In Everything

  In Everything

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.

The Apostle Peter who wrote,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

I know we are all human, make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Are you living a good life? Above all are you obeying the words of Jesus who said,

"So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" 

                                                          Matthew 7:12.

Please think about it.

That covers a lot

  That covers a lot

The apostle Peter wrote,

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12

This is something Christians particularly in North America don’t completely understand. They live in democracies that offer freedoms many in the world could only dream of.

Sadly many calling themselves Christians use that freedom wrongly.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13.

What is the sinful nature Paul is talking about here. I believe it’s disobeying the worlds of Jesus. Jesus who said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.

That covers a lot. 

I believe this means we must alway show unconditional love to all we come in contact with even if we disagree with them in any way. For it is only in showing unconditional love to those around us that we will win souls for Christ.

Please think about it.

Precious

Precious
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.
For me the most precious thing I have ever found is my faith in Christ Jesus. It is to me that hidden treasure, or that fine pearl. As such I want to tell the world about Christ Jesus. Thus the reason for me writing this blog.
At the same time I get upset at men and women who call themselves Christians that by their actions clearly are not.
I firmly believe that many who call themselves Christians here in North America. Many who are called Christian leaders will hear the words of Jesus who said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
I believe many in the church community here in North America are suffering what one person said was “freedom”.
They use that freedom to attack other groups they disagree with. Which should not be. James the half brother of Jesus said,
“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.
It was Billy Graham the great American evangelist that said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                   Billy Graham.

Sadly many Christians especially within the so called evangelical community are judging the world around them. 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 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.
Sadly those claiming to be Christians do the opposite of what Paul tells them to do. They judge those outside the church and do not act against those who have done wrong or are not teaching sound doctrine within the church.
Please think about it.  

Are You?

Are you?
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.
This is what Christians call the great commission. Christ telling his disciples and through them all believers in Christ Jesus to make disciple of all nations.
In order to do this effectively we must follow the teachings of Christ.
1. We 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 neighbour as yourself.'  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.
2. We must not judge anyone especially if they are not believers in Christ Jesus, 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.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                       Billy Graham

3. We must obey the words of Jesus who said,

"So in everything, 

do to others

 what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" 

                                                            Matthew 7:12.

It is only by remembering these three things that we can be effective witnesses of Christ.
   It is only by making these three scriptures active in our daily life that we will win souls for Christ.
If you claim to be a Christian are you living the truths of these three scriptures in your daily life?
Please think about it.