to do any good works as his life would soon be over. 

The apostle Paul writes,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

In the book of Romans Paul states,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  Romans 10:9-11.

That criminal probably as his last act in this world did all that the apostle Paul states we must do. He accepted the free gift of God’s grace by confessing Jesus is Lord. 

He put his trust in Christ and thus would be with Jesus in Heaven.

Do you know the Lord? 

Please think about it.

The Confession

  The Confession

Luke’s Gospel records,

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:25-32.

Simeon here makes it clear that Jesus is the Saviour and he doesn’t keep quiet about it. He takes the baby Jesus into his arms and states,

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel”

Luke’s gospel goes on to record,

"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.  

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke2:36-38.

Both Anna and Simeon were devoted believers. Both believed this baby Jesus to be the Saviour, The Messiah. 

Today is December 25th the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The question thus becomes do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of all who would believe in Him? 

Please think about it.

The Birth

 The Birth

In Luke’s gospel we read,

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  

And everyone went to his own town to register. 

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7.

The apostle John’s gospel put it this way,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

     In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

John here refers to Jesus as “the Word”. He also makes it clear that “the Word” was in the beginning with God and made the universe and everything in it.

He also makes it clear that “the Word” became flesh. God became incarnate. 

This Child of Mary’s is God in the flesh. As far as I know there is no other religion in the world that claims their founder to be God incarnate.

If you think about it. It is an incredible thing to believe God entered the world that He created. To experience all that it is to be a human being.

Jesus during his life would experience first hand what it was like to feel rain against His face. To experience the love of friends and family. 

Jesus would also know what it is like to be put on trial for a crime He did not commit. To be beaten and put to death in a most hideous way.

Jesus experienced all that it was to be human. Which is why I believe we can never tell Him on the day of judgement that He doesn’t understand what it is to be human. Because He does. 

The question I have for you today however is; Do you believe that Jesus is the creator of the World. God in the flesh. The Saviour of all who would believe in Him?

Please think about it.

The Annunciation

 The annunciation 

In the book of Luke we read,

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.  

The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you." 

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.   But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.  

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God" Luke 1:26-32.

There are many things reported in the New Testament that if not true would be detrimental to Christianity. This is one of them.

Why would a follower of Christ Jesus, in this case Luke. Ever want to put Mary’s meeting with the angel Gabriel in his gospel if it were not true. Meeting with angels can seem farfetched. So it is obvious that Luke believed that the angel Gabriel met with Mary.

And notice what the angel said about Jesus,

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God”.

Throughout the New Testament scriptures we read of many who knew Jesus calling Him the Christ. One good example is when Jesus was talking to a woman named Martha. Jesus asked,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

The question for you dear reader is this. Do you believe the words of the angel Gabriel as well as the words of Martha? 

Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, The Son of God?

Please think about it.

The light of the world

  The light of the world

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12.

Jesus here claims to be “the light of the world”. 

Stating that “whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life”.

Jesus did make some very powerful statements about Himself.

Earlier John’s gospel records Him as saying,

"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.  

But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.  

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:35-40

Jesus speaking of Himself in John chapter three  states,

"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. 

The soul purpose of Jesus coming to this earth is to light the way to heaven and life eternal.

Do you believe in Jesus? 

Do you believe He gives life eternal to all who believe in Him?

Please think about it.

Are you saved?

 Are you saved?

The apostle Paul writes,

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ 

   Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."1Timothy 1:15,16.

Here the apostle Paul tells us why Jesus came to this earth. To save sinners. That means everyone. Paul writing to the Romans states,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

The apostle John telling us,

"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.

God’s gift of salvation is a free gift based on our faith in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul writing,

“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12,13.

So my question to you dear reader is, Have you called on the name of The Lord? Are you saved?

Please think about it.

Is Jesus the Christ?

  Is Jesus the Christ?

In Mark’s gospel we read,

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ.'”Mark 8:27-29.

It is clear from this portion of scripture that the disciples. Men who knew Jesus intimately. Men who witnessed all that He did, believed Jesus to be the Messiah.

This was something Jesus never shied away from. 

In John’s gospel we read,

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.  

I and the Father are one." 

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 

"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." John 10:24-33.

Notice here that Jesus even when threatened with being stoned to death never denied He was one with the Father.

As we approach Christmas this is something we need to decide for ourselves. Thus the choice is yours. Do you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah or not.

Please think about it.

Call on the name of The Lord

 Call on the name of The Lord

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

and are justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  

                                                                      Romans 3:23,24.

Paul goes on to write,

"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. 

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!  

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  

Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation" Romans 5:6-11.

We all have sinned in one way or another. Sin is falling short of Gods ideal for our life. Sin separates us from God, and no matter how hard we work at trying to be good, our good works cannot reconcile us to God.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

Salvation is a gift freely offered by God to us through belief in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul writing,

“...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

 will be saved.” 

                                     Romans 10:13.

Have you called on the name of the Lord?

Please think about it.