Three Quotes and an Explanation

Three Quotes and an Explanation
The Quotes
The writer of Hebrews states,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. “Hebrews 4:12,13.
The writer 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.
C. S. Lewis states,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
The Explanation
I have no doubt God exists and as a Christian I believe that He in the form of His one and only Son entered His creation to point mankind to himself.
You can say God does not exist. But unless you’ve at the least been everywhere then the possibility exists that God exists where you have not been. And as far as I know, no one living today has been beyond the grave.
Thus if you don’t believe in God, I would ask are you so completely confident in what you believe?
As a Christian I believe in God. I also believe we cannot live a life good enough to stand before a holy God. As C. S. Lewis puts it,
“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.
That is why Jesus came into the world.
The apostle Paul tells 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. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” Romans 5:6-11.
Paul also tells us,
“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.
It is through the love and grace of God that we get to heaven. We cannot work for it.
God will one day judge every person that has ever lived. However as Christians we believe that the wrongs we have done are forgiven when we confess them to Jesus and accept His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
The apostle Paul does admit
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
God does not do things the way man would do things. God requires faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

God does exist. God will one day judge each person who has ever lived this is a fact whether you believe it or not.
So the question is do you believe in God and have you accepted the saving Grace of God, by accepting Jesus God’s one and only Son as your Saviour.
Please think about it.

Be Careful

Be Careful
Jesus told his disciples
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
We as Christians in the twenty-first century need to heed what Jesus said.
Jesus said be shrewd as snakes. A snake is cautious when it acts. It surveys the area around it before it makes a move.
A dove is one of the most innocent of animals. It poses no harm to anyone. It is the symbol of peace.
If we as Christians are to heed the advice of Jesus. We must be careful in how we conduct our life for Christ.
We must remember what Paul wrote to the Galatians,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
As true Christians we must exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. People must see those traits in us.
The apostle Peter reminds us,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
If you claim to be a Christian take time right now to pray and take stock of your life and lifestyle. Do you exhibit the fruits of the spirit? Do you abstain from sinful desires.
When you present the gospel of Christ do you do it in a non-threatening way? Do you do it in such a way as to open dialogue between you and the person you are speaking to?
Please think about it

The "Religious" Church

The "Religious" Church

Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw or give away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a “smaller” house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday. It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The church here in North America and particularly in the United States has become “religious” in many ways. They have mixed their faith with their politics and as someone has said, mixing politics with religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water in undrinkable, the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture is explosive.
Billy Graham said,

“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, 

yet today many in church are chasing after the world

 - not to win them, but to be like them.”

Billy Graham.

Mahatma Gandhi said of those who claimed to be Christians around him

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians -

 you are not like him.”

Mahatma Gandhi.

This could be said of many who call themselves Christians today in North America. All too often I’ve heard the phrase, “why should I become a Christian. I know many Christians and I’m better than them”. Sadly in many cases it’s true.
If we look at the lives of Jesus and his disciples we see men who were not confrontational. Jesus and his disciples did not protest against the government of Rome. They did not demand “their rights”.
They didn’t protest against the rights given to other groups by the secular government of the day.
They never spoke against anything they thought was wrong outside of their own faith.
These men of God knew they had the answer to the worlds problems. They knew they had the way to heaven.
Many today like Paul Gallico back in 1948 are looking for more than this materialistic world has. They are looking for deep spiritual meaning to life. They are looking to fill that emptiness that is within. That empty space in the soul of man that only God and Christ can fill.
If we claim to be Christians in the twenty first century we need to be putting down the placards, stop protesting against things and present the pure word of God.
We need to be following the advice given to us by the apostle Peter who said,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
We need to heed the advice of the writer of Hebrew who said,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men 

and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14.

We need to do this because someone’s eternal resting place may be dependent on our actions as Christians.
Please think about it.

The First Question

The First Question
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”The Talmud
I like what the Talmud says here. What will you say when you stand before God?
 Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Be you rich or poor we will all stand before God at a moment in our life. A rich person may have more to answer for when it come to dealing with their employees, investors or other people in their life. But everyone else will have to answer to God also for how we treat our fellow man.
We deal with people everyday be a a cashier in a store, the postman, our coworkers, our neighbours. How we treat them is of concern to God.
I do believe God is as much concerned with the small things as he is with the big things. He is very concerned how you teat your fellow man.
As a Christian I believe you get into heaven by faith. 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.
At the same time I do not believe you can be a true Christian and not teat your fellow man fairly and compassionately. The apostle James tells us,
“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.
Our faith as Christians should spur us on to doing good deeds. To love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. So that on that day if God should ask the question,
“Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
You may answer yes.
Please think about it.

A True Believer

A True Believer
A quote,
“A True believer in Christ acts in Love because Christ acted in Love for all people.”
The apostle Paul writes,
“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 5:6-8.
Here’s a question, If you claim to be a Christian would you die for a non-believer? Jesus did. He did so out of Love.
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,13.

As a Christian is this the kind of love you show to those you disagree with, be it their actions, their faith, or their lifestyle?
If this is not the kind of love you show and claim to be a Christian you need to rethink your way of life.
Jesus sat down with anyone who would listen to him. A Samaritan Woman, tax collectors, Romans, even religious leaders of his day.
The apostle Paul was presenting the gospel message in such a positive way in Athens that he was asked to speak at the Areopagus by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
This is the example we should be following.
I see many calling themselves Christians in the media and outside who protest against and find fault with those they disagree with. These people will not win anyone to Christ. In fact they quite often turn people away from Christ.
Billy Graham the American evangelist talking about Christ’s apostles said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
There hearts were filled with the Love of God for their fellow man no matter who they were.
Matthews gospel records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
If you claim to be a Christian ask yourself, “Am I willing to sit down and present my views in a respectful manner to those I disagree with? Would I be asked to express my beliefs by those I disagree with?”
If your answer is no to either question you need to take a look at your commitment to Christ and His teachings.
Jesus Loved Unconditionally! And we need to do likewise.
Please think about it. 

Are Christians Forgetting?

Are Christians forgetting?

Are Christians forgetting

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

 that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn 

the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16,17

Are Christians forgetting 

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,

 and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you.” 

Matthew 7:1,2.

Are Christians forgetting,

“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 

Are Christians forgetting,

“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

Are Christians forgetting

“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

Are Christians forgetting,

“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

Are Christians forgetting,

“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.

Are Christians forgetting

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, 

that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; 

once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

Dear friends,

 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, 

to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, 

though they accuse you of doing wrong, 

they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 

1 Peter 2:9-12.

Are Christians forgetting

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14.

Jesus and his disciples never raised their fist in anger. They never demonstrated against anyone or the secular Roman government. They used their energies and resources to present the salvation message to all who would listen to them. They did so in love and it cost all but one of them their life. Yet within less than a hundred years the salvation message they proclaimed had reached out throughout the whole of the known world.
Question: When people see and hear you talk about God and Jesus, do they see the love of God? 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.

An Example

An Example
Matthews gospel records,

“Then Jesus came to them and said, 

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

                                                                                      Matthew 28:18-20
On October 19th 2013 a faithful man died. He never became a household name but I’m sure on the day he entered heaven, heaven rejoiced.
  His name Konstantin Vladianu. He was born in Pinzaran Moldova in the former Soviet Union. He died in Hamilton Ontario Canada.
  His obituary reads in part.
  “Konstantin’s faith in God was the most central thing in his life. He was very involved in the secret underground church, and he was a gifted preacher, blessed with dreams and visions from God which directed his life. He led his family by example in sacrificial giving of his time and resources.”
  Konstantin truly knew what it was to serve God. To go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation and he did it under pain of imprisonment. Something few people here in the western world and especially North America have ever experienced.
Konstantin is not alone today there are millions of unspoken heros of the Christian faith like him around the world serving their Lord under threat of imprisonment or even death.
They do it without recognition in this world because they truly love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul.
Men and women of God like Konstantin present the pure word of God. The message of Love for God, their neighbour and even their enemy. Unlike many in here in North America who claim to be Christians, and mix their faith with politics. Choosing to demonstrate for “their right” and protest against those they disagree with.
True Christians like Konstantin and those around the world like him today who are in harms way. In danger of imprisonment or death, are not protesting. They are simply getting on with the job of telling the world of God’s love.
They like the early church are setting the example for us all.
Christ, his disciple and those of the first century church did not protest against the secular government of Rome. They simply presented the Love of Christ to all who would listen. In doing so they turned the world upside down.
Billy Graham said of the men and women of the early church,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
This is how we as twenty-first century Christians should be.
The apostle Peter tells Christians,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
We in the North American church need to be doing this.
If we are true Christians we need to remember who we represent on this earth. We need to be pointing people to Christ in word and in deed. Not protesting against any lawful group.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men 

and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

 Hebrews 12:14

Please think about it.

Watch Out

Watch out
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“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 7:15-23.
The apostle Peter states,
“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.
We live in an incredible world. A world in which at the touch of a button we can hear and see a preacher anywhere in the world. A preacher we know little or nothing about. As a result it is possible to find yourself listening to a preacher or teacher that is not teaching correctly.
Even if you attend a local church it is possible to find preachers and teachers that are not teaching correctly.
These false teachers sound good but they pick and choose what they say from the Bible in such a way as to mislead people intentionally or otherwise. Usually intentionally.  That is why we must study the scriptures for ourselves.
We must be willing to hold those who claim to be Christian teachers and preachers up to a high standard. The apostle Paul tells us,
"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.
Notice Paul make it clear the Christian is not to judge those outside the church that is God’s job.
However we are to expel those who claim to be Christians, and are not acting according to Christian teaching.
Thus the point I want to make here is Christian beware. Examine closely those who claim to be Christian teachers, preachers and evangelist. Make sure they are preaching the word of God correctly.
Please think about it

A Faith of Love

A Faith of Love
The apostle Paul writing to Christians states,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

The principle teaching of Christianity is Love. A Love that started with God. John’s gospel states,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
The reason Jesus came to this earth is because God loves all people and He wishes to have fellowship with all people.
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 22:36-40.
Jesus took loving one step further 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”  Matthew 5:43-47.
True Christianity is not a confrontational faith. It is one of love and acceptance of all people. Even our enemy.
C. S. Lewis once 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.
Christians believe we cannot live lives good enough to stand before a Holy God. God knows this also that is why God in the form of Jesus Christ, entered the world to point each person toward Himself.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Paul also notes,
“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.
A true Christian believes that God in Love reached down to mankind and offered eternal life to those who would believe in Him through faith.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“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. 

Getting to Heaven... Like the Thief

Getting to Heaven... Like the Thief
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
"I'm going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: 'Lord, remember me.”Billy Graham.
          Luke's Gospel records the incident between Jesus and the two criminals on the cross. Matthew notes,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43.
Illustrated here at the crucifixion of Jesus we have the way Christians believe you get to heaven.
The one thief rejected Jesus.
The other thief admitted he had been punished justly for his crimes. He admitted Jesus was not guilty of any crime.
 He confessed his sins to Jesus. He believed by faith that Jesus was the Son of God the Saviour of mankind and by doing those things he was forgiven of his sins and entered heaven.
The following is what I as a Christian believe each person must do in order to get to heaven.

Jesus said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

 but to save the world through him.” 

John 3:16,17.

"Jesus answered,

 “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

 John 14:6

  Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 and are justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

 Romans 3:23,24.

        Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.

Isaiah telling us, 

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, 

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; 

we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”  

Isaiah 64:6

 The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

                The Apostle Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast.”  

 Ephesians 2:8,9

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

Hebrews 11:6 

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

What do you believe?
Please think about it.

Christian, What is Jesus to you?

Christian,...What is Jesus to you?
Jesus told this Parable,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.   When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”Matthew 13:44-46.
If you claim to be a Christian do you believe this. Is your faith in Christ the most precious thing in your life. Is it so important that you need to tell others what you believe.
As Christians we have an important duty before God. Matthews gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
If you believe Jesus when He said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Then you must at the least engage those around you in conversation about Jesus. You must do this because their eternal destiny may rest upon what you say and do.
As Christians we cannot take our faith lightly. We must present the good news of Jesus in spirit and in truth, in word and in deed to others.
We must as the writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
For without us doing this those around us may never even know the truth about Jesus.
Please think about it.

Christian Living

Christian living

I believe truth is truth wherever it is found. Here is a truth from the Talmud a Jewish book that backs up Christian teaching. It states,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"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 is very much a faith of both words and deeds. We are told to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. James points out that we are to do our best to help those in need. The early church did. The book of Acts records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common.  
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
We as twenty-first century Christians need to follow the example of those first Christians. We need to be meeting together, studying God’s word, showing Love to those around us, meeting the needs of the needy, and praising God.
We need to be living a life different to that of the world.
Billy Graham once said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham. 
Sadly this is true.
We as Christians need to look at our life and lifestyle and ask ourselves, am I truly living a life that is acceptable to Christ? Is my lifestyle different than that of the world? Is Christ truly reflected in my words and deeds?
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
 Francis of Assisi
Take a look at your life and ask yourself what is my sermon telling those around me.
Please think about it.