Judgement without Mercy

Judgement without Mercy
James the half brother of Jesus states,
Remember the words of James the half brother of Jesus who said,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 

 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

 Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

                                            James 2:12,13.

We as believers in Christ must remember the above words of James. Particularly “Mercy triumphs over Judgement.”
That being said if you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus we should heed the words of Jesus who 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 said,
“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.
I believe there is only two reason a Christian has for judging anyone.
One is for their own safety. We need to know when to get away from a potential dangerous situation.
The Second is to judge whether or not those claiming to be Christians are teaching correct doctrine. As Paul states, “God will judge those outside the church.” And we as believers in Christ Jesus are to “expel the wicked” from among us.
We especially have no right to judge a person as to where they will spend eternity. If we feel a person is not saved. We have a duty to present the salvation message of Christ to them. Not judge them.
After all we, as believers in Christ Jesus. Knowing what we know about salvation would want someone to tell us about the salvation Christ Jesus has to offer. And Jesus tells Christians,

“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.

Which to my way of thinking is the most important verse in the Bible for a believer in Christ Jesus.
Read that verse again,

“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.

Thus the question become if you are a believer in Christ Jesus, just two word,

Are you?

Are you showing Mercy rather than Judgement?

Are you doing to others as you would have others do to you?

Please think about it.

Be Merciful

Be Merciful
Jesus said,

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” 

                                                    Luke 6:36.

Someone once told me Mercy “is showing unconditional love.” the apostle Paul wrote about 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....” 

                     1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Jesus showed this kind of Love when he died for us. The apostle Paul stating,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us.” 

                                   Romans 5:8.

James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:8-13.
If you are claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, a Christian do you show Love and Mercy to those around you?
Remember Jesus said,

“Blessed are the merciful, 

for they will be shown mercy.” 

                                    Matthew 5:7

Remember the words of James the half brother of Jesus who said,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged

by the law that gives freedom, 

 because judgment without mercy 

will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

 Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

                                            James 2:12,13.

Please think about it. 

You should sit with tax collectors and sinners

You should sit with tax collectors and sinners
The book of Matthew states,
“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.
I knew a man who wanted to be a pastor. He had the idea of going and setting up a new church congregation in a small rural Ontario town that had no evangelical church. Which he said they needed one.
In order to do this he went to Bible school and got his degrees. Trouble was he forgot a key thing that pastors and evangelist need to remember and for that matter every Christian. I realized this when I told him I’d gone to a gay wedding.
He said I shouldn’t have done for by doing so. I in attending, as a Christian, and at that time being a Christian teacher, lent credence to the marriage. Saying homosexuality was sinful.
He was shocked when I said I didn’t care. That even if it was sinful it was more important for me to go to it.
I reminded him that the apostle Paul said,

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

                                                                                 Romans 3:23.

I noted that, that all meant heterosexuals and homosexuals alike. That everyone on earth is a sinner according to the apostle Paul.
I noted an incident between Jesus and that Pharisees recorded in Matthew that states,
“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.
I noted that the only way anyone will hear about the saving grace of Christ Jesus, is by Christians interacting with people no matter who they are.
Thus my question to you the reader.
If you claim to be a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus do you interact with everyone irrespective of their sexual orientation, their faith, or their lifestyle?
If not, why not?
Please think about it.

Who's going to Hell?

Who’s going to Hell?
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus also 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
Christians have no right to judge where anyone will spend eternity. That is God’s decision and we must as believers in Christ Jesus must always remember that.
The Eleven O Clock Parable
It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, waits. 
Will the new law be legal? 
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant. 
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are going to Hell.” 
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Wasn’t it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another? 
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day, and how can I reach them for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”
Question one, What is the right answer?
We as Christians, especially here in the west live in a secular democracy. A multicultural state similar in many ways to that of the Roman empire that the first century church lived in. With a government that does it’s best to accommodate all people regardless of their faith, lifestyle or sexual orientation.
We are called to reach out to everyone with the love of God irrespective of who they are. We are told not to judge anyone.
I firmly believe two things when it came to the early church.
1/ God used the multicultural nature of Rome and the relative freedoms it gave its people to spread the gospel message and to show us how to spread that message.
2/ I believe the apostles and those within the early church kept their hearts and minds focussed on spreading the Gospel message and thus were not sidetracked by politics or trying to decide where anyone will spend eternity, or anything else.
It is a lesson we in the twenty-first century church need to heed.
As long as we keep our hearts and minds focussed on presenting the message of Christ to the world around us we will win souls for Christ.
If however we are distracted in anyway we run the risk of failing in our mission something that has eternal consequences.
Please think about it.

The Bible is not the Light of The World?

The Bible is not the light of the world?
Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”Matthew 5:14.
The great evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon said,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.””Charles H. Spurgeon.
Someone said to me the church is under attack. Which is true. It has been ever since its inception. On and off throughout the centuries the Christians who are The Church, have been persecuted simply for being believers in Christ Jesus.
That being said we, especially here in the west must make sure if we are being persecuted it is for the right thing. That being, showing the world the Love of Christ. Not because we took sides in politics, or heaped judgement on people or did a any of a hundred other things Christ would not have wanted us to do.
The apostle Peter makes it clear,
“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.
As a holy priesthood we must represent Christ in the purest way humanly possible. We must. We as individual believers in Christ, must as the apostle Peter said, “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.”
We must remember that we are the light of the world. That people will see Christ through our words and deeds.
Thus my question becomes to anyone reading this who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus; Do you 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.?
Please think about it.  

You and God

You and God
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.
What the psalmist is saying here is simple. God knows all about you. He knows why you are the way you are.
Thus the call of God to all people everywhere is,
“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.
The apostle Peter states,
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Acts 2:21.
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.” John 3:16,17.
All of that being said where do you stand? There are two ways of looking at the above. You can acknowledge what I have quoted intellectually or you can acknowledge the truth of what is said and accept Jesus into your heart today. The choice is yours.
Please think about it. 

Reckless Words

Reckless words.
The writer of proverbs states,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

                                                 Proverbs 12:18.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we are accountable for our actions. We must always remember that it is through our words and deeds that people will see Christ. We must remember that our words and deeds potentially have eternal consequences.
We must always think before we speak. As the writer of Proverbs states “Reckless words pierce like a sword.”
The wrong words at the wrong time can scar a person for life. The wounds from words can hurt a person far more than a physical injury.
Likewise right words at the right time can bring healing. That is why we must think before we speak asking God for wisdom.
Our prayer should be the words of the Psalmist who writes,
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.
Thus the question becomes. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are your words and the meditations of your heart pleasing to God.
Please think about it.

Outcome of a Disagreement

Outcome of a Disagreement
The apostle Peter wrote,
“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
A short while ago I had a disagreement with a man claiming to be Christian over something he said, This man went to church every week and during the week. He was a kind and gentle man. By all standards a good man. Who did good works. Yet judging by what he said some around him questioned if he really was a Christian.
He had an offbeat sense of humour which is not a bad thing. That being said he would say things that quite frankly shocked people. It was obvious he hadn’t thought of the consequences of his words. Sadly he is not alone. There are many within the church that are like him. Many who despite claiming to be Christian have a very secular attitude. Looking more like the world around them than Christ.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                           Francis of Assisi.

We need to remember that the world is watching anyone who claims to be Christian. We need to remember that the only way we will win souls for Christ is if we live as far as humanly possible Christlike lives.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
If we are exhibiting these traits in our daily lives then we will win souls for Christ.
The apostle Peter wrote,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
We need to remember what Peter said, we are aliens and strangers in this world. We need to abstain from sinful desires. Living as good a life as we can. For that is what sets us apart from the world around us and that is what will attract people to Christ.

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer that I think all who consider themselves Christians need to read and take to heart. He 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

Please think about it.

Do you believe this?

Do you believe this?

“All men are like grass, 

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

but the word of our God stands forever.”

                                                    Isaiah 40:6-8

There is one statistic that every person living today will one day be a part of. The ultimate statistic. The ultimate statistic states that everyone that is born will one day die.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo made an interesting statement about death, he said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”Tony Campolo
Which begs the question dear reader do you know God?
Do you know where you will spend eternity?
For me as a Christian this is how I believe you get to heaven enter heaven.
Jesus said,
1/ “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.
2/ “....I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Jesus is the way to heaven.
 3/ The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
4/ The apostle John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1 John 1:9,10.
5/ The apostle Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9
6/ Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“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
Faith defined as by the writer of Hebrews as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

                                                Hebrews 11:1.

Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Does God Exist?

Does God exist?
The Psalmist writes,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

                                                               Psalm 14:1

The apostle Paul writes,

“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.

An atheist will tell you there is no God. But an atheist does not know everything. After all if you know everything you are God or at least a demigod. Thus God would exist.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers in God and believers need no proof of God’s existence.
There is however I believe proof of the existence of God all around us. The Psalmist stating,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                                         Psalm 19:1-3

Albert Einstein said,

“Look deep into nature, 

and then you will understand everything better.” 

                                                            Albert Einstein.

I have no idea if Einstein believed in God or not. What I do know is he was right. If we look deep into nature we will understand everything better. Just because we cannot physically see God does not mean he does not exist.
Ben Zion Boker said,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation. Ben Zion Bokser
Think of this From the smallest subatomic particle to greatest galaxies and everything in-between is in perfect order so that life as we know it exist on this planet. I personally cannot believe this all came about by chance.
That being said the decision as to whether you believe in God or not is a personal thing. You must decide whether or not to believe in Him or not.
Thus the question becomes, Do you believe in God?
Please think about it.

The Most Important Decision

The most important decision
The book of Genesis states,

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

                                                                               Genesis 1:1.

It does not debate God’s existence. The book of Genesis and the Bible were written to believers in God and therefor debate about His existence was unnecessary.
The American evangelist Billy Graham stated,
“I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.” Billy Graham.
Ben-Zion Bokser (July 4, 1907 – 1984) one of the major Conservative rabbis of the United States said this,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.” Ben Zion Bokser.
As for me personally I believe God exists because I see the perfection of the universe. From the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy everything is in perfect balance to provide life on this earth as we know it.
I cannot believe this happened purely by chance.
Ultimately however it is up to you the reader to decide for yourself whether God exists or not. That decision I believe is the most important decision you will make in your life. For that decision will ultimately determine your eternal resting place.
Please think about it.

Christian Principle #8 Do to others

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.
Think of it this way

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

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 neighbour as yourself.’ 
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Earlier in the gospel of Matthew Jesus is recorded as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.

The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians defines love as,

“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

The apostle Paul telling us,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone.”

                              Romans 12:18

If we as Christians remember this it’s hard for us to go wrong. And may as a result win many souls for Christ.
Please think about it.