Evangelical or Political?

Evangelical or Political?
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.
I attend a small evangelical church. That does a lot of good. It reaches out to the poor and those living on the street with the love of Jesus. We do what many other churches do and should do.
That being said are churches in 2019 truly evangelical?
It is a sad fact that the evangelical movement in particular are known for what they are against. In the United States many evangelicals have started to mix their faith with their politics. This is something Jesus and his disciples never did.
As I have said in previous blogs, mixing politics and religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture explosive.
Sadly because many evangelicals mix their politics and faith it turns people away from Christ.
It is not the job of the Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus to support a politician or political party. To do so I believe is to put a millstone around ones neck. Making it very difficult to present the gospel message.
The job of the Christian is to present the gospel message to those around us. We cannot do this if politics or for that matter any other earthly thing gets in the way.
In my previous blog post I quoted the apostle Paul who writing to Timothy said,
"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.
If we do this we will win more souls for Christ than we ever could supporting a politician or political party. Which is what we are called to do.
Please think about it.

Do your best

Do your best
The apostle Paul writes,
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you teaching sound doctrine?
Many churches are not following sound doctrine. Many preachers and evangelist are teaching what they believe and not what the bible teaches. To make matters worse there are few voices in the Christian world who are willing to take a stand and at least try to correct those teaching wrong doctrine.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"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 we as Christians whether we stand in the pulpit or sit in the pew must do.
Please think about it.

Nothing Gained

Nothing gained
The book of Ecclesiastes records,
"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
For me if there is no God life is meaningless.
If all life is, is gathering a few bobbles, bangles and beads. Gathering wealth or for that matter doing great deeds. Life is meaningless. For all of the things we have acquired in this life will be dispersed among others when we die. As for those who do great deeds many if not all with the passage of time will be forgotten. Their names found only in history books.
The writer of Ecclesiastes got it perfectly right when he wrote,
  “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.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
The writer also states,
“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2.
While we shouldn’t dwell on death. I firmly believe we should ask ourselves the question “what will happen to me when I die?”
Tony Campolo the American evangelist make a good point when he states,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”Tony Campolo 
Will you?
Please think about it.

Do it with respect

Do it with respect
The apostle Peter states,
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15,16.
Peter here is simply telling those who believe in Christ Jesus to be prepared in a respectful manner to tell anyone who asks why we believe in Christ.
I have seen over the years many calling themselves Christians who do not respect the people they are presenting their faith to. They put down a persons faith and lifestyle of others and then expect them to listen to what they have to say.
We should never disrespect others no matter how much we disagree with them. An excellent example of how we should present our faith comes from the book of Acts. Acts records Paul while he was in Athens.
It states,
“So he 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.” acts 17:17.
Notice he didn’t argue he reasoned with them. The book of acts then records,
“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?”Acts 17:18,19.
When Paul finally spoke at the Areopagus, he essentially presented if you will a first century ‘Ted Talk’. Paul did not insult his listeners. Rather he met them where they were at.
He noted they were very religious and that they even had an “alter to an unknown God”.
From that point he started to talk about Christ. The result was some scoffed at what he said, others believed and others wanted to hear more about what he was saying.
This should be the way we present the gospel message. If we do so we will get the same result. Some people will scoff at us. Others will believe. And importantly others will want to hear more of what we are talking about.
So my question to you. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you presenting the gospel message in a respectful manner?
Please think about it.

How rich are you?

How rich are you?
The gospel of Luke records this Parable of Jesus.
“Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”  
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  
He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21.
My brother and I are different. Principle in the differences between us is, I’m a Christian, while he’s an atheist.
He likes to say “life is short and he who has all the toys at the end wins.” A statement that couldn’t be more wrong.
When we die all that we’ve accumulated in this life will mean nothing. It will be dispersed between our family, friends and perhaps even the government. Within a century the average person will just be a name in the family tree. Our accomplishments for the most part forgotten.
There is a saying my first pastors wife like to quote it said,

“We have but one life. 

It will soon be past.

 Only what’s done for Christ will last”.

This is true.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21. 
There are two things a rich man and a poor man have in common. One is they will one day die. The other is both have a choice where they will spend eternity.
As a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. I believe that you can know now where you will spend eternity. The Apostle Paul telling us.
“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.

Eyes Fixed

Eyes Fixed
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus are your eyes fixed on Jesus?
As Christians we must have our eyes fixed on Jesus and what he taught. We must live a life that reflects His Love. It is the only way we will win souls for Christ.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips,

 be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” 

                                                                  Francis of Assisi.

So my question to you if you claim to be a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. Are your eyes fixed on Jesus. Is the word of God truly planted in your heart?
Please think about it.

Why?

Why?
Luke’s Gospel records,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,  
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32.
This passage of scripture tell us why Jesus came to earth. To call the sinners to repentance.
John’s Gospel records Jesus speaking of himself 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.
This is a message those calling themselves Christians need to remember. The purpose of Christ’s coming to earth was to save the world. Not condemn it.
Jesus told his disciples,
“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.
It is not the Christians job to judge the world. It is not the Christians job to say where anyone will spend eternity. It is the Christians job to make disciples of all nations.
In order to do this we must live out the message of Christ in word and in deed.
We must remember the words of Jesus who 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.

We must ask ourselves am I presenting the gospel message to others in a way that I would like it presented to me?
Please think about it.

God is There

God is there
The Psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

If I go up to the heavens, You are there; 

if I make my bed in the depth, You are there.  

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

 even there Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                              Psalm 139:7-10.

We cannot hide from God. No matter where we go God is there. We may deny that God exists but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t exist as C. S. Lewis said,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
Ben Zion Bokser wrote,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.” Ben Zion Bokser.
I as a believer in Christ Jesus believe that God exists.
I see the evidence everyday when I wake up and look out at the fields and trees beside my house. I see God’s handiwork in the wild Rabbit my two year old grandson tries in vain to catch as it runs across our lawn.
I look at the stars at night and realize that from the greatest galaxy to the smallest subatomic particle everything is in perfect balance to allow life to exist as we know it here on earth.
All of this tells me there is a creator behind it all.
My question then becomes to you the reader do you believe in God? If not why not?
Please think about it.

The Reason

The Reason
The Gospel of John 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 who knew Jesus personally make it clear why he wrote his gospel. It is written to you the reader
”that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31.
This is the reason all of the gospels were written. They were written by men who knew Jesus. They are true accounts of what they believed.
Throughout the generations these words have gone forth giving the reader a choice. To believe what was written by them or not.
What I would ask you the reader of this blog, is to read the New Testament. Read for yourself what those first century Church leaders believe. Then decide for yourself if you believe them or not.
Please think about it.

Those who have not seen

Those who have not seen
John’s gospel records,
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29.
Here we have the story of the man quite often referred to as doubting Thomas. He wanted proof that Jesus was alive following his death on the cross. He wasn’t taking the word of the other disciples. He wanted physical proof, so Jesus appeared to him.
What Jesus however said after furnishing proof to Thomas is important. John records,
“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 
Believing in Jesus and all that he did is especially today in the twenty-first century an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews tells 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

Having faith in anything is a difficult thing for many if not most people. Still it is what God requires of us. Yet when you think about it having faith in God costs us nothing.
Blaise Pascal wrote,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it.

Why take human form?

Why take on human form?

The apostle John’s gospel states,

“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.

One of the things Christians get asked is “why would God take on human form?” I think the answer is simple. To remove all possible excuses an individual may have when he stands before God on judgement day.
Charles Spurgeon said,

“A Jesus who never wept 

could never wipe away my tears.” 

                                               Charles H. Spurgeon.

In becoming flesh in the form of Jesus, God can honestly say I know what it is to be human.
Yes God is almighty and all knowing. Never the less there is just the possibility that on judgement day individuals could use the argument that “because God is all knowing and all powerful He can’t truly understand what it is not to be all powerful. What it is to be human.”
In coming to earth in the form of a man and experiencing what life is from the standpoint of a human being, God can honestly say I know what it is to be human.
I understand what it is to experience the day to day things, the sun and rain on my face. To smell the dust in the air. The smell of wheat growing in a field. I know what it is like to be an infant who’s family had to flee their home and become political refugees in Egypt. I know what is like to grow up as an infant. I was a teenager. I studied the scriptures. Sat with learned men.
I experienced everything from the joy of being at a wedding to enjoying the company of friends and family. I performed good deeds and did the miraculous. I even spoke of how to get to heaven.
That being said, I also know what it was like to be persecuted, put on trial for a crime I didn’t commit. To be beaten inhumanely, and put to death on a cross for mere political expediency.
In becoming human God eliminated any possible excuse an individual can give for not believing in Him.
Please think about it.

Faith to Accept

Faith to Accept
In the book of Proverbs we read,

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                        1 Corinthians 13:13

The New Testament essentially is the story of God showing His love for each individual on the face of the earth.
The Apostle Paul defines Christian Love. God’s Love when he writes,

“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.

  C. S. Lewis points out,
“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.
God’s wish is to meet each person where they are at. He desires to have a personal relationship with each every individual.
As a Christian I believe what C. S. Lewis wrote,
“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
The apostle Paul confirms this statement saying,

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

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

                                                            Romans 5:8.

All that is required of the individual is the faith to accept that love. The apostle Paul telling us,
“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.  Romans 10: 9,10.
Thus the choice is yours. Will you accept the Love and Salvation that is offered through Jesus Christ or not?
Please think about it.