Another Point to Ponder

  Another Point to Ponder

In the gospel of John 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.

In my previous blog I said anyone who is presented with Jesus must decide whether what Jesus said about himself was true when He said,

“... "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.

In this post I would ask who do you think Jesus is. In the Gospel of John, John refers to Jesus as “The Word”. John states that “The Word was with God” 

That He was in the beginning with God and that through Him all things were made.

We read that,

“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 1:14.

 Thus the question becomes do you believe Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh?

What I would ask of anyone answers that question is, please at least read the New Testament all the time praying with a sincere heart, asking God to show you the truth.

Please think about it.

A Point to Ponder

  A point to ponder

Jesus said,

... "I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

                                                                               John 14:6

John the Baptist speaking of Jesus said,

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,...”

                                                                                       John 3:36a

Here in a nutshell for all who read this to ponder are two points. Both saying that whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God, whoever believes Jesus is the only way to heaven will receive eternal life.

The words of Jesus make it clear that He is the way to heaven. That no one comes to the Father except through Him.

In the book of Matthew we read something all who are presented with Jesus must decide for them selves. Matthew records,

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:13-16.

Thus my question to you; who do you believe Jesus to be?

Please think about it.

We shouldn't

 We shouldn't

In the book of James we read,

“You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”  James 4:4.

The past year 2020 here in North America has been to say the least politically intense. Many calling themselves Christian leaders have gone on record as supporting various political parties and politicians. This should not be so.

While there is nothing wrong in exercising ones democratic right to vote for who we wish. We should not be siding with any political party or politician.  

We should be following the example of Jesus and the apostles who never got involved in secular politics. 

The men and women who followed Jesus lived in a multicultural empire at least as diverse as North America. 

They lived in an empire that by our standards today were barbaric. A society that allowed the worship of many gods. That allowed prostitution. That allowed men and women to fight to the death in arenas for the entertainment of the general public and political leaders alike. 

An empire that for several hundred years outlawed Christianity. 

Yet they stayed true to the call of Jesus who 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.

In doing so they reached their world within a century. 

Someone speaking particularly about the American church said 

“the American church suffers from the blessings of freedom”

They were right the freedoms we have here in North America allows to do as we wish that includes combining our faith with politics. 

As someone else has said,

“Combining religion and politics is like combining water and gasoline. The water is undrinkable. The gasoline unusable. And the whole thing is explosive.”

That I believe is why Jesus told us,

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."  James 4:4.

Jesus also said,

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.

When we mix our faith with politics it dilutes our message. It can and frequently does push people away from God, potentially into a Christless eternity.

As believers in Christ Jesus we should never mix our faith with politics. We should present the saving grace of Christ Jesus in the purest way we know how to.

Please think about it.

Your ways

 Your ways

“For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths.”

                                                       Proverbs 5:21.

Here’s something to be aware of. God knows what you are doing be it for good or evil. Whether you believe in God or not you will be judged. The writer of Ecclesiastes saying,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

God will one day judge every man and woman that has ever lived and He will judge them justly.

Which means simply we should be doing what is good and right in the eyes of God. 

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

So my question to you the reader would be; Do you truly love those around you, family, friend and foe alike?

For if we are truly loving those around us we can’t go wrong.

Please think about it.

Show me

  Show me

The Psalmist writes,

“Show me your ways, O LORD,

 teach me your paths; 

guide me in your truth 

and teach me, 

for you are God my Saviour, 

and my hope is in you all day long.” 

                                               Psalm 25:4,5.

If you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Jesus Christ, is this your prayer? 

Do you long for God to show you His ways? 

Do you long for God to teach you His truths?

This should be your prayer if you truly love God. Every Christian needs to not just read the Bible but study it carefully and prayerfully. All the time asking God to reveal His truths to you. For it is only by doing so that we will truly know the will of God for our lives.

Please think about it.

Don't mix it

  Don’t Mix it

In Matthews gospel we read Jesus saying,

"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.

In this blog I want to address Christians and particularly those calling themselves Evangelical Christians here in North America where I live.

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus gives the divine commission. Telling us to go into all the world and make disciples.

 Notice Jesus didn’t say get involved in politics or trying to legislate morality. Sadly throughout the years Evangelical Christians particularly in the United States have publicly backed political parties and individual politicians. Sadly many calling themselves Christians have tried to legislate morality.

As good as Christian morality is we should not be trying to force our morality on others. 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.

Put this way Jesus’ words here in Matthew 7:12 means;

If you should not be trying to restrict the rights of others or impose your morality on others because in doing so you are saying they can try and do that to you.

When it comes to politics no matter how good a politician or political party may look they change over time and some even lie. Thus by supporting them we run the risk of bringing the words of Christ into disrepute. Whether we like it or not quite often are judged by the company we keep.

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus we must strive to honour God in word and deed. We must strive to present the word of God in its purest form never mixing it with things of this world.

Please think about it.

F. A. I. T. H.?

 F. A. I. T. H.?

In the book of Mark we read 

“Then he (Jesus) called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34.

There was at one time a saying among Christians that went like this

F. A. I. T. H. 

Forsaking 

All             

I               

Take         

Him.        

If you consider yourself a Christian are you willing to give everything up to follow Jesus? That’s not to say Jesus will ask you to give up everything to follow him but He may.

Think about your life and all you have materially. Are you willing to give your material wealth to follow Christ?

Think, (especially if you live in the western democracies), think about your freedoms. Are you willing to give up your freedom to follow Christ? Are you willing to die for Christ?

These are big questions. Questions many Christians in the world have said yes to. 

Around the world today there are tens of thousands of Christians in prison, being attacked or socially excluded because they chose to follow Christ.

So I ask you if you live in North America or in the western democracies with all the freedoms we enjoy, would you be willing to give all of those freedoms up to follow Christ?

Please think about it.

By Works

 By Works

The apostle John writes,

"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.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus this is how we should show love in a practical way. By helping those in need. 

James the half brother of Jesus said,

"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.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a Christian, are you showing your faith in Christ, your love for others and for God by your actions?

Please think about it.

Inscribed on your heart

  Inscribed on your heart

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name

 in the sight of God and man."

                                                     Proverbs 3:3,4.

Two things here God asks us to do;

Let love and faithfulness never leave us.

The results of our loving and faithfulness are;

We will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Thus my questions to you;

Are you showing unconditional love to those around you?

Are you faithful at all times to God?

Are love and faithfulness truly inscribed on your heart?

Please think about it.

To be effective soul winners

  To be effective soul winners.

In the gospel of Luke we read Jesus saying,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 

He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?  

A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Luke 6:37-42.

Here Jesus makes it simple we are not to judge others. That we should not look at the faults of others. Instead we should look at our own faults.

Pointing out the faults of others will not generally win us any accolades. It may even push others away from us. After all we wouldn’t want people pointing out our faults.

It is not our job to point out the faults of others. Our job is to present the salvation message to those around us, then let God do the rest.

Billy Graham the American evangelist wisely said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                           Billy Graham  

To be effective soul winners for Christ we must remember 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.

Are you a new creation?

 Are you a new creation?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  2 Corinthians 5:17.

If someone truly give their life to Christ I truly believe their life will change. The rate of change will vary from person to person but anyone who puts their trust wholly in God will inevitably change to exhibit the characteristics of God.

Those Characteristics called by the apostle Paul the fruit of the spirit being,

“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.

That being said we are all human and slip from time to time.

The American evangelist, the late Billy Graham said,

“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” Billy Graham.

All true Christians I believe experience what Billy Graham is saying from time to time. All who truly believe in Christ Jesus will have to from time to time go to God with tears in our eyes and say ‘O God forgive me’ ‘help me.’

Upon hearing those prayers I truly believe that God will answer them and give strength and comfort to those who say them sincerely.

Thus my question to you dear reader; have you placed your trust in Christ Jesus? Are you a new creation?

Are you showing the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control?

Please think about it.

Where is your trust?

  Where is your trust?

The Psalmist writes,

"God is our refuge and strength, 

an ever-present help in trouble" 

                                             Psalm 46:1.

When you get in trouble, when you are having problems in your life, where does your strength come from? Does it come from God or the things of this world?

Matthews gospel records this interaction between Jesus and a young man,

"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 there’s nothing wrong with having great wealth. The problem comes when we put our trust in that wealth ahead of God. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

Notice here the apostle Paul here says “for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

Money in and of itself is neither good nor bad. Its what we do with it and how much value we place on it in our life that can cause problems.

Our trust must always be in the Lord God Almighty. Nothing should come before Him.

So where is your trust?

Please think about it.