It’s about life
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
I’ve heard a lot of people over the years say they live far better lives than some Christians they know. That may be true because Christians like everyone else in this world are far from perfect. As someone has said “Christians are not perfect they are with God’s help, simply progressing.”
C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis.
When we accept Christ as our Saviour God begins a work in our lives. He if we let Him works to make us better each day.
That however is only half the story. By accepting Christ into our life we receive Eternal Life with God.
I as all Christians do, and the majority of people in the world today, I believe, life does not end with the grave.
If I am right which I believe I am, then the question becomes where will you spend eternity.
I have heard many people say “well if my good out weighs my bad then I’ll get to heaven.”
Christians don’t see it that way. We believe the words of Jesus, who 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
We believe the words of Paul to the Ephesians who said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Salvation, eternal life with God is a free gift to all who will receive it.
Christians believe that God reached down to mankind by sending his one and only son Jesus Christ to this world to show how much he loved us.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
I know it sounds odd, even foolish that God would sent His one and only son to die for us but it is what we Christians believe.
Again to quote the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian church. Paul writes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
God does not always work in ways man would consider logical. God does things his way and asks man to have faith in Him.
That’s why I think some believe that Christians preaching Christ crucified dying and ascending to sit at the right hand of God is foolishness.
For the Christian this however is the pillar of our faith and God wants us to walk by faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,
‘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
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
Eternal life with God is as simple as believing in Jesus. Believing that He is God’s One and Only Son. That He came into this world to die for your sins. Then asking Him into your heart and life.
A prayer as simple as this,
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 and come into my heart and life today.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen
Please think about it.
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Monday 1 June 2015
Three wise men
Three wise men and Christ
I could write books on what Christians should do but the three men I quote below tells us in a nutshell how Christians should act with respect to the world around them.
If we follow what they say we can reach the world for Christ.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
Francis of Assisi
Several centuries later the American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
Before them all however the brother of our Lord Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
As Christians we need to be reaching out to all people in every strata of life, from the very poor to the very rich with the love of God.
When it comes to the poor we need to be doing all we can to help them in a material way as well as a spiritual way.
When it comes to those who have plenty or even have great riches, we need to show them they have a spiritual need also. That while there is nothing wrong with being rich in this world. The riches of this world cannot be taken with them when they leave. Only what is done for Christ will last.
All men and women everywhere need to know God loves them and it is our duty as Christians to deliver that message.
Please think about it.
I could write books on what Christians should do but the three men I quote below tells us in a nutshell how Christians should act with respect to the world around them.
If we follow what they say we can reach the world for Christ.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
Francis of Assisi
Several centuries later the American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
Before them all however the brother of our Lord Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
As Christians we need to be reaching out to all people in every strata of life, from the very poor to the very rich with the love of God.
When it comes to the poor we need to be doing all we can to help them in a material way as well as a spiritual way.
When it comes to those who have plenty or even have great riches, we need to show them they have a spiritual need also. That while there is nothing wrong with being rich in this world. The riches of this world cannot be taken with them when they leave. Only what is done for Christ will last.
All men and women everywhere need to know God loves them and it is our duty as Christians to deliver that message.
Please think about it.
Sunday 31 May 2015
Speak and act
Speak and Act
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!”
James 2:12,13.
A note to Christians. Be careful what you say and do. Your actions may potentially determine where someone spends eternity.
Francis of Assisi made two profound statements,
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
Francis of Assisi
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Jesus said
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Jesus also made it clear as to what the prime mission of Christians was when he said,
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
This is the duty of all Christians. We must do this in the most none judgmental way as possible.
We cannot present the gospel of Christ properly if we are judging peoples ways or lifestyle. Yet all to many Christians do.
The apostle Paul show us how to present the gospel. While in Athens Paul was surrounded by pagan practices some of which would have been morally repugnant to what he believed yet he, if you will stuck to the script. He presented the gospel. He discussed it in public places as a result he was asked by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers to come to a meeting at the Areopagus and present his beliefs. This was the equivalent of the internet chat room of his day.
The Book of Acts records what happened,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Acts 17:17-34.
Paul never condemned those of other beliefs and lifestyles. Paul showed respect by not condemning or ridiculing them.
Paul however presented the Gospel of Christ in a plane and clear manner. He said in effect this is what I believe it’s up to you to decide if you believe me or not.
This is what all Christians should be doing.
Please think about it.
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!”
James 2:12,13.
A note to Christians. Be careful what you say and do. Your actions may potentially determine where someone spends eternity.
Francis of Assisi made two profound statements,
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
Francis of Assisi
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Jesus said
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Jesus also made it clear as to what the prime mission of Christians was when he said,
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
This is the duty of all Christians. We must do this in the most none judgmental way as possible.
We cannot present the gospel of Christ properly if we are judging peoples ways or lifestyle. Yet all to many Christians do.
The apostle Paul show us how to present the gospel. While in Athens Paul was surrounded by pagan practices some of which would have been morally repugnant to what he believed yet he, if you will stuck to the script. He presented the gospel. He discussed it in public places as a result he was asked by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers to come to a meeting at the Areopagus and present his beliefs. This was the equivalent of the internet chat room of his day.
The Book of Acts records what happened,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Acts 17:17-34.
Paul never condemned those of other beliefs and lifestyles. Paul showed respect by not condemning or ridiculing them.
Paul however presented the Gospel of Christ in a plane and clear manner. He said in effect this is what I believe it’s up to you to decide if you believe me or not.
This is what all Christians should be doing.
Please think about it.
Saturday 30 May 2015
I have not seen God
I have not seen God
Ben Zion Bokser wrote
I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God. But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.
Ben Zion Bokser
The Psalmist declairs,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1
Billy Graham stated,
I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.
Billy Graham.
It’s true we may not be able to prove God scientifically but that does not preclude his existence.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
I know there are people who say God does not exist. That is their right. However I believe they are wrong.
I look around me and see a perfectly ordered universe from the biggest galaxies to the smallest sub atomic particle. To my mind such a universe cannot come together by chance.
There has to be a creator behind it all. I know that takes faith and having faith in someone you cannot see is perhaps the hardest thing a person can do.
The writer of Hebrews states,
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
God asks us to have faith in him. He however does not expect blind faith. He gives us clues of his existence that are all around us.
Like the Psalmist I quoted before,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
He has given us the Bible and if we read it objectively with out any preconceived ideas we can see God within its pages. Along with his love for mankind.
The problem is however I believe is those who do not believe in God are bias in their thoughts. They have said in their minds God does not exist and no matter what the evidence or who presents it I will not believe.
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946)
“When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied that judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
“By this test, Jesus stands first.”
“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
H. G. Wells
Wells an admitted none believer put Jesus as the most important person in all of history. If so then the teachings of Jesus must be correct because over the past two thousand years they have changed the world.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
The bottom line here is you either believe there is a God who sent His One and Only Son to the earth to point people to heaven or you do not believe.
The decision is yours.
Please think about it.
Ben Zion Bokser wrote
I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God. But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.
Ben Zion Bokser
The Psalmist declairs,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1
Billy Graham stated,
I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.
Billy Graham.
It’s true we may not be able to prove God scientifically but that does not preclude his existence.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
I know there are people who say God does not exist. That is their right. However I believe they are wrong.
I look around me and see a perfectly ordered universe from the biggest galaxies to the smallest sub atomic particle. To my mind such a universe cannot come together by chance.
There has to be a creator behind it all. I know that takes faith and having faith in someone you cannot see is perhaps the hardest thing a person can do.
The writer of Hebrews states,
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
God asks us to have faith in him. He however does not expect blind faith. He gives us clues of his existence that are all around us.
Like the Psalmist I quoted before,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
He has given us the Bible and if we read it objectively with out any preconceived ideas we can see God within its pages. Along with his love for mankind.
The problem is however I believe is those who do not believe in God are bias in their thoughts. They have said in their minds God does not exist and no matter what the evidence or who presents it I will not believe.
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946)
“When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied that judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
“By this test, Jesus stands first.”
“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
H. G. Wells
Wells an admitted none believer put Jesus as the most important person in all of history. If so then the teachings of Jesus must be correct because over the past two thousand years they have changed the world.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
The bottom line here is you either believe there is a God who sent His One and Only Son to the earth to point people to heaven or you do not believe.
The decision is yours.
Please think about it.
Friday 29 May 2015
Hidden Treasure Exposed
Hidden treasure exposed
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46.
We Christians have the ultimate message. The certainty of eternal life with God. This is what we need to be presenting to the world all the time.
We should never be looking to the bad things of this world and condemning them as bad as they may be.
We are not called to judge the world. We are called to point the way to heaven.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
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
Francis of Assisi wrote,
We are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus to present to the world the Love of Christ. And the need of the individual to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
We need to do it every day of our lives.
To quote Francis of Assisi again,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi
Remembering as Francis also said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Please think about it.
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46.
We Christians have the ultimate message. The certainty of eternal life with God. This is what we need to be presenting to the world all the time.
We should never be looking to the bad things of this world and condemning them as bad as they may be.
We are not called to judge the world. We are called to point the way to heaven.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
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
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“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 are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus to present to the world the Love of Christ. And the need of the individual to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
We need to do it every day of our lives.
To quote Francis of Assisi again,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi
Remembering as Francis also said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Please think about it.
Thursday 28 May 2015
Christians
Christians
I intended to write this just to Christians but I thought it relevant to share with none Christians as this is what I feel a true Christian should be doing.
What I am writing I hope will make Christians and non-Christians alike think.
Jesus Said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17.
We Christians preach a gospel of mercy and reconciliation to God. Yet there are many out there who are calling us bigots and I think from what I see and here coming out of the mouths of some Christian pastors and evangelist both in and out of the media they seem to be right.
I hear from many Christians the hate the sin but love the sinner. It’s been my experience however that non-Christians don’t see it that way.
They look at it that the Christian hates them not just the sin.
I believe it is not up to us as believers to say what is sin and what is not. 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.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Only God knows the heart of men. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sin, not us. Our job is made clear,
“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.
Sadly I hear of men and women claiming to be Christians here in North America calling out to restrict the rights of others particularly those in the homosexual community. And more recently such people have begun to attack the Muslim faith and the Qur’an.
I hear of countries in Africa making homosexuality a crime punishable by time in prison.
To make matters worse I have heard of church’s and so called Christian pastors in those countries applauding such laws.
There are even churches and pastors in North America applauding what is happening in Africa. How sad.
In my mind, to restrict the rights of even one person is an abomination against humanity. Something I believe God opposes.
Jesus made it clear when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Whether we like it or not God has given to mankind a free will. We have the right to choose the way our life is to go. We have the right to choose our lifestyle.
I firmly believe we have no right to interfere in the making of laws as long as those laws do not interfere with our rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of others.
Further more we should be upholding freedom of choice especially when it comes to the right to freedom of speech and to choose our lifestyle and religious preferences.
I believe that to restrict one persons freedom even if we disagreed with them is to potentially restrict the freedom of all people even our own.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That is what we all should do.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric who knew about judging and oppression.
Niemoller was initially a national conservative and supporter of Adolf Hitler, became a man who vehemently appose Hitler. Who became along with Dietrich Bonhoffer a founder of the Confessional Churches in Germany.
For his opposition to Hitler and the Nazis oppression of not only Jews but others, Niemomller was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camp and narrowly escaped execution.
Later in his life he expressed the fact he did not do more for the victims of the Nazis. He wrote the following.
Tony Campolo also made one other statement he said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo.
The Talmud a Jewish book of thought states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
Have you?
Please think about it.
I intended to write this just to Christians but I thought it relevant to share with none Christians as this is what I feel a true Christian should be doing.
What I am writing I hope will make Christians and non-Christians alike think.
Jesus Said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17.
We Christians preach a gospel of mercy and reconciliation to God. Yet there are many out there who are calling us bigots and I think from what I see and here coming out of the mouths of some Christian pastors and evangelist both in and out of the media they seem to be right.
I hear from many Christians the hate the sin but love the sinner. It’s been my experience however that non-Christians don’t see it that way.
They look at it that the Christian hates them not just the sin.
I believe it is not up to us as believers to say what is sin and what is not. 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.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Only God knows the heart of men. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sin, not us. Our job is made clear,
“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.
Sadly I hear of men and women claiming to be Christians here in North America calling out to restrict the rights of others particularly those in the homosexual community. And more recently such people have begun to attack the Muslim faith and the Qur’an.
I hear of countries in Africa making homosexuality a crime punishable by time in prison.
To make matters worse I have heard of church’s and so called Christian pastors in those countries applauding such laws.
There are even churches and pastors in North America applauding what is happening in Africa. How sad.
In my mind, to restrict the rights of even one person is an abomination against humanity. Something I believe God opposes.
Jesus made it clear when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Whether we like it or not God has given to mankind a free will. We have the right to choose the way our life is to go. We have the right to choose our lifestyle.
I firmly believe we have no right to interfere in the making of laws as long as those laws do not interfere with our rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of others.
Further more we should be upholding freedom of choice especially when it comes to the right to freedom of speech and to choose our lifestyle and religious preferences.
I believe that to restrict one persons freedom even if we disagreed with them is to potentially restrict the freedom of all people even our own.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
That is what we all should do.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric who knew about judging and oppression.
Niemoller was initially a national conservative and supporter of Adolf Hitler, became a man who vehemently appose Hitler. Who became along with Dietrich Bonhoffer a founder of the Confessional Churches in Germany.
For his opposition to Hitler and the Nazis oppression of not only Jews but others, Niemomller was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camp and narrowly escaped execution.
Later in his life he expressed the fact he did not do more for the victims of the Nazis. He wrote the following.
“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 NiemollerTony Campolo also made one other statement he said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo.
The Talmud a Jewish book of thought states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
Have you?
Please think about it.
Wednesday 27 May 2015
Shine like the Stars
Shine like the stars
Martin Luther King Jr. prayed,
“We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.
We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is a challenge for the Church. My first pastor use to say,
“The church needs to pray then get off our knees and put legs on those prayers.”
Far too many Christians keep their faith inside the walls of their church congregation.
The book of Matthew records,
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for Christians to go into their world and tell people of Christ’s Love. Of God’s Love.
Christians have an obligation before God to reach as many people for Christ as they possibly can.
We can all do something.
I was once asked by a ten year old Sunday School child how she could work for Jesus. She didn’t know the bible very well. After all she was “only a kid”.
I told her she could invite her friends to Sunday School and the teacher could then tell her friends about Jesus.
That child throughout the year did all she could to bring her friends to our Sunday School class. Some of those children she brought now in their mid thirties, are still going to church and are themselves serving the Lord.
All because of one ten year old girl.
If a child can do it an adult can do it. Bring friends and family out to church. Start when there’s a special event if you wish. Easter, Christmas. Even a church social. Introduce them to people at Church.
Don’t try to force scriptures down their throat. It never works. Just pray quietly for them before, during and after they come.
Pray that God will open their eyes and hearts to the love and eternal life Jesus has to offer.
Please think about it.
Martin Luther King Jr. prayed,
“We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.
We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is a challenge for the Church. My first pastor use to say,
“The church needs to pray then get off our knees and put legs on those prayers.”
Far too many Christians keep their faith inside the walls of their church congregation.
The book of Matthew records,
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for Christians to go into their world and tell people of Christ’s Love. Of God’s Love.
Christians have an obligation before God to reach as many people for Christ as they possibly can.
We can all do something.
I was once asked by a ten year old Sunday School child how she could work for Jesus. She didn’t know the bible very well. After all she was “only a kid”.
I told her she could invite her friends to Sunday School and the teacher could then tell her friends about Jesus.
That child throughout the year did all she could to bring her friends to our Sunday School class. Some of those children she brought now in their mid thirties, are still going to church and are themselves serving the Lord.
All because of one ten year old girl.
If a child can do it an adult can do it. Bring friends and family out to church. Start when there’s a special event if you wish. Easter, Christmas. Even a church social. Introduce them to people at Church.
Don’t try to force scriptures down their throat. It never works. Just pray quietly for them before, during and after they come.
Pray that God will open their eyes and hearts to the love and eternal life Jesus has to offer.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 26 May 2015
Saving Grace
Saving Grace
Dietrich Bonhoeffer a German Church leader who died at the hands of the Nazis just a week prior to the prison in which he was held in was liberated wrote,
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Bonhoeffer also wrote,
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
There is in the western Churches I believe a cheapening of the gospel message. Some church congregations have almost become social clubs. Generations of families have been coming to these churches. As a result they know what I call “church speak” they know the liturgy, the right things to say at the right times. Yet they are not Christians.
I’ve heard some say God is Love and he is. John 3:16,17 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
However Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”
Romans 3:23.
Speaking in Athens Paul states,
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 17: 30,31.
To be a Christian is to be humble enough to admit to God that you make mistakes. That you fall short of what God wants for your life. That you do things God does not like.
Here in brief is what I believe the individual needs to know in order to inherit eternal life with God.
The way to heaven
The way to heaven is I believe 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,
“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 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,”
Romans 3:23,
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God and everyone no matter who they are 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 accept 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.
I admit I am a sinner in need of your saving grace.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
In Jesus name I pray amen.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer a German Church leader who died at the hands of the Nazis just a week prior to the prison in which he was held in was liberated wrote,
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Bonhoeffer also wrote,
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
There is in the western Churches I believe a cheapening of the gospel message. Some church congregations have almost become social clubs. Generations of families have been coming to these churches. As a result they know what I call “church speak” they know the liturgy, the right things to say at the right times. Yet they are not Christians.
I’ve heard some say God is Love and he is. John 3:16,17 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
However Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”
Romans 3:23.
Speaking in Athens Paul states,
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 17: 30,31.
To be a Christian is to be humble enough to admit to God that you make mistakes. That you fall short of what God wants for your life. That you do things God does not like.
Here in brief is what I believe the individual needs to know in order to inherit eternal life with God.
The way to heaven
The way to heaven is I believe 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,
“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 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,”
Romans 3:23,
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God and everyone no matter who they are 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 accept 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.
I admit I am a sinner in need of your saving grace.
Please forgive my sins this day and come into my life. That I may spend eternity with you.
In Jesus name I pray amen.
Monday 25 May 2015
The Great Commission
The great commission
“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.
I had a pastor a long time ago once tell me that too many Christians sit in church and consciously or subconsciously just want “bless me” sessions.
They know the Lord well enough but they move from church to church looking if you will for their “feel good fix”. They do nothing to advance the Gospel message.
I once asked a group of supposedly mature Christians what was the primary job of a Christian. I got a lot of different answers. Surprisingly none related to Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus could not have made it more clear when he said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
It is the primary duty of a Christian to go into all the world and make disciples. To teach those new converts all that Jesus taught the first disciples.
Yes we are to praise the Lord. To worship God in spirit and in truth. That goes along with the teachings of Christ, and when we do such things we feel good.
We however should not be sitting in the pew trying to get that feel good fix. We must reach out to others in the world, be that world, our neighbourhood, our village, town, city or far flung parts of the world.
We should do this because potentially the eternal resting place of others may be dependant on our actions.
Please think about it.
“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.
I had a pastor a long time ago once tell me that too many Christians sit in church and consciously or subconsciously just want “bless me” sessions.
They know the Lord well enough but they move from church to church looking if you will for their “feel good fix”. They do nothing to advance the Gospel message.
I once asked a group of supposedly mature Christians what was the primary job of a Christian. I got a lot of different answers. Surprisingly none related to Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus could not have made it more clear when he said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
It is the primary duty of a Christian to go into all the world and make disciples. To teach those new converts all that Jesus taught the first disciples.
Yes we are to praise the Lord. To worship God in spirit and in truth. That goes along with the teachings of Christ, and when we do such things we feel good.
We however should not be sitting in the pew trying to get that feel good fix. We must reach out to others in the world, be that world, our neighbourhood, our village, town, city or far flung parts of the world.
We should do this because potentially the eternal resting place of others may be dependant on our actions.
Please think about it.
Sunday 24 May 2015
It Ain't
It ain’t
“It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
Mark Twain
I write this to both none Christians and Christians alike. Mark Twain the American author wrote,
“It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
Mark Twain
You don’t have to know much about Bible to have something to worry about, or at least consider seriously. For example Jesus made these two statements,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
“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
If even those two statements are true then anyone reading this has a great deal to think about.
If those statements are true and I have no doubt they are, then the place you will spend eternity hinges on whether you believe them or not.
For the Christian there is more to consider.
Matthew records this conversation Jesus had. The man asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus earlier in his ministry 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?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Matthew 5:43-47
The apostle Paul writes of love,
“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
The book of James states,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20
The Apostle Paul gives us a warning. 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.
In short, we Christians must love God, our neighbours, even our enemies. We must pray for our persecutors. We are not allowed to judge those outside the church that is God’s job. Never the less we are to keep our own house in order and expel the wicked from among us.
A spot light is on the Christian. Our words and deeds may determine the eternal resting of those with whom we come in contact.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
“It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
Mark Twain
I write this to both none Christians and Christians alike. Mark Twain the American author wrote,
“It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
Mark Twain
You don’t have to know much about Bible to have something to worry about, or at least consider seriously. For example Jesus made these two statements,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
“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
If even those two statements are true then anyone reading this has a great deal to think about.
If those statements are true and I have no doubt they are, then the place you will spend eternity hinges on whether you believe them or not.
For the Christian there is more to consider.
Matthew records this conversation Jesus had. The man asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus earlier in his ministry 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?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Matthew 5:43-47
The apostle Paul writes of love,
“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
The book of James states,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20
The Apostle Paul gives us a warning. 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.
In short, we Christians must love God, our neighbours, even our enemies. We must pray for our persecutors. We are not allowed to judge those outside the church that is God’s job. Never the less we are to keep our own house in order and expel the wicked from among us.
A spot light is on the Christian. Our words and deeds may determine the eternal resting of those with whom we come in contact.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
Saturday 23 May 2015
Christianity true or false
Christianity true or false
Over the years there have been many who have come against the New Testament and it’s accuracy. Most of those who conclude that Jesus is a myth or that he was not who he said he was were frankly at the very least mistaken or never really wanted to find the truth.
Two very well educated men who looked at the Bible were Sir William Ramsay and Clive Staples Lewis, commonly known as C. S. Lewis
Sir William Ramsay was one of the greatest archaeologist of the 19th century Ramsay began as a liberal, believing Luke to be a second century production with no validity. He spent fifteen years attempting to undermine Luke’s credentials as an historian. In the end he concluded
"Luke is a historian of the first rank . . . This author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians. "
Ramsay was so convinced of Luke’s accuracy and truth that he became an Evangelist and apologist.
It can never be said of Ramsay that he was not and objective scholar as he was one of the greatest Archeologist of his day.
C. S. Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963), was a novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, and Christian apologist. Born in Belfast, Ireland, he held academic positions at both Oxford University (Magdalen College), 1925–54, and Cambridge University (Magdalene College), 1954–63.
Lewis was baptised in the Church of Ireland but fell away from his faith during his adolescence years.
Due to the influence of his friend R. R. Tolkien and other friends he studied the scriptures and returned to his faith.
Lewis made this observation about Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
He made another interesting statement he said,
‘Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis
Christianity was born in controversy and persecution.
The New Testament in the book of Acts records that two of Christ’s disciples were preaching about Jesus. They were arrested and brought before the religious leaders of their day. The leaders wanted them executed.
One wise man among them a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law. A man well respected said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:38,39
Christianity has survived it’s critics and persecutors now for over two thousand years. It is estimated that 2.2 billion people in the world are Christian and growing.
I am convinced that Christ is all he and his disciples say he is. The choice however comes down to you the individual.
C. S. Lewis leave us with an excellent question. Is Jesus
“a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
Please think about it.
Over the years there have been many who have come against the New Testament and it’s accuracy. Most of those who conclude that Jesus is a myth or that he was not who he said he was were frankly at the very least mistaken or never really wanted to find the truth.
Two very well educated men who looked at the Bible were Sir William Ramsay and Clive Staples Lewis, commonly known as C. S. Lewis
Sir William Ramsay was one of the greatest archaeologist of the 19th century Ramsay began as a liberal, believing Luke to be a second century production with no validity. He spent fifteen years attempting to undermine Luke’s credentials as an historian. In the end he concluded
"Luke is a historian of the first rank . . . This author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians. "
Ramsay was so convinced of Luke’s accuracy and truth that he became an Evangelist and apologist.
It can never be said of Ramsay that he was not and objective scholar as he was one of the greatest Archeologist of his day.
C. S. Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963), was a novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, and Christian apologist. Born in Belfast, Ireland, he held academic positions at both Oxford University (Magdalen College), 1925–54, and Cambridge University (Magdalene College), 1954–63.
Lewis was baptised in the Church of Ireland but fell away from his faith during his adolescence years.
Due to the influence of his friend R. R. Tolkien and other friends he studied the scriptures and returned to his faith.
Lewis made this observation about Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
He made another interesting statement he said,
‘Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis
Christianity was born in controversy and persecution.
The New Testament in the book of Acts records that two of Christ’s disciples were preaching about Jesus. They were arrested and brought before the religious leaders of their day. The leaders wanted them executed.
One wise man among them a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law. A man well respected said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:38,39
Christianity has survived it’s critics and persecutors now for over two thousand years. It is estimated that 2.2 billion people in the world are Christian and growing.
I am convinced that Christ is all he and his disciples say he is. The choice however comes down to you the individual.
C. S. Lewis leave us with an excellent question. Is Jesus
“a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
Please think about it.
Friday 22 May 2015
Not Everyone
Not Everyone
“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.
There are many people proclaiming themselves to be Christians, to call Jesus Lord that will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Yet at least one thief will.
The gospel of Luke records this happening during the crucifixion,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43.
This man did what all who call themselves Christians are asked to do. He believed that Jesus was innocent of the crimes he was being crucified for. He believed Jesus was the Son of God. He confessed his sins.
Upon doing this Jesus said, ““I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Many in our churches today have not done this. They speak “church speak” they know the liturgy, they know when to say hallelujah, when to pray, what to pray and how to conduct themselves in church and around church people. They may even read the bible every day. They may have even gone on mission trips or are pastors, evangelist or other officials in the church Yet they have not made a commitment to Christ.
The Apostle Paul writes,
“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,
Grace may be a free gift from God but it is costly. It cost Christ his life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost of Discipleship wrote
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
Sadly today may in the Media and in many Churches have what Bonhoeffer calls cheap grace he writes,
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
If you who are reading this consider yourself a Christian please consider the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
When you became a Christian did you recognize Christ’s death on the cross was a sacrifice for you? Did you repent of your sins? Did you confess your sins directly to God?
Do you recognize Jesus is the one and only Son of God?
Is your life with God one of knocking on heavens door daily, Reading the Bible, praying and praising God as often as you can?
Please ask yourself am I really a Christian? If so, how can I draw closer to Christ.
Please think about it.
“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.
There are many people proclaiming themselves to be Christians, to call Jesus Lord that will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Yet at least one thief will.
The gospel of Luke records this happening during the crucifixion,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43.
This man did what all who call themselves Christians are asked to do. He believed that Jesus was innocent of the crimes he was being crucified for. He believed Jesus was the Son of God. He confessed his sins.
Upon doing this Jesus said, ““I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Many in our churches today have not done this. They speak “church speak” they know the liturgy, they know when to say hallelujah, when to pray, what to pray and how to conduct themselves in church and around church people. They may even read the bible every day. They may have even gone on mission trips or are pastors, evangelist or other officials in the church Yet they have not made a commitment to Christ.
The Apostle Paul writes,
“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,
Grace may be a free gift from God but it is costly. It cost Christ his life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost of Discipleship wrote
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
Sadly today may in the Media and in many Churches have what Bonhoeffer calls cheap grace he writes,
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
If you who are reading this consider yourself a Christian please consider the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
When you became a Christian did you recognize Christ’s death on the cross was a sacrifice for you? Did you repent of your sins? Did you confess your sins directly to God?
Do you recognize Jesus is the one and only Son of God?
Is your life with God one of knocking on heavens door daily, Reading the Bible, praying and praising God as often as you can?
Please ask yourself am I really a Christian? If so, how can I draw closer to Christ.
Please think about it.
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