Do to others
“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.
Do you? Do you treat others in the same way you would want to be treated?
This morning some people came to my door and spoke with me about their beliefs. They handed me their magazine and told me of their beliefs. I disagreed with what they had to say but I was polite and listened and to their credit they listened to what I believed.
This is how things should be. All too many who call themselves Christians are quick to criticize or argue with those they disagree with. They create such animosity that all dialogue stops.
As Christians in order to spread the word of God we need to respect others. This is essential to spreading the word of God.
Take a look through the book of Acts. The disciple respected all the other people they met. When Paul was in Athens he didn’t put down their beliefs he showed respect and in turn got respect. He did what Jesus said, he did to others what he would expect them to do to him. As a result souls were saved and they wanted to hear more.
I like what the Talmud it refers to believers,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud
If we have dealt honourably and faithfully with our fellow men then they will listen to us. They may not always agree with us but it allows us to do our duty to God by presenting the Gospel to anyone willing to listen to us.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Monday 11 May 2015
We as Christians
We as Christians
We as Christians have a great responsibility place upon us by God himself. Something that has eternal consequences not just for us but for the people around us.
A fierce light shines upon us. A light we cannot ignore.
Jesus said
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The world we are to take this message, the message of life eternal through belief in Jesus Christ, is filled with many things our faith disagrees with. Yet Jesus has told us not to judge anyone. “To be innocent as doves”.
It is only by presenting the word of God in a loving caring way that we can truly reach the world.
The apostle Paul said of love,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
All to many Christians and so called Christian pastors and evangelist particularly in the media are quick to point out sin. That’s not their job.
As I understand it, it is up to the Holy Spirit to convict men of their sin and Jesus who will one day Judge.
Christians are to be the messenger of the Good News of Salvation nothing more.
Unless we stay true to this. To strictly present the message of God’s love we cannot win souls for Christ.
We cannot judge people because they think differently to us or have a lifestyle with which we disagree. We do not know their heart and mind only God dose and it is he who is the only wise judge.
As Christians we need to be presenting the Love of Christ to all people at all times, be it neighbour, friend or enemy. This is the only way we will win people to Christ. The apostles did this and they turned the world upside down.
Francis of Assisi gave two pieces of advice that are as relevant today as when he spoke it. He said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
We will never win the world for Christ particularly here in North America where our society is growing ever more multicultural if we don’t show the Love of God.
If we don’t present a loving caring lifestyle that welcomes all who are seeking truth.
The actions of each Christian has eternal consequences. If we show the Love of Christ, the Love of God to all people we may win them for Christ.
If we fail to show the Love of Christ, the Love of God we may see people sadly lost to a Christless eternity.
Please Christians think about it.
We as Christians have a great responsibility place upon us by God himself. Something that has eternal consequences not just for us but for the people around us.
A fierce light shines upon us. A light we cannot ignore.
Jesus said
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The world we are to take this message, the message of life eternal through belief in Jesus Christ, is filled with many things our faith disagrees with. Yet Jesus has told us not to judge anyone. “To be innocent as doves”.
It is only by presenting the word of God in a loving caring way that we can truly reach the world.
The apostle Paul said of love,
“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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
All to many Christians and so called Christian pastors and evangelist particularly in the media are quick to point out sin. That’s not their job.
As I understand it, it is up to the Holy Spirit to convict men of their sin and Jesus who will one day Judge.
Christians are to be the messenger of the Good News of Salvation nothing more.
Unless we stay true to this. To strictly present the message of God’s love we cannot win souls for Christ.
We cannot judge people because they think differently to us or have a lifestyle with which we disagree. We do not know their heart and mind only God dose and it is he who is the only wise judge.
As Christians we need to be presenting the Love of Christ to all people at all times, be it neighbour, friend or enemy. This is the only way we will win people to Christ. The apostles did this and they turned the world upside down.
Francis of Assisi gave two pieces of advice that are as relevant today as when he spoke it. He said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
We will never win the world for Christ particularly here in North America where our society is growing ever more multicultural if we don’t show the Love of God.
If we don’t present a loving caring lifestyle that welcomes all who are seeking truth.
The actions of each Christian has eternal consequences. If we show the Love of Christ, the Love of God to all people we may win them for Christ.
If we fail to show the Love of Christ, the Love of God we may see people sadly lost to a Christless eternity.
Please Christians think about it.
Sunday 10 May 2015
Three Mothers
Three Mothers
“Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.
But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.
His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.
Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it.
She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.
Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
“Yes, go,” she answered. And the girl went and got the baby’s mother.
Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him.
When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
Exodus 2:1-10.
Today is Mother’s day in Canada. A time when we celebrate mother’s. When we thank them for all they’ve done for us.
When we look through history there is many mothers of note. However to my mind there are three mothers in history that led to the changing of history in a greater way than any other three women.
The above scripture I quoted is from Exodus and the saving of Moses from the river. The story in short goes this way. Pharaoh fearing that the Jews would rebel should an enemy come against his people ordered all the Jewish male children born to them to be killed.
One brave Hebrew mother ignored pharaoh and placed her child in a basket in the reeds where Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe.
Pharaoh’s daughter recognized that it was a Hebrew baby but decided to keep the child as her own. The sister of that child had been watching the events and asked if she should get a Hebrew woman to look after the child. Pharaoh’s daughter said yes.
The child’s mother was brought and was instructed to bring the child up until he was older where upon she made him her son.
The child, Moses, I’m sure would have the benefit of two things.
I’m sure his natural mother taught him about his heritage as a Jew. Giving him a sense of where his heritage lie.
While his adoptive mother gave him the benefit of all the learning of Egypt the most powerful and cultured nation on the earth at that time.
Thus when the time came for Moses to perform God’s work he was well educated and had a sense of his heritage, even if he was a little nervous when God called him.
Moses as we know would lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the borders of the promised land.
The effects of those two mothers, Moses’s natural mother and adopted mother however went even further. Because of there love of Moses, because of their actions another mother was born some generations further on. A mother who said,
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
Luke 1:46-55.
This of course is Mary the mother of Christ. Who although of lowly birth was considered by God to be faithful and true to Him. So much so that He chose her to become the mother of His one and Only Son. The Messiah, Jesus Christ.”
It was because of these three mothers that God’s salvation has come to the world. That we can at no cost to us receive eternal life.
Jesus would say of himself,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
It is because of these three mothers and many more that over the centuries bore children that were in the line of Jesus that we today can know for certain that we will spend eternity with God.
The apostle Paul summed it up this way,
“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.
Jesus is God reaching down to man because God knows man cannot be good enough to reach up to Him.
Please think about it.
“Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.
But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.
His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.
Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it.
She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.
Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
“Yes, go,” she answered. And the girl went and got the baby’s mother.
Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him.
When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
Exodus 2:1-10.
Today is Mother’s day in Canada. A time when we celebrate mother’s. When we thank them for all they’ve done for us.
When we look through history there is many mothers of note. However to my mind there are three mothers in history that led to the changing of history in a greater way than any other three women.
The above scripture I quoted is from Exodus and the saving of Moses from the river. The story in short goes this way. Pharaoh fearing that the Jews would rebel should an enemy come against his people ordered all the Jewish male children born to them to be killed.
One brave Hebrew mother ignored pharaoh and placed her child in a basket in the reeds where Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe.
Pharaoh’s daughter recognized that it was a Hebrew baby but decided to keep the child as her own. The sister of that child had been watching the events and asked if she should get a Hebrew woman to look after the child. Pharaoh’s daughter said yes.
The child’s mother was brought and was instructed to bring the child up until he was older where upon she made him her son.
The child, Moses, I’m sure would have the benefit of two things.
I’m sure his natural mother taught him about his heritage as a Jew. Giving him a sense of where his heritage lie.
While his adoptive mother gave him the benefit of all the learning of Egypt the most powerful and cultured nation on the earth at that time.
Thus when the time came for Moses to perform God’s work he was well educated and had a sense of his heritage, even if he was a little nervous when God called him.
Moses as we know would lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the borders of the promised land.
The effects of those two mothers, Moses’s natural mother and adopted mother however went even further. Because of there love of Moses, because of their actions another mother was born some generations further on. A mother who said,
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
Luke 1:46-55.
This of course is Mary the mother of Christ. Who although of lowly birth was considered by God to be faithful and true to Him. So much so that He chose her to become the mother of His one and Only Son. The Messiah, Jesus Christ.”
It was because of these three mothers that God’s salvation has come to the world. That we can at no cost to us receive eternal life.
Jesus would say of himself,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
It is because of these three mothers and many more that over the centuries bore children that were in the line of Jesus that we today can know for certain that we will spend eternity with God.
The apostle Paul summed it up this way,
“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.
Jesus is God reaching down to man because God knows man cannot be good enough to reach up to Him.
Please think about it.
Saturday 9 May 2015
Christian Duty
Christian Duty
January 14th
Outside the air is a warm, seventeen centigrade, unseasonable for this time of year in this part of the world.
A soft, soaking rain is falling from the sky. Cars made a swishing sound as they travel along the almost empty street.
All around there is the noise of the city, slowing, rising to a crescendo, then equally slowly dying to a momentary silence.
Before me, lays a picture of downtown edge. At the corner, stands a service station. Its bright lights illuminate the white wall of the restaurant across the street from it. The smell of gasoline mingling with the smell of grilling meat permeates the still air.
My watch reads 2:00 am.
Near the corner an old woman, her torn dress visible below the dirty, shabby, gray winter coat, stumbles along, holding the wall for balance.
Finally, losing her fight to remain upright, she leans her back against the wall and slowly slumps down to the ground, coming to rest over a hot air vent. Alone, she sits motionless as the rain falls.
Who will tell her of God’s love?
Who will love her?
Who will help her?
Who?
The apostle James wrote
“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
Dear Christian,
Please think about it.
January 14th
Outside the air is a warm, seventeen centigrade, unseasonable for this time of year in this part of the world.
A soft, soaking rain is falling from the sky. Cars made a swishing sound as they travel along the almost empty street.
All around there is the noise of the city, slowing, rising to a crescendo, then equally slowly dying to a momentary silence.
Before me, lays a picture of downtown edge. At the corner, stands a service station. Its bright lights illuminate the white wall of the restaurant across the street from it. The smell of gasoline mingling with the smell of grilling meat permeates the still air.
My watch reads 2:00 am.
Near the corner an old woman, her torn dress visible below the dirty, shabby, gray winter coat, stumbles along, holding the wall for balance.
Finally, losing her fight to remain upright, she leans her back against the wall and slowly slumps down to the ground, coming to rest over a hot air vent. Alone, she sits motionless as the rain falls.
Who will tell her of God’s love?
Who will love her?
Who will help her?
Who?
The apostle James wrote
“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
Dear Christian,
Please think about it.
Friday 8 May 2015
A thief in the night
A thief in the night
"Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."
1 Thessalonians 5:1,2
The Fourth Man
Although it’s six thirty-nine, dawn has not yet broken on this cold winter’s morning. All around the suburban landscape lies covered, within a blanket of new fallen snow.
On the roads, the morning commute is slowly beginning. As of yet, however, there are few cars. All around, there is a peace. Almost, like the calm before the storm.
Two cars, pull off the street and into the empty church parking lot. Their tires making the snow squeak, as they move over it. Coming to a halt, the occupants, three middle-aged men climb out, greet each other and enter the church.
Before the altar, in the silence of the sanctuary, each man kneels.
Within this holy place, the presence of God is so very real. His Holy power can be felt as it fills the temple.
From my vantage point in the balcony I watch as all three are raptured leaving me...
Alone.
Are you ready for the coming of Christ. Over the years I’ve entered into many discussions as to when Christ will return. The fact is however that we simply do not know. Jesus told this parable,
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13.
As Christians we all need to be ready for the return of Christ. We need to be doing the Lords work. We need to be serving Him in what ever way we can.
We also need to be worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.
Think about it,
"Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."
1 Thessalonians 5:1,2
The Fourth Man
Although it’s six thirty-nine, dawn has not yet broken on this cold winter’s morning. All around the suburban landscape lies covered, within a blanket of new fallen snow.
On the roads, the morning commute is slowly beginning. As of yet, however, there are few cars. All around, there is a peace. Almost, like the calm before the storm.
Two cars, pull off the street and into the empty church parking lot. Their tires making the snow squeak, as they move over it. Coming to a halt, the occupants, three middle-aged men climb out, greet each other and enter the church.
Before the altar, in the silence of the sanctuary, each man kneels.
Within this holy place, the presence of God is so very real. His Holy power can be felt as it fills the temple.
From my vantage point in the balcony I watch as all three are raptured leaving me...
Alone.
Are you ready for the coming of Christ. Over the years I’ve entered into many discussions as to when Christ will return. The fact is however that we simply do not know. Jesus told this parable,
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13.
As Christians we all need to be ready for the return of Christ. We need to be doing the Lords work. We need to be serving Him in what ever way we can.
We also need to be worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.
Think about it,
Thursday 7 May 2015
A Modern Parable
A modern parable,
Every now and then I like to make both Christian and non-Christian think just what they’d do in a given circumstance. This is one of those occasions. It’s called the Eleven O Clock Parable.
The Eleven O Clock Parable
It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation waits.
Will the new law be legal?
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant.
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are going to Hell.”
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love God and love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Wasn’t it the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Wasn’t it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another?
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day, and how can I reach them for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”
A comment
Jesus never said a gay man or woman couldn’t get to heaven. He didn’t say a bigot couldn’t either.
The Bible makes it clear that only sin separates us from God. And God through the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins. It is not our job.
Salvation is a very personal thing. It is between you and God no one can tell you if you are saved or not.
Salvation is not conditional on your life style, your race of ethnicity.
It is conditional on your accepting the free gift of salvation from God. On Accepting Christ as your saviour.
I like what one commentator on the Homosexual debate said, “the sin of a gay person is no worse than that of a heterosexual person.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23.
That all means ALL, every man and woman on the face of the earth. Paul also wrote,
“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.
God’s gift of salvation of life everlasting in heaven is free to all who will call on the name of Jesus and accept Him into their life.
The choice is yours be you strait or gay God does not play favorites.
Please consider accepting Christ into your life today.
Every now and then I like to make both Christian and non-Christian think just what they’d do in a given circumstance. This is one of those occasions. It’s called the Eleven O Clock Parable.
The Eleven O Clock Parable
It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation waits.
Will the new law be legal?
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant.
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are going to Hell.”
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love God and love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Wasn’t it the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Wasn’t it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another?
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day, and how can I reach them for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”
A comment
Jesus never said a gay man or woman couldn’t get to heaven. He didn’t say a bigot couldn’t either.
The Bible makes it clear that only sin separates us from God. And God through the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins. It is not our job.
Salvation is a very personal thing. It is between you and God no one can tell you if you are saved or not.
Salvation is not conditional on your life style, your race of ethnicity.
It is conditional on your accepting the free gift of salvation from God. On Accepting Christ as your saviour.
I like what one commentator on the Homosexual debate said, “the sin of a gay person is no worse than that of a heterosexual person.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23.
That all means ALL, every man and woman on the face of the earth. Paul also wrote,
“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.
God’s gift of salvation of life everlasting in heaven is free to all who will call on the name of Jesus and accept Him into their life.
The choice is yours be you strait or gay God does not play favorites.
Please consider accepting Christ into your life today.
Wednesday 6 May 2015
What would you do?
What would you do?
Some times I like to put before the reader in these blogs a controversial point for Christians to consider. Here is one.
In the news recently in both the United States and Canada there’s been talk about Bruce Jenner going to have a sex change.
Jenner is a mens gold medal in the decathlon winner at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal. Over the years he has starred in several made-for-TV movies.
Jenner was married for nearly 24 years to Kris Jenner (formerly Kardashian); the couple and their family appeared on the television series Keeping up with the Kardshians. Following his divorce in 2015 he came out in a television interview as a transgender woman and is about to under go a sex change.
While Jenner is high profile there are people like him within the church especially large congregations.
In light of this I’d like you the reader to consider the following from a book called Images. It’s called Images of a Woman,
Images of a Woman
That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day. She would get only one chance to make an impression. To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care. Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital. She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and passed the time of day. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make. Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly. I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that. That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life. I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly. I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly. I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew. If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden. He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am. A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am. In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability. After which, pastor will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.” He said. “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
What would you do, stand or remain seated?
What do you think Jesus would do?
Please think about it.
Some times I like to put before the reader in these blogs a controversial point for Christians to consider. Here is one.
In the news recently in both the United States and Canada there’s been talk about Bruce Jenner going to have a sex change.
Jenner is a mens gold medal in the decathlon winner at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal. Over the years he has starred in several made-for-TV movies.
Jenner was married for nearly 24 years to Kris Jenner (formerly Kardashian); the couple and their family appeared on the television series Keeping up with the Kardshians. Following his divorce in 2015 he came out in a television interview as a transgender woman and is about to under go a sex change.
While Jenner is high profile there are people like him within the church especially large congregations.
In light of this I’d like you the reader to consider the following from a book called Images. It’s called Images of a Woman,
Images of a Woman
That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day. She would get only one chance to make an impression. To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care. Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital. She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and passed the time of day. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make. Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly. I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that. That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life. I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly. I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly. I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew. If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden. He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am. A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am. In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability. After which, pastor will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.” He said. “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
What would you do, stand or remain seated?
What do you think Jesus would do?
Please think about it.
Tuesday 5 May 2015
Your Life
Your life
“O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
What is your life all about?
Sometime ago I came across this little story called the Rose Talked Back by Ben Zion Bokser.
The Rose Talked Back
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
Over the years I’ve met many men and women from all walks and strata of life. I have watched how rich and poor alike at the end of their life don’t think about the wealth they’ve acquired or the things they’ve accumulated. Money and things, somehow, when one is on their death bed amount to nothing.
I like what the rose in Bokser’s story says,
“‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service?”
It is when we realize that our lives are a means of service that life has meaning. We do live in our deeds.
I’m reminded of my sister in law Shirley, she died a few years ago at age fifty-six. Shirley struggled with alcoholism all her life. But she mastered it. It never mastered her. She stayed sober for over thirty years.
Shirley volunteered everywhere, from Alcoholics anonymous, to the church to other groups that helped people.
She died nearly three years ago now and my wife and I still meet people who comment on what good she did for them.
She was never rich or a household name, but she there when there was a need for a volunteer.
Shirley did this because it was the right thing to do and she firmly believed it is what God wanted her to do.
The Apostle 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.
I f 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
As Christians we should have a servants spirit. This is what Jesus had. This is what the Apostles had.
Francis of Assisi got it right when he said,
“O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
There’s a quote from the Talmud that I like quoting it very much applies to Christians it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
They question I ask you now is,
When you leave this earth, what will people remember you for?
Will you be able to say to God, I dealt honourably and faithfully with my fellow man?
Please think about it.
“O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
What is your life all about?
Sometime ago I came across this little story called the Rose Talked Back by Ben Zion Bokser.
The Rose Talked Back
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
Over the years I’ve met many men and women from all walks and strata of life. I have watched how rich and poor alike at the end of their life don’t think about the wealth they’ve acquired or the things they’ve accumulated. Money and things, somehow, when one is on their death bed amount to nothing.
I like what the rose in Bokser’s story says,
“‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service?”
It is when we realize that our lives are a means of service that life has meaning. We do live in our deeds.
I’m reminded of my sister in law Shirley, she died a few years ago at age fifty-six. Shirley struggled with alcoholism all her life. But she mastered it. It never mastered her. She stayed sober for over thirty years.
Shirley volunteered everywhere, from Alcoholics anonymous, to the church to other groups that helped people.
She died nearly three years ago now and my wife and I still meet people who comment on what good she did for them.
She was never rich or a household name, but she there when there was a need for a volunteer.
Shirley did this because it was the right thing to do and she firmly believed it is what God wanted her to do.
The Apostle 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.
I f 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
As Christians we should have a servants spirit. This is what Jesus had. This is what the Apostles had.
Francis of Assisi got it right when he said,
“O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
There’s a quote from the Talmud that I like quoting it very much applies to Christians it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
They question I ask you now is,
When you leave this earth, what will people remember you for?
Will you be able to say to God, I dealt honourably and faithfully with my fellow man?
Please think about it.
Monday 4 May 2015
Grass Withers
The Grass withers
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her fifties in the early eighties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by over twenty-five years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time. As are ours, at least with respect to this life.
Our lives however do not end here they are made as Martin Luther King jr. said “... man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.”
The question is where will you spend that eternity?
We Christians believe that you have a choice in this life. You can either believe the words of Jesus or not.
Jesus said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
John 14:6
“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
If you chose to become a Christian and live by Christian principles of Love of God, Love for ones neighbour, and love for ones enemy, you have lost nothing and made your life richer in the process.
If Christianity is false then you’ve simply lived a good moral life.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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 decision however is up to you. No one can force Christianity on you. You are not born Christian simply because your parents were Christian. You must make the decision voluntarily to accept Christ into you life.
The decision you make however, I believe will have eternal consequences.
Please think about it.
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8.
The other day I was thinking about my mother she died young of cancer in her fifties in the early eighties.
My grandmother, her mother lived until her late nineties. Out living my mother by over twenty-five years.
When I think of them I realize their lives were but a mist in time. As are ours, at least with respect to this life.
Our lives however do not end here they are made as Martin Luther King jr. said “... man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.”
The question is where will you spend that eternity?
We Christians believe that you have a choice in this life. You can either believe the words of Jesus or not.
Jesus said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
John 14:6
“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
If you chose to become a Christian and live by Christian principles of Love of God, Love for ones neighbour, and love for ones enemy, you have lost nothing and made your life richer in the process.
If Christianity is false then you’ve simply lived a good moral life.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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 decision however is up to you. No one can force Christianity on you. You are not born Christian simply because your parents were Christian. You must make the decision voluntarily to accept Christ into you life.
The decision you make however, I believe will have eternal consequences.
Please think about it.
Sunday 3 May 2015
Praise the LORD!
Praise the Lord
I’m going to make today’s post very simple and to the point. I would ask you the reader to Praise the Lord.
One thing I’ve found with most Christians is that they don’t praise the Lord enough. They listen to praise music which is good but they themselves don’t lift up their voice and praise the Lord.
You don’t have to be a great singer. You may not be able to sing a note correctly. You don’t have to, to praise the Lord.
If you’re self conscious about singing in public find a private place where you can at least say words of praise to God.
As you do you’ll see your own spirits raised.
So take time to give praise to the Lord of Lord and King of Kings. Please.
“Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.”
Psalm 150.I’m going to make today’s post very simple and to the point. I would ask you the reader to Praise the Lord.
One thing I’ve found with most Christians is that they don’t praise the Lord enough. They listen to praise music which is good but they themselves don’t lift up their voice and praise the Lord.
You don’t have to be a great singer. You may not be able to sing a note correctly. You don’t have to, to praise the Lord.
If you’re self conscious about singing in public find a private place where you can at least say words of praise to God.
As you do you’ll see your own spirits raised.
So take time to give praise to the Lord of Lord and King of Kings. Please.
Saturday 2 May 2015
Words of Advice
Words of Advise
Here are a few words for Christians to live by everyday of their lives.
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
We are called never to judge either hypocritically or self-righteously, especially those outside the body of believers in Christ Jesus. To do so can have eternal consequences.
Paul however notes
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
What the apostle Paul is saying here to the church, is keep your own house in order. We have the right to judge someone who calls him or herself a Christian. We have the right to judge what they are saying and correct them. Paul warns Timothy in 1Timothy 1:3,4 to correct the false teachers.
As Christians we have not only the right but the duty to correct false teaching.
Now that doesn’t mean we can’t agree to disagree on some points. However when someone is teaching against the core beliefs of our faith we must correct them and if necessary expel them from among us.
Each person who wishes to be a teacher or a pastor needs to have his or her teaching questioned from time to time. A good teacher or preacher will welcome it.
If they are wrong in what they teach a good teacher will also make correction.
Christians however should never judge people outside our faith. As Paul states,
“God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
We are called to keep our own house clean so to speak.
When it comes to our behaviour Jesus makes it clear,
“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.
When we witness, when we talk to people, when we interact with people in any way, we should be asking ourselves “would I like to be treated like that.”
We should be asking ourselves “what would Jesus do?”
Question to Christians reading this: Do you follow these simple words of advice?
Please think about it.
Here are a few words for Christians to live by everyday of their lives.
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
We are called never to judge either hypocritically or self-righteously, especially those outside the body of believers in Christ Jesus. To do so can have eternal consequences.
Paul however notes
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
What the apostle Paul is saying here to the church, is keep your own house in order. We have the right to judge someone who calls him or herself a Christian. We have the right to judge what they are saying and correct them. Paul warns Timothy in 1Timothy 1:3,4 to correct the false teachers.
As Christians we have not only the right but the duty to correct false teaching.
Now that doesn’t mean we can’t agree to disagree on some points. However when someone is teaching against the core beliefs of our faith we must correct them and if necessary expel them from among us.
Each person who wishes to be a teacher or a pastor needs to have his or her teaching questioned from time to time. A good teacher or preacher will welcome it.
If they are wrong in what they teach a good teacher will also make correction.
Christians however should never judge people outside our faith. As Paul states,
“God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
We are called to keep our own house clean so to speak.
When it comes to our behaviour Jesus makes it clear,
“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.
When we witness, when we talk to people, when we interact with people in any way, we should be asking ourselves “would I like to be treated like that.”
We should be asking ourselves “what would Jesus do?”
Question to Christians reading this: Do you follow these simple words of advice?
Please think about it.
Friday 1 May 2015
The Heart of Christianity
The Heart of Christianity
John records Jesus stating clearly why he came,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the word through Him might be saved.”
John 3:16,17
If we are true followers of Christ we will not speak out condemning the world. We will not judge the world. That is not what God would have us to do.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
While we may dislike the actions of those in the world and some of the laws past by our governments. Still we have no right to condemn them providing they don’t restrict our rights or the rights of others.
Romans 13:1,2 clearly states
“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. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1,2
Remember Paul wrote those words when the emperor Nero ruled. One of the greatest persecutors of Christians. If we wish to truly do the work of Christ we must love the world. If we fail to do
so, this can have eternal consequences.
Paul when writing to the Romans said,
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the LORD, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:9-21.
We cannot live at peace with all men if we are constantly criticizing their life or lifestyle. We have no right to show even a hint of judgment toward those who are not a part of the body of believers in Christ Jesus.
Remember what Paul said about love,
“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.
Matthew records Jesus being 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 22:37-40
He also 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46.
The more I read the Bible the more I see God’s Love throughout it. The New Testament proclaims that love on virtually every page.
The reason for that love is mentioned in John 3:17
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the word through Him might be saved.”
John 3:17.
We as Christians need to take a careful look at how we are witnessing to others. Asking ourselves are we judging them? Are we loving them? Do the people whom we are witnessing to see our actions as love because if they don’t our witness is to no avil.
The Talmud while not a Christian book gives an interesting story about Abraham it states,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?
The Talmud .
“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....” (Paul to the Corinthians)
It is only through Love that we will win souls for Christ.
Please think about it
John records Jesus stating clearly why he came,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the word through Him might be saved.”
John 3:16,17
If we are true followers of Christ we will not speak out condemning the world. We will not judge the world. That is not what God would have us to do.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
While we may dislike the actions of those in the world and some of the laws past by our governments. Still we have no right to condemn them providing they don’t restrict our rights or the rights of others.
Romans 13:1,2 clearly states
“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. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1,2
Remember Paul wrote those words when the emperor Nero ruled. One of the greatest persecutors of Christians. If we wish to truly do the work of Christ we must love the world. If we fail to do
so, this can have eternal consequences.
Paul when writing to the Romans said,
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the LORD, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:9-21.
We cannot live at peace with all men if we are constantly criticizing their life or lifestyle. We have no right to show even a hint of judgment toward those who are not a part of the body of believers in Christ Jesus.
Remember what Paul said about love,
“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.
Matthew records Jesus being 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 22:37-40
He also 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46.
The more I read the Bible the more I see God’s Love throughout it. The New Testament proclaims that love on virtually every page.
The reason for that love is mentioned in John 3:17
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the word through Him might be saved.”
John 3:17.
We as Christians need to take a careful look at how we are witnessing to others. Asking ourselves are we judging them? Are we loving them? Do the people whom we are witnessing to see our actions as love because if they don’t our witness is to no avil.
The Talmud while not a Christian book gives an interesting story about Abraham it states,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?
The Talmud .
“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....” (Paul to the Corinthians)
It is only through Love that we will win souls for Christ.
Please think about it
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