They will

 They will

In the book of James we read,

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

Jesus makes one thing clear. We are not to judge. He states,

“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.

Jesus makes it clear we are not to judge anyone. Sadly many calling themselves Christians judge people all the time. I see this especially among those who call themselves evangelical Christians. 

They are always out there pointing out sin. Judging people because of the way they live or their lifestyle.

Christians are not to do it! Jesus made it clear what the job of the Christian is 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.

We cannot win a soul for Christ if we even give the appearance of judging them. 

Our job as believers in Christ Jesus is to present the love and mercy God offers all mankind through Christ Jesus. 

After that they must decide for themselves if they believe it or not.

It is my belief that if those calling themselves Christians continue to judge those they disagree with. They will be the ones God judges.

Please think about it.

Proclaim

 Proclaim

Isaiah the prophet wrote,

“Give praise to the Lord, 

proclaim his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done.” 

                                                                               Isaiah 12:4

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.

This is the duty of all who believe in God. Of all who believe in Christ Jesus. We are to go into all the world and make disciples. 

We are to tell the world around us about the love of God and the salvation offered through Christ Jesus. 

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

"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.

If we are truly following God we should be focussed on saving those around us and nothing else.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you telling the people around you about the salvation that comes from belief in Christ Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Sing to God

 Sing to God

The Psalmist writes,

“Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; 

let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 

Let them praise his name with dancing 

and make music to him with tambourine and harp. 

For the LORD takes delight in his people; 

He crowns the humble with salvation. 

Let the saints rejoice in this honour 

and sing for joy on their beds.” 

                                                        Psalm 149:2-5.

If you believe in Christ Jesus. Why not take some time right now to rejoice in your Maker? Take time quietly, audibly, with instruments or without, take time to Praise God.

Please at least think about it.

Are you seeker?

 Are you seeker?

The Psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit? 

Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there your hand will guide me, 

your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                                         Psalm 139:7-10.

So where can you flee from Gods presence? Answer; nowhere. 

God is omnipresent. We cannot flee from Gods presence. God however is as someone has said “a gentleman”. God will not force us to do anything we don’t want to do.

God gives you the freedom to do as you wish. That includes not believing He exists. However should you decide to seek Him you will find Him Jeremiah the prophet records these words from God,

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me,

 and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me 

and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                            Jeremiah 29:12,13.

The key is seeking God with your whole heart.

Please think about it.

I am convinced

I am convinced 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38,39

Today around the world hundreds of thousands of Christians are being persecuted for their faith. Yet they still believe.

What oppressors of Christianity do not understand is you cannot separate a true believer from their faith in God no matter what they do.

For centuries almost from the day Jesus ascended to heaven people have persecuted, imprisoned, physically and mentally abused and even murdered Christians. Yet people of all walks of life are still drawn to Christ. Still follow Him no matter what hardships are place in their way.

They know what the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote is true when he wrote,

"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 judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

Ultimately those who believe in Christ will go to heaven those who do not, those who persecute Christians will not. Jesus speaking of Himself said,

“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. 

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 3:16-18.

Please think about it.  

The cost of freedom and the Christian

The cost of Freedom

 and the Christian

The apostle Paul writes,

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13

As Christians we believe God has given all mankind the freewill to choose to do as they wish. That strictly speaking means we can do anything we want.

Freedom however has a price. To much freedom leads to anarchy. To little freedom leads despotism.

Thus true freedom is a delicate balance between the two extremes. Thus good governments do their best to try and keep that balance. Allowing freedom to reign while at the same time passing laws that prevent society from slipping into the morass of lawlessness and anarchy.

By way of helping mankind, I believe God has placed on the hearts of every individual laws that if followed will lead to a free and just society.

In their briefest form they are the ten commandments,

1/You shall have no other gods before Me.

2/You shall make no idols.

3/You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

4/Keep the Sabbath day holy.

5/Honour your father and your mother.

6/You shall not murder.

7/You shall not commit adultery.

8/You shall not steal.

9/You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

10/You shall not covet

Even if you are an Atheist and disagree with the first four commandments that deal with mans relationship to God. 

You cannot deny that if individuals within our society obey the last  six that deal with our relationship to our fellow man, our society would be a much better place.

Please think about it.

Doing

 Doing

The Psalmist states,

“Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this; 

that power belongs to God,

and that to you, O Lord belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his works”

                                          Psalm 62:11,12.

While it is true we are saved by faith. What the psalmist says here is also true. God will render to us according to our works. We will receive from God what we deserve for the works done for Him.

Thus it is important that we do what we can for God no matter how insignificant that work may seem to be.

So the question becomes; Are you doing what you can to serve God?

Please think about it.

For God alone my soul waits

 For God alone my soul waits

The Psalmist writes,

“For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, 

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

                                                               Psalm 62:1,2.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus is God and God alone your rock, your fortress, your salvation?

Or do you rely on the things of this world, materialism, and your wealth for example.

Please think carefully about it.

Present the gospel with respect

Present the gospel with respect

The apostle Peter states,

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"1 Peter 3:15.

First of all I think many Christians are not prepared to give and answer to people asking them why they believe in Christ Jesus. They seem to have the attitude “the bible says it I believe it” or such and such a pastor or evangelist says it so I believe it. Which is not an answer to non-believers.

Another thing many calling themselves Christians fail to do is present the gospel message with gentleness and respect. The result it is to turn people away from Christ.

We must respect others. We must respect those of different faiths and lifestyles. We should never demonstrate against them or speak disparagingly against them, or judge them.

We must as 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.

Please think about it.

Sing for Joy

Sing for joy

The Psalmist writes,

“Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; 

let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 

Let them praise his name with dancing 

and make music to him with tambourine and harp. 

For the LORD takes delight in his people; 

He crowns the humble with salvation. 

Let the saints rejoice in this honour 

and sing for joy on their beds.” 

                                                        Psalm 149:2-5.

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus why not take sometime right now to rejoice in your maker. Take now to praise the God of your salvation.

Please think about.

My Helper

 My Helper

The Psalmist writes,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.”

                                                   Psalm 121:1,2.

If you are truly a believer in Christ Jesus this is a portion of scripture you should always remember. Especially in times of trouble.

God never said we would have everything our own way. God never promised us a life without problems. Life is full of problems. But knowing God the maker of heaven and earth is your helper truly makes a difference.

No matter how bad the circumstances we are in we can look to God to help us through it.

Is God your helper?

Please think about it.

Is Christ in you?

 Is Christ in you?

In John’s gospel we read,

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 

"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:20-26.

Is Christ in you?

Here are some questions to think about before you answer that question.

1. Do you love as Jesus loved, unconditionally? Family friend and foe alike? Whether you agree with their faith, or lifestyle?

2. Do you refrain from judging others as Jesus told us in Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged."?

3.Does your life exhibit the fruit of the spirit as described by the apostle Paul who said, “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.

Please think about it.