Are you Willing?

Are you willing

"Now, behold, one came and said to him, 

“Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

So He said to Him,

 “Why do you call me good. No one is good but One, that is, God.  

But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He said to Him, 

“Which ones?” 

Jesus said, 

“You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’

 ‘You shall not bear false witness. 

  ‘Honour your father and your mother, 

and ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’”

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. 

What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him, 

“If you want to be perfect go, sell what you have and give to the poor, 

and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, 

for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 

“Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man 

to enter the kingdom of heaven."

                                                                                            Matthew 19:16-23

The point of the passage is where the heart is.
This man came to Jesus asking Him, “what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”  Jesus told him to obey the commandments and the man said he had since his youth.
So Jesus told him to give everything he owned and follow Him.  “he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Jesus knew this man’s heart.  He knew that intellectually, he believed there was a God all his life, he’d been told there was.  I don’t think the man doubted that.
He, from the conversation, appears to have obeyed the laws of Moses.  And God seems to have blessed him materially.
Quite often, what we own keeps us away from God.
Having  wealth is often a sign of complete self reliance.  A good thing in many ways.  Still, it’s easy to follow the commandments of God if you’re financially well off.  But to give up everything and become totally reliant on God for even your most basic needs that takes faith.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God most believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” states Hebrews 11:6.
Jesus knew where this man’s faith was at and He knows where we are at.
Are you willing to “sell what you have and give to the poor, also? Are you willing to rely on God for even your most basic of needs?
Think about it.

prayer

Read Matthew 6:1-8

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.  

For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets,

that they maybe seen by men.

Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

“But you, when you pray,

go into your room, and when you have shut your door,

pray to your Father who is in the secret place,

and your Father who sees in secret

will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:5,6

Love to pray? If we love God we should. If we love someone we want to be with them we want to talk to them. Therefore if we love God we should want to spend time with Him and talk to Him.
But be careful how you pray. Jesus here warns us not to be like the hypocrites who like to be seen praying.  Rather, Jesus tells us to pray behind closed doors.  Pray in secret.
We need to pray in church, we need to be an example to our children, to show them we practice what we preach.  But we must be careful why we pray.  What are our motives.
Are we praying to impress people?  Are we praying because we have a feeling of obligation?  We must want to pray. A forced prayer is generally one with out meaning.
Someone told me, often the most sincere prayers are spoken in silence or when we are alone in a room.  When it is just God and you alone.
This is when we can truthfully express our deepest feelings and innermost secrets to our God who knows the very desires of our heart.
Most of us do not spend a great deal of time alone with God. We need a prayer closet. A place where we can go frequently to talk to God.
If you truly love anyone you will want to be with them. If you truly love God you will want time alone with Him. So that you can tell him the deepest secrets of your heart.
Think about it.

A note from a wise man

A note from a wise man
There are times when I’m writing these blogs that I feel I need to share it with everyone who reads them something of particular interest to me. This is one of those times. The Quote is from Dietrich Bonhoeffer . Dietrich Bonhoeffer knew what it was to love.
Dietrich was born 4 February 1906 Breslau, Silesia Province, Prussia, German Empire he died on 9th  April 1945 (aged 39) Flossenbürg concentration camp, Nazi Germany
 Bonhoeffer a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident, and key founding member of the Confessing Church. Wrote,
“Christian love draws no distinction between one enemy and another, except that the more bitter our enemy's hatred, the greater his need of love. Be his enmity political or religious, he has nothing to expect from a follower of Jesus but unqualified love. In such love there is not inner discord between the private person and official capacity. In both we are disciples of Christ, or we are not Christians at all.” 
                  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
A true Christian will love his enemies no matter what. Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood this. He was imprisoned by Adolf Hitler for doing the right thing, aiding Jews and opposing the barbarism of Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
What Bonhoeffer is saying that we can’t compartmentalize our faith. We must practice it both in our personal life and our professional. It must be a part of our lifestyle.
We must love our enemies. 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,  
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
Matthew 5:43-46
As Christians we must do what is right no matter the personal cost.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                          Francis of Assisi  
Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 
                                                                                               John 13:34,35.
This is what it is to be a true Christian to love even our worst enemies. To do what is right by our fellow man and by God.
Read Bonhoeffer’s words again,
“Christian love draws no distinction between one enemy and another, except that the more bitter our enemy's hatred, the greater his need of love. Be his enmity political or religious, he has nothing to expect from a follower of Jesus but unqualified love. In such love there is not inner discord between the private person and official capacity. In both we are disciples of Christ, or we are not Christians at all.” 
Is this the kind of love you show?
Think about it

Of Faith and Works

Of Faith and Works

“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.” 
                                                                                                        James 2:14-17

I have written about this before Faith with out works is dead. Francis of Assisi put it this way,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                   Francis of Assisi
This scripture was brought home to me when I was at an event a few months ago. An elderly woman suddenly developed cramping in her foot and was in a lot of pain.
One man leaned over and started to pray for her. Another went to his knees and started massaging the woman’s foot.
The within minutes the woman was pain free. But the stark contrast of the actions of the two men reminded me of the above verse.
It was a simple thing both men could have done but one thought prayer would be enough while the other put his faith into action.
A simple act done in the name of the Lord brought a smile on the face of the elderly woman.
We can all do simple acts. Even if it’s just raking the leaves for an elderly neighbour, shovelling snow or taking someone shopping or whatever.
Actions done in the name of the Lord quite often speak louder than words.
Think about it.

Judgement without mercy

Judgement without Mercy

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” 
James 2:10-13
I like this line,
“judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
Do you judge without mercy. When you see something you disagree with do you without thought automatically judge.
I remember one time I was driving someone down town. We came to an intersection and a man very poorly dressed started across the road in front of us. He was slurring his words and swearing. The woman with me in the car said,
“That terrible ten in the morning and he’s drunk already.”
She jumped to a wrong conclusion. This person was mentally ill and had condition that caused him to appear drunk and swear uncontrollably.
Another ‘bug a boo’ in the Christian community is with homosexuals. Many especially it seems high profile televangelist judge members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community out of hand.
They come down hard on them simply because they disagree with them. This is wrong. They are judging without knowing all the facts.
They are definitely not showing mercy to them.
I wonder what God will say to those who espouse to be Christians and judge people outside our faith?
We know what the LGBT community are saying. They are judging them to be biggots. They are judging them without mercy.
      James says,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.”
Paul states,
“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.
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.
It is not our job to judge. We have the right to correct those within our own faith. But, we do not have the right to judge those outside our faith.
The apostle Paul writing,
“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 an obligation to reach out to the non-believer and present them with the Gospel of Christ in a loving gentle none judgmental way.
What they do with the information we present is up to them.
Do you judge others?
Think about it.

Don't show Favourites

Don’t show favourites,

“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.  
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.  
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?  
But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?  
Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” 
                                                                                                   James 2:1-8.
James here is calling us not to show favouritism in any way.
It’s very easy to show favouritism. We see a man entering the church in to a nice suit and assume he is a good person deserving of respect.
It seems to be human nature to assume because a person is badly dressed they should not be trusted.
I have known many people over the years who have refused to go to church because they didn’t have the “proper clothes” to wear.
It tended to be very prevalent in the area where I lived and went to Church in the seventies. People always wore their Sunday best to church.
It happens in many churches still. People seem to dress to impress.
I remember one morning during the week. Having a few minutes to spare I’d dropped into see my pastor. I found him in shorts and tee shirt fixing something or other. I was dressed as they say business causal.
A couple whom we didn’t know dropped in and assumed because of the way I was dressed that I was the pastor. Were they surprised.
Our church is a come as you are church even our worship leader will wear blue jeans when leading worship at times.
We accept people as they are. Which is what James is saying here.
In showing favouritism we are sinning according to James,
James states,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
Do you show favouritism in the church. Do you judge a person by the kind of clothing they are wearing or by the amount of money in there wallet?
Our call as Christians is to treat each other equally.
Would your church congregation reach out and hug someone who enters who’s less than neatly dressed or dishevelled.
Think about it.

Be

Be

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. 
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." 
James 1:19-27

1/Here’s the point form version of what James is saying,
2/Be quick to listen to the word of God.
3/Be slow to speak. Think before you speak.
4/Be very slow to anger. Don’t sweat the little things. Think before you get angry. Ask yourself is it                  worth getting angry.
5/Get rid of the moral filth and evil in you life.
6/Listen to the word of God planted in your life.
7/Don’t just listen to the word of God, DO WHAT IT SAYS.
James states a man who fails to do what the word of God says is like someone who forgets what his reflection looks like in other words he has heard the word but learned nothing.
There are many people in churches who can quote chapter and verse in many things but fail to put the lessons of the Bible to work in their life. Thus the world is essentially null and void.
He admonishes us to keep a rein on one’s tongue. Our tongue can get us in a lot of trouble. Many good ministers and evangelist have had their ministries ruined by what they have said.
Finally he says,
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Think about it

When Tempted

When Tempted

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;  
but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” 
James 1:13-18
Once again James makes a very clear statement when we are tempted it is not God who tempts us. God will not tempt us.
Instead he makes it clear that we are tempted by our own evil desires that drag us away from the Lord and give birth to sin.
James points out that,
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Our God is a good and honest God who give only good things to his people. All good things come from God.
Think about it.

Blessed

Blessed

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” 
                                                                                   James 1:12.
Here is a promise for those of us under trial. If we persevere we will receive the crown of life.
These tests can be anything depending on where you are in the world. In parts of the world the test will undoubtedly be persecution. Potential physical injury jail time or even death.
In the west the trial may be something as simple as refraining from strong drink, pornography, watching the wrong things in the media or even judging others.
All these things are tests and the promise is there. Should we withstand them we will receive a crown of life.
Think about it.

High and Low Position

High and low position

“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.  
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” 
James 1:9-11.
Here James speaks about high and low positions and it is exactly the opposite of the world.
James says a brother of humble circumstances should take pride in his high position.
Quite often a person who is of humble means. Poor Christians from a financial standpoint are the ones who grow closest to God. Simply because they have to rely on his provision each day. They truly mean it when they say, “give us this day our daily bread.”
On the other hand a person of wealth can if he or she wishes rely on their wealth to the exclusion of God.
But for the wealthy person who realizes that their wealth is because of God and that they have an obligation to help others with it can be a humbling experience. Such a person becomes as it were a servant.
The Talmud gives what I think is a good lesson,
Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                                                                                                   The Talmud.
In the modern world I think of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet and other billionaires who have pledged to give away half their fortune before they die to help others.
This is what it should be like for Christians with wealth. They should be asking God to direct and guide how they spend their money.
While those who are poor. Those of humble means should draw close to God knowing that he will draw close to them and provide for them.
Think about it.  

Ask for Wisdom

Ask for Wisdom

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  
That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” 
                          James 1:5-8

Here James makes what to me is a simple statement. If we lack wisdom we should ask God for it. We should ask and not doubt that God will give us that wisdom.
We all have times when we need wisdom in making decisions. Times when we can’t decide what the best path to take is in our lives.
In those times we should go to prayer. Sincere earnest prayer and ask God for guidance.
We must also expect and not doubt that the wisdom we are asking for comes from God.
If we do we may just make the wrong decision.
The key when we are asking anything from God is to ask in all sincerity. To ask expecting an answer. Then when we get that answer we must act in accordance to the way God has shown us.
Think about it.

Consider Trials

Consider Trials

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
The author of the book of James is generally believed to be the brother of Jesus. The son of Mary and Joseph.
Who he is writing to is not all that clear. All he says it is to the twelve tribes. It is certain he is writing to Christians and quite possibly the Christians from Jerusalem who were scattered after the death of Stephen. If so these Christians would understand what persecution was.
He says here consider it pure joy whenever you face trials. Sometimes, especially when we face trials for our faith we are doing the right things.
In Acts chapter five the Apostles were preaching the word of God when they were arrested and they were punished.
The book of Acts recording,
“....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’m sure the Apostles didn’t like getting flogged but they still rejoiced that they were doing what Christ called them to do well enough that the religious leaders of their day punished them.
Unfortunately today governments and other religious groups feel threatened by the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Thus there is at times horrendous persecution of Christians in some places in the world.
These persecuted Christians despite the hardship they are going through still refuse to give up their faith in Christ.
We in the west have it easy and quite frequently we forget those of our faith that live under persecution.
Please remember the persecuted church. Lift them up in your prayers daily. Pray that God will give them peace in all they are going through.
        Pray that their persecution will end.