Be Merciful

Be Merciful 

Jesus said,

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36.

So the question becomes, Are you merciful in the same way God is?

Just before Jesus says this Jesus states,

“Do to others as you would have them do to you. 

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' love those who love them.  

And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' do that.  

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' lend to ‘sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.  

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:31-35.

So if you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, do you show love and mercy to your enemies? Do you show love and mercy to those of different faiths? Do you show mercy and Love to those who’s lifestyles are different from your own?

When was the last time you sat down with non-Christians, those of different faiths and lifestyles?

Jesus sat with anyone. The Samaritan women, Tax collectors Romans, and others. As did the apostles. 

Not only that at no time does the New Testament say they pointed out the sins of those they sat with. They simply presented the gospel message. They showed the love and mercy of God.

So do you show the mercy and Love of God to those around you?

Please think about it.

For all those in Authority

For all those in authority

The apostle Paul wrote,
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time."  1 Timothy 2:1-6.
Do you pray for those in government and authority? The apostle Paul says we should. That I would assume even for those in authority who persecute Christians. After all Paul wrote this letter to Timothy while living under the emperor Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians ever. The man that would eventually put him and many other Christians to death.
I believe that we should pray for the salvation of all those in authority. That we should pray that our political leaders would at the very least be tolerant to our beliefs, allow us to evangelize and serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in peace.
We must always remember. As the apostle Paul put it,
"...there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men..." 1 Timothy 2:5,6b
We must remember that the only way people will hear that message is if we live in peace with all men. The apostle Paul tells us,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone."

                                                                 Romans 12:18.

So if you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus are you praying for those in power? Are you praying for political leaders that they will come into a personal relationship with Christ Jesus? That we as believers in Christ Jesus will be allowed to live in Peace?
Please think about it.

Not all are Christians

Not all are Christian
Jesus said,
“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.
The apostle Peter warns,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.” 2Peter2:1,2 
Here both Jesus and Peter warn of false prophets and teachers entering the church. Peter telling us that many will follow their shameful ways.
This has been happening in the church since its earliest days and continue to this day. The difference between Peters time and now is we have a multi-media world that can spread false doctrine faster than ever before. Not only that we seldom have met or know the preacher in the media personally or know what his life is like.
It is therefor imperative that we as believers in Christ Jesus study the word of God for ourselves using a wide range of study aides. And not just study aids that agree with our point of view.
When we come across something others disagree with us on we need to ask ourselves why and look to see if what they say has merit.
They key however throughout all our studying should be to seek the truth found in the Bible. Not just what we want to hear.
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.
Thus my question to you. If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus are you following the advise the apostle Paul give Timothy when he writes,
"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.
Please think about it.

The Church

The Church
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
"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.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.
Just recently someone sent me a Facebook post it was from the Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Missouri, Deon K. Johnson in response to president Donald Trumps call to open the Churches immediately deeming them essential. In his reply to Trump Bishop Johnson gave an excellent description of what the church truly is. He said,
"The work of the church is essential.
The work of caring for the lonely, the marginalised, and the oppressed is essential.
The work of speaking truth to power and seeking justice is essential.
The work of being a loving, liberating, and life giving presence in the world is essential.
The work of welcoming the stranger, the refugee and the undocumented is essential.
The work of reconciliation and healing and caring is essential.
The church does not need to “open” because the church never “closed”. We who make up the Body of Christ, the church, love God and our neighbours and ourselves so much that we will stay away from our buildings until it is safe. We are the church." Bishop Deon K Johnson.
The church is not buildings. The church is made up of individuals world wide that love and believe with their whole heart and soul that Jesus is Lord and God. No virus or act of man can stop the church from it’s appointed task.
All adversity be it man made or a pandemic does, is make the church adjust and be creative in how it goes about doing God’s work.
Jesus said,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4:18,19.
It is this ministry the ministry that Jesus started that we as believers in Christ Jesus are called to carry on. Thus my question to you.
Are you preaching the good news of Christ Jesus? Are you doing all you can to show the Love of God to those around you and help them in any way you can no matter how small?
Please think about it.

That can never perish

That can never perish

The apostle Peter wrote,
"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 kept in heaven for you” 1Peter 1:3-4.
The apostle Peter here make it clear what every believer in Christ Jesus believes. Through our belief in Christ Jesus we have a living hope an inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade.
It doesn’t matter what the world thinks about our belief in Christ. It doesn’t matter what they do to us. No one in this world can destroy the inheritance that we have though our belief in Christ.
A true believer knows this.
Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you truly believe what the apostle Peter is saying here?
Please think about it.

Are you an Instrument?

Are you an Instrument?

Jesus said,
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
As believers in Christ Jesus, as Christians we are called to let out light shine before those around us. To let the world around us see our good deeds. The apostle Peter put it this way,
“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.
My question to anyone who would call themselves Christians, believers in Christ Jesus is do people see your good works even without you pointing them out to them?
We as believers in Christ Jesus must always remember that we are God’s ambassadors in this world. We are tasked with showing those around us God’s love and the way to heaven.
Francis of Assisi 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

This I believe should be the prayer of all who love Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.

A True Worshipper

A True Worshipper

Jesus said,
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.  
God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Are you a true worshipper of God? Do you worship God in spirit and in truth?
There are many in our society here in North America who claim to be Christians who claim to be worshippers of Christ Jesus who are not true worshippers.
They may have gone to church all their lives and know what to say and when to say it. They may be graduates of Bible schools. They may have read the Bible many times. They may even be standing in the pulpit.
They may have even said the sinners prayer. But as the evangelist Leonard Ravenhill put it,
“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill.
The fact of the matter is you can say all the prayers you want but if your faith is not truly rooted in a belief in God and Christ Jesus you are not truly a Christian. You are not a true believer in Christ Jesus.
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.

Ultimately no one can tell someone else if they are truly saved. That is between God and the individual.
So my question to those reading this do you truly have faith in God?
Please think about it.

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.