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.

Shine

 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.

Praise Him in Word and Deed

Praise Him in Word and Deed
The Psalmist tells believers in God to,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary;

 praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

 praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath 

praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                              Psalm 150

Here’s a question. Do you praise The Lord in word and in deed?
 Many people praise God in word. But their actions in their daily life do not give praise to God.
The book of Acts notes this about the early church,
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46,47.
The early church kept their eyes fixed on God. As a result “the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were being saved.”
It’s my belief if those who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus today kept their eyes firmly on God. Praising Him and showing unconditional love to those around, many more people would be saved.
Please think about it.

Christians and Purity

Christians and Purity
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”2 Corinthians 6:17- 7:1.
In my previous blog post I noted that to be Christlike not only meant loving people but sitting down with sinners and others to present the message of Christ to them.
Here the apostle Paul is making it clear to believers in Christ that we need to keep ourselves clean from the contamination of the evil of the world.
However that does not mean refusing to associate with the people of this world. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians states,
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:9,10,11.  
Paul make it clear we are not to associate with someone calling himself a brother in Christ who is doing immoral things.”
In 2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1, Paul is saying that we personally need to keep our lives clean. Paul makes it clear stating,
“...let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
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.
As believers in Christ we should be living as good a moral life as we can. So much so that without us even saying a word those around us will realize it and even be attracted to Christ because of it.
Please think about it.

Of Faith, Deeds and The Christian

Of Faith, Deeds & the Christian
James the half brother of Jesus and leader of the early church in Jerusalem 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.
I’ve seen people look at this portion of scripture and say it’s salvation through works. Contradicting what the apostle Paul says when he states,
“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.
This is not so. We are saved by faith. However our faith in Christ Jesus, our faith in God should spur us on to doing good works.
As believers in Christ Jesus the Spirit of God’s Love should show in our lives. The apostle Paul telling us,
“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.
Note kindness and love is very much a part of the Holy Spirits work in the life of a believer in Christ Jesus.
Jesus said,
“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.
As believers in Christ Jesus perhaps one of the best ways to show God’s love to people is through good works. I like what the American Evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“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
  Question: Do you do what you can to help those in need?
Do you present the Love of God in word and in deed?
Please think about it.

A Spark

A Spark
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  
Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:1-10.
James here is pointing out that not everyone should want to be teachers because teachers are held to a higher standard.
He notes that we all stumble. Then goes on to point out that we need to watch what we say. To keep our tongue in check. Doing so can be difficult. The sad thing about words is that they can cause people to be injured more deeply than getting physically injured.
Physical injuries heal and go away in time. Injuries caused by words can go deep into the mind and soul potentially scaring a person for life.
Likewise people are often remembered for what they say or don’t say.
One wrong word in the wrong place has brought down great men and women. The failure to say the right things at the right time have caused people to fall in the eyes of those around them.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise

 brings healing.” 

Proverbs 12:18

The writer also states,

“Even a fool is thought wise 

if he keeps silent, 

and discerning 

if he holds his tongue. 

Proverbs 17:28.

Be we Christians or not, what we say, can help or injure those who here them. We need to be careful what we say.
The advice of James at the beginning of his letter is advice we should take to heart. James states,

“My dear brothers, take note of this:

 Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak 

and slow to become angry,”

 James 1:19.

Please think about it.

Doing Gods Work

Doing Gods Work.
Every now and then I like to poke Christians with a pointy stick. This I believe may be one of those times.
The book of acts records,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.   But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:28-39.
Over the years I’ve seen this quote used by Christians to justify them protesting against gay rights, abortion and other things they disagree with. They used it wrongly.
True we as Christians must obey God rather than man. We must stand up for our rights to worship and evangelise as we wish. That however does not justify us protesting against those we disagree with.
The Apostle Paul tells us,
“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.
According to Paul we are not to judge those outside the church. That is God’s job. In the quote from acts the Peter a Jew (this was before the church split from Judaism) was brought before a Jewish religious court and told not to preach in the name of Jesus. Thus he a Jew  had the right to tell those Jewish leaders he was to obey God not men.
Jesus in the past had, had conflict with the religious leaders and spoke against them but that was his right as a member of the Jewish faith.
Jesus and His apostles never once spoke against, protested against or raised a sword in anger against the secular Roman government.
The apostle Paul under the emperor Nero who would eventually execute him said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
The apostle Paul, Jesus and the other apostles lived in a world in which there were many laws and practices that they would have disagreed with. Yet they never spoke against them.
They did as Jesus told them they presented the Gospel of Christ to all who would listen to them.
Billy Graham said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
They didn’t spend time and money on protesting or lobbying their government official about things they thought were wrong or needed changing. They couldn’t, the Romans wouldn’t have listened anyway.
The men that followed Christ spoke with everyone mixed socially with everyone and presented the gospel in word and in deed to everyone. In doing so by the end of the first century the Gospel message had been taken throughout the Roman Empire.
Those early disciples of Christ took seriously 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.
My question to the Christians reading this are you truly doing what God wants you to do? Are you presenting the gospel to all people no matter who they are?
Please think about it.

Are you Conformed?

Are you conformed?
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1,2.
There are two things a person can conform to, the ways of the world or the ways of God. Which are you conformed to?
Sadly over the centuries a lot of garbage and bad practises have entered the church. People claiming to be Christians do things without thinking. They do things that are not pleasing to God.
Christians without thinking are conforming to this world.
Billy Graham once said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.” Billy Graham.
When I look at what passes for Christian television in the United States sometimes, I see Christian versions of what are really secular things. Thousands if not millions of dollars are spent of selling “how too books”, motions, potions, and other things rather than being spent of evangelism.
I see those claiming to be Christians acting in the same way as non-Christians. Particularly in the United States but also in Canada where I live, I hear Christians demanding “their rights”. Even worse trying to restrict the rights of others given to them by the democratically elected secular government.
Do you know Jesus and the Apostles never demanded “their rights”? They never demanded their rights. They never spoke against anyone or tried to restrict the rights of others given by the secular Roman government.
Yet within a century of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Gospel message had reached every part of the known world at that time.
To quote Billy Graham again,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
We Christians, especially those of us who live in North America need to be looking at our words and deeds and our lifestyle. We need to be asking ourselves “Am I conforming to this world or am I doing what Jesus would want?”.
Think very carefully about that question. Today I hear a lot of Christians mixing politics and their faith. Jesus and his disciples never did so. They stayed on message and presented the hope of Salvation to those around them.
Pilny the Younger writing to the Roman emperor Trajan wrote,
“They (the Christians) were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food—but food of an ordinary and innocent kind.” Pliny the Younger (61-113 AD).
These early Christians were known for their faith, not as many are today for what they are against.
Mahatma Gandhi like many in the secular world today noted,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi and many in the world see people calling themselves Christians who are conforming to the ways of the world. People are not seeing the Love of God in them.
Here are some scriptures I believe all who claim to be Christians need to meditate on.
“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
Is your love unconditional conforming to what the apostle Paul tells us is true love?
Jesus said,
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2
        The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” 1 Corinthians 5:12.
Do you judge others outside the church?
Matthews Gospel records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
Would you be asked by non-Christians to share your faith?
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.
Are you living a holy life acceptable to God?
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
 Francis of Assisi.
Please think about it.

The Christian and Christ

The Christian and Christ

“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”
             Billy Graham
Here’s a simple truth Christians accept. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Christians believe you are saved through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a free gift from God. Your salvation and eternal resting place is not determined by your works.
I would go as far as saying in our Church congregations around the world there are many who have accepted God’s gift of salvation and are saved. Yet they do not seek after Christ every day.
They attend Church on a Sunday, even go to mid week bible studies but never seek after God in the days between. They feel what they do within the congregation they attend is sufficient so at home their Bible gathers dust.
The only way we can truly know God is to study the Bible often. We need to open the pages of our Bibles daily read it and study it.
We need to study and know what God wants for our lives. We need to study and get into our hearts and minds the moral values of Christ.
All too many Christian put the things of the world first. People are looking to get ahead in life. Unfortunately they see what the world equates as getting ahead and follow it.
People equate success all to often with having the big expensive house and car and all the gadgets, bobbles and beats the world can offer. Ultimately however these things fade away.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
                                                                               Matthew 6:19-21.
That’s not to say we as Christians have to be poor. We can acquire wealth but keep it in perspective. Don’t put it ahead of your commitment to Christ. All too many people have been snatched away from God by the love of money.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 
                                                                                        1 Timothy 6:10  
Billy Graham was right when he said,
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”
             Billy Graham.
Please think about it.