If You

  If you

Jesus said,

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  

When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46

If you found something of great importance to mankind. Something that would change lives. Would you not want to share it?

That is what we as Christians, as true followers in Christ Jesus believe we have. We believe: 

Jesus is the Son of God

The Saviour of all who believe in Him.

We believe He gave his life for the sins we committed.

The Apostle Paul 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

As believers in Christ Jesus we believe you cannot be good enough to stand before a Holy God. The simple fact being we are far from perfect and sin. Sin meaning falling short of Gods ideal for our life.

Thus 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.

All it takes on our part is to believe Jesus paid the price for our sins. Then confess those sins to Jesus.

The apostle John stating,

 "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.

It all comes down to what the Apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

Please think about it.

On God

On God
In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                                Genesis 1:1.

The Bible was written to believers in God and believers need no convincing that God exists. Thus no explanation is given.
In the Gospel of John referring to Jesus as the word we read,
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
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 1:1-4,14.
Again the Gospel of John and indeed the whole of the New Testament was written to Christians, to believers in Christ Jesus and to such believers no explanation is necessary. Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh.
The question thus becomes to non-believers;
Do you believe what the Bible states?
Is there an almighty God?
Did this God in the form of His One and Only Son, Christ Jesus enter the world He created to show each mankind the way to heaven?
These questions to my mind are crucial questions everyone on earth when confronted with the Bible must answer. For as C. S. Lewis stated,
“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.

Narrow is the Road

Narrow is the road
John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
"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’ve heard many non-Christians say there are many ways to heaven. The question I would ask is, are there?
What if as Christians believe there is only one way to heaven, that being through Jesus?
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.
It to my way of thinking is logical that God would make a single road to heaven. A road that I believe is through Jesus Christ.
The way I see it is if I and other Christians like me are wrong then we have nothing to fear by following the teachings of Jesus, because in doing so we will have lived a good life.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
I believe it is of infinite importance.
What do you think?
Please think about it.

If True

If true

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
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 1:1-4,14.
One of the claims of Christianity is that Jesus is God. That he was there on the day of creation. That “through him all thing were made;”. Not only that Christians believe God in the form of his One and Only Son Jesus, came to this earth to show us the way to heaven. But not in the way we would think.
Being God he could have revealed Himself in a miraculous way. Yet he did not. He came to this earth in such away that it would require faith to believe He was who He said He was.
Jesus came into this world live as a man. Experienced everything there was to experience as a man then let himself be put to death on a cross for a crime he didn’t commit. Not what the average person would expect of God.
The apostle Paul admits,
"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.
It is a message believers in Christ Jesus ask people to believe. It is a message many cannot bring themselves believe. Yet it is a message Christians believe is of prime importance for people all over the world to believe.
C. S. Lewis noted,
“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.
Thus the question for anyone who hears the story of Jesus is, Do you believe Jesus is God incarnate, Saviour of mankind, or not?
The choice is your’s please think about it.

Why?

Why?
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. 
When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46.
I’ve been asked on numerous occasions “why do Christians want to tell you about their faith?” The answer is in the above portions of scripture.
We as Christians as believers in Christ Jesus have found the “hidden treasure”. We have found the “fine pearl of great value” and want others to share in that treasure.
Matthews gospel records,
“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.
We as believers in Christ Jesus are to make disciples. Moreover 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.

One of the things we as Christians must do if we are obeying Christ’s command to do to others what we would have others do to us, is tell people about the most important thing in our lives. That being the Love of Jesus. The Saving Grace God offers to all people through Christ Jesus.
So I would ask you. If you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. If you have not accepted God’s Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus. Please consider doing so.
C. S. Lewis once wrote,
“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.
That means he died for you dear reader. All you have to do is accept this. The apostle Paul telling us,
“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."
  Romans 10: 9,10.
Please think about it.

Why do Christians Evangelize?

Why do Christians evangelize?
One question I have been asked quite often by non-Christians is why do we want to tell people about Christ? Why do we evangelize?
First of all Jesus told his disciples to evangelize. Jesus 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.
As Christians we are expected to following this command.
However most honest Christians will tell you it is far more than that. We truly believe that we have what the individual needs for a good life, life everlasting, life eternal.
Jesus told this parable,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.
We as Christians feel truly that our message to the world is worth far more than any precious jewel or treasure. It is a message of love, peace and hope for the world.
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.
Not only that but this peace is entirely free and not contingent on how good you are.
C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
The apostle Paul said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
The Apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians said,
“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 Titus Paul says,
“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...” Titus 3:4,5a.
Jesus 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.
As Christians we believe God love the world He created so much he entered the world in the form of his one and only Son Jesus. In order to show man the way to heaven.
C. S. Lewis states,
“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 came into the world for us. All God asks of us is to have faith in him. 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

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”

                                                     Hebrews 11:1

If you are not a Christian I would ask that you consider at the very least reading the New Testament and see for yourself what Christian believed about Jesus and how we as Christians believe you get to heaven.
Please think about it.

God to me

God to me
Over the years people have asked me what is the most important thing in my life? I tell them God. For God has truly blessed me. While at the same time been with me through some of the hardest days of my life.
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it agai+n, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.
My belief in God is precious to me. That’s why I wish to do my best to represent Him in all I do. Especially when I present the Bible to anyone.
I believe it is of paramount that when I read the Bible I interpret it the right way. The way God intended.
It is easy to take portions of the Bible out of context and make it say what you want it to say. This however is wrong. One must do ones best to interpret the Bible correctly. Taking each word and verse in its proper context.
I firmly believe we should not only be reading the bible but we should be reading about the history and culture of Israel. The culture in which the Bible was written
It is far too easy to read the Bible and place our own cultural norms on it. This should not be so. 
The Bible was written I believe to show man what God expects of him and to point individuals to heaven.
If we misinterpret the Bible we run the risk of pointing both ourselves and others in the wrong direction. This can have eternal consequences.
Thus the question becomes.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus is God precious to you? 

Are you doing everything you can to interpret the Bible correctly?

Or

Are you twisting the scriptures to suit your own beliefs?

Please think about it.

Your Choice

Your Choice
The New Testament writers record Jesus as saying some remarkable things. Things that if true have eternal consequences. John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
“....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
There are many in the world today that say there are a lot of ways to heaven or that you can work your way to heaven. Saying if your good deeds out weigh your bad deeds you will get to heaven. Christians do not believe that.
We Christians believe that you get to heaven by the grace of God. 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.
That gift we believe is Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul telling us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
God through the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus offered us eternal life with Him in heaven.
Jesus speaking of himself is quoted by the apostle John as saying,
“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.
The apostle John also noting the reward for believing in Christ Jesus. Stating,
“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.
Is all of this difficult to believe? In a word yes. Even the apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
And, it is exactly this that each individual when presented with the message of Jesus Christ must decide for themselves.
Is the message of Christ Jesus foolishness or is it the truth that leads to eternal life with God?
It is a decision only you can make. It is potentially the most important decision you will make in your life.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
Thus the choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Christians and Atheist Agree

Christians and Atheist Agree.
I came across the following interesting statement the other day it said,
“The one thing Christians and Atheist agree on is that we will not get out of this life alive. Where they differ is what happens after this life is over.” author unknown.
That being said if the Atheist is right then Christians have nothing to fear. If on the other hand the Christian is right in believing the words of Jesus who 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.
Then the Atheist has a lot to fear. As C. S. Lewis put it,
“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.