A Standard for Christian living

 A Standard for Christian living

As Christians I believe there are certain standards we must live by. By live by I mean everything we do must line up with these standards. Standards set by Jesus himself and the apostles.

1/ 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

From the above scriptures we can see that we must love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. And we must pray for them. These are absolute truths directly from Jesus.

2/Live in Peace.

The apostle Paul states,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18.

The writer of Hebrews agrees with this saying,

3/ Live Holy lives

"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 we must endeavour to live at peace and live holy lives, for "...without holiness no one will see the Lord." 

4/Respect authority.

The apostle Paul tells us to,

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,... "Titus3:1

5/Do not slander

".....slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." Titus 3:2.

6/Exhibit the fruits of a true Christian. The fruit of the Spirit

The apostle Paul 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.

7/ Respect others even if you vehemently disagree with them. 

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.

If you claim to be a true follower of Christ Jesus...

Please don’t just think about what is said here. Do it.

Showing Love

 Showing Love

Isaiah the prophet said,

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” Isaiah 1:17.

Sadly I feel here in North America there are many Christians who do not follow what Isaiah is saying here. This has been especially true during the last four years in America. Compassion for the poor, fatherless, widows and oppressed has been lacking. 

Politicians calling themselves Christians have refused to use their position of power to help those in need. Some even going as far as calling those who wish to pass legislation to help the poor Communist.

To make matters worse it seems that many Christian leaders particularly in the United states are silent on the matter of poverty within America.

I like what Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,

“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.

This is what we as believers in Christ Jesus should be doing. For in showing the love of God in very practical ways we will win souls for Christ.

Please think about it.

How Majestic

 How majestic

The Psalmist writes.

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:9.

I make no secret of it I am a believer in Christ Jesus. I believe that Jesus is the one and Only Son of God. 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.

That is why I want to tell people about Jesus. That is why from time to time like now, I like to join with the Psalmist who said,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                             Psalm 150.

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus why not take some time right not to simply praise God.

Please think about it.

How Certain are You?

 How Certain are you?

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

Here is a question for you. If you do not believe in God or the saving grace offered by Christ Jesus are you certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that God does not exist. Are you one hundred percent certain that Jesus is not Gods one and Only Son. The saviour of mankind.

The way I see it to be certain there is no God and that Jesus is not the saviour of mankind you would have had to been everywhere. And the one place no one living has been is beyond the grave. Thus God could and I believe is, waiting for you beyond the grave.

Not only that if we look carefully enough in this world we can see Gods handiwork in creation. The psalmist telling us,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                    Psalm 19:1.

Jesus speaking of himself issued a warning 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.

Do you believe this statement of Jesus, or are you certain God and the eternal life with God offered by Jesus is false?

How certain are you?

Please think about it.

In need of God

 In need of God

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians said, 

"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.

This is a key element of Christian belief. Christians believe that it is by the Grace of God through Christ Jesus that we get to heaven. Not by our works. Christians maintain that we cannot be good enough to enter heaven. Thus God made away by sending Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins.

Christianity is God reaching down to man and offering him salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

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.

Are you that man or woman? A person in need of God?

Why not take a moment to pray and ask God to come into your heart today. Perhaps consider this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father.

I thank you for your grace that comes through faith in Christ Jesus. Please forgive my sins and come into my life today. Show me your ways. Teach me what it is to be your servant, your follower. Amen.

Please think about it.

Post script;

If you sincerely prayed and believed this prayer. I urge you study the Bible. Then I would urge you to find a church or group of believers where you can study together.

As this blog is read all over the world I personally recommend a church. But I recommend Baptist churches as well as Presbyterian, Anglican, Church of England, salvation army, if you live in countries where they are present.

If you do not all I can say is pray and ask God to show you to a church or house fellowship.    

The apostles testimony

The apostles testimony

The book of Acts records Peter and the other apostle standing before Jewish leaders (the Sanhedrin) and saying,

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:30-32.

When they said this some in the Sanhedrin wanted to put them to death. It was a bold statement for Peter and the Apostles to make. They I’m sure were not unaware that they could be put to death. Yet still they did what God had told them to do.

Fortunately cooler heads prevailed a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people stood up and gave the members of the Sanhedrin a brief history lesson of how others had arisen claiming to be the Messiah only to have those who followed them to scatter when their leader died.

Gamaliel concluded, 

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:38,39.

The result was the Apostles were flogged and let go. The book of Acts interestingly recording,

"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(of Jesus)" Acts 5:41.

I firmly believe that what the apostles and the New Testament teaches is true. That it’s message is from God. That nothing, governments, terrorist groups, or others can stop the spread of the gospel message because it is from God.

Thus the question I have for you is, do you believe what the New Testament teaches and the apostles believed. That Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of mankind?

Please think about it. 

Held in high regard

 Held in high regard

The book of Acts states,

"The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade.  

No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.  

Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. Acts 5:12-14.

The apostles performed many miraculous signs and they were held in high regard by the people around them. As a result many men and women believe in the Lord. 

Here is an example all believers in Christ Jesus need to follow. 

The apostle Peter writes,

"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.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to heed Peters advice. We need to abstain from sinful desires. We need to live as good a life as is humanly possible. For in doing so we will attract men and women to Christ.

If you consider yourself a follower of Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it.

What they should be doing

 What they should be doing

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.  

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  

You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:" ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.'  

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  

They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  

Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”Acts 4:23-32.

This was one powerful prayer. The apostles prayed for boldness, to perform miraculous signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. Which did indeed happen.

Not only that it is happening today. I have read many confirmed stories coming from especially the persecuted churches around the world about miraculous healing and wonders in the name of Jesus.

Unfortunately here in North America while there are confirmed miracles, there are many preachers and evangelist who claim to be performing miracles but are not. Bringing the name of Jesus into disrepute.

Their gatherings seem to be more about raising money than doing the work of God. 

Do faith healers, evangelist and pastors really need private jets or multi-million dollar houses? Peter, and the apostles of Christ didn’t.

Believers in the book of acts are noted for selling land and other things to help the poor among them. Why can’t these rich preachers and evangelist do the same?

The book of acts talking about believers state,

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.  

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.  

There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. Acts 32-37.

This is what I believe true believers especially millionaire pastors and evangelist should be doing with the money their organization is bringing in.

Please think about it.

No other name

 No other name

The book of Acts records,

“He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'  

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11,12.

The apostles Peter and John after being brought before the religious leaders of his day (the Sanhedrin) for healing a man in the name of Jesus makes this bold statement about Jesus,

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12.

This is what Peter and John believed. This is what all the apostles believed and this is what true Christians believe today.

To a true believer in Christ Jesus, accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is the way to heaven. There is no other way.

When Peter made this statement he could have been punished severely. Thrown in jail or potentially even stoned. The only reason he wasn’t was because the religious leaders of his day feared the public reaction. The book of acts records,

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  

But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.  

So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.  

"What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.”

The result was they told Peter and John not to preach in Jesus name. As the book of acts records,

"But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  

But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.  

For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 

After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  

For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. Acts 4:17-22.

As I said what Peter and John believed then is believed by believers in Christ Jesus today. Notably 

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12.

And just like Peter and John believers in Christ Jesus are willing to be called up before non-believing authorities for telling those around them what they believe. Like them also they are willing to face imprisonment and even death for what they believe. 

If you are a believer in Christ Jesus are you presenting this message?

If you don’t believe that Christ Jesus is the way to heaven then I would ask you to take some time to read the New Testament and see for yourself what the early church believed about Him.

Please think about it.

Anyone can

Anyone can

The Psalmist writes,

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.

This is one of my favourite scriptures. Put simply it says God knows why we are the way we are. He knows our DNA. That is why God and only God has the right to judge anyone especially with respect to where they will spend eternity.

The Bible makes it clear how we are to get to heaven. The apostle Paul makes it clear,

"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.

If we look at the crucifixion of Jesus we see crucified with Jesus a man who by his own admission was a thief deserving of the punishment being rendered to him. Yet Jesus tells him he will be with Him in paradise. Luke’s gospel recording,

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

Anyone can get to heaven if they truly turn from their sins, believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, and confess their sins to Him.

As I said at the beginning God knows why we are the way we are. He knows if we are truly repenting of our sins. If we have truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Which is something we as mere humans cannot. And thus must not judge anyone with respect to where they will spend eternity. 

The job of the Christian. The true believer in Christ Jesus is simple. 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.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

According to works

 According to works

“Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this; 

that power belongs to God,

and that to you, O Lord belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his works” 

                               Psalm 62:11,12.

While it is true we are saved by faith. It is also true that God will judge everyone by their works.

That being said all who have faith in Christ Jesus will do the work of God. In the book of James we read,

"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.

So my question to you is do your works show your faith?

When you stand before God what will He say about the works you did for Him in this life?

Please think about it.

For God Alone

 For God alone

The Psalmist writes,

For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, 

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 

                                                                  Psalm 62:1,2.

For me as a Christian this says it all. 

My soul does wait in silence for God.

My salvation come from God alone.

God alone is my rock, the foundation of my faith, my salvation.

God is my fortress and because of this I shall not be shaken no matter what I go through.

Question.

Can you say this?

Please think about it.