Your attributes
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
Question; If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Do people see the fruits of the spirit the apostle Paul notes above?
Please think about it.
Words from two apostles
The apostle John writes,
"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 apostle Paul tells us,
"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.
Confessing your sin directly to God and accepting His forgiveness is the cornerstone of Christian belief.
Have you confessed your sin to God?
Please think about it.
Where do you rank?
In the gospel of Mark we read,
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35.
Do you have a servants heart?
If you consider yourself a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus do you truly have a servants heart? Do you do your best to help those around you to the extent you are able?
How about the ministries, pastors, evangelist and even politicians you support, do they truly serve others?
One of the many ways a person shows they are a true believer in Christ Jesus is by being a servant.
There are many in our world today who believe the greatest person is the wealthiest, or most successful in business or in politics.
Jesus however makes it clear that,
"If anyone wants to be first,
he must be the very last,
and the servant of all."
Mark 9:35.
So are you first or last?
Please think about it.
Salvation
John’s gospel records 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.
This is the reason Jesus came into this world to save the world. It is what Christians all over the world must tell those around them.
The apostle Paul states,
"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.
This is what I believe. Do you believe it? I leave it hear for your perusal.
Please think about it.
An obligation to others
The apostle John wrote,
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.
This is telling me that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to those around us. If we see someone in need and can help we should.
Luke’s gospel tells us of a story Jesus told. It’s about Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything he needed in this world. Poor Lazarus would have been happy with the scraps from the mans table. Yet the man had no compassion on him. Finally when they both past into the next world the rich man was suffering for his lack of action in this world, while Lazarus was no longer suffering.
Jesus made things clear when he 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.
We have an obligation to those around us. It is something many who would call themselves Christians forget about. Christians don’t have rights. We have obligations to our God, our family and to those around us.
Please think about it.
Act justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly
In the book of Micah we read,
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Question does this describe your life?
Do you;
Act Justly,
Love Mercy,
Walk humbly, with God?
Please think about it.
Look to the interest of others
"Let each of you look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4.
The above scripture was written by the apostle Paul. It is making clear that believers should be looking out for the interest of others.
I think we can safely say that the apostle Paul means not only someone’s spiritual needs but their physical needs. I say this because in the book of Acts we read this about believers,
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
It was because the early church looked after each other spiritually and Physical needs that showed they manifested the love of God.
Do you help those you can help that are in your sphere of influence? Dose your church and the pastors and evangelist you support?
When people see you do they see you doing the work of God?
Please think about it.
A lesson from the crucifixion of Jesus
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43.
The above passage of scripture is Luke’s account of a conversation that went on between the two men who were crucified with Jesus and Jesus.
We see in those two criminals the choice every man and woman upon hearing about Jesus must make.
One man doubting that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah said to him if you are the Christ, “Save yourself and us!” in other words prove it by getting yourself and us down from these crosses.
This man wanted tangible proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He was thinking in terms of this life. Asking to escape death by Jesus getting them off the cross. This in this man’s mind would prove Jesus was the Messiah.
What this man didn’t realize that accepting Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ is an act of faith which the other criminal did.
The other criminal said,
“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
This man did what all people everywhere must do. He accepted by faith that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. He then confessed his sins. Admitting he was “getting what his deeds deserved”.
Then he asked Jesus to simply “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
To which Jesus replied
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In other words that man had his sins forgiven and got into heaven.
This is the message Christians everywhere want the world to hear.
The apostle Paul writes,
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.
Sin is falling short of God’s ideals for your life. We all sin. We all fall short of God’s what God wants us to be. Thus the need to ask God’s forgiveness and help in living a life that is as close to what he wants for you as is humanly possible.
Will you confess your sins directly to God today and accept Christ into you life?
Please think about it.
A Just God.
The apostle Paul writes,
“For God does not show favouritism.
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” Romans 2:11,13.
Paul makes things clear here we are not just to be hearers of the law but we are to obey the law.
After all just hearing the law means nothing. There are many evil people in this world who know the law yet disobey it.
There are many around the world who have not read the Bible and it’s teachings of right and wrong yet know instinctively what is right and wrong.
The apostle Paul noting,
“(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.” Romans 2:14-16 .
Paul indicates here that the law is written on the hearts of non-believers. That even people who have not read the Bible know what is right and wrong and as such will be judged accordingly.
Likewise anyone who has read the Bible and understands what it says will be judged by it’s standards.
When you stand before God how will He judge you?
Please think about it.
Some questions
The Psalmist writes,
“Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim His salvation day after day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
his marvellous deeds among all peoples.”
Psalm 96:1-3
If you are a Christian
1. Do you sing praises to the Lord?
2. Do you proclaim His salvation day after day?
3. Do you declare Gods glory to those around you in your nation?
4. Do you Gods marvellous deeds among the people you meet?
Please think about it.
What are you known for?
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.
Tabitha was known for her good works and charity. As believers in Christ this is what we should be known for.
When people look at your life. Will they say you are known for your good works and Charity?
Please think about it.
Give it all up?
In the Gospel of Matthew we read of this interaction 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, honor your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbor 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.
The lesson we learn here as Christians is simple. Are you willing to give up all your material possessions and trust in God to supply all your needs?
Are you?
Please think about it.
