Jesus Saviour of Mankind

Jesus Saviour of Mankind
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
I believe passionately that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of mankind. I believe as C. S. Lewis put it,
"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.
I believe the soul purpose of the Church is to show the world around them the way to heaven. To evangelize and teach those new converts what it is to be followers of Christ Jesus.
Jesus made this clear when he 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.
I do not believe it is the job of a Christian to judge anyone. 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.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
I believe that even when we judge those within the church it should only be to discern whether or not they are teaching sound doctrine. We have no right to say where a person will spend eternity. That is God’s job because only God knows why a person is the way they are.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”Tony Campolo
Another American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham.

We as Christians should remember this.
  Please think about it.

It's about Individuals

It’s about individuals
Jesus said,
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  
The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  
The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:11-15.
For Jesus it is all about people and not just people in general it’s about the individual. In Matthew’s gospel we read
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  
And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” Matthew 18:10-14.
C. S. Lewis speaking of Jesus wisely said,
"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.
This is the important thing about Christianity. Jesus died for the individual. That’s how much love he had.
As Christians that’s what we need to remember.
Jesus did not see an individuals sin as such. He saw an individual in need of His saving grace. Thus he looked passed the persons beliefs, social status, and lifestyle offering them salvation.
This is the way we should be when we interact with others. We should be presenting family, friend and foe the message of eternal life through the saving grace of Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.

The Prime Directive

The prime directive
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.
Sadly here in North America many of those who espouse to be Christians, followers of Christ Jesus seem to have forgotten this.
Billy Graham the late 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
As I look around at those claiming to be Christians here in North America I see people selling lotions, potions, get rich quick schemes, even survival rations that are essentially secular things with Christian names added.
I see Christians getting involved with politics. Something Jesus and his disciples never did. 
As Christians we have an obligation to do what Jesus said,
1/ to make disciples of all nations,
2/ to baptize new converts in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit
3/ to teach new converts to obey everything Jesus commanded us to do.
James the half brother of Jesus tells us what our faith should spur us on to doing when he writes,
“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.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo states,
"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.
He is right. I think each individual who claims to a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus needs to take a long look at what they believe. They then must look at their words and deeds and see if what they are saying and doing is truly reflecting the teachings of Jesus.
Please think about it. 

Speak and Act

Speak and Act
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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.
If you claim to be a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus do you follow these words from James?
When you interact with people of other faiths or lifestyles do you show mercy?
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.
Do you follow this advice?
While the Talmud is a Jewish book it has many illustrations that illustrate Christian truths. One such illustration 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
I can see this happening because the Bible is a book about relationships. The relationship between man and God, and the relationship between man and his fellow man.
Jesus tells 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 individuals we may not be as uncaring as the rich man was toward Lazarus but that does not let us off the hook.
We must remember to treat everyone equally. Without judgement. We must love everyone we come in contact with, with unconditional Love because God loves us unconditionally.
Please think about it.

This is how

This is how
The apostle John writes,
“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:7-10.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we need to listen to these words of John carefully.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we need from time to time to evaluate who is a child of God and who is not.
While Jesus told us,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1.
We still have an obligation to judge those who claim to be Christians. The apostle Paul writing,
“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.
Sadly throughout the centuries that the church has been around many people have arisen claiming to be Christians that are not. Such people are around today. Not only that they are in our churches. Many are even considered by some to be church leaders.
The apostle John gives Christians a bench mark with which to tell if someone is a true believer in Christ Jesus and who is not he states,
“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10.
What John states is black and white. If a person is not doing what is right. If a person is not loving his brother. They are not a child of God.
It is an easy standard to use to determine if a person is a child of God or not. All we have to do is look at a persons words and deeds.
Please think about it.

What Jesus didn't do?

What Jesus didn’t do?
Luke’s gospel record this incident in the life of Jesus,
“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  
He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.  
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."  
So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.' " 
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." 
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.  
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:1-10.
“For the Son of man has come to seek and save what was lost.” those are the words of Jesus not mine.
As Christians we must remember this statement. This is the reason Jesus came to this earth. In the gospel of John we read Jesus speaking of himself saying,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Tax collectors were considered among the worst of sinners at the time. They got their job by bidding on it. The one who bid the highest promising to get Rome the most money got the job. The tax collector then got his money by charging more than he promised Rome.
Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was. Yet look what he didn’t say to him,
Jesus did not tell Jesus to him to change his profession.
He did not tell him to change his lifestyle.
He did not tell him to give back any money he had stolen.
Yet Luke records,
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Luke 19:18.
That is the way it should be with Christians. We are not to judge anyone. Jesus did not Judge Zacchaeus yet he changed his ways.
Billy Graham the American evangelist wisely said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                        Billy Graham.

This is the way it should be with us. We should be looking past the sin in someone’s life and loving them as God loves them, unconditionally. For love, true love, is the only thing that will bring a person to Christ.
Please think about it.

Not my Job

Not my Job
“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
Do you judge the world and those around you? Do you look on people you disagree with, people who are living a lifestyle you disagree with and judge them?
We should not be doing this.
We however are told to by Paul to not associate with immoral people who call themselves brothers in Christ. Paul says,
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”  1Corinthians 5:9-13.
Unfortunately all too many Christians do the opposite to what Paul says. They judge those outside our faith and turn a blind eye or refuse to speak out against anyone who claims to be a brother in Christ and is,
“..sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
We as Christians seem to have a bad record when it comes to speaking up against those who are doing wrong within our faith. Things that makes us look bad.
Likewise we have a very bad record when it comes to judging those outside the church. Some outside the Christian community, because of the negative actions they see done in the name of Christ,  going as far as calling Christians hypocrites and bigots.
We need to be open and honest. Christianity like any group will from time to time find people in their midst that are Christians in name only. Their actions are not actions of true believers.
We need as Paul says, to, “Expel the wicked from among us.”
As for judging others outside our faith we need to stop doing it period. There is a quote I am fond of quoting from the late American evangelist Billy Graham who said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham

He’s right. We would not want people judging us simply because we disagree with their beliefs of lifestyle.
Rather than judging others we should remember 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.
If we remembered just these words of Jesus we would be able to present the Gospel of Christ far more easily and win more souls for Christ.
Please think about it.

At Peace with God

At Peace with God
The apostle Peter writing to Christians reminds believers that Jesus will one day return and this earth will pass away. That He will come quickly when we are least expecting it. Therefor we need to be at peace with God. Peter writes,
“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. 
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 
   That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.  2 Peter 3:10-14.
If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, are you at peace with God?
Are you living a life that is spotless, blameless and at peace with God?
Would others say that about you?
Please think about it.

Live at Peace

Live at Peace
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
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.
Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness.
As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They never got involved in politics.
They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love.
While not compromising their beliefs they presented the gospel message in a none confrontational way.
As a result they presented their beliefs to the common man in market places.
They spoke to Jews and the God-fearing Greeks.
The apostle Paul was asked by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers to present his beliefs in the Areopagus in Athens. Which the apostle Paul did. With positive results.
They also spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society, from slaves to rulers. With positive results.
As a result they reached the known world for Christ.
Their formula was simple. Stay on message. Present the unadulterated gospel message in a respectful, non-judgmental and peaceful way to anyone who will listen.
And never, never, never judge those around you.
Billy Graham the American evangelist made a wise statement when he said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                     Billy Graham

This is what we should do. Always remembering 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.

Christian Principles: Deeds

Christian Principles: Deeds
James the half brother of Jesus states,
“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.
There are many Christians who will tell you, you are saved by faith. That is true. However James here make it clear our faith needs to be accompanied by works. Good deeds.
   If we indeed have true faith in Jesus it will spur us on to good deeds. Simply believing in God should never be enough for the believer in Christ Jesus. We need to put our faith into action.
Jesus made this clear when he 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.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you putting your faith into action?
Please think about it.

Christian principle for living: Love

Christian Principles for Living:Love
There are some very important precepts within Christianity that all true believers in Christ Jesus I believe must be following. The first is Love.
Jesus said when asked the question,
“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 we hear Jesus taking this concept of love one step further. He 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.
When it comes to Love the Apostle Paul made clear what Christian Love should be. 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.

What these Scriptures from the New Testament say needs no interpretation. They make clear that believers in Christ Jesus should love unconditionally, God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. Not only that they should be praying for those who persecute them.
Thus the questions we as believers in Christ Jesus should be asking ourselves is; Am I loving all those with whom I come in contact with, friend, family or foe, in the way Jesus would have me love? Am I loving them in both word and deed?
Please think about it. 

Christian attributes,

Christian attributes
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,
“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.
Here is a simple test for anyone calling themselves a believer in Christ Jesus. Are the above “fruits of the Spirit” working in you.
Now keep in mind believers in Christ are far from perfect. We are all human with human frailties and failings.
That being said however as believers in Christ we should be striving to be Christ like. We should be trying to make the fruits of the spirit part of our daily life.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

If our lives are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, the sermon people will see in us is the Love of Jesus.
Question: When people see your life do they truly see the fruit of the Spirit of God?
Please think about it.