Jesus is

Jesus is
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.
Here the author make four statements about Jesus.
According to the writer of Hebrews Jesus is,
1/ The Son of God,
2/ The exact representation of his being.
3/ The one who sustains all things by his powerful word.
4/ The one who provides purification for our sins.
The author makes no apologies for what he believes. He simply puts them out there for the reader to believe or not to believe.
The choice therefore is yours.
Who do you believe Jesus to be?
Please think about it.

You are The Christ

You are The Christ
John’s gospel records this conversation between Martha and 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.
As I have said in previous blogs. Why would the early church who were trying to establish themselves record an event that clearly states Jesus is the Christ if he was not? The answer is it must be true.
That being said belief in Christ Jesus cost you nothing. Blaise Pascal wrote about believing in God, saying
“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.
The same is true about Jesus. If you truly put your trust in him and it turns out Jesus is not who he says he is. Then it costs you nothing.
On the other hand if everything the Bible writers and followers of Christ Jesus believe is true you gain everything. Jesus speaking of himself recorded 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. 
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.
Please think about it.

Why would?

Why Would?
John's gospel records this incident in the life of Jesus. John writes,
"Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.  
"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?" 
"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." John 10 22-33.
John also records,
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 
It has always been my contention that if Jesus was simply a mere man why would the gospel writers put such things as I quoted above into their writings. After all they were in the process of building a new movement. To claim Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate would run counter productive to their cause.
C. S. Lewis wrote this,
"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.
That being said the choice is yours. You can either believe Jesus is all he claimed to be or not.
Before make your choice however I would recommend you read at least the New Testament and see for yourself what the early believers believed about Jesus.
I would also recommend C. S. Lewis’s book Mere Christianity. A book although written decades ago is as relevant today as ever.
Please think about it.

At Least Consider

At least consider
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.
I could write books on this one verse of scripture. At face value it means what it says. Do to others what you would want others to do to you.
This is especially true when it come to knowing about Jesus. I am so glad that when I was in my late teens some friends introduced me to Jesus.
Over the years I have done many things some of which I have regretted. But I have never regretted accepting Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
The Bible tells me,

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. 

When a man found it, he hid it again,

 and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 

“Again, 

the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  

When he found one of great value, 

he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” 

                                                                         Matthew 13:44-46.

This I have found to be true.
I have gone through a lot in my six decades on this earth and through it all good and bad Jesus has been there for me.
I believe what Jesus said
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Thus my question to you.
Will you at least consider reading the New Testament to find out what the teachings of Jesus are, and what the early church taught about Jesus.
Please think about it.

Foolishness?

Foolishness?

The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

                                                                                1 Corinthians 1:18.

Think about this. The whole New Testament revolves around Jesus. Jesus who claimed to be the Son of God. Equal to God. It talks about his dying on the cross for the sins of each individual who would believe in him. It talks about his resurrection from the grave. It tell of how he waked the earth after rising from the grave. Then ascended into heaven.
This to many people today and in the past seems foolishness. Yet those who believe in Christ Jesus believe it to be absolutely true.
The question is do you believe what the New Testament says about Jesus or not.
Many who dismiss Jesus and God out of hand I find have not read the Bible. What they know of the teachings of Jesus and Jesus himself is purely second hand. Which can be a dangerous thing. For second hand sources can have a bias.
I firmly believe individuals need to read the Bible for themselves. It is the only way to truly know the truth about Jesus and about God.
Thus my challenge to anyone who reads this take time to at least read the New Testament before you make up your mind about Jesus.
Please think about it.

A time will come

A time will come
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.
Evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon
"A time will come when instead of the shepherds feeding the sheep. The church will have clowns entertaining the goats." Charles H. Spurgeon.
This is happening today both in the media and in the pulpit. Many people calling themselves Christians are going to church to be entertained as Spurgeon put it by clowns. Church congregations in many cases have become social clubs.
Men and women as the apostle Paul put it,
“... gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
This should not be so. As St. Augustin said,
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.
Here in North America with have complete freedom of speech. Such a thing can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. This is especially true when it comes to Christians.
Such freedoms allow charlatans who claim to be Christians to preach false doctrine. Doctrine that on the surface sounds good, but upon looking deeper are wrong.
Most Christians sitting in the pew or watching an evangelist in the media don’t question what is being said. They take the pastor or evangelist at face value and thus are easily led astray.
We as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus I believe have an obligation to question those who claim to be preaching the word of God.
To study the scriptures and see for ourselves what is right and what is wrong.
So my question to you the reader is.
If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus are you studying the Bible for yourself?
Are you questioning what the pastors and evangelist you listen to are saying?
Are the pastors and evangelist you listen to truly teaching the word of God?
Please think about it.

Come

Come
The writer of the book of Revelations states,
“The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”Revelations 22:17. 
This is the call of Jesus to all mankind.
In Matthews gospel the writer records Jesus as saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Life may not always be easy. In the course of a lifetime we meet many challenges and obstacles, pain and sorrow.
I however know from personal experience that through all the circumstances of life God has been there for me. And I know that if you will truly turn to Christ and let him into your life he will be their for you.
The choice however is yours.
Please at least take time to read at least the New Testament and see what the early church believed about Jesus. Then decide for yourself whether or not to accept Christ into your life.
Please think about it.

Praise be to God

Praise be to God
The apostle Peter writes,
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade...” 1Peter 1:3-4b.
We as believers in Christ Jesus truly believe we have an inheritance that can never perish or fade. An inheritance that is quite literally out of this world. An inheritance that awaits us in Heaven.
Jesus said,
"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.
While there is nothing wrong with having great wealth. It is what you emphasis you put on that wealth that is important. We should not be putting our wealth and possessions or their acquisition ahead of God.
We as believers in Christ Jesus should always be putting Christ first in our lives. We should always be willing to share our faith. As the apostle Peter writes,
“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,”1 Peter 3:15.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus can you with the apostle Peter,
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade...” 1Peter 1:3-4b.
Please think about it. 

Christian Principles for living #7 Trust in the Lord

Christian Principles for living #7 Trust in the Lord
The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“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.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you trust God completely? Is your faith squarely in Him. The writer of Hebrew 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.

I have learned first hand that trusting in God really does work.
Yes there have been times when I thought things would not work out. Still I committed the situation to God and left it there. Ultimately the situation did work out, although sometimes not in the way I thought it would work out.
The apostle Paul said,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28.
And Paul should know he went through a lot for his faith yet it all worked out in the end. Even though he was ultimately martyred for his faith he had the opportunity to share that faith throughout the Roman empire. He stood before everyone from rulers to slave and told them of his faith before leaving this earth for heaven.
So the question becomes, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you put your trust fully in Him?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles #6 Flee Evil

 Christian Principles #6 Flee evil
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 Psalmist tells us,
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. 
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” Psalm 1.
Do you flee evil?
As believers in Christ Jesus we should. That’s not to say we cannot talk to someone who just might be a sinner. That would be wrong. After all Jesus sat with people the religious men of his day deemed sinners.
Marks gospel records,
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16,17.
It is the job of a believer in Christ Jesus to point sinners to God. After all the apostle Paul said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23,24.
As Paul noted we are all sinners. The only difference between a believer in Christ Jesus and a sinner is we have had our sins forgiven by the grace of God “through the redemption that  came by Christ Jesus.”
Non-Christians however should be able to look at our life and see that we do our best not to take part in anything sinful. We shouldn’t have to tell them. Our actions should be enough.
So the question becomes, If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing your best to flee evil, to live a life free of sin?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles for living #5 At peace with God

Christian Principles for Living #5 At Peace with God
The apostle Peter writing to Christians reminds believers that Jesus will one day return and this earth will pass away. That He will come quickly when we are least expecting it. Therefor we need to be at peace with God. Peter writes,
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
    That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.  2 Peter 3:10-14.
As believers we many times fall short of what God wants for our lives. It is however incumbent upon us as soon as we realize we have made a mistake to ask God’s forgiveness.
As believers we truly need to look at our lives from time to time and ask ourselves am I truly living a life that is glorifying God?
Am I truly at peace with God?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles for living #4 Living at peace

Christian Principles for living #4
Live at Peace with those around you.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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 Peter tells believers in Christ Jesus,
“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.
Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness.
As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love.
In doing so they opened up doors to talk with other groups throughout the known world. As a result in just over a century, Christianity had spread throughout the known world.
These men and women respected all those they came in contact with. They lived peaceful loving lives.
As a result they stood in the Areopagus in Athens and spoke to the learned men and women there. They spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society from slaves to rulers.
This is what we in the twenty-first century church need to do. Are you?
Please think about it.