True Christians

True Christians
In the book of Hebrews we read,
"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 Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18.
Christianity has a bad reputation in many circles. Throughout history men and women calling themselves Christians have not lived at peace with those around them. They have been responsible for the crusades, the Spanish inquisition, slavery and more.
Even in our day and time men and women calling themselves Christians are seen by some as uncaring bigots who do not live up to the ideals of Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                                 Mahatma Gandhi.

Sadly he is right. Many calling themselves Christians are not like Jesus. If we are following the teachings of Jesus and the apostles we should be living at peace with those around us.
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.
I believe those exhibiting these fruits are true Christians. Are true followers of Christ Jesus. Those who are not, are not true Christians. It’s that simple.
Please think about it.

Rest

Rest
In the book of exodus we read,
“Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.” Exodus 20:9,10.
With this scripture we as Christians could get into a debate about if we should rest on Saturday or Sunday. We could get very legalistic and debate what constitutes work on the Sabbath.
Critics of Jesus in his day criticised him and his disciples for picking and eating grain as they walked through a grain field. Matthew’s gospel noting,
“At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." Matthew 12:1,2.
The Pharisees seen Jesus and his disciples as harvesting the grain. Work, an unlawful act on the Sabbath.
The way I see things here is we shouldn’t get legalistic. Does it really matter when we take a day of rest as long as we take a day of rest. I worked for years in an industry where I had to work on Friday, Saturday and even Sunday afternoons. While I attended church Sunday morning my day of rest was usually Monday.
On Monday people knew not to bother me. It was a day for me to rest and revitalize myself.
I think that’s what God intended by setting aside one day to rest.
In our 24/7 culture where quite often the work is brought home and even taken on vacations. We need to heed God and take twenty-four hours for ourselves every week to rest and relax. It certainly can’t do any harm and will probably do us a world of Good.
Please think about it.

Christian life

Christian life
Matthew’s gospel records this someone asking Jesus,
"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.
Jesus also said,
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.
As believers in Christ Jesus we must follow these commands of Jesus. They are the base of our faith. You cannot be a believer in Jesus if you do not love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
You must treat others the way you want to be treated.
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 25:41-46.
As believers in Christ Jesus our faith must spur us on to do good deeds. We are Christ’ ambassadors on this earth. It is through our words and deed that people will see Christ. Thus it is incumbent for us to do whatever we can to help those around us.
If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Are you doing what you can to help those around you?
Please think about it.

Our Inheritance

Our inheritance
The apostle Peter writes,
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  1Peter 1:3-5.
As believers in Christ Jesus we truly believe what Peter is saying here. Through our belief in Christ Jesus we have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Earthly powers over the centuries have tried to force believers in Christ to recant their faith. They have destroyed church buildings and killed millions of believers all to no avail.
Earthly powers cannot destroy what is in heaven. Thus we can say with the Psalmist,

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, 

whose hope is in the LORD his God,

 the Maker of heaven and earth, 

the sea, and everything in them—

the LORD, who remains faithful forever.  

                                                                Psalm 146:5,6

Question; can you say this?
Please think about it.

The call of Jesus

The Call of Jesus
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.
This is the call of Jesus to all who believe in Him. To go into all the world and tell the world about Him. As Christians we believe what Jesus said about himself when he said,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
The purpose of Jesus coming into this world was to show not just mankind as a whole but individuals the way to heaven.
As C. S. Lewis 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.
We also must remember that Jesus also issued a warning saying,
“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 3:18.
That being said I believe that having faith that Jesus is the way to heaven is one of the hardest things anyone can do.
I also believe that God wanted it that way because men and women of faith are willing to suffer and die for what they believe.
Thus it is up to you the reader to decide what you believe about Jesus. Is he the Son of God, The Saviour of mankind, or is he not?
Please think about it.

Christ's Ambassadors

Christ’s Ambassadors
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20.
We are Christ’s ambassadors. Which means we represent God on this earth. It is our job as Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus to tell the world about the saving grace that comes from God through Christ Jesus.
The apostle Paul telling Timothy,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.
Sadly many calling themselves Christians her in North America at least, act more like they are God. Judging the world around them. Something that is not theirs to do. Only God has the right to judge individuals or groups.
The apostle Paul states,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The way I see it the only time we have the right to judge anyone is to judge those who call themselves believers in Christ Jesus and are not handling the word of God correctly. At which time as Paul states we are to expel them from among us.
Billy Graham the late American evangelist stated,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                               Billy Graham.

Centuries prior to Billy Graham, Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer that everyone who calls themselves a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus needs to take to heart.

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.

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

Please if you consider yourself a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus....
Think about it

It's up to you

It’s up to you
In the gospel of John we read Jesus saying this about himself,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, believe this statement. We believe that it is a choice God places before each individual on this earth.
We believe that each individual must decide for themselves if this is true of false. We believe either way one decides, has eternal consequences.
As C. S. Lewis put it.
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it.

An Eternal bet

An eternal bet

The psalmist writes,

"You are my refuge and my shield; 

I have put my hope in your word."

                                                        Psalm 119:114.

Here is a simple thought. There are many in this world who say there is no God. I respect their beliefs.
That being said I believe there is a God who loves us. The creator of heaven and earth. A God who entered the world He created in the form of His one and only Son Jesus.
If I am wrong I have nothing to fear. Blaise Pascal wrote,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
Thus my question to you the reader; Where have you placed your bet?
Please think about it.

I will give thanks

I will give thanks
The Psalmist writes,

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness 

and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” 

                                                                                        Psalm 7:17.

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” 

                                                                      Psalm 9:1,2.

In the book of Joshua we read,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. 
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15.
I’m with Joshua on this one. I will praise God and serve God with my whole heart. I will tell the world about God, and the saving grace that comes through His One and Only Son Christ Jesus.
When it comes to those around me what they do with respect to God is up to them.
God has given every person on the earth freedom of choice. That includes believing in God. Thus it is up to you the reader to decide who you will follow.
Please think about it.

If we confess

If we confess
The Apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
This is a key statement of Christianity. It is very simple.
1/ Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord.
2/ Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.
3/ Everyone who calls on the name of The Lord will be saved.
Thus my question to you the reader is; do you believe this?
Before you answer the question however, I would ask that you take time to read The New Testament. Then decide for yourself based on what is presented there whether or not Jesus is what Christians say he is.
Please think about it.

The Lord Lives

The Lord Lives
The psalmist writes,

"The LORD lives! 

Praise be to my Rock!

 Exalted be God my Saviour!" 

                                                       Psalm 18:46.

As a believer in God. As a believer in Christ Jesus I have no doubt God exists and that He entered this world He created in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus.
I believe the Psalmist when he says,

“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.

Science tells me the universe has a beginning. Science tells me that everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the greatest galaxy are interconnected. Science tells me that we are at the perfect position not just in the solar system but in the universe for life to exist as we know it. All of this indicates to me there is a creator of the universe and everything in it.
That being said when it comes to believing in God it takes a leap of faith. A leap God wants us to take. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"And without faith it is impossible to please God,

 because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." 

                                                                                   Hebrews 11:6

Faith defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                                          Hebrews 11:1

I personally believe God wants us to make that leap of faith because having faith in anything is exceptionally hard for most people. As a result those who have faith especially in things they cannot see are the strongest of believers.
Thus my question to you; Do you have the faith to believe in God?
Please think about it.

Think about it.

Think about it.
The prophet Isaiah writes,
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tiered or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers and believers do not debate his existence. Even though they cannot physically see God they have faith He exists.
The psalmist states,

“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.

Science done right I believe will show the existence of God. We know the universe has a beginning. Not only that we know that everything in the universe from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy are linked.
Even Stephen Hawking one of the greatest minds of our time stated,
“The universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us" Stephen Hawking. 
Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics wrote,
“Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life and one which has an underlying (one might say ‘supernatural’) plan.” Dr. Arno Penzias.
Another Nobel prize winners in Physics William Philips, wrote,
“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it”William Philips.
God is real, whether you want to believe in Him or not. As C. S. Lewis said,
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." C.S. Lewis.
When it comes to God however it is up to you. In making mankind God did not make robots. He created living beings with a freewill to choose to believe and do what they wish.
God will never force His will upon you.
Jesus however talking about himself gave us a warning stating,
"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.
Please think about it.