The lifestyle of a Christian

 The lifestyle of a Christian

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.

So what is a Christian called to do? The apostle Paul tells us we are to,

clothe yourself with,  

                                 Compassion,

Kindness,

Humility,

Gentleness,

Patience,

Forgive whatever grievances you have against other believers

“Put on love which binds them all together”

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Giving gratitude to God in your hearts. 

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him”

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

Please think about it.

The Church at Smyrna

 The church at Smyrna

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please don’t just think about it. 

Pray for the persecuted church now.

The church at Ephesus

 The church at Ephesus

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

The first Church addressed is Ephesus John writes,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus then says,

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

Our first love as believers must always be God.

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

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

Please think about it.

No fear in Love

 No fear in love,

In 1John we read,

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

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

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

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

So the question becomes do you love your brother? 

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

"Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

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

it is not easily angered,

 it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love."  

                                               1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13. 

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

Please think about it.

Scripture to live by #2

 Scripture to live by #2

A word from the apostle Peter,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

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

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

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

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

Please think about it.

A scripture to live by

  A Scripture to live by

The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you feed your enemy?

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

Do you do your best to overcome evil with good?

Please think about it.

Above all put on Love

  Above all put on love

In the book of Colossians we read,

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

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

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

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

Kindness

Humility,

Gentleness

Patience.

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

We are to forgive as the Lord forgave us.

And above all we are to put on love.

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

The need for Christ

  The need for Christ

The apostle Paul wrote

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

True Christianity is built on love. Jesus when asked,

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

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

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

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

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

Jesus also said,

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

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it.

To Love

  To Love             

  Jesus when asked

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

Jesus replied: 

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: 

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

                                                                                     Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus also said,

“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 apostle Paul defined 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

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

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.

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer all Christians need to take to heart. He wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of your 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;

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.

                                                                           The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

It is the Holy Spirits job to Convict, 

God's job to judge 

and my job to love, 

Billy Graham

If you claim to be a Christian, are you truly loving unconditionally, those around you?

Please think about it.

Jesus' call

 Jesus' Call

The call of Jesus is

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

Jesus offers peace for one's soul. 

Christians believe there is a God who loves us and offers us eternal life with Him in heaven. 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.

The Christian believes God reached down through Jesus Christ to mankind to show him the way to heaven. That it is by the grace of God we get to heaven. The apostle Paul 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, 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.

That being said the choice is always up to you. 

Do you believe in God?

Please think about it.

In Peace

 In  peace

The apostle Paul writes,

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all men the testimony given in its proper time. 1Timothy 2:1-6

Here Paul tells Christians to pray make intercession and thanksgiving for everyone. Paul even notes we should pray for those in authority that we may live in peace. That such a thing pleases God.

Paul notes there is but one God and Mediator between God and men Christ Jesus. That Jesus that gave himself a ransom for all men.

C. S. Lewis notes,

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.

Jesus died for all men. That is why Christians need to pray for our leaders. To pray that we can live in peace. For it is in times of peace that the gospel of Christ can spread the fastest. 

Christianity is not a faith that promotes conflict. Quite the opposite the early church founders all talked about living in peace with all people. The apostle Peter states,

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.

To be a Christian we can do nothing less.

We are to pray for our leaders, both those inside and outside the church. We are to pray for our secular political leaders and for all those around us no matter who they are in the church or on the streets around us. 

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 you claim to be a Christian this is what you should be doing.

Please think about it.

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.