Judgement

Judgement

"In the beginning God created 

the heavens and the earth." 

                                         Genesis 1:1

Abba Hillel Silver wrote,

"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.

The Bible does not try to prove the existence of God. It was written to believers in God and to believers no explanation is necessary.

Belief in God however is as Abba Hillel Silver put it “the strongest bulwark of a free society...”

When men forget or do not believe in God, society can quickly degenerate into a very bad place to be. We just have to look at Nazi Germany during world war two. Millions of people murdered in death camps.

And it doesn’t stop there. Today around the world there are governments and groups who refuse to accept the existence of God. Thus they do as they wish. Believing that they have no one to answer to.

The writer of Ecclesiastes however issues a warning to all people,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

The question is do you believe this.

Please think about it.

If you truly seek

 If you truly seek

In Deuteronomy we read,

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, 

you will find him

 if you look for him with all your heart 

and with all your soul."  

                                                     Deuteronomy 4:29 

Someone has said,

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” Author Unknown.

The truth is simple. You truly must be looking for God to find Him. If you’ve made up your mind that God does not exist. Then you will never find God.

So the question becomes are you truly looking for God?

Please think about it.

Saviour of all who put their faith in Him

 Saviour of all who puts their faith in Him

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”Romans 8:38,39.

I could not agree more with the apostle Paul. Almost from the day Jesus ascended into heaven religious and political leaders and individuals have tried to stop the church. None have succeeded.

In Acts Chapter five. Two of Christs disciples were brought before the Sanhedrin. The Jewish religious leaders, to stand trial for preaching about Jesus. These men wanted to put the disciples to death but the book of Acts records,

“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  

Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  

Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  

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 5:34-39

Since that day many have tried to stop the spread of Christianity to no avail.

Jesus is the One and Only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind and no one will ever stop His message of Salvation from reaching people.

Thus the question becomes, do you believe that Jesus is the One and only Son of God. The Saviour of all who will put their faith in Him.

Please think about it.

Sing with Joy

 Sing with Joy

The Psalmist writes

"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;

 let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 

Let them praise his name with dancing 

and make music to him with tambourine and harp. 

For the LORD takes delight in his people;

 he crowns the humble with salvation. 

Let the saints rejoice in this honour 

and sing for joy on their beds." 

                                                       Psalm 149:2-5.

If you are a true believer in God, a true believer in Christ Jesus, why not take some time right now to rejoice in your maker?

Please think about it.

 Fixed on Jesus

The writer of Hebrews said,

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2.

Here is a simple admonition from the writer of the book of Hebrews to all who believe in Christ Jesus. 

We are to keep our eyes on Jesus.

That to me means following His teachings and example. That at times may mean we will have to endure hardships. It may mean those around us will call our following Jesus shameful.

Ultimately however we will be able to say as the apostle Paul wrote,

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Paul from the day of his conversion until the day he died, no matter what circumstance he was in good or bad, in prison or free, kept his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

If you truly believe in Christ Jesus, can you say that also?

Please think about it.

Wager

Wager

James writes,

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:13,14.

I think everyone who has ever lived has had to ask themselves what happens after I die? Life is brief, eternity is forever. Thus the question becomes where will you spend eternity?

Atheist say there is no God, and no heaven. That when you pass from this world you simply pass into oblivion.

On the other hand we who believe in Christ Jesus believe there is a God and a heaven. A God that will one day decide where you will spend eternity. 

A God who has offered each individual the chance to know where they will spend eternity while still in this life. Paul and Silas in prison said to the Jailor,

"..."Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts16:31.

Paul also 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 the hope Christians have that when we pass from this life we will spend eternity with God.

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

So where will you place your bet?

Please think about it.

With Actions and Truth

 With actions and truth

The apostle John writes,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18.

This speaks for itself. As believers in Christ Jesus, we are called if necessary to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are also called to help those who are in need. To have compassion for those less fortunate than us.

This is not a new concept in the book or Deuteronomy we read,

"If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbour… Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land." Deuteronomy 15:7, 11.

So are you helping those less fortunate than yourself?

Please think about it.

A forgotten fact

 A forgotten fact

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17.

This to my way of thinking is a forgotten fact. Christians are quick to recite John 3:16 that reads,

"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.” 

But they forget John 3:17, which gives the purpose of Jesus’ ministry on the earth. It is this verse that Christians, believers in Christ Jesus must remember.

It is our duty as believers to win souls for Christ. Not judge them, or in any way put up barriers that prevents them from coming to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus; take a look at your life and ask yourself am I truly presenting the Love of Christ in word and in deed?

Think about these words from Francis of Asissi,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                                   Francis of Assisi  

Please think about it.

 In the same way

Jesus said,

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."Matthew 5:16.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus is your light showing your good deeds?

The apostle Peter writes,

"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.

Question; When people look at your life what are the people seeing?

Please think about it.

Come you who are blessed

Come you who are blessed

Jesus said,

"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, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"Matthew 25:44-45.

Where do you stand when it comes to helping the poor?

If you’re an average person on the street do you give to the poor through charities or even giving a few coins to someone begging on the street.

If you’re a pastor or evangelist does your church give a portion of its income to helping the poor?

If you’re a Christian politician, are you active in helping to pass legislation that benefits the poor and the homeless?

When you stand before God will you hear,

"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.'” Matthew 25:34-36.

Please think about it.

They will

 They will

In the book of James we read,

“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.

Jesus makes one thing clear. We are not to judge. He states,

“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.

Jesus makes it clear we are not to judge anyone. Sadly many calling themselves Christians judge people all the time. I see this especially among those who call themselves evangelical Christians. 

They are always out there pointing out sin. Judging people because of the way they live or their lifestyle.

Christians are not to do it! Jesus made it clear what the job of the Christian is 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.

We cannot win a soul for Christ if we even give the appearance of judging them. 

Our job as believers in Christ Jesus is to present the love and mercy God offers all mankind through Christ Jesus. 

After that they must decide for themselves if they believe it or not.

It is my belief that if those calling themselves Christians continue to judge those they disagree with. They will be the ones God judges.

Please think about it.

Proclaim

 Proclaim

Isaiah the prophet wrote,

“Give praise to the Lord, 

proclaim his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done.” 

                                                                               Isaiah 12:4

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 duty of all who believe in God. Of all who believe in Christ Jesus. We are to go into all the world and make disciples. 

We are to tell the world around us about the love of God and the salvation offered through Christ Jesus. 

Jesus speaking of Himself 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.

If we are truly following God we should be focussed on saving those around us and nothing else.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you telling the people around you about the salvation that comes from belief in Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.