How important is your faith?

How important is your faith?
Matthew’s gospel records this interaction between Jesus and a rich young man.
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.
Let me state from the outset, being rich is not a sin. The apostle Paul tells us
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Many wealthy people have helped and continue to help spread the gospel of Christ. Money is simply and inanimate object that is not evil. It’s what we do with money and the emphasis we put on it in our lives that can cause us to sin.  As the apostle Paul states, “Some people eager for money have wondered from the faith...”
This is apparently what was happening with this young man. He said he believed in God. He kept the commandments. Yet he was unwilling to give up his wealth and rely on God to provide for him. This showed a lack of faith.
Jesus said,
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34.
While God may never ask us to give up everything in our lives. To be a true believer in Christ we must be willing to give everything up and rely in God to provide our day to day needs.
Thus my question to those who claim to be Christians is.
Are you willing to give up everything for Christ?
Please think about it.

Are these qualities?

Are these qualities?
The writer of Proverbs states,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3,4.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12
The above quotes are not suggestions for a Christians to follow. They are things we as believers in Christ Jesus must do.
The apostle Paul tells us the kind of things believers in Christ should be exhibiting in their personal lives when he writes,
“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.
These qualities should be seen in a believers life by those who are around them without them saying a word.
Thus my question, If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are these qualities that are exhibited in your life?
Please think about it. 

Not wanting anyone to perish

Not wanting anyone to Perish
The apostle Peter writes,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
The way I look at things is when a person is presented with the message of Christ they have the rest of their lives to decide for themselves if that message is true or false.
Believing in Christ Jesus is a very personal thing that takes faith. And having faith in anything let alone an unseen God is a very hard thing for many people. Yet it is faith that God wants. 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.

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                   Hebrews 11:1.

Thus I leave you the choice as to whether you believe the message of Salvation offered through Christ Jesus is true of false up to you.
Please think about it.

God in our Image???

God in our Image???
The Book of Genesis states,

“So God created man in His own image; 

in the image of God He created him; 

male and female He created them.” 

                                              Genesis 1:27.

That being said I think many people today claiming to be Christians consciously or subconsciously make God in their own image.
Some make God out to be a “sugar daddy”, or a “supernatural banker” offering huge returns on money they give to Him or some ministry.
Others say God want’s you healthy and wealthy. Going as far as saying if you are not, you are not in right standing with God. You are sinning.
In the United States in particularly many think God has a special relationship with their country. Something not substantiated by the Bible.
Some more traditional false views of God are people who see God as a grumpy old man with a big stick ready to hit you with it if you do anything wrong. A God of do’s and do not’s.
A God ready to judge your every move. Ready to sentence you to hell.
The list as to how man makes God in his image goes on and on.
Some even go as far as praying to long dead saints leaving God out of the picture altogether.
While some mix their faith and politics. Claiming that God prefers one political party over another, or one politician over another.
Sadly many pastors, evangelist, and church leaders do not speak up against such errors in belief. While quick to point out the sins of the secular world, the sins non-Christians, they refuse to speak up, particularly publicly against errors in church doctrine. At the same time they are not willing to speak against the sins of men and women in leadership within the church.
The apostle Paul makes it clear what followers of Christ should be doing with respect to the world outside, and inside the church. Paul writes,
“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.
I believe failure to speak out against false teaching within the church leads to it’s message being ineffectual. Effectively “the salt losing is savour”.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus you must always remember that it is through the lense of your words and deed that people will see Christ.
Evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon said,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.””  Charles H. Spurgeon.
 As Francis of Assisi rightly said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                    Francis of Assisi.

Please think about it.

What if?

What if?
Jesus said,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13,14.
What if, what Jesus is saying here is true.
What, if God has provided mankind with a narrow gate that leads to heaven?
What if, what Jesus said is true when he said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6?
What if, Simeon’s words about Jesus, recorded in Luke are true when he said,
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32?
What if, Martha’s statement about Jesus is true when she said,
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,...”John 11:27?
What if Simon Peters words about Jesus is true when he said,
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:,15,16?
What if the words written by the writer of Hebrews is correct when it says,
“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.
What if the words of Jesus are true when he 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.  
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?
I leave it for you to think about.
Please think about it.

Because of His Mercy

Because of His mercy
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.
Writing to the Romans Paul states,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
C. S. Lewis put what Christians believe this way,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
Christians believe individuals cannot work your way to heaven. The prophet Isaiah saying,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6
The apostle Paul noting,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
It is our faith in the saving grace of God that comes through Jesus Christ that saves us. Not our works.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“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.
The writer of Hebrews defining faith as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                 Hebrews 11:1.

Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Christians are you saved?

Christian are you truly saved?
Jesus 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
Sadly what Jesus is saying is true. There are many people today who claim to be Christians who are not. That includes not only people who sit in the pews, but pastors, evangelist and others.
Leonard Ravenhill an English American evangelist said,
“I doubt if 5% of professing Christians in America are born again--and that's true of England!” Leonard Ravenhill.
There are many, many people who go to church that will find out one day that they are not going to heaven. That is especially true I think of many who have grown up in the church. These people know the ritual. They know what to say and when to say it. But they have no personal relationship with Christ.
Many go to church here in North America because it’s a social thing. Their grandparents went. Their parents went and their friends go to church. Thus they go.
But as the saying goes. “Going to church and reading your bible doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck.
I firmly believe there is a need within the Church especially here in North America where I live for a revival. A revival that must start from within.
We as true believers in Christ Jesus need to be reaching out to the people within the walls of our church congregations to ensure that all who attending are truly in a right relationship with God. For if we don’t it will have eternal consequences.
Please think about it.

I Love the Guy

I Love this guy
I don’t know where this came from exactly but it’s true. It describes a man I love and admire,

• He had long hair and a beard

• He didn’t work for corporations

• He hung out with prostitutes, criminals
and other unsavoury characters

• He advocated paying your taxes

• He advocated giving away your personal possessions

• He advocated social justice

• He gave people hope instead of fear
• He advocated change instead of the status quo

• He preached Peace not war

• He upset local conservatives

• His philosophy was based on compassion, equality, Inclusion,
• forgiveness, tolerance, peace and most importantly Love.

These are values that are considered liberal values today. Yet he preached these values two thousand years ago. One of his most famous quotes is,
“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.
His name was Jesus.
If you claim to be a Christian are you espousing these values?
Please think about it.

Tell what God has done

Tell what God has done.

“Give thanks to the LORD, 

call on his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done. 

Sing to him,

 sing praise to him; 

tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name;

 let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done,

 his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...” 

                                                            1 Chronicles 16:8-12.

The way I see things if we are true followers of Jesus Christ we should be telling the world
what the Lord has done for us.
We should be careful not to exaggerate what God has done for us. We should be open an honest.
The Psalmist writes,

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.” 

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, 

and he answered by setting me free.” 

                                                                   Psalm 118:1-5.

If we as believers in Christ Jesus, believers in God present a positive message to the world by telling of what God did in our lives it will at the very open doors for us to present the gospel of Christ to the world around us.
Please think about it.

What are your actions telling People?

What are your actions telling people?

Jesus taking to His disciples and through them to us, 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.

Put this way this means,

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.

If you are

telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

So What are your actions telling people about you?
Please think about it.

Christians have an obligation

Christians have an obligation
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus told his disciples to make disciple of all nations. It is something a Christian in the twenty-first century has an obligation to do also.
We however cannot do that if we build walls intentionally or unintentionally between us as those outside the church. We as believers in Christ Jesus must present the gospel of Christ in a respectful manner to those around us. That is what Jesus and the apostles did. That is what we must do.
Jesus I believe was born at the perfect moment in time for many reasons.
One the gospel message could travel throughout the known world in a relatively safe manner.
The other he was born into a multicultural empire that allowed many cultures, religions and philosophies to exist peacefully side by side very much like today.
True there were areas that the apostles went to that caused them grief and at times believers in Christ were persecuted. Even put to death. But that is true today also.
In fact I’ve heard it said that “the Roman empire in the time of Jesus had the same multicultural mix as we have today minus the high tech.”
As a result we can learn from Jesus and the disciples how to present the gospel.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9.
Nowhere do I see in the New Testament a call to preach so called ‘Hell fire and brimstone’.
It is the obligation of the Christian to be a peacemaker. To offer the peace of God to anyone who will listen.
No where do I see that Christians have the right to judge anyone or tell anyone where they will or will not spend eternity. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul made it clear, saying,
“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
Jesus and the apostles presented the message of salvation in a loving, caring, respectful way. This is how we as believers in Christ Jesus must do it today.
For it is only by doing it the way Christ and his disciples did it we will reach the world around us.
Please think about it.

Will you be able?

Will you be able?
The Psalmist writes,

For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD,

 and he examines all his paths.”

                                     Psalm 5:21

The writer of Hebrews states,
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12,13.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
The Bible make it clear, God will one day judge all mankind believers and non-believers alike.
That being said, the Talmud a Jewish book has something I believe might just happen. It states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  
“He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud.
Even though God already knows the answer, I can see Him giving us one last chance to be honest before Him.
So here is my question especially if you claim to be a Christian. If you claim to be a follower in Christ Jesus.
When you stand before God will you in all honesty be able to say you have dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man.
Will you be able to say you obeyed the words of Jesus who said,

“Do to others

 as you would have them do to you.” 

                                                    Luke 6:31

Please think about it.