Expel the wicked from among you

 Expel the wicked from among you

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.

The other day I found a couple of interesting quotes. One from Lenny Bruce said,

“Every day people are straying away from the church

 and going back to God. Really.” 

                                      Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."

The other is from an unknown author it states,

"I believe in God; I just don't trust anyone who works for him.”

                                                                               Author Unknown

I have met many people who truly believe in God but are turned off by the people who supposedly serve Him. 

It’s sad but there are many claiming to be Christians who are not. 

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.

The apostle Peter states,

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”2 Peter 2:1-3.

Like I said, there are many in the world today claiming to be Christians who are not. This is especially true in North America where I live.

There are many high profile preachers and evangelist who have twisted the scriptures to say what they want it to say. They have wandered far from the principles of God. What is worse many people are following them blindly to what could end in a Christless eternity.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be studying the Bible for ourselves. We need to pray and gain understanding so that we do not fall for false teachings.

Additionally we need to speak out against false teachers in our churches. The apostle Paul said,

"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

Please think about it.

Where is your hope?

  Where is your hope?

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

As believers in Christ Jesus we must keep our eyes fixed on Him and what He taught. 

Sadly all too many people especially here in North America where I live, have their eyes fixed on some popular evangelist or pastor. And when they fall or make mistakes the people following them fall also.

No pastor, or evangelist should ever be followed exclusively. They are human and humans are far from perfect. They for a myriad of reasons can stray from the word of God. That is why we should keep our eyes on the teachings of Jesus. On the teachings of the Bible. 

In order to do this however we need to not simply to read the Bible but studying it also. While at the same time praying and asking God to show us the truths within the Bible.

People make mistakes the Bible does not.

So my question to you dear reader is; Who are your eyes fixed on, a pastor, an evangelist, or God?

Please think about it.

The definition of Love

 The definition of Love

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians gives what to me is the quintessential definition of Gods Love. He writes

“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.

I think this definition of love is self explanatory. It is the type of love we should be showing to God, family, friends, neighbours and even our enemies.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

Four things

  Four things

My parents were secular. They believed in God but didn’t attend church much. But there were three things I was brought up with.

From my study of the Bible I have added one thing. Making it four things I believe true Christians should be following.

1/Love God.

2/Love your neighbour. Remembering all people are your neighbours. 

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

3/Judge no one especially when it comes to where they will spend eternity.

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.

The apostle Paul said,

"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

4/ Treat others the way you wish to be treated.

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.

Jesus said this

 Jesus said this

Jesus said this,

"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 in the year 2021 this means;

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals on others

however good they may be.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others 

rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

Please think about it

I have the right

  I have the right

The apostle Paul states,

" ‘I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything'—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:23–24.

Living in North America I hear all the time “I have my rights!!!” 

And yes every individual has the right to do as they wish. There is however a caveat. That being you cannot hurt someone, physically, mentally, or spiritually.

This is something I believe a lot of Christians here in North America forget. We have rights but we have no right to restrict or hurt someone physically, mentally, or spiritually.

For someone calling themselves a Christian to do so pushes people away from God. 

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.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, this should be the principle that guides your every day life. 

Please think about it.

Living a good life

 Living a good life

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.

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.

I know we are all human, we make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Are you living a good life? Above all are you treating those around you in the same way your would have them treat you?

Please think about it.

Attributes

  Attributes

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.

Read carefully what the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians. These are key attributes of a Christian. These are attributes of Jesus that should be seen in our lives every day.

So the question becomes; 

Are people seeing these attributes in your life?

Please think about it.

Walking humbly with God

  Walk humbly with God

The Prophet Micah wrote,

“He has told you, O man what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.

This portion of scripture is directed at the individual. It is telling individuals what God requires of them. 

We are to;

1/ do justice

2/ love kindness,

3/ walk humbly with God.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Jesus when asked takes this statement a step further,

"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.

If we truly Love God. We will do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

Are you?

Please think about it.

What God asks

   What God asks

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good Deuteronomy 10:12,13.

Here God is speaking directly to Israel and by extension I believe He is speaking to the church as a corporate body.

God is making it clear what He requires. 

1/ to fear the LORD. (Have respect for Him)

2/ to walk in the ways God has commanded.

3/ to love God.

4/ to serve God with all your heart and soul.

5/ to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

He then finishes by stating it is for the believers own good.

These are not difficult things to follow. And ultimately they will strengthen our faith in God.

Please think about it.

You need to be sincerely looking

  You need to be sincerely looking

Jeremiah the Prophet wrote,

“You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.”

                                                            Jeremiah 29:13.

An unknown author quipped, 

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God 

for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” 

                                                                    Author Unknown.

That unknown author I think hit the nail on the head. Many who call themselves atheist are convinced there is no God, and no one will ever be able to convince them otherwise.

However I believe there are many out there who are truly looking for God. And that’s the key. You need to be sincerely looking for God in order to find Him.

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.

What I always tell anyone who is looking for God is take time to pray and ask God to direct you. Read at least the New Testament and see what its writers believed about God.

I also think you should try to find a good church in your area. 

As I write this blog in Canada I can’t say what a good church is in any particular area around the world. I suggest here in Canada to visit a Salvation Army congregation or Baptist churches even Anglican, Presbyterian, or Christian reformed.

When you do go to a church just make sure that the church is teaching from the Bible. The Bible is considered by Christians to be the word of God. The only authority on God. No other writings should take its place.

The key to knowing God is to study the Bible. 

You can buy bibles that have commentaries that explain the scriptures and give background information about when the various books of the Bible.

The important thing is to truly seek out God and He will show Himself to you.

Please think about it.

I will praise You

  I will Praise You

The Psalmist writes,

"I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; 

I will sing of you among the peoples. 

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; 

your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 

let your glory be over all the earth." 

                                                    Psalm 57:9-11.

Do you sing praises to God? How often do you praise God? Daily? weekly? only when you are in Church?

As believers in God. As believers in Christ Jesus, we should be taking at least a few minutes each day to praise God. For He is our hope and Salvation. 

Why not take time to praise God now. Why not set aside time in your day just to thank God for all He has done for you?

Please think about it.