Love your neighbour as yourself

 Love your neighbour as yourself.

James the half brother of Jesus wrote,

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right.  

But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:8,9.

In my previous blog I noted that if Christian leaders and politicians are truly practising Christian principles then they should be doing all they can to help everyone from the poorest of the poor up. 

Here James points out that if we are really following as he puts it “the royal law found in scripture Love your neighbour as yourself” we are doing right. Then he adds a BUT.

“if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers”

James goes on to say,

“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.

We I believe especially if we are in a position of power have a duty to help the poor in any way we can. If not I believe it shows we are not truly following the teachings of Christ.

What do you think?

Priest, Levite, or Samaritan?

 Priest Levite or Samaritan?

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.

Quite often when I speak to Christians here in North America. A lack of love. I see this quite clearly in the actions of many Christian leaders in the United States. The talk a good talk about love and mercy but their actions do not show it.

Lack of love is particularly evident in it seems many American politicians. Their actions do not show they love their neighbour as their self. 

Jesus told this parable  

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 

He answered: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" 

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  

But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,' he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10: 25-37

Politicians and Christian leaders have the power to help those in need. Be it health care, helping people to put a roof over their head and food on the table. 

Think about this. What better way to spend tax money than on the well being of the poor and needy. What better way to spend tax payers dollars than on the health care of all people.

If politicians and those claiming to be Christian leaders are truly following the words of Jesus they should be doing all they can to help everyone from the poorest of the poor to the wealthy. AND they should be doing so without favouritism. 

They should be acting like the good Samaritan.

Please think about it.

2.5%

2.5%

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes if you consider yourself a Christian are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please it. think about

Be Merciful

 Be Merciful

Jesus said,

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” 

                                                              Luke 6:36.

Mercy according to the Oxford dictionary is “compassion or forgiveness shown towards and enemy or offender in one’s power.”

I’m writing to Christians here and the question I want to ask is; Are you merciful?

I am a retired professional clown and magician. I spent a large portion of my life entertaining children and adults alike at events ranging from a small house party, to large company picnics and even weddings. And I had a lot of fun.

On one particular occasion I mentioned to someone at the church I was attending at the time that I’d been hired to perform at a same sex wedding.

This person, who sat on the board of the church said I shouldn’t be doing it. Frankly while in hindsight it shouldn’t, have shocked me, it did.

He was without meeting these two people. Judging them to be sinners. Which shouldn’t have mattered anyway. After all Jesus sat with sinners. 

I didn’t know at the time whether this couple were saved or not. The way I seen it, it was not my job to judge them. The American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                            Billy Graham.

As a believer in Christ Jesus I feel I, and indeed all who believe in Jesus must not judge anyone outside our faith. We must at all times show mercy and love to those around us.

No one will ever see Gods mercy if we as believers do not show it to them. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 18-20.

If we are Christ’s ambassadors given the ministry of reconciliation. Then we have a duty to show mercy to all people by reaching out with the love of God in a non-judgemental way.

We must do this irrespective of a persons lifestyle, faith, or position in society.

So I repeat my question; do you show mercy to those around you?

Please think about it.

A Gift

 A Gift.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," 

                                                                              Romans 3:23,

Paul goes on to say,

“For the wages of sin is death, 

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

                                                                                     Romans 6:23.

As Christians we believe all people sin even if it is in small ways. We believe that even the smallest sin separates us from God. That being said. The apostle John said,

"If we confess our sins, 

he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives."

                                                                          1John 1:9-10.

Thus my question for you; do you believe what the apostle Paul and the apostle John are saying here?

If so have you confessed your sins to God?

If not why not take sometime to confess your sins directly to God and accept the saving grace and eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus.

Please think about it.

A Truth

 A Truth

Jeremiah the profit quotes God as saying,

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                                                               Jeremiah 29:13

Someone has said of atheists,

Maybe the atheist cannot find God 

for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman. 

                                                                              Author Unknown.

It’s true you must be truly searching for God with an open mind and a sincere heart. Otherwise you will never find God.

Please think about it. 

What it is to be Christian

 What it is to be Christian.

The apostle Paul wrote,

Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, 

but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God's people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; 

mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, 

but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

 Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

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

live at peace with everyone. 

                                                  Romans 12:9-18.

If you consider yourself a Christian do people without you mentioning anything to them see what the apostle Paul is saying here in your life?

Please think about it.

Something to consider

 Something to consider

The book of acts states,

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.  

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” 

                                                                                               Acts 2:44,45.

Someone once told me that these two verses point to the fact that the first century Christians were a form of socialist. Pointing to the fact they had all things in common and gave to anyone in need.

I suppose you could say that is true. But isn’t having all things in common and helping those in need a Christian concept. 

The apostle John states,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  

1 John 3:16-18

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.

Taking care of those who are in need is a Christian concept. I firmly believe if we have true faith in God. If we are truly Christians our actions will prove it.

We will do all we can to help those in need. And if we do not we will answer to God.

Please think about it.

Think about this

 Think about this

John’s gospel records,

"Jesus wept." 

                   John 11:35

Charles H. Spurgeon said,

“A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.”

                                                                       Charles H. Spurgeon.

Jesus understands what it is to be human. In coming to the earth that he created he experienced first hand what it was to be human. 

Jesus experienced first hand what it was like to feel the sun and rain against his face. The smell of an olive grove. He felt the pain of a friend dying and the joy of friends when he raised that man from the grave. He experienced the love of his earthly parents. The joy of a wedding feast. 

He also experience what it was to be rejected, brutally beaten and anguish of death on a cross for a crime he didn’t commit.

Thus when we stand before Him on judgement day we cannot say to him “you don’t understand what it is to be human because you have always been almighty.”

We can’t say this because Jesus came from heaven to earth to experience all that it is to be a human being. 

We can’t say that God did not care for us because the apostle Paul reminds us,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

Please think about it.

The greatest

 The greatest

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 neighbor as yourself.'  

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

Do you show love? Do you show unconditional love in the way Jesus did?

The apostle Paul wrote perhaps the best definition of love ever written. A definition I believe all Christians should follow.

Paul wrote,

“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.

Is this the kind of love you are showing to family, friend and foe alike? If not you should be.

Please think about it.

The only way

 The only way

James the half brother of Jesus said,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

Are you merciful? Do you stand in judgement of those you disagree with. Those who are of a different faith. Those who have a different lifestyle? 

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.

There is no room for argument here. Jesus tells us not to judge. I believe we are not allowed to judge others because we do not know why they are the way they are.

The duty to God of all Christians was made clear by Jesus when he 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.

They only way we can fulfil our duty to Christ is to present the gospel in a loving way to those around us. 

We will never win a soul to Christ by judging them.

Please think about it.

Your Thoughts and Your deeds

 Your Through and your deeds.

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.

This is a fundamental scripture for all who believe in Christ Jesus.

1/ We are the light of the world.

2/ We are a city on a hill.

3/ we are to let our light shine before men.

We are to let out light shine that they may see our good deeds and praise God.

So my question to you if you claim to be a Christian is what are your words and deeds telling others about God?

Please think about it.