A Moral Obligation

 A Moral Obligation

In the book of Leviticus we read.

“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’ ” Leviticus 23:22.

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.

I believe as Christians we have a moral obligation to help those in need, and scripture backs this up. In the book of James we read,

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.

In the Jewish faith there is a concept known as Tzedakah. I got this explanation of tzedakah from Jewish web site it states,

"Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy....

In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.

We have no way of knowing why a person is poor and in need. And its not our place to judge the poor. 

It is however, our moral obligation to help the poor when we can.

Please think about it.

Christian Living

Christian living
Just what is it to be Christian? Here in a rather large nutshell are some basic statements from the Bible that I believe Christians should be obeying.
The apostle Paul tells us the fruits of the Spirit of God are,
“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.
These are Christian attributes.
Key to Christian belief is Love. A Christian must love. 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
Earlier in Matthews gospel Jesus is quoted saying,
“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?  
  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 apostle Paul defines Christian love when he 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.

A Christian also has no right to Judge those outside their faith. 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 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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
Note here the apostle Paul also reminds Christians to keep their own house in order so to speak. He reminds us that while we are not to judge those outside the church. We are allowed to judge those inside the church. There is I believe a caveat however. We have no right to judge where anyone will spend eternity.
What Paul is saying here I believe is we are allowed to judge those who claim to be Christians with respect to what they believe and are teaching. To ensure they are teaching sound doctrine. As Billy Graham the great American Evangelist stated,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,

 God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

                               Billy Graham

Christians are also to sit down with sinners and others like Jesus did. Matthew’s 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.
The apostle Paul tells Christians,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18,
The apostle Peter reminds us,
“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.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:1.
Jesus saying
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Please think about it.

Witness

Witnesses
The apostle Luke writing in his second book, the book of Acts gives this account about Jesus appearing to his followers,
“After his (Jesus) suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Acts 1: 3-9.
Here Jesus appears to his disciples. They had asked Jesus when He would restore the Kingdom of Israel but he told them it was not for them to know the time and date. But instead to be witnesses to the whole world.
He makes it clear what their job is on this earth. He states,
“... you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This is the purpose of the Church even today. In Matthew’s gospel we read,
“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.
This is a job we as believers in Christ cannot ignore. It is estimated that between 1.7 and two billion people on the earth today have not heard about Jesus Christ. It is our job as believers in Christ to do what we can to reach them with the love of Christ.
Please if you consider yourself a Christian think about it. 

Love in Action

Love in action
James wrote to the Church,
“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 had a pastor onece ask “does your faith have legs?” It’s great to say we have faith in Christ. Faith in God. But we need to do more than that. We need to if you will put legs on our faith and work for Christ.
I’m fond of quoting from the Talmud while not a Christian book it is a Jewish one, and Christian and Jewish thought is quite similar in many respects. With respect to the poor and good deeds the Talmud gives this explanation.
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
As Christians we have a duty to our fellow man to help those who are in need. To simply pray for them is not enough.
 As James states,
“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?”
We need to do what we can to help the poor and those in need. Far too many Christians do not do this. Yet this is what Christians are called to do in addition to spreading the gospel message.
Jesus said,
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42.
Everyone can do something for the poor.
Years ago when I taught Sunday School we had the Children take home a simple egg bank and asked them to collect change for missions. For children who were less fortunate. Those children collected hundreds of dollars. All of which went directly to helping others.
If children can do this adults can do so. It doesn’t take much. It just take a willingness on the individual to do so.
As a Christian reading this are you willing to take time and help those less fortunate than you? Are you willing to put your Love of God into action?
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is something I believe all Christians should remember. It states,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy 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;

And 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.” 

                                                                               Francis of Assisi
Please think about it

Radical obedience to Christ

Radical Obedience to Christ

David Platt President Southern Baptist Convention,
“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” 
                                                                                                              David Platt, 
                                                                                                                (Radical: Taking Back 
                                                                                                                 Your Faith from 
                                                                                                                    the American Dream)
This message is aimed directly at particularly North American Christians of which I am one.
Are you as a Christian willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ?
There is a lot of garbage going around Christian circles. Particularly from the so called “seed faith” groups or as my pastor puts it the “blab it grab it crowd”. Those who espouse to this belief believe that if you give to God (in particular their ministry) and you will get back ten, a hundred, a thousand fold for doing so. Some even go as far as saying if you are not wealthy you have sin in your life.
It sounds great who wouldn’t want to receive great riches. The whole theology is a feel good theology but it’s wrong.
God never promised us riches in this life. Jesus even said to a rich man who approached him.
“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
                                                                             Matthew 19:21.
Jesus also 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.
God is not a super banker that gives us fantastic returns on our tithes. Quite the contrary God wants Christians to go into all the world 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.
The apostles obeyed the words of Jesus and all but one of them suffered a martyrs death. That was what following Christ cost them.
Jesus made it clear what to expect if you are a Christian when he said,
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  
Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
                                                                                                                            Mark 8:34-38.
As Christians we need to be taking up our cross and following Christ. Taking His word of Salvation to the whole world.
We need to do this, because presenting God’s salvation message to the world is the most important thing we as Christians have to offer. Nothing else in this world matters more than pointing the way to heaven.
Please think about it.

Forgiveness and the Christian

Forgiveness and the Christian

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” 
James 2:12,13.
Are you merciful? Do you forgive those who sin against you?
Jesus said,
“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 6:14,15.
As Christians we will have over our lifetime many whom we disagree with. Many people who will sin against us and speak wrongly about us.
The true test of a Christian is if you can forgive them.
I’ve been a Christian over four decades now. I’ve come across people who have said bad things against me. People who have hurt me by the words they’ve said.
Words actually hurt more than physical injuries at times. They continue in your mind long after the person speaking them has forgotten them.
The key I’ve found is forgiving them.
Going to God in prayer also helps. Telling God of any hurt you have. Someone one told me, when your are hurt you need to pray it away. Stay talking to God until the hurt subsides and it does eventually go away.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t in love approach the person who has hurt us and tell them they have they have hurt us. That at times is needed also, because many times a person does not realize they’ve hurt someone.
Forgiveness should take a large place in a Christians life. Jesus while on the cross for gave those who crucified him. This is an example of what we should do.
Matthews Gospel records,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” 
                                                                          Matthew 18:21,22.
Jesus here wasn’t putting a number on how many times we are to forgive. He didn’t mean forgive 490 times. He meant forgive innumerable times.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” 
                 C.S. Lewis.
Forgiveness is one of the corner stones of being a Christian.
Please think about it.

Are you living the life?

Are you living the life?

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.
I write this to North American Christians in particular. Especially those in the United States. I see Christians both in the media and out bashing other faiths and lifestyles. Many do it because they are under the delusion that the United States and Canada are Christian nations. They are not. There is no Christian nation in the world today.
North America resembles the Roman empire not heaven.
Further more the people that are speaking out against others say they have the right to express their opinion because they have the right to freedom of speech.
This may be so. But speaking out against other groups even if you disagree with them is not what the Christian fathers wanted.
True Jesus and the disciples spoke up against wrong teaching within the Jewish faith of their day. But they were Jews speaking against other Jews. That is acceptable.
The apostle Paul says,
“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.
We are to keep our house clean not judge others. In speaking against non-Christians we are turning them against us.
Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  
                                                                                            Romans 12:18
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
“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.
If we are criticizing and perceived as attacking those of other faiths and ways of life we cannot reach people for the gospel.
Paul writing to the Galatians wrote,
“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
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”
                                                                                            Matthew 5:9.
Are you a peace maker. Are your actions in line with that of the Spirit of God?
Think about it.

A Fierce light

A fierce light

“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
A fierce light shines on the Christian. If we truly believe the words of Jesus who 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.
Jesus who also 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 our message is the single most important message the world must be given.
We cannot take out faith lightly. We must do the work of God. We must continue the work of Jesus and his disciples. We must reach out in what ever way we can.
The apostle Peter wrote,
“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

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.