Your choice
“The Bible does not defend itself. It was written to people who accepted its message and therefore spends little time convincing its readers of its authenticity.”
Author unknown
I could write volumes is defence of the Bible’s authenticity. At the same time I could speak for hours giving proof of that God exists and Jesus is God incarnate but it would not convince some people.
Some people just want to believe what they want to believe. They believe there is no God so they view only the facts that say there is no God.
They will not accept the accuracy of the Bible and dismiss its truths as being bias.
As far as I’m concerned that is all well and good.
God when he created mankind gave him a freewill. That freewill gives each and every person the right to believe in God or not. God will not force anyone to believe in Him. It’s that simple.
God want’s our belief in Him to be an act of faith. The writer of 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
The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the Son of God, and that the Son
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hebrews 1:3.
The Bible notes Jesus gave a choice when he 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. 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.
Therefore the choice is yours dear reader. Believe there is a God and Jesus is his one and only Son. The Saviour of the world or not.
There is no middle ground.
If I am wrong and there is no God. Then you have nothing to fear, but if I am right then you at the very least have a lot to consider.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 7 July 2015
God Exists
God exists
“It is incomprehensible that God should exist, and it is incomprehensible that he should not exist.”
Blaise Pascal
The Psalmist wrote,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
Put simply God does things His way not the way man thinks he should do things. God asks all people everywhere to have faith in Him. 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.
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
Being an Atheist is also an act of faith. To be an atheist you have to have postulated that for whatever reason there is no God. You have to have come to the conclusion that simply because you can’t see God he doesn’t exist.
To my mind it’s like saying you can’t see you brain therefore you don’t have one.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
Think about it the universe from the most distant galaxy to the smallest sub atomic particle is in perfect balance.
I listened to a scientist not long ago that said everything in the universe no matter how minute effects life on this earth. From the light of distant stars to our sun to the smallest sub atomic particle. Everything is in balance. Adjust that balance ever so slightly and life as we know it on this earth would not exist.
For me creation proves there is a God who made it.
Ben Zion Boskser 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.
Please think about it
“It is incomprehensible that God should exist, and it is incomprehensible that he should not exist.”
Blaise Pascal
The Psalmist wrote,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
Put simply God does things His way not the way man thinks he should do things. God asks all people everywhere to have faith in Him. 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.
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
Being an Atheist is also an act of faith. To be an atheist you have to have postulated that for whatever reason there is no God. You have to have come to the conclusion that simply because you can’t see God he doesn’t exist.
To my mind it’s like saying you can’t see you brain therefore you don’t have one.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
Think about it the universe from the most distant galaxy to the smallest sub atomic particle is in perfect balance.
I listened to a scientist not long ago that said everything in the universe no matter how minute effects life on this earth. From the light of distant stars to our sun to the smallest sub atomic particle. Everything is in balance. Adjust that balance ever so slightly and life as we know it on this earth would not exist.
For me creation proves there is a God who made it.
Ben Zion Boskser 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.
Please think about it
Monday 6 July 2015
Spiritual Colour
Spiritual Colour
I as a Christian believe I must present my beliefs to anyone who would listen but nowhere does Bible tell me to impose those beliefs on anyone or attempt to restrict the beliefs of others.
I believe simply that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for the sins of each and every man and woman irrespective of who they are. That each person must make the choice for themselves as to who Jesus is. To accept Him as the Son of God or not.
At the height of the civil rights movement in the United States Kenneth Waters wrote this description of God
I have been a Christian since I was nineteen I’m now sixty-one, you do the math. Throughout that time I have strived to present the Good News of Jesus Christ is a pure a form as I can.
The more I read it the more I realize the importance of presenting the teachings of Christ to this world.
For me the apostle Paul when speaking at the Areopagus in Athens presented the message of Christ in a way we as Christians should emulate the book of Acts records,
“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.
Notice Paul never once criticized the beliefs and lifestyle of those around him. He kept to the script if you will of preaching the love of God and the Salvation that only Christ can bring.
This dear Christian is what we should be doing.
Please think about it.
I as a Christian believe I must present my beliefs to anyone who would listen but nowhere does Bible tell me to impose those beliefs on anyone or attempt to restrict the beliefs of others.
I believe simply that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for the sins of each and every man and woman irrespective of who they are. That each person must make the choice for themselves as to who Jesus is. To accept Him as the Son of God or not.
At the height of the civil rights movement in the United States Kenneth Waters wrote this description of God
So then, just talk about Spiritual colour and tell them:
Whatever colour love is, that’s the colour of God:
whatever colour justice is, that’s that colour of God:
whatever colour peace is, that’s the colour of God:
whatever colour freedom is, that’s the colour of God:
whatever colour joy is, that’s the colour of God:
whatever colour healing is, that’s the colour of God:
whatever colour salvation is, that’s the colour of God:
whatever colour power is, that’s the colour of God:
whatever colour truth is, that’s the colour of God:
So, then, regardless of who we are or where we come from,
regardless of our own skin colour or racial identity,
we should strive to be God’s (spiritual) colour.
Amen.
Kenneth WatersI have been a Christian since I was nineteen I’m now sixty-one, you do the math. Throughout that time I have strived to present the Good News of Jesus Christ is a pure a form as I can.
The more I read it the more I realize the importance of presenting the teachings of Christ to this world.
For me the apostle Paul when speaking at the Areopagus in Athens presented the message of Christ in a way we as Christians should emulate the book of Acts records,
“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.
Notice Paul never once criticized the beliefs and lifestyle of those around him. He kept to the script if you will of preaching the love of God and the Salvation that only Christ can bring.
This dear Christian is what we should be doing.
Please think about it.
Sunday 5 July 2015
Jesus and Judgement
Jesus and judgement
“Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.
When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.”
John 12:44-48.
Notice to Christians the above scripture makes it clear that while on this earth the job of Jesus was to save the world not judge it. He makes it clear in John12:48 that people who reject him on the last day will be judged. The last day has however not arrived.
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.
Jesus came into the world to save the lost. It is our job to continue that work. Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The teaching of Jesus was to Love God, Love your neighbour, Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.
The apostle Paul wrote 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.
Take a look at the above,
Christian you must love even those you disagree with. It is the only way to reach the world for Christ.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist 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
I like what Tony Campolo said. We should be feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and standing up for the oppressed.
We should be standing up for the freedoms of all those around us, for to restrict the freedoms of others will ultimately see our own freedoms restricted. It’s all apart of loving our neighbour.
Martin Niemoller a German Christian and anti Nazi during world war two wrote,
“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”
Martin Niemoller
Dear Christian
It is your job to Love your neighbour no matter who they are. It is your job to present and not force the Gospel of Christ on people. That is the calling of Christ.
Remember your actions just might determine the eternal resting place of those you come in contact with.
Please think carefully about it.
“Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.
When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.”
John 12:44-48.
Notice to Christians the above scripture makes it clear that while on this earth the job of Jesus was to save the world not judge it. He makes it clear in John12:48 that people who reject him on the last day will be judged. The last day has however not arrived.
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.
Jesus came into the world to save the lost. It is our job to continue that work. Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The teaching of Jesus was to Love God, Love your neighbour, Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.
The apostle Paul wrote 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.
Take a look at the above,
Love is patient, love is kind.
Is that your kind of love?
Love does not envy, it dose not boast. it is not proud,
Is that your kind of love?
It is not rude, it is not self seeking.
Is that your kind of love?
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Is that your kind of Love?
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Is that your kind of Love?
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres.
Is that your kind of Love?
Love never fails.
Is that your kind of Love?
Are you showing the greatest thing you can, Love to your fellow man?Christian you must love even those you disagree with. It is the only way to reach the world for Christ.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist 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
I like what Tony Campolo said. We should be feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and standing up for the oppressed.
We should be standing up for the freedoms of all those around us, for to restrict the freedoms of others will ultimately see our own freedoms restricted. It’s all apart of loving our neighbour.
Martin Niemoller a German Christian and anti Nazi during world war two wrote,
“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”
Martin Niemoller
Dear Christian
It is your job to Love your neighbour no matter who they are. It is your job to present and not force the Gospel of Christ on people. That is the calling of Christ.
Remember your actions just might determine the eternal resting place of those you come in contact with.
Please think carefully about it.
Friday 3 July 2015
How dare they say that
How dare they say that
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.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.”
1 Peter 2:13-17
“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.
These are powerful statements to Christians. Written at a time when Christians were living in what essentially was a pagan empire. The Roman empire.
Peter who said “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men...” would be put to death by the emperor Nero, as would Paul.
Jesus makes it clear,
“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.
So put this way, if you want to get persecuted. Persecute others. If you want your freedoms restricted, restrict the freedoms of others. If you want to be judged judge others.
Christians have no right to impose their beliefs on others any more than we would want others to impose their beliefs on us. Our job is to simply present the Salvation message of Christ to those who will listen.
The apostle Paul speaking to the church in Corinth and through them to us makes a clear statement that we have no right to judge those outside the church,
“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.
He tells us we are not the judge of those outside the church God is. We are to keep our own house clean. We are to police ourselves and expel those who are teaching falsely within the church. Those who are judging others in the name of Christ.
No Christian has the authority to judge anyone who ever they are.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“Let us preach Christ, let us be faithful to proclaiming the Gospel, but let's leave judgment in the hands of God.”
Tony Campolo
If we as Christians want to maintain our freedom we need to respect the freedom 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
James the brother of Christ wrote,
“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
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? "
Matthew 5:43-46
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Your neighbour dear Christian is everyone you meet. Whether you agree with them or not.
Dear Christian Jesus gave you your job when he said,
“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 28:19,20.
We cannot do this job unless ALL people irrespective of who they are less than free.
Think about it.
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.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.”
1 Peter 2:13-17
“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.
These are powerful statements to Christians. Written at a time when Christians were living in what essentially was a pagan empire. The Roman empire.
Peter who said “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men...” would be put to death by the emperor Nero, as would Paul.
Jesus makes it clear,
“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.
So put this way, if you want to get persecuted. Persecute others. If you want your freedoms restricted, restrict the freedoms of others. If you want to be judged judge others.
Christians have no right to impose their beliefs on others any more than we would want others to impose their beliefs on us. Our job is to simply present the Salvation message of Christ to those who will listen.
The apostle Paul speaking to the church in Corinth and through them to us makes a clear statement that we have no right to judge those outside the church,
“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.
He tells us we are not the judge of those outside the church God is. We are to keep our own house clean. We are to police ourselves and expel those who are teaching falsely within the church. Those who are judging others in the name of Christ.
No Christian has the authority to judge anyone who ever they are.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“Let us preach Christ, let us be faithful to proclaiming the Gospel, but let's leave judgment in the hands of God.”
Tony Campolo
If we as Christians want to maintain our freedom we need to respect the freedom 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
James the brother of Christ wrote,
“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
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? "
Matthew 5:43-46
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Your neighbour dear Christian is everyone you meet. Whether you agree with them or not.
Dear Christian Jesus gave you your job when he said,
“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 28:19,20.
We cannot do this job unless ALL people irrespective of who they are less than free.
Think about it.
Freedom and the Christian
Freedom
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe. In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.”
Baruch Spinoza
I am speaking here as a Christian appalled at the way Christian groups especially in the United States are reacting to the gay marriage law.
The United States and all western democracies are just that democracies. They are not “Christian democracies” they are “secular democracies”. There is no such thing as a Christian government on this earth at this time. And governments like it or not have the right to define marriage even if it is not to the liking of Christians.
Living in a secular democracy is something the apostles knew very well. They lived in the Roman empire an empire as ethnically diverse as any nation today. An empire that was filled with pagan practises that the average Christian or Jew at the time would have disliked immensely.
Yet nowhere in the New Testament do I see Jesus or his disciples speaking out against the civil secular authorities.
Jesus even when brought before Pilate never said anything against the civil authority of Rome. In fact he said,
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
John 19:11a
The apostle Paul while living under one of the worst emperors Nero even wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.”
Romans 13:1-3
Someone years ago once told me, when you restrict someone else’s freedom you ultimately restrict your own.
It is my feeling that provided the freedoms granted to any group does not infringe on my freedoms to believe as I wish as a Christian then they should have the right to believe and do as they wish.
We know such a system worked because thanks to the freedom of the Roman empire with all its diversity Christianity flourished.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Put simply Paul is saying, lets keep our own house clean and not judge those outside the church. Especially others who do not recognize our standards and ethics.
We as Christians are called to Love God, our neighbour and our enemy, even if we disagree with them. We can’t show this in a democracy if we are trying to restrict someone’s rights.
James the brother of Christ wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
We are to show love and mercy even to our worst enemy and the gay, lesbian and trangendered community are not our enemies. They are the same as anyone else in this world, people in need of the love of God.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18,
Christians have no right to judge anyone, that is God’s job. Only God knows the inner thoughts and feelings of an individual. Only God knows what makes a man or woman what they are.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Dear friends
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’
1 Peter 2:11,12.
One of those sinful desires is the desire to judge individuals.
Perhaps the best example of how a Christian should speak and act toward those whom he disagrees with is when the Apostle Paul spoke at the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:17-34.
Athens was the centre of pagan worship. There were things I know Paul would object to but Paul realized that he was a visitor, or as Peter said an “alien and stranger.” therefore he respected their beliefs and ways.
As a result they listened to him, some accepted Christ while others wanted to hear more.
I know within some church groups same sex marriage is a bone of contention. I know many groups treat the trangender community as if they have “special sins”. This should not be.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“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
We cannot win souls for Christ be they in the gay community or in any other community in this world if we are judging them and trying to restrict their rights. They will only turn us away and that prevents us from doing our job.
Jesus told Christians what our job is 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.
Christian please think carefully about how you act around non-Christians no matter who they are. All men and women in this world are in need of the saving grace of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Upon your actions may rest the eternal destiny of those you come in contact with.
Remember the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe. In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.”
Baruch Spinoza
I am speaking here as a Christian appalled at the way Christian groups especially in the United States are reacting to the gay marriage law.
The United States and all western democracies are just that democracies. They are not “Christian democracies” they are “secular democracies”. There is no such thing as a Christian government on this earth at this time. And governments like it or not have the right to define marriage even if it is not to the liking of Christians.
Living in a secular democracy is something the apostles knew very well. They lived in the Roman empire an empire as ethnically diverse as any nation today. An empire that was filled with pagan practises that the average Christian or Jew at the time would have disliked immensely.
Yet nowhere in the New Testament do I see Jesus or his disciples speaking out against the civil secular authorities.
Jesus even when brought before Pilate never said anything against the civil authority of Rome. In fact he said,
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
John 19:11a
The apostle Paul while living under one of the worst emperors Nero even wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.”
Romans 13:1-3
Someone years ago once told me, when you restrict someone else’s freedom you ultimately restrict your own.
It is my feeling that provided the freedoms granted to any group does not infringe on my freedoms to believe as I wish as a Christian then they should have the right to believe and do as they wish.
We know such a system worked because thanks to the freedom of the Roman empire with all its diversity Christianity flourished.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Put simply Paul is saying, lets keep our own house clean and not judge those outside the church. Especially others who do not recognize our standards and ethics.
We as Christians are called to Love God, our neighbour and our enemy, even if we disagree with them. We can’t show this in a democracy if we are trying to restrict someone’s rights.
James the brother of Christ wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
We are to show love and mercy even to our worst enemy and the gay, lesbian and trangendered community are not our enemies. They are the same as anyone else in this world, people in need of the love of God.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18,
Christians have no right to judge anyone, that is God’s job. Only God knows the inner thoughts and feelings of an individual. Only God knows what makes a man or woman what they are.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Dear friends
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’
1 Peter 2:11,12.
One of those sinful desires is the desire to judge individuals.
Perhaps the best example of how a Christian should speak and act toward those whom he disagrees with is when the Apostle Paul spoke at the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:17-34.
Athens was the centre of pagan worship. There were things I know Paul would object to but Paul realized that he was a visitor, or as Peter said an “alien and stranger.” therefore he respected their beliefs and ways.
As a result they listened to him, some accepted Christ while others wanted to hear more.
I know within some church groups same sex marriage is a bone of contention. I know many groups treat the trangender community as if they have “special sins”. This should not be.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“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
We cannot win souls for Christ be they in the gay community or in any other community in this world if we are judging them and trying to restrict their rights. They will only turn us away and that prevents us from doing our job.
Jesus told Christians what our job is 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.
Christian please think carefully about how you act around non-Christians no matter who they are. All men and women in this world are in need of the saving grace of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Upon your actions may rest the eternal destiny of those you come in contact with.
Remember the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
Thursday 2 July 2015
Who do you serve?
Who do you serve?
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:14,15
As Christians we must be careful whom we serve. I’ve heard too many people over the years say I follow such and such an evangelist or pastor. Or such and such a pastor or evangelist says this or that.
These people take the words of these men and woman at face value. They never question them. They will even argue with others who disagree with them as if the pastor or evangelist they are following is infallible.
Such things happened in the early church the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas’”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?”
1 Corinthians 1:11-13.
As Christians we should never let one man or woman’s interpretation of the scriptures be our only source of teaching. Men make mistakes they are only human.
There are even some teachers and preachers who deliberately pervert the scriptures. They believe a certain way and, if you will “cherry pick” the scriptures that back their belief. They fail to listen to scriptures that contradict their beliefs.
The classic line I hear from such preachers is “don’t come against the elect of God.”
There is a fine line here. Within the Christian community we have differences of opinion on various things and that is fine, provided, it’s not on the major issues. Issues such as the sovereignty of Christ.
So we must be careful not to speak out against any minister, preacher, teacher or evangelist simply because we disagree with them on the minor points.
There are still however false Christian teachers out there who say they believe in Christ who are out there to get rich or deliberately lead people astray. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
Sadly thanks to the mass media world we live in we are exposed to false teachers all the time. These teachers may even seem legitimate. They string scriptures in such a way as to make their doctrine seem correct when it is not.
That’s why we as Christians need to be on guard. We need to know our Bible. We need to study the scriptures daily.
We need to find a body of believers that have as their base the Bible. A group that studies from the bible directly. A group that does not just use study notes from one pastor, evangelist or teacher but from a wide range of teachers.
I’ve found over the years some of my best learning experiences have come when I’ve read teachings of those I disagree with.
When I come across someone I disagree with I ask myself why do they think the way they do? Are they right or am I? If I get a chance I even speak to the person who has opposing view to me.
In our adult bible study I lead at the church I use this technique. Everyone who attends has the right to express their view whether my pastor or I agree with it or not. We then discuss it as a group using the scriptures as our authority.
We are careful to see that every scripture is taken in context.
We also look at the history and culture of the time as well as various commentaries from a wide range of authors.
I believe that the word of God is so important it is our duty to see that we are preaching and teaching it in as accurate a way as possible.
I believe this because the potential eternal resting place of someone’s eternal soul may depend on what I and other teachers teach.
Therefore my advise to all Christians is to study the Bible carefully. Use a wide range of commentaries. Listen to a wide range of teachers. Question what they say and what you believe. Be open an honest and willing to accept that you may be wrong in some of what you believe. If you are proven to be wrong, be willing to change.
Remember the absolute authority about God is the Bible not some Televangelist, evangelist, preacher, or teacher.
And through all of your studying pray, pray, pray. Pray and ask God to show you the truth in the scriptures.
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:14,15
As Christians we must be careful whom we serve. I’ve heard too many people over the years say I follow such and such an evangelist or pastor. Or such and such a pastor or evangelist says this or that.
These people take the words of these men and woman at face value. They never question them. They will even argue with others who disagree with them as if the pastor or evangelist they are following is infallible.
Such things happened in the early church the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas’”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?”
1 Corinthians 1:11-13.
As Christians we should never let one man or woman’s interpretation of the scriptures be our only source of teaching. Men make mistakes they are only human.
There are even some teachers and preachers who deliberately pervert the scriptures. They believe a certain way and, if you will “cherry pick” the scriptures that back their belief. They fail to listen to scriptures that contradict their beliefs.
The classic line I hear from such preachers is “don’t come against the elect of God.”
There is a fine line here. Within the Christian community we have differences of opinion on various things and that is fine, provided, it’s not on the major issues. Issues such as the sovereignty of Christ.
So we must be careful not to speak out against any minister, preacher, teacher or evangelist simply because we disagree with them on the minor points.
There are still however false Christian teachers out there who say they believe in Christ who are out there to get rich or deliberately lead people astray. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
Sadly thanks to the mass media world we live in we are exposed to false teachers all the time. These teachers may even seem legitimate. They string scriptures in such a way as to make their doctrine seem correct when it is not.
That’s why we as Christians need to be on guard. We need to know our Bible. We need to study the scriptures daily.
We need to find a body of believers that have as their base the Bible. A group that studies from the bible directly. A group that does not just use study notes from one pastor, evangelist or teacher but from a wide range of teachers.
I’ve found over the years some of my best learning experiences have come when I’ve read teachings of those I disagree with.
When I come across someone I disagree with I ask myself why do they think the way they do? Are they right or am I? If I get a chance I even speak to the person who has opposing view to me.
In our adult bible study I lead at the church I use this technique. Everyone who attends has the right to express their view whether my pastor or I agree with it or not. We then discuss it as a group using the scriptures as our authority.
We are careful to see that every scripture is taken in context.
We also look at the history and culture of the time as well as various commentaries from a wide range of authors.
I believe that the word of God is so important it is our duty to see that we are preaching and teaching it in as accurate a way as possible.
I believe this because the potential eternal resting place of someone’s eternal soul may depend on what I and other teachers teach.
Therefore my advise to all Christians is to study the Bible carefully. Use a wide range of commentaries. Listen to a wide range of teachers. Question what they say and what you believe. Be open an honest and willing to accept that you may be wrong in some of what you believe. If you are proven to be wrong, be willing to change.
Remember the absolute authority about God is the Bible not some Televangelist, evangelist, preacher, or teacher.
And through all of your studying pray, pray, pray. Pray and ask God to show you the truth in the scriptures.
Wednesday 1 July 2015
JESUS IS ALIVE!!!
Jesus is alive!
"Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
Luke 24:13-24.
Above is the story of the men on the road to Emmaus who meet Jesus after his resurrection. It clearly states that people seen Jesus after he had died and rose from the dead. That he was in bodily form.
This is a claim that is unique to Christians. The Author and Finisher of our faith is the One and Only Son of God, Jesus.
We believe Jesus lived a perfect life, died for sins he didn’t commit was buried and rose from the grave victorious. That he ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. He did this for us. The apostle Paul writing,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
The other day our Church played a movie called God is not dead. It fell into the category of drama. I would recommend if you get a chance to see it. The point of the movie was simple God is not dead despite what some vocal atheist say.
At the end of the movie it asked people to text three words to all their contacts. Those three words were “God is Alive!”
I would ask you the reader if you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God to consider texting or tweeting this line to all your contacts,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be....” Acts 16:31a “Pass it on”
Ask your Christian friends to do it also.
It may be the most important thing you ever tweet or text.
Think about it.
"Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
Luke 24:13-24.
Above is the story of the men on the road to Emmaus who meet Jesus after his resurrection. It clearly states that people seen Jesus after he had died and rose from the dead. That he was in bodily form.
This is a claim that is unique to Christians. The Author and Finisher of our faith is the One and Only Son of God, Jesus.
We believe Jesus lived a perfect life, died for sins he didn’t commit was buried and rose from the grave victorious. That he ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. He did this for us. The apostle Paul writing,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
The other day our Church played a movie called God is not dead. It fell into the category of drama. I would recommend if you get a chance to see it. The point of the movie was simple God is not dead despite what some vocal atheist say.
At the end of the movie it asked people to text three words to all their contacts. Those three words were “God is Alive!”
I would ask you the reader if you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God to consider texting or tweeting this line to all your contacts,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be....” Acts 16:31a “Pass it on”
Ask your Christian friends to do it also.
It may be the most important thing you ever tweet or text.
Think about it.
Tuesday 30 June 2015
Thou has conquered O Galilean
Thou has conquered O Galilean
Julian the Apostate who was Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. a vehement adversary of Christianity wrote in his works against Christianity,
“Jesus...has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal the lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany”
At the end of his life he said, “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Julian also confirmed to authenticity of the four gospels.
No one be they a Non-Christian of another faith or Atheist can deny the effect Jesus had on history.
Napoleon Bonaparte said of Jesus,
"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,
People for centuries have spoken out against Jesus and Christianity its enemies have said it will die out from the moment it started but it hasn’t.
The book of Acts record what happened when two of Jesus disciples were brought before the religious authorities for preaching in the name of Jesus it records
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men
rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:28-39.
Gamaliel was right to fight against Christianity is futile because it is of God.
God started his redemptive work with Abraham, Moses and the Jewish nation. God however loves the entire world thus he sent his one and only Son through the line of David that all the world may be blessed and have the opportunity to come to know him.
Those today be they the terrorist of this world. Be they Atheist or others who would deny Christ and come against Him are I firmly believe fighting against God.
I firmly believe those who do not believe in Christ will one day be shocked to find themselves standing before Jesus.
Jesus himself when asked who he was said,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
John 10:24-30
I think C.S. Lewis summed up Jesus and Christianity best when he wrote,
“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
Jesus made one thing clear. God loves us and He gave us a choice when he 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. 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.
Please think about it.
Julian the Apostate who was Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. a vehement adversary of Christianity wrote in his works against Christianity,
“Jesus...has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal the lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany”
At the end of his life he said, “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Julian also confirmed to authenticity of the four gospels.
No one be they a Non-Christian of another faith or Atheist can deny the effect Jesus had on history.
Napoleon Bonaparte said of Jesus,
"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,
People for centuries have spoken out against Jesus and Christianity its enemies have said it will die out from the moment it started but it hasn’t.
The book of Acts record what happened when two of Jesus disciples were brought before the religious authorities for preaching in the name of Jesus it records
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men
rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:28-39.
Gamaliel was right to fight against Christianity is futile because it is of God.
God started his redemptive work with Abraham, Moses and the Jewish nation. God however loves the entire world thus he sent his one and only Son through the line of David that all the world may be blessed and have the opportunity to come to know him.
Those today be they the terrorist of this world. Be they Atheist or others who would deny Christ and come against Him are I firmly believe fighting against God.
I firmly believe those who do not believe in Christ will one day be shocked to find themselves standing before Jesus.
Jesus himself when asked who he was said,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
John 10:24-30
I think C.S. Lewis summed up Jesus and Christianity best when he wrote,
“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
Jesus made one thing clear. God loves us and He gave us a choice when he 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. 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.
Please think about it.
Monday 29 June 2015
A question for the ages
A question for the ages
“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
A question for the ages. Do you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The writer of Hebrews did he wrote,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Hebrews 1:3-6.
I believe the most important question anyone anywhere in the world must ask themselves is, Who is Jesus?”
There are groups around claiming to be Christian yet deny the deity of Christ. They claim he is an angel or a prophet not the Son of God by whom the world was created.
John’s Gospel records,
“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.”
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 1:1-4, 12-14.
John makes it clear Jesus is God incarnate. That Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
This was an incredible statement for his time, because if he wasn’t one with the father why would he make such a statement. It was a claim that was punishable by death. Jesus would have had to be insane to make such a statement.
In order to be a true Christian by my way of believing you have to believe Jesus is the Son of God. That He is God incarnate. That he is the Saviour of the world.
You cannot believe less and be a Christian.
Please think about it.
“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
A question for the ages. Do you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The writer of Hebrews did he wrote,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” ?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Hebrews 1:3-6.
I believe the most important question anyone anywhere in the world must ask themselves is, Who is Jesus?”
There are groups around claiming to be Christian yet deny the deity of Christ. They claim he is an angel or a prophet not the Son of God by whom the world was created.
John’s Gospel records,
“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.”
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 1:1-4, 12-14.
John makes it clear Jesus is God incarnate. That Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
This was an incredible statement for his time, because if he wasn’t one with the father why would he make such a statement. It was a claim that was punishable by death. Jesus would have had to be insane to make such a statement.
In order to be a true Christian by my way of believing you have to believe Jesus is the Son of God. That He is God incarnate. That he is the Saviour of the world.
You cannot believe less and be a Christian.
Please think about it.
Sunday 28 June 2015
Christians Beware!
Christians beware
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”
1 Timothy 1:3-7
Time and time again throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters to the church he warns against false teachers. Today his warnings need to be heeded more than ever.
Christians are generally a trusting people. When someone say’s they are a Christian we believe them.
When someone speaks from the pulpit be that pulpit in a local church or in the media, and says they are a man or woman of God we believe them.
While I would say the majority of teachers, preachers and evangelist in the world today are honest men and women of God teaching what they believe, I know there are a lot of fakes out there. Men and women who would lead people astray or are trying to separate them from their money.
Sadly especially in the evangelical community in North America there is no real way of policing our faith for fakes.
I know of men and women calling themselves Christians who have threatened to take other Christians to court because they threatened to expose blatantly wrong teaching.
Christians should not be taking other Christians to court. Rather we should be willing to have any dispute we have with other fellow believes at the very least mediated by other believers to see if a solution can be reached.
The apostle Paul notes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to on guard against those who teach falsely. Men and women who use the Bible for their own gain or to deliberately deceive others and lead them away from the truth about God and Christ.
That is why I urge everyone who claims to be a believer to read the bible for themselves. To pray and ask God to show them the truth in the scriptures.
To question those evangelist, pastors and teachers they are listening to. Don’t be scared to look up the scriptures spoken on by those whom you listen to.
Ask yourself and God are those scriptures used in the right context or have they been misinterpreted.
If you feel there is a conflict talk to others about your suspicions. Even ask the person you were listening to, to explain themselves better.
If you’re not satisfied then stop listening to them, don’t support them.
I am a firm believer in questioning everything that a pastor, teacher or evangelist says or does.
Christian leaders should be held up to a very high standard. Higher than the person sitting in the pew.
Remember the words of Jesus,
“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
Remember also the words of the Apostle Paul who said,
“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.
So my advice to Christians in general is to guard against false teachers. Examine everything you are being taught or listening to.
Above all ask God to show you what is right so that you are not deceived or led astray.
Please think about it.
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”
1 Timothy 1:3-7
Time and time again throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters to the church he warns against false teachers. Today his warnings need to be heeded more than ever.
Christians are generally a trusting people. When someone say’s they are a Christian we believe them.
When someone speaks from the pulpit be that pulpit in a local church or in the media, and says they are a man or woman of God we believe them.
While I would say the majority of teachers, preachers and evangelist in the world today are honest men and women of God teaching what they believe, I know there are a lot of fakes out there. Men and women who would lead people astray or are trying to separate them from their money.
Sadly especially in the evangelical community in North America there is no real way of policing our faith for fakes.
I know of men and women calling themselves Christians who have threatened to take other Christians to court because they threatened to expose blatantly wrong teaching.
Christians should not be taking other Christians to court. Rather we should be willing to have any dispute we have with other fellow believes at the very least mediated by other believers to see if a solution can be reached.
The apostle Paul notes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
As Christians we need to on guard against those who teach falsely. Men and women who use the Bible for their own gain or to deliberately deceive others and lead them away from the truth about God and Christ.
That is why I urge everyone who claims to be a believer to read the bible for themselves. To pray and ask God to show them the truth in the scriptures.
To question those evangelist, pastors and teachers they are listening to. Don’t be scared to look up the scriptures spoken on by those whom you listen to.
Ask yourself and God are those scriptures used in the right context or have they been misinterpreted.
If you feel there is a conflict talk to others about your suspicions. Even ask the person you were listening to, to explain themselves better.
If you’re not satisfied then stop listening to them, don’t support them.
I am a firm believer in questioning everything that a pastor, teacher or evangelist says or does.
Christian leaders should be held up to a very high standard. Higher than the person sitting in the pew.
Remember the words of Jesus,
“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
Remember also the words of the Apostle Paul who said,
“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.
So my advice to Christians in general is to guard against false teachers. Examine everything you are being taught or listening to.
Above all ask God to show you what is right so that you are not deceived or led astray.
Please think about it.
Saturday 27 June 2015
Love and the Christian
Love and the Christian
Christians have an obligation before God to Love. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also 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...”
Matthew 5: 43-45.
Without love for God, our neighbour and our enemy we can’t effectively win souls for Christ.
Christians should not be constantly pointing to the sin of the world. People in the world know full well there is a lot of sin in the world. They don’t need reminding.
What the world is looking for is unconditional love irrespective of who they are, what they believe or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
It is incumbent on the Christian to get one pure message to the world. John’s gospel records the message Jesus want us to take to the world when it records the words of Jesus who 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. 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.
Wouldn’t it be a terrible shame if because we failed to show love in as pure a form as we can toward family, friends, and even our enemy that even one person would miss out on going to heaven?
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“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’s what we all as Christians should be doing. Are you?
Please think about it.
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8aChristians have an obligation before God to Love. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also 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...”
Matthew 5: 43-45.
Without love for God, our neighbour and our enemy we can’t effectively win souls for Christ.
Christians should not be constantly pointing to the sin of the world. People in the world know full well there is a lot of sin in the world. They don’t need reminding.
What the world is looking for is unconditional love irrespective of who they are, what they believe or their lifestyle.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
It is incumbent on the Christian to get one pure message to the world. John’s gospel records the message Jesus want us to take to the world when it records the words of Jesus who 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. 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.
Wouldn’t it be a terrible shame if because we failed to show love in as pure a form as we can toward family, friends, and even our enemy that even one person would miss out on going to heaven?
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“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’s what we all as Christians should be doing. Are you?
Please think about it.
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