Principle number one

Principle number one
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.
My parents who grew up in the Church of England and Roman Catholic churches respectively taught me long before I became a Christian what I consider the prime Christian principle. Summed up by Jesus when he 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.
In the year 2020 Matthew 7:12 could be put 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.

If you 

Are telling the world,

I love you and God loves you

You are telling the world

God loves you and I love you

Unconditionally.

Please think about it.

An example from Athens

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

Are you a Peace Maker?

Are you a Peace Maker?
Jesus said,

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called sons of God.” 

                                                      Matthew 5:9.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are you a peace maker? OR have you let the things of this world slip into your life? Into your faith?
Here in North America where I live way too many people calling themselves Christians mix their politics with their religion. And as someone has said,
“Mixing Politics with religion is like mixing gasoline with water. The gasoline is unusable and the water undrinkable. The whole mixture explosive”
Christians cannot afford to mix politics with their faith. Politics requires taking sides and politicians are far from perfect. By taking sides in anything we run the risk of alienating those who don’t think the same way we do.
The only side true Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus should be on is that of Christ.
We must remember at all times we are Christ’ representatives on this earth. That at all times we should be giving a good account of ourselves. The apostle Peter reminds us,
“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” 1 Peter 2:9
Peter goes on to say,
“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.
If we are truly peace makers. We should be abstaining from sinful desires. We should be showing unconditional love to those around us. Seeing the person not the sin.
C. S. Lewis wisely said,
"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.
Throughout the New Testament we see Jesus and the apostles sitting with sinners presenting them with love of God. This is what it is to be a peace maker in Christian terms.
Our job is to show the individuals around us how they can have eternal peace with God.
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.
Are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Did you fill the world with Love?

Did you fill the world?
Jesus upon sending out his disciples to evangelize said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
If you consider yourself a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus are you “innocent as doves”?
The apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ said,
"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.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus are you abstaining from sinful desires? Are you living a good life?
Jesus and Peter both knew that it was only by being harmless as doves and living a good life. A none threatening life before the people around us that we would be able to win souls for Christ.
A long time ago now when I was in my teens I watched a movie musical called Good by Mr. Chips. It’s theme song in the morning of my life has stayed with me all these years. The word are by Leslie Bricusse. They say,

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                                             Leslie Bricusse 

When your life is through will you be able to say you filled the world with love your whole life through?
More importantly will God say you did?
Please think about it. 

On The Church

On The Church
The book of Acts records,
A Pharisee named Gamaliel standing before the Sanhedrin as they were presiding over the trial of two of Christ’s apostles said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38,39
An unknown poet wrote,

“Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,

“To wear and bater all these hammers so?”

“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.”

                                                                       Anonymous.

Since the early days of the church there have been religious, political and other leaders that have tried to destroy the church. Yet it still survives. Not only that it is now the largest religion on the planet. Estimates range that between two point five billion and three point five billion people around the world believe in Christ Jesus. And that number continues to grow daily.
No matter how much persecution the church has been through throughout the centuries the church has survived. From my standpoint that at the very least means Christianity is from God.
As Gamaliel put it when those first Christians, two of Christ’ apostles, were put on trial,
“...if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38b,39.
The apostle Paul writes,
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38,39
What Paul said is completely true. We as believers in Christ no matter what situation we are in can never be separated from “the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That being said each person when confronted with Jesus must decide for themselves if they will follow Him.
Please think about it.

Are you willing?

Are you willing?
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....
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money’. Matthew 6:19-21,24.
Where is you treasure? Is your treasure in this world or in heaven? 
Many people who go to church here in North America where I live quite often try to have their feet in both worlds. This world and heaven.
Mathews gospel records,
“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 neighbour 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.
Here is the test for a true follower of Christ Jesus. Are you willing to give up everything for Him?
Here in North America materialism is king. People are striving for the so called “American dream”. A nice house, money in the bank, a nice car. And there is nothing wrong with having any of this. Jesus did not tell this man that being rich was bad.
The problem comes when you have to choose having the riches or following God. The true test of faith in Christ Jesus, in God, is when you are willing to give up everything you own for him.
While in North America with all our freedoms we may never be asked to give up everything. We still must choose which comes first. God or riches?
Around the world today hundreds of thousands of Christians are making that choice everyday. Many have to choose between following Christ, being persecuted for their faith, or going to jail or even being put to death.
It is estimated that 500,000 plus Christians live under the threat of persecution, imprisonment, or death each day.
Thus my question to those who claim to be Christians living in the western democracies is are you willing to give up everything for your faith?
My next question is if you are, are you at the very least, praying that God will protect and strengthen those brothers and sisters in Christ who are under persecution around the world?
Please think about it.

Do you? Are you?

Do you? Are you?
The apostle Paul writes,

“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.

Do you flee from evil?
Are you truly pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace?
Are you calling on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart?
                                                 Or
Do you only call on God when it is convenient for you?
Do you only call on God when you need something?
Are you willing to ask God, as the Psalmist did,

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

 test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting." 

                                               Psalm 139:23,24.

Please think about it.

It's self explanatory

It’s self explanatory
The Apostle Paul writes,
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Romans 10:9-13 
The apostle Paul make it very clear for all who can read. “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.”
This is a cornerstone belief of Christianity.
If this statement is wrong, no one has anything to fear if it is on the other hand a true statement then everyone who reads it has a lot to think about to say the least.
As C. S. Lewis stated,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it.

Do you

Do you?
In the book of Exodus we read,

"You shall have no other gods before me."

                                                           Exodus 20:3.

Thus the question becomes do you have any other gods in your life?
A god is not merely a wooden or stone carved idol. A god particularly in the twenty-first century can me many things, money, a political party or politician, material possessions, religious leaders. Someone even mentioned to me it can even be your countries constitution or “your” constitutional rights.
Other god’s are things that you put ahead of God Almighty the Creator of heaven and earth.
Thus my question, do you have any other gods in your life?
In order to be a true believer in God. In order to be a true follower of Christ Jesus. God must take first place in your life. You must have complete faith in Him. As the writer of Hebrews states,
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.
Thus my third question, do you have any other gods in your life?
Please think about it.

To show mercy

To Show Mercy
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must be careful how we act. We must not use our freedom to judge anyone. We must be merciful to those around us.
As James said, “...judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”
As Christians we have no right to judge anyone. Jesus made that clear when he 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.
If we believe what 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.
Then when we judge others we are saying to them they have the right to judge us.
It is not the job of any Christian. Of any believer in Christ Jesus to judge the world. That is God’s job.
Our job as Christians was summed up by Jesus when he 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.
This is our job as believers in Christ. To show the mercy of God to those around us.
      To evangelize, to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Draw near

Draw near
In Psalmist speaking of God wrote,

“You are my refuge and my shield; 

I have put my hope in your word.” 

                                              Psalm 119:114.

Isaiah the prophet states,
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tiered or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not faint."Isaiah 40: 28-31.
The writer of Hebrews states,
"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22,23
Every Christian. Every believer in Christ Jesus, needs to take time each day to draw near to God. To study the scriptures and pray. For it is only by doing this that we will have the assurance that God is with us no matter what our situation. That we never have to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow is in God’s hands.
Please think about it.

Trust

Trust
The writer of Proverbs states,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

                                                    Proverbs 3:5.

Here is a biblical truth that many people cannot do. Trusting, having faith in God is perhaps the hardest thing to do. Yet we must do this. 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.

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.

Someone has said “A person with true faith in anything will not easily be turned away from what they believe in.”
This is the kind of faith God asks anyone who believes in Him.
Is this the kind of faith you have in God?
Please think about it.