A note to the 21st century church

A note to the 21st Century Church

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

live at peace with everyone.”  

                                      Romans 12:18.

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 neighbours and enemies 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?
Please think about it.

Reckless words vs Wise Words

Reckless words vs Wise words
The writer of proverbs states,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

                                                 Proverbs 12:18.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we are accountable for our actions. We must always remember that it is through our words and deeds that people will see Christ. We must remember that our words and deeds potentially have eternal consequences.
We must always think before we speak. As the writer of Proverbs states “Reckless words pierce like a sword.”
The wrong words at the wrong time can scar a person for life. The wounds from words can hurt a person far more than a physical injury.
Likewise right words at the right time can bring healing. That is why we must think before we speak asking God for wisdom.
Our prayer should be the words of the Psalmist who writes,
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.
Thus the question becomes. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are your words and the meditations of your heart pleasing to God.
Please think about it.

Do you Walk with God

Do you walk with God?
The Psalmist writes,

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked 

or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law he meditates day and night. 

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, 

which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. 

Whatever he does prospers.” 

                                              Psalm 1:1-3.

With whom do you walk? Do you walk in the counsel of the wicked or with God?
You can tell when someone walks with God. They exhibit the fruit of The Spirit of God. The apostle Paul telling us,
“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.
So do you exhibit these fruits? These attributes?
Please think about it.

Do you

 Do you

Jesus said,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  

  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48.

It’s easy to love those who love you. Loving your enemies is quite a different thing. Yet as Christians we are called to love as God loves. Unconditionally our family, friends and foes.

Thus my question to you; 

If you consider yourself a Christian do you love all those around you unconditionally be they family, friend, or foe?

Please think about it.

God desires mercy

 God desires mercy

Matthews gospel 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.

Sometime ago I told a Christian friend, at least he said he was a Christian, I told him I’d been invited to a same sex marriage. He said he disagreed with same sex unions and that I should stay away from it. His reasoning being by going I was agreeing with what they were doing. 

I had no problems with them getting married. They were a good couple. A couple who’d been pushed away from the gospel by people who seen them as having “a special sin”. For years this couple had heard in no uncertain terms that “they were going to hell because of who they were”.

Nothing could be further from the truth. They were no different than anyone, in any church anywhere in any city, anywhere in the world. They were like my friend and the rest of the world, a sinner in need of Gods saving grace.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

The way I see it no one who truly believes in Christ Jesus, has the right to say where anyone will spend eternity, especially those outside the church. 

Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,

“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.

We cannot tell people about Jesus unless we can discuss Him with others. And we cannot do that if we continually are yelling at people, no matter who they are that they are going to hell.

Billy Graham wrote,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                     Billy Graham.

As I write this it’s August of 2020 not only are we in a global pandemic but we are in the midst of, especially in the United States, a social upheaval.

Never in world history is there a need for saving grace and mercy of God.

Never has there been a time when the church needs to hear the word of Jesus who said,

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13.

Please think about it.

The Key

 The Key

Jesus said,

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" John15:5.

Here is the key to church growth. Remaining in Jesus. Following the teachings of Christ. Sadly the church here in North America is not doing this and the fact that church growth is generally declining proves this.

Someone once told me the church in America and Canada have a problem... Freedom.

    They fail to use that freedom wisely. Instead of preaching in word and in deed the true inspired word of the gospel message they choose to mix it with other things. Love of money, and politics, being principle among them.

The apostle Paul for so this when he wrote,

"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—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Thus I believe it is time for the church to follow the words of God as recorded in 2 Chronicles. When He said,

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles, 7:14.

If we don’t the church will continue to decline here in North America and indeed within the free nations of the world.

Please think about it.

The truth or a lie?

The truth or a lie?

The apostle John writes,

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  

We write this to make our joy complete." 1John 1:1-4.

John makes it clear that he was writing his letter to tell about all he heard and all he had seen with his own eyes about Jesus.

John in his writings makes it clear he believes Jesus is the Son of God. That he is God incarnate. In his gospel he writes about Jesus whom he calls the Word saying,

“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.

According to John Jesus created all things. He makes it clear that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” 

John is clear that the creator of the world became flesh and dwelt among mankind. That he has seen “the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

That being said. Here is something to think about.

If what John is saying here is a lie. Then it is the greatest lie ever in the history of humanity. A lie that close to three billion people in the world today believe. And millions if not billions have gone to the grave believing.

For me I believe what a person believes about Jesus has eternal consequences.

As the same time I cannot force what I believe on anyone. Everyone must decide for themselves what they believe about Jesus. All I would ask however is that before anyone makes a decision about Jesus, is that they at least read the New Testament.

Please think about it.

Do you Love?

Do you Love?

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.

You cannot be a Christian and not love it’s that simple. Not only that our love must be all encompassing. The apostle Paul states,

"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.

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 13:1-8a,13.

When you look at what the apostle Paul states about love do you live up to what it says in word and in deed?

Please think about it.

Part of the Vine?

Part of the vine?

Jesus said,

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  

If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."  John 15:5,6

Here’s a thought and a warning to the church in North America. According to a Pew Research Centre telephone survey conducted in 2018 and 2019 65% percent of Americans describe themselves as Christians down 12% over the past decade. Thus my question is; why is Christianity declining? Especially when many particularly evangelicals say the United States is a “Christian county”.

I think the answer is fairly simple. The church is not doing it’s job. It’s become sidetracked. Getting involved with politics and a myriad of other things. It’s becoming if it already isn’t the vine branches that are about to be thrown away. 

Decades ago Mahatma Gandhi said something that could be said of North American Christians today when he said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians -

 you are not like him.”

                                                 Mahatma Gandhi.

The apostle Paul warned,

"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—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

What Paul is saying here describes many who call themselves Christians today.

Sadly those within the Church do not follow the admonition of the apostle Paul who said,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Christians in North America get it in reverse. They fail to judge the wrong doing in the church and expel those doing it. Instead the judge those who they believe are doing wrong outside the church. Thus placing a road block for those outside the church from coming to know Christ.

The North American church needs to clean up its act. If it doesn’t it will hear the words of Jesus who said,

“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.

Please think about it.

True Christians

True Christians
In the book of Hebrews we read,
"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
The apostle Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18.
Christianity has a bad reputation in many circles. Throughout history men and women calling themselves Christians have not lived at peace with those around them. They have been responsible for the crusades, the Spanish inquisition, slavery and more.
Even in our day and time men and women calling themselves Christians are seen by some as uncaring bigots who do not live up to the ideals of Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                                 Mahatma Gandhi.

Sadly he is right. Many calling themselves Christians are not like Jesus. If we are following the teachings of Jesus and the apostles we should be living at peace with those around us.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
I believe those exhibiting these fruits are true Christians. Are true followers of Christ Jesus. Those who are not, are not true Christians. It’s that simple.
Please think about it.

Rest

Rest
In the book of exodus we read,
“Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.” Exodus 20:9,10.
With this scripture we as Christians could get into a debate about if we should rest on Saturday or Sunday. We could get very legalistic and debate what constitutes work on the Sabbath.
Critics of Jesus in his day criticised him and his disciples for picking and eating grain as they walked through a grain field. Matthew’s gospel noting,
“At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." Matthew 12:1,2.
The Pharisees seen Jesus and his disciples as harvesting the grain. Work, an unlawful act on the Sabbath.
The way I see things here is we shouldn’t get legalistic. Does it really matter when we take a day of rest as long as we take a day of rest. I worked for years in an industry where I had to work on Friday, Saturday and even Sunday afternoons. While I attended church Sunday morning my day of rest was usually Monday.
On Monday people knew not to bother me. It was a day for me to rest and revitalize myself.
I think that’s what God intended by setting aside one day to rest.
In our 24/7 culture where quite often the work is brought home and even taken on vacations. We need to heed God and take twenty-four hours for ourselves every week to rest and relax. It certainly can’t do any harm and will probably do us a world of Good.
Please think about it.

Christian life

Christian life
Matthew’s gospel records this someone asking Jesus,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also 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.
As believers in Christ Jesus we must follow these commands of Jesus. They are the base of our faith. You cannot be a believer in Jesus if you do not love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
You must treat others the way you want to be treated.
Jesus said,
"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 our faith must spur us on to do good deeds. We are Christ’ ambassadors on this earth. It is through our words and deed that people will see Christ. Thus it is incumbent for us to do whatever we can to help those around us.
If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Are you doing what you can to help those around you?
Please think about it.