A Little Foolishness

 A little foolishness 

The apostle John writes,

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1John 4:10.

In John’s Gospel we read,

"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.

God loves all mankind. He loves us so much that he gave us a freewill to do as we please. That includes not believing in God.

That being said He loved us so much He sent Christ Jesus. His One and Only Son to die for our sins. To die for the sins of all who believe in Him.

I know for many this seems foolish. Even the apostle Paul said,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1Corinthians 1:18.

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.

Thus the question becomes where will you place your bet?

Think about it.

I will exalt you

  I will exalt you

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

Here is something all Christians are called to do, give thanks and exalt God for His everlasting Love. 

That praise should in my mind not be incumbent on what God has done for us. We should do it simply because He is God Almighty Creator of heaven and earth.

 So do you do this?

Please think about it.

Truths Universal

  Truths Universal

Jesus said,

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.... 

Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27,28,31 

The great American civil rights leader said,

“We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.

We are in nature but we live above nature.

Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.

Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.

We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.

Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.

Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace; help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God's children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom of our LORD and of our God, we pray. Amen.

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Both the words of Jesus and Martin Luther King jr. are universal truths, both Christian and non-Christian alike need to put into practice. 

For in doing so we will make the world a better place.

Please think about it.

Fill your world with love

  Fill your world with Love

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

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

 it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

The above is a quote from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. It to my mind is the purest definition of love ever written. It defines love perfectly.

I believe we as Christians need to look at this definition weekly if not daily. We need to write these words on our heart. Commit them to memory. 

But above all we need to practice what they are saying. 

Notice there is no conditions set on the love Paul writes about. No “buts”

When Jesus calls us to Love God, our neighbour and our enemy this is the kind of love he wishes us to have. 

This is what being a Christian is all about. It’s not about “I have my rights!” or “you are wrong and I am right!”

It’s about humility and understanding. 

Love is a door we open even to our enemy. It is the highest ideal of Christianity spoken of by Jesus himself in John 3:16,17

“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.

In Matthew Jesus is quoted as saying, 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 22:37-40.

Earlier in Matthews Gospel Jesus is quoted as 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,”  Matthew 5:43.44.

All too often we Christians fail to show love. We judge those we disagree with or say disparaging things without thinking. We fail to watch what we say. Fail to realize that our words can hurt. 

Long before I became a Christian I watched a movie called “Good by Mr. Chips.” the theme song for the musical version was called Fill the World with Love it had these words,

In the Morning of My Life

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                           words by Leslie Bricusse.

  At the end of your life will people say of you that you filled the world with Love?

Will God?

Please think about it.

That you may have eternal life

 That you may have eternal life

The Apostle John writing about Jesus said,

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.

The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus said,

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28.

It is the core of Christian belief that through belief in Christ Jesus you become children of God. That you receive eternal life.

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.

The apostle Paul writes,

“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.” 1Timothy 1:15,16.

What the apostle Paul is saying here through belief in Christ Jesus we receive eternal life.

Thus the question becomes. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate who died for your sins, That you may have eternal life in heaven with God?

Please think about it.

Jesus existed

 Jesus existed

In the gospel of John we read,

“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 1:14.

John’s Gospel also records,

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when    I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.  John 14:8-11

The apostle Paul writes,

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,"  1 Corinthians 15:3

Martha is recorded in John’s gospel as saying,

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

So the question becomes do you believe these Biblical references or not. The people noted that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. That he was a real person.

Outside the Bible we can read the account of 

Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37—100 AD), aka Joseph ben Mattathias, is one of the most important writers of antiquity. His book Jewish Antiquities has a passage most scholars accept as authentic, Josephus writes,

"Around this time lived Jesus, a wise man. For he was a worker of amazing deeds and was a teacher of people who gladly accept the truth. He won over both many Jews and many Greeks. Pilate, when he heard him accused by the leading men among us, condemned him to the cross, [but] those who had first loved him did not cease [doing so]. To this day the tribe of Christians named after him has not disappeared."

Pliny the Younger (61-112 AD) was a powerful Roman lawyer, senator and intellectual famed for his letters which were turned into ten popular books. In his tenth book is a letter written, #96, to Emperor Trajan asking for help with trials of accused Christians. Three times he mentions the Christians of Christ. This letter is not suspected of being a forgery by most historians. Pliny writes, in part,

“They had met regularly before dawn on a determined day, and sung antiphonally a hymn to Christ as if to a god (carmenque Christo quasi deo dicere secum invicem). They also took an oath not for any crime, but to keep from theft, robbery and adultery, not to break any promise, and not to withhold a deposit when reclaimed.”

It, I believe, is easy to say Jesus didn’t exist and say that the historical evidence is flawed. It’s much harder to believe he existed because once you admit he existed then you have to admit that what the bible says about him has to have some merit.”

Flavius Josephus and Pliny the Younger were recording who Jesus was within living memory and they say he existed.

Which brings us the next question. Who do you believe Jesus is Messiah, Christ, Son of God?

Please think about it.

What is expected

 What is expected

The following is a few verses that what is expected of a Christian.

The apostle Paul writes,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. “   Romans 12:18

The writer of Proverbs saying,

“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

Christian love defined by the apostle Paul,

“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

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

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, 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

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 22:37-40.

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

We are to forgive those who sin against us. Jesus saying,

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  Matthew 6:14,15

We are called not to judge people. Jesus saying,

“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

The apostle Paul telling us to not to judge those outside the church and keep the church clean. 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

Paul also reminding us,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23

The writer of Hebrews saying,

“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

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer that we as Christians should consider taking to heart. He wrote,

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not 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. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”   Francis of Assisi.

Think about it.

Are you Salty

  Are you Salty?

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 

“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 5:13-16

Are you Salty? Are you as a Christian living a life discernibly different from the world around you. My first pastor use to ask if you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence that you were indeed living for Christ?

Francis of Assisi said it best,

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 

                                                                                  Francis of Assisi.

As Christians our light should be shining at all times. We shouldn’t have to tell people we are Christians, nor should we be always quoting scripture and hitting them over the head with the bible.

Our lives should be a testimony of our love for Christ. Again to quote Francis of Assisi,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                                             Francis of Assisi.

Think about it.  

Who is the greatest

 Who is the greatest

     “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

He called a little child and had him stand among them.  

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:1-4.

What makes a person great, education, being a great orator, Power, being a mighty hero, What? 

Most people when asked to name a great leader they may mention the name of a politician, soldier, artist. And in human terms they may well be great. But in time their names fade from memory. I read an article that asked teenagers who Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt were. Few could answer. Fewer still in Canada could name the fathers of confederation. In the united states it was the same. Few could name those who signed the deceleration of independence.  

One man’s name however is known around the earth. Jesus of Nazareth. Two point two billion people still follow him today.

Dr. James Allan Francis in 1926 wrote a poem called One Solitary Life, it reads,

He never wrote a book 

He never held an office 

He never went to college 

He never visited a big city 

He never travelled more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born 

He did none of the things usually associated with greatness... 

Nineteen centuries have come and gone 

And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race 

And the leader of mankind's progress 

All the armies that have ever marched 

All the navies that have ever sailed 

All the parliaments that have ever sat 

All the kings that ever reigned put together 

Have not affected the life of mankind on earth 

As powerfully as that one solitary life 

Christ Jesus.

Jesus taught us what it was to be humble. He came to do the work of God. To do the will of his Heavenly Father. In doing so he showed us what it was to be humble. 

Jesus humbled himself to the point of washing the feet of his disciples. 

Humility is in short supply among most people today. How many politicians have fallen because they refused to humble themselves and admit what they were doing was wrong. 

How many wars have started because the leaders of a country have refused to back down because it was a case of honour. And to back down would be a disgrace.

Jesus the Son of God who was there on the day of creation. The one who created the world. Humbled himself to become a man and to die for the sins of man. To die for sins he didn’t commit. 

We as individuals need to look at the teachings of Christ. We need to look at his life, learn the lesson of humility he taught and put that lessons into action in our life.

In doing so I believe we will make the world a far better place.

Think About it.

Family, Friend, & Foe

 Family, Friend, & Foe

In the book of Romans we read,

“Do not be overcome by evil, 

but overcome evil with good.” 

                                Romans” 12:21

Martin Luther King Jr. During the height of the civil rights movement said, 

Love is the only force 

capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

                                                             Martin Luther King, Jr.

Christians are called to love. 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 favor and a good name

 in the sight of God and man.”

                                                     Proverbs 3:3,4.

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 also said,

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'  

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..." Matthew 5:43,44

The Christian definition of love was written by the apostle Paul when 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....”

                                           1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

So if you consider yourself a Christian do you love, family friend and foe alike?

Please think about it.

These are Christian issues

 These are Christians issues

Jesus said,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:34-40.

A true Christian will do these things. More than this however the basic truths that Jesus is speaking of here should be universal.

Just from a humanitarian stand point we should be feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, tending to the sick.

We should even be looking at the world around us and speaking out for those who are wrongly imprisoned for their faith or political views.

Those of us who have, should be helping those who have not, be they in our own country or on distant shores.

Tony Campolo said,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed." Tony Campolo American Evangelist.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing these things?

Please think about it.

Being Prepared

  Being prepared 

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  

The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 

"At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  

The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 

" ‘No,' they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 

"Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!' they said. ‘Open the door for us!' 

"But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

Here is a simple parable with a simple meaning for all Christians. Be prepared because we do not know when Christ will return.

I have heard many throughout the years say that means we should study Revelations because the time is short and Christ return in imminent. That might be true, and there is nothing wrong with studying Revelations. The problem is many are studying Revelations to see if they can pin point the hour when Christ returns. 

The hour when Christ returns is immaterial to the Christian walk. The key in the above parable is ‘BE PREPARED' 

All to many Christians are not prepared. They are not studying the word of God they are not praying, they are not reaching out to the lost. There lives are not wholly committed to Christ.

As believers in Christ we must be doing what Christ commanded us to do. When 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.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it.

The Call to Love

 The Call to Love

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

Jesus referred to Deuteronomy 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.

Are you in love with God? Do you put him first in your life? Do you love your neighbour as yourself?

The apostle Paul wrote what is perhaps the best definition of Christian love, when 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....

                                                   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Is this the kind of love you practice? 

Please think about it.

God Loves You

 God Loves You

The apostle John states,

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1John 1-4.

Sin is falling short of Gods ideal for our lives. Sin separates us from God. As such we need to confess our sin directly to God.

The apostle John writing,

"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

In John’s Gospel we read,

"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.

The apostle John also writes,

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13.

Do you consider yourself a child of God? A believer in Christ Jesus? 

Have you received Christ as your saviour? If not why not consider it now. There is not magic words to say. You simply have to pray something like this,

Dear Heavenly Father,

I know I am a sinner and sin separates me from you. Please forgive me and come into my life. 

Now if you sincerely accepted Christ into your life. I would suggest you get a copy of the Bible. If you read English I would suggest the New International Bible. It is generally recognised as one of the better translations and easy to read. 

I would also suggest that you pray and ask God to lead you to a good church. I recommend a Mennonite church, or Baptist church which are in most countries around the world. There is also some good Christian content on the internet. 

While my blogs are independent of the church I attend. The church streams its services live on line at 11:00am Eastern time. The church is North End Mennonite Brethren church here in Canada. You can find it at Northendchurch.ca.

All I would ask anyone searching for meaning and direction in life, is to pray and read the Bible and see what you think about God and the salvation that comes from His One and Only Son Christ Jesus.

Please think about it. 

Truly children of God

 Truly children of God

The apostle Paul speaking to king Agrippa said,

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  Acts 26:19 20.

The apostle John wrote,

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he (Jesus) is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

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." 1 John 3:7-10.

So where do you stand? Are you truly a child of God?

Please think about it.

Getting to heaven, A Christian belief

 Getting to heaven, A Christian belief.

The Bible also makes it clear how we get to heaven. It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,

Jesus speaking about 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.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,

“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.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. And we all at some point in our lives fall short of what God wants for our life. Sin separates us from God.

Isaiah telling us, 

“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

There is however hope.

  The apostle John noting,

“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.”1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating, 

“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

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith on the individuals part. Hebrews stating,

“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

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

This is what true Christians believe and I leave it here for your consideration with these words from C. S. Lewis, who wrote,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.

Please think about it.

A commandment from Jesus

 A commandment from Jesus

In the gospel of John Jesus is quoted as saying,

"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.

The key quote here is “Love one another as I have loved you,”

God’s love is unconditional. What the Bible refers to as Agape. This is how Christians are to act with each other and others. If we do so they will see the fruit of the spirit in us. The fruit of the spirit being,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.

So if you consider yourself as a Christian are you showing love to those around you? When people see the fruit of you life do they see the fruit of the spirit in it?

Please think about it.  

The greatest commandment in the law

  The greatest commandment in the law

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.

Do you show love? Do you show unconditional love in the way Jesus did?

The apostle Paul wrote perhaps the best definition of love ever written. A definition I believe all Christians should follow.

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 13:4-8a,13.

Is this the kind of love you are showing to family, friend and foe alike? If not you should be.

Please think about it.

Put on Love

 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 3:12-17.

This is what a Christian is called to do,

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

We are to bear with each other.

Forgive any grievance we have against one another.

We are to forgive as God forgave us.

Above all we are to love.

The writer telling us that it is love which binds all these attributes in perfect unity.

Are all of these attributes evident in your life?

Please think about it.