The Apostles first Sermon

The Apostles first Sermon
The book of Acts records this speech of Peters on the day of Pentecost. Peter states,
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.  
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  
David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,   because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 
“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.  
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.  
Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.  
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.  
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.  
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ 
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”  
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:22-42.
Here is something of note. Peter’s first sermon was on the day of Pentecost when devout Jews from all over the known world were in Jerusalem.
It is safe I think to assume that because this was a major Jewish holiday, the majority of people who heard Peter’s sermon were devout Jews from all over the world. They knew the Jewish scriptures. They knew the prophesies about the Messiah, the Christ.
It is to these people Peter presents what he and all followers of Jesus believed.
1. Jesus was handed over by wicked men with God’s foreknowledge to be put to death.
2. Jesus died and was raised from the dead.
3/ Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God. 
4. Peter emphatically states,
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Peter believed Jesus was the Messiah.
When the crowd asks Peter what to do, he states what all believers in Jesus believe you should do,
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38.  
The bottom line here is the same today as it was in Peter’s day.
Every individual who hears about Jesus has a choice. You either believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ, the suffering Messiah who died for your sins or you do not.
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Witness

Witnesses
The apostle Luke writing in his second book, the book of Acts gives this account about Jesus appearing to his followers,
“After his (Jesus) suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Acts 1: 3-9.
Here Jesus appears to his disciples. They had asked Jesus when He would restore the Kingdom of Israel but he told them it was not for them to know the time and date. But instead to be witnesses to the whole world.
He makes it clear what their job is on this earth. He states,
“... you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This is the purpose of the Church even today. In Matthew’s gospel we read,
“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 a job we as believers in Christ cannot ignore. It is estimated that between 1.7 and two billion people on the earth today have not heard about Jesus Christ. It is our job as believers in Christ to do what we can to reach them with the love of Christ.
Please if you consider yourself a Christian think about it. 

The Risen Christ

The Risen Christ
The apostle Luke writing in his second book the book of Acts states,
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3
What Luke notes that Jesus after his resurrection appeared to his followers over a period of forty days.
This to my way of thinking must be true. For the simple fact that if it were not, the lie would hurt the very people Luke wishing to help.
Certainly believers in Christ Jesus to this day believe Jesus was raised from the dead walked on the earth and ascended into heaven. It is a core belief of all who call themselves Christ followers.
It is something each person when confronted with Jesus Christ must decide for themselves.
There are a lot of things we as believers in Christ Jesus believe that the individual must consider. Things that require faith.
The apostle Paul writes,
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” 1Corinthians 1:18-25.
Looked at from a purely human prospective what Christians believe seems unbelievable. Yet it is true.
To the human mind the best way for God to get followers would be to show Himself in a miraculous way. This however would not necessarily produce true believers. Many people would simply believe because they feared what God could do to them. God does not want this.
God wants true followers and true followers are people of faith. The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                        Hebrews 11:6.

A true person of faith is someone who will continue following what they believe no matter the consequences. They will literally follow what they believe to the grave.
This is what God wants. That is why he sent Jesus in the way he did.
Please think about it.

Unique to Christianity

Unique to Christianity
One of the most unique beliefs in Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. Luke’s Gospel records this incident when the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples,
“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  
He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  
Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.  
And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”  
They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. 
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  
He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  
You are witnesses of these things.  
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:36-49.
Here is one of the key beliefs of all who call themselves believers in Christ Jesus. Jesus who was crucified and died, rose from the dead.
In this incident Jesus appears to his disciples who were actually talking with some other believers who had seen and spoken to Jesus after His resurrection on the road to Emmaus.
The reaction of the disciples is a very human one. At first they didn’t understand and thought they were seeing a ghost.
To quell their fears Jesus allowed them to touch him. He even asked them for something to eat all to prove that he had indeed risen from the dead.
Luke then records Jesus said to them,
“He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  
He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  
You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:44-47.
Luke goes on to tell us, while the disciples would wait briefly in Jerusalem on the orders of Jesus, these men would be the first of many to take the message of forgiveness from sin through Christ Jesus to all the world. A message that is as relevant today as it was back then.
A message expressed by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans this way,
“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
Later in his Letter Paul 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.
Please think about it.

Build yourselves up

Build yourselves up
Jude the half brother of Jesus 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.”Jude 1:17-21.
In my previous blog I noted that Jude warns believers about false teachers. Here Jude points out that in there will be scoffers who will go their own way. These are men who will divide believers. Men and women who do not possess the Spirit of God.
It is a common theme throughout the New Testament. All the writers of the New Testament warns against false teachers. Even Jesus did so.
Jude warns believers not to follow them but rather build themselves up in the faith. To pray and keep themselves in the love of God.
In other words if you claim to be a believer in Christ you need to pray and study the scriptures not just in church or in a bible study, but for yourself. To pray and ask God to show us the truths within the scriptures.
For it is in doing so that we will draw closer to God and keep ourselves from straying.
Please think about it.

On False Teachers

On False teachers,
Jude the half brother of Jesus warning about false teachers writes,
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.  
For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Jude 1:1-3
The Christian life is very much one of vigilance. We must be on guard when it comes to our faith. We must watch out for those who claim to be believers in Christ but are not. Jesus himself warned about such people saying,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 
‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:15-23.
It is easy for anyone to string a series of scripture verses together, verses taken out of context made to sound like truth, when in reality it is not the truth.
Especially in within the multimedia world we live in we need to be more vigilant than ever. There is a lot of false information out there.
There are men and women claiming to be believers in Christ who in reality are not.
  Jude says of these people,
“These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.  
They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Jude 1:12,13.
Thus it is imperative that we as believers in Christ read the scriptures for ourselves. That we be unafraid to question pastors, evangelist, teachers and others who claim to be teaching the word of God. An honest teacher of God’s word will not be insulted by you questioning them.
At the same time it is imperative that we stand up to false teachers and cast them out of our congregations.
The apostle Paul telling us,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Please think about it.

Consider this

Consider this
The apostle John writes,
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” 3 John 1:11.
Question, do you do what is good?
I ask the question because we quite often don’t always do what is good. In fact quiet often we may think we are doing good but are not.
Consider this. The apostle Paul wrote,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”Titus 3:1,2
Now ask yourself this question. When a government grants rights to groups of people, is it right in a secular democracy such as we live in here in Canada and the United States, where all are equal, to even attempt to restrict the rights of others, even if we disagree with them from a religious or moral prospective?
Is it right for you as a believer in Christ to force your morals and beliefs on someone?
Consider this. 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.

Think of it this way,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

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
Matthew also records Jesus as saying,
“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.
To do what is right as a Christian is to show unconditional love to all people even if we disagree with them. To do less is wrong.
My point here is, in a secular democracy in which we live, with a government according to the apostle Paul that is allowed to rule by God. We have no right to restrict the rights of others. Nor do we have the right to impose our faith on others. To do so is simply wrong.
The scripture record is clear. Jesus and the disciples lived in the Roman empire. Perhaps one of the most ethnically diverse empires ever to exist. An empire that tolerated what believers in Christ would have considered sin.
Yet there is no record of them protesting against any of it. In fact they did their best to live at peace with all people presenting their beliefs in humility. Respecting the views of others.
The apostle Paul even said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18
The apostles did it and in doing so they changed the world.
Thus the question becomes, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing good or are you, perhaps well intentionally to your way of thinking, trying to restrict others and impose your beliefs on them?
Please think about it.

A Commendation

A Commendation

The Apostle John writes,
“The elder, 
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  
It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.  
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.  
They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 3 John 1-6.
Here the apostle John commends Gaius for continuing to walk in the truth. He states,
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
What John is saying here I believe reflects what God will say to believers who walk in truth.
Thus my question to you the reader.
If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus are you truly “walking in the truth”?
Does your life truly reflect the Love of God in all you do?
Before you answer the questions read what Jesus said.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.
What Jesus said here is reflected in the book of James. A book I’ve heard called the how to book for Christians.
Christians must remember that while our faith may save us. True faith will spur us on to do good deeds. To quote James the half brother of Jesus,
“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
Please think about it.

Believe it or Not

Believe it or Not.
The apostle John writes,
“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.  
Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” 2 John 1:7,8.
Watching out for “deceivers” is a constant theme of the New Testament writers. The reason is simple we as believers in Christ must preach the pure word of God at all times. The result for not doing so has the potential for eternal consequences.
Upon the believer in Christ Jesus shines a great light. If we truly believe what Jesus said about himself in John 3:16-18,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
Then we have an obligation to tell this to the world.
The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is black and white. Either you believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate, or you do not. There is no middle ground.
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Walking in the Truth

Walking int the truth
The Apostle John writes,
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.  
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.  
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:4-6.
Over and over again the apostle John emphasizes that believers in Christ must love. Love must be the motivating force behind all believers in Christ. As I have quoted in previous blogs 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.
  What Jesus is saying here echos the words spoke in Deuteronomy that states,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7
If you truly love God then you will love all whom He loves. That means everyone. 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
It is our duty as believers in Christ to show God’s unconditional love to others. The apostle John emphasizes this over and over again.
It is only by showing the love of God to those around us that we can truly win the world for Christ.
Francis of Assisi penned a wonderful prayer that illustrates this. He wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                    Francis of Assisi

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ, ask yourself does this prayer reflect my life?
Please think about it.

Idols

Idols
In the final line 1 John. The apostle makes a definite statement all believers even today must obey. He writes,
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21.
In John’s day idols were everywhere. Idol worship was in every city, town and village in the Roman world. Temples to the various Roman god’s were easily spotted.
Today in the twenty-first century we have as many idols if not more than existed in John’s day. They are just harder to spot.
Idols are anything we worship other than God knowingly or subconsciously. Money is perhaps top of the list. There are people who put the making of money above all else quiet often even their families. But there are other things. Everything from the latest designer clothing to computers to cell phones, consumer goods, to sporting and entertainment events, to
We just have to look at when a technology company announces the release of its latest, greatest gadget. The lineups for it start early in the morning and go for city blocks.
Now there is nothing wrong with having money or the latest electronic gadget or going to or participating in sports or entertainment events. Money, gadgets and other things can make our lives easier. Sporting and entertainment can help us relax.  The problem comes when we desire them more than we desire God.
Especially if you consider yourself a Christian you need to carefully consider what place money and possessions  and other things have in your life.
You need to ask yourself the question do I put the things of this world, ahead of God?
Please think about it.

The Thread

The Thread
Here is the most important thread that is woven throughout the Gospel of Christ. The apostle John wrote,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:7-10.
Here John points out that love comes from God. The we are to love one another. The example being set by God.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

                                                                     Romans 5:8.

John in his gospel quotes Jesus speaking of Himself 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.
As true believers in Christ we must love. Not only because God loved us, but because it is what Jesus told us to do. 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 4:43,44.

Unconditional love is the cornerstone of Christian belief. John telling us.
“We love because He (God) first loved us.” 1John 4:19.
The apostle Paul defining Christian 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 you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus is this the kind of love you are showing toward God, your neighbour and even your enemy?
Please think about it.