The Reason

  The reason

Jesus said,

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17.

Here is the reason God sent Jesus to this earth. To save the world. NOT to condemn the world. 

This is the message Christians, those who believe in Christ Jesus must always remember.

As believers in Christ Jesus we have no right to judge others especially when it comes to where they will spend eternity.

Jesus 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.

Thus my question to all those who say they are Christians, followers of Christ Jesus; Are you presenting the Gospel of Christ in a loving way to those around you?

Please think about it.   

Actions

 Actions

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

A true Christian will not judge anyone outside the church that is God’s job. The apostle Paul does however say we may judge those who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus, Paul writes,

“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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.

That being said I truly believe that the only time we can judge anyone who claims to be Christian is to see whether or not they are teaching sound doctrine. We have no right to judge anyone as to where they will spend eternity.

When it comes to interaction with others we should remember the words of James who writes,

“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 judgement!”  James 2:12,13.

And above all we should always 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.

They may not be Christian

  They may not be a Christian

Jesus said,

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23.

Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians

you are not like him.” 

                            Mahatma Gandhi.

I think like many people today Gandhi met many people claiming to be Christian who are not. Men and women who will one day hear the words of Jesus saying,

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers”

                                                                         Matthew 7:23b.

Especially now since the pandemic hit here in North America we are seeing people who claim to be Christians who are not. Men and women who are bashing people over the head with the bible yet fail to follow what is in it.

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 that if a person is not exhibiting the fruit of the spirit there is a good chance that they are not Christian at all. 

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.

Again if a person is not exhibiting love for God and ones neighbour I firmly believe he or she is not a Christian. 

What do you think?

Please think about it.

Is John telling the truth?

  Is John telling the truth?

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 three billion people plus in the world today believe. And billions of people 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.

Whom do you trust?

  Whom do you trust?

The Psalmist writes,

"I love you, O LORD, my strength. 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. 

He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, 

my stronghold." 

                             Psalm 18:1,2

In Psalm 20 we read,

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” 

                                                              Psalm 20:7.

Where I your trust? Do you trust in your own power or in God’s power? It is a question we must all answer.

So I ask you whom do you truly trust in the good times and in the bad times, is it in God or something else?

Please think about it.

Why not take time?

 Why not take time?

The Psalmist writes,

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." 

                                                        Psalm 9:1,2.

I have read many true stories of persecuted Christians around the world and what amazes me is that despite there sometimes dire circumstances they still praise God. They still believe in God and still praise God even when imprisoned. 

They remind me of the apostle Paul and others who were imprisoned the book of acts telling us

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25.

So here is my question to anyone living in the free democracies of the western world be they in North America, Europe or elsewhere; Do you praise God often and in all circumstances even your worst circumstances?

It’s hard I know to try and praise God in the bad times but I think we must. For I believe that in praising God in the bad times shows how deep our commitment to God really is.

Not only that I have found it can lift our sprits and make us feel good.

So why not take time right now to praise God?

Please think about it.

Fix your eyes on what is unseen

  Fix your eyes on what is unseen.

The apostle Paul writes,

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18.

This is a very hard thing to do especially in the materialistic society that we in North America live in. Sadly for many if they can’t see it, feel it, or taste it, it doesn’t exist.

What Paul is asking his readers is to have faith. The book of Hebrews telling us,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  

This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1,2.

The writer of Hebrews going on to say,

“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.

Thus my questions, to you; Is your eyes fixed on what is unseen? Is your eyes fixed on God?

Please think about it.

The first and greatest

 The first and 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

The way I see it if you claim to be a Christian you must love unconditionally family friend and foe alike.

The apostle Paul defining what Christian love is when he 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.

So my question to you if you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, is this the kind of love you show to others?

Please think about it.

A Duty

  A Duty

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.

The way I read this is we have a duty before God to treat others with the respect we expect from them.

We do not have the right to do as we wish. 

Jesus said,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 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?”Matthew 5:43-46.

Throughout the New Testament in particular we see again and again that we as individuals are to put others ahead of ourselves.

We are called to Love our family, friends and foe alike, unconditionally.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Live as Children of The Light.

 Live as Children of The light

The apostle Paul writes,

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light  (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” Ephesians 5:8,9.

Are you a child of the light? When someone looks at your life do they see goodness, righteousness and truth?

The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians states,

“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us....”  2 Corinthians 5:20a.

An ambassador is a countries or kings representative in another country. It is through the lense of that ambassadors life that people see the king or country.

Thus people will see Jesus through anyone who calls themself a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus.

So what are your words and deeds telling the world around you about Jesus?

Does you life consist of goodness, righteousness truth and the unconditional love of Christ Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Love in a Covid World

  Love in a Covid world

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2.

Do you walk in Love? 

Jesus by going to the cross for us showed what true love is. Would you be willing to go that far?

The apostle Paul speaking of love wrote,

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, 

always perseveres...”

                                              1Corinthians 13:7.

What does this mean in a Covid world? I think the answer is simple be it in a Covid world or otherwise. It means that we must do our best to preserve the lives of those around us. If that means socially distancing or staying at home we must do so.

Please think about it.

Show Respect

 Show respect

The apostle Peter wrote,

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.  Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.” 1Peter 2:13-17.

Before I proceed let me preface this. I believe it is every Christians duty to present to Gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen to us. It is only when governments or other groups stop us from doing this we have the right to protest.

That being said in this Covid crisis we are in here in North America I believe as long as there is a way for us to meet be it on line or in socially distancing situations we have no reason to protest against the government. Quite the contrary we should be obeying the temporary restrictions place on us.

The apostle Peter makes it clear, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors,...”.

It can’t be any clearer than that. 

Yes for the short term we may have to be creative in the way we meet. But we can still meet. And who knows by being creative in how and where we worship we may just further the cause of Christ.

Please think about it.