Of Christians
The apostle Paul wrote,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13.
The above statement makes it clear what Christians believe. We believe Jesus is Lord. That He is God incarnate, God in the flesh. That He is the way to heaven.
We believe that from the beginning of time the God who created heaven and earth is God of all people Jew and gentile alike.
We as Christians believe that anyone who puts their trust in Jesus and confesses Him will be saved. Will spend eternity with God.
We as Christians believe that it is by the Grace of God through our faith that we are saved. The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’”
Hebrews 11:6
We also believe that Christians must put actions with their faith. James the brother of Christ stating.
“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.
While faith in Christ saves a person. Christianity is much more than that it is very much a faith of actions of reaching out to the needy, the oppressed and indeed to all people.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed.”
Tony Campolo
This is what to me defines a true Christian.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 22 November 2015
Saturday, 21 November 2015
Are you willing?
Are you willing
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:16-26.
Are you truly committed to Christ? Are you willing to give up everything to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?
The rich man in the above incident with Jesus followed all the laws of Moses. He was obviously devout. But he had a flaw. He apparently loved his wealth. He relied it seemed on his wealth to keep him secure. This man was not willing to step out in faith and trust God for is daily needs.
It’s not that a rich person cannot be saved. Like Jesus said “...with God all things are possible.”
But it takes faith to be saved. The apostle Paul states,
“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.
The rich man’s wealth did not save him nor did his following the laws of Moses. It is true faith in God that saves us. Abraham didn’t have the law of Moses and he was called a friend of God and was saved,
James the brother of Jesus noting,
“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.”
James 2:21-23.
God wants us to have faith in Him not in the wealth we have.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Please think about it.
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:16-26.
Are you truly committed to Christ? Are you willing to give up everything to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?
The rich man in the above incident with Jesus followed all the laws of Moses. He was obviously devout. But he had a flaw. He apparently loved his wealth. He relied it seemed on his wealth to keep him secure. This man was not willing to step out in faith and trust God for is daily needs.
It’s not that a rich person cannot be saved. Like Jesus said “...with God all things are possible.”
But it takes faith to be saved. The apostle Paul states,
“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.
The rich man’s wealth did not save him nor did his following the laws of Moses. It is true faith in God that saves us. Abraham didn’t have the law of Moses and he was called a friend of God and was saved,
James the brother of Jesus noting,
“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.”
James 2:21-23.
God wants us to have faith in Him not in the wealth we have.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Please think about it.
Friday, 20 November 2015
The Christian and Christ
The Christian and Christ
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”
Billy Graham
Here’s a simple truth Christians accept. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Christians believe you are saved through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a free gift from God. Your salvation and eternal resting place is not determined by your works.
I would go as far as saying in our Church congregations around the world there are many who have accepted God’s gift of salvation and are saved. Yet they do not seek after Christ every day.
They attend Church on a Sunday, even go to mid week bible studies but never seek after God in the days between. They feel what they do within the congregation they attend is sufficient so at home their Bible gathers dust.
The only way we can truly know God is to study the Bible often. We need to open the pages of our Bibles daily read it and study it.
We need to study and know what God wants for our lives. We need to study and get into our hearts and minds the moral values of Christ.
All too many Christian put the things of the world first. People are looking to get ahead in life. Unfortunately they see what the world equates as getting ahead and follow it.
People equate success all to often with having the big expensive house and car and all the gadgets, bobbles and beats the world can offer. Ultimately however these things fade away.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21.
That’s not to say we as Christians have to be poor. We can acquire wealth but keep it in perspective. Don’t put it ahead of your commitment to Christ. All too many people have been snatched away from God by the love of money.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10
Billy Graham was right when he said,
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”
Billy Graham.
Please think about it.
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”
Billy Graham
Here’s a simple truth Christians accept. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Christians believe you are saved through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a free gift from God. Your salvation and eternal resting place is not determined by your works.
I would go as far as saying in our Church congregations around the world there are many who have accepted God’s gift of salvation and are saved. Yet they do not seek after Christ every day.
They attend Church on a Sunday, even go to mid week bible studies but never seek after God in the days between. They feel what they do within the congregation they attend is sufficient so at home their Bible gathers dust.
The only way we can truly know God is to study the Bible often. We need to open the pages of our Bibles daily read it and study it.
We need to study and know what God wants for our lives. We need to study and get into our hearts and minds the moral values of Christ.
All too many Christian put the things of the world first. People are looking to get ahead in life. Unfortunately they see what the world equates as getting ahead and follow it.
People equate success all to often with having the big expensive house and car and all the gadgets, bobbles and beats the world can offer. Ultimately however these things fade away.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21.
That’s not to say we as Christians have to be poor. We can acquire wealth but keep it in perspective. Don’t put it ahead of your commitment to Christ. All too many people have been snatched away from God by the love of money.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10
Billy Graham was right when he said,
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”
Billy Graham.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
To be Christian
To be Christian
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
C.S. Lewis
What makes a Christian?
Strictly defined a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the One and only Son of God. The Only Way to heaven. Jesus saying,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
You are not born a Christian it is an act of faith. The apostle Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
The Apostle John writes of Jesus,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
To be a Christian is to me much more than this. It is a lifestyle of love. It is hearing and putting into practice the words of 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 22:36-40
Being a Christian is also obeying Jesus when He 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,”
Matthew 5:43,44.
Love for the Christian is defined by the apostle Paul who said,
Christianity is showing love to even our enemies. It is also faith in action. James the brother of Christ saying,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Christianity to me is one more thing it is about obeying Jesus who told us to go and make disciples of all nations saying,
“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.
Jesus is the most important thing within a Christians life. He gave to us, his followers what we consider the most important message ever given to human beings. The message recorded by the apostle John 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 a choice Christians believe all people everywhere must make. No one can make it for them or force them to make a choice.
Christians believe God gave man a freewill and that freewill entitles the individual to believe in Him or not.
Please think about it.
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
C.S. Lewis
What makes a Christian?
Strictly defined a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the One and only Son of God. The Only Way to heaven. Jesus saying,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
You are not born a Christian it is an act of faith. The apostle Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
The Apostle John writes of Jesus,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13.
To be a Christian is to me much more than this. It is a lifestyle of love. It is hearing and putting into practice the words of 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 22:36-40
Being a Christian is also obeying Jesus when He 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,”
Matthew 5:43,44.
Love for the Christian is defined by the apostle Paul who 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.Christianity is showing love to even our enemies. It is also faith in action. James the brother of Christ saying,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Christianity to me is one more thing it is about obeying Jesus who told us to go and make disciples of all nations saying,
“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.
Jesus is the most important thing within a Christians life. He gave to us, his followers what we consider the most important message ever given to human beings. The message recorded by the apostle John 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 a choice Christians believe all people everywhere must make. No one can make it for them or force them to make a choice.
Christians believe God gave man a freewill and that freewill entitles the individual to believe in Him or not.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Jesus is
Jesus, is
The one thing about Jesus is there are a lot of things said about him here are what some very well educated people, both Non-Christian, and Christian, have said about him.
I put them here that you may decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Albert Einstein stated,
“No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.… No man can deny the fact that Jesus existed, nor that his sayings are beautiful.”
Albert Einstein
Flavius Josephus born 34AD, was a Jewish historian, who became a Pharisee at 19. He later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarter. He Wrote,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
Flavius Josephus,
Carnegie Simpson wrote,
“Jesus is not one of the group of world’s great. Talk about Alexander the Great and Charles the Great and Napoleon the Great if you will…Jesus is apart. He is not the Great – He is the only.”
Carnegie Simpson
Napoleon Bonaparte said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946) When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied
“That judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
By this test, Jesus stands first.”
I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
H. G. Wells
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity:
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was:
“the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The Apostle John records the following,
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.
Later in his Gospel John records
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
John 14:5-11.
Please think about it.
The one thing about Jesus is there are a lot of things said about him here are what some very well educated people, both Non-Christian, and Christian, have said about him.
I put them here that you may decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Albert Einstein stated,
“No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.… No man can deny the fact that Jesus existed, nor that his sayings are beautiful.”
Albert Einstein
Flavius Josephus born 34AD, was a Jewish historian, who became a Pharisee at 19. He later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarter. He Wrote,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
Flavius Josephus,
Carnegie Simpson wrote,
“Jesus is not one of the group of world’s great. Talk about Alexander the Great and Charles the Great and Napoleon the Great if you will…Jesus is apart. He is not the Great – He is the only.”
Carnegie Simpson
Napoleon Bonaparte said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
H. G. Wells, British writer, (1866-1946) When asked which person left the most permanent impression on history, he replied
“That judging a person’s greatness by historical standards:
By this test, Jesus stands first.”
I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
“Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.”
H. G. Wells
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity:
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was:
“the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The Apostle John records the following,
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.
Later in his Gospel John records
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
John 14:5-11.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
Christians do to others
Christians do to others
“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
Dear Christian,
Would you want others judging and heaping condemnation on you simply because they disagreed with you?
Would you want people restricting your rights to marry simply because they disagreed with you?
Would you want any of your rights restricted simply because someone disagreed with your faith or lifestyle?
I don’t think you would.
So as a Christian if you don’t want your rights restricted. If you believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you believe the word of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 7:12, why would you want to restrict the rights of those in our society to do the same?
We live in a secular democracy where all are considered equal. So why would you protest against anyone who simply wants the same rights as you.
I strongly believe if you try to restrict the rights of others ultimately it will come back to hurt you.
In a democracy freedom for all has to be freedom for all.
As Christians we need to be supporting that concept.
Jesus made things very clear 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
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46.
The apostle Paul wrote,
If we are truly Christian we will be showing such love to all people. We will even be willing to stand up for the rights of those we disagree with, irrespective of who they are.
Billy Graham said,
“Racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, or hatred of anyone with different beliefs has no place in the human mind or heart.”
Billy Graham
Tony Campolo said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
As 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
Please think about it.
“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
Dear Christian,
Would you want others judging and heaping condemnation on you simply because they disagreed with you?
Would you want people restricting your rights to marry simply because they disagreed with you?
Would you want any of your rights restricted simply because someone disagreed with your faith or lifestyle?
I don’t think you would.
So as a Christian if you don’t want your rights restricted. If you believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you believe the word of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 7:12, why would you want to restrict the rights of those in our society to do the same?
We live in a secular democracy where all are considered equal. So why would you protest against anyone who simply wants the same rights as you.
I strongly believe if you try to restrict the rights of others ultimately it will come back to hurt you.
In a democracy freedom for all has to be freedom for all.
As Christians we need to be supporting that concept.
Jesus made things very clear 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
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13If we are truly Christian we will be showing such love to all people. We will even be willing to stand up for the rights of those we disagree with, irrespective of who they are.
Billy Graham said,
“Racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, or hatred of anyone with different beliefs has no place in the human mind or heart.”
Billy Graham
Tony Campolo said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
As 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
Please think about it.
Monday, 16 November 2015
A Spiritual life
A spiritual life
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”
Buddha
I as a Christian firmly believe truth is truth no matter where you find it. The above quote by Buddha is correct. While I may not believe that Buddhism is the way to heaven what the Buddha says about man not being able to live without a spiritual life is true.
I believe in life after death and an almighty God who gives us hope beyond the grave. Not having that hope for me cheapens our existence in this life.
Peter John Kreeft a Catholic philosopher wrote,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
I have met many people over the years that have had good lives. Many atheist that frankly have lived better lives than some I know claiming to be Christians. Still that does not negate the fact man is more than what we can feel, hear, and see. Man has a spiritual aspect to he being.
If you as an individual are honest with yourself you have to admit there are times when you wonder if there is more to life as full as your life may be.
For lack of a better expression I believe there is an empty space within the very being of every person. It is a hole that no matter what we try to fill it with, it never seems to be filled. A hole that can only be filled by God.
I know people who have reached the height of their professions who have made millions of dollars who have said they still feel empty inside.
Some turn to drugs and alcohol others to various other pursuits. Yet no matter what they do they feel empty inside.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10.
Those who would deny the existence of God are to my mind thieves of a kind. They strip life of hope.
The Psalmist reminds us,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
Jesus says to all men and women everywhere,
“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.
God I believe offers all people everywhere a choice when 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
If I am wrong about all of this then no one has a thing to fear however if I am right then those who do not believe have a lot to at least think about.
Please think about it.
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”
Buddha
I as a Christian firmly believe truth is truth no matter where you find it. The above quote by Buddha is correct. While I may not believe that Buddhism is the way to heaven what the Buddha says about man not being able to live without a spiritual life is true.
I believe in life after death and an almighty God who gives us hope beyond the grave. Not having that hope for me cheapens our existence in this life.
Peter John Kreeft a Catholic philosopher wrote,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
I have met many people over the years that have had good lives. Many atheist that frankly have lived better lives than some I know claiming to be Christians. Still that does not negate the fact man is more than what we can feel, hear, and see. Man has a spiritual aspect to he being.
If you as an individual are honest with yourself you have to admit there are times when you wonder if there is more to life as full as your life may be.
For lack of a better expression I believe there is an empty space within the very being of every person. It is a hole that no matter what we try to fill it with, it never seems to be filled. A hole that can only be filled by God.
I know people who have reached the height of their professions who have made millions of dollars who have said they still feel empty inside.
Some turn to drugs and alcohol others to various other pursuits. Yet no matter what they do they feel empty inside.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10.
Those who would deny the existence of God are to my mind thieves of a kind. They strip life of hope.
The Psalmist reminds us,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
Jesus says to all men and women everywhere,
“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.
God I believe offers all people everywhere a choice when 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
If I am wrong about all of this then no one has a thing to fear however if I am right then those who do not believe have a lot to at least think about.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Peace
Peace
“In the last days the mountain of the LORD'S temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.”
Micah 4:1-4.
I firmly believe that one day all mankind will live in peace with one another. But man cannot do it alone.
Man has shown how selfish and self centred he is throughout history. One statistic I read stated that there has been but a few days of true peace in all the history of mankind. Another statistic states the twentieth century seen more deaths due to violence and war than all others combined and the twenty-first century seems to be continuing to add to the deaths.
Through the centuries man has become more and more violent
Mankind it seems cannot live at peace. Man doesn’t seem to see all men as brothers with rights given to them by God. The right of freedom of speech, freedom of belief, freedom to enjoy life. To, as the Americans say, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It seems there is always some evil or misguided people out there trying to impose their will on other people. Love seems to be slipping away in our global society.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.
Abba Hillel Silver.
It seems as our society becomes more secular it is becoming more violent.
Secular society it cannot offer enough to our youth and others to keep them from joining terrorist groups.
Secularism and Atheism offers nothing to those who are looking for meaning to life in our society.
Christianity in the west and in North America in particular seems to be failing to get the pure teachings of Christ to people, and our youth in particular.
The message of God’s love for the individual through Christ, the love for ones neighbour and even one’s enemy is getting lost in the cacophony of other noises.
What the world needs is the pure message that Jesus brought into the world and the world will have no peace until it embraces those ideals.
Society around the world has lost it’s fear of God. Some religious groups have twisted Gods message to the point that it no longer reflects God’s truths.
However I do believe the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes who wrote,
“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.
That includes terrorist and all others who do evil acts.
Please think about it.
Post script to Christians,
We as Christians have the one true message that can transform the world. Unfortunately we seem to keep it in a box. We need to without diluting the message, get out into the highways and byways and make that message relevant to both the youth and others within our society.
“In the last days the mountain of the LORD'S temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.”
Micah 4:1-4.
I firmly believe that one day all mankind will live in peace with one another. But man cannot do it alone.
Man has shown how selfish and self centred he is throughout history. One statistic I read stated that there has been but a few days of true peace in all the history of mankind. Another statistic states the twentieth century seen more deaths due to violence and war than all others combined and the twenty-first century seems to be continuing to add to the deaths.
Through the centuries man has become more and more violent
Mankind it seems cannot live at peace. Man doesn’t seem to see all men as brothers with rights given to them by God. The right of freedom of speech, freedom of belief, freedom to enjoy life. To, as the Americans say, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It seems there is always some evil or misguided people out there trying to impose their will on other people. Love seems to be slipping away in our global society.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.
Abba Hillel Silver.
It seems as our society becomes more secular it is becoming more violent.
Secular society it cannot offer enough to our youth and others to keep them from joining terrorist groups.
Secularism and Atheism offers nothing to those who are looking for meaning to life in our society.
Christianity in the west and in North America in particular seems to be failing to get the pure teachings of Christ to people, and our youth in particular.
The message of God’s love for the individual through Christ, the love for ones neighbour and even one’s enemy is getting lost in the cacophony of other noises.
What the world needs is the pure message that Jesus brought into the world and the world will have no peace until it embraces those ideals.
Society around the world has lost it’s fear of God. Some religious groups have twisted Gods message to the point that it no longer reflects God’s truths.
However I do believe the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes who wrote,
“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.
That includes terrorist and all others who do evil acts.
Please think about it.
Post script to Christians,
We as Christians have the one true message that can transform the world. Unfortunately we seem to keep it in a box. We need to without diluting the message, get out into the highways and byways and make that message relevant to both the youth and others within our society.
Saturday, 14 November 2015
Stand with France
Stand with France
As I write this it’s November 14th. Last night in Paris a series of terror attacks against innocent civilians has cause in excess of 120 dead and the death toll may still be rising.
Around the world terrorist attacks are taking the lives of thousands of people. The president of France is calling it an act of war.
Today let us no matter who we are stand with the people and government of France. Let us pray that the leaders of the free nations of the world will be given the courage to stand up once and for all to the hatred that is terrorism, even if it means using military force.
Winston Churchill said,
“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”
Winston Churchill.
Let us pray that our political leaders will act like Winston Churchill. That they will not go half heartedly into the fight against the evil of Islamic State and other terrorist groups.
Let us pray that the governments of the free world will bring their righteous might to bear upon those who would threaten our fundamental freedoms and security.
Let us pray for the peace of our world today.
Let the deaths of Friday the thirteenth of November 2015 in Paris and the deaths of others around the world who have died at the hands of evil men and women not be in vain.
Stand with the people of Paris. Stand with the people of France.
As I write this it’s November 14th. Last night in Paris a series of terror attacks against innocent civilians has cause in excess of 120 dead and the death toll may still be rising.
Around the world terrorist attacks are taking the lives of thousands of people. The president of France is calling it an act of war.
Today let us no matter who we are stand with the people and government of France. Let us pray that the leaders of the free nations of the world will be given the courage to stand up once and for all to the hatred that is terrorism, even if it means using military force.
Winston Churchill said,
“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”
Winston Churchill.
Let us pray that our political leaders will act like Winston Churchill. That they will not go half heartedly into the fight against the evil of Islamic State and other terrorist groups.
Let us pray that the governments of the free world will bring their righteous might to bear upon those who would threaten our fundamental freedoms and security.
Let us pray for the peace of our world today.
Let the deaths of Friday the thirteenth of November 2015 in Paris and the deaths of others around the world who have died at the hands of evil men and women not be in vain.
Stand with the people of Paris. Stand with the people of France.
Friday, 13 November 2015
Founded on Love
Founded on Love
Napoleon Bonaparte wrote,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
Every oppressive government that has ever arisen has fallen. Those who have come to power by the sword have eventually died by the sword.
One only has to look at Hitler and other repressive regimes throughout history. It will be the same with those terrorist groups who wish to force their will on others by the barrel of a gun. They will not survive.
The terrorist who are killing innocent people supposedly in the name of God will one day stand before God and be cast into Hell.
Alexander the great, Napoleon and Hitler prove you cannot hold the world by force. Christ set the example as to how to win the world.
Napoleon was right when he said,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
You cannot have a successful government founded on force. It is doomed to failure either from within or with forces that come from without.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
By living peacefully and presenting their beliefs in a simple manner the followers of Christ filled the Roman Empire with their beliefs in little more than seventy years. Since then the love of Jesus Christ has reached every corner of the earth.
The true believers in Christ followed the word of the Jesus who wen 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 22:36-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Loving period is a concept foreign to terrorist and dictators. Yet to date the love of Christ has won more people to His cause than any one using a gun.
I truly believe the words of Ecclesiastes,
“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
God will bring all deeds of every person into judgement no matter what it is and on that day many will be shocked to find out their fate.
What will yours be?
Will you accept Christ into your life today?
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.
Napoleon Bonaparte wrote,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
Every oppressive government that has ever arisen has fallen. Those who have come to power by the sword have eventually died by the sword.
One only has to look at Hitler and other repressive regimes throughout history. It will be the same with those terrorist groups who wish to force their will on others by the barrel of a gun. They will not survive.
The terrorist who are killing innocent people supposedly in the name of God will one day stand before God and be cast into Hell.
Alexander the great, Napoleon and Hitler prove you cannot hold the world by force. Christ set the example as to how to win the world.
Napoleon was right when he said,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
You cannot have a successful government founded on force. It is doomed to failure either from within or with forces that come from without.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
By living peacefully and presenting their beliefs in a simple manner the followers of Christ filled the Roman Empire with their beliefs in little more than seventy years. Since then the love of Jesus Christ has reached every corner of the earth.
The true believers in Christ followed the word of the Jesus who wen 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 22:36-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Loving period is a concept foreign to terrorist and dictators. Yet to date the love of Christ has won more people to His cause than any one using a gun.
I truly believe the words of Ecclesiastes,
“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
God will bring all deeds of every person into judgement no matter what it is and on that day many will be shocked to find out their fate.
What will yours be?
Will you accept Christ into your life today?
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.
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Forgiveness and the Christian
Forgiveness and the Christian
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
Are you merciful? Do you forgive those who sin against you?
Jesus said,
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14,15.
As Christians we will have over our lifetime many whom we disagree with. Many people who will sin against us and speak wrongly about us.
The true test of a Christian is if you can forgive them.
I’ve been a Christian over four decades now. I’ve come across people who have said bad things against me. People who have hurt me by the words they’ve said.
Words actually hurt more than physical injuries at times. They continue in your mind long after the person speaking them has forgotten them.
The key I’ve found is forgiving them.
Going to God in prayer also helps. Telling God of any hurt you have. Someone one told me, when your are hurt you need to pray it away. Stay talking to God until the hurt subsides and it does eventually go away.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t in love approach the person who has hurt us and tell them they have they have hurt us. That at times is needed also, because many times a person does not realize they’ve hurt someone.
Forgiveness should take a large place in a Christians life. Jesus while on the cross for gave those who crucified him. This is an example of what we should do.
Matthews Gospel records,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21,22.
Jesus here wasn’t putting a number on how many times we are to forgive. He didn’t mean forgive 490 times. He meant forgive innumerable times.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
C.S. Lewis.
Forgiveness is one of the corner stones of being a Christian.
Please think about it.
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
Are you merciful? Do you forgive those who sin against you?
Jesus said,
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14,15.
As Christians we will have over our lifetime many whom we disagree with. Many people who will sin against us and speak wrongly about us.
The true test of a Christian is if you can forgive them.
I’ve been a Christian over four decades now. I’ve come across people who have said bad things against me. People who have hurt me by the words they’ve said.
Words actually hurt more than physical injuries at times. They continue in your mind long after the person speaking them has forgotten them.
The key I’ve found is forgiving them.
Going to God in prayer also helps. Telling God of any hurt you have. Someone one told me, when your are hurt you need to pray it away. Stay talking to God until the hurt subsides and it does eventually go away.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t in love approach the person who has hurt us and tell them they have they have hurt us. That at times is needed also, because many times a person does not realize they’ve hurt someone.
Forgiveness should take a large place in a Christians life. Jesus while on the cross for gave those who crucified him. This is an example of what we should do.
Matthews Gospel records,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21,22.
Jesus here wasn’t putting a number on how many times we are to forgive. He didn’t mean forgive 490 times. He meant forgive innumerable times.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
C.S. Lewis.
Forgiveness is one of the corner stones of being a Christian.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Remembrance Day 2015
Remembrance Day
Words on a Canadian War Memorial
Today is November 11th 2015. A hundred years ago today there were men fighting and dying in the fields of Europe. They were fighting for the peace of the world.
Some historians have said it was actually only round one. Come September of 1939 round two would begin.
By the time it ended world war two would have claimed the lives of over 60,000,000 soldiers and civilians.
Put in perspective in 1939 the total population of the United Kingdom was 47,760,000. Canada at the time had a population of 11,267,000. So just short of six times the population of Canada died in world war two.
Canada itself had 43,600 war deaths or 1.8% of the population. The then Soviet Union lost 24,000,000 or approximately 14% of it’s 1939 prewar population.
Nazi death camps cost the lives of an estimated 11,000,000 innocent civilians, approximately 6,000,000 of them Jews.
The Bible verse I quoted above,“Let us therefore follow things that make for peace.” was written with the intent that Christians, to whom it is written should follow a path of peace.
Sadly at least in the twentieth century, and now it seems with the upsurge or terrorism in the world today, the path of peace means waging war.
In the 1930's politicians did all they could politically and peacefully to prevent war. Evil men however forced war on men of peace. It seems as though this may happen again.
For today however let us remember those who for the best of reasons took up arms in the pursuit of peace.
Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy the life of freedom we here in Canada and the west enjoy.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918) who served as a surgeon in world war one. A hundred years ago this year, while at the funeral of a friend in Flanders wrote what is perhaps the most quoted poem ever written by a Canadian, he wrote,
Let us no matter what we believe, always remember that at times the peace and freedoms we enjoy today cost a terrible price.
Let us always be vigilant and stand up against any evil that would attempt to take away our freedoms.
Let us take the torch passed to us by those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and stand up to evil and tyranny in all its forms.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric and Anti-Nazi wrote,
Let us not allow such a thing to happen again. We must never let evil and tyranny in any form go unchecked. No matter the cost.
Words on a Canadian War Memorial
“Let us therefore follow things that make for peace.”
Romans 14:19Today is November 11th 2015. A hundred years ago today there were men fighting and dying in the fields of Europe. They were fighting for the peace of the world.
Some historians have said it was actually only round one. Come September of 1939 round two would begin.
By the time it ended world war two would have claimed the lives of over 60,000,000 soldiers and civilians.
Put in perspective in 1939 the total population of the United Kingdom was 47,760,000. Canada at the time had a population of 11,267,000. So just short of six times the population of Canada died in world war two.
Canada itself had 43,600 war deaths or 1.8% of the population. The then Soviet Union lost 24,000,000 or approximately 14% of it’s 1939 prewar population.
Nazi death camps cost the lives of an estimated 11,000,000 innocent civilians, approximately 6,000,000 of them Jews.
The Bible verse I quoted above,“Let us therefore follow things that make for peace.” was written with the intent that Christians, to whom it is written should follow a path of peace.
Sadly at least in the twentieth century, and now it seems with the upsurge or terrorism in the world today, the path of peace means waging war.
In the 1930's politicians did all they could politically and peacefully to prevent war. Evil men however forced war on men of peace. It seems as though this may happen again.
For today however let us remember those who for the best of reasons took up arms in the pursuit of peace.Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy the life of freedom we here in Canada and the west enjoy.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918) who served as a surgeon in world war one. A hundred years ago this year, while at the funeral of a friend in Flanders wrote what is perhaps the most quoted poem ever written by a Canadian, he wrote,
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD.Let us no matter what we believe, always remember that at times the peace and freedoms we enjoy today cost a terrible price.
Let us always be vigilant and stand up against any evil that would attempt to take away our freedoms.
Let us take the torch passed to us by those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and stand up to evil and tyranny in all its forms.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric and Anti-Nazi wrote,
“When they came for the Communists,
I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist.
When they came for the Jews,
I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish.
When they came for the Catholics,
I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin NiemollerLet us not allow such a thing to happen again. We must never let evil and tyranny in any form go unchecked. No matter the cost.
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