Submit, Resist, be Humble

Submit, Resist, be Humble
James writes to followers of Jesus,
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:7-12.
Here is something all who claim to be followers of Christ need to think about. Do you submit yourself to God? Do you resist the devil?
James tells us to “Come near to God and he will come near to you” He calls us to purify ourselves. To “grieve mourn and wail”
By this is I feel James is telling us we need to be so ashamed of our sins of the way we at times fail God,  that we cry out to God in all humility and tell Him we are truly sorry for our failings. In doing so God will lift us up. As someone has said it takes a strong person to admit their faults even to God.
As Christians we are to remember that it is not our place to slander or judge anyone. Jesus said,
“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.
We as mere mortals do not know what is in the hearts of other people. We do not know what makes them do things. Only God knows that, that is why God and God alone has the right to judge anyone.
The believer in Christ is called to live a good and holy life acceptable to God. A life that reaches out with the gospel to those around them in word and in deed.
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.
Jesus also said,
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?  
It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.  
I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  Matthew 24:45-46.
Question, do you consider yourself a good servant of Jesus? Are you doing what God wants you to do?
Please think about it.

Your Life

Your Life
Question,  Are you living life the way God would want you to live?
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  
Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:13-18.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ you will desire to live a life that is acceptable to Jesus. In order to do that we must do our best to live a good life. A life of humility. We are not to harbour bitter envy and selfish ambitions or deny the truth. As James tells us this “is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.”
As James states,
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
Wisdom however that comes from heaven as James put it
“...is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
The Apostle Paul tells us,

“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.

  If we claim to be Christians what James and Paul are saying need to be seen in our life by those around us with out us saying a word.
Question, when people see your life, what are they seeing?
Please think about it. 

A Spark

A Spark
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  
Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:1-10.
James here is pointing out that not everyone should want to be teachers because teachers are held to a higher standard.
He notes that we all stumble. Then goes on to point out that we need to watch what we say. To keep our tongue in check. Doing so can be difficult. The sad thing about words is that they can cause people to be injured more deeply than getting physically injured.
Physical injuries heal and go away in time. Injuries caused by words can go deep into the mind and soul potentially scaring a person for life.
Likewise people are often remembered for what they say or don’t say.
One wrong word in the wrong place has brought down great men and women. The failure to say the right things at the right time have caused people to fall in the eyes of those around them.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise

 brings healing.” 

Proverbs 12:18

The writer also states,

“Even a fool is thought wise 

if he keeps silent, 

and discerning 

if he holds his tongue. 

Proverbs 17:28.

Be we Christians or not, what we say, can help or injure those who here them. We need to be careful what we say.
The advice of James at the beginning of his letter is advice we should take to heart. James states,

“My dear brothers, take note of this:

 Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak 

and slow to become angry,”

 James 1:19.

Please think about it.

Deeds

Deeds
“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.” 
James 2:14-19.
If you claim to be Christian you must do good deeds. It is part of our faith. Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
We live in deeds. People see God through the lense of our deeds.
Ben Zion Bosker wrote a delightful story that illustrates this, called “The Rose Talked Back. It reads,
“The man sweeping the synagogue paused for a moment.  He looked at the flowers lying about in disorder, ‘What waste!’  He said too himself.  Those roses had adorned the pulpit at a wedding an hour before.  Now all was over and they were waiting to be discarded.
The attendant leaning on his sweeper was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound.  One of the roses replied to him.
‘Do you call this a waste?” the flower protested, ‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service?  My mission was to create some fragrance and beauty, and when I have fulfilled it my life has not been wasted.  And what greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to her beloved, what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when a bride and groom seal their faith in each other by entering the covenant of marriage?’
Our little flower paused for a moment too watch the man’s face, and then continued her discourse.
‘Roses are like people.  They live in deeds, not in time.  My glory was but for a brief hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride’s eye.  I like to believe that I had something to do with it, by creating a suitable setting for the moment of her supreme happiness.  So don’t grieve for me.  My life has been worthwhile.
Having spoken her little piece, the rose was once more silent.  The attendant, startled from his reverie and a little wiser, pushed the sweeper again and continued with his work.”
                                        Ben Zion Bokser
When people see your deeds what do they see?
Do they see love and understanding?
Do they see Christ in your life?
Or do they see something else.
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.

Favouritism

Favouritism
James writes,
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.  
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.  
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?  
But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?  
Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  James 2:1-10
Do you judge a book by it’s cover? Do you judge people by the way they are dressed? I knew someone, a man who said privately believed, those on welfare are all cheats. That they need to get out there and get a job. That the poor just are not doing enough to get out of poverty. This when many poor people are holding two if not three jobs and still can’t make ends meet.
I’ve heard the same rhetoric coming from some within the church over the years. This should not be so.
Sadly though people do judge a book by its cover whether they claim to be Christian or not.
When I first came to know the Lord back in the seventies people would not go to church dressed casually. I was even criticized for having a small rip in the leg of my jeans when I was helping set up for an event. A rip that occurred while I was helping set up the event.
I knew of people who wouldn’t go to church if they didn’t have a good set of clothing. It is something that still happens today in some churches. Although I must say there is a positive trend happening telling people to come dressed as they are, casually, dressed up whatever they are comfortable with. Still however many people are afraid that they will be judged by the way they dress. Which should not be so.
Someone once said to me “more people get swindled out of more money by a man in expensive clothing that a man in rags.”
It’s a very true statement just ask anyone who’s lost money to a swindler. They will tell you he looked good, talked good, but he still took their money and ran leaving them with nothing.
Now everyone will agree that not every person in fine clothing is a swindler. Likewise not everyone in shabby clothing is a crook either. This is what James is saying.
James also makes it clear that all, irrespective of who they are, how much, or how little, they have should be treated equally in the church.
He points out that we are to keep the “royal law” to love our neighbour as ourselves and not show favouritism.
James notes “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
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
The Talmud while not a Christian book dose however make an interesting point I think Christians need to consider. It states,
“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
There is no need to ask someone who claims to believes in God if they believe in him or prayed or observed the ritual.
However while God already knows the answer. I believe he wants to hear it from our own lips and for that matter for us to hear it from our own lips. To make us truly think about how we dealt with those around us.
Question: how have you dealt with those around you? Do you show favouritism?
Please think about it.

A Truth

A Truth
The letter James was described to me as a “Christian how too” letter. A letter all who claim to be followers of Christ need to read and heed.
He writes,
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. 
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:25-27
James makes several points to the believer
1/ He tells us that we should be studying the word of God. That by doing so we will be blessed.
2/ That we should keep a tight rein on our tongue. That not doing so can make his faith worthless.
The wrong word can sometimes be more damaging that a physical injury. What we say can either point people to God or away from God. Can point people to eternal life with God or an eternity without him.
If our words are not pointing people to God then our faith is worthless because the whole duty of a believer in Christ is to point people to eternal life with God.
3/ James states “Religion that God our Father accepts is pure and faultless”
We are to keep true to what the scriptures say. Not twist them to say what we want them to say. This is the only faith God accepts.
4/ We are to look after the widows and orphans.
We are to look after those who cannot look after themselves.  As one pastor told me “our faith must has legs”.
James later in his letter reminds us that faith without works is useless.
Question. If you claim to be a Christian what are you doing for Christ?
Please think about it.

Do

Do

“My dear brothers, take note of this: 

Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak 

and slow to become angry,  

for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil 

that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, 

which can save you. 

Do not merely listen to the word,

 and so deceive yourselves. 

Do what it says.”

James 1:19-22  

Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon

 some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi.

Christianity is not just a religion. It is a way of life. In order for people to see God they need to see God at work in our lives. The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name

 in the sight of God and man.”

 Proverbs 3:3,4,

The early church set the example. The book of Acts telling us,
“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.
If we claim to be followers of Christ we can do no less than what the scriptures tell us to do.
If people do not see God reflected in our lives, if they do not see that we live life differently than the world they will not want anything to do with us. As 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.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ you are God’s representative on earth. You are the lense if you will, through which people will see God. Thus how you conduct your life may determine the eternal resting place of someone you come in contact with.
Please think about it.

Good things come from God

Good things come from God
James writes,
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;  but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed....”
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:13, 14. 16, 17.
Here is a very simple very simple statement. “By his very nature God is good and will not lead people into temptation." As James states, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,...”.
If we truly believe in God we will trust him in all circumstances to do what is right for us. That may include Him letting us go through trials from time to time. Trials that will strengthen us.
The apostle Paul states,
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5.
As Christians no matter the circumstances we must realize the God always has our best interest at heart. That there is a purpose in what he is letting us go through. That ultimately we have a reward in heaven.
The apostle Paul who had his share of trial wrote to Timothy,
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:5-8.
This is what we as Christians in the twenty-first century must do. Present the word of God to anyone who will listen to us. Keep our heats and hearts right with God be it in good times or in bad time. With the full knowledge that we will one day like the apostle Paul receive a crown of righteousness.
Please think about it. 

The Grass Withers

The Grass Withers
James writes,
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.  
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” James 1:9-11.
Here James points out that God’s ways are dynamically different from mans ways. The man in a humble position, someone who is probably poor materially, is considered to be in a high position while a rich man is considered to be in a low position.
The way I see it is that the person of humble means needs to trust in the Lord everyday for his provision. Being in such a position can draw a person closer to God. Thus increasing their faith and God wants people of true faith.
To seek out and serve God daily even if it is in just a small way is a high and noble thing to do.
On the other hand the rich person is described as having a low position. While there is nothing wrong with being wealthy, having wealth can lessen your dependance on God. A wealthy person can be tempted to rely on their wealth rather than God. Thus while he may believe in God he may not be as close as the man who must depend on God for his every need. An incident recorded in Matthews Gospel illustrates this,
“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.  Matthew19:16-23.
It’s not that a rich man cannot get into heaven, anyone can get into heaven if they have true faith in the saving Grace of God. Having such faith may however at times, mean giving up all our material wealth to follow Christ. If we are wealthy we must be willing to do this should God call us to do so.
James speaking of the rich states,
“the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.”
Wealth is fleeting it is possible to loose it all in an instant. Someone who loves money more than God. Who puts his trust in money could, if he suddenly lost it all, curse God, blame God for his loss and turn away from Him.
That is why the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. 
This is why 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

Yes you can have lots of money but it should not be your first love.
The apostle Paul warns,
“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.
This life we live is fragile we can loose it in an instant as Isaiah the prophet said,

“A voice says, “Cry out.” 

And I said, “What shall I cry?” 

“All men are like grass, 

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever.” 

Isaiah 40:6-8.

The rich man and the poor man will enter eternity materially broke. Where each will spend eternity will be determined by what they believe in this world.
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.

The Writer of Hebrews stating,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God,

 because anyone who comes to him 

must believe that he exists

 and that he rewards

 those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Thus the question becomes. Where is your Faith?
Please think about it.

For

For
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy tells him to do what all Christians should be doing.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:  
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2.
As Christians, we need to remember that the scriptures are all “God-breathed”. That God has set down within scripture a blueprint if you will for all people everywhere to follow concerning their relationship with God and their fellow man. We see this blueprint in the ten commandments.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17
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
  These laws are eternal easily understood and easily followed by all who hear them.
Paul tells Timothy,
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 
The key the Christian message is to stay on message. To tell people that God loves them. To show the Love of God to all who are around.
If someone who claims to be a Christian deviates from this message then as followers of Christ we are to correct them in a loving way.
Additionally if we claim to be Christian, we are to be ready to express our faith to others at all times in a loving caring way. We are as the apostle Peter said,
“Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Please think about it.

To Christians

To Christians
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2Timothy 3:1-5.
Here is a bleak warning to Christians from the apostle Paul. Essentially he warns that the world is if you will, going to Hell in a handbarrow. It reminded me of a quote from an old book my wife found entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written today.
  It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the 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  courage."
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.
   When I speak I can only truthfully speak of what I see first hand from my perch here in North America where I live.
  To live in North America is to be bombarded daily by a media calling to the individual to get the latest gadget, the latest designer clothing. It must be the latest, it must be brand name or you’re not "cool".
  Not only do you need "it" "but you need it now!" forget about paying "buy now pay later." is the general philosophy. Experts say North Americans are drowning in debt.
   It seems like everything has a price tag, everything is a commodity. Everything from toothpicks to basic human rights such as food, housing, and health care. Society simply states if you can afford it you can have it. If not tough.
And some at least claiming to be Christian are not any better it seems. They have becomes religious copies of secular society. Some preachers and evangelist calling out to people if you give to God he will give to you ten, twenty, a hundred fold. As if God were a supernatural banker giving super interest. They ignore the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,

“Keep your lives free from the love of money 

and be content with what you have, because God has said, 

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

 Hebrews 13:5 

Churches are beginning to empty. Church congregations for the most part are falling in numbers. The Church is running the risk of becoming irrelevant, irrespective of the denomination.
Someone even told me that those who call themselves evangelical Christians are no longer relevant they’ve become too political. There message is lost in all the protesting they do. People it seems know far more of what evangelical Christians are against, than what they are for.
They have a form or godliness but have lost the true message of Jesus. As Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians 

- you are not like him.”

Mahatma Gandhi

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

If you are truly a Christian then you must believe in the teachings of Jesus and put those teachings to work in your life. Jesus said,
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 
“All this I have spoken while still with you.  
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:23-27
The message Jesus gave is one of hope. The call of Jesus is,
“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.
The rest Jesus is speaking of is a rest many people in our society are looking for. A rest only God can give. It is a message they will not hear if we are not true to the teachings of Jesus in word and deed. As Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon

 some persons will hear today” 

                                                        Francis of Assisi 
Please think about it.

Note to Christians

Note to Christians
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.  
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 
Here is a trustworthy saying: 
If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.” 2Timothy 2:7-13.
Here Paul notes several important Christian beliefs, Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, he was raised from the dead and Jesus is descended from king David.
The writer of Hebrews elaborates saying,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
These are Christian core beliefs. If we as Christians are to be persecuted in any way let it be because we are presenting these beliefs to the world. Nothing else.
Paul points out
“If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
Paul was simply being faithful to Jesus and following the command Jesus gave his disciples when he said,
 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
This is what Paul was being persecuted for. This was the reason he was in prison. Paul was proclaiming the message of Salvation that comes through the Love and Grace of God.
As Christians we should be staying true to this message. For it is a message that the world needs to know.
Please think about it.