Salvation for all

  Salvation for all

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.

Here the apostle Paul makes thing very clear as to how we are saved and get to heaven.

“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. “ Romans 10:9.

He makes it clear that there is no difference between Jew or gentile (non-Jews) “...the same Lord is Lord of all” 

This is what I and Christians like me believe. It is the cornerstone of our belief. Thus I present it here for anyone reading it to decide for themselves whether it is true of false.

Please think about it.

One Mediator

  One mediator

The apostle Paul writes,

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.”  1 Timothy 2:5,6.

Jesus is reported as saying,

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

These are two statements that Christians believe. If we Christians are wrong in believing we will have lost nothing. We simply will have lived a good life.

If on the other hand those two statements are true. Those who do not believe as we do have at the very least a lot to think about.

Please think about it.

Are you doing your best?

  Are you doing your best?

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy wrote,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing your best to correctly handle the Gospel message?

As believers in Christ Jesus it is up to us to do our best to live a life in a way that glorifies Jesus.

We need to hold the scriptures with such high regard that we do our best never to misinterpret what those scriptures are saying.

We need to hold God and Jesus in high esteem. So much so that it hurts us when we see their names maligned in any way. Especially if that person claims to be a Christian.

We need to truly live in spirit and in truth what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15.

So are you doing your best? Are you a workman who is not ashamed of how you handle the word of truth?

Please think about it. 

Caution

  Caution

"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."2Peter2:1,2 

The church in 2022 has many false prophets. That I think is especially true in North America where I live. A place where in the name of freedom people have the right to say anything provided it doesn’t hurt anyone.

That being said false prophets in the church do hurt people. They do it in numerous ways,  asking for money seemingly tops the list, (to give as they say “sacrificially” over and above what in many cases individuals can afford) 

The other way is by misinterpreting scripture, intentionally in most cases. 

It is for this reason Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, need to read and study the Bible for themselves. 

As Christians we need to attend a good church. A church that not only tells us what we want to hear but causes us to think about what we are doing.

A Church congregation that challenges us to be more Christlike.

Who are you listening to? Are you studying the Bible for yourself? Are you in a Church congregation That challenges you to be more Christlike?

Please think about it. 

When a man Appears

 When a man Appears

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

I know the Talmud is not a Christian book. But it is Jewish and Christianity is based on Jewish thought. Thus the Talmud has many things within it that apply to Christians.

In the above scripture, James tells believers in Christ that our faith should be shown in our works. And I believe while it is by faith in Christ Jesus, faith in God that we get to heaven. I also believe we will be accountable for our works in this life. 

The Talmud put it this way,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not,    "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  

"He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud.

So the question becomes. If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus do you deal honourably with your fellow man? Or is your faith as James puts it “useless”?

What will God say to you when you stand before Him?

Please think about it.

Your Deeds and Your Faith

Your Deeds and Your Faith

The apostle Paul writes,

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9.

Doing good without expectation of getting anything in return should be an intimate part of a Christians life. It should be so much a part that it becomes second nature to us.

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.

So if you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, what are your deeds saying about your faith?

Please think about it.

Glory, Majesty, Power, Authority!

 Glory, Majesty, Power, Authority!

In the book of Jude we read this doxology ,

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude1:24,25.

Here Jude praises God. Ascribing to Him all glory, majesty and power. Jude reminds the believer in Christ Jesus of all that Christ is doing for them as they wait for His return. 

That He is there helping to keep them from falling away from the faith.

This should also be a reminder to each believer personally to as often as possible take time to praise God even if it is just for a few moments. 

Praising God should become an intimate part of the believers life.

Question do you praise God often?

Do you ascribe to God glory, majesty, power and authority?

Please think about it.

Something Precious

  Something Precious

Jesus said,

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 

    When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.

For me this is what I feel about my faith in Christ Jesus, my faith in God. It is precious to me and I can get upset when men and women calling themselves Christians, followers of Christ Jesus do not represent Him correctly. 

Sadly there are many out there who claim to be following and teaching about Jesus who are teaching things that are completely wrong. The apostle Peter warned about this saying,

"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."2Peter2:1,2.

The way I see it is we who do truly love and serve God. Who love and serve Christ Jesus must do our best to point those we witness to, to the truth God has shown us.

We must be faithful to present our faith in the best possible light without compromise.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

Are you full of good works?

  Are you full of Good works?

In the book of Acts we read,

“Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.” Acts 9:36.

So here is the question are you like Tabitha? Are you full of good works and charity?

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.

Are you doing this?

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus you should be.

Please think about it.

Least and Greatest Possible Number

  Least and Greatest Possible number

Jesus said,

"This, then, is how you should pray: " ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9,10.

We live in turbulent times. Some Christians believe we may even be in the last days prior to the return of Christ Jesus. Which may or may not be the case. 

When Christ will return is not up to us. When it come to Christ’s return Jesus made it clear,

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36. 

What we as believers in Christ Jesus should be praying however is that Gods kingdom should come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. While at the same time obeying Christ’s command to,

“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 28:19,20.

As someone once told me we should be doing this, 

“to make sure the least possible people go to Hell and the greatest possible number of people go to heaven”.

So my question to you is. If you consider yourself a Christian are you reaching out to those around you and presenting the Gospel message to them?

Please think about it.

Faith Required

  Faith Required

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"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. 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible....

"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 11:1-3,6.

Faith in anyone or anything is perhaps the hardest thing we humans do.

A scientist looks around him, sees something, and postulates what must be happening even though he cannot see it.

Many scientist have gone to their graves believing a theory that was not proven until long after their death.

It is the same when it comes to God. We must have faith that God exists even though we cannot see Him. But we are not asked to have blind faith.

The Psalmist tells us,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                   Psalm 19:1

The heavens, the earth and the universe all exist because God brought them into existence. Even the late Stephen Hawking 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 

William Philips, Nobel prize winner in Physics stated,

“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it" William Philips.

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, writer, and Catholic theologian. (1623-1662). Gave this advice as relevant to day as it was then, 

“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.

So, where is your faith?

Please think about it.

Two Masters

 Two Masters

Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also....

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 16:19-21,24.

From my perch here in Canada I see many who call themselves Christians wanting to have their feet in both worlds. They want to be wealthy and they want to serve God.

Now there’s nothing wrong with being wealthy. Many wealthy people throughout the centuries have helped fund church growth. 

The problem becomes when acquiring wealth and all that it can buy you becomes more important than God.

Our service to God should be paramount in our life. And we don’t need to be rich to serve God. We just need to be willing to serve Him.

So my questions to you dear reader is;

Who is your master? 

Where is your treasure?

Are you willing to put God and service to Him over your earthly wealth?

Please think about it.