Shout to the Lord

Shout to the Lord

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

                                                                    Psalm 100:1-5.

Can you shout to joy to the Lord?
 When I read psalm 100, I think of Paul and Silas who were in Prison. The book of Acts records,
“After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  
Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”  Acts 16:23-25.
They were praising God after being flogged and put in the inner most part of the prison with their feet fastened in stocks. To my mind that was incredible faith.
Here they were in the face of adversity after being flogged praising God and the other prisoners with listening to them. What a witness!
When I read this about Paul and Silas I have to say to myself, if they can do it under such adverse circumstances I should be able to do so in the freedom of  my living room, in my car, or even on the street.
Likewise if you claim to be a follower of Christ you should be able to do it too.
Are you?

Proclaim God's Salvation

Proclaim God’s Salvation
The Psalmist writes,

“Sing to the LORD a new song;

 sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD,

 praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 

                                                     Psalm 96:1-3.

The Psalmist tells us to sing a new song, to sing to the Lord, to praise is name, to proclaim his salvation day after day. To declare His glory among the nations.
Such a thing can seem an intimidating thing to do in our western world. It can be hard to bring up your faith to the people around you. Yet it is our duty as believers in Christ.
The key is to be yourself. Don’t try to be self-righteous or super spiritual. Be you, with all your attributes and flaws. I’ve found people are more receptive to hearing the gospel message if they see you as an ordinary person who sincerely loves God.
I believe if we do this God will open doors for you to tell of his love. All you have to be is  willing.
For me one unexpected way was by wearing a tee shirt.
My family not knowing what to get me for Christmas, decided that since I liked tee shirts with slogans on them to get me some with Christian saying on them.
One in particular has in large words in the front “Jesus Washed my sins away”. That simple message has opened more discussions for me than I ever thought possible.
Christians upon seeing it say they like it. Non Christians I interact with ask me what it means. Or in some instances say “O you’re one of those”.
To which I ask them “one of what? Someone who believes in the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ? If so your right. Do you?”
It takes people off guard, and quite often opens doors for me to tell them more about Jesus.
I know wearing a tee shirt with a Christian message on them is not for everyone but it works for me.
The key is never think you cannot be an effective witness for God because you can. One piece of simple Advice comes from the Apostle Peter who says,
“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 2:11,12.
Being a follower of Christ is very much a lifestyle we live in front of people every day.
Believe it or not people do see what you are doing. They see your life. They know if you are committed to God or not.
Francis of Assisi reminding us,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                        Francis of Assisi.

Please think about it.

A Privilege and Responsibility

A privilege and responsibility.
The apostle John speaking of Jesus tells us,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
The Apostle Peter writes,
“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.” 1 Peter 2:9  
Here is something all believers in Christ must remember,
If we believe in Jesus, we are children of God. Not only that we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation belonging to God. That is an incredible privilege and a great responsibility.
The apostle Peter telling us our responsibility before God. Saying,  “...that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1Peter 2:9b
It is we who are to declare the praises of Christ Jesus to the world. Jesus speaking to His disciples 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.
In order to do this well we must remember the words of the writer of Hebrews who wrote,

“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

        It is our job as believers in Christ, to, as far as possible, live at peace with all men. To tell all who will listen to us about the Love of God and the eternal life God offers through Jesus Christ.
Please think about it.

Christians take note

Christians take note
The writer of Proverbs states,

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD,

 and He examines all his paths.” 

                                                   Proverbs 5:21.
I think a lot of Christians seem to forget this warning from Proverbs. Read it carefully.                          

 “For a man’s way are in full view of the Lord.  

And He examines all his Paths.”

God is watching us. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t think God is standing around ready to bash us over the head every time we do something wrong. God loves us. God understands we are human and fall short of what He wants for our lives, and thus forgives us when we make mistakes.
Never the less God is watching to make sure that we correctly handle His word. The apostle Paul telling us,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.
Jesus warned that there would be men and women calling themselves believers in Christ who are not. Matthews Gospel recording Jesus as saying,
“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.
The apostle Paul warns,
“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.
As believers it is imperative we follow the teaching of the Bible correctly. As someone has said,
“Believers in Christ have a great responsibility. We are Christ’s representatives on this earth. It is through our words and our deeds that others will view Jesus.”
As Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                           Francis of Assisi.

What are your deeds telling others about Jesus?
Please think about it. 

Take a Minute

Take a Minute
Here is something to consider doing. The Psalmist wrote,

“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; 

let me know how fleeting is my life. 

You have made my days a mere hand breadth; 

the span of my years is as nothing before you. 

Each man’s life is but a breath. 

                                                 Psalms 39:4,5

Find a quiet place and consider what the Psalmist is saying here.
Think about your life how fragile it is. How brief your life in this world is in the light of eternity. Then ask yourself where will I spend eternity?
If you are unsure consider the words of Jesus who 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
Consider the words of the Apostle John who said,
“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....
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
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, 11-14.
What the Apostle John is saying here is the God that created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, loved mankind so much he came into the world He created in the form of his one and only Son Jesus Christ. To show each person the way to heaven.
Not only that but to all who would accept Jesus by faith into their lives he gave the right to become children of God.
That to my way of thinking is an incredible privilege offered to each and every person who hears about Jesus.
What do you think?
Please think about it.

A Warning

A Warning
The Poet wrote,
                                    A possible conversation with God
 A Man:                                                   
“You exist!”
God:
Of course I exist!”
Man:
“But I couldn’t see you?
I couldn’t touch you?”
God:
         “I know.
          I wanted it that way.”

Man: “Why?”

God:
“Because I wanted you
            To have faith in me.”

Man:
“But you could have showed
yourself in the flesh.”

God:
     “I did.
      I sent my Son Jesus.
      He died for the sins of all who
      would believe in Him.
     I even raised him from the dead.

Man:
     “But that’s unbelievable.
      It can’t be true?”

God:
          “But it is.
           Why would anyone make that up?
And you had the choice.
          I gave you a freewill
To believe what you wished.
You exercised yours.

Man:
       “But you could have
        showed yourself to me.”

God:
      “I did.
       Through creation,
       Through my prophets,
       Through the Bible,
       Through My One and Only Son.
       I gave you a life time of chances.”

Man:
“So what will happen to me?”

God:
           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.
                              “What do you think?”
Post Script
If Christians are wrong in what we believe no one has anything to fear. If we are right there are eternal consequences for those who do not believe.
Please think about it.

I Believe This

I believe this
The Psalmist writes,

“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.

This is a portion of scripture I carried in the front of my Bible for years. It reminds me that God knows me intimately. That he knows the very fabric of my DNA. That he knows not only who I am but why I am the way that I am.
God knows my flaws and my good qualities. That is why God and only God can judge me, or for that matter anyone else, justly and tell me where I will spend eternity.
As a Christian I believe we get to heaven through our belief and acceptance that Jesus died for our sins.
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.” Romans 5:6-8.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
The apostle John quotes Jesus saying of himself,
“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.
John speaking of Jesus, telling us,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
I believe this by faith.
Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews who said,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                 Hebrews 11:1

The writer also telling us,

“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 believe this.
Do you?
Please think about it.

Pharisee or Disciple

Pharisee or Disciple
Luke’s Gospel records,
“Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him.  
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
Then Jesus told them this parable:  
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:1-7.
Someone told me recently that what passes for Evangelical Christianity in North America and particularly in the United States is known for what it is against rather than what it is for.
They noted that those claiming to be Evangelical Christians have become very judgmental and political. Very much like the Pharisees that seen Jesus sitting with the tax collectors and sinners. As a result they are in danger of, if they haven’t already, losing their message.
The person was right. Here in North America many calling themselves Christians have placed themselves as judge and juror of those they deem to be living a quote, “sinful life”
They are very vocal against anyone who has a different faith, or lifestyle to theirs, quite often calling it “sinful”
The apostle Paul tells us,

“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

When I see or hear of someone calling themselves Christian speaking out against those of other faiths or lifestyle it bothers me. Jesus the Son of God, never spoke against those outside his faith, nor did his disciples. Nor did they protest against anything. Yet they changed the world.
Billy Graham the great American Evangelist said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
If someone claims to be a Christian they need to have their lives “turned right side up”.
If you claim to be Christian you need to remember that it is not the Christian’s job to stand in judgement of ones fellow man. To quote Billy Graham again,

"It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love," 

                     Billy Graham

At the beginning of this article I quoted the parable of the lost sheep. In our world today and especially here in North America there are many lost sheep. Not just outside the church but inside also. Men and women who are misguided and following wrong teaching that if not corrected will lead them to destruction.
Jesus 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.
If you claim to be a Christian your job is to win souls for Christ. To do this you must love unconditionally and not judge anyone in the slightest.
C. S. Lewis wrote,

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable 

because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” 

                                                                     C.S. Lewis 

Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much 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,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                  Francis of Assisi.

Consider this. If you claim to be a follower of Christ. Take a moment to pray and ask God if you are acting like a Pharisee or like a disciple of Christ.
Please think carefully and prayerfully about it.

Not wanting anyone to Perish

Not wanting anyone to perish
The apostle Peter wrote,

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. 

He is patient with you, 

not wanting anyone to perish, 

but everyone to come to repentance.” 

                                                 2 Peter 3:9

God is patient. He does not want anyone to perish. 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.

I believe sometimes this message is lost on many who call themselves Christians especially here in North America where I live.
Many who call themselves Christians, rather than trying to save the world are too busy pointing out what is wrong with the world to save souls.
Pointing out the wrongs of the world is not the job of Christians. 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.

Mr Graham is right. We as Christians have no right to judge those outside the church. The apostle Paul states,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 

Are you not to judge those inside?” 

                                   1 Corinthians 5:12.

You will never lead a soul to Christ if you are judging them in any way shape or form. As Billy Graham said we are called to love. The apostle Paul defined true Christian love this way,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

This is what true believers in Christ should be showing to the world rather than judging people.
God does not want anyone to perish and the only way for that to happen is if those who believe in God stick to the message Christ gave us 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 John 

                                                     3:16,17.

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.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

On Finding God

On Finding God
The Book of Deuteronomy tells us,
“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 4:29.
C. S. Lewis states,
“He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.”  C. S. Lewis.
God is always there willing to show himself to anyone who wishes to see him. Sadly the trouble with many people who say God does not exist is that they refuse to look. They have made up their minds and all the proof in the world will not convince them.
You have to be looking for God in order to find Him. Additionally finding God takes faith. And faith is something we all have even atheist.
Atheist have faith in their own knowledge.
The trouble with mortal man is that man can only truly know what is this side of the grave. No one living today has gone beyond the grave and come back to tell about it.
It takes faith to believe there is something beyond the grave. It’s easy to look at the world around you and say “I can’t see God. Therefore He doesn’t exist.”
The thing is God shows his existence in the world around us. The Psalmist tells us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                            Psalm 19:1.

Everything in the universe is perfect order mathematically. Scientist may not have all the formulas yet but given good science and time I believe science will show there is a definite order in the universe. That everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy is interlinked.
That the universe was designed in such away as for life to exist as we know it on this planet.
 Until that point however we must have faith that there is a God who loves us. 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.

Please think about it.

What Christians must do

What Christians must do
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 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
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 wrote,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?

 Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. 

“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 

                                 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

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.

James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20 
These are Christian “must do’s”. Love God, Love your neighbour, Love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you. Do not Judge especially those outside the church. Christians may judge those who claim to be Christian to see if they are teaching the word of God correctly. If they are not we are to expel them from the church,.
Additionally Christians are also to do all they can to help the needy, the sick, and the hungry.
Please think about it.

Sound Doctrine

Sound Doctrine
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
There are times when I listen to men and women calling themselves Christians in the media and wonder where they get their information from. They are certainly not preaching the word of God. They may sound like it but they are not.
I know there is a lot of diversity in Christianity, that is to be expected. We within Christianity have various denominations and church congregation which at times will disagree with one another over the interpretation of certain what amount to minor parts of scripture or for that matter how best to worship God.
This for the most part is not a problem.
I personally believe God allows that diversity so that people of all backgrounds and lifestyles have a choice as to how they want to worship God.
The problem comes when people calling themselves Christians fail to correctly administer the word of God.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
If we are not doing this we God will judge us.
Christians are told by 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.
Notice he told the church not to judge those outside it. That is God’s job. However we have the right to judge anyone who calls themself a Christian in order to see that they are administering the world of God correctly. If they are not we are to expel them from our congregations.
Core Christian beliefs I believe are expressed in what is called the Apostles Creed. While not written by one of Christ’s apostles it is scripturally based. It states,
1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost
9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.
12. I believe in life everlasting.
The Writer of Hebrews tells 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  
The apostle John 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 Apostle Paul 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 by the grace of God we are saved, by having faith in the salvation Christ Jesus offers. Jesus himself saying,

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

                                                                     John 14:6.

John’s Gospel also quoting 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.  
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
These are very basic beliefs of all who would call themselves Christians. You cannot believe anything else and be truly Christian.
Please think about it.