Justice, Kindness, Humility,

 Justice, Kindness, Humility

In the book of Micah we read,

“He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and walk humbly with your God?” 

                                                 Micah 6:8.

This is what God requires of those who believe in Him. 

To be just in all our dealings with our fellow man.

To love Kindness. To show kindness to everyone we come in contact with.

To walk in humility before God and man.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are these the qualities people see in you?

Please think about it.

By Gods great mercy

By Gods great mercy

The apostle Peter writes,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you" 1Peter 1:3-4.

This is the hope of all who believe in Christ Jesus. We have a home in heaven that comes as a result of Christ’s death and resurrection from the dead. A hope that can never be taken away from us.

The apostle Paul tells us,

"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.

It is through the love of God that we are saved. Through our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death for our sins on the cross. 

The apostle Paul states,

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

In order to receive this gift of eternal life from God you must believe that Jesus is all he said he is. That He is the One and Only Son of God. That He died for your sins.

The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"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.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

You should not

 You should not

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.

This is the one verse every Christian. Every one who calls themselves a true believer in Christ Jesus should put into actions.

Put simply, if you would not like what you are about to do to others in word or in deed, they you should not be doing it to those around you.

Please think about it

Expel them

  Expel them

The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

These words from the apostle Paul are clear. We are not to judge those outside the church that is Gods job. 

We are however to judge those inside the church. I believe this means we are to judge what they say and do to see that what they are teaching, and saying is correct when it comes to the Bible.

If it is not then we are to expel them from the church.

Please think about it.

The fruit of a Christian life

  The fruit of a Christian life

In the book of Galatians we read,

“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.

If we are exhibiting these traits to the world around us then no one can honestly speak negative things about us.

When people look at your life do they see such fruits?

Please think about it.

Christian you to will stand before God

 Christian you to will stand before God

In the book of James we read,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

Christians or those calling themselves Christians ignore the fact that we will be judged. First of all the world around us will judge us by our words and deeds. And I believe they will judge us in the same way we judge them.

More importantly however is the fact that we will be judged by God and James tells us, 

“judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Jesus said,

"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 

"They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 

"He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:41-46.

I think we can say that the people Jesus is telling to depart believed in God. That seems to be the extent of their belief however. They were obviously not doing what God asks them to do.

Thus my question; What will God say to you when you stand before Him? 

Please think about it

The Christian and Mercy

  The Christian and Mercy

Jesus said,

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36.

I am not a fan of the so called “hellfire and brimstone” preachers. I find their tactics may work well among believers. Although that’s up for debate.

That being said I believe the most unmerciful act a Christian can do is telling someone they are on the way to Hell.

Billy Graham once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                              Billy Graham.

Another American Evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

If you claim to be a Christian do you show mercy to those your witnessing to?

By showing mercy I mean presenting the Salvation message of Christ Jesus in a positive and precise way without judgement?

Please think about it.

You and Mercy

You and Mercy

In the book of James we read,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  

because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

Do you judge people? Do you show mercy towards people especially those you disagree with. Do you judge someone begging for money on the street or those with a different lifestyle, or faith than yours?

You should not be. Jesus made it perfectly clear 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.

I like what 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.

For me one of the best ways I’ve found to be merciful to others is share to Gospel message, along with doing what I can to help those in physical needs.

So are you truly showing mercy to those around you?

Please think about it.

An Unmerciful act

  An unmerciful act

Jesus said,

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36.

I am not a fan of the so called “hellfire and brimstone” preachers. I find their tactics may work well among believers. Although that’s up for debate.

That being said I believe the most unmerciful act a Christian can do is telling someone they are on the way to Hell. Simply because it makes them defensive and can push them away from God

Billy Graham once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                              Billy Graham.

Another American Evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

If you claim to be a Christian do you show mercy to those your witnessing to?

By showing mercy I mean presenting the Salvation message of Christ Jesus in a positive and precise way without judgement?

Please think about it.

How should a Christian live?

  How should a Christian live?

The apostle Peter writes,

“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.

What the apostle Peter is saying here is self explanatory. He states,

Christians are a people of God.

People to whom God showed His mercy.

Christians are aliens and strangers in the world.

Peter calls believers to abstain from sinful desires.

He tells believer to live good lives among those around us.

And we do all this so that,“...though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Thus my question to anyone who calls themselves a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus is; are you doing what the apostle Peter is saying here?

Please think about it.

Mercy and you

  Mercy and you?

In the book of James we read.

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13.

I am talking now to those who claim to be Christians. Those who claim they believe in Christ Jesus. 

Are you merciful?

Do you judge people by their faith, race, or lifestyle?

You shouldn’t. That is not your job. Your job is to show the love and mercy to those around you. Not to judge them.

I like what the late evangelist Billy Graham said. Referring to Christians he said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

You will not win a soul for Christ if you are judging them. You must love them. For only God knows why a person is the way they are.

Please think about it.

Saved by the Mercy of God

  Saved by the mercy of God

The apostle Paul writes,

"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

Paul writing to the Romans states,

“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." Romans 5:6-8.

A simple Christian fact. 

Christians believe we cannot live lives good enough to enter into heaven. We believe that it is through the Grace of God that we are saved. Through the atoning death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

It is an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                                     Hebrews 11:1.

The writer going on to say,

"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.

So the question becomes do you believe this?

Please think about it.

What God Requires

 What God requires

Micah the prophet states,

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

Micah’s statement is pretty strait forward. We as believers in God are to show mercy to all those around us. 

In the book of James we read,

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13.

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.

The key words from Jesus here are, 

“For in the same way you judge others, 

you will be judged, 

and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you.”

When we judge others. Others will judge us in much the same way. I also believe that when we stand before God He may at the very least ask us if we want to be judged in the same way we judge others. 

The Talmud while not a Christian book contains words of wisdom in line with Christian belief. One quote referring to when we stand before God states,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual? 

 "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud.

While it is true Christians believe we are saved through the Grace of God through belief in Christ Jesus. It seems to me that people who truly have accepted Christ into their lives, their lives change to exhibiting what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the spirit. Paul writing,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control...." Galatians 5:22, 23b.

Question; If on the day you are judged by God He asks you,

"have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" 

What will be your reply?

Please think about it.

Act Justly

  Act Justly

In the book of Micah we read,

"He has shown you, O mortal, 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

The book of James states,

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  

because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13

Jesus tells us,

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7.

Jesus warns us,

"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.

All of this boils down to what Matthew records Jesus as saying when he says,

"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 truly believe the Bible is the word of God then the question becomes are you acting on these words?

If you are not then you may be responsible for turning people away from God. And possibly to a Christless eternity.

Please think about it.

So

  So

The apostle Peter writes,

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” 1 peter 2:16  

In the book of James we read,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  

because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!” James 2:12,13.

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”  Luke 6:37.

As Christians especially here in the democracies of the west we have great freedom to do as we wish. That being said the scriptures make it clear that we have limitations on our actions as Christians. Foremost is that we have no right to judge anyone. Especially those outside our faith. Not only that we are called to show mercy to those around us.

The bottom line however comes down to 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.

So in your dealings with others, especially those who do not believe as you believe or have a lifestyle different from yours do you

     “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31?

Please think about it.

Actions

 Actions

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2

A true Christian will not judge anyone outside the church that is God’s job. The apostle Paul does however say we may judge those who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus, Paul writes,

“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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.

That being said I truly believe that the only time we can judge anyone who claims to be Christian is to see whether or not they are teaching sound doctrine. We have no right to judge anyone as to where they will spend eternity.

When it comes to interaction with others we should remember the words of James who writes,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!”  James 2:12,13.

And above all we should always remember 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.

Kindness and Love of God

  Kindness and Love of God

The apostle Paul wrote,

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior 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.

Here the apostle Paul points out the love of God. He notes we are saved not because of the righteous things we did. Not because of the good we did but because of Gods mercy toward us.

Paul writing to the Corinthians states,

"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.

Our getting into heaven is entirely due to Gods mercy. Gods Grace. We enter heaven because of our faith in God and in Christ Jesus who died for our sins.

The apostle Paul telling us,

"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." Romans 5:6-8 

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

About Matthew 7:22

  About Matthew 7:22

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

Put this way 

in the year 2021 this means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

Please think about it.

Would you?

  Would you?

In the book of James we read,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!” James 2:12, 13.

Do you show mercy to those around you to those you disagree with be it because of their faith, their lifestyle or other things?

You should James tell us we should. He also warns,

“...judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”

This echos the warning of Jesus who said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

So the question I would ask you is; When you stand before God will you be willing to let God judge you in the same way you judged others? 

Would you be willing to let God show to you the same mercy you showed towards others?

Please think about it.

What is good

 What is good

The Prophet Micah writes,

“He has shown you, O mortal, 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.

This is a duty of every believer in Christ Jesus. Every believer in God. 

  We are

to act justly, 

to love mercy, 

to walk humbly with God.

These attributes are what God desires in a believer.

Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a believer in Christ are these attributes visible in your life?

Please think about it.