Words from James and Jesus

Words from James and Jesus.
James the half brother of Jesus states,
"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.
This is something all who believe in Christ Jesus must do.
The Talmud while a Jewish book, and not a Christian one, makes a good point when it states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud.
This is compatible with Christian teaching. Jesus speaking this parable.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46
As believers in Christ Jesus we must remember that mercy takes many forms, loving unconditionally family, friend and foe alike. Helping the poor with a few dollars or even a meal. Visiting the sick and those in prison. Even praying for God to help those you cannot help personally.
Thus my question are you doing this?

Walk humbly with God

Walk humbly with God
In the book of Micah we read,
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.
While this was a call to the Israelites it is also a call to all who would call themselves believers in Christ Jesus. To all Christians.
We are to act justly in all our affairs.
To love mercy.
And above all walk humbly with God.
Thus my question to anyone who calls themselves a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus;

Are you acting justly in all your affairs? 

Do you love Mercy? 

Do you walk humbly with God?

Please think about it?

Reflected in your deeds

Reflected in your deeds
The apostle Paul defending himself before King Agrippa made this statement with respect to the task Jesus had given him on the road to Damascus. He said,
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  Acts 26:19,20.
What is interesting here to me is the last statement,
“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” Acts 26:20b
What Paul is saying true conversion is shown in a persons deeds.
If a person is truly following Christ then their life and lifestyle will show it. A believer in Christ Jesus should never have to tell someone they are a Christian. It should be evident in the life they live. Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                       Francis of Assisi.

A Christian life should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit the apostle Paul stating,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
Thus to anyone who considers themselves a Christian I would ask; are the fruits of the spirit exhibited in your life?
Do people know you are a Christian without you telling them?
Is your repentance from sin, and your commitment to Christ Jesus, reflected in your deeds?
Please think about it.

A Note to the 21st Century Church

A note to the 21st Century Church
"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
Think about this...
Jesus and his disciples,
• Never Voted.
• Never Protested.
• Never judged anyone outside their own faith.
Yet they within a century they had spread the Good News of the Love of Jesus Christ throughout the known world.
They did so by,
• Presenting the Love of God to their family friends and foe alike.
• Showing Love and Mercy to all those they came in contact with.
• Living as far as possible at peace with those around them.
The disciples put into action the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
And the words writer of the writer of Hebrews,
“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.
They followed the teaching of the Apostle Peter who wrote,
“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 claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ are you doing this?
Above all they put into action 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.

Choice

Choice
The Psalmist writes,

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God.

 It is he who made us, 

and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

                                                                                    Psalm 100.

Here is a simple statement. “I believe God exists and I will worship Him as long as I live.” What others believe about God is between them and God.
God in creating mankind did not make robots programmed to follow him without question.
God gave mankind a freewill to choose to do what he wished. That freedom extends to what they believe about God.
In the book of Joshua we read that Joshua gave the Israelites a choice he said,
"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24: 14,15.
Our choice in 2020 is no different. We must chose whom we follow. Either God the creator of heaven and earth or other things.
Thus the question becomes; who will you follow?
Please think about it.

If we are right

If we are right
The Psalmist writes,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

                                                                Psalm 14:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

                                                       Psalm 19:1

Voltaire wrote,

“I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe can exist

 without a clockmaker.”

                                    Voltaire

Billy Graham stated,

I can't prove it scientifically, 

that there's a God, 

but I believe. 

                         Billy Graham.

We may not be able to prove scientifically today in the twenty-first century that there is a God but that does not preclude His existence.
I was born in the 1950's. at that time black holes, planets in other star systems, many sub atomic particles, that we know of today were unknown. It didn’t mean they didn’t exist. It just meant scientist hadn’t discovered them.
Scientist speculated on their existence because of what they seen in the world around them postulated a theory and quite often had to wait for science to advance to prove they existed.
      Some of Eienstein’s theories were not proven until long after his death. Yet Einstein and others like him believed in their theories. They believed that they would one day be proven. In short they had faith in their theory.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and 

certain of what we do not see.”  

                                          Hebrews 11:1

So it is with believers in God. We look at the orderly universe around us. We see that everything from the largest galaxy to the smallest sub-atomic particle is perfectly in sync with one another to produce life as we know it on this planet.
The conclusion we come to is that there is a Creator God behind it all.
If we are wrong we have nothing to fear.
If we are right we enter into eternity knowing the very maker of the Universe.
Please think about it.

Your faith should

Your faith should

“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.
Christianity is very much a faith of both, faith and works. Our faith should compel us to do righteous works.
It’s easy to say by faith we are saved, but our faith must go further than that.
Sometime ago the youth group at my son’s church were challenged to make a difference. So they decided to find some people with no affiliation to their church that were in need of help.
They in one case helped fix up a house both inside and out. They did it without cost or obligation to the people they were doing it for. They did it without fan fair. All they got for their work was the appreciation of the people they did the work for, and the good feeling that they received for a job well done.
This is how we as Christians should work. Tony Campolo the American evangelist states,
“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
He’s right we should be showing our faith through our deeds every day. Remember the words of Francis of Assisi,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today”

                                     Francis of Assisi

Think about it.

Fixed exclusively

Fixed exclusively.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.    Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8
C. S. Lewis said,
"He 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.
That means He died for you.
Things however did not end with the death of Jesus. For he arose from the grave walked the earth for awhile before ascending into heaven.
Thus to believers in Christ Jesus the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“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 consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus are your eyes fixed exclusively on Jesus?
Please think about it.

In Spirit and in Truth

In Spirit and in Truth
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.
One of the biggest missteps made by Christians here in North America is their failure to question what they are taught.
Many Christians listen to anyone who calls themselves a Christian and believes them. They never check the scriptures spoken by the pastors, evangelist or others calling themselves Christian teachers. They believe them at face value.
Many who have gone to church all their lives cannot tell you what the doctrinal statement of their church is or if it lines up with the word of God.
The result is that many people are being led astray.
The apostle Paul tells us,
"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.
We need to do this.
There is nothing wrong with questioning a pastor or evangelist or any other Christian teacher about what they say or teach. An honest teacher or preacher will be willing to sit down with you and tell you how he came to believe what he or she believes.
Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman said,
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  
God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24.
We who call ourselves Christians should be doing this as should anyone calling themselves a servant of God.
Thus my question to you the reader are you and the Christian leaders you follow truly worshipping God in spirit and in truth?
Please think about it.

Gods way

God's way
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 kept in heaven for you" 1Peter 1:3-4.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.
Christians do not believe we can live good enough lives to get to heaven on our merit. We believe that God in His mercy reached down to mankind from heaven in the form of His one and only son Jesus to die for our sins and to show us the way to heaven.
While it may sound foolish it is what we Christians believe. The apostle Paul explaining,
"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.  
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.”1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
God does not do things the way man thinks things should be done. He does things his way as is his right.
If we as humans do not want to believe what God has set before us that is our right. For God in making mankind did not make robots. He made individuals with the freedom to do whatever they wish.
Thus the choice is yours do you believe Jesus is the Saviour of mankind or not.
Please think about it. 

With respect

With respect
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.
As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus, Jesus must always be an integral part of our life. People should know by the way we live our lives that Christ is very much a part of our lives. AND we don’t need to do this by constantly spouting scripture to do this.
Francis of Assisi tells us,

Preach the Gospel at all times

 and 

when necessary use words.

                                               Francis of Assisi

Francis also reminds us that,

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                 Francis of Assisi.

The apostle Peter tells us,
“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 3:15b.
So my question to anyone who considers themselves a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus is;
Is your life and lifestyle, your words and deeds, glorifying God at all times, and are you presenting the gospel message with gentleness and respect?
Please think about it.

In word and in deed

In word and in deed
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.

In my previous blog post I asked the reader to take time to praise The LORD. Here in Psalm 34 we read that we should be “Extolling The LORD at all times”. I take that to mean in all parts of our daily life.
Someone has said Christianity is not so much a religion but a way of life. I think it’s true. Sadly however many calling themselves Christians do not have a lifestyle that is acceptable to God. A lifestyle that quite often gives The Lord a bad name.
Within secular society Christians are quite often seen as being uncaring, prejudice, and even bigoted. And from my perch here in Canada I can see how it would seem so especially here in North America.
There needs to be an awakening among those who call themselves Christians here in the United States and Canada. There needs to be a turning back to the pure word of God.
We need to read and heed the words of the apostle Peter who 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. 
We need to read and heed the words of James the half brother of Jesus who said,
"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.
We need to do as Jesus commanded us to do,
“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 need to glorify The LORD in word and in deed everyday of our lives.
For if we as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus, don’t do this we will never win a soul for Christ.
Please think about it.