Freedom from Judgement

Freedom from Judgement
The Apostle Paul wrote,

“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.
Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love,”

                                                                                   Billy Graham
Baruch Sinoza said,
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe.  In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.” Baruch Spinoza.
         I as a Christian do not believe I have the right to Judge anyone especially those outside my faith, Even when it comes to those within my faith I believe I am limited to only judging whether the person is teaching correct Christian doctrine. I have no right to judge whether or not they are going to heaven.
I as a Christian believe God has instilled in each and every person a freewill to do as they wish. That freedom even extends to whether the individual believes in God or not. Each individual must have the freedom to judge for themselves what they believe and what they do.
God did not make robots. God crated human beings with a free will.
I believe that no matter who you are Christian, Muslim, Jew, or those of other faiths, Atheist. All must have the right to choose what they believe.
I also believe it is important to be able to sit with those of different philosophies, ways of life and faiths and discuss openly our opinions without fear.
I as a Christian do not fear may faith being questioned by others. I know what I believe and I am convinced that I am right. I welcome others who wish to present their faith to me. I welcome exchanges in ideas. This I believe is the way God intended it to be.
Jesus when on this earth spoke to those outside his faith. Jesus had contact with Romans, Samaritans, and others. He sat down with those looked down upon by religious leaders of His day.
This is what I believe Christians should be doing today. Jesus tells us,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
We cannot do this if we are not willing to accept the differences in our society and reach out to them in love.
The writer of Hebrews 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.
Part of living at peace with all men involves listening to others sharing your ideas and beliefs and allowing them to believe what they wish to believe. This is the way God intended things to be.
Please think about it. 

Walk in Truth

Walk in truth
The Psalmist writes,

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked 

or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law he meditates day and night.” 

                                                                                                Psalm 1:1,2.
Where do you walk? Take a look at your life. Who do you take counsel from? Do you let your views on politics guide you? Do you let a certain philosopher, pastor, or evangelist direct what you believe?
The Psalmist makes it clear we as believes in God should be delighting in “the law of the LORD”. We should be studying the word of God. Doing what God wants us to do.
Over the years I’ve seen many calling themselves Christians who have followed a specific evangelist, pastor or teacher, only to fall away from God, when the one they were following was found to be a fraud or was caught in sin.
We as Christians should be following the example of Jesus and the apostles. We should be delighting in the ways of God. Not some for lack of a better term “formula for living”.
The formula for living is in the Bible. We should as Christians be at the very least studying the New Testament directly.
At the church I attend we have a mid week bible study group that does just that. We study the Bible. We encourage people to bring different versions and we use several commentaries that help us understand some of the background of the scriptures.
What we do not do is rely on the interpretation of one person or one commentator. We believe that it is important to look at scripture from various points of view and in the context of the day it was written.
Sadly all to many people today read scriptures from the point of view of their culture and the values of their society. They pick and choose what they want to believe. You cannot do this.
Someone once said “if you pick and choose only what you want to believe in the bible then you are only listening to yourself not to God.” You are if you will living in an echo chamber.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,

“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.

This is what all Christians should be doing.
Please think about it.

Incomprehensible without Jesus

Incomprehensible without Jesus
Ernest Renan, French historian, religious scholar and linguist said,
“All history is incomprehensible without Christ.”
Another Frenchman Napoleon said of Jesus,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
                        Napoleon Bonaparte, 
 More things have been written about Jesus Christ than perhaps any other person in history. Today his followers number close to three billion people and that number is growing.
Yet Jesus never ruled a nation on this earth. He never raised a sword in anger. Quite the opposite he called his followers to Love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy.
Johns Gospel records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” John 10:24-32.
Jesus here equates himself to God, a crime punishable by death in his day. Yet it was a claim he never backed away from.
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27. 
Martha answered a question we all must answer, Who do you believe Jesus is?
Before you answer that question directly, at least take some time to read the New Testament and see what His followers believe him to be.
Let the word of those who believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of Mankind speak to you. Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.

Stay True

Stay True
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2Timothy 2:16.
Godless chatter, do you engage in it? Godless chatter is teaching wrong teaching.  In this case it was referring to the teachings of two people Hymenaeus, and Phietus, who taught that the resurrection had already come. That it was a spiritual resurrection. Not a physical resurrection as Jesus, Paul, and the apostles taught, Some commentators note that it was probably an early form of Gnosticism.
We need to be very careful about what we teach. False teaching can spread like wildfire through a congregation and have disastrous consequences. It can turn people away from God.
Paul in 2 Timothy gives an example saying,

“Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,  who have wandered away from the truth.....”  2 Timothy 2:17,18a.

  We as Christians must hold those who teach the scriptures to a high standard. The apostle Paul states,
“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.
While we as Christians have no right to judge those outside the church.
We as Christians have the right to Judge those who claim to be Christians because they by calling themselves Christians are saying “I believe as you do”.
Our right to judge even those who claim to be Christian however is limited to whether or not they are teaching the word of God correctly. We have no right to judge whether or not someone gets to heaven or not. That is God’s job.
We as believers have the right to expel them from the body of believers anyone who is not preaching correct doctrine.
Christians must remember the words of Jesus who said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
As Christians we must be studying the word of God for ourselves. We must be questioning those people who are teaching the word of God if we perceive they might be in error. Asking them to explain more fully from the scriptures what they believe.
We must check to see that all scripture is used in its correct context not simply used in such a way as to deliberately or otherwise lead people astray.
The key thing is for Christians to be on guard. Pray and ask God for direction. Study the scriptures for yourself and as Paul says to Timothy,
“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.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
Please think about it. 

Jesus is of God

Jesus is of God
One of the purposes for me writing these blogs is to tell who Jesus. This post addresses this point directly
The Book of Acts tells this incident that occurred about two of Christ’s disciples who had been told by the religious leadership of their day not to speak of Jesus. They  were caught despite the warning, speaking about Jesus publicly. It records,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!   The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.   But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.   Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:28-39.
The question regarding Jesus and Christianity as a whole is, is it of God?
I as a Christian believe Jesus is all he says He is. The Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.
Jesus is recorded as saying, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30. Meaning he is one with God the Father.
Marks Gospel opens with,
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1. So mark believed Jesus was the Son of God.
The apostle John speaking about the reason he wrote his gospel states,
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30,31
John states the same thing in 1John stating,
“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.” 1John 4:14,15.
John’s gospel records Jesus as asking the question we all must answer when it comes to Jesus,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
I believe as Martha did. I believe history has proven He is of God. That history has proven Jesus is from God.
The proof is as they say in the pudding.
Christianity has grown from a tiny sect of Judaism in a backwater of the mighty Roman empire to the largest religion in the world today.
Christianity despite persecution throughout history and all over the world even today is still growing.
Those who have tried to eradicate it have all fallen by the way side. Many just footnotes in history. Many more forgotten all together.
The question is who do you believe Jesus is.
Why not take some time to read the New Testament and see for yourself what his followers believed about him? Why not pray and ask God to show you the truth.
Please, think about it. 

My Shepherd

My Shepherd
The Psalmist writes,

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 

He restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

 your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” 

                                                                                                         Psalm 23
We as Christians believe we have a personal relationship with our God. A God who loves us unconditionally and wants us to be with him in heaven. Who even entered the world he created to point us to Heaven,
Christians believe Jesus when he said,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

 I have come that they may have life,

 and have it to the full. 

“I am the good shepherd. 

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” 

                                                                                                    John1:10,11
We believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Saviour of mankind. The “Good Shepherd” who laid down His life for us. The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:5-8.
God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die for our sins. C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
Jesus speaking of himself 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.
All of this takes 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
What do you believe?
Please think about it.

On The Rock

On the Rock
Jesus said,
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.   But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”Matthew 7:24-27.
As a Christian I am called to build “my house”, “my faith”, on the teachings of Jesus. On the teaching of the Bible. That in doing so my faith in time of trouble will not be shaken and I will have a home in heaven. This is not entirely a new thing.
The writer of Proverbs tells believers,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy tells 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
Paul reminds Timothy,
“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.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
It is easy in this day and age to follow the teachings of a man rather than scriptures.
We live in a multi media world in which men and women express and teach what they believe the scriptures are saying and there is nothing wrong with it providing they are teaching the truth. Providing also, individuals do not base their faith entirely on what an individual evangelist is saying and follow them blindly.
In the time of the Apostle Paul there were also divisions in the church at Corinth. Pau writing,
“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.  
My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.  
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas’”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?  1Corinthians 1:10-13.
Paul’s point here is that we must look to Jesus. The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.
Preachers, evangelist, teachers and others who teach and preach the word of God are only human. Humans by nature are imperfect and make mistakes.
While it is important to sit under the teachings of a good teacher. To be a part of a good church congregation.  It is also important to read the Bible for ourselves. To pray and ask God to show us what is right and what is wrong.
Question, If you claim to be a Christian, do you take time to read the Bible outside of church?
If not why not take make time in your schedule to spend ten or fifteen minutes or more and read the Bible a bit at a time.
Even if you are not a Christian why not take some time to read at least the New Testament. See what it has to say and Take time to pray and ask God to show you the truths within the Bible.
Please think about it.

The Resurrection of Jesus and You

The Resurrection of Jesus and you
To day is Easter Monday. The day after what Christians consider the most important three day in human history.
Matthew’s gospel records,
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  
Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  
Suddenly Jesus met them.“Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.  
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10.
Here we have the account of the Resurrection of Jesus. The women coming to the tomb to find it empty and an angel telling them that Jesus is risen.
This as I noted is the most important moment in all of history as far as Christians are concerned. Jesus rose from the dead. It is because of this we have a way to heaven,
 The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13. 
This offer of Salvation is a free gift of God. The apostle Paul writing,

“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.
     All anyone needs to do to get to heaven is simply believe this and accept the Saving Grace God offers through Jesus.
 The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians also notes,
“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.  
More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.  
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.  
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.  
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Put simply if Christians are wrong and Christ is not risen from the dead then our faith is to no avail. What we believe is useless.
The fact however is Jesus did rise from the dead. He did provide purification for our sins. He did provide a way for us to enter Heaven.
As a Christian I believe what John’s Gospel records Jesus as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” John 3:16,17.
I believe Jesus is the Son of God.
C. S. Lewis once wrote,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
My question to you the reader is do you believe this?
         Are you willing to risk where you will spend Eternity on what you believe?
Please think about it.

The Easter Message

The Easters Message.

Luke the writer of the book of acts tells us about this incident in the apostle Pauls life. What Luke writes that sums up the message of Easter, the message Christians want the world to hear. Luke records,
“So he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.   Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others”  Acts 17:17-34.
The message the apostle Paul delivered that day to the Athenians is the same message God wants the people of the world to here today. It is the message of Easter summed up.
It is the message all true Christians want people to believe.
Please think about it.

Jesus and You

Jesus and You
The Writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
The apostle John writes,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.
Christians believe Jesus is “The Word” mentioned by John. That He God incarnate, God in the flesh. That he came to earth to purify individuals of their sins.
The Apostle Paul states,
“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!” Romans 5:6-9
What Christians believe I know in some circles is controversial but it is what we believe. It is what we ask the people of the world to believe.
 The apostles creed while not written by an apostle of Jesus expresses what Christians ask people to believe it states,

I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ God’s one and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; 

That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

 I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost

I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

I believe in the resurrection of the body.

I believe in life everlasting. 

As I write this it is Easter. It is one of the holiest date on the Christian calendar. The weekend when Christians celebrate the death burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
A time for Christians to celebrate our faith. For we as Christians believe that while Jesus died on the cross. That he was buried, and descended into hell. He did not stay their. Instead he rose from the dead walked briefly on this earth and ascended into heaven. From where he will judge the world.
The question however is not what I as a Christian believe. It is what you the reader believe.
I believe that if I am wrong in my beliefs I have nothing to fear for I would have lived a good and interesting life.
That being said if I am right those who do not agree with me have a great deal to fear.
C. S. Lewis once wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
It is so important to my mind that what you believe about Jesus, I believe has eternal consequences.
Please take some time to read at least the New Testament, and even if you are sceptical, pray and ask God to show you the truth.
Please think about it.

Lessons from a Certain Friday

Lessons from a Certain Friday.
Luke’s gospel records this scene of the crucifixion of Jesus. He states,
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar  and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 
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 23:32-43.
Here at the crucifixion of Jesus we have numerous illustrations. First of all Jesus prays for the Roman soldiers who were as they say “just doing their duty,” Jesus says,
  “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 
This is a lesson for Christians who are called to forgive people as Jesus did. Here at the cross Jesus called on God to forgive his crucifers. What better illustration of Christian love than praying for the men who are putting you to death.
Secondly we have those who did not believe Jesus was who he said he was. Luke records,
“The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One. 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar  and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 
These people demanded concrete proof that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God by Jesus saving himself and getting down off the cross.
They failed to see that God asks us to have faith in Him. Without the benefit of physical proof. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“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 
There was also the two criminals who were put to death with Jesus. Luke tells us.
“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.”
These two men represent all people.
That second criminal who believed in Jesus did what we all need to do. He confessed his sins directly to God just as the Apostle John tells us to do.
“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.” 1John 1:9-10.
He believed by faith in Jesus, just as the apostle Paul told us to do,
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.
This criminal I believe got to heaven.
Those at the crucifixion had a choice to make the same choice we in 2017 must make.
C. S. Lewis speaking of Jesus made this observation.
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The choice is yours please think about it.

Confess and Believe

Confess and Believe
The Apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
Do you have the assurance that you are going to heaven?
If you were to die tonight would you enter heaven?
The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

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

                                                        Ephesians 2:8,9.

Christians believe we get into heaven through our faith in Christ. Through the grace of God.  Not by our works.
Isaiah the prophet wrote,
“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.
We cannot live a life good enough to stand before a holy God that is why God in the form of Jesus God entered the world. To pay the price for our sins. So that we would not have to suffer for them. This is how much he loved us.
The God I know and worship the creator of heaven and earth is truly a God of love.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans 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.” Romans 5:6-8.
Jesus speaking of himself made this statement,
“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.
Belief, faith, in anyone especially someone you cannot see can be very difficult for many people. Yet it is faith God requires of all people as the writer of Hebrews states,

“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.
Do you have enough faith to believe in God. To believe that Jesus died for your sins because Jesus did indeed die for your sins.
C. S. Lewis states,
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
That is how much God Loves you.
All you as an individual need to do is what the Apostle Paul said,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
Please think about it.