Sardis

  Sardis

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

                                                                                     Revelations 3:1-6

Here unlike the churches mentioned before it in Revelations the Lord does not acknowledge good deeds first he says,

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. " 

The church had a reputation for being alive but was really dead. The Lords call to Sardis is to wake up. Strengthen what remains. Their work was not complete.

There are individual churches and denominations today who have reputations for being alive in Christ but on close examination you can see that they are falling short of what he wants. They are dead inside. 

Their work for God is not complete.

Churches today are declining and they wonder why the are losing members. The answer is quite simple usually. They are not dedicated to the word of God. They have watered down their teachings or they are placing too much emphasis on the wrong things.

They are not feeding the flock.

People today are looking for meaning in life and the Christ offers that meaning. Sadly all too many churches are not presenting the ways of Christ in the right way.

Some are falling into the trap of do’s and don’ts. Some are mixing the word of God with other teachings. 

Some are preaching a “feel good” gospel. Telling people God wants them to be happy, healthy and wealthy. The so called prosperity doctrine. Telling their followers if they aren’t there is something wrong with them.

There are however as Christ points out those within every denomination and church congregation that still love and serve the Lord. Jesus saying,

“They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.”

We need to be very aware of what is happening in our walk with the Lord. A church congregation can seem alive yet be dead.

We need to examine what is being said and done correct the wrong and draw closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Please think about it.  

Immorality in the church

 Immorality in the Church

Here in the book of Revelations we read a letter to the church at Thyatira 

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  

So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come. 

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— 

just as I have received authority from my Father.  

I will also give him the morning star.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 2:18-29

The church at Thyatira is commended for their love, faith, service and perseverance in the faith. That they were even doing more than when they first believed in Christ.

That being said, Jesus states,

“...I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality...” 

This church is tolerating a woman named Jezebel. Some say that may be a real name or a nickname equating her to Jezebel in first and second Kings in the Old Testament. Either way it doesn’t matter if it was her name or a nickname. What this person is doing is teaching falsely and leading people into sexual immorality. 

As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot tolerate sexual morality in any form.

Sadly for many years churches and denominations have covered up sexual immorality in their ranks. This should not be so. 

Our church congregations, denominations, our pastors, evangelist and teachers should as far as is humanly possible be examples of good moral behavior.

The apostle Paul tells us,

“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. 2Timothy 2:15.

The apostle Paul also makes it clear,

“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.

James the half brother of Jesus wrote,

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:21.

The reward for following the moral path and keeping our faith strongly rooted in Christ Jesus is that we will rule with him. Jesus saying the Church at Thyatira 

 “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations” Revelations 2:26.

Thus I would ask this question. 

Do you or your church tolerate immorality in any form?

Please think about it.

The Call to Repentance

 The call to repentance

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.

Here we have Christ speaking to the church at Pergamum a city that was full of emperor worship among other things. A church surrounded by paganism. 

Christ points out that one of the things He has against them is they tolerate the teachings of Balaam. A reference to the old testament were Balaam advised the king of Moab to seduce the Israelites into sexual sin and spiritual adultery.

At the same time the Nicolaitans while opposed in Ephesus, were spreading sexual and spiritual adultery in Pergamum.

Christs call is to get rid of such teachings or He will intervene.

There are many churches here in the western democracies today that tolerate false teaching in their midst. The call to the church at Pergamum is a call to those churches who allow false teaching in their midst without correcting it.

Thus the question becomes to anyone reading this; Take a few minutes to assess the church and denomination that you are part of. Do they allow false teaching. Teaching that is not from the bible. Teaching that is not from Christ?

Please think about it.

 

The Church at Smyrna

 The church at Smyrna

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.

Here is one of only two churches mentioned in Revelations that Christ does not criticize. Christs states that while they may seem to live in poverty. It is quite the opposite. They are rich. 

Christ tells them that some of them are about to go to prison, and suffer persecution. Yet He reminds them that if they stay faithful to the point of death they will receive a crown of life.

This is happening around the world today in the twenty-first century. There are many believers in Christ Jesus who are being persecuted, jailed, placed in prison camps even put to death for the name of Jesus.

These believers have the assurance from Christ that they will receive a crown of life.

As believers in the western democracies we should be praying for the persecuted church around the world. 

For as brother Andrew a famous evangelist and bible smuggler once said, “our prayers go where we cannot.”

Please don’t just think about it. 

Pray for the persecuted church now.

The church at Ephesus

 The church at Ephesus

The book of Revelations widely believed to be written by the apostle John speaks of seven individual Churches. 

The first Church addressed is Ephesus John writes,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.  

But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Revelations 2:1-7.

It has been said that each church addressed in the book or Revelations is representative of Churches that have existed throughout history and are around today. Further more one can personalize these churches. 

Thus we can look at what is said to each of the churches in Revelations and see if it is like the church congregation, denomination or church movement we attend. At the same time we can look at ourselves and see if we are acting like the church described. 

Here the Ephesian church is commended for what they have gone through, for their hard work. Jesus commends them for not tolerating wicked men. For their testing of false prophets. He even commends them for hating the practices of the Nicolaitans a group of heretics.

Jesus then says,

"I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."

Our first love as believers must always be God.

It is possible for a church or an individual to seem to be doing everything right yet not be truly following God.

Thus I would ask you the reader, if you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, examine yourself, and the congregation you attend. Then ask yourself am I like the church at Ephesus? Is the congregation or denomination I am a part of like the church at Ephesus?

Please think about it.

No fear in Love

 No fear in love,

In 1John we read,

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 

“We love because he (Jesus) first loved us.  

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  

And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”1John 4:18-21.

So the question becomes do you love your brother? 

In 1Corinthians we read what true Christian love is. It 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. 

Is this the kind of love you show to those around you?

Please think about it.

Scripture to live by #2

 Scripture to live by #2

A word from the apostle Peter,

"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.

As I posted in my previous blog Christians are live at peace with the world around us. Peter tell us that we are “aliens and strangers” in this world and as such we are to live good lives within the society God has place us in.

In the book of Galatians we read what a good life is. It states,

"But of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians5:22,23.

When people see the fruit of your spirit what do they see?

Please think about it.

A scripture to live by

  A Scripture to live by

The apostle Paul writes,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18-21. 

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you follow this scripture?

Do you do your best to live at peace with those around you?

Do you feed your enemy?

Do you as far as is possible live at peace around you?

Do you do your best to overcome evil with good?

Please think about it.

Christians believe

 Christians believe.

In the gospel of John we read.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

In a nutshell I believe Jesus is God incarnate Saviour of all who believe in him. What I believe is stated in the Apostles Creed that while not written by an Apostle states what I and the majority of Christians believe. It states,

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

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

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

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

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

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

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

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

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

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

The duty of a Christian

  The duty of a Christian

In Matthews Gospel we read,

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.

Sometimes I think we as Christians put to many labels on who we are. Some say their a Baptist. Some an Anglican. Others Mennonite. Some call themselves evangelical.

The truth is a Christian is evangelical by nature. As we read above in Matthew 28:18-20 believers in Christ Jesus are to go into the world and tell anyone who will listen to them about what they believe.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Confessing Jesus

  Confessing Jesus 

In the book of Romans the apostle Paul states,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10:9-13.

Is this you? Do you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in you heart God raised him from the dead? Do you trust Jesus?

We who live in the twenty-first century have never seen Jesus in the flesh, nor seen his Myricales. For us it’s a purely faith thing. We either believe or we don’t.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.... 

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 11:1,6.

So where is your faith?

Please think about it.

Small is the gate

 Small is the gate

Jesus said,

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13,14.

There are many people in the world that say they know the way to heaven. That being said which is the right way?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"There is a way that seems right to a man

 but in the end it leads to death proverbs"

                                                                  Proverbs 14:12.

Jesus replying to his apostle Thomas said,

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

This is a bold claim. A claim everyone who hears the gospel message must decide for themselves is right or wrong.

What do you believe?

Please think about it.

Heir of all things

 Heir of all things

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,(Jesus) whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.

Here the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus is “the radiance of God the exact representation of his being,...”

In the Gospel of John we read,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the apostles and those close to Jesus had no doubt that Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.

Thus the question becomes do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Jesus is

  Jesus is

In John’s Gospel we read,

"Jesus said to her, (martha)"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

In Matthews Gospel we read,

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:13-16

In the book of Acts we read Peter saying,

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:36-39.

So who is Jesus? Those close to him Martha, Peter and the other apostles believed him to be the Christ, the Messiah.

The apostle Paul tells us why Jesus came to this earth. In Romans he writes, 

"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.

Do you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, who died for your sins?

Please think about it.

Jesus the Christ

 Jesus the Christ

In the gospel of Matthew we read,

“Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"  

But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 

"Yes, it is as you say,"Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.  

What do you think?" "He is worthy of death,"” they answered. Matthew 26:62-66.

Jesus knew what the penalty for claiming to be the Christ, the Messiah, was. Yet he never denied that he was the messiah, God incarnate. 

I like what C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,

"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.

So who do you think Jesus is, a lunatic, a great moral teacher, or the Son of God, The saviour of all who would believe in Him?

Please think about it.

A duty to our Children

  A duty to our children

In the book or Proverbs we read,

“Train a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not turn from it.” 

                                                                        Proverbs 22:6.

In the Talmud we read,

“Whoever teaches his son teaches not only his son 

       but also his son's son, and so on to the end of generations.” 

                                                                                      The Talmud

I believe God has given every parent a duty to show our children the way they should go in life. I found this quote by Joshua Loth Liebman that to me expresses our duty to our children. It reads,

"Give your children unconditional love, a love that is not dependent on report cards, clean hands, or popularity.  

Give your children a sense of your whole-hearted acceptance, acceptance of their human frailties as well as their abilities and virtues. 

Give your children your permission to grow up to make their own lives independent of you.  

Give them a sense of truth; make them aware of themselves as citizens of a universe in which there are many obstacles as well as fulfilments.  

Bestow upon your child the blessings of your faith.  

These are the laws of honouring your son and your daughter.  

Out of these laws will be built the Declaration of Independence for the coming generation, a spiritual and emotional independence that, in turn, will make the world free, democratic, safe, creative".  Joshua Loth Liebman.

If you have children are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Above all put on Love

  Above all put on love

In the book of Colossians we read,

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14.

As Christians we are asked to clothe ourselves with...

Kindness

Humility,

Gentleness

Patience.

We are to forgive whatever grievances we my have against one another.

We are to forgive as the Lord forgave us.

And above all we are to put on love.

When you look at your life or when others look at your life do you and they see these attributes in your life.

You are my God

 You are my God

The Psalmist writes,

“You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

 you are my God, and I will exalt you. 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever.” 

                                                         Psalm 118:28,29

If you claim to be a Christian you in all sincerity do what the Psalmist is saying here?

Do you truly believe all that is said here?

Please think about it.

Correctly handling Gods Word

 Correctly handling Gods Word

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 need to take a good look at the pastors evangelist and Christian teachers we follow. We need to check if they are handling the scriptures correctly. We need to not just read the Bible but study it as well. We need to take time to pray and listen to what God is saying to us through the scriptures.

Many false preachers will quote, 

“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

That is true when we are looking at those outside the church and judging where they are going to spend eternity.

The apostle Paul however writes,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.

Sadly many false teachers, preachers and evangelist hide behind twisted words. They say what they feel will make there listeners feel good. Words that are not correctly interpreted scripture. Words that are often meant to mislead people or enrich their own pockets.

Now within Christianity there are some minor differences in interpreting scripture and there is nothing wrong with that. 

The problem come when the false teachers say things that are far from what the Bible teaches. It is such teachers that need to be expelled from the church. 

 The apostle Paul states,

“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.”  2 Timothy 2:15

Question: Are you handling the word of God correctly?

Please think about it.

The need for Christ

  The need for Christ

The apostle Paul wrote

"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

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading. People are becoming lovers of self. And have been doing so for many years.

Sadly in 2026 there are many calling themselves Christians who have twisted the words of the Bible to suite their own philosophy or to enrich themselves. 

While going through my wife’s books. My wife being the ultimate book worm. I found a book called the essentials in Christian Faith by John B. Harrington. The book could have been written yesterday so relevant is its message. Yet it was written in 1958.

Harrington quotes Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948 he writes,

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted. And the solution to the problem. The only solution is the love of Christ Jesus.

Jesus said,

"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.

True Christianity is built on love. Jesus when asked,

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

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.

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.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it.