A Libertine
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“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.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Monday, 19 January 2015
Are you like Jesus?
Like Jesus?
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:26-28.
Paul makes it clear that if we have accepted Jesus into our lives by faith we are sons of God. That there is no difference who we are, what our status in this life was, whether we are male or female. All according to Paul are one in Christ Jesus.
The question I would ask is are you acting like Christ would have you act?
Mahatma Gandhi looked around his world at those who said they were Christians and said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
When I grew up in England we all called ourselves Christians even if we hadn’t made a commitment to Christ by faith. Even if we didn’t go to church regularly. The way we looked at it we were growing up in a “Christian country” so we were Christians.
Especially as kids and teens we didn’t understand what it was to give our lives to Christ and there was no one there to tell us the difference.
A lot of people I knew then adults and Children called themselves Christian but were not. They went to church but were not Christian in the true sense of the Bible.
To be a Christian one must in faith accept Jesus as the Son of God. Admit that we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. We must confess our sins to God and accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
We must then let Christ into our hearts and minds and begin to live as he would have us live.
A true Christian is far from perfect but he or she is doing there best to live a life that reflects the values of Christ.
Gandhi apparently from his comment didn’t see many people claiming to be Christians living according to Christian values. I can understand that.
Today in North America we have many people who go to church and claim to be Christians but have not given their lives to Christ.
I see also both in the media and out pastors and evangelist who claim to be Christian. Who may even be Christian but are not following the right teachings of Christ.
They are heaping judgment on those outside the Church. By doing so they are alienating the very people they should be reaching.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
As Christians we must be very careful how we live our lives. We must be very careful what we say and do towards others.
Gandhi was obviously turned off Christianity because of those who claimed to be Christians were doing. How sad.
How sad also that many here in North America are turned from Christ because of the actions and words of those who claim to Christians.
I am an admirer of Francis of Assisi who said,
We as Christians are called to present the good news of Jesus Christ and the eternal life that he offers to all people. In order to do this we must live the life that Jesus would.
We cannot afford to judge people. We are called to offer hope.
It has been said Christians have a great responsibility. The greatest responsibility God has ever given to man. That is to offer love, hope and eternal life to all mankind.
Our actions have eternal consequences.
By our actions or lack thereof we may be sentencing people to a Christless eternity.
Think about it.
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:26-28.
Paul makes it clear that if we have accepted Jesus into our lives by faith we are sons of God. That there is no difference who we are, what our status in this life was, whether we are male or female. All according to Paul are one in Christ Jesus.
The question I would ask is are you acting like Christ would have you act?
Mahatma Gandhi looked around his world at those who said they were Christians and said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
When I grew up in England we all called ourselves Christians even if we hadn’t made a commitment to Christ by faith. Even if we didn’t go to church regularly. The way we looked at it we were growing up in a “Christian country” so we were Christians.
Especially as kids and teens we didn’t understand what it was to give our lives to Christ and there was no one there to tell us the difference.
A lot of people I knew then adults and Children called themselves Christian but were not. They went to church but were not Christian in the true sense of the Bible.
To be a Christian one must in faith accept Jesus as the Son of God. Admit that we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. We must confess our sins to God and accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
We must then let Christ into our hearts and minds and begin to live as he would have us live.
A true Christian is far from perfect but he or she is doing there best to live a life that reflects the values of Christ.
Gandhi apparently from his comment didn’t see many people claiming to be Christians living according to Christian values. I can understand that.
Today in North America we have many people who go to church and claim to be Christians but have not given their lives to Christ.
I see also both in the media and out pastors and evangelist who claim to be Christian. Who may even be Christian but are not following the right teachings of Christ.
They are heaping judgment on those outside the Church. By doing so they are alienating the very people they should be reaching.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
As Christians we must be very careful how we live our lives. We must be very careful what we say and do towards others.
Gandhi was obviously turned off Christianity because of those who claimed to be Christians were doing. How sad.
How sad also that many here in North America are turned from Christ because of the actions and words of those who claim to Christians.
I am an admirer of Francis of Assisi who said,
“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 AssisiWe as Christians are called to present the good news of Jesus Christ and the eternal life that he offers to all people. In order to do this we must live the life that Jesus would.
We cannot afford to judge people. We are called to offer hope.
It has been said Christians have a great responsibility. The greatest responsibility God has ever given to man. That is to offer love, hope and eternal life to all mankind.
Our actions have eternal consequences.
By our actions or lack thereof we may be sentencing people to a Christless eternity.
Think about it.
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Towards eternity
Toward eternity
“Each day is a step we make towards eternity and we shall continue thus to step from day to day until we take the last step, which will bring us into the presence of God.”
The Venerable Mother Catherine Elizabeth McAuley (29 September 1778 – 11 November 1841)
The one thing Christians those of other faiths and even atheist agree on is that from the moment we are born we are walking to eternity.
Some say life is a constant cycle of rebirth in various forms. Others say we will one day stand before a just and holy God who will judge us by the right and wrong we do.
The atheist would say that when life ends here, that is it for all eternity, life simply ends.
Christianity however makes some very distinctive claims.
We believe the apostle John when he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”
John 1:1-4
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
We believe that Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh that he came to earth to show man how much he loved him.
Jesus saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Jesus also said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Christians believe that we cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That we must accept Jesus Christ into our life. That we must believe that he is the one and only Son of God that died for our sins.
That such a move is an act of faith on our part. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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
Not only do we believe the above but we go one step further believing the words of John who wrote,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:,12,13.
The way I look at it if I as a Christian am wrong in my beliefs I have nothing to worry about because I have lived a good and happy life.
If I as a Christian am right however the consequences for those who do not believe are eternal.
As Christians therefore it is imperative that we present the gospel to as many People as we can. To all who will listen to us.
Think about it.
“Each day is a step we make towards eternity and we shall continue thus to step from day to day until we take the last step, which will bring us into the presence of God.”
The Venerable Mother Catherine Elizabeth McAuley (29 September 1778 – 11 November 1841)
The one thing Christians those of other faiths and even atheist agree on is that from the moment we are born we are walking to eternity.
Some say life is a constant cycle of rebirth in various forms. Others say we will one day stand before a just and holy God who will judge us by the right and wrong we do.
The atheist would say that when life ends here, that is it for all eternity, life simply ends.
Christianity however makes some very distinctive claims.
We believe the apostle John when he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”
John 1:1-4
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
We believe that Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh that he came to earth to show man how much he loved him.
Jesus saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Jesus also said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Christians believe that we cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That we must accept Jesus Christ into our life. That we must believe that he is the one and only Son of God that died for our sins.
That such a move is an act of faith on our part. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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
Not only do we believe the above but we go one step further believing the words of John who wrote,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:,12,13.
The way I look at it if I as a Christian am wrong in my beliefs I have nothing to worry about because I have lived a good and happy life.
If I as a Christian am right however the consequences for those who do not believe are eternal.
As Christians therefore it is imperative that we present the gospel to as many People as we can. To all who will listen to us.
Think about it.
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Freedom
Freedom
“Your freedom ends a moment before your fist hits a persons face”
Anonymous
Freedom is not a blank slate to do as we wish, for this would lead to anarchy and anarchy is not freedom.
Freedom comes with responsibility. The responsibility to respect the rights and beliefs of others.
Nelson Mandela wrote,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
While I would support the right of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo to exercise it’s freedom of speech. I would wonder at the wisdom of them portraying the prophet Mohamad in the way they did.
As a Christian I’ve seen lots of cartoons portraying Jesus in a negative way. It offends me but I certainly would not pick up a gun or bomb and attack anyone over it.
Still those involved with Charlie Hebdo knew to draw the prophet would cause trouble yet in the name of freedom of speech they went ahead with it.
Had they been respectful of the beliefs of those Muslims who believe it is wrong to picture their prophet in such a way there may not have been any funerals to go to.
Read the words of Nelson Mandela again,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
We should never, never give into terrorist or anyone who would restrict our freedoms. We should never let anyone use the gun to stop us criticizing what we disagree with.
At the same time we need to show respect.
I as a Christian understand what it is to have one’s beliefs come under attack. In Saudi Arabia the home of Islam, Christianity is not allowed to practice. Nor is it in North Korea and many other places around the world.
Christians die at the rate of one every four to seven minutes for their faith without them even saying a word in anger.
Yet true Christians still hold to their beliefs of, love of God, love their neighbour, love their enemy and even pray for their persecutors.
Likewise I believe as a Christian I need to respect the rights Islam to practice and I would never think to make fun of their beliefs.
Respect is the only way we can expect to have open dialogue with those whom we disagree. To make friends of enemies.
Certainly the members of Al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups do not believe in respecting the rights of others. They are nothing more that modern day Hitler’s intent on waging world war three. They are evil, oppressive and need to be destroyed.
We need to stand up to the terror threat coming from the extremist of the Islamic world. We need to be stomping them out. We need to be fighting against anyone who would restrict our freedoms.
No one should die for words on a page or a pen and ink cartoon no matter how offensive it may be.
At the same time however we should respect the beliefs of others.
If we do not respect the beliefs of others and use our freedom to mock and wrongly persecute others we become like those who would try to destroy our way of life.
In showing respect and love to those whom we disagree with we may just win a friend and ally.
It’s a delicate balancing act to be sure but we need to do it. In order to truly be called a free people.
Think about it.
“Your freedom ends a moment before your fist hits a persons face”
Anonymous
Freedom is not a blank slate to do as we wish, for this would lead to anarchy and anarchy is not freedom.
Freedom comes with responsibility. The responsibility to respect the rights and beliefs of others.
Nelson Mandela wrote,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
While I would support the right of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo to exercise it’s freedom of speech. I would wonder at the wisdom of them portraying the prophet Mohamad in the way they did.
As a Christian I’ve seen lots of cartoons portraying Jesus in a negative way. It offends me but I certainly would not pick up a gun or bomb and attack anyone over it.
Still those involved with Charlie Hebdo knew to draw the prophet would cause trouble yet in the name of freedom of speech they went ahead with it.
Had they been respectful of the beliefs of those Muslims who believe it is wrong to picture their prophet in such a way there may not have been any funerals to go to.
Read the words of Nelson Mandela again,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandela.
We should never, never give into terrorist or anyone who would restrict our freedoms. We should never let anyone use the gun to stop us criticizing what we disagree with.
At the same time we need to show respect.
I as a Christian understand what it is to have one’s beliefs come under attack. In Saudi Arabia the home of Islam, Christianity is not allowed to practice. Nor is it in North Korea and many other places around the world.
Christians die at the rate of one every four to seven minutes for their faith without them even saying a word in anger.
Yet true Christians still hold to their beliefs of, love of God, love their neighbour, love their enemy and even pray for their persecutors.
Likewise I believe as a Christian I need to respect the rights Islam to practice and I would never think to make fun of their beliefs.
Respect is the only way we can expect to have open dialogue with those whom we disagree. To make friends of enemies.
Certainly the members of Al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups do not believe in respecting the rights of others. They are nothing more that modern day Hitler’s intent on waging world war three. They are evil, oppressive and need to be destroyed.
We need to stand up to the terror threat coming from the extremist of the Islamic world. We need to be stomping them out. We need to be fighting against anyone who would restrict our freedoms.
No one should die for words on a page or a pen and ink cartoon no matter how offensive it may be.
At the same time however we should respect the beliefs of others.
If we do not respect the beliefs of others and use our freedom to mock and wrongly persecute others we become like those who would try to destroy our way of life.
In showing respect and love to those whom we disagree with we may just win a friend and ally.
It’s a delicate balancing act to be sure but we need to do it. In order to truly be called a free people.
Think about it.
Friday, 16 January 2015
The way to heaven
The way to heaven
Every so often I like to tell people what I believe is the way to heaven.
The following is what I believe, it is simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Next it come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for, The gospel of John states,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus himself said,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God and everyone no matter who they are sins, be they the Pope, some evangelist in the media, a pastor of a church someone sitting in the pews, someone on the street or a criminal on the cross with Jesus. Everyone of us sins,
John noting,
“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.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians 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
Ultimately however like I said, salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Will you consider accepting Christ into your life today. If you are willing you can pray this prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe in You. I believe that Jesus is your one and only Son. That he came to earth to die for my sins.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
Amen.
If you have prayed that prayer in all sincerity I would suggest that you now find a copy of the Bible. There is a free down load called the ‘you version’ bible app that allows you to download various version of the bible. It’s a good app.
When it comes to the Bible there are a lot of translations, I personally use the New International version and the New King James versions. They are in modern English and easy to read. If your English is not that good then the easiest English translation is the Good News Bible.
I recommend starting in the New Testament. You don’t have to read a lot each day. A chapter is good.
When you come to a genealogy such as in the first chapter of Matthew you might want to skip it, although it shows the link between Jesus and those in the Old Testament.
Before you read, pray and ask God to show you the truths within the scriptures, ask him to open your understanding to what is written.
Also pray and ask God to direct you to a good church congregation. One that you are comfortable in.
Congregations vary even within denominations and where you may not be comfortable in one you may in another. So look around.
As these blogs are read all over the world I cannot recommend a specific church. I tend to recommend Baptist churches as they in my opinion tend to interpret the scriptures correctly and their method of worship is fairly consistent around the world.
In Canada I also know that the Pentecostal Assemblies of God are a good organization as are the Assemblies of God in the United States.
Please take sometime and consider what I have written above.
Ultimately the decision to accept Christ into your life is between you and God. All I have done here is place before you what I believe.
Please think about it.
Every so often I like to tell people what I believe is the way to heaven.
The following is what I believe, it is simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Next it come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for, The gospel of John states,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus himself said,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God and everyone no matter who they are sins, be they the Pope, some evangelist in the media, a pastor of a church someone sitting in the pews, someone on the street or a criminal on the cross with Jesus. Everyone of us sins,
John noting,
“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.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians 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
Ultimately however like I said, salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Will you consider accepting Christ into your life today. If you are willing you can pray this prayer,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I believe in You. I believe that Jesus is your one and only Son. That he came to earth to die for my sins.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
Amen.
If you have prayed that prayer in all sincerity I would suggest that you now find a copy of the Bible. There is a free down load called the ‘you version’ bible app that allows you to download various version of the bible. It’s a good app.
When it comes to the Bible there are a lot of translations, I personally use the New International version and the New King James versions. They are in modern English and easy to read. If your English is not that good then the easiest English translation is the Good News Bible.
I recommend starting in the New Testament. You don’t have to read a lot each day. A chapter is good.
When you come to a genealogy such as in the first chapter of Matthew you might want to skip it, although it shows the link between Jesus and those in the Old Testament.
Before you read, pray and ask God to show you the truths within the scriptures, ask him to open your understanding to what is written.
Also pray and ask God to direct you to a good church congregation. One that you are comfortable in.
Congregations vary even within denominations and where you may not be comfortable in one you may in another. So look around.
As these blogs are read all over the world I cannot recommend a specific church. I tend to recommend Baptist churches as they in my opinion tend to interpret the scriptures correctly and their method of worship is fairly consistent around the world.
In Canada I also know that the Pentecostal Assemblies of God are a good organization as are the Assemblies of God in the United States.
Please take sometime and consider what I have written above.
Ultimately the decision to accept Christ into your life is between you and God. All I have done here is place before you what I believe.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 15 January 2015
A Personal Note
A personal note
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her mid fifties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by some twenty almost thirty years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time.
They were ordinary people. They didn’t accomplish great things but they had a good full life with family and friends around them. And that is all most people can expect.
Throughout the years however I’ve read about and heard of talented entertainers in particular that have died by their own hand or of drug overdoses. For all their success they found it seems little meaning in life.
William Wordsworth wrote,
Sadly our western society doesn’t seem to help the situation.
As I look around I see a great deal of emphasis on getting “things”. Materialism it seems is the god of the twenty-first century and the majority of people young and old seem to be buying into it.
Sadly materialism is a cold bed partner.
I know people in all strata of life, from the rich to the poor. From the famous to the unknown who simply find no meaning in life. And have taken their own life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14.
How sad to have such an outlook on life. Is it any wonder that people commit suicide?
As someone who lives with a mental illness, specifically Bipolar Affective Disorder I understand what it is like to go through deep depression and despair.
But the one thing that has always kept me going is the fact that I truly believe there is a God that loves me.
It is my belief in God that has given me hope and purpose in life. Today fifty-one years after making Jesus Christ Lord of my life. I know I am a better person and have a hope that there is more to life than what we can see, feel and hear.
I believe the words of Ecclesiastes when it says,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Without God in my life my life would be meaningless. I know that no matter how deep the valley or how high the mountain top, my God is with me. That there is always hope.
Sadly all too many people in this world do not have hope. They recognize there is something missing in their life. For lack of a better phrase, “a hole in their soul”
A hole that the materialism and things of our modern world can’t fill no matter what they do.
They, to quote Wordsworth “in their youth begin in gladness but their life ends in despondency and madness.”
This should not be so because there is hope. Hope in the name of Jesus Christ.
To those who feel empty inside, to those who feel hopeless and can’t find meaning in life, the voice of Jesus echos through the centuries saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28,29.
I know it takes a leap of faith to believe in Christ, but it is a leap that will change a persons life forever.
I know because I personally, and there are many, many like me, who have found fulfilment and joy in Christ Jesus.
Please think about praying and asking Christ into your life today.
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her mid fifties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by some twenty almost thirty years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time.
They were ordinary people. They didn’t accomplish great things but they had a good full life with family and friends around them. And that is all most people can expect.
Throughout the years however I’ve read about and heard of talented entertainers in particular that have died by their own hand or of drug overdoses. For all their success they found it seems little meaning in life.
William Wordsworth wrote,
“We poets in our youth begin in gladness;
but therefore came in the end to despondency and madness.’
Suicide rates are on the rise in our western culture, as is clinical depression and other forms of mental illness. As someone who knows a great deal of mentally ill people I understand that mental illness is a very real illness that can lead to death at one’s own hand.Sadly our western society doesn’t seem to help the situation.
As I look around I see a great deal of emphasis on getting “things”. Materialism it seems is the god of the twenty-first century and the majority of people young and old seem to be buying into it.
Sadly materialism is a cold bed partner.
I know people in all strata of life, from the rich to the poor. From the famous to the unknown who simply find no meaning in life. And have taken their own life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14.
How sad to have such an outlook on life. Is it any wonder that people commit suicide?
As someone who lives with a mental illness, specifically Bipolar Affective Disorder I understand what it is like to go through deep depression and despair.
But the one thing that has always kept me going is the fact that I truly believe there is a God that loves me.
It is my belief in God that has given me hope and purpose in life. Today fifty-one years after making Jesus Christ Lord of my life. I know I am a better person and have a hope that there is more to life than what we can see, feel and hear.
I believe the words of Ecclesiastes when it says,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Without God in my life my life would be meaningless. I know that no matter how deep the valley or how high the mountain top, my God is with me. That there is always hope.
Sadly all too many people in this world do not have hope. They recognize there is something missing in their life. For lack of a better phrase, “a hole in their soul”
A hole that the materialism and things of our modern world can’t fill no matter what they do.
They, to quote Wordsworth “in their youth begin in gladness but their life ends in despondency and madness.”
This should not be so because there is hope. Hope in the name of Jesus Christ.
To those who feel empty inside, to those who feel hopeless and can’t find meaning in life, the voice of Jesus echos through the centuries saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28,29.
I know it takes a leap of faith to believe in Christ, but it is a leap that will change a persons life forever.
I know because I personally, and there are many, many like me, who have found fulfilment and joy in Christ Jesus.
Please think about praying and asking Christ into your life today.
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
About Marriage
About 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.
I say this as a concession, not as a command.
I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
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.
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
1 Corinthians 7:1-11
Here Paul makes it clear that it is good for people to marry that in the marriage relationship the wife belongs to the husband and the husband belongs to the wife. In short they are one.
He makes it clear that they should not deprive each other of sexual intimacy except by mutual consent for a short time.
Paul realized that the God given sex drive was strong in people and that Satan could use it to tempt people to sin. That’s why he goes on to 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.”
He then states that a wife must not separate from her husband and if she does she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. That a husband should not divorce his wife.
I have heard this particular statement used to say the wife in particular should stay in an abusive situation. THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
If the wife or for that matter the husband is being abused then that violates God’s laws and action to end the abusive situation needs to be taken swiftly.
The other point here Paul says a husband must not divorce his wife has to be understood. In Paul’s day it was possible under Jewish law for a husband to divorce his wife for trivial things. Even things as simple burning the meal.
Paul is saying here that marriage should be a love relationship in which the husband and the wife treat each other as they would themselves.
I believe marriage is Gods ideal for a man and a woman. That it has it’s ups and downs.
As someone who has been married now for thirty-six years I know it has to be worked on. Two people will not always agree on things and they have to be talked about and at time compromises made.
The covenant of marriage however can be the most rewarding thing two human beings can enter into.
It for me and my wife has been an incredible journey through trial, tragedy and above all incredible times of happiness.
We have found that no matter what we have gone through our love for each other and the love of God has always been there to get us through.
I can think of no better way than to have spent my life than sharing it with my wife.
It is something I would wish for everyone.
“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.
I say this as a concession, not as a command.
I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
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.
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
1 Corinthians 7:1-11
Here Paul makes it clear that it is good for people to marry that in the marriage relationship the wife belongs to the husband and the husband belongs to the wife. In short they are one.
He makes it clear that they should not deprive each other of sexual intimacy except by mutual consent for a short time.
Paul realized that the God given sex drive was strong in people and that Satan could use it to tempt people to sin. That’s why he goes on to 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.”
He then states that a wife must not separate from her husband and if she does she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. That a husband should not divorce his wife.
I have heard this particular statement used to say the wife in particular should stay in an abusive situation. THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
If the wife or for that matter the husband is being abused then that violates God’s laws and action to end the abusive situation needs to be taken swiftly.
The other point here Paul says a husband must not divorce his wife has to be understood. In Paul’s day it was possible under Jewish law for a husband to divorce his wife for trivial things. Even things as simple burning the meal.
Paul is saying here that marriage should be a love relationship in which the husband and the wife treat each other as they would themselves.
I believe marriage is Gods ideal for a man and a woman. That it has it’s ups and downs.
As someone who has been married now for thirty-six years I know it has to be worked on. Two people will not always agree on things and they have to be talked about and at time compromises made.
The covenant of marriage however can be the most rewarding thing two human beings can enter into.
It for me and my wife has been an incredible journey through trial, tragedy and above all incredible times of happiness.
We have found that no matter what we have gone through our love for each other and the love of God has always been there to get us through.
I can think of no better way than to have spent my life than sharing it with my wife.
It is something I would wish for everyone.
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Sexual purity
Sexual Purity
“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
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
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Paul here is talking to a people who have within their city a temple that has over a thousand priestess prostitutes available to them. Temptation to sexual sin must have been everywhere.
New converts would have had full knowledge of such practices and perhaps even been with a priestess prior to their conversion.
So Paul makes a simple statement, sexual immorality is wrong. It is the only sin that is not committed outside the body.
When one sins sexually it involves his mind and spirit as well as the physical act. We as believers in Christ are called to sexual purity.
Sexual relations is only permissible within the bonds of marriage, because in having sexual relations we become one with the person we are having it with.
When we accepted Christ into our life we became one with Christ therefore we are called to honour God with our body as well as our mind and spirit.
Therefore we must follow his rules not to have intimate relations outside of marriage.
Think about it.
“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
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
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Paul here is talking to a people who have within their city a temple that has over a thousand priestess prostitutes available to them. Temptation to sexual sin must have been everywhere.
New converts would have had full knowledge of such practices and perhaps even been with a priestess prior to their conversion.
So Paul makes a simple statement, sexual immorality is wrong. It is the only sin that is not committed outside the body.
When one sins sexually it involves his mind and spirit as well as the physical act. We as believers in Christ are called to sexual purity.
Sexual relations is only permissible within the bonds of marriage, because in having sexual relations we become one with the person we are having it with.
When we accepted Christ into our life we became one with Christ therefore we are called to honour God with our body as well as our mind and spirit.
Therefore we must follow his rules not to have intimate relations outside of marriage.
Think about it.
Monday, 12 January 2015
Expel
Expel
“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 is a continuation of what Paul was calling the church to do in verses 1-5 of Corinthians five.
The Corinthians misinterpreted a previous letter Paul had sent and had thought Paul was calling them to stay away from non-Christians who were immoral. Like he said in order to do such a thing we would have to leave this world.
On top of that it is the duty of Christians to win non-believers to Christ. Jesus himself sat down with sinners.
What Paul is saying here to the Corinthians is to expel those who call themselves brothers and are
“sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
He tells them not even to eat with such people.
Then he makes it clear,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”
It is not our job as Christians to judge those outside the church God will eventually do that.
Matthew records what Jesus wants we as Christians to do when he writes,
“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.
The Message to Christians is clear. We are called to live a life with a standard that is higher than the world around us. We are called to expel those who are immoral from our midst and live a life that is acceptable to God.
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 is a continuation of what Paul was calling the church to do in verses 1-5 of Corinthians five.
The Corinthians misinterpreted a previous letter Paul had sent and had thought Paul was calling them to stay away from non-Christians who were immoral. Like he said in order to do such a thing we would have to leave this world.
On top of that it is the duty of Christians to win non-believers to Christ. Jesus himself sat down with sinners.
What Paul is saying here to the Corinthians is to expel those who call themselves brothers and are
“sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
He tells them not even to eat with such people.
Then he makes it clear,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”
It is not our job as Christians to judge those outside the church God will eventually do that.
Matthew records what Jesus wants we as Christians to do when he writes,
“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.
The Message to Christians is clear. We are called to live a life with a standard that is higher than the world around us. We are called to expel those who are immoral from our midst and live a life that is acceptable to God.
Think about it
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Christian Standards
Christian Standards
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?
Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.”
1Corinthians 5:1-5
Paul here notes that there are people within the church at Corinth that are sexually immoral. That they are doing things that even the pagans don’t do. Not only that they are proud of it instead of being filled with grief.
This person was apparently committing incest with his stepmother.
According to Cicero the Roman orator, incest was virtually unheard of in Roman society yet here was a person calling themselves a Christian that was doing so.
Apparently he was doing it with a distorted idea of grace. That grace gave him freedom to sin with impunity.
In Romans Paul warns against such thing writing,
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
Romans 6:1,2
Paul although not present has already passed judgment on the person and urges the Corinthians to do so. Not only that he tell them to hand the man over to Satan.
Interpreters disagree some say it meant he should be cast out of the congregation of believers that no one should have anything to do with him. That in ostracising him in such away he will repent.
An other interpretation is that he would be cast out and Satan allowed to bring physical affliction on the man.
Either way he is to be cast out.
This is what we should be doing in our churches today. We should be holding people up to the highest standards.
People looking at the church should be seeing a pure spotless church that holds its members accountable.
One of the things I’ve always heard through the years is “why should I come to your Church. I know those people and they are no better than me. In fact I’m better than most of them.”
This shouldn’t be happening. We should live up to a moral standard that exceeds that of the world around us.
Think about it.
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?
Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.”
1Corinthians 5:1-5
Paul here notes that there are people within the church at Corinth that are sexually immoral. That they are doing things that even the pagans don’t do. Not only that they are proud of it instead of being filled with grief.
This person was apparently committing incest with his stepmother.
According to Cicero the Roman orator, incest was virtually unheard of in Roman society yet here was a person calling themselves a Christian that was doing so.
Apparently he was doing it with a distorted idea of grace. That grace gave him freedom to sin with impunity.
In Romans Paul warns against such thing writing,
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
Romans 6:1,2
Paul although not present has already passed judgment on the person and urges the Corinthians to do so. Not only that he tell them to hand the man over to Satan.
Interpreters disagree some say it meant he should be cast out of the congregation of believers that no one should have anything to do with him. That in ostracising him in such away he will repent.
An other interpretation is that he would be cast out and Satan allowed to bring physical affliction on the man.
Either way he is to be cast out.
This is what we should be doing in our churches today. We should be holding people up to the highest standards.
People looking at the church should be seeing a pure spotless church that holds its members accountable.
One of the things I’ve always heard through the years is “why should I come to your Church. I know those people and they are no better than me. In fact I’m better than most of them.”
This shouldn’t be happening. We should live up to a moral standard that exceeds that of the world around us.
Think about it.
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Failure of the Church?
Failure of the Church?
Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw or give away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a “smaller” house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The Church particularly here in North America has in some ways failed. In the United States I hear the loudest voices in the Christian community seemingly more concerned with their rights, and criticizing those they disagree with than preaching and living the message Christ intended them to do.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
None-Christians I speak to have told me, many who call themselves Christians are not doing this and that is why they don’t want to have anything to do with the church.
Christians have a message if presented correctly can change lives in a very real way.
The present situation we are in here in the west with young men and women turning to terrorist groups also speaks volumes as to the emptiness of materialism that is so prevalent in our society today.
Young people want to belong they want things to aspire too. And many see no future in the society in which we live.
My father’s generation had something to believe in. Unfortunately it was world war two. They were called to fight for freedom and from 1939 to 1945 they put their lives on the line in a war that cost nearly sixty million lives.
They fought the war believing they would bring about a better world, and for some of us, myself included we did have a better life.
Now however society seems to be moving relentlessly to the abyss.
Scientist warn of climate change yet governments and private industry refuse to listen. Putting profits over the potential destruction of life on this planet.
Particularly here in the west materialism is rampant and she is a cold bed partner. Twenty-five years ago we didn’t need a lap top. We didn’t need a cell phone. Yet now everyone needs one.
On top of all of this poverty is on the rise. Here in Canada food banks are giving out more than ever before.
The poor of the world have become marginalised more than ever before. Many young men and women are discouraged with the society in which they live.
They see such radical groups as ISIS and others and see within them the opportunity first of all to belong. Secondly to be part of what they see as a just cause.
Sadly they are being mislead but our western society dose not offer many options for these men and women.
As I see it also the Christian Church has fallen flat also. Many have refused to enter the twenty-first century.
That’s not to say they have to abandon the message of Christ. Quite the contrary the true message of the Gospel of Christ is truly the answer for the problems of today.
It’s just that many churches are not presenting the message in a way that is relevant to today’s youth. That is turning them off.
O the churches here in North America preach sermon from the Bible. They are speaking the truths of God. Unfortunately the message is being lost because many are mixing it with politics, their demands for their rights, criticism of other groups, and the call to restrict the rights of groups they disagree with.
As a result the words of Mahatma Gandhi are ringing true.
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
We in the church need to examine ourselves. We need to examine the way we are doing things, correct our errors and reach out with the unadulterated message of Christ to those disenfranchised youth and others that are turning to terrorist groups.
We need to do this because we have the one true message that can change the world not by force of arms but with the love of Christ.
Think about it.
Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw or give away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a “smaller” house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The Church particularly here in North America has in some ways failed. In the United States I hear the loudest voices in the Christian community seemingly more concerned with their rights, and criticizing those they disagree with than preaching and living the message Christ intended them to do.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
None-Christians I speak to have told me, many who call themselves Christians are not doing this and that is why they don’t want to have anything to do with the church.
Christians have a message if presented correctly can change lives in a very real way.
The present situation we are in here in the west with young men and women turning to terrorist groups also speaks volumes as to the emptiness of materialism that is so prevalent in our society today.
Young people want to belong they want things to aspire too. And many see no future in the society in which we live.
My father’s generation had something to believe in. Unfortunately it was world war two. They were called to fight for freedom and from 1939 to 1945 they put their lives on the line in a war that cost nearly sixty million lives.
They fought the war believing they would bring about a better world, and for some of us, myself included we did have a better life.
Now however society seems to be moving relentlessly to the abyss.
Scientist warn of climate change yet governments and private industry refuse to listen. Putting profits over the potential destruction of life on this planet.
Particularly here in the west materialism is rampant and she is a cold bed partner. Twenty-five years ago we didn’t need a lap top. We didn’t need a cell phone. Yet now everyone needs one.
On top of all of this poverty is on the rise. Here in Canada food banks are giving out more than ever before.
The poor of the world have become marginalised more than ever before. Many young men and women are discouraged with the society in which they live.
They see such radical groups as ISIS and others and see within them the opportunity first of all to belong. Secondly to be part of what they see as a just cause.
Sadly they are being mislead but our western society dose not offer many options for these men and women.
As I see it also the Christian Church has fallen flat also. Many have refused to enter the twenty-first century.
That’s not to say they have to abandon the message of Christ. Quite the contrary the true message of the Gospel of Christ is truly the answer for the problems of today.
It’s just that many churches are not presenting the message in a way that is relevant to today’s youth. That is turning them off.
O the churches here in North America preach sermon from the Bible. They are speaking the truths of God. Unfortunately the message is being lost because many are mixing it with politics, their demands for their rights, criticism of other groups, and the call to restrict the rights of groups they disagree with.
As a result the words of Mahatma Gandhi are ringing true.
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
We in the church need to examine ourselves. We need to examine the way we are doing things, correct our errors and reach out with the unadulterated message of Christ to those disenfranchised youth and others that are turning to terrorist groups.
We need to do this because we have the one true message that can change the world not by force of arms but with the love of Christ.
Think about it.
Friday, 9 January 2015
JE SUIS CHARLIE
JE SUIS CHARLIE
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin Niemollor.
Martin Niemoller spent from 1937 to 1945 in Nazi death camps narrowly escaping death. He experienced first hand what it was to see the freedoms of others and his own freedom restricted.
Hitler was in the twentieth century the quintessential purveyor of evil. The war he started cost close to sixty million lives, not counting those he killed prior to the war.
Today the world faces a new threat. Terrorist who would restrict the beliefs and freedoms of all who disagrees with them.
Like Hitler these terrorist have been allowed to grow because the democracies of the west did not consider them a threat and firmly believed in freedom of expression, even if they disagreed with what was being said.
Now twelve people have been murdered in France by a group who while claiming to be people of God are nothing but evil men.
Not to long ago here in Canada two men killed two Canadian soldiers in the misguided belief they were doing God’s will.
Around the world there have been dozens of terrorist attacks all by men claiming to be of God but are doing nothing more than the work of the devil himself.
I admit as a Christian I know little about Islam. The few Muslims I’ve met and worked with are peace loving people, who have accepted me for the Christian I am.
I also admit I know little about the magazine that was attacked. Only that it tended to be irreverent and poked fun at everyone irrespective of who they are.
While I may not agree with what the magazine prints. I do respect its right to freedom of speech, because restricting the speech of anyone or any group is the start of a slippery slope that will end in restriction of freedoms of us all. Nazi Germany proved that.
I also know there is only one way to end the hate of this world. Through the love of Christ. Hate and force cannot change the minds of people.
Yeshayahu Leibowitz wrote,
“You can ‘t force people to do what they don’t want to do, to feel what they don’t feel. If someone wills one thing, you cannot tell it to will another. It has to come from within.”
-Yeshayahu Leibowitz, Judaic scholar and professor of biochemistry, quoted in
“Of Thorns, Idols, and Prophecy,” Hadassah, May 1990
Napoleon Bonaparte who certainly knew what it was like to try to impose his will on the world said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Terrorist like ISIS and others may try to conquer the world. May try to impose their will upon people but they will never win because they use force. And force cannot truly change the hearts of men.
Today scattered around the world in every nation there are over two point two billion Christians. We Christians are the largest faith group in the world and we continue to grow despite being the most persecuted group in the world.
We have reached almost a third of the worlds population and we have done so through Love of God, Ones neighbour and even one’s enemy.
The terrorist of the world filled with an ideology of hate and lust for power will never understand it. It is for that reason they will ultimately fail.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
It is such love, the love of Christ, that will ultimately change the world. Not force of arms or hate.
Think about it.
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin Niemollor.
Martin Niemoller spent from 1937 to 1945 in Nazi death camps narrowly escaping death. He experienced first hand what it was to see the freedoms of others and his own freedom restricted.
Hitler was in the twentieth century the quintessential purveyor of evil. The war he started cost close to sixty million lives, not counting those he killed prior to the war.
Today the world faces a new threat. Terrorist who would restrict the beliefs and freedoms of all who disagrees with them.
Like Hitler these terrorist have been allowed to grow because the democracies of the west did not consider them a threat and firmly believed in freedom of expression, even if they disagreed with what was being said.
Now twelve people have been murdered in France by a group who while claiming to be people of God are nothing but evil men.
Not to long ago here in Canada two men killed two Canadian soldiers in the misguided belief they were doing God’s will.
Around the world there have been dozens of terrorist attacks all by men claiming to be of God but are doing nothing more than the work of the devil himself.
I admit as a Christian I know little about Islam. The few Muslims I’ve met and worked with are peace loving people, who have accepted me for the Christian I am.
I also admit I know little about the magazine that was attacked. Only that it tended to be irreverent and poked fun at everyone irrespective of who they are.
While I may not agree with what the magazine prints. I do respect its right to freedom of speech, because restricting the speech of anyone or any group is the start of a slippery slope that will end in restriction of freedoms of us all. Nazi Germany proved that.
I also know there is only one way to end the hate of this world. Through the love of Christ. Hate and force cannot change the minds of people.
Yeshayahu Leibowitz wrote,
“You can ‘t force people to do what they don’t want to do, to feel what they don’t feel. If someone wills one thing, you cannot tell it to will another. It has to come from within.”
-Yeshayahu Leibowitz, Judaic scholar and professor of biochemistry, quoted in
“Of Thorns, Idols, and Prophecy,” Hadassah, May 1990
Napoleon Bonaparte who certainly knew what it was like to try to impose his will on the world said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Terrorist like ISIS and others may try to conquer the world. May try to impose their will upon people but they will never win because they use force. And force cannot truly change the hearts of men.
Today scattered around the world in every nation there are over two point two billion Christians. We Christians are the largest faith group in the world and we continue to grow despite being the most persecuted group in the world.
We have reached almost a third of the worlds population and we have done so through Love of God, Ones neighbour and even one’s enemy.
The terrorist of the world filled with an ideology of hate and lust for power will never understand it. It is for that reason they will ultimately fail.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
It is such love, the love of Christ, that will ultimately change the world. Not force of arms or hate.
Think about it.
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