No Detour
Hans Urs von Balthasar
“It is to the Cross that the Christian is challenged to follow his Master: no path of redemption can make a detour around it.”
Hans Urs von Balthasar.
Christians make no excuses about our beliefs. Paul writing to the Romans said,
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:5-8
We as Christians believe we cannot live a life good enough for God so God reached down to us in the form of his one and only son Jesus Christ.
C.S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis
Jesus said,
“...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10b
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.
We as Christians believe God in the form of Jesus Christ reached down to mankind giving him a choice.
Jesus saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18.
I know there are many out there who would disagree. That is their choice. However I as a Christian feel obligated by God to present to the world what I believe.
If I am wrong and there is many ways to heaven I will have lived a good and moral life. If I am wrong those who don’t believe as I do have something to fear.
However if I am right those who have read this and fail to believe have a lot to fear.
Please think about it.
Sunday 25 October 2015
Saturday 24 October 2015
Christian Duty
Christian duty
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46.
Here is a call of Jesus to His followers to help the poor, the needy and even the strangers among us.
Christian groups do give a lot to charity. Churches help the needy all the time. The question is do you as an individual Christian do your best to help those around you?
We can all help.
Volunteer at a food bank. Look in your closet for some good clothing you can give away. Visit an elderly person in your congregation. No matter our age or our income these are things we can do.
James the half brother of Christ said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:14-26.
Think about it.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46.
Here is a call of Jesus to His followers to help the poor, the needy and even the strangers among us.
Christian groups do give a lot to charity. Churches help the needy all the time. The question is do you as an individual Christian do your best to help those around you?
We can all help.
Volunteer at a food bank. Look in your closet for some good clothing you can give away. Visit an elderly person in your congregation. No matter our age or our income these are things we can do.
James the half brother of Christ said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?
Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:14-26.
Think about it.
Friday 23 October 2015
God knows so keep to the script
God Knows so keep to the script
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
The other day I listened to some very judgmental people speaking against the Gay, Lesbian, community. I heard condemning statements like “homosexuals are going to roast in hell.”
Later I listened to people condemning the Muslim community.
What bothered me more than anything was these people claimed to be Christian. If they were it was be the slimmest of margins. From their actions I did not see these people showing love for one’s neighbour.
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
The apostle Paul speaking to Christians 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.
We as Christians have no right to judge of condemn anyone outside the Christian faith community.
Jesus told Christians,
“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.
We as Christians will not win one person for Christ if we are judging them and yelling at them they are going to roast in hell.
Only God has the right to judge people because only God knows what is inside a person.
At the beginning of this article I quoted Psalm 139:13-16 that stated,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
God and only God knows what makes up a person be they Gay or strait. He knows why they follow other faiths. God knows all.
That is why He and only he has the right to Judge anyone.
My suggestion to anyone who claims to be Christian is stick to the script. Jesus gave to all who believe in Him. To reach out to the whole world in Love.
Let God through the Holy Spirit convict men of any sin they have in their lives and that goes for Christians and non-Christians alike.
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
Or as the New King James puts it “harmless as doves”
For it is only when we are considered harmless and non threatening that we can truly have open and free dialogue with others that will reach people for Christ.
Think about it.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
The other day I listened to some very judgmental people speaking against the Gay, Lesbian, community. I heard condemning statements like “homosexuals are going to roast in hell.”
Later I listened to people condemning the Muslim community.
What bothered me more than anything was these people claimed to be Christian. If they were it was be the slimmest of margins. From their actions I did not see these people showing love for one’s neighbour.
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
The apostle Paul speaking to Christians 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.
We as Christians have no right to judge of condemn anyone outside the Christian faith community.
Jesus told Christians,
“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.
We as Christians will not win one person for Christ if we are judging them and yelling at them they are going to roast in hell.
Only God has the right to judge people because only God knows what is inside a person.
At the beginning of this article I quoted Psalm 139:13-16 that stated,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16.
God and only God knows what makes up a person be they Gay or strait. He knows why they follow other faiths. God knows all.
That is why He and only he has the right to Judge anyone.
My suggestion to anyone who claims to be Christian is stick to the script. Jesus gave to all who believe in Him. To reach out to the whole world in Love.
Let God through the Holy Spirit convict men of any sin they have in their lives and that goes for Christians and non-Christians alike.
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
Or as the New King James puts it “harmless as doves”
For it is only when we are considered harmless and non threatening that we can truly have open and free dialogue with others that will reach people for Christ.
Think about it.
Thursday 22 October 2015
The Message
The message
The following is a quote about Jesus from the book of Hebrews. It make clear what Christians believe about Jesus,
“The Son (Jesus) 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.
Jesus is the Son of God. He is God in the flesh. The Gospel of John states,
“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 1:1-14.
I know that to some God coming in the flesh seems unusual if not impossible. But to say its impossible or that God would not do it is to limit God.
When it comes to believing who Jesus is, people have a Choice. A choice Jesus himself gives when he says,
“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 is a message all Christians need to get out to the world around them. While you may not be called to go to far flung parts of the world, we are called to tell those around us about Jesus.
We need to do this in a polite and loving manner.
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
Unfortunately too many Christians don’t remember to be innocent or harmless as doves. They act more like hawks thus turning people away.
We need to always remember that our actions may determine the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with.
As Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
The following is a quote about Jesus from the book of Hebrews. It make clear what Christians believe about Jesus,
“The Son (Jesus) 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.
Jesus is the Son of God. He is God in the flesh. The Gospel of John states,
“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 1:1-14.
I know that to some God coming in the flesh seems unusual if not impossible. But to say its impossible or that God would not do it is to limit God.
When it comes to believing who Jesus is, people have a Choice. A choice Jesus himself gives when he says,
“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 is a message all Christians need to get out to the world around them. While you may not be called to go to far flung parts of the world, we are called to tell those around us about Jesus.
We need to do this in a polite and loving manner.
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
Unfortunately too many Christians don’t remember to be innocent or harmless as doves. They act more like hawks thus turning people away.
We need to always remember that our actions may determine the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with.
As Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Love and Compromise
Love & Compromise
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:1-4.
Do you let love guide your way?
The apostle Paul writes of love,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
More and more I see within North American society confrontation taking place simply because people disagree with what someone believes. We are becoming a confrontational society.
Be they Christians, those of other faiths or atheist we see confrontation happening over disagreements in everything from prayer in the schools, to what is being taught in schools, to abortion to same sex marriage, to the wearing of the face coverings by some Muslim women, and more. The list seems to go on and on.
Perhaps it’s time to take a break, save some money by not hiring lawyers and going to court.
Perhaps it time to come together in love as a society and have free and open dialogue over these things with out resorting to the courts.
To show respect and understanding of others. To respect one another’s beliefs and point of view. To live and let live.
I as a Christian wish to tell people of my faith. But I do not wish to impose my faith on anyone. That would be wrong and contrary to my faith.
At the same time I have no objection to listening to what an Atheist or those of other faiths have to say. Quite honestly I believe it’s a good thing.
As long as the government or individuals do not force anyone to do something contrary to what they believe we should live and let live.
The apostle Paul says something that is good for all people to do. When he wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
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.
These while Christian words of wisdom are words I believe everyone can understand and put into practice.
Sadly in North American society it seems the very thing the founders of the constitutions of both Canada and the United States wrote to help people live in harmony, the assurance of “our rights” seems to be causing conflict.
People are demanding their rights without thinking that others have rights. They seem to fail to realize that living in the free secular democracy demands compromise from time to time.
Please think about it.
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:1-4.
Do you let love guide your way?
The apostle Paul writes of love,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Martin Luther King jr said,“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
More and more I see within North American society confrontation taking place simply because people disagree with what someone believes. We are becoming a confrontational society.
Be they Christians, those of other faiths or atheist we see confrontation happening over disagreements in everything from prayer in the schools, to what is being taught in schools, to abortion to same sex marriage, to the wearing of the face coverings by some Muslim women, and more. The list seems to go on and on.
Perhaps it’s time to take a break, save some money by not hiring lawyers and going to court.
Perhaps it time to come together in love as a society and have free and open dialogue over these things with out resorting to the courts.
To show respect and understanding of others. To respect one another’s beliefs and point of view. To live and let live.
I as a Christian wish to tell people of my faith. But I do not wish to impose my faith on anyone. That would be wrong and contrary to my faith.
At the same time I have no objection to listening to what an Atheist or those of other faiths have to say. Quite honestly I believe it’s a good thing.
As long as the government or individuals do not force anyone to do something contrary to what they believe we should live and let live.
The apostle Paul says something that is good for all people to do. When he wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
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.
These while Christian words of wisdom are words I believe everyone can understand and put into practice.
Sadly in North American society it seems the very thing the founders of the constitutions of both Canada and the United States wrote to help people live in harmony, the assurance of “our rights” seems to be causing conflict.
People are demanding their rights without thinking that others have rights. They seem to fail to realize that living in the free secular democracy demands compromise from time to time.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Freedoms, Rights, and Respect
Freedom, Rights and Respect
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
1 Corinthians 10:23,24.
In a previous blog I wrote that especially here in North America we have a habit of worshipping rights. Particularly the bill of rights. Some Christians and non-Christians are out there yelling about “THEIR RIGHTS!” .
They demand their rights while failing to realize others in a democracy have their rights also.
Sadly all to many people Christian and non. Hold their rights and freedom higher than the rights and freedom of others.
From the beginning of the world God gave man freedom. It is a fundamental right of every man and woman on the planet.
God gave this freedom to man, knowing that to truly have freedom God had to give man the right to even reject Him and deny His existence. That is the nature of true freedom. The right to believe what we wish.
Freedom also has another aspect,
Nelson Mandela said,
“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
I quoted above the apostle Paul who said,
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
1 Corinthians 10:23,24.
No matter who we are, we should be respecting the rights and the freedoms of others. No matter how much we disagree with them.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
That to me means allowing, even people whom we vehemently disagree with, to have the freedom to believe and do as they wish. The only proviso being they are not hurting or restricting the freedoms of others.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
This to me should be the something we as Christians should take to heart.
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
1 Corinthians 10:23,24.
In a previous blog I wrote that especially here in North America we have a habit of worshipping rights. Particularly the bill of rights. Some Christians and non-Christians are out there yelling about “THEIR RIGHTS!” .
They demand their rights while failing to realize others in a democracy have their rights also.
Sadly all to many people Christian and non. Hold their rights and freedom higher than the rights and freedom of others.
From the beginning of the world God gave man freedom. It is a fundamental right of every man and woman on the planet.
God gave this freedom to man, knowing that to truly have freedom God had to give man the right to even reject Him and deny His existence. That is the nature of true freedom. The right to believe what we wish.
Freedom also has another aspect,
Nelson Mandela said,
“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
I quoted above the apostle Paul who said,
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
1 Corinthians 10:23,24.
No matter who we are, we should be respecting the rights and the freedoms of others. No matter how much we disagree with them.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
That to me means allowing, even people whom we vehemently disagree with, to have the freedom to believe and do as they wish. The only proviso being they are not hurting or restricting the freedoms of others.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of AssisiThis to me should be the something we as Christians should take to heart.
Please think about it.
Monday 19 October 2015
A Truth
A truth
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”...
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9,14.
Does your life seem like you are chasing after the wind? Does your life have meaning?
I would go as far as saying most people live their life in relative obscurity. They are born and die within a few hundred kilometres of where they were they were born. Throughout their life they may travel to different places but they are known to few.
The accomplishments of the average person are minor and although they may have brought a great deal of joy and happiness into the lives of those around them. Within a hundred years of their death they are only remembered if they are lucky by a name on a tombstone.
A few years ago as the Voyager space craft was billions of Kilometres from our solar system, NASA turned it around and it took a picture of Earth. It was described as a pail blue dot. That dot is not much bigger than the head of a pin.
It shows that in the vastness of space earth is very small yet it is where we live. It is where all of mankind since the dawn of time have lived.
If there is no God we as a species could pass into eternity and no one would ever know.
I believe there is however a God who loves and cares for us. A God who created not only that pale blue dot but he universe and everything in it.
He is a God who cares so much He, in the form of Jesus Christ, entered the world to show the world that he cared for each and every person.
John’s gospel records,
“In the beginning was the Word,(Jesus) 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.”
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
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.
It was this 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
It is through Jesus we can have a fulfilling life.
Jesus said,
“...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10.
I as a Christian have found those words to be true.
The word I quoted above I believe to be completely true. The apostle John saying,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
I know that this may not make sense to those who don’t know Christ but the apostle Paul even noted,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
Ultimately it comes down to an act of faith. Either you believe Jesus is all he said he is or you do not it is your choice. 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
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1
Please think about it.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”...
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9,14.
Does your life seem like you are chasing after the wind? Does your life have meaning?
I would go as far as saying most people live their life in relative obscurity. They are born and die within a few hundred kilometres of where they were they were born. Throughout their life they may travel to different places but they are known to few.
The accomplishments of the average person are minor and although they may have brought a great deal of joy and happiness into the lives of those around them. Within a hundred years of their death they are only remembered if they are lucky by a name on a tombstone.
A few years ago as the Voyager space craft was billions of Kilometres from our solar system, NASA turned it around and it took a picture of Earth. It was described as a pail blue dot. That dot is not much bigger than the head of a pin.It shows that in the vastness of space earth is very small yet it is where we live. It is where all of mankind since the dawn of time have lived.
If there is no God we as a species could pass into eternity and no one would ever know.
I believe there is however a God who loves and cares for us. A God who created not only that pale blue dot but he universe and everything in it.
He is a God who cares so much He, in the form of Jesus Christ, entered the world to show the world that he cared for each and every person.
John’s gospel records,
“In the beginning was the Word,(Jesus) 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.”
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
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.
It was this 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
It is through Jesus we can have a fulfilling life.
Jesus said,
“...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10.
I as a Christian have found those words to be true.
The word I quoted above I believe to be completely true. The apostle John saying,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
I know that this may not make sense to those who don’t know Christ but the apostle Paul even noted,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
Ultimately it comes down to an act of faith. Either you believe Jesus is all he said he is or you do not it is your choice. 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
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1
Please think about it.
Sunday 18 October 2015
Principles for Christian Living
Principles for Christian living
Listed below are what I believe are five principles Christians should be living by,
1/ “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
2/Jesus who 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
3/“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
4/ “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21.
5/ “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18.
We should be living these principles daily. Remember Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 24:34-46.
Please think about it.
Listed below are what I believe are five principles Christians should be living by,
1/ “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
2/Jesus who 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
3/“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
4/ “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21.
5/ “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18.
We should be living these principles daily. Remember Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 24:34-46.
Please think about it.
Saturday 17 October 2015
I will show Love
I will show Love.
As a Christian I will not attack anyone physically or verbally, even if I disagree with them in any away, for this is what I believe Jesus would do. As a result I will only show love.
Yours in Christ.
________________________________________
Dear Christian if you believe the above statement why not print it out sign it print other copies and have others sign it. Let people in your church sign it.
Even send copies of it to pastors and evangelist you feel need to sign it.
The reason I say this is more and more I see Christians, many with the best of intentions protesting and verbally attacking those they disagree with be it their faith or their lifestyle.
Jesus never did this. He sat with sinners and had dialogue with them. This is the only way we will win anyone to Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians 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.
If we judge those outside the church who do not recognize our values we will only turn them away from Christ. It is not our job to Judge those outside the Church.
Jesus made things clear how a Christian is to act with those around them when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
“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
Jesus who 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.
It is only when we follow these principles that we can reach the world around us for Christ.
Jesus in Matthew 10:16 tells us to be “harmless as doves”.
If we are attacking people we disagree with we are acting more like hawks and that pushes people away.
The apostle Paul defined what true Christian love is when writing to the Corinthians he said,
We can preach the gospel of Christ without attacking people. Christ and the apostles did so.
I like the words of Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21.
Paul makes it clear we are to do our best to live at peace with everyone and leave the judging to God. For only God knows truly what is in the hearts of men.
Please think about it.
As a Christian I will not attack anyone physically or verbally, even if I disagree with them in any away, for this is what I believe Jesus would do. As a result I will only show love.
Yours in Christ.
________________________________________
Dear Christian if you believe the above statement why not print it out sign it print other copies and have others sign it. Let people in your church sign it.
Even send copies of it to pastors and evangelist you feel need to sign it.
The reason I say this is more and more I see Christians, many with the best of intentions protesting and verbally attacking those they disagree with be it their faith or their lifestyle.
Jesus never did this. He sat with sinners and had dialogue with them. This is the only way we will win anyone to Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians 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.
If we judge those outside the church who do not recognize our values we will only turn them away from Christ. It is not our job to Judge those outside the Church.
Jesus made things clear how a Christian is to act with those around them when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
“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
Jesus who 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.
It is only when we follow these principles that we can reach the world around us for Christ.
Jesus in Matthew 10:16 tells us to be “harmless as doves”.
If we are attacking people we disagree with we are acting more like hawks and that pushes people away.
The apostle Paul defined what true Christian love is when writing to the Corinthians he said,
“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.We can preach the gospel of Christ without attacking people. Christ and the apostles did so.
I like the words of Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21.
Paul makes it clear we are to do our best to live at peace with everyone and leave the judging to God. For only God knows truly what is in the hearts of men.
Please think about it.
Friday 16 October 2015
False Teachers
False teachers
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
The apostle Paul also gives a warning about false teachers. He 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.
As I look in the media I see these people all the time. Men and women who are perverting the word of God.
They talk a good talk but they are not speaking the word of God in spirit and in truth. It is these people we as Christians have to look out for.
I have heard a lot of wild claims made my men and women claiming to be speaking for God. Claims that have never been proven. Claims that have been disproved yet the people making these claims have not repented. They go on deceiving people usually for their own gain.
In the twenty-four seven multi media world we live in we as Christians need to be vigilant.
We need to be studying the word of God for ourselves. We need to be in a Church that treats the word of God with respect. With pastors that truly fear God and do their best to teach the Bible the way God intended it to be taught.
Pastors who believe the words of Ecclesiastes when he states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
We need to remember the words of Jesus who said,
“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.
Please think about it.
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
The apostle Paul also gives a warning about false teachers. He 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.
As I look in the media I see these people all the time. Men and women who are perverting the word of God.
They talk a good talk but they are not speaking the word of God in spirit and in truth. It is these people we as Christians have to look out for.
I have heard a lot of wild claims made my men and women claiming to be speaking for God. Claims that have never been proven. Claims that have been disproved yet the people making these claims have not repented. They go on deceiving people usually for their own gain.
In the twenty-four seven multi media world we live in we as Christians need to be vigilant.
We need to be studying the word of God for ourselves. We need to be in a Church that treats the word of God with respect. With pastors that truly fear God and do their best to teach the Bible the way God intended it to be taught.
Pastors who believe the words of Ecclesiastes when he states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
We need to remember the words of Jesus who said,
“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.
Please think about it.
Thursday 15 October 2015
A Death
A Death
“On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
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?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”...
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
John 11:17-27, 38-44
Here is the abbreviated story of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus. It is one of many miracles Jesus did.
Critics of Jesus and the Bible say such things didn’t happen. My question to them would be. Then why if these incidents are untrue would the gospel writers include them?
Keep in mind the gospels were written within living memory of the events.
Keep in mind also that the gospel writers were looking to make disciples and to lie or make something up that is so fantastic that it couldn’t possibly be true would hurt their cause.
No the accounts of the miracles of Jesus are true as are the accounts of miracles in the Old Testament.
Through these accounts God shows His power and love to mankind.
The apostle Paul noted,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
Throughout the Bible we see through the miracles proof of God’s power.
We also see the Bible is written logically with a purpose.
It contains wisdom for man to live by. Promoting a lifestyle of Love for God, Love for one’s neighbours and even for one’s enemies.
If followed correctly the lifestyle Jesus promoted, shows mankind how to live in harmony with one’s fellow man.
Please think about it.
“On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
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?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”...
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
John 11:17-27, 38-44
Here is the abbreviated story of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus. It is one of many miracles Jesus did.
Critics of Jesus and the Bible say such things didn’t happen. My question to them would be. Then why if these incidents are untrue would the gospel writers include them?
Keep in mind the gospels were written within living memory of the events.
Keep in mind also that the gospel writers were looking to make disciples and to lie or make something up that is so fantastic that it couldn’t possibly be true would hurt their cause.
No the accounts of the miracles of Jesus are true as are the accounts of miracles in the Old Testament.
Through these accounts God shows His power and love to mankind.
The apostle Paul noted,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
Throughout the Bible we see through the miracles proof of God’s power.
We also see the Bible is written logically with a purpose.
It contains wisdom for man to live by. Promoting a lifestyle of Love for God, Love for one’s neighbours and even for one’s enemies.
If followed correctly the lifestyle Jesus promoted, shows mankind how to live in harmony with one’s fellow man.
Please think about it.
Wednesday 14 October 2015
Do you believe this?
Do you believe this?
“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.
One of the arguments I get all the time when I talk to people about Jesus is; How can God enter His creation? Or Why would he become a man? It just seems foolishness.
My answer to the first question is God being all powerful all knowing and omnipresent can do anything He wishes. To say he can’t do it is to diminish His power.
My answer to the second question why would he become a man is this.
Ultimately we will be judged by God. If God is a fair and just God as I believe He is. Then I believe he needed to have more than an intellectual knowledge of what it is to be a man.
It’s one thing to intellectually know something. It’s an entirely different thing to experience it.
I believe had God not entered the world and experience everything it is to be an man, we could stand before him and honestly say you don’t understand what it is to be human. You’ve never experienced it.
As it is in Jesus God experienced all it was to be human. From the mundane things such as feeling the rain, or the sun against His face. To the love of family and friends.
Through Jesus God experienced what it was to celebrate at a wedding from a human perspective.
He experienced temptation and all the emotions man experienced. The shortest verse in the Bible say’s “Jesus wept.”
He also knows what it’s like to fall pray to political enemies. To be beaten unmercifully. To be condemned to death for simple political expediency.
On top of all of this because God is all knowing. He knew beforehand what would happen to Jesus. Yet He still sent him. In doing so he showed his love for us. As 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
In other words God loved us. While we were not following Him. While we were falling short of His ideal for our lives.
And God gives everyone a choice.
The Apostle John writes,
“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.
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.
“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.
One of the arguments I get all the time when I talk to people about Jesus is; How can God enter His creation? Or Why would he become a man? It just seems foolishness.
My answer to the first question is God being all powerful all knowing and omnipresent can do anything He wishes. To say he can’t do it is to diminish His power.
My answer to the second question why would he become a man is this.
Ultimately we will be judged by God. If God is a fair and just God as I believe He is. Then I believe he needed to have more than an intellectual knowledge of what it is to be a man.
It’s one thing to intellectually know something. It’s an entirely different thing to experience it.
I believe had God not entered the world and experience everything it is to be an man, we could stand before him and honestly say you don’t understand what it is to be human. You’ve never experienced it.
As it is in Jesus God experienced all it was to be human. From the mundane things such as feeling the rain, or the sun against His face. To the love of family and friends.
Through Jesus God experienced what it was to celebrate at a wedding from a human perspective.
He experienced temptation and all the emotions man experienced. The shortest verse in the Bible say’s “Jesus wept.”
He also knows what it’s like to fall pray to political enemies. To be beaten unmercifully. To be condemned to death for simple political expediency.
On top of all of this because God is all knowing. He knew beforehand what would happen to Jesus. Yet He still sent him. In doing so he showed his love for us. As 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
In other words God loved us. While we were not following Him. While we were falling short of His ideal for our lives.
And God gives everyone a choice.
The Apostle John writes,
“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.
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.
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