Not because of our Righteousness

Not because of our righteousness.
The apostle Paul writes,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior 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.
C. S. Lewis writes,
"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."  C.S. Lewis.
As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus, we believe that you cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That you cannot work your way to heaven.
We believe that God knowing this, entered the world he created in the form of his One and Only Son Jesus Christ to provide us away to heaven. That it is by the grace of God through Jesus Christ that we get to heaven.
The apostle Paul writing,
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.
The New Testament makes it clear how we get to heaven. Quoting Jesus as saying,
“...I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
"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.
All of this however requires faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“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 defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                               Hebrews 11:1.

Thus the question become do you believe this?
Please think about it.  

Be willing to

Be willing to
Matthew’s gospel records this incident between a rich man and Jesus,
"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 
Want to be a true believer in Christ Jesus? Then you must be willing to give up everything.
Following Christ can be easy if you have your wealth to fall back on as a safety net. It however is not so easy if you have no financial safety net.
This man that came to Jesus believed there was a God. He even followed the ritual set down for him in the law.
His problem was he didn’t have the faith to give all his riches up and follow Jesus by faith. Leaning on God to supply all of his needs.
It’s the same today. There are people within the church who are not willing to give up their wealth and materially good lifestyle in order to follow Jesus.
The apostle Paul states what every true believer should agree with when he writes,
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19.
If you are wealthy, you may not be called on to give up all you have to follow Jesus but you should be willing to do so.
Thus my question to you; are you willing to give up everything you have to follow Christ?
Please think about it.

About the poor

About the poor
In the book of Leviticus we read,
" ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19: 9,10.
Leaving the fruit that had fallen and not going to the very edge of the field or not going over the field a second time left food for the poor to eat.
As one of my friends said it was perhaps the earliest recorded social safety net.
God wants us to look out for each other. It goes back to 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.
We should to the best of our ability be looking out for those who are less fortunate around us. There are many reasons people are poor. Many reasons people are on the street. Everything from simply not being able to earn enough money to rent a home, to drug addiction, to mental illness and more.
Why they are on the street, or poor, or taking drugs, should be of no concern to true believers in Christ Jesus. To true Christians.
As Billy Graham the American evangelist put it,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                            Billy Graham

It is our job as far as possible to love and help those in need in the name of Christ Jesus.
Jesus said,
"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.'" Matthew 25:40
Thus my question to you; are you doing what you can when you can for those less fortunate?
Can you do more?
Please think about it.

A warning to the rich and powerful

A warning to the Rich and Powerful
Jesus told this story,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31
The Jesus and indeed all the gospel writers talked about relationships. About ones relationship with God and with ones relationship with ones fellow man.
In the above scripture Jesus tells of a rich man who could have made a difference in a poor man’s life. He could have shown compassion on the poor man. Given him something to eat, but chose not to.
This rich man seems to have ignored or not believed in God. He certainly didn’t believe he would face consequences for his actions.
Jesus who said,
"Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
By not helping the poor man and letting him suffer he was in a sense saying that’s how he wanted to be treated. Which is what happened according to the story Jesus told.
In the next life he was suffering while the poor man was at peace.
This story should serve as a warning to anyone in a position of power. Anyone who has the ability to help those in need.
It is saying while you may enjoy the good life here in this world. While you may disregard the needs of the poor and not help them. You will be held accountable when you stand before God.
Please think about it.

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.