Christian Principles for living #3: Live at peace with those around you

  Christian Principles for living #3: 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 never got involved in politics.

They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love. 

While not compromising their beliefs they presented the gospel message in a none confrontational way. 

As a result they presented their beliefs to the common man in market places. 

They spoke to Jews and the God-fearing Greeks. 

The apostle Paul was asked by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers to present his beliefs in the Areopagus in Athens. Which the apostle Paul did. With positive results.

They also spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society, from slaves to rulers. With positive results.

As a result they reached the known world for Christ.

Their formula was simple. Stay on message. Present the unadulterated gospel message in a respectful, non-judgmental and peaceful way to anyone who will listen. 

And never, never, never judge those around you. 

Billy Graham the American evangelist made a wise statement when he said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                     Billy Graham

This is what we should do. Always remembering the words of Jesus who said,

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

Please think about it.

Christian Principle for living #1 Love

 Christian Principle for Living #1 Love

There are some very important precepts within Christianity that all true believers in Christ Jesus I believe must be following. The first is Love.

Jesus said when asked the question,

“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

Earlier in Matthews gospel we hear Jesus taking this concept of love one step further. 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.

When it comes to Love the Apostle Paul made clear what Christian Love should be. He 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 13:4-8a,13.

What these Scriptures from the New Testament say needs no interpretation. They make clear that believers in Christ Jesus should love unconditionally, God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. Not only that they should be praying for those who persecute them.

Thus the questions we as believers in Christ Jesus should be asking ourselves is; Am I loving all those with whom I come in contact with, friend, family or foe, in the way Jesus would have me love? Am I loving them in both word and deed?

Please think about it. 

I will Love

 I will love

Because...

The Bible says,

"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 11:6

I will...Have faith in God..

Because...

according to Romans 5:1,2: 

"...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God

 through our LORD Jesus Christ, 

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace 

which we stand, and rejoice in hope of glory of God."

I will rejoice in the glory of God...

Because... 

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40:

"...you shall love the LORD your God 

with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: 

"You shall love your neighbour as yourself.  

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I will love God, my family, my friends and my foes.

Because...

"He (God) first loved us."

1 John 4:19

I will...love God

Because...

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have everlasting life."  

John 3:16

I will...love God

Because... 

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

I will...love my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Because...

Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, 

and pray for those who spitefully use you."   

Luke 6:27,28

I will...love my enemies.

Because...

The Bible says, "Love suffers long and is kind: 

love does not envy; loves does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, 

is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

does not rejoice in iniquity, 

but rejoices in the truth; 

bears all things; believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things...

"Now abides faith, hope and love, 

these three; 

but the greatest of these is love.   

 I Corinthians 13:4-7 

I will...I will love Gods way. 

Unconditionally.

Bless

  Bless

To all those who have read my blogs throughout the years I would just like to thank you and dedicate this verse from the book of numbers.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" 

                                                                            Numbers 6:24-26.

Please in all you do throughout the coming year take time to bless someone. As our Lord and Saviour Christ 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.

Please don’t just think about it. 

Do it.  

Not life or death

 Not life or death

In the book or Romans we read,

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38,39

This simple statement from the apostle Paul is absolutely true. 

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.

So if you believe this do you believe what is written in the book of Ecclesiastes when it says,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

Please think about it. 

Shedding your light

 Shedding your light

The apostle John writes,

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1John 1:5-7.

Today is New Years Eve where we usher in the new year. A time to celebrate. For we Christians it gives us a chance to reflect on the past year while looking to the new.

Why not take time to praise God for what he has done for you in the past year. and to follow the light that is Christ Jesus. 

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

We, you, and me, as believers in Christ Jesus, are the light of the world. It is our job to spread the light that is the gospel message.

So why not take time today to pray and ask God where you can shed the light of the Gospel during this coming year?

Please think about it.

Purified?

 Purified?

The apostle John writes,

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1John 1:5-7.

This is how we can tell a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. A true follower of Christ. A True believer in God will as John states will not walk in darkness. They will not do evil things. They will show true love to God and to those around them. 

By walking in the light by believing in Christ Jesus our sins are purified by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.

Are you walking in God’s light?

Have you been purified from sin through the blood of Jesus?

Please think about it.

The God I serve

  The God I serve

In the book of Isaiah we read,

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God?

The Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable." 

                                                   Isaiah 40:28.

This is the God I serve. An almighty God who is everlasting, who never grows faint or weary. Not only that.

In the book of Psalms we read,

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.

Which tells me God knows me intimately. 

Is this the God you serve?

Please think about it

Let your gentleness

  Let your gentleness 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  

                                                                              Philippians:4:4,5.

This is what Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus should be. We should be rejoicing at all times. At the same time we should be known for our gentleness. 

Jesus didn’t want a physical fight. He didn’t tell us to verbally attack those with whom we disagree. He 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.

Are you doing this

Please think about it.

Our deeds shown in our faith

  Our deeds shown in our faith

In the book or Ecclesiastes we read,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

This should serve as a warning, particularly to those who claim to be Christians. To those who claim to be true followers of Christ Jesus. We all one day will stand before God and answer for what we have done.

True as Christians we believe we are saved by the grace of God. Through our faith in Christ Jesus. In the book of James however we read,

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."  James 2:17,18. 

So is your faith in God seen in the deeds you do?

Please think about it.

Somethings God requires

  Something’s God requires

             In the book or Romans we read,

"Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; 

cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves." 

                                                       Romans 12:9,10.

Here is something God requires of us as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus. The list is very simple to follow. We must,

  Show sincere love. 

Hate evil. 

Cling to what is good. 

Be devoted to fellow believers. 

Honour others above ourselves.

Is this what you are doing?

Please think about it.

Let love never leave you

 Let love never leave you

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:3,4.

So just what is true Christian love? The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

When people see your life is this the kind of love they see?

Please think about it. 

Moral Attributes

  Moral Attributes

                        The Psalmist writes,

"Your word is a lamp to my feet 

and a light for my path." 

                                                             Psalm 119:105

Man needs moral attributes for us to live by. The Bible provides those morals.  If we do not have moral absolutes, society will slip into a lawless abyss. 

We only have to look at world war two, where men and women did not obey the moral laws of God, caused tens of millions men, women and children to be murdered in death camps.

It is therefor imperative that we study the Bible and learn the laws God set down in order for society to function correctly.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

With Equity

  With Equity

In proverbs we read,

"Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Proverbs 96:10.

I like this portion of scripture. It tells me God is fair and just. That he will judge all people equally. God does not play favourites.

The reason God can do this is because he knows us intimately.

The Psalmist writing,

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.

In Ecclesiastes we are warned,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

That being said God does not leave us to our own devises, because he knows we cannot live a life good enough to get to heaven. Thus He sent Jesus. 

The apostle Paul writing,

“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. 

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  

For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  

Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” Romans 5:6-11.

Have you received by faith the salvation God offers through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Test Everything

  Test everything

“Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 

                                                    1Thessalonians 5:15.

As Christians we are called to test everything. We should never follow by blind faith. We need to look at what is being taught. We need to question the pastor or evangelist that is speaking to see if he or she is properly teaching the word of God.

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.” 2Timothy 2:15.

We need to question anyone calling themselves a Christian leader to see if they are correctly handling the word of God. There is nothing wrong in doing this. The apostle Paul writing,

"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.

Do you from time to time question the pastors, and evangelist you follow to see if they are teaching the word of God correctly?

Please think about it.

There will come a time

  There will come a time

In the book of Obadiah we read,

"For the day of the LORD is near upon all nations.

As you have done, it shall be done to you;

your deeds shall return on your own head" 

                                                                Obadiah 1:15.

I like this quote from Billy Graham it states,

“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... 

But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.” 

                                                                                             Billy Graham.

Are you prepared to meet God? Have you acknowledged by faith that there is a God who sent His One and Only Son to save our souls? Have you confessed your sins to God and accepted the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus?

The apostle Paul telling us,

"...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

 will be saved." 

                                                Romans 10:13.

So have you called upon the name of the LORD and confessed your sins to Him?

Please think about it.

God's Anvil

 God's Anvil

In the book of Acts we have this account of the apostles being brought before the Sanhedrin,

"Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people."  

At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 

Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.  

"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!  

The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." 

When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death." Acts 5:25-33.

Then a Pharisee named Gamaliel spoke,

 “A Pharisee named Gamaliel a teacher of the Law an honoured man, standing before the Sanhedrin as they were presiding over the trial of Christ’s apostles said,

“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38,39.

There’s a poem by an unknown author that I’ve always liked it reads,

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,

“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”

“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.

                                                                Anonymous      

 Gamaliel and the poet were right. The Gospel message is of God. As a result today Christianity is the largest religion in the word and all who have tried to destroy it have failed.

Please think about it.

Calls on the name

 Calls on the name

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 is falling short of the mark. Falling short of Gods expectations for us.

Isaiah the prophet writes,

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

God knew we would always fall short of his expectations. That's why he sent Jesus to us.

Writing to Titus Paul states,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

Writing to the Ephesians Paul writes,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

We cannot work our way into heaven. It is only by accepting Gods grace that comes through Christ Jesus that we can enter heaven. The apostle Paul writing,

“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.

Do you believe Jesus in Lord the Saviour of all who trust in him?

Please think about it.

God's showed you

  God’s showed you

In the book of Micah we read,

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Here the prophet Micah tells us what has to be the most basic actions believers in God, believers in Christ Jesus has to do.

Act justly

Love mercy

Walk humbly with God.

If you claim to be a believer in God. A believer in Christ Jesus. Are you doing these things?

Please think about it.

Principle for living #8 Love

 Principle for Living #8, Love. 

The writer of Proverbs 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.

The American civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr. said,

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

During the height of world war two 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

I truly believe our faith in God should result in us showing unconditional love for those around us. Our neighbours, our families, Our friends, even our enemies.

Love is a universal truth that Atheist as well as men and women with Faith in God can agree is good for both individuals and society as a whole.

The apostle Paul defines 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

There is a famous prayer by Francis of Assisi that I believes says it all. Especially if one calls themselves a believer in Christ. It states,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy 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;

And 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.” 

                                                            Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.