Purity of Faith

Purity of Faith
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.
The above scripture is a warning for all who would call themselves believers in Christ Jesus.
As I said in my previous blog post, the Bible is written to believers. It tells believers in God, believers in Christ Jesus how they should act both with God and their fellow man.
I as a believer in Christ Jesus firmly believe that all believers must live their lives in accordance with God’s teaching. That those teachings must not be watered down or changed in any way. They must not be mixed with politics, anything secular or other beliefs, for God will hold all who claim to believe in him accountable for their actions.
Proverbs tells us,

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

and he examines all his paths.”  

                                 Proverbs 5:21

The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“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 4:13.

The apostle Paul’s admonition to Timothy is very clear,
“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.
People claiming to be Christian have for centuries turned from the truth and believed myths. It is however I believe more prevalent in the twenty-first century in which we live because of our multimedia world.
Sadly too many people believe what they see and hear in the media without checking the facts for themselves. This should not be so.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should be praying and reading the Bible for ourselves. Asking God to give us insights into the truths contained in the scriptures. Asking God to steer us away from false teaching and leading us to the truth. For Jesus has said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’Matthew 7:21-23
Please think about it.

Delight in God

Delight in God
The Psalmist tells us,
“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.
When one reads the Bible, one must remember that it was written to those who believe God exists. It does not debate the existence of God. It simply tells believers what God expects of them. It tells the believer to follow God’s laws.
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9.
Put this way. The true believer will make God an intimate part of his or her life. They will worship and serve God daily in word and deed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.

                                    Francis of Assisi.
Francis then reminds us,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                 Francis of Assisi.

The apostle Peter tells believers in Christ Jesus,
“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.
The writer of Hebrews tell 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.
Thus the questions becomes for anyone who would call themselves a believer in Christ Jesus.
Is God an intimate part of your life?
Are you living at peace with those around you?
Are you living a life that is holy?
Are you living a life acceptable to God?
Are you obeying the words of Jesus who 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.
Please think about it. 

Fill the world with Love

Fill the world with Love
There is a musical called Good by Mr. Chips, that I saw as a teenager. One I have never forgotten. The words of one song in that movie has always stayed with me all these years it is called in the Morning of my life. The words state,

“In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through

                                                                             by Leslie Bricusse   

                                                              From the Musical Good by Mr chips.

   Do you love? Do you fill the world with Love?
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.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver during the dark days of world war two said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge. 
Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  
But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.”
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon.
The apostle Paul I believe gave the perfect definition of Love. Unconditional Love. God’s definition of Love, when he 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.

When you stand before God on the day of judgement, will you be able to say “I filled the world with love?
Please think about it

The right thing to do

The right thing to do.
Jesus said,
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.
Do you do what you can to help the less fortunate in our society, even if it’s just giving a few dollars to a charity or donating food to a food bank?
Our Jewish friends have a concept that I think those who believe in Christ Jesus should consider, it’s called Tzedakah.
One Jewish site describes it like this,
Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
One of their religious leaders put in order the various levels of tzedakah it goes like this,

Giving begrudgingly

Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,

Giving after being asked

Giving before being asked

Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, 

but the recipient knows yours

Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity,

 but the recipient doesn’t know yours.

Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.

Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.

Such a concept as Tzedakh is perfectly in line with Jewish thought. Something we as believers in Christ Jesus need to put into action in our lives.
Derek Prince an American evangelist said,
“A faith that does not result in activity of any kind is a dead faith; it is empty, worthless, insincere.” Derek Prince
John Wesley wrote,

“Do all the good you can,

By any means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.”

                                    John Wesley

Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”Tony Campolo
Please think about it.

Have you?

Have you?
The Talmud states,
“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.
Jesus told this story,
“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.
As I write this the world seems to be in turmoil the likes of which have not been seen since world war two. Refugees are running from conflicts all over the world. In the middle east and Africa they are running from war and terrorism. In Central America they are running away from drug lords and gangs that threaten their lives.
All are running to the western democracies in numbers that are seemingly overwhelming the ability of those democracies to handle them.
Not only that there appears to be a backlash swelling up against these people. Some nations even closing their borders to them.
Yet these refugees are not the cause of the problem. They are the result of evil men who wish to impose their evil ungodly ways on others.
Closing borders will not end the refugee problem. Only dealing with the root cause of the problem will do that.
However until that happens the governments of the world, and we as individuals who are in a position to help, need to help those in need.
I believe be it our nations leaders or we as individuals who can help the poor and oppressed will be held accountable for our actions to those less fortunate.
That is doubly so for those of us who claim to be believers in Christ Jesus. 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.
We as individuals may not be able, (beyond giving financial aid), to help refugees running from wars and other conflicts.
We however can help on a local level those who are less fortunate.
We can volunteer with various agencies around your town or city that help the less fortunate, the poor, the sick, the needy, thus showing the love of Jesus in a tangible way.
The way I see it if we as believers in Christ Jesus, believers in God, don’t do what we can to help those in need. God will hold us accountable.
Please think about it.

Proclaim God

Proclaim God
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.
Long before Jesus spoke these words the writer of Chronicles said,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...” 1 Chronicles 16:8-12.
As believers in Christ Jesus. As believers in God. We are to tell the nations about Him. We are to sing God’s praises. To glorify God in word and in deed. It is only by doing this that the nations and the peoples of the world will come to know the Living God.
It is important as we do this, to remember the world is watching us. That it is through the lense of our lives that those around us will see God.
The apostle Peter telling us,
“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
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer I believe we as believers in Christ Jesus should put into practice. He wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of your 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;

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.

                                                     The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

It is my opinion that if we do this many people will see God working in us and come to know Him in a personal way.
Please think about it.

Tremble for God is Just

Tremble for God is Just
Thomas Jefferson said of the United States,

“Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” 

                                                                                       Thomas Jefferson.

This could be said about any nation. There is no such thing as a Christian nation. Many nations do have as part of their laws Judeo-Christian principles. There is however no nation on the face of the earth that can claim to be Christian.
Thomas Jefferson looking at the state of his nation in his day seen the state of the nation and “trembled” at where it was at. A nation far from God.
The same is true today not only for the United States but every nation on the face of the earth. Every nation and every person in those nations need to examine themselves and turn to God. The writer of Revelations warns,
“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.  
He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelations 14:6,7.
Centuries have come and gone since that warning was given to mankind. It is a tribute to God’s long suffering with mankind that He has waited so long.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  
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. 
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” 2 Peter 3:8-10.
The American Evangelist Billy Graham said,
“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.” Billy Graham.
Thus the question becomes are ready to stand before a holy God?
Please think about it.

Why would Jesus?

Why would Jesus?
Jesus said,
“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.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?
“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”  John 10:24-33.
Jesus was an intelligent man. He a Jew, knew the laws and traditions of the Jews. He knew that claiming to be God was punishable by death. Yet made the claim.
C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity made this observation saying,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Belief that Jesus is God is the corner stone of Christianity. To some this may seem unbelievable but it never the less what Christians believe.
It is something we Christians present to those around us and leave it to the individual to believe or not believe.
Thus dear reader the choice is yours. All I would ask before you make your decision is to at least read the New Testament and learn for yourself what those who knew Jesus thought about him.
Please think about it. 

Perhaps it is hard and that's why?

Perhaps it is hard and that’s why?

“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’ve always contended that scientist especially those who deal in the theoretical science. Men like Eienstein or Stephen Hawking have one thing in common with Christians.  That being faith.
Eienstein after looking at the world around him predicted things that were not proven until after his death. And I am assuming now that Stephen Hawking has passed away there are things he predicted that are yet to be proven.
Thus it is for those who truly believe in Christ Jesus. We look at the Bible and the world around us and come to the conclusion that God exists and that He in the form of Jesus Christ entered the world he created.
What we believe does I will admit take a great deal of faith. A faith that most certainly will not be rewarded until we die. Never-the-less it is what we believe and ask others to believe.
   To have faith in something that you cannot physically see I admit is a very hard thing. But perhaps that is the point. God want’s true believers and true believers, men and women of faith are defined by the writer of Hebrews when he said,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                       Hebrews 11:1.

Please think about it.

Who never wept

Who never wept
The Evangelist Charles Spurgeon wrote,

“A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.”

                                                                  Charles H. Spurgeon.

I believe God in his wisdom went out of his way to show his love to not only mankind as a whole but to each person.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“He 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.
Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate. Some who disagree with this say why would God possibly enter the world He created. After all He is all powerful, almighty and all knowing.
I think the answer has two parts.
1/ He entered the world to first and foremost show in human terms how far He would go to point mankind to Himself.
2/ I believe in entering the world He created, God left no doubt that he did in fact understand the human condition.
We can never stand before God on judgement day and say, “you do not know what it is like to be human because you only have ever been almighty. And while you are all knowing you have no first hand knowledge, what it is to be human with all the frailties and temptations that a mere mortal has.
We cannot say this because God through Jesus became a man and experienced all it was to be a man.
Jesus was born to parents of low birth so he understood what it was to be the average person. Jesus entered this world as a new born baby. He lived as a toddler, a teenager and an adult.
In his life he experienced everything from the mundane things of life such as the wind, the rain, even the hot sun and the cold.
Jesus had friends. He attended at least one wedding that we know of and probably attended other events. He drank wine.
Jesus did in fact weep at the death of his friend Lazarus John’ gospel noting,
“Jesus Wept” John 11:35.
Jesus interacted with everyone from Roman soldiers, to Samaritans, to tax collectors, to religious leaders and others.
He demonstrated compassion toward people by healing them.
Jesus also knew what it was to have enemies. To be accused of a committing a crime he didn’t commit. To be beaten and put to death in a most hideous way.
Thus when we stand before God on Judgement day we can never say to him you do not understand, because he does.
Not only that he let himself go through everything because he loved us.
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 Gospel of John quotes Jesus speaking of himself, 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.
In a nutshell God through Jesus went out of His way to be able to rightly judge all who stand before Him on Judgement day. And, to make it as easy as possible for mankind to get to heaven.
Please think about it.

Rest

Rest
Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.”  

                                   Matthew 11:28.

Are you at peace? Are you at rest?
In our fast paced society here in North America I find quite often people do not have peace and rest seems elusive. We live in a twenty-four/seven society. That offers little in the way of rest.
We live in a materialistic society that tells us we have to have the latest greatest gadget. The latest designer clothing. Many in our society seem to think that if we don’t have the latest greatest “things” we are in someway missing out.
Many people strive for the so called “American dream” only to find it is an empty hollow shell of a promise.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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.
Material things may make life easier and there is nothing wrong with having nice things. They however don’t necessarily make your life fulfilling. In the end materialism with all its seeming perks often leaves a person empty.
Ultimately the writer of Ecclesiastes after a long examination of the things around him concludes by saying,
“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.
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.
Jesus also 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.
Thomas Aquinas wrote,
“If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.” Thomas Aquinas.
For me personally I have indeed found a deep peace in Jesus Christ that I have never found in this world.
That being said each individual must decide what they want out of life. The temporary satisfaction that comes from the materialism of this world. OR the eternal rest, peace and eternal life that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Please think about it.

Christian Living

Christian living
Just what is it to be Christian? Here in a rather large nutshell are some basic statements from the Bible that I believe Christians should be obeying.
The apostle Paul tells us the fruits of the Spirit of God are,
“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.
These are Christian attributes.
Key to Christian belief is Love. A Christian must love. 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
Earlier in Matthews gospel Jesus is quoted saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
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.
The apostle Paul defines Christian love when he writes,

“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.

A Christian also has no right to Judge those outside their faith. 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 stating,
“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.
Note here the apostle Paul also reminds Christians to keep their own house in order so to speak. He reminds us that while we are not to judge those outside the church. We are allowed to judge those inside the church. There is I believe a caveat however. We have no right to judge where anyone will spend eternity.
What Paul is saying here I believe is we are allowed to judge those who claim to be Christians with respect to what they believe and are teaching. To ensure they are teaching sound doctrine. As Billy Graham the great American Evangelist stated,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,

 God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

                               Billy Graham

Christians are also to sit down with sinners and others like Jesus did. Matthew’s gospel records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
The apostle Paul tells Christians,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18,
The apostle Peter reminds us,
“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.
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 12:1.
Jesus saying
“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.
Please think about it.