Rest for your Soul

Rest for your soul
“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
Over the years I have met many men and women who are looking for meaning in life. They have looked for that meaning in wealth, in science, in the arts, even in drugs and alcohol. Some have even gone off to join extremists and terrorist groups all in the hopes of finding meaning for their lives.
Sadly many unable to find meaning in the things of this life and what our secular society has to offer have committed suicide.
They concluded that what the writer of Ecclesiastes stated was right when he said,
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
And looking at life from man’s prospective. From a secular prospective where all there is, is this life, I can see how someone would think that way.
However Rick Warren said,

“You were made by God and for God, 

and until you understand that, 

life will never make sense.” 

                                                                                     Rick Warren.
Rick Warren is right until you understand that you were made by God and for God life will never make sense.
It is when we realize that life does not end in death. That man is an eternal being who was created by God to live on through eternity and to have a personal relationship with Him that we can truly find meaning in life.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus offers to all who will believe in him rest and peace. A peace that reaches to a persons soul. A peace the world cannot take away.
It is a peace that anyone can have if they would simply turn to Jesus in prayer and truly ask Him into their life.
Are you willing to ask Jesus into your life today?
Please think about it.

God Exists

God Exists
The writer of Genesis states,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                                            Genesis 1:1.
The Bible dose not debate the existence of God. It simply says “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” and leaves it there.
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.”                                                                                                         Abba Hillel Silver.
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
God exists whether you wish to acknowledge Him or not.
 Just take a look around the universe from the largest galaxy to the smallest subatomic particles work in perfect harmony to create life as we know it. I for one cannot believe that this is came about by chance. I believe behind it all is a creator.
Whether God created it in six days or did it over billions of years makes no difference to my faith. I believe God exists.
Even when we look at things from a societal point of view. Everyone in the world knows instinctively what is right an wrong.
I cannot believe that sometime in the ancient past, say, stone age man, convened a global conference to make a universal moral code. Without which society as a whole would sink into anarchy or worse, extinction.
To my mind there must be a creator behind it all. A creator who placed in the very fabric or our makeup what is right and wrong.
For me there is far more evidence for the existence of God than there is for there not being a God.
I fully believe if all we have is this life, then life does lack meaning. What good is living for a handful of days then passing on to oblivion?
I believe there is a God who truly loves us. Who wants to have fellowship with us. Who  wants us to turn to him. Not by force but by 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 in his wisdom has placed the whole universe and everything in it to point us to himself.  The Psalmist stating,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                                                                 Psalm 19:1.
All we as individuals have to do is look. And if that isn’t enough then we can read at the very least the New Testament where in is found the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
Please take some time and think about it.

My Faith

My Faith
John’s Gospel states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
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 1:1-4,14.
The phrase “The Word” is accepted by scholars as meaning Jesus.
The apostle John and all the writers of the New Testament believed Jesus to be God in the flesh. That Jesus was not only there on the day of Creation. That he was the creator of all things.
Admittedly I cannot prove this scientifically however I believe it. It is a faith thing and the writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope 

for and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                                                     Hebrews 11:1
The way I see things my faith is no different from that of Albert Einstein or any of the great scientist. Most postulated their theories and believed in them even though in their lifetime they were not proven.
     They believed in their theory even though it was met quite often with controversy. Ultimately they were vindicated. Other scientist quite often after their death went on to prove their theories.
So it is with me and Christians like me. I believe after my death, my faith will be proven for I will meet my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If I am wrong as Atheist say I am I have lost nothing, and lived a good rewarding life.
Blaise Pascal wrote,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
Question: Are you willing to wager you eternity on what you believe?
Please think about it.

We Preach Foolishness

We preach foolishness?
Jesus is to say the least a controversial character in some circles. Yet I believe he is the most important person in human history. Napoleon said of Jesus,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.  Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
                               Napoleon Bonaparte.
To be a true Christian however does require a great deal of faith. The apostle Paul points out,
“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 1:20-25. 
Christianity makes the claim that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. That he paid the price for the sins of mankind and sits at the right hand of God. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“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.  
Jesus himself when asked,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” John 10:24-30.
I have had many people over the years ask me why would God enter his creation? To which I respond because he loves us. John’s Gospel recording Jesus as 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.” John 3:16,17.
We worship a Holy God and I think most people especially people of faith believe we do not live up to God’s ideal.
Many people believe that when you stand before God if your good outweighs the bad you did in this life you will get into heaven.
Christians on the other hand believe you can know that you are going to heaven here on this earth. That by confessing your sins directly to God and accepting Jesus into your life you will get to heaven.
That is why Jesus came to this earth to provide a way for us to go to heaven.
To man’s way of thinking this may seem odd, but then God dose not do things the way man does things. As the apostle Paul states we Christians,
“we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles...”.
The choice however to believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of Mankind is however always up to you. All I would ask of you the reader is to pray and read at least the New Testament asking God to show you the truth.
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
In a Short time it will be Easter a time Christians world wide celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Many things have been said about Jesus. However what does the Bible say about Him.
Luke’s gospel records,
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,   and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:26-35.
Here the gospel writer asks us to believe that God sent an angel to tell Mary that she would conceive a child through by the Holy Spirit and giving birth to the “the Son of the Most High”.
This is purely a faith thing. You either believe it or you don’t. Certainly Luke the writer believed it to be true. As did all the writers of the New Testament.
Now when it come to the birth of His Son. I don’t think God did not just pick a woman at random. Tradition says Mary was of humble birth. Certainly she was not of a ruling royal household.
     However she was most likely devout. Her cousin Elizabeth was married to Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Later we also learn that when Jesus was born he was taken to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord.
We are told in Luke 2:41,
“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.”
The parents of Jesus were devout believers in God. Who practiced their faith. A faith being the Son of God Jesus probably recognized early in his life. A faith Mary and Joseph helped him cultivate. Giving him and understanding human understanding of his faith.
“Luke also records,
“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.  
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.  
After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.  
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.  
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.  
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”  Luke 2:41-47.
From this we can assume that Jesus had a very good understanding of the scriptures. That he was it seems a genius.
Jesus also had a sense of who he truly was Luke’s gospel recording,
“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  Luke 2:48,49.
He knew even as a teenager that he was at the very least called to do God the Fathers work. That his life was to have a higher purpose.
That purpose Christians believe was to be the suffering Messiah. The Christ who would die for the sins of the world. The apostle Paul telling 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.” Romans 5:6-8 
The question the New Testament places before everyone who reads it is simple. Who do you believe Jesus is?
A good man?
A good teacher?
Son of God, Saviour of mankind. God incarnate?
Please think about it. 

I make no excuses

I make no excuses
I make no excuses I am a Christian I believe the Bible.
I believe the words of the Apostle Paul who said,
“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
I believe the words of Jesus recorded in John’s Gospel who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
I believe the writer of Hebrews who wrote,
“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.
All of what I believe take 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.
I know what I believe may to some seem foolish even the apostle Paul said,

“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.” 

                                                                                         1 Corinthians 1:18.
However as foolish as it seems I believe Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of Mankind. I admit many people will not agree with me. That is their choice. Each individual I believe must read the New Testament for themselves and decide who Jesus is. Christ will never force himself on anyone.
Thus the choice is your’s. Who do you believe Jesus to be?
Please think about it

The Lazarus Story

The Lazarus Story.
Here is a story told by Jesus that I have commented on before but I feel needs to be spoken about.
Jesus said,
“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.
Look on this story like this. The rich man could easily be those calling themselves Christians but are not.
They are people rich in the knowledge of the Bible. They can quote copious quantities of scripture from memory. They know the way of salvation. They know all of this intellectually. They even preach it from the pulpit. The church building they are in may even be very luxurious. The congregation may even be growing. They may even think of themselves as being spiritually clothed with fine linens.
Yet come judgement day they will find themselves on the wrong side of the great divide.  Asking why am I hear.
Jesus notes,
“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 7:22,23.
That being said the beggar in the above story are all those who do not know the Lord. They are the refugees of all faith and lifestyles that are seeking the safety of the western countries. They are people with different lifestyles, philosophies, even atheist who are looking for meaning in life.
Meaning that those who are rich with the gospel message have but for whatever reason will not take to them.
As Christians it is our duty to present to all who will listen to us a if you will spiritual feast. A table laden with spiritual truth and the Salvation message.
If we are not doing this we as believers in Christ are failing God.
Please think about it.

Judgement and Duty

Judgment and Duty
The Psalmist states,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.
The Psalmist here makes it clear that God knows you intimately. The way I read this is that God knows your very DNA. He knows why you are the way you are even if you don’t.
It is for that very reason I believe no man has the right to judge you and say whether you will get to heaven or not.
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul saying,
“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.
Christians have limitations as to who they can judge. We cannot judge those outside the church especially when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
Christians however can judge other Christians, but only to determine if someone claiming to be Christian is following and presenting the message of Christ correctly. If they are not then we have the right to expel them from our congregation.
And while Christians believe the words of Jesus, who said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
While these words are true. This does not give Christians the right to say to anyone they are not going to heaven. Again because we do not know what is in a man’s heart.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,

 God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

                                                                                 Billy Graham
Jesus told his disciples their duty,
“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.
He did not tell them to judge. He taught his disciples to respect and love others. To present the gospel message to anyone who would listen.
This is the duty of the Christian to this day.
Please think about it.

Resurrection from the Dead

Resurrection from the Dead
The apostle Paul writes,
“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.  
More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.  
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.  
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.  
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1Corinthians 15:12-20.
Here Paul presents one of the most important teachings of Christians. Jesus rose from the dead.
Paul states,
“...if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
If Jesus has not been raised from the dead then we as Christians have told the most monumental lie in history. Offering false hope to literally billions of people.
The fact however is Jesus did rise from the dead. The apostle Paul tells us,
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 
Paul speaking in Athens presents clearly what Christians ask the world to believe. He states,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others Acts 17:22-34.
So my question to you the reader is. “What do you believe about Jesus?
Please think about it.

The Greatest is Love

The Greatest is Love
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 
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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 
  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
Someone has said that the apostle Paul here in 1 Corinthians 13 gave the perfect definition of Love.
He makes it clear that the greatest gift is Love.
 Jesus who 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 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
As Christians we are called to a life and lifestyle of love.  We believe God set the example. 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.
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 as individuals want unconditional love shown toward us. Therefore it is only logical that we show unconditional love toward others.
Unconditional love to my mind is the purest form of holiness and the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“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
Question: Are you showing unconditional Love to those around you?
Please think about it.

Sin will be judged

Sin will be Judged
The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians.
“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.  
They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  
  They all ate the same spiritual food  and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.  
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. 
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.  
Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.”  
We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.  
  We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.  
And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.
Here the apostle Paul makes an analogy between the Corinthian church and those who were with Moses during the Exodus from Egypt.
In the case of those with Moses they had all seen what God could do. They had all witnessed the power of God and sat under the teachings of Moses yet many still sinned.
In the case of the Corinthians they had all received the same teaching from Paul and others. They like those with Moses knew what God expected of them yet some of them sinned.
It is the same today. All Christians read the same Bible. We all if we truly study the scriptures know what God requires of us. Yet we all sin.
We are human we all sin. The key is however to repent of our sin as soon as we realize we have done so.
The apostle John tells us,
“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
Sadly there are many who sin and like many with Moses do not stop sinning they continue in their sin.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“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
Sin is sin and while we can try to justify it what ever way we wish it is still sin before God and God will judge us accordingly.
Paul also issues a warning to Christians. He states,
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Don’t be so self confident that you are doing what is right because everyone is subject to temptation in this life. The temptations we are subjected to especially in this day and age are subtle and come upon us slowly almost unnoticeably.
So the word is be careful. Pray continually and ask God to guide you and keep you from falling.    At the same time remember the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
In short we as Christians all read the same Bible. We all know what God requires of us. We will all from time to time sin and must repent of the sin and confess that sin to God.
If we continue sinning God will judge us accordingly.
Please think about it.

Christians and the Immoral

Christians and the Immoral
The apostle Paul writes,
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.  
And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?  
Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.   When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,  hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 
Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?  
Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  
Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.    With such a man do not even eat. 
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 5:1-13
The Corinthians had their problems. Problems that can relate to today.
In this portion of Scripture there are two parts. One involving believers and one involving non-believers.
The first part addresses a sin committed by one who claims to be a believer in Christ.
Here they had someone among them who was guilty of incest. Incest was not only against Jewish law but against Roman Law. Paul noting
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.” 
He states,
“And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?” 
As Christians we have a moral code sent down by God. A code that if you claim to be a Christian you must follow. There is no middle ground.
If a person is found to be breaking God’s law it is the job of the Church to correct the person. If they do not repent of their sin then they should be put out of the assembly of believers. It is that simple.
Paul states,
“...hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.”
It sounds harsh but Paul’s intentions here is aimed at the salvation of this person. He hopes that by putting him out of the fellowship of believers the man will understand the magnitude of his sin and repent.
Paul notes there is no room in the body of believer for sin. He points out,
“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?  
Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  
Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.”
Yeast is symbolic of sin. Once sin gets into a body of believers it can quickly make its way through the whole congregation if it is not checked.
Paul make the analogy to Passover in which Jewish households get rid of all the yeast in the house. The symbol of sin. The bread they eat is unleaven free from sin.
It is the job of the Church to make sure all within it are following Christ in spirit and in truth. Paul knew that we all sin that none of us are completely sinless. However if we confess our sins to God and ask forgiveness God will forgive us. The apostle John telling us,
“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.
The second Part of what the Apostle Paul is telling believers is
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.    With such a man do not even eat. 
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.” 1Corinthians 5:9-13.
Paul makes it clear that when he speaks of not associating with sexually immoral people or those who are greedy, swindlers or idolaters. He dose not mean those outside the body of believer, otherwise believers would have to leave the world.
What Paul is speaking about when it comes to not associating with such people he means those who claim to be believers in Christ and do those things.
Christians believe it or not are suppose to be willing to sit down and present the gospel to people who are sexually immoral, greedy, swindlers, idolaters, those of other faith, Atheist, people of different lifestyles, the average person and indeed people of wall walks of life. In fact anyone who will listen to our message It is for these people Jesus came.
Paul also points out that we are not to judge those outside the Church only those inside he 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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
If you claim to be a Christian are you acting like this?
Please think about it.