An Apostles Example.
“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.”
Acts 17:22-31.
This is how we as Christians need to be. We need to meet people where they are, not looking at their sin or lifestyle. We need to simply see each and every person as just that, a person in need of the love and saving grace Christ.
And like Paul we need to present to them the salvation message. Letting them decide for themselves whether to accept that message or not.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Monday, 21 September 2015
Christians & Judgement
Christians & Judgement
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
John 8:3-11
On the surface this is an example of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees trying to catch Jesus. They caught a woman committing adultery and brought her to him. Those bringing her to him however twisted the law. They said that she was to be stoned. While it is my understanding that it applied only a betrothed virgin. Additionally the man committing the crime with her was to be stoned also and they had to be caught in the actual act.
The man however was brought before Jesus.
Additionally it was against Roman law for the Jews to carry out the death penalty. So if Jesus said stone her He would have been accused of breaking Roman law. If he had said not to stone her in the minds of his accusers at least, he could have been accused of not upholding the law of Moses.
Jesus wisely simply said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus and those accusing the woman knew they were not without sin. Thus they slowly left the woman alone with Jesus causing the following exchange,
Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
There is more to this than what happened then. What happened then is happening in a way in the church today at least here in North America.
We have those calling themselves Christians be they pastors, evangelist or those sitting in the pew constantly pointing to people and groups, and judging them by the law. They are calling on God to “smite” those whom they say are sinning. They are calling them names and yelling loudly that those breaking God’s law will not be going to heaven. They’ll be going to hell.
The way I see it is, if the only experience non-believers and sinners have is with people calling themselves Christians and spewing condemnation and judgment then they will be heading to hell, because they will reject Jesus.
Further more it will be the fault of those who call themselves Christians and are heaping condemnation on people.
The teachers of the law that brought that woman before Christ knew they were as guilty of sin as her. Yet without giving her a chance to repent they judged her and brought her before Christ. To pass judgment.
This is what many calling themselves Christians are doing today when it is not the job of the individual Christian to judge those outside the church.
The Apostle Paul made it clearly writing,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The Christian life is not about judging anyone. It’s about loving everyone, even our enemies.
We are to tell the world about God’s love. We are to tell anyone who will listen that,
“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.
If we as Christians know of anyone sinning no matter what that sin is we should not be heaping judgment on them. We should not be protesting against what they are doing.
We should be praying for them.
The Christian should be asking God to give them wisdom and an opportunity to reach that person with the LOVE OF CHRIST.
Christians should not be pointing to the sin of anyone. Instead they should be pointing to God’s love and forgiveness. Asking God to give the sinner every opportunity to repent of their sin.
I like what the American evangelist Tony Campolo said, he 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
Please think about it.
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
John 8:3-11
On the surface this is an example of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees trying to catch Jesus. They caught a woman committing adultery and brought her to him. Those bringing her to him however twisted the law. They said that she was to be stoned. While it is my understanding that it applied only a betrothed virgin. Additionally the man committing the crime with her was to be stoned also and they had to be caught in the actual act.
The man however was brought before Jesus.
Additionally it was against Roman law for the Jews to carry out the death penalty. So if Jesus said stone her He would have been accused of breaking Roman law. If he had said not to stone her in the minds of his accusers at least, he could have been accused of not upholding the law of Moses.
Jesus wisely simply said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus and those accusing the woman knew they were not without sin. Thus they slowly left the woman alone with Jesus causing the following exchange,
Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
There is more to this than what happened then. What happened then is happening in a way in the church today at least here in North America.
We have those calling themselves Christians be they pastors, evangelist or those sitting in the pew constantly pointing to people and groups, and judging them by the law. They are calling on God to “smite” those whom they say are sinning. They are calling them names and yelling loudly that those breaking God’s law will not be going to heaven. They’ll be going to hell.
The way I see it is, if the only experience non-believers and sinners have is with people calling themselves Christians and spewing condemnation and judgment then they will be heading to hell, because they will reject Jesus.
Further more it will be the fault of those who call themselves Christians and are heaping condemnation on people.
The teachers of the law that brought that woman before Christ knew they were as guilty of sin as her. Yet without giving her a chance to repent they judged her and brought her before Christ. To pass judgment.
This is what many calling themselves Christians are doing today when it is not the job of the individual Christian to judge those outside the church.
The Apostle Paul made it clearly writing,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The Christian life is not about judging anyone. It’s about loving everyone, even our enemies.
We are to tell the world about God’s love. We are to tell anyone who will listen that,
“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.
If we as Christians know of anyone sinning no matter what that sin is we should not be heaping judgment on them. We should not be protesting against what they are doing.
We should be praying for them.
The Christian should be asking God to give them wisdom and an opportunity to reach that person with the LOVE OF CHRIST.
Christians should not be pointing to the sin of anyone. Instead they should be pointing to God’s love and forgiveness. Asking God to give the sinner every opportunity to repent of their sin.
I like what the American evangelist Tony Campolo said, he 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
Please think about it.
Sunday, 20 September 2015
A note to Christians
A Note to Christians
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
I see a lot of Christians or at least people claiming to be Christians speaking out against or protesting against people who have different moral values than they do. They will not associate with them.
According to what the apostle Paul says here that should not be so. In this world we will be around the immoral, the greedy the swindlers, even idolaters. As long as we are in the world these people will be around us. And these people like all people need to know the love of God and the salvation message that only comes through Christ.
Paul however warns “I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.”
We must not even associate with people calling themselves Christians who are living a sinful life.
Paul goes on to make a very clear statement telling us not to judge those outside the body of believers. He states,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
We as Christians must be careful about those who call themselves brothers in Christ who are living a sinful life and not associate with such people.
It is our duty before Christ however to reach the world for Christ and we cannot do that job if we are judging them in any way.
Jesus said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
If we are obeying the words of Jesus we are to be wise in a world that is hostile to us. And we are to be innocent of doing anything remotely wrong.
The apostle Peter said,
“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 2:12.
Dear Christian, are you doing this?
Please think about it.
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
I see a lot of Christians or at least people claiming to be Christians speaking out against or protesting against people who have different moral values than they do. They will not associate with them.
According to what the apostle Paul says here that should not be so. In this world we will be around the immoral, the greedy the swindlers, even idolaters. As long as we are in the world these people will be around us. And these people like all people need to know the love of God and the salvation message that only comes through Christ.
Paul however warns “I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.”
We must not even associate with people calling themselves Christians who are living a sinful life.
Paul goes on to make a very clear statement telling us not to judge those outside the body of believers. He states,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
We as Christians must be careful about those who call themselves brothers in Christ who are living a sinful life and not associate with such people.
It is our duty before Christ however to reach the world for Christ and we cannot do that job if we are judging them in any way.
Jesus said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
If we are obeying the words of Jesus we are to be wise in a world that is hostile to us. And we are to be innocent of doing anything remotely wrong.
The apostle Peter said,
“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 2:12.
Dear Christian, are you doing this?
Please think about it.
Saturday, 19 September 2015
Your Choice
Your Choice
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43.
The above passage of scripture is Luke’s account of a conversation that went on between the two men who were crucified with Jesus and Jesus.
We see in those two criminals the choice every man and woman on upon hearing about Jesus must make.
One man doubting that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah said to him if you are the Christ, “Save yourself and us!” in other words prove it by getting yourself and us down from these crosses.
This man wanted tangible proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He was thinking in terms of this life. Asking to escape death by Jesus getting them off the cross. This in this man’s mind would prove Jesus was the Messiah.
What this man didn’t realize that accepting Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ is an act of faith which the other criminal did.
The other criminal said,
“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
This man did what all people everywhere must do. He accepted by faith that Jesus was the Christ, the messiah. He then confessed his sins. Admitting he was “getting what his deeds deserved”.
Then he asked Jesus to simply “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
To which Jesus replied
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In other words that man had his sins forgiven and got to heaven.
This is the message Christians everywhere want the world to hear.
First of all we must have faith in God and Jesus. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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.
Then we must admit we fall short of what God wants for our life. That we are sinners.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
We must confess our sins directly to God,
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9-10.
My question to you the reader is do you believe this. I say this because if I am right and I believe I am. Then your eternal resting place, rests on your decision.
Please think about it.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43.
The above passage of scripture is Luke’s account of a conversation that went on between the two men who were crucified with Jesus and Jesus.
We see in those two criminals the choice every man and woman on upon hearing about Jesus must make.
One man doubting that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah said to him if you are the Christ, “Save yourself and us!” in other words prove it by getting yourself and us down from these crosses.
This man wanted tangible proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He was thinking in terms of this life. Asking to escape death by Jesus getting them off the cross. This in this man’s mind would prove Jesus was the Messiah.
What this man didn’t realize that accepting Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ is an act of faith which the other criminal did.
The other criminal said,
“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
This man did what all people everywhere must do. He accepted by faith that Jesus was the Christ, the messiah. He then confessed his sins. Admitting he was “getting what his deeds deserved”.
Then he asked Jesus to simply “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
To which Jesus replied
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In other words that man had his sins forgiven and got to heaven.
This is the message Christians everywhere want the world to hear.
First of all we must have faith in God and Jesus. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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.
Then we must admit we fall short of what God wants for our life. That we are sinners.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
We must confess our sins directly to God,
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9-10.
My question to you the reader is do you believe this. I say this because if I am right and I believe I am. Then your eternal resting place, rests on your decision.
Please think about it.
Friday, 18 September 2015
Love
Love
Here is to me the Christian definition 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.
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.”
Matthew 5:43-45.
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
I as a Christian must follow the example and teaching of Jesus. As a result I must love God and my neighbour. Additionally I must love my enemies, and pray for those who persecute me.
It is my belief that I would not truly be showing love to people if I did not present to them the most important thing in my life. That being the salvation and eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus.
One of the key teachings of Christ is recorded in the gospel of Matthew’
"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.
That age is still continuing to this day. Therefore I feel I am obligated before God to present to anyone who will listen to me the Love of God.
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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
Jesus while on this earth made some very important statements about himself. He said,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“....“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.
The Gospel of John records this incident in the life of Jesus,
“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.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32
The Choice is up to you dear reader.
Do you believe what Jesus said?
Please think carefully about it.
Here is to me the Christian definition 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.
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.”
Matthew 5:43-45.
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
I as a Christian must follow the example and teaching of Jesus. As a result I must love God and my neighbour. Additionally I must love my enemies, and pray for those who persecute me.
It is my belief that I would not truly be showing love to people if I did not present to them the most important thing in my life. That being the salvation and eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus.
One of the key teachings of Christ is recorded in the gospel of Matthew’
"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.
That age is still continuing to this day. Therefore I feel I am obligated before God to present to anyone who will listen to me the Love of God.
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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”.
John 3:16-18.
Jesus while on this earth made some very important statements about himself. He said,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“....“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.
The Gospel of John records this incident in the life of Jesus,
“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.”
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
John 10:24-32
The Choice is up to you dear reader.
Do you believe what Jesus said?
Please think carefully about it.
Thursday, 17 September 2015
On Christians
On Christians
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi seen many men that were claiming to be Christian but who’s words and actions were not in line with the teachings of Jesus. It’s the same today.
There are many out there particularly in North America that claim to be Christians that are not. This is I think this is particularly true within the evangelical community.
This actually came up in my Bible study group a few days ago. At the study we all agreed that you are not born a Christian. Nor are you a Christian simply because you go to church. Becoming a Christians is a choice.
To be a Christian one at the very least must believe Jesus is the Son of God. That he died for your sins. That he rose from the grave and sits at the right hand of God the father. One must actually pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and soul. Jesus will not come in if He is not invited. And you cannot just say the words you must truly believe them.
From that point on I firmly believe that the persons life will start to change. Their morals and their actions will start to line up with those teachings of Jesus. True this at times can be a long process but if a person is truly serious about becoming a Christian this will happen.
Sadly all too many calling themselves Christians have prayed a simple prayer then never bother to read the Bible. It is only in studying the Bible that a Christian can grow.
Sadly also it seems and I see this particularly in evangelical churches many simply pray the prayer as a right of passage.
These people go to church every Sunday they even go to various other meetings through the week and any special meetings that may pop up. Still they have not made a heart felt commitment.
Likewise there are Christians who are Christians by the slimmest of margins. These people quite often follow a particular preacher or evangelist. And I find here in North America particularly, they mix the constitution and “THEIR RIGHTS” with teachings from the Bible.
They don’t seem to realize that Christians as in the time of Jesus live in a secular state. A state that is as ethnically and culturally diverse as the Roman Empire.
They fail to see that at no time did Christ, his apostles or the first century Church ever protest.
The apostle Paul living under the Emperor Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians 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.”
Romans 13:1,2
The Apostle Paul even said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
Jesus and the Apostles were very tolerant. They sat down with everyone, tax collectors, Samaritans, teachers of the law and anyone who would listen to them.
They told people about Jesus and all he taught them. They never condemned anyone. Jesus said we were not to judge and a true Christian will not judge those outside the church. They will not even impose their beliefs on anyone. They will simply offer a Choice the same choice Jesus offered to people 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.
This to me is a true Christian one who Believes Jesus is God incarnate the Saviour of each and every person who will turn to Him.
A person who will sit down with anyone irrespective of who they are and have an open conversation with anyone who is willing to listen to them.
Please think about it.
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi seen many men that were claiming to be Christian but who’s words and actions were not in line with the teachings of Jesus. It’s the same today.
There are many out there particularly in North America that claim to be Christians that are not. This is I think this is particularly true within the evangelical community.
This actually came up in my Bible study group a few days ago. At the study we all agreed that you are not born a Christian. Nor are you a Christian simply because you go to church. Becoming a Christians is a choice.
To be a Christian one at the very least must believe Jesus is the Son of God. That he died for your sins. That he rose from the grave and sits at the right hand of God the father. One must actually pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and soul. Jesus will not come in if He is not invited. And you cannot just say the words you must truly believe them.
From that point on I firmly believe that the persons life will start to change. Their morals and their actions will start to line up with those teachings of Jesus. True this at times can be a long process but if a person is truly serious about becoming a Christian this will happen.
Sadly all too many calling themselves Christians have prayed a simple prayer then never bother to read the Bible. It is only in studying the Bible that a Christian can grow.
Sadly also it seems and I see this particularly in evangelical churches many simply pray the prayer as a right of passage.
These people go to church every Sunday they even go to various other meetings through the week and any special meetings that may pop up. Still they have not made a heart felt commitment.
Likewise there are Christians who are Christians by the slimmest of margins. These people quite often follow a particular preacher or evangelist. And I find here in North America particularly, they mix the constitution and “THEIR RIGHTS” with teachings from the Bible.
They don’t seem to realize that Christians as in the time of Jesus live in a secular state. A state that is as ethnically and culturally diverse as the Roman Empire.
They fail to see that at no time did Christ, his apostles or the first century Church ever protest.
The apostle Paul living under the Emperor Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians 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.”
Romans 13:1,2
The Apostle Paul even said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
Jesus and the Apostles were very tolerant. They sat down with everyone, tax collectors, Samaritans, teachers of the law and anyone who would listen to them.
They told people about Jesus and all he taught them. They never condemned anyone. Jesus said we were not to judge and a true Christian will not judge those outside the church. They will not even impose their beliefs on anyone. They will simply offer a Choice the same choice Jesus offered to people 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.
This to me is a true Christian one who Believes Jesus is God incarnate the Saviour of each and every person who will turn to Him.
A person who will sit down with anyone irrespective of who they are and have an open conversation with anyone who is willing to listen to them.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Live Such Lives
Live Such Lives
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
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 2:9-12.
“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.” Words to live by.
As I write this there is a county clerk in the United States refusing to give marriage licences to same sex couples. She claims it is wrong under Gods law.
I admire the woman for standing up for her beliefs. But she is in a government position where she must deal with people of every faith and lifestyle.
The apostle Paul 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.”
Romans 13:1,2.
Paul wrote it during the reign of the emperor Nero, one of the worst persecutors of Christians in history. a tough time to be a Christian
This woman as much as she stood up for her beliefs has brought judgement on herself. And while she has her supporters. The court of public opinion seems to have passed judgement on her. A very unfavorable judgement.
What she and many Christians forget especially it seems in the Untied States where a persons rights is a big thing, is that others, of other faiths and lifestyles in a secular democracy such as the United States, have legal rights also.
If Christians or for that matter anyone has strong views or beliefs that go against the laws of the government they perhaps should not consider a position in public service.
The Apostle Paul wrote something that all Christians living within secular democracies in the west should remember. He wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
It’s a very simple statement saying don’t judge those outside the church, don’t judge non-Christians, instead keep the church clean by expelling those doing wrong in the name of Jesus from the church.
Sadly especially within the so called evangelical church there are those quick to point out the sins of the world but will not stand up and expel those who teach wrong in the name of Jesus.
They demand their rights be recognized, while not recognizing that they might be restricting the rights of others.
I look at the New Testament and I cannot see anywhere where Jesus or his apostles ever went against the secular Roman government of their day.
True they, Jews, spoke against Jewish religious leaders of their day. But at that time Christianity was still a sect of Judaism and thus they were speaking against those within their faith in line with what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:12,13)
I think it’s time for Christians here in North America to look at ourselves carefully. We need to ask ourselves, as well as to pray and ask God,
Are we leading 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?
Please thing about it.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
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 2:9-12.
“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.” Words to live by.
As I write this there is a county clerk in the United States refusing to give marriage licences to same sex couples. She claims it is wrong under Gods law.
I admire the woman for standing up for her beliefs. But she is in a government position where she must deal with people of every faith and lifestyle.
The apostle Paul 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.”
Romans 13:1,2.
Paul wrote it during the reign of the emperor Nero, one of the worst persecutors of Christians in history. a tough time to be a Christian
This woman as much as she stood up for her beliefs has brought judgement on herself. And while she has her supporters. The court of public opinion seems to have passed judgement on her. A very unfavorable judgement.
What she and many Christians forget especially it seems in the Untied States where a persons rights is a big thing, is that others, of other faiths and lifestyles in a secular democracy such as the United States, have legal rights also.
If Christians or for that matter anyone has strong views or beliefs that go against the laws of the government they perhaps should not consider a position in public service.
The Apostle Paul wrote something that all Christians living within secular democracies in the west should remember. He wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
It’s a very simple statement saying don’t judge those outside the church, don’t judge non-Christians, instead keep the church clean by expelling those doing wrong in the name of Jesus from the church.
Sadly especially within the so called evangelical church there are those quick to point out the sins of the world but will not stand up and expel those who teach wrong in the name of Jesus.
They demand their rights be recognized, while not recognizing that they might be restricting the rights of others.
I look at the New Testament and I cannot see anywhere where Jesus or his apostles ever went against the secular Roman government of their day.
True they, Jews, spoke against Jewish religious leaders of their day. But at that time Christianity was still a sect of Judaism and thus they were speaking against those within their faith in line with what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:12,13)
I think it’s time for Christians here in North America to look at ourselves carefully. We need to ask ourselves, as well as to pray and ask God,
Are we leading 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?
Please thing about it.
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
I Want
I Want
I am a Christian.
And want the world to know,
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
The Christian message in it’s simplest form is this.
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...”
Matthew5: 43-45
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
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 also said,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
The apostle John wrote,
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to know,
Salvation, belief in Jesus Christ, and God,
is an act of faith.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
I am a Christian.
And I want the world to
think about what I have written
because 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.
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, 14 September 2015
An Eternal LIght
An Eternal Light
“Simeon took him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
Luke 2:28-35.
The above portion of scripture notes the time when Joseph and Mary take the infant Jesus to the temple to fulfil their duty under the law.
A man Simeon who’d been told he would not die until he seen The Lords Christ sees Jesus takes Jesus in his arms and proclaims him the Christ.
He notes that Jesus will be “a light for revelations to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” That he will be a “a sign that will be spoken against,...”
Jesus certainly was all of that. The Gospel writers tell how Jesus was spoken against particularly by the religious leaders of his day. He was also bring glory to Israel in that through them the seed of Abraham The Saviour of the world had come as a light to the Gentiles.
What is said here by Luke is one of the core beliefs of Christians.
While Jews may not admit nor for that matter people of other faiths, that Jesus is the Saviour of the world, the suffering Messiah who took upon Himself the sins of the world, Christians do.
I know that I may not be able to convince people be they Jews, those of other faiths or even atheist that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
I firmly believe it is my duty to Christ, to God, to present what I believe to be true.
What I believe is summed up in the Apostles creed. And while the creed may not have been written by the apostles it does some up in brief what all Christians believe. It states,
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic Church*[*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places.]: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
11. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“Christians believe in the doctrines of the Apostle's Creed, are convinced that the Scriptures have been inspired by the Holy Spirit, and make having a personal transforming relationship with the resurrected Christ the touch tone of their faith.”
Tony Campolo
This is what I believe and wish to present to the world.
I would ask people everywhere to learn about the Christian faith by reading the New Testament with an open mind. By praying and asking God to reveal the truth to you personally. For it is my belief, within the pages of the New Testament is the way to life everlasting with God.
Please think about it.
“Simeon took him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
Luke 2:28-35.
The above portion of scripture notes the time when Joseph and Mary take the infant Jesus to the temple to fulfil their duty under the law.
A man Simeon who’d been told he would not die until he seen The Lords Christ sees Jesus takes Jesus in his arms and proclaims him the Christ.
He notes that Jesus will be “a light for revelations to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” That he will be a “a sign that will be spoken against,...”
Jesus certainly was all of that. The Gospel writers tell how Jesus was spoken against particularly by the religious leaders of his day. He was also bring glory to Israel in that through them the seed of Abraham The Saviour of the world had come as a light to the Gentiles.
What is said here by Luke is one of the core beliefs of Christians.
While Jews may not admit nor for that matter people of other faiths, that Jesus is the Saviour of the world, the suffering Messiah who took upon Himself the sins of the world, Christians do.
I know that I may not be able to convince people be they Jews, those of other faiths or even atheist that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
I firmly believe it is my duty to Christ, to God, to present what I believe to be true.
What I believe is summed up in the Apostles creed. And while the creed may not have been written by the apostles it does some up in brief what all Christians believe. It states,
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic Church*[*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places.]: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
11. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“Christians believe in the doctrines of the Apostle's Creed, are convinced that the Scriptures have been inspired by the Holy Spirit, and make having a personal transforming relationship with the resurrected Christ the touch tone of their faith.”
Tony Campolo
This is what I believe and wish to present to the world.
I would ask people everywhere to learn about the Christian faith by reading the New Testament with an open mind. By praying and asking God to reveal the truth to you personally. For it is my belief, within the pages of the New Testament is the way to life everlasting with God.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 13 September 2015
The Eternal Choice
The Eternal Choice,
History if nothing else has shown us that the writer of Ecclesiastes is right. I also believe there is a time coming when God will judge each and every individual.
The Apostle Paul speaking in Athens gave this message ,that is as relevant today as it was when he spoke it. The book of acts records,
“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 17:22-34.
You dear reader and the people today must make the same choice the people of Athens had to make.
Please think about it.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time
to be born and a time to die,
a time
to plant and a time to uproot,
a time
to kill and a time to heal,
a time
to tear down and a time to build,
a time
to weep and a time to laugh,
a time
to mourn and a time to dance,
a time
to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time
to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time
to search and a time to give up,
a time
to keep and a time to throw away,
a time
to tear and a time to mend,
a time
to be silent and a time to speak,
a time
to love and a time to hate,
a time
for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:2-8.History if nothing else has shown us that the writer of Ecclesiastes is right. I also believe there is a time coming when God will judge each and every individual.
The Apostle Paul speaking in Athens gave this message ,that is as relevant today as it was when he spoke it. The book of acts records,
“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 17:22-34.
You dear reader and the people today must make the same choice the people of Athens had to make.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 12 September 2015
Mark this
Mark this
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Some time ago I came across a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written today.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the abyss greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Now I can only speak of the Church as I see it here in North America in 2015 and I see Gallico as being right. He seen the world headed for hell in a handbarrow back in 1948 and I believe that our society is further down that slope than ever before.
Not only that there is a failure on the part of many churches, evangelist and pastors to pluck people out of that handbarrow.
I see the church becoming “religious” and turning away from the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. It is this “religious spirit” and “religious people” that cause strife, as Gallico notes,
“in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.”
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5.
This is happening today. Men and women both in the pews and in the pulpit are exhibiting a “form of godliness” but are far from Christ and the teachings he has called Christians to proclaim.
I know many so called evangelicals point to the “mainline churches” and say they are far from God. But many who call themselves evangelicals are far from God.
While they say they are showing the love of God the world sees what Paul Gallico saw in 1948 “bigotry and persecution.”
They see men and women claiming to be Christians standing on corners protesting against the rights of various law abiding groups and individuals they disagree with.
This should not be so.
It is the job of the church to make disciples of all nations. To reach out to individuals no matter who they are or their lifestyle and offer them the salvation only Christ can bring.
Luke’s gospel records this incident with Jesus. He notes,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:27-32.
Jesus set the example he “lived His faith”. He sat down with anyone from any walk of life and pointed them to salvation. This is what we must do.
We as Christians need to check our selves every so often and see if we have a “religious spirit” and if we do we need to get rid of it.
We need to be willing to sit down with people no matter who they are.
Our church congregations need to be a welcoming place for all people of every lifestyle, race and faith. A place we can proclaim the word or God and let the Holy Spirit convict people of any sins they have, as we if we are truly Christian, have no right to judge anyone.
Please think about it.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Some time ago I came across a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written today.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the abyss greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Now I can only speak of the Church as I see it here in North America in 2015 and I see Gallico as being right. He seen the world headed for hell in a handbarrow back in 1948 and I believe that our society is further down that slope than ever before.
Not only that there is a failure on the part of many churches, evangelist and pastors to pluck people out of that handbarrow.
I see the church becoming “religious” and turning away from the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. It is this “religious spirit” and “religious people” that cause strife, as Gallico notes,
“in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.”
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5.
This is happening today. Men and women both in the pews and in the pulpit are exhibiting a “form of godliness” but are far from Christ and the teachings he has called Christians to proclaim.
I know many so called evangelicals point to the “mainline churches” and say they are far from God. But many who call themselves evangelicals are far from God.
While they say they are showing the love of God the world sees what Paul Gallico saw in 1948 “bigotry and persecution.”
They see men and women claiming to be Christians standing on corners protesting against the rights of various law abiding groups and individuals they disagree with.
This should not be so.
It is the job of the church to make disciples of all nations. To reach out to individuals no matter who they are or their lifestyle and offer them the salvation only Christ can bring.
Luke’s gospel records this incident with Jesus. He notes,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:27-32.
Jesus set the example he “lived His faith”. He sat down with anyone from any walk of life and pointed them to salvation. This is what we must do.
We as Christians need to check our selves every so often and see if we have a “religious spirit” and if we do we need to get rid of it.
We need to be willing to sit down with people no matter who they are.
Our church congregations need to be a welcoming place for all people of every lifestyle, race and faith. A place we can proclaim the word or God and let the Holy Spirit convict people of any sins they have, as we if we are truly Christian, have no right to judge anyone.
Please think about it.
Friday, 11 September 2015
False Teachers
False teachers
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I believe the above statement by the apostle Paul to Timothy. I also believe that, never in the history of Christianity is that statement more true.
Now don’t get me wrong there are a lot of good solid evangelist and pastors doing their best to serve the Lord and minister His word in spirit and in truth. Delivering the unadulterated salvation message of God.
Never the less there are many out there in the media that are not teaching sound doctrine. They are misleading people in many cases deliberately lying to people. Sadly all too many people are believing them. Christians who are not reading the word of God. Who are not studying. Who are relying on specific evangelist or pastors to teach them and never check to see if they are being taught correctly.
I watch a particular television network we pick up over the air from the United States. There are people their selling what amounts to at the very best secular products with a Christian wrapping at worst snake oil.
They are telling people to stock up on supplies for a year or more because the end is coming and Christ’s return in imminent. And of course they want you to buy the supplies from them.
I can understand people wanting Christ to return soon. Our society is on a slippery slope to hell. It’s wandering far from God’s ideals. Who wouldn’t want Christ to come back today.
I can also understand people wanting to stock up incase there’s a disaster. That is the prudent thing to do.
What bothers me is the millions of dollars these evangelist and pastors are spending on doom and gloom scenarios when they should be presenting the salvation message of God.
The gospel of Matthew however records,
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
Matthew 24:4-6.
There is a lot of trouble in the world today. It seems like a great up evil is happening in the middle east. And yes the time for Christ’s return may be close at hand. Christians have believed this since the days of the apostles.
Still knowing this, we as Christians should be doubling our effort to reach people for Christ. Jesus gave the church it’s mandate 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 .
That age has not come to an end yet therefor we must work as hard as we can to reach the world for Christ.
Forget about selling or buying fancy face creams or survival rations that can be bought at a secular store.
We need to be putting our time our effort and our money, into reaching the world around us.
Good evangelist and pastors are preaching this message. Follow their examples and buy your face cream if you must from a local cosmetic store.
Please think about it.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I believe the above statement by the apostle Paul to Timothy. I also believe that, never in the history of Christianity is that statement more true.
Now don’t get me wrong there are a lot of good solid evangelist and pastors doing their best to serve the Lord and minister His word in spirit and in truth. Delivering the unadulterated salvation message of God.
Never the less there are many out there in the media that are not teaching sound doctrine. They are misleading people in many cases deliberately lying to people. Sadly all too many people are believing them. Christians who are not reading the word of God. Who are not studying. Who are relying on specific evangelist or pastors to teach them and never check to see if they are being taught correctly.
I watch a particular television network we pick up over the air from the United States. There are people their selling what amounts to at the very best secular products with a Christian wrapping at worst snake oil.
They are telling people to stock up on supplies for a year or more because the end is coming and Christ’s return in imminent. And of course they want you to buy the supplies from them.
I can understand people wanting Christ to return soon. Our society is on a slippery slope to hell. It’s wandering far from God’s ideals. Who wouldn’t want Christ to come back today.
I can also understand people wanting to stock up incase there’s a disaster. That is the prudent thing to do.
What bothers me is the millions of dollars these evangelist and pastors are spending on doom and gloom scenarios when they should be presenting the salvation message of God.
The gospel of Matthew however records,
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
Matthew 24:4-6.
There is a lot of trouble in the world today. It seems like a great up evil is happening in the middle east. And yes the time for Christ’s return may be close at hand. Christians have believed this since the days of the apostles.
Still knowing this, we as Christians should be doubling our effort to reach people for Christ. Jesus gave the church it’s mandate 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 .
That age has not come to an end yet therefor we must work as hard as we can to reach the world for Christ.
Forget about selling or buying fancy face creams or survival rations that can be bought at a secular store.
We need to be putting our time our effort and our money, into reaching the world around us.
Good evangelist and pastors are preaching this message. Follow their examples and buy your face cream if you must from a local cosmetic store.
Please think about it.
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