Are you living like this?

 Are you living like this?

Writing to the Galatians Paul states,

“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

  This is what it is to be a Christian. They are signs of a true Christian. If we are truly following Christ people will see these things in our life and be drawn to God.

  The apostle Peter said,

  “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.

  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 12:14

 

  If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?

  Please think about it.

Are you making

 Are you making

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?

Are you making every effort to treat those around you the way you would have others treat you?

Please think about it.

Are you?

Are you?
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.

Sadly from my perch here in Canada I see many Christians who are not following what the writer of Hebrews is saying here.
Many are mixing their faith with politics something Jesus and the apostles never did. Many are speaking out against any group they disagree with. In some cases they are even trying to remove or restrict the rights of others given to them by a lawfully elected government.
Doing this is not an act of holiness. Nor is it living at peace with all men.
When we try to restrict the rights of others. We are turning them against us. 
If we as Christians as followers of Christ Jesus truly believe the words of Jesus when he said,
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31.(NASB).
Then by trying to restrict the rights of others we are saying to them they have the right to do that to us.
Sadly here in North America where I live and particularly in the United States people like to say “I have my rights” “I have the right to do as I wish”.
That may be so. But doing as ‘you’ wish may not win souls for Christ. In fact it might do just the opposite.
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.
Living good lives among none believers means living with people who’s belief system or way of life may be different from our own. It may be living with a government who gives rights to those with whom we disagree.
Certainly the apostle Paul, all the disciples and even Jesus lived in a world in which the government gave rights to those with whom they disagreed.
Paul for example went to Corinth a city know for it’s temple prostitutes and other abhorrent lifestyles. He stood in the Areopagus in Athens and preached the word of God. A city that had temples to dozen of Gods that Paul would have thought appalling. Yet neither he or any of the apostles spoke out against the religious practices or lifestyles of those around them.
Quite the contrary Jesus and the apostles sat down with those they disagreed with and presented the word of God in peaceful, loving manner.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said of the disciples,
“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
Thus my question to anyone who claims to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus; is your heart right side up?
Are you living at peace with those around you living as holy life as you possibly can?
Please think about it. 

Live good lives

Live Good Lives
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.
Peter here calls believers in Christ Jesus, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation belonging to God...”
He commands believers to abstain from sinful desires, to live good lives among those around us.
Jesus 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,” Matthew 5:43,44
He goes on to say,
“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?  
   Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:46-48.
We are to live lives that are better than those around us.
One of the criticisms I have heard consistently over the years is about Christians is that they do not live their life any better than those around them. And in some cases the life they live is worse than the people around them.
We have an obligation as believers in Christ Jesus to live a life that is as good and holy as possible. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.
Thus the questions every individual who believes in Christ Jesus must ask themselves is, Am I living a good and holy life?
Do people see Christ in my life without me saying a word?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles #4 Living at Peace

Christian Principles #4 living at Peace
Live at Peace with those around you.
The apostle 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 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 tells believers in Christ Jesus,
“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.
Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness.
As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love.
In doing so they opened up doors to talk with other groups throughout the known world. As a result in just over a century, Christianity had spread throughout the known world.
These men and women by living a peaceful loving life stood in the Areopagus in Athens and spoke to the learned men and women there. They spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society from slaves to rulers.
This is what we in the twenty-first century church need to do. Are you?
Please think about it.

A Privilege and Responsibility

A privilege and responsibility.
The apostle John speaking of Jesus tells us,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
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.” 1 Peter 2:9  
Here is something all believers in Christ must remember,
If we believe in Jesus, we are children of God. Not only that we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation belonging to God. That is an incredible privilege and a great responsibility.
The apostle Peter telling us our responsibility before God. Saying,  “...that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1Peter 2:9b
It is we who are to declare the praises of Christ Jesus to the world. Jesus speaking to His disciples 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.
In order to do this well we must remember the words of the writer of Hebrews who 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

        It is our job as believers in Christ, to, as far as possible, live at peace with all men. To tell all who will listen to us about the Love of God and the eternal life God offers through Jesus Christ.
Please think about it.

Sometimes

Sometimes
I believe it was Harper Lee in her book to Kill a Mockingbird who said,
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of another...”― Harper Lee.
As a Christian now for over forty years living in North America, I believe she is right. There may well be many people directed down the pathway to Hell because of what someone with a Bible in their hand has said.
A man with a bottle of whisky at worst gets himself drunk and in trouble. A man with a Bible in his hand using it wrongly can have eternal consequences for both the person and others he associates with.
The apostle Paul writes,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, 

a workman who does not need to be ashamed 

and who correctly handles the word of truth.  

Avoid godless chatter, 

because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 

2 Timothy 2:15,16

Sadly many calling themselves Christians do not follow what Paul says. Nor do they follow 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

These people who claim to be Christian are in the streets, in the media and in church congregations. They are known particularly by those outside the church for their judgmental attitudes.
They from their perches in the media preach against those with different lifestyles, and beliefs. They condemn everyone who does not agree with them including Christians.
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.
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.

I like what Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

                      Billy Graham

This is something anyone who claims to be a Christian needs to remember.
As Christians we should be known for what we are for not for what we are against. We should be presenting the message of God’s love through Christ Jesus. The disciples and the first century church did this. Billy Graham said of these men and women,
“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.
These early followers were in a society that was at least if not more diverse than our society here in North America in the twenty-first century.
It was filled with god’s of all descriptions including emperor worship. Men and women died in the arena’s for the entertainment of others. Yet the men and women of the early church did not speak out against them. Nowhere in the New Testament do we here of Jesus or the apostles speak against the secular Roman government.
True they spoke against the Jewish religious leaders but at the time they were a sect of Judaism and thus had that right.
In the first century Christians were known for what they were for Pliny the Younger Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor wrote to the Emperor Trajan wanting to know what to do about Christians.  It is one of the earliest known references to Christians and he describes them this way,
"They 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.
Essentially their actions seemed harmless. Never-the-less the decision was made to persecute them and to put them to death simply because they were Christians.
The important thing here to note is from Pliny’s report they were doing nothing against the Emperor or Rome in general. They were simply put to death because of who they were.
As Christians to day people who have Bibles in our hands it is important that we present what is in it correctly to those around us.
It is important that our words and our deeds reflect that of Jesus.
The Apostle Peter writes,
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 telling us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.

The Greatest is Love

The Greatest is Love
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 
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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 
  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
Someone has said that the apostle Paul here in 1 Corinthians 13 gave the perfect definition of Love.
He makes it clear that the greatest gift is Love.
 Jesus who 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 also 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
As Christians we are called to a life and lifestyle of love.  We believe God set the example. Jesus speaking of himself 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.” John 3:16,17.
Jesus also 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.
We as individuals want unconditional love shown toward us. Therefore it is only logical that we show unconditional love toward others.
Unconditional love to my mind is the purest form of holiness and 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 12:14
Question: Are you showing unconditional Love to those around you?
Please think about it.

Live as Jesus did

Live as Jesus did
The apostle John writes,
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:  
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1John 2:3-6.
As I read this the statement “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” jumped out at me. The question that arose in my mind is,
Are you living as Jesus did?
Jesus not only lived a pure life. Jesus associated with everyone irrespective of what they believed or their status in society. Jesus associated with prostitutes, Roman soldiers, tax collectors and sinners. Yes and even religious leaders.
Jesus never protested against anything. He never spoke against anyone outside his own faith. While he spoke to correct the religious leaders of his day he never spoke against secular Roman law or the governing secular authorities.
Jesus showed love to all. Thus the question becomes,
Are you loving as Jesus loved?
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 told his believers,

“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

If you claim to be a Christian are you obeying the words of Jesus?
Are walking as Jesus walked?
Would someone of another faith or lifestyle or from another culture see the true Jesus in your life?
Would they truly see the unconditional love of Jesus reflected in your life.
Or would they say as Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful,

 but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                                                    Mahatma Gandhi
Please think about it. 

My job is to Love

My job is to Love
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

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 also 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,...” 

Matthew 5:43,44

The apostle Paul defined love as,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

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

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.

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer all Christians need to take to heart. He wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of your 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;

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.

                                                                         The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.
If you claim to be a Christian, are you truly loving unconditionally, those around you?
Please think about it.

Add to your faith"

Add to your faith

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2Peter 1:3-11.
The Apostle Peter tells us plainly,
The ways of the world are filled with desires that quite often run contrary to what God wants for us.
He is telling us that through Christ we have everything we need for life an godliness. That he has given us “his very great and precious promises. That we may “escape the corruption of this world”.
Peter then tells the believer,
“...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”
He notes,
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is important as believers in Jesus, that we have a disciplined life. That we make every effort to live a life acceptable to Christ. As 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 12:14   

This is a constant theme throughout the teachings of the Jesus and the apostles. Live a life of faith, goodness, love, kindness, self-control, godliness and holiness.
Peter goes on to say
“But if anyone does not have them, (goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, Love) he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
He tells the believer that they should make sure of what they believe and how they act. That their life, lifestyle and actions line up with what Jesus wants for their life.
The reward for doing so as Peter states is
“For if you do these things, you will never fall,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
If you claim to be Christian you need to take a few minutes right now alone with God.
 We all make mistakes. We all fall short of what God wants for our lives. Thus we all need to take some time every now and then to ask God to show us how we can do more for him.
Please think about it.

For God

For God
The Apostle Peter writes,
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4: 7-11
Here is a simple message to all who believe in Jesus Christ. He makes the statement “the end of all things is near”
Peter and the early church believed Christ’s return was immanent. They, I’m sure, had no concept of the monumental task that was at hand with respect to taking the gospel to the whole world. Still this worked in their favour. They gave spreading of the gospel precedent. They proclaimed the good news of Jesus as if he was returning the next day. The result being, within a century or less the salvation message of Christ had reach all the Roman empire and beyond.
This is a lesson we as Christians in the twenty-first century should take to heart. We need to give precedent to presenting the Salvation message of Jesus to the world and not get side tracked with other issues.
   Peter also calls on Christians to love other Christians deeply and to be hospitable. In doing these things we honour God.
He then states,
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
These were all things done in the early church. They lived their faith in full view of everyone, and people noticed. The book of Acts records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common.  
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
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 2:42-47.
Even non-Christians noted what they did Pilney
Pliny the Younger governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor wrote to the Emperor Trajan (98 to 117 AD), wrote,
"They 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...”Piliny the younger.
Billy Graham the American evangelist 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.
We as twenty-first century Christians need to remember this. We need to live our lives in full view of all. We need to live lives wholly acceptable to Jesus. We need to follow what the writer of Hebrews said,

“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 you claim to be Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Live in Harmony

Live in Harmony
The Apostle Peter wrote,
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8-12
Here is excellent advice for all Christians. “...live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing”
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus are you doing this. Time and time again throughout the New Testament the writers tell us to live at peace with all men. To live holy lives. The early church did this.
Piliny the younger, a none-Christian, writing to the emperor Trajan (Roman Emperor 98 to 117 AD.) about believers in Christ wrote,
"They 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 do 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...”Piliny the younger.
The early church, the early believers in Jesus put into practice the word of Jesus and the apostles. As a result they reached the world for Christ.
Billy Graham the American evangelist 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.
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus is your heart “right side up”?
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 12:14

As believers in Jesus we are the lense through which those in the world around us will see Jesus, will see God.
What is your life telling those around you about God?
Please think about it.

You Are

You are
Here is a portion of Scripture I have quoted many times in my blogs over the years. It is something all Christians need to realize and take to heart. 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
Peter makes clear believer in Christ are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful love.”
We are a royal priesthood. However that sadly is not what some groups see Christians as. Sadly as I heard one person say “some calling themselves Christians, act more like street thugs determined to get their way no matter what.”
When I looked at it from the point of view of a woman having to walk through the lines of protestors at an abortion clinic, or from the standpoint of those in the LBGTQ community, who see those claiming to be Christians protesting against them, wanting to take away their rights. I can see where the person is coming from.
As Christians we should not be protesting against anything that does not take away our rights or the rights of others.
Peter said,
“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.” 
If statistics are right Christians are the most persecuted faith on the planet. It is estimated a Christian dies for his faith every three to seven minutes somewhere in the world.
We as Christians are “aliens and strangers in the world...” we have no right to protest or judge those outside our faith. 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

Christians have no right to judge. We are God’s messengers in this world. The job given to believes in Christ is simple 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.
Jesus also 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 as a follower of Christ, I with all I know about Jesus and God. I would want others to tell me about all God has to offer if I didn’t already know.
I would not want people to judge me, to force their faith or way of life on me. I would not want them demonstrating against me if I am doing something lawful.
I would want to have free and open dialogue with them something that cannot be done while holding placards in a protest.
As Christians we must remember the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,

“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.

Please think about it.

Be Holy

Be Holy
Peter the apostle wrote,
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16.
Here is a simple principle all Christians need to understand. As believers in Christ we are called to be holy.
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 12:14.

Peter tells us how we can be holy. He states,
“...prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires...”
To be holy is to love God and your fellow man unconditionally. It is doing to others what you would want them to do to you.
It is following 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
Jesus who 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
It is doing what Jesus called us to do 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44
It is living a life that points people by our words and deeds to God.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ, are you living such a life?
Please think about it.

We Need To

We need to
The other day I was reading the apostle Pauls second letter to Timothy and these few lines jumped out at me. They said,
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2Timothy 1:13,14.
Paul is telling Timothy to pattern his teaching after Paul’s own teaching. Sadly in this day and age many evangelist, pastors and others claiming to be Christians do not pattern their teaching after the apostle Paul.
If we look at Paul’s teaching we see a number of things we as Christians need to do.
When we look at Paul speaking in Athens in the Areopagus Acts chapter seventeen. We see Paul did not speak against anything the Athenians believed in. He met them where they were at. He noticed a temple to an unknown God. Using that as a starting point he proclaimed the gospel of Christ. He said,
"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:23-31.
Paul proclaimed the gospel message without criticizing the Athenians beliefs. He even won souls for Christ that day and left people wanting to hear more.
 Paul was very big on staying on message and not criticizing those outside the church. He said,

“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 

 When Paul corrected anyone it was always Christians never those outside the Church.
Paul points out,
“No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”  2 Timothy 2:4.
Christians need to remember this we are in an army that proclaims the Love of God. We for the most part should not be getting involved in secular affairs.
Sadly many in the North American church it seems like to criticize those outside the church. They tend to mix particularly secular politics and their faith. This should not be so.
Someone once said “mixing politics and religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable, the gasoline unusable, and the whole mixture explosive and damaging.”
If we as Christians in the twenty-first century are to reach people for Christ we need to stick to the pure message of the gospel. We need to heed the words Paul wrote to Timothy when he said,
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2Timothy 1:13,14.
We need to follow the advice of the writer of Hebrews who said,
“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.
Please think about it.

God and the Christian

God and the Christian
The apostle Paul writes,
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all men the testimony given in its proper time. 1Timothy 2:1-6
Here Paul tells Christians to pray make intercession and thanksgiving for everyone. Paul even notes we should pray for those in authority that we may live in peace. That such a thing pleases God.
Paul notes there is but one God and Mediator between God and men Christ Jesus. That Jesus that gave himself a ransom for all men.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
Jesus died for all men. That is why Christians need to pray for our leaders. To pray that we can live in peace. For it is in times of peace that the gospel of Christ can spread the fastest.
Christianity is not a faith that promotes conflict. Quite the opposite the early church founders all talked about living in peace with all people. The apostle Peter states,
“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.
To be a Christian we can do nothing less.
We are to pray for our leaders, both those inside and outside the church. We are to pray for our secular political leaders and for all those around us no matter who they are in the church or on the streets around us.
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 12:14.
If you claim to be a Christian this is what you should be doing.
Please think about it.

Make Every Effort

Make every Effort
“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.
This is a message directed solely at Christians. A Christian is called to live at peace will all men. To be holy. To be holy means living life in a way God would be pleased with. By holy it means living your life for God, not constantly quoting scripture at every opportunity and pounding people figuratively over the head with the Bible.
Christians are called to live lives that are acceptable to God. Doing our best to show others by our life and lifestyle the way to heaven.
As Francis of Assisi said,

Preach the Gospel at all times 

and 

when necessary use words.

Francis of Assisi   

The apostle Peter tells Christians,
“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.
This is the call of Christ to all Christians. Jesus lived such a life so should we.
Indeed be we a Christian or non-Christian, if everyone did their best to live a peace with those around them, the world would be a much better place.
Please think about it.

As a Christian

As a Christian
Jesus when asked,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it:

 ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Matthew 22:36-40

As a Christian

You must do this.

“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,...”

 Matthew 5:43,44

As a Christian 

you must do this.

The apostle Paul tells us,

“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

As a Christian 

you must love like this.

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

As a Christian 

you must do this.

The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,

“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

As a Christian 

you cannot afford to do less.

Please think about it.

Children of God

Children of God,
Matthew’s Gospel records,
“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.  
Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”  
Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:46-50.
The apostle John speaking of Jesus and those who would believe in Jesus, in his Gospel states,

“Yet to all who received him, 

to those who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God—  

children born not of natural descent, 

nor of human decision or a husband’s will, 

but born of God. 

John 1:12, 13.

This is a key belief of Christians. We believe that by accepting by faith Jesus into our hearts and lives we become Children of God.
The Apostle Paul states,

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,  

for all of you who were baptized into Christ

 have clothed yourselves with Christ.  

There is neither 

Jew nor Greek, 

slave nor free, 

male nor female, 

for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

Galatians 3:26-28.

As a Christian I take this seriously. As believer in Christ, I and all who call themselves Christians must at all times bring glory to God.
The writer of Hebrews telling Christians,

“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.

Please think about it.