A Christian Obligation

A Christian Obligation
Lately I have seen a lot of people calling themselves Christians especially in the United States who are not acting like Christians. Who are not following the teachings of Jesus.
Mahatma Gandhi once said of some Christians he met,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful,

 but you Christians 

 you are not like him.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Sadly the political climate in the United States seems to have brought out the worst in many people. What however upsets me is those claiming to be Christians are letting themselves get dragged into the intolerance that seems to be permutating American society today.
I think it’s time that Christians, especially those who claim to be evangelical Christians to look at the teachings of Jesus,
Luke’s gospel records this teaching of Jesus,
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 
He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37.
It should be noted here that Samaritans and Jews in the day of Jesus held a disliked each other they seen themselves as enemies. Yet the Samaritan in this case showed compassion on this injured man.
Today that injured man represents refugees fleeing the horrors of war. They are men women and Children of all faiths, and lifestyles who are in need of the love and saving grace of Jesus.
The way I see it the priest and the Levite are all too often those who claim to be  Christians but are not. People who claim to have the love of Christ in their hearts. Yet would rather see people who are fleeing war and persecutions, who are of other faiths, and lifestyles die than show love and compassion for them.
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.
What Jesus said covers everything. Every man, woman and child no matter their faith, their lifestyle or the station in life are our neighbours. And even if they are our enemies Jesus said we are to love them.
The apostle Paul defines 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.
If we are not living up to Paul’s definition of love then we need to make changes in our life.
The apostle Peter states,
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”  1Peter 2:16.
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.
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 we are not showing unconditional love to those around us, no matter who they are, we are not following Christ’s example.
 Jesus who even on the cross prayed for those who had just crucified him saying. “...“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing....” Luke 23:34a. This is the kind of love we must have.
As Christians we have the answer to terrorism, hate, and bigotry, “the Love of Jesus” the “Love of God” who loved us so much he sent his son to die for us,
Martin Luther King jr. the great civil rights leader once said,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming

 an enemy into friend.” 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you claim to be a Christian you need to be showing unconditional love. Otherwise you are nothing more if not worse, than the priest and Levite that left the injured man to die in Christ’s story.
Please think about it.

Not the Healthy

Not the Healthy,
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:9-13.
Here is a concept that quite often is lost on some in the church today and I think especially on many within the evangelical church today.
I’ve been in churches over the years where the soul purpose of the congregation seems to have been to have a good time singing hymns and songs and feeling good about themselves. They feel good that they can praise God and have praised God. Which is a good thing. However such congregations need to remember that the purpose of the church is not just to praise and worship God but to evangelize and make disciples.
In addition to this group I’ve also heard many calling themselves Christians speaking out against those they disagree with even to the point of trying to restrict the rights of other groups they deem not to be Christian. This should not be so.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
“It is the Holy Spirits job to convict of sin, God’s job to judge, my job to love.” Billy Graham.
The apostle Paul 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.
Christians are to look after their own house if you will. Ensure that the word of God is being taught correctly. It is the Christians job to present the gospel to whoever will listen to us. To sit down and have dialogue with all people without judging them.
This is what Jesus was doing when he was sitting with the tax collectors. He who had the right to judge them did not.
Jesus told his detractors,
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice...”
As Christians we should be showing mercy toward those who do not believe as we do. Not speaking against them as the religious leaders did in this incident.
It is essential that we show love to all we come in contact with. Only in doing this can we truly reach people for Christ. Which is the primary duty of all Christians.
Please think about it.

Christian Values

Christian Values?
Someone asked me to give them a basic list of Christian values. Here is a basic list I came up with that I believe marks a Christian.
1/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.
2/ “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.
3/ 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.
4/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.
5/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.
6/ 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.
7/ The Apostle Peter wrote,
”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 2:12.
These are true Christian values that if someone claims to be Christian must follow. There is no compromise.
The Christian life is one of Love, for God, our neighbour even our enemy. The apostle Paul defines 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.  
I t 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.
Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul tells them and Christians everywhere that,

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.

 Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  

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.....”

 Romans 12:9-20a 

The writer of Hebrews tells Christians plainly,

“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

Anyone claiming to be a Christian must follow these the principles. They must be reflected in the life of a Christian each and every day.
Please think about it.

Do you Love?

Do you Love?
The apostle Paul writes,

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honor one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud,

 but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone. 

Romans 12:9-18

Words for Christians to live by.
 So if you claim to be a Christian do you live by them. Is your love for all people sincere or dose it come with conditions? Do you cling to what is good?
Take a few minutes to meditate on each line of the above scripture. There are dozens of questions that come out of it.

Do you honour others above yourself? 

Are you zealous in serving God? 

Are you joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer? 

Do you help people in need? 

Practice hospitality? 

Bless those who persecute you? 

Rejoice with those who rejoice? 

Mourn with those who mourn?

Are you willing to associate with people from all positions in life 

even if that is a person living on the street,

 a drug addict,

 or simply a person of poor estate? 

Are you conceited thinking you know best in all situations? 

Do you repay evil for evil?

Do you do what is right in the eyes of everybody? 

Do you as far as depends on you live at peace with all people?

If you claim to be Christian you need to be asking yourself these questions. You need to be asking yourself do others see Christ’s love reflected in me?
Jesus made things very simple when He 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.

You should never be doing something to anyone that you would not want done to you. If you claim to be Christian you need to truly love. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,

“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.

This is I believe God’s ideal for love. I also believe although we may fall short of God’s ideal, it is possible to practice the kind of love the Apostle Paul is talking about here.
Showing such unconditional love to all people is I firmly believe, one step toward a holy life and as 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.

Please think about it.

A Truth, Love

A Truth, Love
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The reason Jesus came into this world is to reconcile man to God. 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 speaking to His disciples and through them to all Christians 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.
Notice Jesus did not say Christians are to judge the world. In fact 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.
It is only right that others can judge you by the same standard you judge them.
The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians are not to judge those outside their faith. He 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 are called to Love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. Only by doing this can we effectively tell people of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
How a Christian acts toward others may have eternal consequences. Someone calling themselves a Christian can do two things, force someone away from Christ, or bring someone to Christ. There is no middle ground.
If you consider yourself a Christian take a look at your actions. Do you truly love God, your neighbour and your enemy? It’s easy to say yes and give lip service, but do you truly love all people.
The Talmud while not a Christian book makes a good point when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud.
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”  Luke 16:19-31.
To my mind if you say you are a Christian and are not loving and showing the love of Christ to all people, friend, family and foe alike you are like that rich man.
Please think about it.

Stand with Olando

Stand with Orlando
Yesterday I heard a news report that anti-gay protesters from a church in Orlando were protesting against homosexuality at one of the funerals for one of these killed. They attended a church apparently and called themselves Christians.
As a Christian I am mortified that those claiming to be Christians would do such a thing. I do not know if these people are truly Christian or not. That is between them and God.
If however they are Christians they are misguided and insensitive to those who need to see the Love of Jesus. They exhibit the worst in Christians, which sadly seems to be the norm for many calling themselves particularly evangelical Christians both in the United States and Canada.
The apostle Paul 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.
According to what Paul says those people who protested against the LGBT community are wrong in doing so.
Jesus makes it clear
“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 these anti-gay demonstrators claim to be Christian then they must believe what Jesus said here in Matthew 7:12. Which leads to the conclusion that they would like people to demonstrate outside their church.
I have been a Christian for over forty years now. I have taught the Bible for most of those years. I do not see anywhere, where Christ or the apostles spoke against those outside of their faith. I do not see where they ever demonstrated against anything that was against their beliefs or moral values.
Jesus and his disciples showed unconditional love toward all people. It was Jesus who said 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.
Not only that 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
Love your God, your neighbour, and your enemy, pray for your persecutors. These are Christian values. Not standing with a placard judging people. That is not the role of any Christian.
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.
These words are very true and I believe those who protested against the LGBT community at that funeral will be judged according to how they judged.
I as a Christian however extend my prayers and condolences to the families of those who died and all those who were injured both physically and emotionally from the shootings.
My God bless you and shine His peace upon you.
Yours in Christ.
Neal W.

A fundamental Truth

A fundamental truth.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.’
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon,    quoted in Therefore Choose Life: Selected Sermons, Addresses and Writings of    Abba Hillel Silver, Volume One, edited by Herbert Wiesner (1997)
Hate we see it we see it everywhere. Many look at the acts of terrorist groups around the world and see hate in its extreme.
However hate is prevalent in all nations. We see it in everything from road rage incidents to murders to hate crimes, to various crimes of violence. Even in nonviolent ways where a person simply hates their next door neighbour.
Mankind it seems is good at hating people. Hate is easy. Showing love can be much, much more difficult, especially if someone disrespects you or does something against you. Yet we must love. For if we don’t our society will eventually fall into anarchy.
Jesus set the ideal for all people everywhere. Whether you believe who Jesus was or not you cannot disagree with what He taught.
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 however went one step further saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45.
The apostle Paul went on to define what true love is, saying,
“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.
Martin Luther King jr. a leader of the civil rights movement in the United States in the early 1960's said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
He was right. If we love God, our neighbour and even our enemy we can bring change to the world. This is what Jesus and the apostles taught.
Napoleon Bonaparte Emperor of France who tried to conquer Europe said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
Billy Graham said of the apostles of Jesus,
“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.
Love truly is the only way to change the world. All those who have ever hated and tried to conquer the world have failed and are assigned a note in history.
By contrast Jesus and His followers have showed love to the world and their work continues to this day. Christianity continues to grow even if places where it is persecuted.
Question do you show love to those around you?
What do you consider true love to be?
Please think about it.