How should a Christian live?

  How should a Christian live?

The apostle Peter writes,

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

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 2:9-12.

What the apostle Peter is saying here is self explanatory. He states,

Christians are a people of God.

People to whom God showed His mercy.

Christians are aliens and strangers in the world.

Peter calls believers to abstain from sinful desires.

He tells believer to live good lives among those around us.

And we do all this so that,“...though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Thus my question to anyone who calls themselves a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus is; are you doing what the apostle Peter is saying here?

Please think about it.

The yoke of Jesus

 The yoke of Jesus

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

Let me make one thing clear. God never promised to make the life of a believer in Christ Jesus easy in this life. You only have to look at the lives of the apostles to see that.

Jesus was crucified.

Matthew: killed by the sword in Ethiopia

Mark: died in Alexandria Egypt after being dragged by horses until he was dead.

Luke: hanged in Greece.

Peter: crucified upside down.

James: thrown a hundred feed down from the southeast point of the temple. Then when found alive was beaten to death. 

James: the Son of Zebedee, beheaded in Jerusalem 

Bartholomew (also known as Nathaniel): flayed to death by a whip in Armenia.

Andrew: crucified on an X-shaped cross after being severely whipped.

Thomas: stabbed to death with a spear while evangelizing in India.

Matthias: (the one chosen to replace Judas Iscariot) stoned then beheaded.

Paul: imprisoned in Rome, tortured then beheaded on orders from the evil emperor Nero.

John: according to church tradition, he was boiled in oil but was miraculously delivered from death. Then sentenced to the prison mines on the island of Patmos. He would later be freed and serve as Bishop of Edessa. He is said to have died and old man. The only apostle to die peacefully. 

What all these men shared was their belief that Jesus was the Son of God. The Saviour of mankind. As such they accepted their fate.

And I think its not a stretch to say they truly believed the words of Jesus who said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

If you consider yourself a Christian have you taken upon you the yoke of Jesus. Have you truly found rest for your soul?

Please think about it.

Faith and Science

  Faith and Science

The writer of the book of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

Having faith in anything especially something we cannot see can be difficult. Yet God asks this of us.

God wants us to have faith that He exists the writer of Hebrews stating,

"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.

That being said God shows himself in creation.

Stephen Hawking one of the greatest scientific minds of the twentieth century said,

"It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us," Stephen Hawking.

Writing long before Stephen Hawking the psalmist wrote,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                        Psalm 19:1.

Scientist tell us we are in what they call the “goldilocks zone” the perfect place in the universe for life as we know it to exist. They say that even a slight variant in our position in the solar system or the universe and life on this planet would not be able to exist.

As astronomer John O”Keefe put it,

"We are, by astronomical standards, a pampered, cosseted, cherished group of creatures... if the Universe had not been made with the most exacting of precision we could never have come into existence. It is my view that these circumstances indicate the universe was created for man to live in." John O'Keefe

Science, good science shows God exists,

Louis Pasteur stated,

“A bit of science distances one from God, but much science nears one to Him... The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed by the work of the Creator" Louis Pasteur.

Lord William Kelvin noted for his theoretical work in thermodynamics wrote,

"If you study Science deep enough and long enough, it will force you to believe in God" Lord William Kelvin.

So dear reader what do you believe?

Please think about it.

Judgement and Salvation

Judgement and Salvation

The writer of Proverbs states,

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

and he examines all his paths.”

                                       Proverbs 5:21

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

"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." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

The apostle Paul speaking in Athens said,

"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." Acts 17:30,31.

Here are three statements I believe you should take to heart. God knows our deeds and God will judge us accordingly.

That being said as a Christian I believe we can have our sins forgiven if we truly believe in Christ Jesus. The apostle John quotes Jesus as saying,

"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.

The apostle John also writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

The gospel coalition defines sin as,

"Sin is acting or behaving in a way that does not conform with God's character or commands. It is about crossing lines that have been laid down for us by God. Sin is thus an act of rebellion and distrust. It is us saying to God: "You don't get to make the rules! I am capable of deciding right and wrong for myself!" "The gospel coalition.

The apostle Paul makes it clear we all have crossed that line when he writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

But the apostle Paul makes it clear God has provided us with a way for us to enter heaven when he states,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

The apostle Peter stating,

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Acts 2:21.

So my question to you dear reader is do you believe this? 

If I am wrong there is nothing to fear. For anyone believing what I have said will have lived a good life. 

If on the other hand I am right then there is a lot to consider. 

Please think about it.

Give praise to God!!!

  Give praise to God!!!

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15.

Take time to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. To even gather with other Christians and be thankful for all you have, and all Christ has done for you.

To give praise to God. 

We should as the Psalmist tells us,

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

                                                                   Psalm 100

Please if you are a follower of Christ Jesus take time to praise God this day.

Christians believe this

 Christians believe this

The apostle John wrote,

"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 the third chapter of John, John quotes Jesus as saying,

"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.

Christians believe that Jesus is The Son of God, God incarnate. It is the cornerstone of our faith. 

Henry Ward Beecher wrote,

“If Christ is not divine, every impulse of the Christian world falls to a lower octave, and light and love and hope decline.”  Henry Ward Beecher.

Jesus is a controversial figure today and has been since they day He started His ministry. Likewise those of us who believe in the divinity of Christ find themselves embroiled in that controversy. 

The bottom line for me as a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus is, I believe Jesus is divine. And the way I see it is if I am wrong then I have nothing to fear. I will simply lived a good life.

It is my hope however that anyone reading this who doesn’t believe in the divinity of Jesus, will at least read the New Testament and see for themselves what Jesus and the writers of the New Testament believed about Jesus. Then make up your mind with respect to who you believe Jesus to be.

Please think about it. 

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.