Food for Thought

Food for thought
For the last little while now most of what I have written has been aimed at Christians, Christian living, belief and lifestyle. I however want to take this post to look at belief, and faith in God. Listed are several quotes from both the Bible and sources outside the Bible. I put them here for you to think about.
The Psalmist states,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

Psalm 14:1

Voltaire said

“I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe

 can exist without a clockmaker.” 

Voltaire

C. S. Lewis said,

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade,

 the presence of God.” 

C.S. Lewis.

Abraham Lincoln said,

"I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, 

but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens 

and say there is no God."

Abraham Lincoln

     The Psalmist declares,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Psalm 19:1.

Billy Graham the American Evangelist said,

I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, 

but I believe.

Billy Graham

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 

1 Corinthians 1:18

A person has two choices in life. Either you believe in God or you do not. The choice is yours.
Blaise Pascal wrote,

Belief is a wise wager. 

Granted that faith cannot be proved, 

what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false?

 If you gain, you gain all; 

if you lose, you lose nothing. 

Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists. 

Blaise Pascal

Please think about it.

Speak and Act

Speak and Act
Here is a question to all who would call themselves Christians. Particularly if you live in North America. Is Christ a reality in your life or are you just giving intellectual consent?
Within parts of North America there is for lack of a better phrase “Christian culture”. People who believe they are Christians but may not be. These people state they believe in Jesus. They believe Jesus is the Son of God that he died for their sins. They say they have prayed the sinners prayer thus they are a Christian.  Yet one look at the life they are living seems to say otherwise.
It is easy to give intellectual consent and say Jesus is the Son of God. To say you believe Jesus died for your sins. That you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour by faith. And if you truly believe these things you will get to heaven. The apostle Paul 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 
However faith in Christ is much more than believing in Jesus. Christianity is very much a faith of works. A faith of actions. Our faith in Christ should spur us to action to do good things. To love God, our neighbour, even our enemy. To reach out with the Salvation message of Christ in word and in deed.
Matthew’s gospel record Jesus as saying,
“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.
If you claim to be a Christian are you truly doing this?
The Talmud while not a Christian book tells this story Christians need to think about,
“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
If you claim to be Christians when you stand before God, God will not ask you if you believe in Him. As a believer in Christ you have said you do. Thus the next obvious question, God wants you to tell him honestly “do you believe you have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings wit your fellow man?” or as Jesus said in Matthew have you treated others as you would have others treat you?
Jesus tells this story,
“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 Rich man today are Christians and others in the United States, Canada and the western democracies. Lazarus the poor hurting beggar are the poor within our countries boundaries, the homeless and others in need. They are the refugees and others fleeing persecution and war.
How we as individual Christians deal with them is being watched by God whom we will one day stand in front of and be judged.
James the half brother of Jesus states,
“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.
As Christians we must show love and mercy to all whom we come in contact with. To do less is to bring into question our faith.
James also notes,
“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.
We as Christians have nothing to fear for doing good works.
By doing good works. By showing love to ones neighbour and ones enemy we may just win souls for Christ. The most important thing Christians can do.
Please think about it.

Fruits of a Follower

Fruits of a follower
The apostle Paul tells Christians
“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.
Here the apostle Paul tell Christians what attributes a Christian should show in their life. Positive things,

love,

 joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness, 

gentleness, 

self-control.  

These are attributes respected by all people.
Out of our faith in Christ also come love and compassion to those around us.
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
What James is telling Christians is that Christianity while believing the individual is saved by their faith in God. Through the grace of God . That same faith should result in actions to help the needy and others.
Christians are called to live a holy life committed to God and doing the work of Christ.
The Writer of Hebrew tells Christians,
“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.
This is what it is to be a true Christian. To be and do less is to question if a person is truly committed to Christ.
Please think about it.

A Christian Obligation

A Christian Obligation
Lately I have seen a lot of people calling themselves Christians especially in the United States who are not acting like Christians. Who are not following the teachings of Jesus.
Mahatma Gandhi once said of some Christians he met,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful,

 but you Christians 

 you are not like him.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Sadly the political climate in the United States seems to have brought out the worst in many people. What however upsets me is those claiming to be Christians are letting themselves get dragged into the intolerance that seems to be permutating American society today.
I think it’s time that Christians, especially those who claim to be evangelical Christians to look at the teachings of Jesus,
Luke’s gospel records this teaching of Jesus,
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 
He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37.
It should be noted here that Samaritans and Jews in the day of Jesus held a disliked each other they seen themselves as enemies. Yet the Samaritan in this case showed compassion on this injured man.
Today that injured man represents refugees fleeing the horrors of war. They are men women and Children of all faiths, and lifestyles who are in need of the love and saving grace of Jesus.
The way I see it the priest and the Levite are all too often those who claim to be  Christians but are not. People who claim to have the love of Christ in their hearts. Yet would rather see people who are fleeing war and persecutions, who are of other faiths, and lifestyles die than show love and compassion for them.
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 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
What Jesus said covers everything. Every man, woman and child no matter their faith, their lifestyle or the station in life are our neighbours. And even if they are our enemies Jesus said we are to love them.
The apostle Paul defines love as,
“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.
If we are not living up to Paul’s definition of love then we need to make changes in our life.
The apostle Peter states,
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”  1Peter 2:16.
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“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.
The writer of Hebrews tells us
“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 we are not showing unconditional love to those around us, no matter who they are, we are not following Christ’s example.
 Jesus who even on the cross prayed for those who had just crucified him saying. “...“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing....” Luke 23:34a. This is the kind of love we must have.
As Christians we have the answer to terrorism, hate, and bigotry, “the Love of Jesus” the “Love of God” who loved us so much he sent his son to die for us,
Martin Luther King jr. the great civil rights leader once said,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming

 an enemy into friend.” 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you claim to be a Christian you need to be showing unconditional love. Otherwise you are nothing more if not worse, than the priest and Levite that left the injured man to die in Christ’s story.
Please think about it.

Neither cold or hot

Neither cold or hot
The book of Revelations record this about the so called lukewarm church,
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22.
Here is a church described as neither cold or hot. Someone said cold water is refreshing to drink. Hot water is good for cleansing. Lukewarm water is neither.
As Christians we need to be hot. We need to be on fire for God.
The church at Laodicea was not. They thought they were but they were not. Jesus states,
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
It appears they thought because they were materially rich they were spiritually rich. When in fact they were far from it.
There is especially here in North America today a group my former pastor use to call the “blab it grab it crowd” better know as the name it claim it group. Pastors and evangelist who say God wants you to be materially rich. That if you are not there is some sin in your life.
They claim if you give to God he will give back to you ten or even a hundred fold. They call it “seed faith”. This is wrong teaching. God is not a supernatural banker giving super interest on what you give. You should be giving to God's work because you want to not with the intention of getting a large return on your investment
Now There is nothing wrong with being rich. It is the Love of money that is sinful. When you love money more than God.
The Church at Laodicea seemed to think that since they were materially blessed they were right with God. Jesus however tell s them,
“you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
He goes on to say,
‘I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
In other words study the scriptures and find what God truly wants for your life. So that you may become rich spiritually. That your spiritual nakedness may be covered and your spiritual eyes opened.
It is so easy in this day and age to become lukewarm. To  mix our faith with the things of the world around us. This however should not be so. We need to be on fire for Christ. He needs to take first place in our lives.
Jesus warns,
“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. 
Jesus tells the church at Laodicea
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
If we truly turn to Christ. If we study the scriptures and follow the teachings of God we will gain for ourselves a home in Heaven and all that entails.
Please think about it. 

To the Faithful

To the Faithful
The book of Revelations records
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 3:7-13.
Here we have the second of two churches mentioned in Revelations that no sin is found in. Jesus states,
“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
This church is said to have had little strength yet it kept true to Christ. They did not deny the name of Christ.
This is how we should be today.
Yes I know all around us are temptations that try to pull us away from God. It was the same for the church at Philadelphia.  Never the less we must stay true to our faith in Christ.
 The church of Philadelphia had little strength yet it kept faithful. It set the example for all believers everywhere that with even though we have little strength we can overcome the temptations around us.
If we do overcome these temptations we will receive a reward. Jesus states,
“Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it.”
To become a pillar in the temple implies a place of stability and strength a place of prominence in the service of God.
This is something we all as Christians should strive for.
Please think about it. 

Incomplete, Soiled, or Victorious?

Incomplete, Soiled or Victorious?
The book of Revelations records,
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:1-6.
Here is a warning to a church that seems to be alive but is in fact dead. That have people calling themselves believers in Christ that have soiled their clothing.
It seems the church at Sardis was not continuing the work Jesus had called the church to do. The so called great commission given by Jesus to the disciples and through them to the church. Matthews gospel recording,
“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 the primary purpose of the church all other things such as helping the poor, healing the sick, showing compassion, loving God, your neighbour  your enemy and so forth stems from this.
If we are not doing this we are failing Christ. The church at Sardis was apparently not doing it. They appeared to be doing so yet from the text we can see that their works for Christ were incomplete and some had soiled their clothing a symbol of sin in their life.
Christ’s call to this church is
“Wake up! Strengthen what remains...”.
To day there are many church congregations and denominations that seem alive and appear to be doing the work of God but are not. Church congregations and denominations who seem to be following the call of Jesus to take the salvation message to all the world, but are not. Their deeds are incomplete. They have become dead.
Many within these groups have “soiled their clothing” they have gone their own way.
The apostle Paul states,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Jesus however offers hope for those finding themselves in the same position as the church at Sardis. He states,
“Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.”
Even in congregations and denominations who have failed to follow God’s teachings correctly there are people who truly love the Lord. Who continue following correct teaching. To these people as with all who follow the teachings of God correctly will be given a robe of white. The symbol of purity. To those who have fallen into sin and repent they too will receive this reward.
These are people Jesus will acknowledge before God The Father.
Thus the question becomes, Are you one of those who seem to be alive in the Lord but are actually dead, or are you truly following the word of God in a manner that is pleasing to God?
Please think about it.

The Corrupt Church

The Corrupt Church
In the book of Revelations John records Jesus as sending messages to seven churches in Asia minor. Most scholars agree that there are churches like these seven in every generation. Thus we can learn from them and correct any errors we as modern day congregations and denominations are falling into.
The forth church Jesus speaks to is the church in Thyatira. John records,
“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  
I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  
So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  
I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come. 
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— 
just as I have received authority from my Father.  
I will also give him the morning star.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  Revelations 2:18-29.
Here Jesus notes that the church in Thyatira is doing more than it had been doing. However he points out that they tolerate a woman called Jezebel. Whether this is her real name or a nickname likening her to queen Jezebel of old Testament fame in 1Kings 16, and 2 Kings 9. This woman is leading people in the church to commit sexual immorality.
Jesus states,
“I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  
So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  
I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.”
The church cannot compromise its morality in any way, sexual or otherwise. God has given the Church a moral code which it must follow.
If individual Christians do not follow this code and like Jezebel fall into sexual sin they will suffer just like her. Jesus couldn’t make this clearer.
It seem harsh but in the case of this woman she obviously knew the ways of God. She knew what God expected of her yet she turned against God’s ways. Not only that she seemed to have turned others away.
It is one thing for a none-believer to teach Christians things that are not Christian they do not know any better.
It is quite another thing for someone who knows the teachings of Christ and deliberately teaches things that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Such people are held to a higher standard.
The apostle Peter warns of such people as this woman Jezebel. He 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  
God gives all men and women the option to repent of their evil ways. To repent of their sins and turn back to God even men and women who claim to be teaching God’s word correctly but are not.
However God will not force anyone to do what they do not want to do. The individual has complete freedom of choice with respect to their words and deeds.
Jesus also make it clear what happens if you follow His commands he states,
“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations”
Those who trust in God and follow the ways of God will one day rule and reign with Him.
So the question becomes, If you are a Christian are you truly following the ways of God. Is there sin of any type in your life?
If so are you willing to go to go right now and repent of that sin?
Please think about it.

Warning from Pergamum

Warning from Pergamum
The Apostle John records,
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  
I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  
Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  
Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.
Here is what is commonly called the compromising church. Jesus states,
“I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.”
These people stayed true even when one of them Antipas was put to death. That being said this church let things go on that were not Christian. Jesus states,
“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  
Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”
Balaam tried to turn the hearts of the children of Israel away from God. The Nicolatians were heretics who were teaching false doctrine.
Apparently the church at Pergamum was allowing this. They were compromising.
As Christians we cannot allow anything to be taught in our churches that is not in line with the word of God as presented in the holy scriptures.
Jesus call any church who is compromising to repent Jesus saying,
“Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
The way I read this is God himself will come against those who compromise. He will raise up men and women who will speak the truth about God. Loud and clear for all to hear. So that no one when judged by God can say they didn’t know the truth.  
For words are as sharp if not sharper than any two edged sword.
To those who do not compromise, to those who repent and overcome is given a prize. Jesus saying,
“To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
The hidden manna suggests intimacy with Jesus. The white stone would have been seen by those who were in the Greek culture at the time as the custom of giving to the victor a white stone symbolizing victory.
We in the twenty-first century church need to look carefully at what we believe. We need to speak out against those who would try to compromise our faith.
The apostle Paul warned,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4
Paul also reminds Timothy and through him us,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15.
As believers in Christ we can do no less than do our best to handle the word of God correctly without compromise.
If we do so we will ultimately receive the victors prize from God himself.
Please think about it.  

The Christian Life, Smyrna's Example

The Christian Life Smyrna’s Example
John writing in the book of Revelations records these words of Jesus,
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
   I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.
The church at Smyrna apparently had it hard. Smyrna was major sea port. It was one of the places Roman imperial cult was present. That along with a large Jewish population who probably didn’t agree with believers in Christ made it hard for these Christians.
What is notable about the church of Smyrna is despite the persecution these early believers kept the faith,
Jesus does not say anything against them. He warns them that there will be what most commentators say is a short period of persecution. Then encourages them saying,
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
This is the way it is for true believers today. We may from time to time undergo persecution, and certainly there are many places in the world today where believers in Christ are being persecuted. However no matter what we go through if we keep the faith, Jesus promises us a crown of life.
There is something we should however note here. There are many in North America where I live who say they are being persecuted when they are not. They are simply breaking the law.
It’s one thing to be persecuted for what we believe in. If we suffer in such a way we will inherit a crown of life.
However if we deliberately break a law passed by a secular government that does not prevent us from practising our faith as we wish, or restrict our rights or rights of others then that I believe is sin.
We should not be protesting against anything that is lawful unless it brings harm to ourselves or others. Even then we should be doing so peacefully and with respect to those who disagree with us.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.   For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  1Peter 2:13-16
The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“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 we are doing as the writer of Hebrews is telling us to do, and are still being persecuted then we are doing things the way God intended us to do. And we will inherit a crown of life.
Please think about it.

The Ephesus Warning

The Ephesus Warning.
It is said each of the Seven churches spoken to in Revelations are kinds of church’s that are in every generation. It can also be said that these churches also are reflected in the lives of individuals.
The Apostle John writing in the book of Revelations records these words given by Jesus,
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  
Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  
But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelations 2:1-7
Here Jesus commends the church of Ephesus as having good works. That they have persevered. That they cannot tolerate wicked men and have even tested those who claim to be Christians but are not.
He then point out,
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  
Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.’
But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
Ephesus had one thing going in their favour they hated the practice of the Nicolations who were a heretical group who were immoral and idolatrous.
Jesus points out however the church at Ephesus had lost it’s first love. Their first love being God, being Jesus. They seemed to have gone their own way leaving God out of their lives.
This is happening today. Men and women claiming to be Christians dislike heretical groups and idolatrous groups. Groups who say Jesus is not divine or other things untrue about Jesus.
However all too often many who claim to be Christians do not put Christ first in their life. They let the ways of the world take first place.
Many who say they love the Lord quite often will put a sporting event or concert or other things of the world ahead of God.
They, even though they don’t need the extra money, will work overtime and put their job before God. God it seems always takes second, third or even last place in their lives.
We as followers of Christ need to heed what is said to those in Ephesus. We need to look at our lives and ask ourselves if God truly takes first place in our lives.
Please think about it.
  

Use Caution, Show Love, Be Merciful

Use Caution, Show Love, Be Merciful
          Jude writes,
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  
They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”  
These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 
Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 1:17-23
Here again like the apostles, John, Peter and Paul, Jude calls believers in Christ that in the last days there will be scoffers who follow their own ungodly way. Men who will divide believers.
Jude calls on believers to “build yourself up in the most holy faith”.
I do not believe it is enough to simply believe in Jesus. To accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. While faith in Christ saves you. We need to do more. That more is to learn as much about Him as is possible. We need to study, study, study.
We need to do this so that we will know what is right in God’s sight, and what we as Christians should be doing.
At the same time as Jude points out we need to be there for Christians who doubt. Who are weak in the faith. We need to show love toward them. To open dialogue with them. Study the scriptures with them. Answer any questions they have honestly.
We also need to be presenting the salvation message of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen. In doing so we will snatch people from the fire that is hell.
Please think about it.