What kind of love?

  What kind of 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 neighbor as yourself.’  

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

Christian love I believe is defined by the apostle Paul 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 dear reader is; Is the kind of love you practice the kind of love the apostle Paul defines here?

Is the kind of love you practice the kind of Love God wants you to practice, unconditional love?

Please think about it.

Don't pick fights

  Don’t pick fights

The writer of Hebrews states,

"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 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.

Sadly here in North America where I live there are many calling themselves Christians who are picking fights with those they agree with. They try to impose their moral values on people who don’t want them.

Jesus never told us to impose our beliefs and morals on anyone.

Both Jesus and the apostles live in a multicultural world, the Roman Empire. A secular world where many gods were worshipped. Where moral codes were the opposite of what they believed. 

Can you imagine what the apostle Paul and the others thought of temple prostitutes in Corinth? What they thought of when it came to the blood sports that happened in Roman arenas around the empire?

Can you imagine Paul entering Athens and seeing the various temples to various gods all of which espoused beliefs far different to what he believed?

Paul seen all these temples yet never spoke against any of the gods worshipped in Athens. Instead he presented the Athenians with the one true God.

It was the same with the other apostles they presented the word of God in as pure a form as they could. As a result they changed their world around them in under a century. 

As believers in Christ Jesus in 2021 we should be doing the same. We should be presenting the good news about Jesus to anyone who will listen and not pick fights with those who do not believe as we do.

Please think about it.

Negative or Positive

 Negative or Positive 

The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Here is sound advise from the writer of Hebrews to all Christians. To all who believe in Christ Jesus.

So my question to you is your eyes on Jesus or is it wandering to look at other leaders be they spiritual or political?

As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot afford to mix our faith with anything. Our faith must be completely in Christ. Not wavering to the left or the right.

The apostle Paul tells us,

“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 5:20.

It is through the lense of our life, our words and deeds that people will see Jesus. If our actions reflect negatively on Him people will see Jesus in a negative light. If our actions are positive people will be attracted to Jesus.

So what are your actions telling people about Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Going to Hell?

 Going To Hell? 

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading. People are becoming lovers of self.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.

It's from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted. In 2Timothy 4:3,4. And the solution to the problem. The only solution is the Love of God.

Sadly the church particularly here in North America where I live is turning away from its first love. Especially in the light of the current political situation in the United states many claiming to be Christians are becoming political. 

They are putting political figures ahead of God. Claiming political leaders are Christians when their actions prove otherwise. Bringing Gods word into disrepute.

If ever there was a time for revival within the Church it is now.

I believe that each individual who claims to be a Christian needs to look at themselves and ask God to show them what it is to be Christian in 2021.

For if they don’t and they continue in a way that is not pleasing to God they will one day here the words of Jesus who said,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  

“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 7:21-23

Please think about it.

Will you be answered

 Will you be answered

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor

 will himself call out and not be answered.” 

                                                      Proverbs 21:13.

What do you do when you pass a homeless person on the street? What do you think of them?

What do you do when you see a single mother and realize she’s struggling to make ends meet?

Do you do anything to help the poor even if it’s only giving a few dollars, or food to a food bank?

Are you’re ears open of closed to the plight of the poor in your town or city?

If you’re a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus you have an obligation to those who are less fortunate than yourself.

I know the Talmud is a Jewish book but what it has to say about the relationship between the rich and the poor makes sense.

 In the Talmud we read,

Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.

Question; Are you making the world a household of love?

When you cry out to God will you be answered?

Please think about it.

Give of yourself

  Give of yourself

In the book of James we read,

“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.

As believers in Christ Jesus our faith should spur us on to do all we can to help those in need. This is what James the half brother of Jesus is telling us here. If we can help someone we should help them. 

Even if you cannot help materially you can always help. Even if it’s just showing kindness. Or giving a person someone to talk to. 

In these dark days of the Covid pandemic where doctors tell us mental health issues are on the rise a listening ear is always appreciated.

Anne Frank a Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis in occupied holland during world war two wrote,

“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank. 

So if you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus are you giving in some way to those around you?

Please think about it.

You should

  You should

Jesus said,

“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”Matthew 5:42.

Give to those who asks? Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you? Really? Is this what a Christian suppose to do?

According to Jesus it is.

Thus my question to anyone who would consider themselves a Christian. If it is in your power to help anyone who aks you for help, do you help? Do you lend to those who asks to borrow something from you?

The answer to those questions according to Jesus is you should be.

Please think about it.

Speak for

  Speak for

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, 

for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; 

defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

                                                              Proverbs 31:8,9.

These are words from the bible not mine. Notice they don’t give the reader the an option. It states clearly 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, 

for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; 

defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

                                                              Proverbs 31:8,9.

 Sadly when I look around North America where I live there are many calling themselves Christians, especially politicians, who are not following this call of God.

We as believers in God are called to help those in need period. Even if it is in just a small way. 

I like the way the American Evangelist Tony Campolo put it,

“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.

So if you consider yourself a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus what are you doing to help those in need around you?

Please think about it.

Can you truly say?

 Can you truly say?

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.

The simple question I would ask of anyone who claims to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus is; 

Can you truly say say with the Psalmist.

"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.

Please think about it.

Without Faith

 Without Faith

In the book of Joshua we read,

“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.

Who do you really serve? Who or what takes first place in your life?

In the book of Matthew we read of this conversation between Jesus and a rich 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.

Sadly many people here in North America where I live although they claim to be Christians don’t put God first in their lives. Instead they put their wealth first. 

I know that trusting in God alone for your daily needs can be hard. Never-the-less we must put our faith wholly in God irrespective of the circumstances we find ourselves in. For as the writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Please think about it.

A Believers Hope

  A Believers Hope

The apostle Peter wrote,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you” 1Peter 1:3-4.

The apostle Peter in a nutshell says it all. As believes in Christ Jesus we believe that God in His mercy has given us a living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

That we have an inheritance in heaven that can never fade, perish or spoil. An inheritance no one on earth can take away from us.

Do you have the same hope? If not you can have such hope. The apostle Paul writes,

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.

So the choice is yours. Do you believe in Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

What I believe

  What I believe

The apostle John states,

“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.

John here refers to Jesus as...

  “the word” 

That he was... 

“with God in the beginning”

That .....

“Without him nothing was made that has been made.”

That....

“In him was life and that life was the light of men...”

That...

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

John then states that he and the other disciples had seen his glory the glory of the one and only who came from the Father.

And the reason all this happened is made clear by the apostle John who states,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

  At the same time the apostle John writes a warning when he states,

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:18.

It is a message that neither I or anyone who believes in Christ Jesus can force anyone to believe. I simply place it here for those who would read it to simply think about.

Please think about it.