A duty we cannot do if...

 A duty we cannot do if...

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.

Have you ever judged a person? 

I was once in a car with a person driving in the downtown of our city while stopped at a crosswalk a shabbily dressed man half walked half saggared in front of our car. All the while talking incoherently.

The person with me commented “drunk and its only nine in the morning.” 

It turned out, I found out later that this man had an illness that prevented him from walking and speaking normally. Further more he was mentally ill. The person I was with had judged him wrongly.

This is one reason I’m sure Jesus told us not to judge anyone. We have no idea why a person is the way they are.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

The reason we can judge those within the church is simple. They claim to be followers of Christ and thus we have the right to check whether or not they are proclaiming the word of God correctly. Whether or not they are living a Godly life. If they are not we can expel them from the church.

That being said whether a person is in the church or not we have no right to say where they will spend eternity.

The duty of the church is simple. Jesus telling us,

"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.

This is a duty we cannot do if we are judging those outside the church.

Please think about it.

Saviour of all who put their faith in Him

 Saviour of all who puts their faith in Him

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”Romans 8:38,39.

I could not agree more with the apostle Paul. Almost from the day Jesus ascended into heaven religious and political leaders and individuals have tried to stop the church. None have succeeded.

In Acts Chapter five. Two of Christs disciples were brought before the Sanhedrin. The Jewish religious leaders, to stand trial for preaching about Jesus. These men wanted to put the disciples to death but the book of Acts records,

“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  

Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  

Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:34-39

Since that day many have tried to stop the spread of Christianity to no avail.

Jesus is the One and Only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind and no one will ever stop His message of Salvation from reaching people.

Thus the question becomes, do you believe that Jesus is the One and only Son of God. The Saviour of all who will put their faith in Him.

Please think about it.

Wager

Wager

James writes,

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:13,14.

I think everyone who has ever lived has had to ask themselves what happens after I die? Life is brief, eternity is forever. Thus the question becomes where will you spend eternity?

Atheist say there is no God, and no heaven. That when you pass from this world you simply pass into oblivion.

On the other hand we who believe in Christ Jesus believe there is a God and a heaven. A God that will one day decide where you will spend eternity. 

A God who has offered each individual the chance to know where they will spend eternity while still in this life. Paul and Silas in prison said to the Jailor,

"..."Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts16:31.

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."  

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.

This is the hope Christians have that when we pass from this life we will spend eternity with God.

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

So where will you place your bet?

Please think about it.

Doing

 Doing

The Psalmist states,

“Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this; 

that power belongs to God,

and that to you, O Lord belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his works”

                                          Psalm 62:11,12.

While it is true we are saved by faith. What the psalmist says here is also true. God will render to us according to our works. We will receive from God what we deserve for the works done for Him.

Thus it is important that we do what we can for God no matter how insignificant that work may seem to be.

So the question becomes; Are you doing what you can to serve God?

Please think about it.

A Question to answer

 A question to answer

In the gospel of John we read of this question Jesus asks Martha. It is also a question all who ever hear about Jesus must answer for themselves,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25,26.

Each individual needs to gain understanding about God. Each individual needs at the very least consider what the scriptures say about Jesus. Each of us need to answer for ourselves the question Jesus asked Martha,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25,26.

Please think about it.

Ambassadors

 Ambassadors

Paul also wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2Corinthians5:18-20.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus then we as the apostle Paul put it, we are Christs ambassadors. Through us God is making his appeal to the world around us.

We cannot appeal to those around us if we are judging them. 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 apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

We have no right to judge those outside our faith. We do however have the right to judge anyone who claims to be a Christian. We have the right to do so because we must be able to judge if they are teaching sound doctrine and living a Christ like life.

As for those outside the church, as Christs ambassadors we are responsible for presenting the gospel message. Then leaving it up to the individual to believe what we are saying or not.

We have no right to say where anyone outside our faith will spend eternity.

Only God knows the heart and mind of individuals. Thus only God can judge and individual justly.

Please think about it.

Would you be willing?

 Would you be willing?

In the book of Acts we read 

"His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." Acts 5:40-42.

I think it’s unfair to ask anyone if they think they could suffer what the apostles did for their belief in Christ Jesus. 

That being said it is something all believers must consider. Especially here in North America where being a believer in Christ Jesus is easy.

In many countries around the world today being a Christian can get you thrown out of your family or village. Can get you beaten, thrown in jail. Even put in a concentration camp or murdered. All because you believe in The Son of God. The Prince of Peace.

So if you consider yourself a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus, would you be willing to be thrown out of your family, your community, beaten, thrown in prison or even to die for what you believe.

Please think carefully about it.

Shine your light

 Shine your light

In the book of Acts we read,

"Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity." Acts 9:36.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus. When people see your life do they see a life of good works and charity? 

In the book of James we read,

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."  James 2:17,18.

Faith in Christ Jesus is essential for our salvation. But our faith must spur us on to do good works in the name of Jesus.

Jesus calls all who believe in Him Salt and light then he states,

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

It is our deeds that will help draw men and women to know Christ. Our deeds that will cause others to praise our Father in heaven.

So what are your deeds saying about you?

Please think about it.

 God, you and the poor

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.”Proverbs 29:7.

Sadly many think ill of the poor. There are many claiming to be Christians, in all walks of life, be they sitting in the pew, standing in the pulpit, or in political office, who think the poor are poor because they have done something wrong.

I’ve heard on more than one occasion of politicians and others saying if we increase welfare benefits or minimum wage “the poor will only go out an buy more drugs”. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As Christians as true believers in Christ Jesus we need to look carefully at what God says about the poor.

In Deuteronomy God tells us,

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."Deuteronomy 15:1.

In Leviticus the farmer is told,

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19: 9,10.

This to my way of thinking gives the poor at least the rights to the leftovers.

It is saying to us in the twenty-first century to at the very least help the poor in whatever way we can.

If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to help the poor in your neighbourhood?

Please think about it.

The Christian and Tzedakah

 The Christian and Tzedakah

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbour… Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land." Deuteronomy 15:7, 11.

Here is a simple command given by God. Believers are to help the poor and needy. It is one of the obligations we as believers have toward God and our fellow man. It’s if you will a human rights issue.

We should not look down on the poor because we don’t know why or how they got into the position they are in. Instead we should be looking to help them up and out of poverty.

In Judaism there is a term called “Tzedakah”. This is in brief is what I found out about Tzedakah from a Jewish website. It is something anyone calling themselves a Christian should consider.

"Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. 

However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy....

The word "tzedakah" is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due....

Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedaka is equivalent to an idol worshipper...

According to Jewish law, we are required to give one-tenth of our income to the poor...."

Here in North America there are many ways to help those in need. Simply giving money to a charitable organization or food bank. Volunteering at a homeless shelter, or a food bank. 

Writing to your local politician asking them to build more affordable housing, or shelters for the homeless, raising the minimum wage. 

Even providing more opportunities for those in need to be trained in necessary skills that will help them up out of poverty. The list goes on and on. 

Why not take a few minutes now to consider how you can help the less fortunate in your neighbourhood.

Please think about it.

Obligations

 Obligations

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3,4.

As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus the apostle Paul tells us we are not only to look out for our own interests but the interests of others. In James 2:14-20, we are encouraged to help those who are in need among us.

I think amid the pandemic we are currently living through, this not only means for followers Christ Jesus to look out for the physical needs of others but also for the health of others. And if that means getting vaccinated we should be doing so. For in doing so we are looking out for the health of those around us.

I found this on the internet and while not of Christian origin I think it expresses something Christians consider.

“The single biggest thing I learned was from an indigenous elder of Cherokee descent, Stan Rushworth, who reminded me of the difference between a Western settler mindset of "I have right" and an indigenous mindset of "I have obligations." Instead of thinking that I am born with rights, I choose to think that I am born with obligations to serve the past, present, and future generations, and the planet herself.” Author unknown

Nowhere in the Bible are Christians given rights. Certainly Paul and the other apostle had no rights under Roman law. Rights are a secular concept evangelical Christians seem to have latched onto.

If we read the bible however we see we do have obligations to God, our family and to those around them.

So that being said, do you honour the obligations you have to God and others?

Please think about it.

Moral teacher or Son of God?

 Moral teacher or Son of God?

John’s gospel records this event in the life of Jesus,

(Jesus said) "I and the Father are one." 

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 

"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." John 10:30-33.

Jesus here makes a bold statement about himself. One he I am sure knew could get him killed. He equated himself with God. Something considered blasphemy in Jewish circles at the time. A crime deserving of death. Yet he still made it. 

C. S. Lewis makes the point,

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

So who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it.

The Church Assembling Together

 The Church Assembling Together

    In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25.

Someone has said the Bible is a book for the ages. A wise book that is explicitly detailed when it needs to be. 

Here is one such example of a verse that is explicit. The writer of Hebrews tells us to “not give up meeting together”

So what does that mean amid a world wide pandemic? Some have said, that it means we should still meet in person irrespective of what the government rules are.

I think this is wrong.

When the author of Hebrews was inspired to write these words down the only way they could meet together was in person. 

Think of it the writer of Hebrews was an Iron age man. He did not know what the internet, Facebook, YouTube or Zoom were. But God did. God knew that one day they would come about and be able to be used by the church not only for a local church to assemble together but for the whole world to see.

Think about this. The pandemic has caused the majority of churches especially here in North America to go on line where they can reach people around the world. People they could never reach from the comfort of there own church building. 

While having a church building with all its comforts is nice. Meeting on line or as some churches have done meeting “socially distanced” in parking lots, even parks, and in some cases, I’ve even heard of churches meeting in farmers fields. 

What the pandemic has done, if you think about it. It has forced the church to go beyond the boundaries of the building it meets in, and evangelise those who would not normally have ever set foot inside the building.

Please think about it. 

      “And forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” be it in person or on line.

Fruit

Fruit

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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 you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus are the above fruit of the Spirit showing in your life?

When those around you look at your life are they seeing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

If not they should be, because it is only by showing these qualities that we will attract people to Christ. 

Perhaps one of my favourite quotes from outside the Bible come from Francis of Assisi who said,

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                Francis of Assisi

The other thing Francis of Assisi is know for is what is commonly called the prayer of St. Francis. It is a prayer anyone who claims to be a true follower of Christ Jesus, a Christian should consider praying and taking to heart. It reads,

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy 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;

And 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." 

                                                                          Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Have them do to you?

Have them do to you?

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 on others

however good they may be.

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

There is only one

 There is Only One 

The apostle Paul writes,

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.  1 Timothy 2:5,6.

What the apostle Paul is saying here is what all true Christian, what all true believers in Christ Jesus believe. 

Jesus is the one mediator between God and men.

Jesus himself is recorded 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.

As a Christian I believe I am obligated to tell anyone who will listen to me this fact. Then let them decide for themselves if it is true or false.

If it is false there is no need for worry. 

If it is true then at the very least the individual reading this needs to consider following Jesus and making Jesus Lord of their life.

Thus the choice is yours.

Please think about it.

Where?

 Where?

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2.

If you consider yourself a Christian where are your eyes fixed? Are they fixed on a political figure? Are they fixed on the things this world can offer? Are they fixed on particular teacher, or preacher? 

According to the writer of Hebrews they shouldn’t be. Believers in Christ Jesus should have their eyes firmly fixed on Jesus who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

So I ask you again where are your eyes fixed?

Humility and you

 Humility and you

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” Philippians 2:3-4.

Christians are called to a life of humility. In the gospel of Mark we read,

"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35.

Are you a servant? Are you humble? When others look at your life would they consider you humble? Do you look out for the interest of others?

The apostle Paul wrote of Jesus,

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8.

So are you humble and at the very least willing to be the servant of all?

Please think about it.

Start by doing

 Start by doing

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

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

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

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

Jesus even went one step further saying,

"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.

Looking around the world today love seems to be lacking. Wars, social unrest, terrorist attacks. Love just seems to be lacking. Even some politicians in the western democracies appear to lack love.

So what should a Christians do in such a world? Answer,... Love.

As the great evangelist JohnWesley said,

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                               John Wesley.

Creating a better world is not impossible if we try. All it take is the will to do so. Francis of Assisi wrote,

"Start by doing what is necessary, 

then what is possible, 

and suddenly you are doing the impossible." 

                                                           Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Praising God and telling others

 Praising God and telling others

Isaiah the Prophet said,

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  

And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted.” 

                                                        Isaiah 12:3,4

Are you drawing water from the well of salvation, Jesus Christ? 

Is that joy causing you to give thanks to God?

Are you making known the deeds of God among the people around you?

Are you proclaiming and exalting Gods name?

Mary the mother of Christ said it all when she said,

"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.

Mary’s joy at having a child was magnified by the knowledge that she had born the Messiah. The saviour of mankind. As a result she rejoiced and gave praise to God.

When we accept Christ into our hearts we should be full of praise. We should want to go out and tell people about the mercy, and salvation that comes by the Grace of God through Christ Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you praising God and telling others about him?

Please think about it.