Who are you sitting with?

Who are you sitting with?
The Gospel of Matthew records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus who are you sitting down to dinner with?
Are you reaching out to the world around you or do you confine yourself to living among Christians, those who agree with you?
Jesus speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
This is the reason Jesus came into this world. To save the world. To save individuals. This is the reason we as believers in Christ Jesus should be reaching out to the world around us, especially non-believers.
Thus my question to any believer in Christ. Anyone who claims to be Christian; who are you sitting down with? Who are you sharing the gospel of Christ with?
Please think about it.

Sell Everything?

Sell Everything?
Matthew’s 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,  honour 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.
Now let’s get one thing strait. There is nothing wrong with being rich. It is what emphasis you put on your wealth that can cause problems.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Money should never be first in our lives. In fact we should be willing to give up our wealth if necessary.
In the incident above recorded by Matthew the man believed there was a God. He had even obeyed the commandments. Yet his faith was not in God to provide for him. His faith was in his wealth. He put his wealth ahead of God. His faith in his money being his god.
God makes it clear nothing should come before Him.
In the book of Exodus we read,

"You shall have no other gods before me.” 

                                                              Exodus 20:3.

Anything that is more important to us than God is a god, and we shouldn’t be putting our faith in it. Our faith should be entirely in God. 
In the book of Hebrews we are told,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.
Faith being defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                                      Hebrews 11:1.

Thus my question to you; if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus. If you consider yourself a Christian is your faith entirely in God?
Are you willing to sell everything, give up all our earthly wealth if necessary, and follow Christ?
Please think about it.

Are you Merciful?

Are you Merciful?
Jesus said,
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  
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.  
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36.
The above statement by Jesus I think is self explanatory and is something every true believer in Christ Jesus needs to do.
Thus my question to anyone who calls themselves a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus is. Do you do what Jesus is saying?
Are you merciful in the same way God is?
Please think about it.  

A simple message

A simple message
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.

This to me is self explanatory. Teat other in the same way you want to be treated. That is especially true for Christians.
The reason is simple. If Christians don’t obey the word of Jesus here in Matthew 7:12, they will never win a soul for Christ.
Please think about it.

A Christians job

A Christians job
The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.
For me when I read this portion of scripture it says to be God knows my DNA. God knows why I am the way I am. As a result only God has the right to judge me or any individual.
Over the years I’ve heard many people calling themselves Christians judging people saying such and such a person is not going to heaven for whatever reason.
Saying where a person will spend eternity is not the job of a Christian.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo.
Telling people about Jesus is what all who call themselves a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus should be doing.
Jesus talking to his disciples, and through them to us 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.
We as believers in Christ Jesus are called to love the world around us. To show the unconditional love of God to all, family, friend, and foe.
As the American evangelist Billy Graham put it,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love.” 

                            Billy Graham.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Peace Maker

Peace Maker
Jesus said,

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called sons of God.” 

                                                      Matthew 5:9.

If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus you should also be a peacemaker.
As I write this the world is in turmoil. Every day terrorist groups are attacking and killing innocent men women and children. War is an every day reality for millions of people.
Even in the western democracies people are protesting against discrimination and hatred.
No government it seems in the history of man has been able to truly bring peace to the people it governs.
Bernard Baruch noted,
"No government has ever succeeded in making everyone equally happy.  Too many governments have succeeded in making everyone equally miserable." Bernard Baruch.
  Thus the call of Jesus to the world is,
"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.
This is the message we as believers in Christ Jesus need to be bringing to the world.
So if you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus is this the message you are bringing to the world?
Please think about it.

The Answer

The Answer
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.  Hebrews 1:1,2.
Some time ago I came across a book written by John B. Harrington published in 1958. Entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith it could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that,
  "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus, we have the answer to the worlds problems. Christ Jesus.
Jesus speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17. 
It is this message that we as believers in Christ need to present to the world in word and in deed.
Please think about it.

God Understands

God understands
In John’s gospel we have the shortest verse in the Bible it simply says,

"Jesus wept." 

                  John 11:35

Jesus here is weeping over the death of his friend Lazarus. He is showing his compassion not just for Lazarus but those who loved him. The result was Jesus prayed and Lazarus rose from the grave.
The evangelist Charles Spurgeon said,

"A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears."

                                                                                          Charles H. Spurgeon.

God fully understands what it is to be human because God entered this world in the form of His One and Only Son Jesus.
Think about it Jesus while on this earth experienced all that it is to be human. While still and infant his parents had to take him to Egypt to keep him from the hands of a ruler who wished to kill him. This made Jesus a political refugee.
As he grew up Jesus would have experienced everything from the mundane such as the sun on his face, the smell of a dusty road. The smell of flowers. Even the smells associated with a stable.
He experienced what it was like to be in the rain or a thunder storm.
He experienced the love of devoted parents, the joy of celebrating at someone’s marriage. The fellowship of friends.
He also knew what it was like to be accused of crimes he didn’t commit. Of being beaten unmercifully and hung on a Roman cross.
Simply put Jesus knew what it was like to be human, because he experienced both the good and the worst mankind had to offer.
Thus when we stand before God we can never say “you don’t understand what it is to be human.” because he does. He has experienced it first hand.
Thus the call of Jesus to all each individual is,
"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.
Question; are you looking for rest for your soul?
Why not give your heart to Jesus?
Please think about it.

On God

On God
In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                                Genesis 1:1.

The Bible was written to believers in God and believers need no convincing that God exists. Thus no explanation is given.
In the Gospel of John referring to Jesus as the word we read,
"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.
Again the Gospel of John and indeed the whole of the New Testament was written to Christians, to believers in Christ Jesus and to such believers no explanation is necessary. Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh.
The question thus becomes to non-believers;
Do you believe what the Bible states?
Is there an almighty God?
Did this God in the form of His One and Only Son, Christ Jesus enter the world He created to show each mankind the way to heaven?
These questions to my mind are crucial questions everyone on earth when confronted with the Bible must answer. For 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.

Are you nothing?

Are you nothing?
The apostle Paul writes,
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
The most important attribute of a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus is Love. I don’t believe you can be a believer in Christ Jesus and not have love. And by love I mean the kind of love God has, unconditional Love.
The apostle Paul defines the kind of love God requires of a Christian when he states,

“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.

So the question I would ask of anyone who claims to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus is; do you love as God loves, or are you a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal... Nothing?
Please think about it.

It comes down to

It comes down to
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.
• In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord
• Be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have in Christ Jesus
• Do so with gentleness and respect.
If you consider yourself a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus are you doing what the apostle Peter is telling you to do?
Is Christ really in your heart?
Are you prepared to give an answer why you believe in Christ Jesus?
When you present the good news of Christ Jesus are you doing so with gentleness and respect?
As believers in Christ our answer to all of the above questions should be yes. As believers we should in all our words and deeds show the love of Christ. We should never force our beliefs on anyone.
When we sit down with other people we need to treat them as equals. For it is only in treating them as equals that we will gain their respect. Out of mutual respect comes dialogue through which we will get the opportunity to present our beliefs.
When it comes to presenting the gospel message it comes down to to 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.
Please think about it.

Glorify The Lord with me

Glorify The Lord with me
The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD; 

let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me; 

let us exalt his name together." 

                                            Psalm 34:1-3.

What has always amazed me over the years is that even when true Christians are in the worst of circumstances they trust in God. Even praise Him. We see such a thing recorded in the book of Act when Paul and Silas were in jail. Acts records,
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25.
We also see in the book of Acts Peter and another apostle who had just been flogged praising God. The book of acts recording,
"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (of Jesus)"  Acts 5:41.
Such a thing is still happening today. There are many Christians around the world who are in prison or being persecuted for their faith yet they still trust and praise God.
It doesn’t stop with being persecuted for their faith. There are many followers of Christ who are going through health, even financial, and personal problems that continue to trust in God.
They don’t praise God for the bad things they are enduring. They praise God for being there for them and getting them through the bad times.
They praise God that their witness for Christ was worthy of his calling.
If you consider yourself a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus, do you praise God in all circumstances, good, or bad?
Please think about it.