Where is the threat?
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18
Here is a question no secular person has ever been able to answer to my satisfaction. Why if God does not exist. If Jesus was simply a man and not the Son of God as he claimed. Why are Christians persecuted, by some other religious groups and particularly by Communist governments and dictatorships?
While Christian teaching has been twisted, misinterpreted and misrepresented over the centuries the core values of Christianity are non threatening.
The verse I quoted above is typical. “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Is typical.
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43,44
The gospel of Matthew records the Pharisees asking Jesus,
“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 22:37-40.
Such teachings are not threatening by any means.
Yes Jesus told his disciples to go and make more disciples but to bring people into a faith that teaches to live in harmony with God, his fellow man and governments is certainly not a bad thing.
Jesus made it clear who he was when he stood before the Roman governor Pontius Pilot. The gospel of John recording this conversation between Pilot and Jesus,
“It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest.... But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
John 18:35b.
Christians are called by Jesus to reach others for a kingdom that is not even of this world. If as communist and Atheist say it doesn’t exist why the attack on Christians?
After all the Christian faith if the Communist and Atheist are right, are preparing people for something that does not exist. Additionally, it is telling them to love their enemies, their neighbours, God and submit to the governing authorities.
What more could a government of any country want than that in a citizen?
Yet still it seems Christians are a threat so much a threat that it is estimated by some sources secular and Christian, that one Christian dies for their faith every four to seven minutes somewhere in the world. While millions of others live under persecution and fear of death.
Neither Jesus or his disciples ever spoke out against any of the secular civil authorities. When he spoke out against things it was against the religious leaders of his own community that were misinterpreting the scriptures.
Neither Jesus or his disciples ever called for rebellion either against Rome the super power of the day or their own Jewish leadership.
Yet today as you read this Christians cannot practise openly in many countries.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
The only thing I can conclude is that Christianity is of infinite importance so much so, it causes governments to fear the message of the Prince of Peace.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Don't sweat the small things, even if it concerns the Universe
Don’t sweat the small things, even if it concerns the Universe
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
“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....
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 1:1-4,12,13.
I listened the other day to an evolutionist who made a compelling argument for evolution. He was a well educated man who spoke out against the six day creation theory.
My problem with what he said wasn’t about evolution but rather that he made it sound like believing in evolution and God are mutually exclusive. In other words you can only believe in one or the other. That’s not true.
Because man is not perfect you can be in error in some of the things you believe and still be a believer in God.
Belief in God and your salvation through Christ is not dependent on how long it took the earth to be created.
I know of numerous Christians that do not believe the world was made in six days. Yet they believe that there is a God and that he created the heavens and the earth.
That Jesus is the son of God and they have accepted Him as their Lord and saviour.
They believe John1:12,13 that states,
“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.”
John1:12,13.
It’s a problem I believe both non-Christians and Christians have. They say you can’t be a Christian and believe in evolution. But it is possible.
In order to be a Christian one must believe by faith there is a God. Hebrews stating,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“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.
A Christian must believe the words of Jesus who said,
“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.
How long it took the earth to form and by what process is unimportant to salvation. What we Christians need to do is not worry about creation arguments. Rather we should be presenting the Gospel of Christ. The salvation message to all we meet both in word and deed and let God and the Holy Spirit show people what is right and what is wrong.
Think about it.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
“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....
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 1:1-4,12,13.
I listened the other day to an evolutionist who made a compelling argument for evolution. He was a well educated man who spoke out against the six day creation theory.
My problem with what he said wasn’t about evolution but rather that he made it sound like believing in evolution and God are mutually exclusive. In other words you can only believe in one or the other. That’s not true.
Because man is not perfect you can be in error in some of the things you believe and still be a believer in God.
Belief in God and your salvation through Christ is not dependent on how long it took the earth to be created.
I know of numerous Christians that do not believe the world was made in six days. Yet they believe that there is a God and that he created the heavens and the earth.
That Jesus is the son of God and they have accepted Him as their Lord and saviour.
They believe John1:12,13 that states,
“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.”
John1:12,13.
It’s a problem I believe both non-Christians and Christians have. They say you can’t be a Christian and believe in evolution. But it is possible.
In order to be a Christian one must believe by faith there is a God. Hebrews stating,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“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.
A Christian must believe the words of Jesus who said,
“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.
How long it took the earth to form and by what process is unimportant to salvation. What we Christians need to do is not worry about creation arguments. Rather we should be presenting the Gospel of Christ. The salvation message to all we meet both in word and deed and let God and the Holy Spirit show people what is right and what is wrong.
Think about it.
Monday, 15 December 2014
A good Answer
A good answer
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud.
I firmly believe our society is going down hill. That those in our governments are listening more to lobbyist than the people many times. I feel that our political leaders firmly believe that giving big tax cuts to the rich and a few dollars to poor will help make a difference.
We only have to look around to see that it isn’t working. I just heard a statistic the other day that said reliance on food banks here in Canada is on the rise. This in one of the richest countries in the world.
The average person is quite willing to reach into his or her pocket and give to a needy cause. Giving by individuals seems to be up.
I firmly believe our leaders are blind however to the needs of the poorest in our society.
Case in point the fight in the United States over universal health care. The U.S. is the only country in the western world without a government run universal health care. Something that while admittedly expensive has worked well in all the countries that have it.
From a moral point of view universal health care is just right. It is a basic human right. It shouldn’t be treated like a commodity.
Why shouldn’t the poorest of society have the same health care benefits as the leaders of the country most of whom are millionaires.
Where I live in Canada, while our health care is better than the US. There are still some very expensive gaps. Drugs that are not covered. Essential treatments and procedures that the government insurance will not cover. Yet our politicians have gold plated insurance plans paid for by tax payers that cover it.
Why should this be. If all people are equal why aren’t government benefits equal.
What better way to spend tax dollars than directly on the health and welfare of the people of the country.
Likewise men women and children are going hungry and living in shelters some even living on the street. This in countries that are among the richest in the world.
It’s not that the poor are asking for a hand out. They are asking for a help up. I know many people living below $20,000.00 even $15,000.00 a year.
Yes these people are covered by government health insurance in Canada and most are even covered by provincial drug plans. Dental care however is a luxury. As are certain often essential medical procedures.
While some have medical problems and cannot work. Others are working quite often at two jobs and still at the end of the week have to decide on food, or paying rent or utilities.
This should not be so.
Over the years our governments have given billions of dollars to private industry to create jobs. They’ve given tax breaks to companies to stay in their jurisdiction and keep jobs in place yet they eventually move on.
They complain the minimum wage is too high at $10.00 and hour. But a person cannot live adequately on ten dollars and hour I’m willing to say anywhere in North America.
The Jews have something called Tzasakah. One Jewish site describes it like this,
Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
I believe we all have a duty to the poor of our society. I believe those in a position of power will be held to a higher account of themselves before God, be they politicians or business leaders, crowned heads of government or religious leaders.
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46.
This Christmas season especially we need to be helping the poor more than ever and not with just giving a few dollars as noble that may be. We should be contacting our politicians and those in power to provide more for the poorest in our society.
I like the Jewish idea of tzedakah.
One of their religious leaders put in order the various levels of tzedakah it goes like this,
Giving begrudgingly
Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours
Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.
Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.
Tony Campolo wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
Think about it.
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud.
I firmly believe our society is going down hill. That those in our governments are listening more to lobbyist than the people many times. I feel that our political leaders firmly believe that giving big tax cuts to the rich and a few dollars to poor will help make a difference.
We only have to look around to see that it isn’t working. I just heard a statistic the other day that said reliance on food banks here in Canada is on the rise. This in one of the richest countries in the world.
The average person is quite willing to reach into his or her pocket and give to a needy cause. Giving by individuals seems to be up.
I firmly believe our leaders are blind however to the needs of the poorest in our society.
Case in point the fight in the United States over universal health care. The U.S. is the only country in the western world without a government run universal health care. Something that while admittedly expensive has worked well in all the countries that have it.
From a moral point of view universal health care is just right. It is a basic human right. It shouldn’t be treated like a commodity.
Why shouldn’t the poorest of society have the same health care benefits as the leaders of the country most of whom are millionaires.
Where I live in Canada, while our health care is better than the US. There are still some very expensive gaps. Drugs that are not covered. Essential treatments and procedures that the government insurance will not cover. Yet our politicians have gold plated insurance plans paid for by tax payers that cover it.
Why should this be. If all people are equal why aren’t government benefits equal.
What better way to spend tax dollars than directly on the health and welfare of the people of the country.
Likewise men women and children are going hungry and living in shelters some even living on the street. This in countries that are among the richest in the world.
It’s not that the poor are asking for a hand out. They are asking for a help up. I know many people living below $20,000.00 even $15,000.00 a year.
Yes these people are covered by government health insurance in Canada and most are even covered by provincial drug plans. Dental care however is a luxury. As are certain often essential medical procedures.
While some have medical problems and cannot work. Others are working quite often at two jobs and still at the end of the week have to decide on food, or paying rent or utilities.
This should not be so.
Over the years our governments have given billions of dollars to private industry to create jobs. They’ve given tax breaks to companies to stay in their jurisdiction and keep jobs in place yet they eventually move on.
They complain the minimum wage is too high at $10.00 and hour. But a person cannot live adequately on ten dollars and hour I’m willing to say anywhere in North America.
The Jews have something called Tzasakah. One Jewish site describes it like this,
Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
I believe we all have a duty to the poor of our society. I believe those in a position of power will be held to a higher account of themselves before God, be they politicians or business leaders, crowned heads of government or religious leaders.
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46.
This Christmas season especially we need to be helping the poor more than ever and not with just giving a few dollars as noble that may be. We should be contacting our politicians and those in power to provide more for the poorest in our society.
I like the Jewish idea of tzedakah.
One of their religious leaders put in order the various levels of tzedakah it goes like this,
Giving begrudgingly
Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours
Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.
Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.
Tony Campolo wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
Think about it.
Sunday, 14 December 2014
A foolish claim
A foolish Claim???
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians1:18-25
As I write this Christmas is within sight here in North America. A time Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
We know it’s not his actual birth but it’s a time the early church decided to celebrate it, and it has stuck through the centuries.
Most historians be they secular, or Christian agree that Jesus did in fact exist. That the evidence both inside and outside the Bible points to the fact that Jesus did live. What secular historians and Atheist disagree with Christians on is who he is.
Christians believe Jesus is indeed the Son of God. God incarnate. That he died, rose from the grave and ascended to heaven. To the none believer foolishness. As the apostle Paul notes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
A lot of what the New Testament speaks of regarding Jesus if not true, would if you think about it be foolishness and counter productive to the cause of the Church.
It is universally accepted that most if not all of the New Testament, and most definitely the Gospels were written within living memory of the death of Jesus.
Thus too make claims such as are made in the gospels if not true would most certainly be counter productive.
But the Bible aside, records of Jesus and some of the claims of the early church abound in other writings not controlled by Christians.
Some of those who speak about Jesus and the early Christians, their beliefs and practices were even enemies and thus can’t be accused of lying for the Christian cause.
These were men like Pliny the Younger, the Roman governor of Bithynia-Pontus. Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian, born 34AD became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters.
Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. and one of the most gifted ancient adversaries to Christianity. Said In his work against Christianity:
“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”
But at the end of his life was forced to say: “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Julian the Apostate
The truth is Jesus existed and he did all that the Bible says he did.
If the historians and the men I’ve quoted above are wrong then I as a Christian have nothing to fear. I have simply lived a good life.
If I and they and every Christian in the world is right as we believe we are, then those who think the Gospel foolish, or God does not exist and Jesus is not who he claimed to be then those people have a lot to fear.
Jesus made it clear when he said,
.. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
This in a time when making such a statement could have got him the death penalty. Which makes Jesus either at least a little crazy. After all what sane man would say a thing that could possibly get him killed if it were not completely true?
Think about it.
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians1:18-25
As I write this Christmas is within sight here in North America. A time Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
We know it’s not his actual birth but it’s a time the early church decided to celebrate it, and it has stuck through the centuries.
Most historians be they secular, or Christian agree that Jesus did in fact exist. That the evidence both inside and outside the Bible points to the fact that Jesus did live. What secular historians and Atheist disagree with Christians on is who he is.
Christians believe Jesus is indeed the Son of God. God incarnate. That he died, rose from the grave and ascended to heaven. To the none believer foolishness. As the apostle Paul notes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
A lot of what the New Testament speaks of regarding Jesus if not true, would if you think about it be foolishness and counter productive to the cause of the Church.
It is universally accepted that most if not all of the New Testament, and most definitely the Gospels were written within living memory of the death of Jesus.
Thus too make claims such as are made in the gospels if not true would most certainly be counter productive.
But the Bible aside, records of Jesus and some of the claims of the early church abound in other writings not controlled by Christians.
Some of those who speak about Jesus and the early Christians, their beliefs and practices were even enemies and thus can’t be accused of lying for the Christian cause.
These were men like Pliny the Younger, the Roman governor of Bithynia-Pontus. Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian, born 34AD became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters.
Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. and one of the most gifted ancient adversaries to Christianity. Said In his work against Christianity:
“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”
But at the end of his life was forced to say: “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Julian the Apostate
The truth is Jesus existed and he did all that the Bible says he did.
If the historians and the men I’ve quoted above are wrong then I as a Christian have nothing to fear. I have simply lived a good life.
If I and they and every Christian in the world is right as we believe we are, then those who think the Gospel foolish, or God does not exist and Jesus is not who he claimed to be then those people have a lot to fear.
Jesus made it clear when he said,
.. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
This in a time when making such a statement could have got him the death penalty. Which makes Jesus either at least a little crazy. After all what sane man would say a thing that could possibly get him killed if it were not completely true?
Think about it.
Saturday, 13 December 2014
Our Choice and an All Powerful God
Our Choice and an all powerful God
“The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
In my years, within the evangelical movement, I’ve heard lots of wild things. Everything from “you’re sick, so you must have sin in your life” “to your faith isn’t strong enough or God would have healed you.”
Is it any wonder people are turned away from some churches with people saying things like this?
To my mind there is a purpose in us getting sick. It could be something as simple as us needing to build antibodies, so that we can better fight the next cold. It could be the results of something we’ve been exposed to or that we are genetically predisposed to. Then again it could simply be a sign that we are pushing ourselves too much and just need a rest.
If the illness takes us into hospital, it maybe to help us get fully healed, or simply, an opportunity to show and share our faith, or as one of my comedian friends once said, “maybe the surgeon just needs the practice.”
Either way it should be a call to our spirit to draw closer to God.
All great men and women of God, have gone through test and trials. Abraham, Noah, David, Joseph, Paul, all of the Disciples, Job, even Jesus.
Some of my Charismatic friends would say God wants us to be healthy all the time. I am sure that is true. What father wouldn’t want his child to be healthy all the time.
The thing is we live in a fallen world.
Genesis records,
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 1:27-28
The problem is man over the centuries has not been a good steward of the world God has given him.
Man has partly out of ignorance, partly out of avarice, and at times deliberately damaged the world we live in.
In so doing he has set in motion things that make us sick, or that even kill us outright.
Case in point.
One place I lived in Northern Ontario, a once gold mining village sits by a lake you can not drink from. The reason it is filled with arsenic, a deadly poison that was used to refine the gold. A lot of the land around that lake is also polluted with arsenic also making it unusable. All because someone was so focussed on getting a few gold nuggets from the land and the government didn’t regulate what was happening. With neither party bothering to look after land.
This is happening all over the world. Man has fallen far from the ideals God set out for him. He has gone his own way and fallen into sin.
Sin is simply falling short of what God wants for you. The thing is we have to acknowledge God and our sin. We have to go before him and admit we are human and fall short of his perfect will every day.
God in sending Jesus to this earth understands what it is to be a human being. What it is to live on this earth with all its temptations. He knows we cannot be good enough to stand in front of him. That’s why he sent Jesus.
Jesus himself left us with this statement,
“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.
Think about it.
“The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
In my years, within the evangelical movement, I’ve heard lots of wild things. Everything from “you’re sick, so you must have sin in your life” “to your faith isn’t strong enough or God would have healed you.”
Is it any wonder people are turned away from some churches with people saying things like this?
To my mind there is a purpose in us getting sick. It could be something as simple as us needing to build antibodies, so that we can better fight the next cold. It could be the results of something we’ve been exposed to or that we are genetically predisposed to. Then again it could simply be a sign that we are pushing ourselves too much and just need a rest.
If the illness takes us into hospital, it maybe to help us get fully healed, or simply, an opportunity to show and share our faith, or as one of my comedian friends once said, “maybe the surgeon just needs the practice.”
Either way it should be a call to our spirit to draw closer to God.
All great men and women of God, have gone through test and trials. Abraham, Noah, David, Joseph, Paul, all of the Disciples, Job, even Jesus.
Some of my Charismatic friends would say God wants us to be healthy all the time. I am sure that is true. What father wouldn’t want his child to be healthy all the time.
The thing is we live in a fallen world.
Genesis records,
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 1:27-28
The problem is man over the centuries has not been a good steward of the world God has given him.
Man has partly out of ignorance, partly out of avarice, and at times deliberately damaged the world we live in.
In so doing he has set in motion things that make us sick, or that even kill us outright.
Case in point.
One place I lived in Northern Ontario, a once gold mining village sits by a lake you can not drink from. The reason it is filled with arsenic, a deadly poison that was used to refine the gold. A lot of the land around that lake is also polluted with arsenic also making it unusable. All because someone was so focussed on getting a few gold nuggets from the land and the government didn’t regulate what was happening. With neither party bothering to look after land.
This is happening all over the world. Man has fallen far from the ideals God set out for him. He has gone his own way and fallen into sin.
Sin is simply falling short of what God wants for you. The thing is we have to acknowledge God and our sin. We have to go before him and admit we are human and fall short of his perfect will every day.
God in sending Jesus to this earth understands what it is to be a human being. What it is to live on this earth with all its temptations. He knows we cannot be good enough to stand in front of him. That’s why he sent Jesus.
Jesus himself left us with this statement,
“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.
Think about it.
Friday, 12 December 2014
I Believe
I Believe
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:2-8
The writer of Ecclesiastes is right. There is a time for everything. You don’t have to be a wise man to necessarily realize this. The writer is just stating the obvious. There is a time and a season for everything.
In my sixty years on this earth I have seen and experienced a lot. Everything from war, to the death of loved ones, to serious illnesses of both my wife and myself.
I have felt the joy of the birth of my children and been amazed as they grew to manhood going on to serve their Lord and Saviour.
I have rejoiced and danced at the wedding of my son. Praising God for the love he and his wife have for each other.
And through it all I am amazed at the Love God has shown to both me and my family.
In our life we have had more than our share of tragedy, the near death of one of my sons, A serious injuries to another that could have crippled him for life.
Both my wife and I almost dying in separate incidents just months apart. A diagnosis of Bipolar disorder that did change my life forever. Even a house fire that took all our earthly possessions.
Yet through it all I can truly praise God. Even when we lost our house, on which we had no insurance, we never went homeless. There was one waiting for us, in a better location no less.
God is truly good.
After the loss of our house we were also able to attend a wonderful bible based evangelical church. A family place in which we could bring up our children.
It was a place my wife and now our sons can serve the Lord. And that for my family and I that is important.
The events of my life have for me proven there is a loving God who cares for the individual. Who cares for those love him.
I know there are many out there that would deny God exists but I cannot believe this. I believe the word of the apostle John who wrote,
"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 1:12,13.
I believe the writer of the Apostles creed who wrote,
I believe the writer of Ecclesiastes was right when he said,
“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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
For me there is no debate. What you the reader believes is entirely up to you. It is my prayer that you at least examine the Bible and make up your own mind. Still ultimately belief in God is an act of faith.
Think about it
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:2-8
The writer of Ecclesiastes is right. There is a time for everything. You don’t have to be a wise man to necessarily realize this. The writer is just stating the obvious. There is a time and a season for everything.
In my sixty years on this earth I have seen and experienced a lot. Everything from war, to the death of loved ones, to serious illnesses of both my wife and myself.
I have felt the joy of the birth of my children and been amazed as they grew to manhood going on to serve their Lord and Saviour.
I have rejoiced and danced at the wedding of my son. Praising God for the love he and his wife have for each other.
And through it all I am amazed at the Love God has shown to both me and my family.
In our life we have had more than our share of tragedy, the near death of one of my sons, A serious injuries to another that could have crippled him for life.
Both my wife and I almost dying in separate incidents just months apart. A diagnosis of Bipolar disorder that did change my life forever. Even a house fire that took all our earthly possessions.
Yet through it all I can truly praise God. Even when we lost our house, on which we had no insurance, we never went homeless. There was one waiting for us, in a better location no less.
God is truly good.
After the loss of our house we were also able to attend a wonderful bible based evangelical church. A family place in which we could bring up our children.
It was a place my wife and now our sons can serve the Lord. And that for my family and I that is important.
The events of my life have for me proven there is a loving God who cares for the individual. Who cares for those love him.
I know there are many out there that would deny God exists but I cannot believe this. I believe the word of the apostle John who wrote,
"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 1:12,13.
I believe the writer of the Apostles creed who wrote,
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
(*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places)I believe the writer of Ecclesiastes was right when he said,
“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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
For me there is no debate. What you the reader believes is entirely up to you. It is my prayer that you at least examine the Bible and make up your own mind. Still ultimately belief in God is an act of faith.
Think about it
Thursday, 11 December 2014
On Suffering
On Suffering
Allen R. Hunt wrote,
“Suffering often draws us closer to God. Instead of being a sign of God's punishment or distance, suffering can purify us, lead us into the heart of God, and transform our souls.”
Honestly I don’t know why we suffer. The only explanation I have is that it is because of choices we or others make.
Those who are suffering because of war for example suffer because of the decisions some politician or rebel leader.
Those who are suffering from an illness is because of our environment, genetic disposition or simply the lack of societies will to pump sufficient funds into research to find a cure or man’s inability to find a cure for things.
Suffering however can do one of two things to us. It can draw us closer to God or push us away.
Some people actually believe suffering is a sign we have a loving God,
Peter John Kreeft ph.d said,
“think about that. How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God?
The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
I for one believe in a loving and caring God, even though I live with an incurable illness. An illness that can only be controlled with medication.
My wife who was the victim of child sexual abuse and now lives with other physical illnesses that restrict her movements still believes in a loving caring God.
Both of us get up in the morning and thank God we have another day to be with our family and friends.
We thank God for all the good things that have happened to us over the sixty years we’ve been on this earth.
I know we are not alone. Many of our friends have gone through rough times. Fights with cancer and other serious illnesses. And through all of this they have thanked God for their blessings.
All of us have hope. A hope in God and in the Salvation that can only come through His one and Only Son, Jesus Christ.
We believe 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.
Do you?
Think about it.
Allen R. Hunt wrote,
“Suffering often draws us closer to God. Instead of being a sign of God's punishment or distance, suffering can purify us, lead us into the heart of God, and transform our souls.”
Honestly I don’t know why we suffer. The only explanation I have is that it is because of choices we or others make.
Those who are suffering because of war for example suffer because of the decisions some politician or rebel leader.
Those who are suffering from an illness is because of our environment, genetic disposition or simply the lack of societies will to pump sufficient funds into research to find a cure or man’s inability to find a cure for things.
Suffering however can do one of two things to us. It can draw us closer to God or push us away.
Some people actually believe suffering is a sign we have a loving God,
Peter John Kreeft ph.d said,
“think about that. How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God?
The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
I for one believe in a loving and caring God, even though I live with an incurable illness. An illness that can only be controlled with medication.
My wife who was the victim of child sexual abuse and now lives with other physical illnesses that restrict her movements still believes in a loving caring God.
Both of us get up in the morning and thank God we have another day to be with our family and friends.
We thank God for all the good things that have happened to us over the sixty years we’ve been on this earth.
I know we are not alone. Many of our friends have gone through rough times. Fights with cancer and other serious illnesses. And through all of this they have thanked God for their blessings.
All of us have hope. A hope in God and in the Salvation that can only come through His one and Only Son, Jesus Christ.
We believe 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.
Do you?
Think about it.
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Jesus
Jesus
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Luke 2:1-7,21.
I am a Christian I believe the above passage from the Bible. The birth of Jesus was a birth that changed the world. You can deny the birth ever happened, but you cannot deny that Jesus had a lasting impact on the history of the world.
The Roman and Greek gods and demigods have long since passed into history. They have had no lasting effect on society.
Yet Jesus, this Child born in Nazareth, born in a back water village of the Roman empire far from Rome’s capital, has had influence that has lasted to this day. His message, a message of Love for God, one’s neighbours, and even one’s enemies, is a message unsurpassed from any writing coming from the ancient world.
His claim to be the Son of God and the Christ, for his day was to say the least a dangerous claim. Yet he did and many believed him both then and now.
The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte said of him,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
This Jesus of Nazareth is no myth. He is the Son of God. You can deny it but that does not change the fact.
He came to this earth to meet you where you are at.
Charles R. Swindoll wrote,
“Jesus didn't come to earth to establish a new religion. He came to restore a broken relationship.”
When God created man he gave him the ability to choose, knowing full well that man might choose to stray from what God had intended for him.
Man chose to stray. But God did not give up on man, instead he chose to reach down to offer man the chance to reconcile to Him.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
Jesus offered us a choice 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 choice is always yours do you believe in Jesus and all he taught, or not?
Think about it.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Luke 2:1-7,21.
I am a Christian I believe the above passage from the Bible. The birth of Jesus was a birth that changed the world. You can deny the birth ever happened, but you cannot deny that Jesus had a lasting impact on the history of the world.
The Roman and Greek gods and demigods have long since passed into history. They have had no lasting effect on society.
Yet Jesus, this Child born in Nazareth, born in a back water village of the Roman empire far from Rome’s capital, has had influence that has lasted to this day. His message, a message of Love for God, one’s neighbours, and even one’s enemies, is a message unsurpassed from any writing coming from the ancient world.
His claim to be the Son of God and the Christ, for his day was to say the least a dangerous claim. Yet he did and many believed him both then and now.
The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte said of him,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
This Jesus of Nazareth is no myth. He is the Son of God. You can deny it but that does not change the fact.
He came to this earth to meet you where you are at.
Charles R. Swindoll wrote,
“Jesus didn't come to earth to establish a new religion. He came to restore a broken relationship.”
When God created man he gave him the ability to choose, knowing full well that man might choose to stray from what God had intended for him.
Man chose to stray. But God did not give up on man, instead he chose to reach down to offer man the chance to reconcile to Him.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
Jesus offered us a choice 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 choice is always yours do you believe in Jesus and all he taught, or not?
Think about it.
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Creation
Creation
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
A Nebula taken from Hubble space telescope
A day old human embryo
The surface of Mars a planet too far from the sun it has no life as we know it.
Earth our home. Just the
right distance from the sun for life to exist.
With all the elements necessary for life.
The book of Job states,
“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.”
Job 26:7
Not a bad description for a man who had never seen an image from space. Who had only seen the world around him.
The more I look into the heavens or through a microscope the more I see the hand of God. Everything is in balance. Everything we need to sustain life as we know it is there. Contrast earth to Mars. Earth has everything necessary for life Mars has as far as we know has some water and little else.
We are a divine creation. Created by God to have fellowship with Him. God did not want robots. Quite the contrary he wanted people who could think. Thus he gave us the ability to choose knowing full well that we may choose to turn away from him, as many people have done.
Never the less he has seen fit to show us the way back to him. He did so by sending his one and only son into the world.
Jesus came into the world I believe to experience everything a man could possibly experience.
Jesus as far as we know grew up in a devout family and had a relatively normal childhood. He did however have to become a political refugee while still an infant. He and his parents escaping to Egypt to avoid the wrath of a despot who wished to kill him.
Jesus also studied the scriptures. His parents finding him in his early teens talking with the scholars of his day, who marveled at his knowledge.
Throughout his ministry he spoke to the average person about God and the way to heaven.
He made things clear about himself saying,
... “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
After a three year ministry he suffered the indignity of an illegal trial, was flogged and put to death in a most hideous way.
In between all of this he lived an exemplary life and understood all was to be human. Everything from the rain against his face. To the heat of the sun, to the pleasing scent of a flower.
He even understood what it was like to be tempted and go his own way, away from God. That is why when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ we can never say to Him you don’t understand what it is to be human.
Over the years many ideas about God have arisen. Many ideas about how we get to heaven but non have made the claims Christians make.
The apostle Paul while speaking to the Athenians said of Christ,
“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
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 17:28-31.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus will one day judge mankind. The question is will you meet him as your Judge or you Saviour?
The apostle John in his Gospel writes,
“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.”
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 1:1-4,12,13.
Think about it
a
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
A day old human embryo
Earth our home. Just the
right distance from the sun for life to exist.
With all the elements necessary for life.
The book of Job states,
“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.”
Job 26:7
Not a bad description for a man who had never seen an image from space. Who had only seen the world around him.
The more I look into the heavens or through a microscope the more I see the hand of God. Everything is in balance. Everything we need to sustain life as we know it is there. Contrast earth to Mars. Earth has everything necessary for life Mars has as far as we know has some water and little else.
We are a divine creation. Created by God to have fellowship with Him. God did not want robots. Quite the contrary he wanted people who could think. Thus he gave us the ability to choose knowing full well that we may choose to turn away from him, as many people have done.
Never the less he has seen fit to show us the way back to him. He did so by sending his one and only son into the world.
Jesus came into the world I believe to experience everything a man could possibly experience.
Jesus as far as we know grew up in a devout family and had a relatively normal childhood. He did however have to become a political refugee while still an infant. He and his parents escaping to Egypt to avoid the wrath of a despot who wished to kill him.
Jesus also studied the scriptures. His parents finding him in his early teens talking with the scholars of his day, who marveled at his knowledge.
Throughout his ministry he spoke to the average person about God and the way to heaven.
He made things clear about himself saying,
... “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
After a three year ministry he suffered the indignity of an illegal trial, was flogged and put to death in a most hideous way.
In between all of this he lived an exemplary life and understood all was to be human. Everything from the rain against his face. To the heat of the sun, to the pleasing scent of a flower.
He even understood what it was like to be tempted and go his own way, away from God. That is why when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ we can never say to Him you don’t understand what it is to be human.
Over the years many ideas about God have arisen. Many ideas about how we get to heaven but non have made the claims Christians make.
The apostle Paul while speaking to the Athenians said of Christ,
“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
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 17:28-31.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus will one day judge mankind. The question is will you meet him as your Judge or you Saviour?
The apostle John in his Gospel writes,
“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.”
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 1:1-4,12,13.
Think about it
a
Monday, 8 December 2014
On Love
On Love
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Matthew 12:28-31
Here I believe is a universal truth. Love God and love your neighbour as yourself. If we are truly loving someone we cannot hurt. Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“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.
This to me is true love. Thus if we are practicing true love we will not hurt anyone.
You don’t have to be a Christians to practice true love.
Love, true love, can change the world around you. Love is all about giving.
Anne Frank a young Jewish Dutch girl who spent most of World war two in hiding from the Nazis and later died in a death camp wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
It is when we stop giving. When we stop loving that things go wrong.
During World War two love throughout occupied Europe was in short supply. Countries that could have helped persecuted Jews around the world, turned their backs on helping them.
Leaving it to individuals to show love and at the risk of their own lives to protect Jews from the death camps.
We only have to look around the world today to see love is in short supply. Christians are dying at the rate of one every four minutes for their faith. Others are dying simply because they are from the west.
Love in areas occupied by terrorist groups is fading away in favour of hate.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon, quoted in Therefore Choose Life: Selected Sermons, Addresses and Writings of Abba Hillel Silver, Volume One, edited by Herbert Wiesner (1997)
Think about it.
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Matthew 12:28-31
Here I believe is a universal truth. Love God and love your neighbour as yourself. If we are truly loving someone we cannot hurt. Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“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.
This to me is true love. Thus if we are practicing true love we will not hurt anyone.
You don’t have to be a Christians to practice true love.
Love, true love, can change the world around you. Love is all about giving.
Anne Frank a young Jewish Dutch girl who spent most of World war two in hiding from the Nazis and later died in a death camp wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
It is when we stop giving. When we stop loving that things go wrong.
During World War two love throughout occupied Europe was in short supply. Countries that could have helped persecuted Jews around the world, turned their backs on helping them.
Leaving it to individuals to show love and at the risk of their own lives to protect Jews from the death camps.
We only have to look around the world today to see love is in short supply. Christians are dying at the rate of one every four minutes for their faith. Others are dying simply because they are from the west.
Love in areas occupied by terrorist groups is fading away in favour of hate.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon, quoted in Therefore Choose Life: Selected Sermons, Addresses and Writings of Abba Hillel Silver, Volume One, edited by Herbert Wiesner (1997)
Think about it.
Sunday, 7 December 2014
True Greatness
True Greatness
"Former Secretary of State James Baker once said, "Someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned since being in Washington. I replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting." Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration. "There he was alone - no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."
What is true greatness? Throughout history there has been many great men and women. Men and women who have done noble deeds. Most are lost to history.
Jesus said,
“The greatest among you will be your servant.
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:11,12.
Ben Zion Bokser wrote,
“The man sweeping the synagogue paused for a moment. He looked at the flowers lying about in disorder, ‘What waste!’ He said too himself. Those roses had adorned the pulpit at a wedding aan hour before. Now all was over and they were waiting to be discarded.
The attendant leaning on his sweeper was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound. One of the roses replied to him.
‘Do you call this a waste?” the flower protested, ‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service? My mission was to create some fragrance and beauty, and when I have fulfilled it my life has not been wasted. And what greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to her beloved, what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when aa bride and groom seal their faith in each other by entering the covenant of marriage?’
Our little flower paused for a moment too watch the man’s face, and then continued her discourse.
‘Roses are like people. They live in deeds, not in time. My glory was but for a brief hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride’s eye. I like to believe that I had something to do with it, by creating a suitable setting for the moment of her supreme happiness. So don’t grieve for me. My life has been worthwhile.
Having spoken her little piece, the rose was once more silent. The attendant, startled from his reverie and a little wiser, pushed the sweeper again and continued with his work.”
Ben Zion Bokser.
True greatness is doing one’s duty no matter how humble it is. It is to give of one’s self in an unselfish way. To show love to all men, even your enemy.
The greatest people are not necessarily men and women with political, religious or military power. They are the average person on the street who see a need and meet that need in what ever way they can.
James writes,
"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.
Greatness lies in our deeds no matter how big or small. It lies in our willingness to help and serve people without expectation of recognition or remuneration.
Think about it.
"Former Secretary of State James Baker once said, "Someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned since being in Washington. I replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting." Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration. "There he was alone - no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."
What is true greatness? Throughout history there has been many great men and women. Men and women who have done noble deeds. Most are lost to history.
Jesus said,
“The greatest among you will be your servant.
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:11,12.
Ben Zion Bokser wrote,
“The man sweeping the synagogue paused for a moment. He looked at the flowers lying about in disorder, ‘What waste!’ He said too himself. Those roses had adorned the pulpit at a wedding aan hour before. Now all was over and they were waiting to be discarded.
The attendant leaning on his sweeper was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound. One of the roses replied to him.
‘Do you call this a waste?” the flower protested, ‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service? My mission was to create some fragrance and beauty, and when I have fulfilled it my life has not been wasted. And what greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to her beloved, what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when aa bride and groom seal their faith in each other by entering the covenant of marriage?’
Our little flower paused for a moment too watch the man’s face, and then continued her discourse.
‘Roses are like people. They live in deeds, not in time. My glory was but for a brief hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride’s eye. I like to believe that I had something to do with it, by creating a suitable setting for the moment of her supreme happiness. So don’t grieve for me. My life has been worthwhile.
Having spoken her little piece, the rose was once more silent. The attendant, startled from his reverie and a little wiser, pushed the sweeper again and continued with his work.”
Ben Zion Bokser.
True greatness is doing one’s duty no matter how humble it is. It is to give of one’s self in an unselfish way. To show love to all men, even your enemy.
The greatest people are not necessarily men and women with political, religious or military power. They are the average person on the street who see a need and meet that need in what ever way they can.
James writes,
"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.
Greatness lies in our deeds no matter how big or small. It lies in our willingness to help and serve people without expectation of recognition or remuneration.
Think about it.
Saturday, 6 December 2014
Of God, Faith, and Works
Of God, Faith and Works
Peter J. Kreeft said,
“think about that. How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God? The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
He also states,
“The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d.
In short we bring pain on ourselves and quite often on innocent people because of our choices. War be it global or local conflicts is drastic evidence of this.
Politicians and radical extremists make war and innocent men, women and children pay the price. Over fifty six million in world war two alone. Millions more in so called “dirty wars” since.
Even as I write this there are thousands dying because of radicals who have no regard for life.
War aside we as individuals bring grief on ourselves by the choices we make. Be they anything from smoking cigarettes to engaging in dangerous behaviour.
Our politicians who have the power to effect change to end suffering for the most needy and vulnerable in the world choose not to effect change largely because of politics.
God gave us free will and depending on how we use that free will, will determine where we will spend eternity.
While salvation is a free gift offered to all people we must reach out and receive that free gift. We must also I believe do our best to help our fellow man be we Christian or not.
Jesus said,
“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
He also said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46.
James writes,
"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.... "
James 2:14-18
God, I believe will one day judge both believers and non-believers.
When we stand before Him we will not be able to deny His existence. At that moment the words of Hebrews will ring true for that person.
The writer of Hebrews writing,
“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
Faith being defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Do you believe in God?
Do you do what you can to help those in need?
Think about it.
Peter J. Kreeft said,
“think about that. How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God? The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d
He also states,
“The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
Peter John Kreeft ph.d.
In short we bring pain on ourselves and quite often on innocent people because of our choices. War be it global or local conflicts is drastic evidence of this.
Politicians and radical extremists make war and innocent men, women and children pay the price. Over fifty six million in world war two alone. Millions more in so called “dirty wars” since.
Even as I write this there are thousands dying because of radicals who have no regard for life.
War aside we as individuals bring grief on ourselves by the choices we make. Be they anything from smoking cigarettes to engaging in dangerous behaviour.
Our politicians who have the power to effect change to end suffering for the most needy and vulnerable in the world choose not to effect change largely because of politics.
God gave us free will and depending on how we use that free will, will determine where we will spend eternity.
While salvation is a free gift offered to all people we must reach out and receive that free gift. We must also I believe do our best to help our fellow man be we Christian or not.
Jesus said,
“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
He also said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46.
James writes,
"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.... "
James 2:14-18
God, I believe will one day judge both believers and non-believers.
When we stand before Him we will not be able to deny His existence. At that moment the words of Hebrews will ring true for that person.
The writer of Hebrews writing,
“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
Faith being defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Do you believe in God?
Do you do what you can to help those in need?
Think about it.
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