Enter through the Narrow Gate

  Enter through the Narrow 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.

As a Christian. As a follower of Christ Jesus. I believe the path to heaven is narrow. I believe that there is only one path to heaven. Jesus 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.

I know there are many people in this world that will disagree with me. Many believe there are many ways to heaven. Which is fine. Everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe.

Likewise I believe God will judge everyone justly by what they know of Him. 

That being said. If I am wrong in my beliefs then no one needs to worry. 

On the other hand if I am right then at the very least those who hear about the saving grace that come from God through Christ Jesus, have a lot to think about.

Please think about it.

Against such there is no law

  Against such there is no law

In the book of Galatians we read,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

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 5:19-23 

Here we see defined the sinful nature and the Fruit of the Spirit. It is given to us so that we as true Christians. As true followers of Christ Jesus can tell right from wrong. It is in effect a black and white template for us to judge what is right and wrong.

Here’s a checklist for those who claim to be true followers of Jesus,

The fruit of the Spirit is,

Love 

Joy

Peace, 

Patience,

Kindness,

Goodness, 

Faithfulness,

Gentleness,

Self-control.

And as the writer points out there is no law against showing these attributes.

Are you showing the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit?

Please think about it.

Love according to the apostle Paul

Love according to the apostle Paul

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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 13:1-8a,13.

For me what the apostle Paul wrote here is strait forward. It defines Christian love. This how a Christian is suppose to Love. As God loved us, unconditionally.

Are you loving this way?

Please think about it.

God and your neighbour

 God and your neighbour

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

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

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

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

Jesus couldn’t have been more to the point. Loving God with all your heart and soul and mind. Is the greatest commandment. We should be loving God so much that we are willing to go to the grave for Him.

The second greatest commandment as Jesus points out is love your neighbour as yourself.

Thus the question arrises.

Do you truly Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and do you truly love your neighbour as yourself?

Please think about it.

How to know children of God

  How to know Children of God

The Apostle John writes,

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1John 3:10.

Here is a simple test to see who is a Christian. John states, “Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”

Do you know anyone who claims to be a believer in Christ Jesus and does not do what is right? 

Do any of the pastors, evangelist, politicians that you support fail to do right?

As believers in Christ Jesus. As Christs representatives on this earth we have a moral duty to do right at all times. As well as loving our neighbour the way God does, unconditionally.

Do you and those you support do this?

Please think about it.

Quick to listen Slow to anger

  Quick to listen Slow to anger

In the book of James we read,

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19,20.

Life can get “messy” at times. Quite often we find ourselves frustrated at someone or something. It’s easy to lash out in anger at someone who criticizes us or when things don’t go our way. But as James writes “...man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires”.

If you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, whether you like it or not people around you are watching you. Thus the need for those who believe in Christ to again as James states, “be slow to speak and slow to become angry”. Which for many of us can be hard.

Thus the need for us to get in the habit of praying. The apostle Paul reminding us to,

"Pray continually" 

                                          1Thessalonians 5:17.

I believe we should commit everything to prayer everything from the most mundane things in life to the most traumatic.

I believe that when we get into the habit of praying and asking for Gods wisdom and direction before we take action and listen for His guidance, we will be slow to anger. That anger inside us will turn into love and produce the righteous life God desires.

Are you slow to anger?

Before you act especially in anger, do you pray and take the situation you are in to God?

Please think about it.

Acknowledge sin

  Acknowledge sin

The Psalmist writes,

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you 

and did not cover up my iniquity. 

I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"

 and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” 

                                                                Psalm 32:5

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Sin separates us from God. But scripture tells us that if we confess our sins God will forgive us our sins. But God doesn’t stop there the apostle Paul reminds us,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

Writing to the Corinthians Paul states,

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

It was for us. You and me, that Christ died on the cross.

The apostle John writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

Thus the choice is ours.

Are you willing to confess your sins directly to God in prayer or not?

Please think about it.

What will God See?

  What will God see?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD,

 and he examines all his paths." 

                                                                      Proverbs 5:2.

I don’t believe the idea that God is a big old self-centred man with a big stick ready to hit us when we do wrong. We only have to read John 3:16,17 to know that. 

John 3:16,17 states,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16,17.

At the same time God is watching us and will judge us fairly in according to what He sees.

So my question to you is. When you stand before God and He examines your life What will God see?

Please think about it.

The way you love

  The way you love

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

Love is one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1,2. 

It is our duty as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus to Love as Christ Loved. Unconditionally. Our love should have no bounds.

The apostle Paul defines Christian love this way,

"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 way you love?

Please think about it.

Believers in Christ are to...

  Believers in Christ are to....

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. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17.

Here is a list of what true Christians. True believers in Christ Jesus should be doing.

We are to:

Clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Forgive whatever grievances we have with one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgives us.

We are to love.

Let the peace of Christ dwell in our hearts.

Let the word of Christ dwell richly in us.

We are to teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.

We are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

We are to sing with gratitude in our hearts to God.

We are to do all this in word and in deed, to God in the name of the                     Lord Jesus.

So here’s a simple question:

So if you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing what is listed above?

Please think about it.

Who welcomes

  Who welcomes 

Jesus said,

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” Mark 9:37.

When I read this I cannot help thinking of all the child refugees and their parents that are fleeing war and bad situations in their homeland. Innocent people who only want to live in peace. And while I get the need for border security. I also think we as Christians need to do what is right. We should not be getting political and demanding the borders be closed and legitimate refugees sent back to unsafe conditions.

We should however be doing all we can to help those refugees both before they reach our borders and at our borders. 

Having said that there are many Christian organizations that are doing just that. As true believers in Christ Jesus we may not be able to go to the refugees but we can contribute to those organizations that are doing their best to help those in need both outside our borders and inside.

Remember the words of Jesus I quoted above,

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not be but him to sent me” Mark 9:37.

In helping the innocent men women and children in the name of Christ we are receiving not just Christ but God the creator of the universe and everything in it.

Will you do what you can today to receive those in need?

Please think about it.

Instructions from Psalms and Proverbs

  Instruction from Psalms and Proverbs

The Psalmist writes,

"Come, my children, listen to me; 

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil 

and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it." 

                                                  Psalm 34: 11-14.

Here the Psalmist gives good simple advice. If you desire to see good days, you should...

Keep you tongue form evil.

Keep you lips from speaking lies.

Turn from evil and do good.

Seek peace and pursue it.

If you consider yourself a true Christian you need to follow this instruction from the Psalmist. An other thing we need to put in to action is along with what the Psalmist is saying is from the book of proverbs that states,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name

 in the sight of God and man.”

                                            Proverbs 3:3,4

Please think about it.

Let the morning bring

 Let the morning bring

The Psalmist writes,

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.” 

                                          Psalm 143:8.

No matter the circumstance we find ourselves in each morning. It is good to hear of God’s steadfast love. It is Good no matter where we find ourselves to know God is there for us. 

At the same time we should call on God each morning to show us the way we should be going. To direct us throughout the day, the week and beyond.

The Psalmist stating, 

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.” 

                                                 Psalm 121:1,2.

Does you help truly come from The LORD, Maker of heaven and earth?

Please think about it.

What The Lord requires of believers

  What the Lord requires of believers

The Prophet Micah states,

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.

Micah here makes it clear what God requires of all who believe in him.

We are to...

do justice,

love kindness,

walk humbly with God.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are these three halmarks of a believer part of your life?

Please think about it.

We must look at their life

  We must look at their life

Jesus said,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.

I live in North America were many say they are Christians but they are not. This I know can be confusing for non-Christians. After all anyone calling themselves a Christian is a Christian to them.

At the same time I believe there are many calling themselves Christian who are misled by the pastor, evangelist or teacher they are following. Something that can have eternal consequences.

I believe the best way to tell a true Christian is to look at their life and lifestyle.

In the book of Galatians we read,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

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 5:19-23. 

I firmly believe that we should not believe someone is a Christian simply because they say they are. We must look at their life. We must look to see if they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Please think about it.

What can I do?

  What can I do?

The Psalmist writes,

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10.

There is nowhere to run from God. Which ultimately means that God can and does guide us no matter where we are. If we are willing.

I know in the good times it’s easy to follow God. However it is in the bad times that we see the true believer shine.

When bad times hit we have too choices. 

One call out to God and ask Him why are you in the position you are in and complain about your circumstances saying “why me Lord?”

The other choice is to call of God and ask Him to be with you, guiding, directing and comforting you. Saying “what do you want me to do Lord?” Or, “What do you want me to learn today?”

When you go through hard times in life what do you do?

Please think about it.

Who do you associate with?

  Who do you associate with?

The apostle Paul writes,

“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

I find it interesting here that believers in Christ Jesus are allowed to associate with sexually immoral people, greedy, swindlers, idolaters. Who are outside the Church. Yet are not allowed to even eat with those who claim to be Christians and are sexually, immoral, greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards and swindler.

I think the reason is strait forward. Those who call themselves Christians and are sexually immoral people, greedy, swindlers, idolaters, are not true Christians.

In the book of Galatians we read,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

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 5:19-23.

As Christians especially those of us who live in North America we need to truly ask ourselves are we associating with those who call themselves Christians who are not?

Who do you associate with?

Please think about it. 

Keeping the Royal Law

 Keeping the Royal Law

In the book of James we read,

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right."James 2:8.

Are you doing right? 

Are you loving your neighbour as yourself?

I firmly believe it is the duty of a true believer in Christ Jesus to love those around them in the same way Jesus did, unconditionally.

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.

So are you loving your neighbour as yourself?

Please think about it.

Treat others the same way

 Treat others the same way

Jesus said,

"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31.

The meaning of this portion of Scripture is self explanatory. Treat others the way you want them to treat you. 

In Matthews gospel we see Jesus as saying it this way,

"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 call yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Jesus Christ you should be doing so.

So the question becomes do you treat others the way you want to be treated?

Please think about it.

About your attitude

  About Your Attitude

In the book of Philippians we read,

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:3-8.

Why do you do what you do?

Many people do what they do out of selfish ambition. They do things for the glory it gives them. They like waving and saying “look at me! Look how important I am!” All they are looking out for is themselves.

A true leader knows how to lift up those who are under him or her.  A good leader is in affect the servant of those under them.

This is especially so in the Church. Leaders need to look to the interests of those they are interacting with. As the apostle Paul states,

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8.

Do you humble yourself, considering others better than yourself?

Please think about it.