The call of the Christian

  The call of the Christian

Jesus said,

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

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

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

Notice here that Jesus says We are the light of the world. It is the individual Christian that is the light of the world. It is we who follow Christ Jesus that use the Bible to enlighten the world. To show Gods love to the world.

It is therefore imperative that we don’t hide our faith but rather share it with others.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you sharing your faith?

Please think about it. 

From Ecclesiastes and Romans

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun" Ecclesiastes 1:9

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."Ecclesiastes 1:14

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

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

The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at all the works a man does and pronounces them meaningless.

I’ve heard it said that there is nothing new under the sun. The only difference between someone in Christ’s day and now, is when we do wrong it ends up on social media. That “modern day sinners”, sin, using high tech devices.

The outcome for the modern day sinner is however the same as it was for sinners since the beginning of time. Spiritual death. Separation from God.

Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul states,

"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.

Paul also writes,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  Romans 10:9-11.

Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

Salvation in no one else

 Salvation in no one else

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!  

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  

He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:8-12.

Here the apostle Peter standing before the religious leaders makes it clear that,

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

Those rulers that Peter stood in front of had the power to at the very least sent them to jail, even have them flogged or worse. Peter and John who also stood with Peter that day knew what these leaders could do to them yet they boldly proclaimed “salvation is found in no one else”.

What about you dear reader do you believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven?

After all Jesus is recorded as saying,

, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

Please think about it.

A Message from the apostle Paul

  A message from the Apostle Paul

I firmly believe that from time to time we need to let scripture speak for itself. This occasion is one of them. What follows are Pauls words (sermon) to the Athenians. Words that are as relevant today as they were when he spoke them.

The book of acts records,

"So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  

A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  

Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  

You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean."  

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  

And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.' 

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill.  

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject."  

At that, Paul left the Council.  

A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others

Acts 17:17-34.

The question I have for you dear reader is, In which group do you fall? Those who sneered at him? The ones who wanted to hear more? Or the ones who accepted what he had to say?

Please think about it.

A Basic Christian Belief

  A Basic Christian belief

The apostle Paul writes,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

The apostle Paul makes it very clear how you get to heaven.

“Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.”

As a result anyone reading this has a choice. Is what the apostle Paul writing true of false?

The choice is yours.

Please think about it.

A lot to think about

  A Lot to think about

The apostle Paul writes,

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

The way I see it we cannot hope to reach God even by doing good deeds. The prophet Isaiah wrote,

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

God knew this. That is why He reached down from heaven and sent His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and die for our sins.

I know it sounds foolish. Even the apostle Paul notes,

"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.

But then Gods ways are not our ways.

For the Christian those who truly believe in Christ Jesus the only way we get to heaven is by faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,

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

"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.

John the Baptist states,

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36.

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.

If what John the Baptist said is not true then no one has anything to fear. That being said. If they are right then at the very least you have a lot to think about.

Please think about it.

So in everything

 So in everything

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.

The way I see things is that if a Christian truly believes that we are to do to others what we would want others to do to us then we have to tell the world around us about Jesus.

The most important thing in the life of a Christian is knowing Christ as his or her personal saviour. That is why Christians must follow the words of Jesus who 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.

Jesus never told us to impose our faith on someone. He simply said make disciples of all nations. 

You cannot make true disciples if you are trying to impose or force your faith on them. Those who hear about the saving grace of Christ Jesus must choose to for themselves if the message is true or not. They must make that step of faith and believe in Him.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Truly believing in God is an act of faith on the part of the individual. Without that faith it is impossible to please God.

Do you believe in God and the saving grace that comes through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

What are you declaring?

 What are you declaring

The Psalmist writes,

"Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvellous deeds among all peoples." 

                                                         Psalm 96:1-3.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, are you praising God and declaring His name among the nations. Are you telling of God’s marvellous deeds to the people around you? Are you declaring God's name to those around you?

Please think about it.

The light of the world

  The light of the world

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12.

Jesus here claims to be “the light of the world”. 

Stating that “whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life”.

Jesus did make some very powerful statements about Himself.

Earlier John’s gospel records Him as saying,

"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.  

But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.  

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:35-40

Jesus speaking of Himself in John chapter three  states,

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

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

The soul purpose of Jesus coming to this earth is to light the way to heaven and life eternal.

Do you believe in Jesus? 

Do you believe He gives life eternal to all who believe in Him?

Please think about it.

Are you saved?

 Are you saved?

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.

Here the apostle Paul tells us why Jesus came to this earth. To save sinners. That means everyone. Paul writing to the Romans states,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

The apostle John telling us,

"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.

God’s gift of salvation is a free gift based on our faith in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul writing,

“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12,13.

So my question to you dear reader is, Have you called on the name of The Lord? Are you saved?

Please think about it.

Call on the name of The Lord

 Call on the name of The Lord

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

and are justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  

                                                                      Romans 3:23,24.

Paul goes on to write,

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.    Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

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

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

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

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

We all have sinned in one way or another. Sin is falling short of Gods ideal for our life. Sin separates us from God, and no matter how hard we work at trying to be good, our good works cannot reconcile us to God.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

"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.

Salvation is a gift freely offered by God to us through belief in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul writing,

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

 will be saved.” 

                                     Romans 10:13.

Have you called on the name of the Lord?

Please think about it. 

An Important choice

 An important choice

In Luke’s gospel we read,

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

These two criminals had the same choice to make as you or I. We can call on Jesus to make himself known by doing something for us. Or we can believe that He is the Son of God the Saviour of the world, confess our sins directly to Him and be forgiven.

The apostle Paul tells us,

"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.

So have you received God’s saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

The Great Equalizer

 The Great Equalizer 

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“People are destined to die once, 

and after that to face judgment.”

                                                    Hebrews 9:27

Someone has said death is the great equalizer. Which is true. One day the richest man alive and the poorest man alive will die and stand before God.

The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us about that day. Saying,

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

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

How will God judge you? Will you enter Heaven?

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

Sin separates us from God. Which means if there is sin in our life we will not get to heaven. That being said. The apostle John states,

"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.

The apostle Paul states,

“...(We) are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:24.

And in John’s gospel we read,

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36.

As Christians we believe you cannot work your way to Heaven. It is by believing in the saving grace of God that comes through Christ Jesus. Believing that He died for your sins.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

"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.

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.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

  Thus the choice is yours. 

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of all who believe in Him or not?

Please think about it.

But is it foolishness?

 But is it foolishness?

The apostle Paul writes,

"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." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

The idea of the God who made the universe and everything in it entering His creation to die on a cross for the sins of mankind can seem foolish. But is it?

If we who believe in Christ Jesus are correct in our belief that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, God in the flesh. That he not only died for the sins of all who believe in Him, but rose again, walked briefly on the earth and ascended to heaven where He sits at the right hand of God. From where He will one day judge the all the peoples of the earth. 

If we are mistaken in our beliefs. Then those who do not believe as we do have nothing to worry about. 

On the other hand if we are right then there is a lot for everyone to think about.

The bottom line here is God gave everyone who is living and has ever lived the freedom to choose what they do and believe.

Thus it is up to each individual to decide if Christ Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of all who believe in Him or not.

What do you believe?

Please think about it.

If we are wrong

 If we are wrong

In the book of Lamentations we read,

"The LORD is my portion" says my soul, 

"therefore I will hope in Him" 

                                             Lamentations 3:24

According to the Oxford dictionary one definition of portion is a persons destiny. 

So is God your destiny? As you go through life do you see your ultimate destiny as being with God?

Are you sure you will be with God in eternity?

As Christians we believe what the apostle Paul wrote,

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

We believe what the writer of the book of Hebrews states,

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

"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

We believe in what the apostle Paul said as recorded in the book of Acts,

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...” Acts 16 30,31a.

As believers in Christ Jesus we believe the words of Jesus who 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.

If we who believe in Christ Jesus are wrong there is no need to be worried. If on the other hand we are right. There is a lot to at the very least think about.

Please think about it.

By the Grace of God

  By the Grace of God

The apostle Paul writes,

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

Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul states,

"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.

Christians believe that God in the form of His Son Christ Jesus, reached down to mankind offering each individual who believes Him the way to heaven.

We believe Christ paid the price for the sins of each one who would believe in Him. 

The apostle Paul writing,

"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.

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.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe that God sent His one and Only Son into the world to pay the price for your sins? 

Have you accepted the saving Grace that come from God through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Receiving God's Mercy

  Receiving God’s Mercy

In the gospel of Luke, Luke quotes Mary the mother of Jesus saying,

"And Mary said:                                                                                                         

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me

holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

from generation to generation.” 

                                                      Luke 1:46-50.

Truly all generations of Christians are calling Mary blessed. What could be greater than God choosing her to bring forth His son Jesus.

Notable here is what Mary says about those who fear God. She states,

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

from generation to generation.”

 If you truly believe in God and His Son Christ Jesus then God’s mercy is shown to you. It is through the Mercy of God that comes from believing in Christ Jesus that saves us. The apostle Paul writing,

"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.

Do you believe in God? 

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Have you received God’s mercy?

Please think about it.

To all who believe in Him

  To all who believe in Him

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.

There are a lot of things in this world that we can loose. Our wealth, our possessions, our health, even our friends and family.

That being said, when we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour we are given a “new birth into a living hope”. With this comes an inheritance that can never perish. One kept in heaven.

Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

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.

Do you believe in God? 

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God a Saviour to all who believe in Him?

Please think about it.

A Journey

 A Journey 

The Psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

If I go up to the heavens, 

You are there; 

if I make my bed in the depth,

 You are there. 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast."

                                                                               Psalm 139:7-10

C. S. Lewis put it this way,

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” 

                                                                                                    C. S. Lewis.

Do you believe in God? Perhaps a better question is are you willing to risk your eternal resting place on what you believe?

From the moment we are born we start a journey toward eternity. I believe that throughout that journey God places sign posts directing us to him. All we have to do is read them correctly and do what they say. If we do not we are bound for destruction.

Please think about it.

Enter through the Narrow Gate

  Enter through the Narrow Gate,

Jesus said,

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13,14.

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

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6.

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

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

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

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

Please think about it.