Christian Points to Ponder

Christian Points to Ponder

Sometimes when talking about the Christian life we can say too much. Sometimes I think Christians just simply need to think about the ramifications of some scriptural points. To that end I leave to you who claim to be Christians, the following Points to Ponder.

1.

Question do you believe what Jesus said when...

Jesus said,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

Matthew 7:12

Question,

Are you doing to others what you would want others to do to you?

2.

Do you believe what Jesus said 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 22:36-40.

Question,

Do you love God and your neighbour?

3.

Do you believe 

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

Question

Do you show love to your enemy?

4.

Do you believe the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,

“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

Question,

Is this the kind of Love you show to all people?

Do you indeed Love God, your neighbour and your enemy?

Do you do to others, 

what you would have them do to you?

Please think about it.

Your Treasure

Your Treasure
Matthews Gospel records,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:16-23.
Here’s the test Christians need to think about if you claim to be following Christ. Would you be willing to give up all that you had, your home, your big bank account, the luxuries of life. Even be willing to leave the country you live in to follow Christ?
To be a Christian is to be willing to give up the riches of this world to do the will of God. Jesus said,
There is nothing wrong with being wealthy and having all the luxuries wealth can bring. There were wealthy men in the early church and there are many wealthy individuals in the modern church who love God. Men and women who are serving God with their wealth.
The key however is not to let wealth rule your life.
If you find yourself wrapped up in the pursuit of wealth to the exclusion of serving God that is wrong.
The rich young man that came to Christ believed in God. However he was placing his faith in his wealth not in God.  It’s easy if you have a lot of money to rely on it. It’s comforting to know that your material wealth is there when you need it.
It’s much harder to give it all up and put your faith in God to provide for your needs. It is however in God that we must put our trust not the wealth of this world.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
By trusting in God and serving Him you are storing for yourself treasure in heaven. That this world cannot take away from you.
Not far from where I live there is a huge cemetery. Buried there are men and women that had great wealth in this life. At the same time there are many who were virtually pennyless laid in a paupers grave.
What they all had in common was that the material wealth they had in this world be it a lot or a little stayed here. They passed into eternity into the presence of God with nothing material. Materialism in heaven means nothing.
When I was a much younger Christian we use to have a saying that went like this.

“ you have only one life that will soon be past. 

Only what’s done for Christ will last”

While it may not be scripture, it is true.
While it is our faith in Christ that gets us to heaven. It is what we have done for Christ that God will reward us for.
Please think about it.

Freedom

Freedom
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
Question: Do we take our freedoms and Rights too much for granted? Do we demand our freedoms and Rights without thought for the freedoms and rights of others.
I found the following in my archives it was written in 2014. I put it here for you to think about.
Today as I write this it is June 6th 2014 the 70th anniversary of D Day. Here in Canada the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is putting on an all day special, commemorating the day a hundred and fifty thousand men rush ashore in Normandy France.
These men risked their life that we might have freedom.
My Father while not at Normandy fought in the British Army in North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Germany. He spoke little of his actual time in Battle he tended to dwell on the good times he had with his friends between the fighting.
One day however when I went to visit him at home. By this time he was in his eighties. He’d been watching television.
Someone who was denying the holocaust ever happened was being sentenced for hate crimes was in the news.
He suddenly started an angry tirade aimed largely at the television. He was very upset saying that he knew the death camps were real. That he was there.
His tirade lasted a few seconds then he settled down. Then he told me for the first time his experience at the Bergen Belsen death camp. He’d been among the liberator of the camp. He’d seen the horror and it had left wounds that he’d never spoken about for decades.
He said that’s why they had fought the war, to end tyranny. That we should always remember those who fought and died to end it.
For me I believe the fear of God was forgotten in Germany during the 1930's and 1940's.
Historians tell us that the late twenties and thirties was a low point for the German people. They were looking for someone to pull them out of the depression that gripped the country. Someone who would also restore national pride.
Hitler appeared to many to be that man. As a result he was allowed to come to power. The result would be by the end of 1945, more than 56,000,000, would die.
    Death camps would claim the lives of 6,000,000 Jews alone and five to eight million non-Jews.
The scripture I quoted above says a lot,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14
If we believe in God. If we truly walk in the precepts of God. If we love God and we ensure our leadership both political and religious, loves God then the horrors of world war two will not be repeated.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
It is only when mankind turns its back on God’s truths of Love for God, our neighbour and even our enemy, that such a thing as world war two can happen.
The men that started world war two were far from God. Their hearts were filled with hate.
We can never let this happen again. We must stand up to hate and prejudges wherever it may be.
We must insist that our political and religious leaders exercise tolerance and show love to all irrespective of their race, colour creed, or their lifestyle.
Martin Luther King Jr. once prayed,
“We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man. We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more
than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace; help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom  of our LORD and of our God, we pray. Amen.”
Nelson Mandela said,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”Nelson Mandela
I as a Christian believe in Love. Love for God, my neighbour, and my fellow man.
Jesus said
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
These words are a universal truth all people can understand. That if put into practice can and will make the world a better place for all.
Please think about it.

Are You?

Are you?
Jesus told His followers
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
If you claim to be a Christian are you truly the light of the world? Are you presenting the word of God to all who will listen in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
If you claim to be a Christian your life should be different than the world around you. People should see your way of life, your lifestyle and be attracted to it.
Billy Graham the American Evangelist stated,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham.
Is your life different from the world around you?
All too often through the years I’ve heard the phrase “Why should I become a Christian. I know some Christians, and I live better than that.”
Sadly in many cases it’s true. Those claiming to be Christians are acting worse than those in the world around them.
As Christians we can’t take our place in the world lightly. Jesus said to his apostles and through them us,
“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.
Christ’s call to his followers is to Love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. We are called to tell everyone about God’s saving grace that comes through Christ Jesus.
The apostle Peter says,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles

Christian Principles
There are a lot of Christian principle. Principles we should be using when making our decisions in life. The following is what I consider the core Christian principles as quoted from Scripture.
Love
The Apostle Paul states,

“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.

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 characters.” Matthew 22:36-40.
He 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.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47.
Fruits of a Christian Character
The Apostle Paul writes,
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 
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.  
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” Galatians 5:18-26. 
Your Actions

“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.

These are the principles of a good Christian life. They are principles we should be using in our every day life. Principles we should be noted for by those around us.
They are principles we should be holding all who claim to be Christians up to. For these truly are Christian values.
The apostle Peter telling us,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Please if you consider yourself a Christian think carefully a

Remember this

Remember this

“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 I was a young Christian an older woman who loved the Lord deeply gave me a word of advice. Remember Matthew 7:12 and you will do the rest.
She meant you will obey Matthew 7:1,2 that states,
     “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 words of the apostle Paul
“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
The words of Jesus,
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
“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
You will show the kind of Love the apostle Paul describes,

“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

You will also remember the words of the writer of Hebrews,

“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.

All of this is meant in the words of Jesus 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

Doing what the above verses say is the backbone of our faith. It all revolves around love.
Simply put you would not want anyone to judge you, harm you or even protest against you.
You would want them to love you. And as a Christian you should want to love those around you. It is the only sure way of pointing someone to heaven.
Think about it.

The Way to Heaven

The Way to Heaven
The apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.
The writer of Hebrews speaking of Jesus said,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3. 
I as a Christian believe Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh. Who died for my sins. But not only that, I believe He rose again from the grave, walked again briefly on this earth, and ascended to heaven to be with God, form where He will one day judge each person.
As a Christian believe the following in brief is the way to heaven.  It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for. I present this for you to think about.
Jesus speaking of himself 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.” 

John 3:16,17.

Speaking to the apostle Thomas Jesus said,

...“I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”  

John 14:6b

   Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”

 Romans 3:23

That all means every individual who has ever lived. Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. God’s ideal for our life. Sin separates us from God.
There is however hope for each individual.
 The apostle John noting,

“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.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“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

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

Hebrews 11:6.

The fact is God cares for each person. At the same time God realizes that man cannot live a life good enough to stand before him. God realizes that man is flawed and does things God does not want him to do.
That’s why in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ he entered the world to show man how much He loved him. To in human terms go as far as He could to reconcile each individual to himself.
C. S. Lewis the Christian writer noted this of Christian belief,

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, 

but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  

C.S. Lewis.

As the Apostle Paul states. Entering heaven is an act of faith on the part of the individual. God out of love for His creation, in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus Christ reached down to man and said I love you.
All God asks of the individual is to have faith that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins.
If you believe what I have written why not take a moment and from your heart say this prayer. A prayer in which you are simply acknowledging Jesus is the Son of God and are accepting Him as your Lord and saviour. The one who died for your sins.
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe in you. I believe that Jesus is your one and Only Son. Who paid the price for my sins.
     I admit that I am a sinner and fall short of what you would have for my life. Please forgive me of my sins.
I accept your Saving Grace that comes through Jesus Christ.
I give you permission to come into my heart and life today. Guide me and show me your will for my life.
In Jesus name I pray Amen.
If you do not believe what I have said. All I can do is ask you to read the New Testament and see what believers in Christ teach. Then decide for yourself if what I have said is true.
To quote C. S. Lewis,

“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

Please think about it.

Your Life

Your Life
The Psalmist writes,

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

 or stand in the way of sinners

 or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law he meditates day and night.” 

Psalm 1:1,2.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

If you claim to be a Christian do you live a Holy life? A lifestyle that the world is attracted to?
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi.

When people look at you do they see a positive difference between your lifestyle as a Christian and that of the world, OR do people see in you a religious version of the world?
Billy Graham noted,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham.
As Christians we need to study the scriptures. We need to look to the examples of Christ and the apostles. These men never raised a fist in anger. They never spoke against the Roman secular government.
They preached the gospel of Love. God’s love for all men. They led by example. They were willing to sit down with anyone who would listen and tell them about the Good News of Jesus Christ. They sent such an example that the book of acts records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common.  
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
Is this the kind of life you are living as a Christian?
As a Christian you are called to Love God, your neighbour and even your enemy. 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 22:36-40.
Jesus told us,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

Matthew 7:12.

If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this.
Please think about it.

Three Quotes and an Explanation

Three Quotes and an Explanation
The Quotes
The writer of Hebrews states,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. “Hebrews 4:12,13.
The writer of Ecclesiastes,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
C. S. Lewis states,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
The Explanation
I have no doubt God exists and as a Christian I believe that He in the form of His one and only Son entered His creation to point mankind to himself.
You can say God does not exist. But unless you’ve at the least been everywhere then the possibility exists that God exists where you have not been. And as far as I know, no one living today has been beyond the grave.
Thus if you don’t believe in God, I would ask are you so completely confident in what you believe?
As a Christian I believe in God. I also believe we cannot live a life good enough to stand before a holy God. As C. S. Lewis puts it,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
That is why Jesus came into the world.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” Romans 5:6-11.
Paul also tells us,
“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.
It is through the love and grace of God that we get to heaven. We cannot work for it.
God will one day judge every person that has ever lived. However as Christians we believe that the wrongs we have done are forgiven when we confess them to Jesus and accept His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
The apostle Paul does admit
“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.
God does not do things the way man would do things. God requires faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

God does exist. God will one day judge each person who has ever lived this is a fact whether you believe it or not.
So the question is do you believe in God and have you accepted the saving Grace of God, by accepting Jesus God’s one and only Son as your Saviour.
Please think about it.

Be Careful

Be Careful
Jesus told his disciples
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
We as Christians in the twenty-first century need to heed what Jesus said.
Jesus said be shrewd as snakes. A snake is cautious when it acts. It surveys the area around it before it makes a move.
A dove is one of the most innocent of animals. It poses no harm to anyone. It is the symbol of peace.
If we as Christians are to heed the advice of Jesus. We must be careful in how we conduct our life for Christ.
We must remember what Paul wrote to the Galatians,
“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.
As true Christians we must exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. People must see those traits in us.
The apostle Peter reminds us,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
If you claim to be a Christian take time right now to pray and take stock of your life and lifestyle. Do you exhibit the fruits of the spirit? Do you abstain from sinful desires.
When you present the gospel of Christ do you do it in a non-threatening way? Do you do it in such a way as to open dialogue between you and the person you are speaking to?
Please think about it

The "Religious" Church

The "Religious" Church

Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw or give away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a “smaller” house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday. 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 way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The church here in North America and particularly in the United States has become “religious” in many ways. They have mixed their faith with their politics and as someone has said, mixing politics with religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water in undrinkable, the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture is explosive.
Billy Graham said,

“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, 

yet today many in church are chasing after the world

 - not to win them, but to be like them.”

Billy Graham.

Mahatma Gandhi said of those who claimed to be Christians around him

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians -

 you are not like him.”

Mahatma Gandhi.

This could be said of many who call themselves Christians today in North America. All too often I’ve heard the phrase, “why should I become a Christian. I know many Christians and I’m better than them”. Sadly in many cases it’s true.
If we look at the lives of Jesus and his disciples we see men who were not confrontational. Jesus and his disciples did not protest against the government of Rome. They did not demand “their rights”.
They didn’t protest against the rights given to other groups by the secular government of the day.
They never spoke against anything they thought was wrong outside of their own faith.
These men of God knew they had the answer to the worlds problems. They knew they had the way to heaven.
Many today like Paul Gallico back in 1948 are looking for more than this materialistic world has. They are looking for deep spiritual meaning to life. They are looking to fill that emptiness that is within. That empty space in the soul of man that only God and Christ can fill.
If we claim to be Christians in the twenty first century we need to be putting down the placards, stop protesting against things and present the pure word of God.
We need to be following the advice given to us by the apostle Peter who said,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
We need to heed the advice of the writer of Hebrew who said,

“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.

We need to do this because someone’s eternal resting place may be dependent on our actions as Christians.
Please think about it.

The First Question

The First Question
“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
I like what the Talmud says here. What will you say when you stand before God?
 Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Be you rich or poor we will all stand before God at a moment in our life. A rich person may have more to answer for when it come to dealing with their employees, investors or other people in their life. But everyone else will have to answer to God also for how we treat our fellow man.
We deal with people everyday be a a cashier in a store, the postman, our coworkers, our neighbours. How we treat them is of concern to God.
I do believe God is as much concerned with the small things as he is with the big things. He is very concerned how you teat your fellow man.
As a Christian I believe you get into heaven by faith. The apostle Paul states,
“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.
At the same time I do not believe you can be a true Christian and not teat your fellow man fairly and compassionately. The apostle James tells us,
“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.
Our faith as Christians should spur us on to doing good deeds. To love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. So that on that day if God should ask the question,
“Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
You may answer yes.
Please think about it.