From God

 From God

In the book of Acts we read of a incident where Peter and some other apostles of Jesus who had been told by the religious leader of their day not to preach in the name of Jesus did so anyway. 

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 honoured 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.

The take away from this is a warning to all who would wish to do violence to those who believe in Christ Jesus. In doing so they will find themselves fighting against God.

Christianity has stood the test of time. Today in 2023 there are three billion, (3,000,000,000) people world wide who believe in Jesus and that number continues to grow daily.

Many governments, religious leaders, and individuals have tried to eradicate Christianity but have failed.

They have failed because Christians are following Jesus Christ, God incarnate.

What do you think?

Please think about it. 

The Stone Rejected

 The Stone Rejected?

The Apostle Peter speaking of Jesus said,

"He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'  

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11,12.

People throughout the centuries have rejected Jesus. As a group we Christians. We who chose to follow Jesus have been persecuted by individuals and governments who simply disagree with us. Men and women, political and religious leaders who want to see an end to Christianity. Today thousands of Christians are in prison for simply believing in Christ. But no matter what they do Christianity continues. 

Napoleon Bonaparte, former Emperor of France said,

"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? 

My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power."

"I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him."

"I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary."                                                                                                                      Napoleon Bonaparte,

In the early days of the apostles not long after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Two of His disciples were put on trial and witnessed to their persecutors. The men presiding over their case wanted to put them to death. The Book of Acts however records what a Pharisee named Gamaliel said,

“A Pharisee named Gamaliel a teacher of the Law an honoured man, standing before the Sanhedrin as they were presiding over the trial of two of Christ's apostles said,

"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 5:38,39.

I put before you that Christianity is of God for it has lasted for over two thousand years despite people trying to destroy it.

Please think about it.

God will Judge

God will judge
Luke records this teaching of Jesus.
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  
What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. 
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Luke 12:1-5.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
God will eventually judge all mankind, those woh believe in Him, and those who do not. I firmly believe we will be judged honestly and fairly in accordance with what we know of God.
God will not hold a tribes man deep in a jungle who has never heard of Jesus accountable to the standard he expects of someone who has read the Bible and claims to be a Christian.
I believe the more you know about the Bible and the teachings of Jesus the more you will be accountable for.
The Apostle Paul explains it this way.
“For God does not show favoritism.
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.  
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  
(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)  
This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. Romans 2:11-16.
Thus the question I would ask you the reader. Are you prepared to stand before God and be judged by Him?
Please think about it.

Truth or Lie

Truth or Lie?
The Apostle Peter writes,
“We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  
We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18.
Peter makes it clear here that what he and the other apostles are preaching are not “cleverly invented stories”, it is the truth. Peter himself was there when voice came heaven saying of Jesus, “This is my Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased”.
In writing this he is saying to the reader you either believe me, or you do not. There is no middle ground.
If you believe what Peter has written then you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
If you do not believe Peter then Peter is a lying, as are all the writers of the New Testament.
Not only that they have perpetuated what has to be the greatest lie in human history. For close to three billion people in the world today believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind as did millions if not billions of people from the days of Peter to the present.
Thus the choice comes down to you the reader. Who do you believe Jesus is, Son of God, and Saviour of mankind or not?
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

You and God

You & God

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.

Faith in God, for some, perhaps even for most people, is something that is difficult to have. Especially in something unseen. Yet God requires his followers to have faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and 

certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                 Hebrews 11:1

“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

Martin Luther King Jr. the American civil rights leader said,

Faith is taking the first step 

even when you don't see the whole staircase.

                                                        Martin Luther King, Jr.

God essentially asks each individual to take that first step even though they can’t see the whole stair case.
Have you taken that first step of faith with regards to believing in God?
The apostle Paul tells us,

“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.

Put simply we get to heaven by putting our faith in the Grace of God.
Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul states,
“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.
What Christianity asks the individual to believe by faith is expressed in what is called the Apostles Creed. While it was not written by an apostle of Jesus. It does express the core beliefs of Christianity. It reads,

I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; 

That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost

I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

 I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

I believe in the resurrection of the body.

I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?
Please think about it. 

A Faith of Love

A Faith of Love
The apostle Paul writing to Christians states,

“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.

The principle teaching of Christianity is Love. A Love that started with God. John’s gospel 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 reason Jesus came to this earth is because God loves all people and He wishes to have fellowship with all people.
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.
Jesus took loving one step further when he 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?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”  Matthew 5:43-47.
True Christianity is not a confrontational faith. It is one of love and acceptance of all people. Even our enemy.
C. S. Lewis once said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
Christians believe we cannot live lives good enough to stand before a Holy God. God knows this also that is why God in the form of Jesus Christ, entered the world to point each person toward Himself.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Paul also notes,
“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.
A true Christian believes that God in Love reached down to mankind and offered eternal life to those who would believe in Him through faith.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

“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.

Please think about it. 

Christianity under assault from within

Christianity under assault from within?
         Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“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 7:15-23
We as Christians live in dangerous times. Many Christians believe we are in the so called end times. That may be so. But Christians need not worry we’ve read the book and it ends well for believers in Christ in the end.
However in this multimedia world Christianity is under attack and not so much from the outside but from within.
Most Christians tend to be on their guard when it comes from attacks from outside their faith. However they are less cautious about the attacks from within.
There are many ministries in the media and many Churches today who call themselves Christian but are far from God. They are perverting the word of God to suit their own way of thinking.
Back in the seventies there was an excellent example of this. Jim Jones a very charismatic preacher in the United States said things that sounded very good but led people astray.
The end coming when he and thousands of his followers who had gone down to south America committed mass suicide. A thousand or more died.
Today’s preachers and evangelist who are leading people astray are not leading people to commit mass suicided but they are misguiding people in other more subtle ways.
They are preaching the prosperity doctrine. Saying give to God and he’ll give you back a hundred, or a thousand fold. This has led people to give money they could not afford to give. With the resulting tragic financial consequences.
There are preachers out there claiming to heal people but are failing to show proof of any actual healings.
Some churches and ministers have abandoned at least in part the Bible. They pick and choose the parts they believe and dismiss the rest.
Others simply preach a feel good doctrine that people want to hear. After all who wouldn’t want to feel good?
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
                                                                                                         2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to be on guard for the enemy within the Christian community. Men and women calling themselves Christians who are not.
In this day and age when the media blasts us from every angle we must read the Bible for ourselves. We must pray and ask God to guide us and not rely on evangelist and preachers in the media that we know little about other than what we see in the media.
We need to be attending a Church congregation that studies the Bible in context and strives their best to obey the word of God in spirit and truth.
Please think about it.

Hidden Treasure Exposed

Hidden treasure exposed
Jesus said,
“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.
We Christians have the ultimate message. The certainty of eternal life with God. This is what we need to be presenting to the world all the time.
We should never be looking to the bad things of this world and condemning them as bad as they may be.
We are not called to judge the world. We are called to point the way to heaven.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
                            Tony Campolo
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“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
We are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus to present to the world the Love of Christ. And the need of the individual to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
We need to do it every day of our lives.
To quote Francis of Assisi again,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 
 Francis of Assisi
Remembering as Francis also said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
 Francis of Assisi.
Please think about it.

Grass Withers

The Grass withers

“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” 
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 
                                                                                               Isaiah 40:6-8.

The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her fifties in the early eighties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by over twenty-five years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time. As are ours, at least with respect to this life.
Our lives however do not end here they are made as Martin Luther King jr. said “... man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.”
The question is where will you spend that eternity?
We Christians believe that you have a choice in this life. You can either believe the words of Jesus or not.
Jesus said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. 
                                                                                                             John 14:6
“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
If you chose to become a Christian and live by Christian principles of Love of God, Love for ones neighbour, and love for ones enemy, you have lost nothing and made your life richer in the process.
If Christianity is false then you’ve simply lived a good moral life.
C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
                                                       C. S. Lewis
The decision however is up to you. No one can force Christianity on you. You are not born Christian simply because your parents were Christian. You must make the decision voluntarily to accept Christ into you life.
The decision you make however, I believe will have eternal consequences.
Please think about it.

Of Jesus and Christianity

Of Jesus and Christianity

“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.  
“If you are the Christ,’” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me,  and if I asked you, you would not answer.  
But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” 
They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” 
Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 
Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.  
And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.” 
So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.” 
                                     Luke 22:66-23:3.
A noted archaeologist Sir William Ramsey who initially rejected the writings of Luke went on later to say,
“Luke is a historian of the first rank.… This author should be placed along with the very greatest historians.… Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness.”
Two other noted historians William Albright and A. T. Robinson date the New Testament books to the first century. Albright to between 50 A.D. and 75 A.D. and Robinson to between 40-65 AD.
These dates place the writings of Luke within living memory of the events he describes. He certainly had access to the witnesses of the life of Jesus.
Thus for Luke or any of the other writers of the Bible to lie about what was said about Jesus would be to put in peril fledgling Christian movement.
In the scripture I quoted from Luke, Luke 22:66 to 23:3 we see that Jesus admits that he indeed is the Son of God.
To the religious leaders of Jesus day to make yourself equal to God is a crime punishable by death. The religious leaders did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and therefore demanded his death. As they had no right to put someone to death under Roman law they turned to the Roman governor to let them put him to death.
Here is another prove that Jesus was who he said he was.
If Jesus was not the Christ why would he risk death and the potential end of the movement he was starting.
C. S. Lewis puts it this way,
“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
Jesus was everything he said he was the Son of God, the Way to Heaven, the Saviour of all who would believe in him.
Christianity today is being attacked by extremist around the world and by it seems predominantly Atheist groups in a mild way in the west. They will not prevail.
The book of Acts records an incident in which two of Christ’s disciples were preaching about him not long after his death.
Luke the writer of Acts records, what they said and the resulting outcome.
 “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Peter tells them)
“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 5:32-39
I believe that the fact many principalities and groups great and small have come against Christianity both by force of arms and in courts of law and have been unable to defeat it, shows Christianity is from God.
And the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Think about it.

Radical Christianity

Radical Christianity

There is an estimated 2.2 billion Christians in the world and growing. Still when one looks at the western nations in Europe and in North America the Church seems to be failing to get its message out.
Where I live in North America I know most of the churches, pastors and evangelist are honest men and women doing their best to serve God. They make it their goal in life to live a life that would honour Jesus.
Still that being said, I see all the time very high profile pastors and evangelist, particularly in the media asking for money. Saying give to this ministry or that ministry and God will reward you ten or a hundred fold. The so called name it claim it crowd. They make it sound as if God is some Sugar daddy. This provokes  the response from non-Christians that they are nothing more than money grabbers, which sadly some are.
Others heap condemnation on people. They judge people, and point to groups with lifestyles different from their own as if they have special sins. Something any true Christian knows is not true. Sin is sin be it a lie or white lie from a pastor or a murderer all sin is the same according to the bible and the apostle Paul writing to the Romans makes it clear we all sin, stating,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
                                                      Romans 3:23
In Matthew five Jesus says Christians are the salt of the earth. Unfortunately many high profile pastors in the media are salty, not salt. They make Christianity out to be a religion of do’s and don’ts. In doing so they turn people off.
As Christians we should be living our lives daily for God. We should be doing it in such away as to reflect the love of Jesus.
Francis of Assisi wrote these two statements,
“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.
Sadly from where I sit on my perch here in Canada I see far to many Christians in the media pointing out the sins of people. Judging people. That is not our job!
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
Put simply we are to keep our own house in order and leave the judging of others to God. Something the church is sadly very bad at doing.
The churches message to the world should be,
“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.
Matthews Gospel records this,
“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 22:37-40
“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...”
                                             Matthew5: 43-45.
We as Christians need to be radical in showing God’s love to people not judging them.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
"Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him."
                                                                                                               Mahatma Gandhi
I believe Mahatma Gandhi had dealings with people who called themselves Christians but were not. These people may have gone to church. They may have performed the rituals many churches have. Still they were not Christian. They had not accepted Jesus into their hearts and lives.
I believe this because a true Christian will love even his worst enemy.
Christians have over the centuries changed the lives of billions of people. We have done this by presenting a positive lifestyle alternative to the world around us.
Today as I see these young people in particular going off to join terrorist groups I have to ask why can’t the church reach them?
Has the message of Christ here in the west been watered down. Has the church here in the west become a decrepit  institution filled with ritual and formality that turns people off. Are there more so called Christian evangelist and preachers preaching hell fire and brimstone heaping judgment on individuals than groups that are preaching the true message of Christ, that can change lives?
We as Christians know Christ can change lives. We should be reaching out to all people in a positive manner with the message of Christ.
The message of Christ offers hope and fills ones life with meaning. The message of Christ offers rest for ones soul. Jesus saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                    Matthew 11:28-30.
This is what we as Christians should be doing.
Think about it.

Of Christianity

Of Christianity

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
                                                               C. S. Lewis.
The first church I ever attended had a huge sign emblazoned above the alter saying, “What think ye of Christ.”
Throughout the ages there have always been men and women who have questioned the credentials of Jesus. Men and women who have chose to simply call him a good man.
Likewise there have been many who deny both the existence of God and Jesus, calling them a myth. That is there choice.
That’s the nice thing about God, he gave us a choice whether to believe in him or not.
The evidence is all around us not just in the scriptures but in the world as a whole.
The Psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 
                                                                                                                               Psalm 19:1.
The bible is a book of faith but it does not ask us to accept what it says with blind faith. Quite the contrary it asks us to read it with an open mind and see the truths that are in it.
It challenges us to look around at the world, the universe, we live in and see just how perfect it is. So perfect that it could only have been created.

Once we have read the bible and looked around at the world, we are then asked to make that leap of informed faith. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                 Hebrews 11:1
“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 
If the Bible is wrong it is then as C. S. Lewis states,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance,...” but if it is true then it is also true what Lewis said, it is “...if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
                                                             
Think about it.

Radical or Real Christianity

Radical or Real Christianity?
The book of Acts records disciples being arrested, for preaching in the name of Jesus.
The religious leaders wanted to put them to death, but a Pharisee named Gamaliel gave a speech that changed their minds. So rather than the apostles being killed they were flogged for what they were doing, the writer of Acts recording,
“His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” 
                                                                 Acts 5:40-42
Take note what verse forty-one says,
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
These men who had been with Jesus for just three years showed what real Christians should be.
David Platt president of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board wrote,
“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.”
        I look at what Platt is saying, and say this was normal behaviour for a Christian should be. It was for the early church.
Followers of ‘the way,’ as Christians were called took their stand on who Jesus was. He was the Messiah the Son of God and they did not back down on that belief.
They stayed true to their beliefs even to the point of being flogged or as in Stephens case being put to death.
The early believers through out the Roman empire separated from Judaism even though Judaism was an official religion of the Roman empire and they were not.
Not being an official religion of Rome could and did bring Christians in conflict with the Roman state.
Christians suffered under various Roman emperors. Nero used them as human  torches. Many suffered torture and death.
Today around the world there are two billion plus Christians one Christian dies every fourteen minutes for their faith. It is estimated that at least another 200,000 are under some kind of persecution or living in harms way.
What David Platt is saying when he writes is happening in much of the world today,
“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.” 
We here in North America with all our comforts, freedom of speech, freedom to worship, have it easy.
The other day I listened to a preacher one of the name it claim it crowed proclaiming that if you give to God he’ll give to you a hundred fold.
God and the Bible never said that.
They worried about losing their freedom of speech and worship. While it is perhaps a valid worry, in the ultimate scheme of things it is nothing. The word of God will continue,
Jesus said,
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 
                                            Matthew 5:10-12.
In Matthew Ten Jesus notes,
    “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.  
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.  
When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another....” 
                                                                Matthew 10:21-23a.
In Matthew 24 He notes,
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”  
                                 Matthew 24:9
While I hope persecution does not come if it does we with God’s help we will get through it.
You must remember no matter what happens with respect to Christians we win. As a friend of mine said, “I’ve read the book and we win.”
What Gamaliel said is true.
“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 5:38,39
Those who oppose Christianity are opposing God and God will one day judge them accordingly.
Think about it.