Friend or Enemy?
In the book of James we read,
"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4.
Question. Who are you friends with?
Do you put the world first or your relationship with God?
Are you following politicians, teachers and even religious leaders who speak and act in ways that are not Godly?
Who is you best friend, God or the world?
Please think about it.
An Ambassador for Christ.
The apostle Paul writes,
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to remember every day that we are Christ’s representative in our communities, our neighbourhoods, and the world around us.
As such we need to present Christ in the best possible light through our words and deeds.
Thus the question becomes.
Are you representing Christ to the best of your ability in word and deed.
Francis of Assisi wrote two things Christians need to remember,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
And
"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today"
Francis of Assisi.
If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.
He who does the will of my Father
Jesus said,
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
"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 7:21-23.
There are many people in the world today who call themselves Christians but are not. From what they do and say it may seem that they are Christians. The reality however is they are not.
Jesus said these people will say to Him on that day,
"...‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
Thus we who truly believe in God and the Salvation that comes through Christ Jesus need to be aware of these false prophets and teachers.
We need to read the scriptures for ourselves so we know what is right and wrong. Additionally we need to look at the preachers, teachers and evangelist we follow to see if they are truly following God.
The apostle Paul tells us that while we are not to judge those outside the church we have the right to judge those inside. Paul writes,
"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." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Are you doing this? Is the church congregation you attend standing up to false teacher, preachers, and evangelist?
Please think about it.
Advice from the book of Romans
The Apostle Paul writes,
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:9-18
For me what the apostle Paul is telling all believers in Christ Jesus here is strait forward.
Take a few minutes and read it carefully. Then ask yourself the question “Am I doing this”
Please think about it.
A Principle of the Christian life.
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.
Are you quick to judge people?
Do you judge people in a negative way simply because they disagree with you or have a lifestyle you disagree with?
If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus you shouldn’t be. Jesus makes that clear here in Matthew 7:1,2.
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.
Think of it this way. When you judge others your are giving them the right to judge you the same way.
So the question becomes, are you judging or loving others? Even those you disagree with or have a lifestyle you disagree with?
Please think about it.
Forgive us our sins,
Jesus taught,
“Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.' "
Luke 11:4.
As Christians we should forgive those who sinned against us. Likewise we should be calling on God to forgive our sins daily.
We should also be asking God to lead us away from any temptation that comes our way.
Question.
Are you going to God daily and confessing your sins to Him?
Do you forgive those who sin against you?
Do you ask God to lead you away from any temptation that comes your way?
Please think about it.
Give us this day our daily bread
In the Lords prayer we read,
“Give us each day our daily bread.” Luke 11:3.
Question.
Do you ask God each day to supply your daily needs?
Do you ask God to supply the daily needs of others around the world?
Please think about it.
Reverence for God
Jesus said,
"He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" ‘Father, hallowed be your name,..."
Luke 11:12a
Jesus teaches us to honour God as holy. We as believers must never get into the trap of treating God as anything less.
Sadly over the years I’ve seen people approach God in a very flippant way. Taking God for granted or treating Him like a servant or supernatural banker.
We should never fall into this trap.
While God wants us to have a personal relationship with us. We must never forget that He is the Lord God Almighty. Who deserves to be honoured at all times.
Question. How do you approach God? Do you tread God with the reverence He deserves?
Please think about it.
Take it to heart
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead, inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 11:13-21.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to take this portion of Scripture to heart. We need to present the gospel message to our children in word and deed. We need to take the word of God seriously and show in word and in deed that we truly love God with all our heart and mind and soul.
Question. Are you doing this?
Please think about it.
Hate evil Cling to what is good
The apostle Paul writes,
"Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil;
cling to what is good.”
Romans 12:9.
I live in Canada but I see what is happening in the United States and cringe. I see that people calling themselves Christians supporting people who are obviously doing evil. And sadly it is slipping over the border.
Christians should be looking to God. Because God is the absolute judge of what constitutes good and evil.
The apostle Paul writes,
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18.
Paul also wrote,
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour" 1Timothy 2:1-3.
And remember this Paul wrote these words under the Emperor Nero who would eventually put him to death.
As Christians we are called to pray for our leaders not take sides in politics.
Someone has said “Mixing Politics and Religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The gasoline is unusable and the water undrinkable.
We are called to call on God for wisdom. To live good lives. The apostle Peter stating,
"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.
Sadly many calling themselves Christians are not following these words of Peter.
The late American Evangelist Billy Graham said,
"Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them." Billy Graham.
Those words are as true today as the were the day Billy Graham said them.
Thus the question becomes; If you consider yourself a Christian, are you truly following what is good or are you choosing to follow evil?
Please think about it.
If you really keep the royal law
In the book of James we read,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right."James 2:8.
If you are a Christian are you doing this. By this I mean showing Christian love as defined by the apostle Paul,
"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.
Is this truly the Love you show to those around you?
Please think about it.
Be wise in the way you act
In the book of Colossians we read,
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5,6.
One thing I find many Christians are not good at is being wise with regards to non-Christians.
Many Christians don’t communicate the gospel correctly. Rather than being graceful toward the non-Christian, they tend to want to force their faith on others.
We need to remember what Jesus said,
"Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
We need to think would I want someone to present their faith to me the way I am presenting mine to them?
Spent a few minutes in prayer asking God if you are presenting the gospel message in the right way?
Please think about it.
