Warning!
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4
I remember an old sc fi show called Lost in Space in it had a robot that would go around saying “Warning! Warning!”
I think Christians need to heed the warnings coming from some in the media.
Paul writing to Timothy tells of a time
“...when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
There are many who call themselves Christians, people in the media doing just that. They are twisting the scriptures to suit their own itching ears. They are turning to myths instead of truth.
I know of one evangelist in the nineties who said God had told him that all the homosexuals were going to be destroyed by the end of the decade.
He was most definitely wrong and to make matters worse he came across looking like a bigot and at the very least extremely foolish.
This man failed to see that God did not want to destroy homosexual. Quite the contrary he want’s to draw them into a personal relationship with himself just as he does with every other man woman and child on the earth.
There are many others in the world today taking scriptures out of context making it sound good misleading people.
We as believers in Christ need to read and understand the scriptures. So that we will not be deceived by such people.
We I believe need to hold our leadership up to a high standard of accountability. We need to carefully listen to what is being spoken supposedly in the name of Christ. We need to examine it carefully and see if it truly does line up with the word of God. If it doesn’t we need to at the very least stop listening to the person speaking.
We need to be ever vigilant with respect to who we are listing to and what we ourselves are teaching.
We need to constantly be in prayer and studying the Bible to help keep us on the right track. With our feet firmly planted in the truth of God.
Think about it
Friday 25 July 2014
Thursday 24 July 2014
The Lord is my Shepherd
The Lord is my Shepherd
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:1-6.
Is the Lord truly your Shepherd? How much do you trust him.
On one of my other blogs today I noted that I have Bipolar Affective disorder. Simply put my moods can range from high highs to low lows and in my case untreated the will do that several times day.
When I’m high no one can do anything fast enough or good enough for me it’s get out of the way let me do it.
When I’m low all I want to do is roll up in a ball and die.
It’s not demon possession as one person told me. It’s a chemical imbalance in my brain.
But especially when I’m depressed I am so glad I know the Lord. Now my condition is controlled by medication. But I still have down times. Time when suicide does cross my mind.
Those are the days I’ve learned to draw extra close to God.
Long before I was diagnosed with my illness I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, as the Shepherd of my life.
I learned to turn to Him each day to ask him to guide me and direct me. To keep me in the valley of the shadow of death.
I believe that early foundation that was laid in my life prepared me to go through all the problems I’ve had in life.
I know what it is like to be in the valley of the shadow of death. You’re there when you’re so depressed that it physically hurts and suicide seems to be the only way out.
Long ago before I met Christ I would have committed suicide but now I see depression as a time to draw near to God.
There is a poem called Footprints that hangs on my livingroom wall it says,
"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed tow sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life:
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
This I believe is true. Though the darkest times in our life Jesus is there for us.
If we truly have made him Lord of our life we simply have to turn to him and say “Gentle Shepherd I need thee now and always.”
And he will answer.
Think about it.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:1-6.
Is the Lord truly your Shepherd? How much do you trust him.
On one of my other blogs today I noted that I have Bipolar Affective disorder. Simply put my moods can range from high highs to low lows and in my case untreated the will do that several times day.
When I’m high no one can do anything fast enough or good enough for me it’s get out of the way let me do it.
When I’m low all I want to do is roll up in a ball and die.
It’s not demon possession as one person told me. It’s a chemical imbalance in my brain.
But especially when I’m depressed I am so glad I know the Lord. Now my condition is controlled by medication. But I still have down times. Time when suicide does cross my mind.
Those are the days I’ve learned to draw extra close to God.
Long before I was diagnosed with my illness I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, as the Shepherd of my life.
I learned to turn to Him each day to ask him to guide me and direct me. To keep me in the valley of the shadow of death.
I believe that early foundation that was laid in my life prepared me to go through all the problems I’ve had in life.
I know what it is like to be in the valley of the shadow of death. You’re there when you’re so depressed that it physically hurts and suicide seems to be the only way out.
Long ago before I met Christ I would have committed suicide but now I see depression as a time to draw near to God.
There is a poem called Footprints that hangs on my livingroom wall it says,
"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed tow sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life:
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
This I believe is true. Though the darkest times in our life Jesus is there for us.
If we truly have made him Lord of our life we simply have to turn to him and say “Gentle Shepherd I need thee now and always.”
And he will answer.
Think about it.
Wednesday 23 July 2014
Words of Advice
A word of Advice
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
We all get angry from time to time. The key however is never to take it to bed with you. Rather to come to terms with what made you angry and forgive.
If someone has caused you to become angry do your best to reconcile yourself to them. If they wont talk it over with you. Take it to God and ask forgiveness.
Anger only hurts the one that is angry. It can eat you up inside and doctors tell me it can cause physical problems.
Especially note what Paul is saying here. “In your Anger do not sin.”
The classic example of sinning in your anger is road rage. Someone cut you off and you get upset.
I watch one man from a parking lot. He’d been cut off by a car up the street. The man in his anger got in front of the offending car and slammed on the brakes, bringing both of them to a sudden halt.
The man, a big man then jumped out of the car and confronted the men in the other car.
Imagine his surprise when two uniformed police officers got out of the car.
They slapped him in cuffs and waited for another unit to arrive.
I thought it was poetic justice. But it’s an example of how our anger can get us in trouble.
That man could have just as easily let the whole incident rest and chalk it up to someone making a mistake. Instead he ended up in the back of a police car.
Anger can sour relationship also.
If we feel offended and get upset it can ruin lives.
Many relationships and marriages over the centuries have been destroyed by anger, simply because we haven’t practised forgiveness.
Jesus says,
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”
Matthew 5:23-25
As Christians we are called to forgive even our enemies.
So,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
Think about it.
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
We all get angry from time to time. The key however is never to take it to bed with you. Rather to come to terms with what made you angry and forgive.
If someone has caused you to become angry do your best to reconcile yourself to them. If they wont talk it over with you. Take it to God and ask forgiveness.
Anger only hurts the one that is angry. It can eat you up inside and doctors tell me it can cause physical problems.
Especially note what Paul is saying here. “In your Anger do not sin.”
The classic example of sinning in your anger is road rage. Someone cut you off and you get upset.
I watch one man from a parking lot. He’d been cut off by a car up the street. The man in his anger got in front of the offending car and slammed on the brakes, bringing both of them to a sudden halt.
The man, a big man then jumped out of the car and confronted the men in the other car.
Imagine his surprise when two uniformed police officers got out of the car.
They slapped him in cuffs and waited for another unit to arrive.
I thought it was poetic justice. But it’s an example of how our anger can get us in trouble.
That man could have just as easily let the whole incident rest and chalk it up to someone making a mistake. Instead he ended up in the back of a police car.
Anger can sour relationship also.
If we feel offended and get upset it can ruin lives.
Many relationships and marriages over the centuries have been destroyed by anger, simply because we haven’t practised forgiveness.
Jesus says,
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”
Matthew 5:23-25
As Christians we are called to forgive even our enemies.
So,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
Think about it.
Monday 21 July 2014
Some Simple Truths
Some simple Truths
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in 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.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
1John 1:5-26
Some simple truths from John.
1/ “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
2/ “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”
3/ “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
4/ “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us....”
5/ “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
6/ “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
7/ “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands...”
8/ “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
John also makes it clear that if we sin we,
“...we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
As Christians it is important for us to live a life as close to the ideals Jesus set out for us as possible.
John recognizes that we are human and that we do sin and thus have one who speaks in our defence, Jesus Christ.
Jesus knows and understands what it is to be human and I believe relates this to the Father.
Jesus knows our hearts and minds and he know what it is to be human and how easily we can sin.
That’s why if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we have no fear for he has paid the debt for our sins.
Think about it.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in 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.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
1John 1:5-26
Some simple truths from John.
1/ “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
2/ “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”
3/ “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
4/ “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us....”
5/ “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
6/ “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
7/ “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands...”
8/ “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
John also makes it clear that if we sin we,
“...we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
As Christians it is important for us to live a life as close to the ideals Jesus set out for us as possible.
John recognizes that we are human and that we do sin and thus have one who speaks in our defence, Jesus Christ.
Jesus knows and understands what it is to be human and I believe relates this to the Father.
Jesus knows our hearts and minds and he know what it is to be human and how easily we can sin.
That’s why if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we have no fear for he has paid the debt for our sins.
Think about it.
Sunday 20 July 2014
A Need
A Need
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Are you and the Church you attend showing the love of God? Do people see the love and compassion of Jesus in you.
A man asked Jesus,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
Is your church stuck on form, ritual and tradition?
I watched a news show today that said in the city of London England there is a group of people meeting who have no faith as such. They meet because they feel they need to be with other people.
That personal contact in is lost in the big impersonal city that is London. Apparently there are other such groups meeting like this around the world.
The article went on to say that the Church of England was in crisis in that it is losing many people. That three out of four people in England do not believe in God.
I firmly believe that it is the institution that is the Church of England and other mainline churches that are missing the mark.
They have failed to move with the times. They have built a gilded cage filled with ritual that has no relevance today.
By contrast the evangelical church is bucking the trend and growing.
Why? I believe because they are preaching a relevant message.
In our city I know of a pastor that went to a conference in the United States. His luggage got lost and he was reduced to blue jeans, white shirt and a black suit jacket.
He had to sit on stage like that among other pastors that were all wearing nice suits.
He then had an epiphany. He looked out and seen everyone was wearing the same fine suits.
No wonder he thought people were not coming to church. They take one look at the crowd and feel they don’t belong.
He went home and immediately told his staff no more suites on stage. At the very least business casual. No ties.
He had not been pastor of his congregation very long at that time. The congregation was languishing in the high four hundreds low five hundreds if that.
He started presenting the gospel in a relaxed relevant manner. One that did not compromise the teachings of Christ in any way. One that showed the love of God by trying to be inclusive.
Someone told me it was like putting fertilizer on grass the congregation started to grow. By the time he moved on eight or so years later the congregation was toping two thousand plus. It is still growing under its current pastor who also has a relaxed come as you are attitude. The church even opened two outreaches that are also attracting two hundred plus at each sight.
That church is not alone other churches in cities around us have done the same they’ve become come as you are churches with not expectations with respect to dress code.
It’s difficult in many of these churches to find people in suits today.
Even in our small congregation where the people are older suits are unusual. Our worship leader is frequently dressed in blue jeans.
We accept people as they are and present the word of God to them.
It’s working. People feel accepted and not under pressure to look a certain way.
Think about it Jesus didn’t care how a person was dressed. He associated with anyone. He preached everywhere from the temple to the shores of a lake.
The important thing with Jesus and his disciples is that the message of the love of God reached the world around them.
That everyone irrespective of how they looked, how they dressed or what their lifestyle was could come into a personal relationship with Christ.
Question to you Christian.
Would a person who is shabbily dressed or simply not dressed in their Sunday best be comfortable in your congregation.
Think about it.
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Are you and the Church you attend showing the love of God? Do people see the love and compassion of Jesus in you.
A man asked Jesus,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40.
Is your church stuck on form, ritual and tradition?
I watched a news show today that said in the city of London England there is a group of people meeting who have no faith as such. They meet because they feel they need to be with other people.
That personal contact in is lost in the big impersonal city that is London. Apparently there are other such groups meeting like this around the world.
The article went on to say that the Church of England was in crisis in that it is losing many people. That three out of four people in England do not believe in God.
I firmly believe that it is the institution that is the Church of England and other mainline churches that are missing the mark.
They have failed to move with the times. They have built a gilded cage filled with ritual that has no relevance today.
By contrast the evangelical church is bucking the trend and growing.
Why? I believe because they are preaching a relevant message.
In our city I know of a pastor that went to a conference in the United States. His luggage got lost and he was reduced to blue jeans, white shirt and a black suit jacket.
He had to sit on stage like that among other pastors that were all wearing nice suits.
He then had an epiphany. He looked out and seen everyone was wearing the same fine suits.
No wonder he thought people were not coming to church. They take one look at the crowd and feel they don’t belong.
He went home and immediately told his staff no more suites on stage. At the very least business casual. No ties.
He had not been pastor of his congregation very long at that time. The congregation was languishing in the high four hundreds low five hundreds if that.
He started presenting the gospel in a relaxed relevant manner. One that did not compromise the teachings of Christ in any way. One that showed the love of God by trying to be inclusive.
Someone told me it was like putting fertilizer on grass the congregation started to grow. By the time he moved on eight or so years later the congregation was toping two thousand plus. It is still growing under its current pastor who also has a relaxed come as you are attitude. The church even opened two outreaches that are also attracting two hundred plus at each sight.
That church is not alone other churches in cities around us have done the same they’ve become come as you are churches with not expectations with respect to dress code.
It’s difficult in many of these churches to find people in suits today.
Even in our small congregation where the people are older suits are unusual. Our worship leader is frequently dressed in blue jeans.
We accept people as they are and present the word of God to them.
It’s working. People feel accepted and not under pressure to look a certain way.
Think about it Jesus didn’t care how a person was dressed. He associated with anyone. He preached everywhere from the temple to the shores of a lake.
The important thing with Jesus and his disciples is that the message of the love of God reached the world around them.
That everyone irrespective of how they looked, how they dressed or what their lifestyle was could come into a personal relationship with Christ.
Question to you Christian.
Would a person who is shabbily dressed or simply not dressed in their Sunday best be comfortable in your congregation.
Think about it.
Saturday 19 July 2014
A Light upon us
A light upon us
Christians perhaps more than any other group in human history have fierce spot light on us. Upon what we say and do can potentially hang the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with.
We cannot do anything lightly. We have an ethical and spiritual duty to preform every day of our lives.
The call from Jesus is to,
“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...”
Matthew 28:19,20a
The world is watching us. By what we say and do they will judge Christ and the message he gave us.
Look at the words of Jesus again,
“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...”
It does not call us to judge quite the contrary he warns us 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.
We cannot afford to judge even our worst enemy. Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43,44
The Apostle Paul goes as far as saying,
“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.
We are to keep our own house in order and not Judge those outside the church because it is only in doing so that we can reach the world for Christ.
Someone once said ten good men can save us but ten bad men can condemn us. In which group are you?
Think about it.
Christians perhaps more than any other group in human history have fierce spot light on us. Upon what we say and do can potentially hang the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with.
We cannot do anything lightly. We have an ethical and spiritual duty to preform every day of our lives.
The call from Jesus is to,
“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...”
Matthew 28:19,20a
The world is watching us. By what we say and do they will judge Christ and the message he gave us.
Look at the words of Jesus again,
“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...”
It does not call us to judge quite the contrary he warns us 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.
We cannot afford to judge even our worst enemy. Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43,44
The Apostle Paul goes as far as saying,
“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.
We are to keep our own house in order and not Judge those outside the church because it is only in doing so that we can reach the world for Christ.
Someone once said ten good men can save us but ten bad men can condemn us. In which group are you?
Think about it.
Friday 18 July 2014
What is a Christian?
What is a Christian?
A woman I know asked me the other day to define for them what a Christian is. She had seen many who called themselves Christians both in the media and on the street that had turned her off.
She had attended a church locally only to be turned off by the hypocrisy of the pastor and judgemental attitudes of some in the congregation.
So knowing that I was a Christian Bible study leader she asked me how I would define a Christian.
I felt I needed to share my answer.
I answered her initially with the obvious.
A Christian believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That Jesus died for their sins. They are someone who has confessed their sin directly to Jesus and as a result have had their sins forgiven.
Christians are saved by faith 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.
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“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
That being said I believe a Christian must be far more.
Contrary to what seems to come across in the media many times a Christian is not the judge of the world.
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.”
1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to keep our own house clean not to worry about judging the world 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.
I admit all too many Christians do judge. Lack of a judgemental attitude is a characteristic of a true Christian.
A True Christian is doing what 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.
A true Christian is being a light to the world, 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.
A true Christian shows his or her faith in their deeds.
James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
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.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
James 2:14-19.
Perhaps Francis of Assisi in a prayer says what Christian should be when he writes,
Yes there are many in the media, in the pulpit and in the pews that claim they are Christians but they are not. Jesus even says,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23
Think about it.
A woman I know asked me the other day to define for them what a Christian is. She had seen many who called themselves Christians both in the media and on the street that had turned her off.
She had attended a church locally only to be turned off by the hypocrisy of the pastor and judgemental attitudes of some in the congregation.
So knowing that I was a Christian Bible study leader she asked me how I would define a Christian.
I felt I needed to share my answer.
I answered her initially with the obvious.
A Christian believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That Jesus died for their sins. They are someone who has confessed their sin directly to Jesus and as a result have had their sins forgiven.
Christians are saved by faith 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.
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“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
That being said I believe a Christian must be far more.
Contrary to what seems to come across in the media many times a Christian is not the judge of the world.
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.”
1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to keep our own house clean not to worry about judging the world 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.
I admit all too many Christians do judge. Lack of a judgemental attitude is a characteristic of a true Christian.
A True Christian is doing what 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.
A true Christian is being a light to the world, 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.
A true Christian shows his or her faith in their deeds.
James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
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.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
James 2:14-19.
Perhaps Francis of Assisi in a prayer says what Christian should be when he writes,
“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 AssisiYes there are many in the media, in the pulpit and in the pews that claim they are Christians but they are not. Jesus even says,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23
Think about it.
Thursday 17 July 2014
Married to an Unbeliever?
Married to an Unbeliever?
“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”
1 Corinthians 7:12-17.
Are you married to an unbeliever? They if they are willing to still stay with you then do so. That’s simply what Paul is saying her. If the unbelieving partner wants to go then let them do so.
Paul makes a clear and logical point here for saying with an unbelieving spouse that is willing to stay,
“How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
I know that wives can save husbands and vice versa. My pastors wife was married to an unbeliever. He eventually came to know the Lord and not only that he went on to become pastor of our church.
It does happen.
If you have a good marriage and one is an unbeliever there is nothing wrong with that. There is no reason to break up. Simply be the best spouse you possibly because in doing so you may win your spouse and your children to Christ.
Think about it.
“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”
1 Corinthians 7:12-17.
Are you married to an unbeliever? They if they are willing to still stay with you then do so. That’s simply what Paul is saying her. If the unbelieving partner wants to go then let them do so.
Paul makes a clear and logical point here for saying with an unbelieving spouse that is willing to stay,
“How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
I know that wives can save husbands and vice versa. My pastors wife was married to an unbeliever. He eventually came to know the Lord and not only that he went on to become pastor of our church.
It does happen.
If you have a good marriage and one is an unbeliever there is nothing wrong with that. There is no reason to break up. Simply be the best spouse you possibly because in doing so you may win your spouse and your children to Christ.
Think about it.
Wednesday 16 July 2014
On Marriage
On Marriage
“Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.
But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
It’s interesting here that Paul states that it’s good not to marry. But Paul realized that while it was good for him it was not for everyone.
Paul also knew of the temptations that were around Corinth. Temptations that could easily make people sin.
Thus he makes it clear that each man should have his own wife. That the husband and wife are equals in that their bodies are not solely their own but each others.
He makes it clear not to deprive each other of sexual relations except by mutual consent for a short period of time when devoting themselves to prayer.
Paul is very cognisant that the God given sex drive in people can cause people to sin.
Kenneth L Barker writing in Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised): © 2002. Writes,
“The Christian deprived of regular sexual activity with his or her marriage partner may be tempted by Satan to sexual immorality. The normal God-given sexual drive in the human being is strong.”
Paul also goes on to address the issue of widows in the church stating,
“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.
But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
1 Corinthians 7:8,9.
Again for the same reasons they should marry.
This is as clear cut as I think it could be. Marriage to me is God’s ideal and the husband and wife are one. No one has the right to come between them.
Leo Baeck a Jewish writer wrote something the apostle Paul would understand. He wrote,
“The fence of the Torah has surrounded family life with particular care. A strict and pure conception of matrimony which could be found nowhere in the ideas of antiquity was freely developed by Judaism. The ancient statute already saw marriage a ”sanctification,’ and therefore an ethical task to be performed; only husband and wife together, united for life, being the spirit of God, the spirit of holiness, into the home.”
A good marriage. A marriage based on love will endure no matter what.
I believe when entering marriage we must examine closely what love is. Paul said,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
I have also found the words of Paul to the Ephesians to be valid. He says,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry"
Ephesians 4:26
There are times in even the best marriages when you have disagreements. Times when emotions can flair. We are human and from time to time we will have opposing views, or simply do something that irritates our spouse.
My wife and I even before we were married practised the principle of not letting the sun go down while we were angry.
We never left each other angry even if it meant talking until the small hours of the morning.
All too many marriages end in divorce because it has been entered into, too quickly, with out much thought simply because it felt good to be around the person, or for purely sexual reasons.
We need to examine why we are getting married carefully. There will come a time in any marriage that the feel good things are not there. Times when life is hard and that good feeling when the marriage was new has faded at least for a while. It is through those times when love is tested. But true love will prevail. Read the words of Paul with respect to love again,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
A good healthy marriage based on love will survive even the harshest trials of life.
Think about it.
“Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.
But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
It’s interesting here that Paul states that it’s good not to marry. But Paul realized that while it was good for him it was not for everyone.
Paul also knew of the temptations that were around Corinth. Temptations that could easily make people sin.
Thus he makes it clear that each man should have his own wife. That the husband and wife are equals in that their bodies are not solely their own but each others.
He makes it clear not to deprive each other of sexual relations except by mutual consent for a short period of time when devoting themselves to prayer.
Paul is very cognisant that the God given sex drive in people can cause people to sin.
Kenneth L Barker writing in Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised): © 2002. Writes,
“The Christian deprived of regular sexual activity with his or her marriage partner may be tempted by Satan to sexual immorality. The normal God-given sexual drive in the human being is strong.”
Paul also goes on to address the issue of widows in the church stating,
“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.
But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
1 Corinthians 7:8,9.
Again for the same reasons they should marry.
This is as clear cut as I think it could be. Marriage to me is God’s ideal and the husband and wife are one. No one has the right to come between them.
Leo Baeck a Jewish writer wrote something the apostle Paul would understand. He wrote,
“The fence of the Torah has surrounded family life with particular care. A strict and pure conception of matrimony which could be found nowhere in the ideas of antiquity was freely developed by Judaism. The ancient statute already saw marriage a ”sanctification,’ and therefore an ethical task to be performed; only husband and wife together, united for life, being the spirit of God, the spirit of holiness, into the home.”
A good marriage. A marriage based on love will endure no matter what.
I believe when entering marriage we must examine closely what love is. Paul said,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
I have also found the words of Paul to the Ephesians to be valid. He says,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry"
Ephesians 4:26
There are times in even the best marriages when you have disagreements. Times when emotions can flair. We are human and from time to time we will have opposing views, or simply do something that irritates our spouse.
My wife and I even before we were married practised the principle of not letting the sun go down while we were angry.
We never left each other angry even if it meant talking until the small hours of the morning.
All too many marriages end in divorce because it has been entered into, too quickly, with out much thought simply because it felt good to be around the person, or for purely sexual reasons.
We need to examine why we are getting married carefully. There will come a time in any marriage that the feel good things are not there. Times when life is hard and that good feeling when the marriage was new has faded at least for a while. It is through those times when love is tested. But true love will prevail. Read the words of Paul with respect to love again,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
A good healthy marriage based on love will survive even the harshest trials of life.
Think about it.
Tuesday 15 July 2014
Sexual Immorality
Sexual Immorality
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1Corinthians6:15-20.
Paul when writing to the Corinthians knew he was writing to believers surrounded by more than it’s fair share of sin. At its height Corinth had 1000 priestess prostitutes working in the temple to Aphrodite.
So widely known was the immorality in Corinth that the Greek verb “to Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality.”
Here Paul warns the Corinthians against sexual immorality.
“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
I remember a doctor friend of mine once telling a youth group that you take a part of the person you have sex with, with you. Not just emotionally but physically.
This was at the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic when little was known about it. He was warning them to beware that they could easily get a sexually transmitted disease.
That saving themselves for marriage was the best possible thing.
It hit home to that youth group when one of their number a young girl only sixteen got pregnant to a guy she didn’t really like. A boy she’d simply had a carnal fling with.
Not only that but another this time a sixteen year old, a boy, got AIDS.
For the girl it meant that she would have in her life for many years to come, a guy that she had no real feelings for, but had fathered her child.
For the boy who’d contracted AIDS back then it was a virtual death sentence and the worse case scenario did come to be. A few years later he died. A tragic thing that didn’t have to be.
Fortunately to the credit of the youth leaders and the church leader they forgave the two and stood by them giving them as much help as they could.
They were young. They’d made a mistake and both confessed their sin and asked God’s forgiveness. What more could they do?
As Christians living in the twenty-first century we are surrounded by sex. It is easy to get access to it. Every city in the world has it’s seamy side, not to mention the internet.
Men especially seem to fall into sexual impurity easy. Still it is avoidable.
It was not necessary for Christians in Corinth to visit the prostitutes at Aphrodite's temple. Nor is it necessary for Christians to day to pick up prostitutes or engage in any kind of sexual immorality.
As the writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9.
The temptation of sexual immorality has been around since man started living in villages and probably even before that.
The vast majority of people, Christians and none Christians do not fall into it.
It is therefore up to the individual to resist temptation and to ask God for the strength to overcome.
Think about it.
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1Corinthians6:15-20.
Paul when writing to the Corinthians knew he was writing to believers surrounded by more than it’s fair share of sin. At its height Corinth had 1000 priestess prostitutes working in the temple to Aphrodite.
So widely known was the immorality in Corinth that the Greek verb “to Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality.”
Here Paul warns the Corinthians against sexual immorality.
“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
I remember a doctor friend of mine once telling a youth group that you take a part of the person you have sex with, with you. Not just emotionally but physically.
This was at the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic when little was known about it. He was warning them to beware that they could easily get a sexually transmitted disease.
That saving themselves for marriage was the best possible thing.
It hit home to that youth group when one of their number a young girl only sixteen got pregnant to a guy she didn’t really like. A boy she’d simply had a carnal fling with.
Not only that but another this time a sixteen year old, a boy, got AIDS.
For the girl it meant that she would have in her life for many years to come, a guy that she had no real feelings for, but had fathered her child.
For the boy who’d contracted AIDS back then it was a virtual death sentence and the worse case scenario did come to be. A few years later he died. A tragic thing that didn’t have to be.
Fortunately to the credit of the youth leaders and the church leader they forgave the two and stood by them giving them as much help as they could.
They were young. They’d made a mistake and both confessed their sin and asked God’s forgiveness. What more could they do?
As Christians living in the twenty-first century we are surrounded by sex. It is easy to get access to it. Every city in the world has it’s seamy side, not to mention the internet.
Men especially seem to fall into sexual impurity easy. Still it is avoidable.
It was not necessary for Christians in Corinth to visit the prostitutes at Aphrodite's temple. Nor is it necessary for Christians to day to pick up prostitutes or engage in any kind of sexual immorality.
As the writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9.
The temptation of sexual immorality has been around since man started living in villages and probably even before that.
The vast majority of people, Christians and none Christians do not fall into it.
It is therefore up to the individual to resist temptation and to ask God for the strength to overcome.
Think about it.
Monday 14 July 2014
Inside the Church
Inside the Church
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
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 5:9-13
Here’s something I feel is sometimes missed on Christians. I’ve heard numerous sermons telling Christians not to associate with those “who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” outside the church.
We can’t avoid these people as Paul says we would have to leave this world. In any case we are called to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” that does not mean just to the “good People” of the world. It means to everyone especially sinners, of which we are all.
What Paul is saying here is do not associate with anyone who calls himself a believer and is, “Sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
Such a person is not a Christian and in a worse case scenario can cause others to fall into sin. Paul is calling us to expel those who claim to be Christians and are doing immoral things from among the congregation.
Paul makes special note here,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside”
When it comes to those outside the church it all comes down to Matthew 7:1,2 where Jesus states,
“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.
Inside the church we have the right to hold all the brethren up to God’s standards. We have the right to correct them and if they do not accept correction to expel them from the church.
Think about it.
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
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 5:9-13
Here’s something I feel is sometimes missed on Christians. I’ve heard numerous sermons telling Christians not to associate with those “who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” outside the church.
We can’t avoid these people as Paul says we would have to leave this world. In any case we are called to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” that does not mean just to the “good People” of the world. It means to everyone especially sinners, of which we are all.
What Paul is saying here is do not associate with anyone who calls himself a believer and is, “Sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
Such a person is not a Christian and in a worse case scenario can cause others to fall into sin. Paul is calling us to expel those who claim to be Christians and are doing immoral things from among the congregation.
Paul makes special note here,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside”
When it comes to those outside the church it all comes down to Matthew 7:1,2 where Jesus states,
“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.
Inside the church we have the right to hold all the brethren up to God’s standards. We have the right to correct them and if they do not accept correction to expel them from the church.
Think about it.
Sunday 13 July 2014
Christian Attitude
Christian Attitude
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21.
Do you Love? Is your love sincere?
Many years ago when I was a young teen in the sixties I watched the movie Good by Mister Chips. It was a musical remake of a nineteen thirties movie.
The opening song was called In the morning of my life. These were the words,
From the Musical Good by Mr Chips
Those words stayed with me until this day. I believe we must fill the world with Love our whole life through.
By profession I am a professional clown and magician. From the very first day I started in the business I said this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
Please let me perform to the best of my ability. Let me bring a little Joy, Laughter, and Happiness to those whom I perform in front of today.
Let people see the Love of Jesus reflected in me.
In Jesus name I Pray
Amen.
Paul’s call in Romans 12 is to ensure our love is sincere. Going on to say,
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is the call that is placed on the Christian to show love even to our enemies. That we may at least point them the new life in Jesus Christ and an eternity with God.
Think about it.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21.
Do you Love? Is your love sincere?
Many years ago when I was a young teen in the sixties I watched the movie Good by Mister Chips. It was a musical remake of a nineteen thirties movie.
The opening song was called In the morning of my life. These were the words,
In the morning of my life
I will look to the Sunrise
At a moment in my life
When the world is new.
And the Question
I shall ask only God can answer.
Will I be brave and strong and true,
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
In the evening of my life
I will look to the sunset
At a moment in my life
When my life is through.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer
Was I brave and strong and true.
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
By Leslie Bricusse From the Musical Good by Mr Chips
Those words stayed with me until this day. I believe we must fill the world with Love our whole life through.
By profession I am a professional clown and magician. From the very first day I started in the business I said this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
Please let me perform to the best of my ability. Let me bring a little Joy, Laughter, and Happiness to those whom I perform in front of today.
Let people see the Love of Jesus reflected in me.
In Jesus name I Pray
Amen.
Paul’s call in Romans 12 is to ensure our love is sincere. Going on to say,
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is the call that is placed on the Christian to show love even to our enemies. That we may at least point them the new life in Jesus Christ and an eternity with God.
Think about it.
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