Following Christs example

 Following Christs example

The apostle John writes,

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

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 3:16-18.

I firmly believe that it is not good enough to simply be satisfied with saying “Well I have accepted Christ as my Saviour”. We need to do more. We need to follow the example of Christ.

We may never be called to lay down our life for Christ but we can still show He is at work in our life by helping others. John states,

“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?” 1John3:17.

I think both Christians and non-Christians can agree that having food, clothing, a place to live, good medical care are basic human rights.

And while we as individual Christians may not be able to meet the needs of the poor around us, we can all do something. Helping at a food bank. Helping at a ministry that provides meals for those in need, Giving what we can to reputable charities that serve the poor.

For me helping those in need is an obligation of all Christians. The measure of how much they love Christ.

Please think about it. 

It's not a new commandment

 It’s not a new commandment

The apostle John writes,

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.  

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.  

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John 1:4-6.

We as believers in Christ Jesus are called to walk in truth, love and in obedience to God’s command. 

The definition of Christian love is defined by the apostle Paul when 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. 

So is this the way you love?

Please think about it.

On the Rock or on the Sand?

  On the Rock or on the Sand?

Jesus said,

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 24-27.

Jesus here is making a simple statement about himself. He is telling us that we should put our trust in him. That our faith should be built on his teachings. That if we do so, when troubles come our faith will remain strong, enabling us to endure what life throws at us.

If we don’t every thing will come crashing down around us.

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6.

Are you building your house on the rock that is Jesus?

Are you trusting in God with all your heart?

Please think about it.

Clothed with

  Clothed with

In the book of Colossians we read,

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12.

Paul here is telling us what a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus really is like.

They are holy, dearly loved by God.

They are clothed with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness, and patience.

If you claim to be a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you truly showing these attributes?

Please think about it.

The apostle Paul's advice to believers

 The apostle Paul’s advice to believers

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.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 3:15-17.

• Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

• Admonish one another with all wisdom

• Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God 

• Sing with gratitude in your heart to God.

• What ever you do in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• Give thanks to God the Father through Christ.

Simple advice to all believers in Christ Jesus. Something to follow in our daily lives.

If you consider yourself a Christian do you follow this advice?

Please think about it.

Are you truly light?

 Are you truly light?

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Here is something very simple. If you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus, “you are the light of the world.”

It is through your words and deeds that the people around you will see Jesus. Even if it’s just bowing your head in prayer in a restaurant or talking to your neighbour. 

So my question to those who claim to be Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus, what are you words and deeds saying about Jesus?

Please think about it. 

In a hand barrow

 In a hand  barrow

The apostle Paul wrote,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” 2 Timothy 3:1-4

I firmly believe we are in the time the apostle Paul spoke about and have been for some time. 

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.

It's from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted. And the solution to the problem. The only solution is the Love of God.

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.

Sadly many calling themselves Christians today especially where I live in North America are not showing love toward their fellow man.

They have mixed their faith with politics which as someone has said is like mixing water and gasoline. “The water in undrinkable, the gasoline unusable and the whole thing is explosive.”

I firmly believe that Paul Gallico and many in the world today are looking for what true Christianity offers. A life style love. The apostle Paul noting a Christians lifestyle is defined by

"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25.

If you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus. Are you living what the apostle says in Galatians?” 

If you are not a Christian looking for answers to the meaning of life. Take time to read the Bible, pray and ask God to direct you the a church that is truly following the word of God.

Please think about it.

Actions have Consequences

 Actions have Consequences 

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.

This teaching of Jesus has profound implications. 

Think of it this way...

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 however good they may be on others.

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 God loves you,...

unconditionally.

Please think about it.

Helping the needy

 Helping the needy

In the book of Exodus we read,

“Do not oppress a foreigner; 

you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners.” 

                                                                             Exodus 23:9

In the book of Leviticus we read,

" ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God."  Leviticus 19: 9,10

The apostle Paul writes,

"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality." 

                               Romans 12:13

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." James 14-17

The apostle Paul also writes,

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."Romans 12:20.

According to one source I read, 

“...there are over 2,000 verses of Scripture that deal with responding to the needs of the poor.” 

As Christians we have an obligation to help the poor anyway we can even if it’s just giving a few coins to someone who’s homeless and begging on the street.

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 were without food, clothing, shelter, health care, money, would you not want people to help you?

So what are you doing?

Are you doing what you can to help those in need around you?

Please think about it

Have you received?

 Have you received?

In Philippians we read,

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

                                                                                 Philippians 4:20.

Can you say this in all honesty?

Is God your Father?

The apostle Paul writes,

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” John 1:10-13.

Have you received Jesus into your heart?

Please think about it.

Jesus The Heigh Priest

 Jesus The Heigh Priest

In the book of Hebrews we read, 

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  Hebrews 4:14,15.

As believers in Christ Jesus we have “a great high priest”. 

A high priest who has been tempted in every way.

When we stand before God on judgement day, we can never say He didn’t understand what it was like to be human and tempted. The reason he came to earth and went through everything a person could go through. 

Jesus was a refugee his family, while he was an infant having to run to Egypt to save his life. 

Jesus was a carpenter and thus knew what it was to do hard work. He attended weddings. Had many friends and followers.

Simply by living on the earth he would know what it was experience the mundane like the smell of dusty road after it rained. He would have felt the sun and rain on his face. 

At the same time he experienced the pain of being whipped and nailed to a cross.

Through all of this he acted as a man. As such unlike an earthly high priest he could sympathize with us in our weakness. 

Additionally while going through his life he lived a life without sin.

This is the one all who claim to be Christians, followers of Christ Jesus, serve, worship and honour.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Confession

 Confession

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.

We are all sinners. No one is perfect. We all do something each day that are wrong. Things that fall far short of what God wants for our lives. That’s why we need to look to God daily and confess our sins. For it is by Gods grace that we get to heaven. The apostle Paul writing, 

"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.

Christians believe that we cannot live a life good enough to enter heaven. That is why He sent Jesus to die for our sins. The apostle Paul writing,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

For us to receive forgiveness we first need to believe in God. 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.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.