Mark this
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Some time ago I came across a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written today.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the abyss greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Now I can only speak of the Church as I see it here in North America in 2015 and I see Gallico as being right. He seen the world headed for hell in a handbarrow back in 1948 and I believe that our society is further down that slope than ever before.
Not only that there is a failure on the part of many churches, evangelist and pastors to pluck people out of that handbarrow.
I see the church becoming “religious” and turning away from the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. It is this “religious spirit” and “religious people” that cause strife, as Gallico notes,
“in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.”
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5.
This is happening today. Men and women both in the pews and in the pulpit are exhibiting a “form of godliness” but are far from Christ and the teachings he has called Christians to proclaim.
I know many so called evangelicals point to the “mainline churches” and say they are far from God. But many who call themselves evangelicals are far from God.
While they say they are showing the love of God the world sees what Paul Gallico saw in 1948 “bigotry and persecution.”
They see men and women claiming to be Christians standing on corners protesting against the rights of various law abiding groups and individuals they disagree with.
This should not be so.
It is the job of the church to make disciples of all nations. To reach out to individuals no matter who they are or their lifestyle and offer them the salvation only Christ can bring.
Luke’s gospel records this incident with Jesus. He notes,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:27-32.
Jesus set the example he “lived His faith”. He sat down with anyone from any walk of life and pointed them to salvation. This is what we must do.
We as Christians need to check our selves every so often and see if we have a “religious spirit” and if we do we need to get rid of it.
We need to be willing to sit down with people no matter who they are.
Our church congregations need to be a welcoming place for all people of every lifestyle, race and faith. A place we can proclaim the word or God and let the Holy Spirit convict people of any sins they have, as we if we are truly Christian, have no right to judge anyone.
Please think about it.
Saturday 12 September 2015
Friday 11 September 2015
False Teachers
False teachers
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I believe the above statement by the apostle Paul to Timothy. I also believe that, never in the history of Christianity is that statement more true.
Now don’t get me wrong there are a lot of good solid evangelist and pastors doing their best to serve the Lord and minister His word in spirit and in truth. Delivering the unadulterated salvation message of God.
Never the less there are many out there in the media that are not teaching sound doctrine. They are misleading people in many cases deliberately lying to people. Sadly all too many people are believing them. Christians who are not reading the word of God. Who are not studying. Who are relying on specific evangelist or pastors to teach them and never check to see if they are being taught correctly.
I watch a particular television network we pick up over the air from the United States. There are people their selling what amounts to at the very best secular products with a Christian wrapping at worst snake oil.
They are telling people to stock up on supplies for a year or more because the end is coming and Christ’s return in imminent. And of course they want you to buy the supplies from them.
I can understand people wanting Christ to return soon. Our society is on a slippery slope to hell. It’s wandering far from God’s ideals. Who wouldn’t want Christ to come back today.
I can also understand people wanting to stock up incase there’s a disaster. That is the prudent thing to do.
What bothers me is the millions of dollars these evangelist and pastors are spending on doom and gloom scenarios when they should be presenting the salvation message of God.
The gospel of Matthew however records,
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
Matthew 24:4-6.
There is a lot of trouble in the world today. It seems like a great up evil is happening in the middle east. And yes the time for Christ’s return may be close at hand. Christians have believed this since the days of the apostles.
Still knowing this, we as Christians should be doubling our effort to reach people for Christ. Jesus gave the church it’s mandate when He 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 .
That age has not come to an end yet therefor we must work as hard as we can to reach the world for Christ.
Forget about selling or buying fancy face creams or survival rations that can be bought at a secular store.
We need to be putting our time our effort and our money, into reaching the world around us.
Good evangelist and pastors are preaching this message. Follow their examples and buy your face cream if you must from a local cosmetic store.
Please think about it.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I believe the above statement by the apostle Paul to Timothy. I also believe that, never in the history of Christianity is that statement more true.
Now don’t get me wrong there are a lot of good solid evangelist and pastors doing their best to serve the Lord and minister His word in spirit and in truth. Delivering the unadulterated salvation message of God.
Never the less there are many out there in the media that are not teaching sound doctrine. They are misleading people in many cases deliberately lying to people. Sadly all too many people are believing them. Christians who are not reading the word of God. Who are not studying. Who are relying on specific evangelist or pastors to teach them and never check to see if they are being taught correctly.
I watch a particular television network we pick up over the air from the United States. There are people their selling what amounts to at the very best secular products with a Christian wrapping at worst snake oil.
They are telling people to stock up on supplies for a year or more because the end is coming and Christ’s return in imminent. And of course they want you to buy the supplies from them.
I can understand people wanting Christ to return soon. Our society is on a slippery slope to hell. It’s wandering far from God’s ideals. Who wouldn’t want Christ to come back today.
I can also understand people wanting to stock up incase there’s a disaster. That is the prudent thing to do.
What bothers me is the millions of dollars these evangelist and pastors are spending on doom and gloom scenarios when they should be presenting the salvation message of God.
The gospel of Matthew however records,
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
Matthew 24:4-6.
There is a lot of trouble in the world today. It seems like a great up evil is happening in the middle east. And yes the time for Christ’s return may be close at hand. Christians have believed this since the days of the apostles.
Still knowing this, we as Christians should be doubling our effort to reach people for Christ. Jesus gave the church it’s mandate when He 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 .
That age has not come to an end yet therefor we must work as hard as we can to reach the world for Christ.
Forget about selling or buying fancy face creams or survival rations that can be bought at a secular store.
We need to be putting our time our effort and our money, into reaching the world around us.
Good evangelist and pastors are preaching this message. Follow their examples and buy your face cream if you must from a local cosmetic store.
Please think about it.
Thursday 10 September 2015
What's a Christian to do?
What’s a Christian to do?
The following is a few verses that tell Christians what to do on a day to day basis. I put them here for the Christians who read this to ponder.
The apostle Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. “
Romans 12:18
The writer of Proverbs saying,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3,4
Christian love defined by the apostle Paul,
Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 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.”
Matthew 5:43-45
When asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Jesus also said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
We are to forgive those who sin against us. Jesus saying,
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14,15
We are called not to judge people. Jesus saying,
“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
The apostle Paul telling us to not to judge those outside the church and keep the church clean. Writing,
“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
Paul also reminding us,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer that we as Christians should consider taking to heart. He wrote,
“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.
Think about it.
The following is a few verses that tell Christians what to do on a day to day basis. I put them here for the Christians who read this to ponder.
The apostle Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. “
Romans 12:18
The writer of Proverbs saying,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3,4
Christian love defined by the apostle Paul,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 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.”
Matthew 5:43-45
When asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Jesus also said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
We are to forgive those who sin against us. Jesus saying,
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14,15
We are called not to judge people. Jesus saying,
“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
The apostle Paul telling us to not to judge those outside the church and keep the church clean. Writing,
“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
Paul also reminding us,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer that we as Christians should consider taking to heart. He wrote,
“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.
Think about it.
Wednesday 9 September 2015
God
God
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
This is what I believe. God created the heavens and the earth. Whether he created it using the big bang or some other method I do not care. It’s unimportant to my faith.
Whether it took us a billion years, five thousand years or six days is unimportant to my faith.
I see a universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest microbes and subatomic particles all governed by laws. There is no randomness in nature.
Where it seems like randomness it’s just a case that man has not found the formula or the pattern. Lets face it there is a lot man has yet to learn.
The lack of randomness and perfect order of the universe tells me there is a God of creation.
As I look into the heavens study science and read the Bible I am amazed at how they compliment each other. Keeping in mind especially that the Bible is a book of faith not intended to be used as a science book.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
The Bible talked of a point in time when the universe was created, when scientist and astronomers were saying that the Universe had always been. That it was in a fixed state.
Back in the 1980's N.A.S.A. sent two space craft on a mission that has now taken them beyond the solar system. Trillions of kilometres away from earth they turned it around and took a snapshot of earth. It was a tiny dot the size of the head of a pin. Looking at it, puts in perspective how insignificant we are in the universe. Yet the bible tells us that the God who crated the Universe and placed mankind on that dot chose to enter His creation and live briefly on that dot.
The apostle John noting,
“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....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-3,14.
To say that God could not come to earth in the form of Jesus is to limit the power of God at least in one area.
To my way of thinking our God who created the universe and everything in it had to enter the world He created. He had to take a part of his infinite being and enter the world in order to show man how much He loved them. He had to show man He not only intellectually that He knew what it was like to be man but that he physically knew what it was to be man. That he knew on an experiential level.
In Jesus he experienced all there it was to be human. To be tempted. To do everyday things like walk along a road. To attend a wedding. To be flogged and put to death for a crime he didn’t commit, for simple political expediency and everything else in between.
I could go on giving reason I believe in God and Jesus but ultimately it comes down to what you the reader think of God and Jesus.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"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 Corinthians 1:18-25.
For me if the message of the cross and Christ is foolishness, I have lost nothing. I have simply lived a good life. If it is true I have gained eternal life with my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
This is what I believe. God created the heavens and the earth. Whether he created it using the big bang or some other method I do not care. It’s unimportant to my faith.
Whether it took us a billion years, five thousand years or six days is unimportant to my faith.
I see a universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest microbes and subatomic particles all governed by laws. There is no randomness in nature.
Where it seems like randomness it’s just a case that man has not found the formula or the pattern. Lets face it there is a lot man has yet to learn.
The lack of randomness and perfect order of the universe tells me there is a God of creation.
As I look into the heavens study science and read the Bible I am amazed at how they compliment each other. Keeping in mind especially that the Bible is a book of faith not intended to be used as a science book.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
The Bible talked of a point in time when the universe was created, when scientist and astronomers were saying that the Universe had always been. That it was in a fixed state.
Back in the 1980's N.A.S.A. sent two space craft on a mission that has now taken them beyond the solar system. Trillions of kilometres away from earth they turned it around and took a snapshot of earth. It was a tiny dot the size of the head of a pin. Looking at it, puts in perspective how insignificant we are in the universe. Yet the bible tells us that the God who crated the Universe and placed mankind on that dot chose to enter His creation and live briefly on that dot.
The apostle John noting,
“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....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-3,14.
To say that God could not come to earth in the form of Jesus is to limit the power of God at least in one area.
To my way of thinking our God who created the universe and everything in it had to enter the world He created. He had to take a part of his infinite being and enter the world in order to show man how much He loved them. He had to show man He not only intellectually that He knew what it was like to be man but that he physically knew what it was to be man. That he knew on an experiential level.
In Jesus he experienced all there it was to be human. To be tempted. To do everyday things like walk along a road. To attend a wedding. To be flogged and put to death for a crime he didn’t commit, for simple political expediency and everything else in between.
I could go on giving reason I believe in God and Jesus but ultimately it comes down to what you the reader think of God and Jesus.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"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 Corinthians 1:18-25.
For me if the message of the cross and Christ is foolishness, I have lost nothing. I have simply lived a good life. If it is true I have gained eternal life with my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 8 September 2015
Jesus
Jesus
There are people today who say Jesus is a myth. To say Jesus is a myth is a kin to believing the earth is flat and if you sail far enough you’ll sail off the edge.
No credible historian will say Jesus is a myth. Jesus changed history. Myths don’t change history.
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette,
One man who had exceptional insight into Jesus was not a Christian. He was a Jew working as an historian for the Romans shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus. His name, Flavius Josephus, he became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters. He was born: 34AD.
Josephus wrote,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
Flavius Josephus
Note here Josephus said Jesus rose from the dead and that he won over both Jew and Gentile. That, “he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.”
Jesus is a very real person no one can deny that. The question is who do you believe Jesus to be. Jesus himself said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
For Jesus to say that He was equal to the father was a crime punishable by death at the time. In fact John 10:31 one says,
“ Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,”
John 10:31.
Jesus was well educated with respect to the scriptures. In his early teens he was found by his parents in the temple listening to the wise men and asking questions of them (Luke 2:46-52) Luke 2:47 recording
“Every one who heard him was amazed at his understanding and answers.”
Luke 2:47
C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Therefore the choice is yours dear reader. Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think carefully about it.
There are people today who say Jesus is a myth. To say Jesus is a myth is a kin to believing the earth is flat and if you sail far enough you’ll sail off the edge.
No credible historian will say Jesus is a myth. Jesus changed history. Myths don’t change history.
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette,
One man who had exceptional insight into Jesus was not a Christian. He was a Jew working as an historian for the Romans shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus. His name, Flavius Josephus, he became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters. He was born: 34AD.
Josephus wrote,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
Flavius Josephus
Note here Josephus said Jesus rose from the dead and that he won over both Jew and Gentile. That, “he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.”
Jesus is a very real person no one can deny that. The question is who do you believe Jesus to be. Jesus himself said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
For Jesus to say that He was equal to the father was a crime punishable by death at the time. In fact John 10:31 one says,
“ Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,”
John 10:31.
Jesus was well educated with respect to the scriptures. In his early teens he was found by his parents in the temple listening to the wise men and asking questions of them (Luke 2:46-52) Luke 2:47 recording
“Every one who heard him was amazed at his understanding and answers.”
Luke 2:47
C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Therefore the choice is yours dear reader. Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think carefully about it.
Monday 7 September 2015
The Christian Message,
The Christian Message
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:17.
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” this is the principle message of Jesus. This should be the principle message of each and every individual Christian. If it isn’t the message of anyone who claims to be Christian then I would doubt that they are Christian at all.
Both Jesus and the apostles made clear what Christians must do. 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.
That age is still going on and it is our duty as Christians to teach all that the scriptures teach.
We are to teach repentance of sins. The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24
I find people get hung up on the word sin. Sin actually means falling short of God’s ideal for our lives be it in a big way or a small way. As humans we all fall short of God’s ideals and must confess our shortcomings, our sins to God.
The Apostle John saying,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
A true Christian does believe and should offer those around them the option Christ offered the world. Jesus 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.
It is a cut and dry scenario. Either you believe in Jesus, you believe Jesus is all he said he is or you do not.
To me also being a Christian is much more. It is showing your love to God and God’s love and your love to your neighbour and even your enemy. Jesus saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 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.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Jesus also said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
For me knowing all I know about Jesus I would want people to tell me what Jesus said when he 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.
Because if I am right and I believe I am each persons eternal resting place is determined by whether you believe in that statement or not.
Please think about it.
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:17.
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” this is the principle message of Jesus. This should be the principle message of each and every individual Christian. If it isn’t the message of anyone who claims to be Christian then I would doubt that they are Christian at all.
Both Jesus and the apostles made clear what Christians must do. 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.
That age is still going on and it is our duty as Christians to teach all that the scriptures teach.
We are to teach repentance of sins. The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24
I find people get hung up on the word sin. Sin actually means falling short of God’s ideal for our lives be it in a big way or a small way. As humans we all fall short of God’s ideals and must confess our shortcomings, our sins to God.
The Apostle John saying,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
A true Christian does believe and should offer those around them the option Christ offered the world. Jesus 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.
It is a cut and dry scenario. Either you believe in Jesus, you believe Jesus is all he said he is or you do not.
To me also being a Christian is much more. It is showing your love to God and God’s love and your love to your neighbour and even your enemy. Jesus saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 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.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Jesus also said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
For me knowing all I know about Jesus I would want people to tell me what Jesus said when he 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.
Because if I am right and I believe I am each persons eternal resting place is determined by whether you believe in that statement or not.
Please think about it.
Sunday 6 September 2015
Weeds in the Church
Weeds
Michael Flynn
“Jesus said the weeds would grow with the wheat until the Judgement," Dietrich answered, "so one finds both good men and bad in the Church. By our fruits we will be known, not by what name we have called ourselves.”
Michael Flynn,
I have been a Christian for over forty years. I do not live in a bubble. I live in the real world. Sadly I think many of those who call themselves Christians, particularly those calling themselves fundamentalist Christians do live in their own little world. Insisting on imposing their moral values on those around them.
Christians are not called to impose their moral and spiritual values on the world. Nor are they called to judge individuals in any way. That is not what Jesus or any of the apostles did.
When I see people calling themselves Christians standing and protesting against gay rights or for that matter the rights of any group be they gay’s or other religious groups, it makes me upset.
A true Christian to my mind will follow the word of the apostle Paul who said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
“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.
Keep in mind Paul wrote these words under the reign of the emperor Nero one of the most vicious persecutors of Christians.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43,44
Matthew also records,
“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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus us makes it clear the position Christians must take in all things, when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
The sad fact is here in North America many calling themselves fundamentalist Christians have lost their direction. They have been swept up with protecting “their rights” forgetting that others in a democracy have rights also.
They forget that neither Jesus or His apostles ever demanded “their rights”. They stuck to the message of salvation and eternal life with God through Christ alone. They forget that God wants us to show His love to the world.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23.
From my point of view I would question if those protesting against the rights of others are truly Christian. I would ask them will they hear on judgement day the words of Jesus who said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Please think about it.
Michael Flynn
“Jesus said the weeds would grow with the wheat until the Judgement," Dietrich answered, "so one finds both good men and bad in the Church. By our fruits we will be known, not by what name we have called ourselves.”
Michael Flynn,
I have been a Christian for over forty years. I do not live in a bubble. I live in the real world. Sadly I think many of those who call themselves Christians, particularly those calling themselves fundamentalist Christians do live in their own little world. Insisting on imposing their moral values on those around them.
Christians are not called to impose their moral and spiritual values on the world. Nor are they called to judge individuals in any way. That is not what Jesus or any of the apostles did.
When I see people calling themselves Christians standing and protesting against gay rights or for that matter the rights of any group be they gay’s or other religious groups, it makes me upset.
A true Christian to my mind will follow the word of the apostle Paul who said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
“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.
Keep in mind Paul wrote these words under the reign of the emperor Nero one of the most vicious persecutors of Christians.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43,44
Matthew also records,
“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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus us makes it clear the position Christians must take in all things, when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
The sad fact is here in North America many calling themselves fundamentalist Christians have lost their direction. They have been swept up with protecting “their rights” forgetting that others in a democracy have rights also.
They forget that neither Jesus or His apostles ever demanded “their rights”. They stuck to the message of salvation and eternal life with God through Christ alone. They forget that God wants us to show His love to the world.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23.
From my point of view I would question if those protesting against the rights of others are truly Christian. I would ask them will they hear on judgement day the words of Jesus who said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Please think about it.
Saturday 5 September 2015
The Fruits
The Fruits
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
It is I believe important that a Christian look at their actions and life as if it were someone from the society around them were looking at them.
When people look at you how do they really see you. Do they see the fruits of the Spirit in you? The fruits of the spirit as Paul said are,
“... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Dear Christian
Please think about this carefully because if you claim to be a Christian people will judge Christ by your actions. And it is your job as a Christian to correctly represent Christ.
We can only do this correctly if we are showing the fruits of the Spirit.
Please think about it.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
It is I believe important that a Christian look at their actions and life as if it were someone from the society around them were looking at them.
When people look at you how do they really see you. Do they see the fruits of the Spirit in you? The fruits of the spirit as Paul said are,
“... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Dear Christian
Please think about this carefully because if you claim to be a Christian people will judge Christ by your actions. And it is your job as a Christian to correctly represent Christ.
We can only do this correctly if we are showing the fruits of the Spirit.
Please think about it.
Thursday 3 September 2015
Christs Ambassadors?
Christ’s ambassadors?
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
I write this to Christians but I present it here for all to read. Knowing it’s a controversial topic among Christians.
Question to Christians from me a Christian of over forty years. Are you a true ambassador for Christ?
Are you offering to the world around you the olive branch of reconciliation?
Over the last few days I’ve heard on the news of a woman in a clerks office in the United States refusing to issue marriage licences to a gay couple on the grounds she believes it is morally wrong.
While I agree that she has the right to her belief that same sex marriage is morally wrong. This woman is not in a church. She is in a civil secular position and is required to obey the law.
She and I believe any Christian in a government position must obey the law even if they find it morally wrong. If they find laws that they must administer morally wrong perhaps they should not be in that position.
Remember it was the apostle Paul who 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.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.”
Romans 13:1-5.
Keep in mind that Paul wrote this when the emperor Nero was in power an emperor who burned Christians alive among other atrocities. Yet the apostle still wrote,
“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.”
Sometimes I think Christians in North America and particularly those in the United States suffer from too much freedom and rights.
They claim “THEIR RIGHTS” at the top of their voice. Yet fail to see others in the secular democracy that they live in have also been given rights.
And yes those rights might conflict with the moral views of Christians but then that has been happening since the day Christ was born.
The apostles lived with the fact that the Roman Empire in which they lived had is some cases vastly different moral view than they had. Yet not once do I see anywhere in the New Testament the apostles speaking out against the Roman government.
The apostles offered the gospel of the Prince of Peace to the world. They never yelled “I have my rights.”
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo.
I do not believe Christians have the right to prevent others from exercising their rights in a secular democracy. Quite the contrary they should be standing up for the rights of all people. Because in standing up for the rights of all people we are also standing up for our own.
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
I write this to Christians but I present it here for all to read. Knowing it’s a controversial topic among Christians.
Question to Christians from me a Christian of over forty years. Are you a true ambassador for Christ?
Are you offering to the world around you the olive branch of reconciliation?
Over the last few days I’ve heard on the news of a woman in a clerks office in the United States refusing to issue marriage licences to a gay couple on the grounds she believes it is morally wrong.
While I agree that she has the right to her belief that same sex marriage is morally wrong. This woman is not in a church. She is in a civil secular position and is required to obey the law.
She and I believe any Christian in a government position must obey the law even if they find it morally wrong. If they find laws that they must administer morally wrong perhaps they should not be in that position.
Remember it was the apostle Paul who 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.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.”
Romans 13:1-5.
Keep in mind that Paul wrote this when the emperor Nero was in power an emperor who burned Christians alive among other atrocities. Yet the apostle still wrote,
“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.”
Sometimes I think Christians in North America and particularly those in the United States suffer from too much freedom and rights.
They claim “THEIR RIGHTS” at the top of their voice. Yet fail to see others in the secular democracy that they live in have also been given rights.
And yes those rights might conflict with the moral views of Christians but then that has been happening since the day Christ was born.
The apostles lived with the fact that the Roman Empire in which they lived had is some cases vastly different moral view than they had. Yet not once do I see anywhere in the New Testament the apostles speaking out against the Roman government.
The apostles offered the gospel of the Prince of Peace to the world. They never yelled “I have my rights.”
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo.
I do not believe Christians have the right to prevent others from exercising their rights in a secular democracy. Quite the contrary they should be standing up for the rights of all people. Because in standing up for the rights of all people we are also standing up for our own.
Please think about it.
Warning!
Warning
“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 above scripture quite often called the divine commission is something we as Christians need to take seriously. Certainly the early church did. Within two hundred years of Christ giving it to the church, Christianity had reached the whole of the known world.
It gave to those who heard and accepted the teachings of Christ, freedom and hope not only in this world but for eternity to come.
These early Christians had a basic message. That message being “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved”.
They had no time to get involved in politics. They realized that short of Christ’s second coming there would be no Christian nation on this earth.
They never spoke against the civil secular governments. They simply presented the message. A positive message of love and life everlasting through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sadly as I look at some high profile evangelist in here in North America I see them turning from that message.
They make wild claims of healings that are not. They make prophetic predictions that don’t come true. They write books that make millions for themselves that contain wrong teaching and when they are exposed they don’t repent.
As Christians we need to be on our guard for such men.
The apostle Paul states,
“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.
Sadly we as Christians give such people the benefit of the doubt and don’t stand up to them. Letting them hide behind the words “don’t speak against God’s elect.”
The thing is that those who are not teaching God’s word correctly are not God’s elect.
To quote Paul again,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
This is happening today, and thanks to the internet these false teachers and heretics are getting more exposure than ever before.
As Christians we need to be aware of this. We need to be studying the Bible directly more than ever before. We need to be praying and asking God to give us insight into His word. To show us what is truth and what is not.
We need to be questioning especially those in the media. We need to be asking ourselves is what is being taught truly sound biblical teaching.
Please think about it.
“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 above scripture quite often called the divine commission is something we as Christians need to take seriously. Certainly the early church did. Within two hundred years of Christ giving it to the church, Christianity had reached the whole of the known world.
It gave to those who heard and accepted the teachings of Christ, freedom and hope not only in this world but for eternity to come.
These early Christians had a basic message. That message being “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved”.
They had no time to get involved in politics. They realized that short of Christ’s second coming there would be no Christian nation on this earth.
They never spoke against the civil secular governments. They simply presented the message. A positive message of love and life everlasting through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sadly as I look at some high profile evangelist in here in North America I see them turning from that message.
They make wild claims of healings that are not. They make prophetic predictions that don’t come true. They write books that make millions for themselves that contain wrong teaching and when they are exposed they don’t repent.
As Christians we need to be on our guard for such men.
The apostle Paul states,
“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.
Sadly we as Christians give such people the benefit of the doubt and don’t stand up to them. Letting them hide behind the words “don’t speak against God’s elect.”
The thing is that those who are not teaching God’s word correctly are not God’s elect.
To quote Paul again,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
This is happening today, and thanks to the internet these false teachers and heretics are getting more exposure than ever before.
As Christians we need to be aware of this. We need to be studying the Bible directly more than ever before. We need to be praying and asking God to give us insight into His word. To show us what is truth and what is not.
We need to be questioning especially those in the media. We need to be asking ourselves is what is being taught truly sound biblical teaching.
Please think about it.
Wednesday 2 September 2015
Meaning in Life
Meaning in Life
The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at life and states
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
If you think about it, it’s a pretty depressing look at life.
Sometimes I think our young people here in the west and particularly here in North America look at life like that. Especially those who go to join the terrorist groups.
Those who go to join terrorist groups it seems are not satisfied with the consumer society we have in the west. They seem to see no meaning in life here.
I’d go as far as saying those who are experimenting or using drugs full time are doing so because life for them lacks meaning.
My brother an atheist said once, “life is short and he who has all the toys in the end wins.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Because when life ends all the trinkets bobbles and beads, all the riches you’ve amassed in your life goes to someone else. You came into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Only what you’ve done for God will last.
Increasingly our society in the west is turning away from God. Our society in the west doesn’t seem to have any great noble causes to stand up for.
My fathers generation stood up to the oppression of Nazism. They stood for and died for a noble cause. The rights and freedom of mankind.
Since world war two however we living in North America and Europe have lived in peace a peace that perhaps is not all it’s cracked up to be.
While we enjoy un precedented freedom, our society has embraced consumerism with both hands and to a degree there is nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with having a nice house, car, and other things. The thing is, that things, have become god’s.
Do we really need another $500.00 smart phone every time the latest becomes available? Do we need a $200 pair or running shoes? Is there any need for the latest car with all the bells and whistles?
I think a lot of the reason many turn away from western society and to groups like Islamic State is because they are disillusioned with what western society has to offer. Materialism is a cold god.
To my mind western society as good as it is, fails because it has turned to “things” to make people happy, something that has never worked.
Christianity here in North America in particular is also failing the younger generation.
As I listen to many evangelist in the media they it seems are spouting doom and gloom or the so called “do’s and don’t’s” doctrine of Christianity. A very unappealing and frankly incorrect version of Christ’s teachings.
Christianity to my mind is not doom and gloom and it definitely is not “do’s and don’ts”.
Christianity correctly practiced is a faith of action a faith that shows love and understanding to the people around us even our enemies.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....”
Romans 12:18-20a
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 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.
This is something terrorist groups are not doing.
James the brother of Christ urges Christians to do good works,
“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.
Christians around the world today are doing those good works. They are standing up for the oppressed, feeding the hungry and helping the sick. Sadly it is not something seen in the media all that often. Helping the sick, the poor and the disadvantaged of society doesn’t make headlines like a suicide bomber.
To those who might be reading this blog who are looking for meaning and a cause to follow I would urge them to look to Christianity. To ignore the doom and gloom evangelist. To ignore the evangelist that portray Christianity as do’s and don’t’s and look at the core values of the Christian faith. Love for God, your neighbour, even your enemy.
There are many Christian organizations out there that are helping the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and they are doing it without resorting to a force and the gun.
I know for a fact this is true. My son and some of his friends take time every year from their jobs to work around the world building orphanages, schools and doing other essential things.
Additionally there are many Christian youth and adults that give there entire life to working to better the lives of others in all parts of the world. They do so quietly and without fanfare.
It is very rewarding and has eternal consequences.
Please think about it.
The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at life and states
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
If you think about it, it’s a pretty depressing look at life.
Sometimes I think our young people here in the west and particularly here in North America look at life like that. Especially those who go to join the terrorist groups.
Those who go to join terrorist groups it seems are not satisfied with the consumer society we have in the west. They seem to see no meaning in life here.
I’d go as far as saying those who are experimenting or using drugs full time are doing so because life for them lacks meaning.
My brother an atheist said once, “life is short and he who has all the toys in the end wins.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Because when life ends all the trinkets bobbles and beads, all the riches you’ve amassed in your life goes to someone else. You came into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Only what you’ve done for God will last.
Increasingly our society in the west is turning away from God. Our society in the west doesn’t seem to have any great noble causes to stand up for.
My fathers generation stood up to the oppression of Nazism. They stood for and died for a noble cause. The rights and freedom of mankind.
Since world war two however we living in North America and Europe have lived in peace a peace that perhaps is not all it’s cracked up to be.
While we enjoy un precedented freedom, our society has embraced consumerism with both hands and to a degree there is nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with having a nice house, car, and other things. The thing is, that things, have become god’s.
Do we really need another $500.00 smart phone every time the latest becomes available? Do we need a $200 pair or running shoes? Is there any need for the latest car with all the bells and whistles?
I think a lot of the reason many turn away from western society and to groups like Islamic State is because they are disillusioned with what western society has to offer. Materialism is a cold god.
To my mind western society as good as it is, fails because it has turned to “things” to make people happy, something that has never worked.
Christianity here in North America in particular is also failing the younger generation.
As I listen to many evangelist in the media they it seems are spouting doom and gloom or the so called “do’s and don’t’s” doctrine of Christianity. A very unappealing and frankly incorrect version of Christ’s teachings.
Christianity to my mind is not doom and gloom and it definitely is not “do’s and don’ts”.
Christianity correctly practiced is a faith of action a faith that shows love and understanding to the people around us even our enemies.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....”
Romans 12:18-20a
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 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.
This is something terrorist groups are not doing.
James the brother of Christ urges Christians to do good works,
“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.
Christians around the world today are doing those good works. They are standing up for the oppressed, feeding the hungry and helping the sick. Sadly it is not something seen in the media all that often. Helping the sick, the poor and the disadvantaged of society doesn’t make headlines like a suicide bomber.
To those who might be reading this blog who are looking for meaning and a cause to follow I would urge them to look to Christianity. To ignore the doom and gloom evangelist. To ignore the evangelist that portray Christianity as do’s and don’t’s and look at the core values of the Christian faith. Love for God, your neighbour, even your enemy.
There are many Christian organizations out there that are helping the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and they are doing it without resorting to a force and the gun.
I know for a fact this is true. My son and some of his friends take time every year from their jobs to work around the world building orphanages, schools and doing other essential things.
Additionally there are many Christian youth and adults that give there entire life to working to better the lives of others in all parts of the world. They do so quietly and without fanfare.
It is very rewarding and has eternal consequences.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 1 September 2015
True love and the message of Christ
True love and the message of Christ
“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.
Someone has said that we as Christians should be expressing the Love of Christ to the world. Showing the unconditional Love of God. We shouldn’t be telling a contemporary audience that they have sin in their life. That Jesus is the only way to heaven.
For me as a Christian not telling people they have sin in their life that needs dealing with or that Jesus is the only way to heaven is not showing love.
The apostle Paul in the above quote expresses what love is. Love is also telling the truth to the person you love.
The New Testament makes it clear that
“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23.
The apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell people this.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for our life. That can be everything from a so called ‘white lie’ to committing a theft or murdering someone all are sins. Sin is simply falling short of what God want’s for our life. And as humans we all have our failings and fall short of God’s ideal.
This is an admission we need to admit directly to God.
Jesus also made it clear that He is the only way to heaven. 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 me not to tell this to someone, is to me at least lying by omission.
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.
This to me is a truth that must be spoken to all I know and all who will listen to me.
For me to do anything less is not showing love.
Please think about it.
“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.
Someone has said that we as Christians should be expressing the Love of Christ to the world. Showing the unconditional Love of God. We shouldn’t be telling a contemporary audience that they have sin in their life. That Jesus is the only way to heaven.
For me as a Christian not telling people they have sin in their life that needs dealing with or that Jesus is the only way to heaven is not showing love.
The apostle Paul in the above quote expresses what love is. Love is also telling the truth to the person you love.
The New Testament makes it clear that
“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23.
The apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell people this.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for our life. That can be everything from a so called ‘white lie’ to committing a theft or murdering someone all are sins. Sin is simply falling short of what God want’s for our life. And as humans we all have our failings and fall short of God’s ideal.
This is an admission we need to admit directly to God.
Jesus also made it clear that He is the only way to heaven. 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 me not to tell this to someone, is to me at least lying by omission.
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.
This to me is a truth that must be spoken to all I know and all who will listen to me.
For me to do anything less is not showing love.
Please think about it.
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