How far we should go

  How far we should go

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

“For the Son of Man came not to be served 

but to serve, 

and to give his life a ransom for many” 

                                                       Mark 10:25.

Do you serve? 

I am part of a Church where people love to serve and are encouraged to do so. There’s a call to help with the food bank, a homeless and street ministry, children’s ministry, music ministry, the list goes on and on. 

Years ago when I was just new to the faith while attending another church. I remember a man who was in his mid to late fifties, who by his actions taught me to serve. He was on our church board.

I met him one day in the church nursery just after the service. He was holding a young baby who had just thrown up on him smiling and rocking the child gently. 

He wasn’t suppose to be on that particular day but they were short staffed and he offered to fill in during the service. That man was the vice president of a major Canadian bank. A man who firmly believed in serving God and his fellow man in whatever way he could.

As Christians we are called to follow the example of Jesus who came to serve.

Think about it the very person who created the heavens and the earth, entered the world He created in the form of Christ Jesus to point us to heaven. 

Jesus showed in very human terms how far He would go to show us the way to heaven. 

The apostle Paul echoed what Jesus is quoted as saying in Mark 10:25 when he writes,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

That’s how far Christ would go for us. And I believe should the circumstance require it, it’s how far we should be willing to go to show someone the way to heaven.

Please think about it.

It's not Luck. It's God

  It’s not luck It’s God

In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                          Genesis 1:1.

Can you imagine wining a lottery in which the odds are an astronomical 700 quintillion (7 followed by 20 zeros 700,000,000,000,000,000,000) to 1 against you. That’s what Discover magazine suggests is the odds of a planet anywhere in the universe having life as we know it on it.

Some scientists tell us that we got the winning ticket. Christians say it was God that designed the universe for us.

Even Stephen Hawking one of the brightest minds of the twentieth century noted,

“The universe and the laws of physics 

seem to have been specifically designed for us” 

                                                             Stephen Hawking.

Lord William Kelvin Noted for his theoretical work in thermodynamics,

“If you study Science deep enough and long enough, 

it will force you to believe in God”

                                 Lord William Kelvin

Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics Nobel prize in physics said,

“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist,

but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you” 

                                                                   Werner Heisenberg 

William Philips Nobel prize winning Physicist stated,

“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it”

                                                                            William Phillips

All of these are distinguished all agree there is a God. So my question to you is, Do you have the faith to believe in God, because the writer of Hebrews states,

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

“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.

Please think about it. 

Are you looking for this?

  Are you looking for this?

The Apostle Paul writes,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...”2 Timothy 3:1-4.

I hear from the pulpit and other reliable Christian sources that it is widely believed we are in the “Last Days”. The days just prior to Christ coming and the ultimate judgement of mankind. And I have no reason not to believe it. And besides we technically have been in the last days since Christ ascended to heaven. 

That being said my wife ever the book worm was given some old books One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.

It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency, courage."

This is exactly what the apostle Paul was talking about in his letter to Timothy. Sadly especially were I live in North America, there are many claiming to be Christians who are simply religious men and women saying they are Christian. 

While the true Christian message of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is lost. 

Paul Gallico and many others are looking for true Christianity. A life style fashioned on Love for God, and one’s neighbours.

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

Please think about it.

Watch out for false prophets

  Watch out for false prophets

Jesus said,

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:15-16.

This warning from Jesus is sadly not listened to a lot of the time where I live here in North America. Many people see and follow some self-proclaimed man of God and don’t check out what he is saying against biblical teaching.

These men and women sound like they are teaching the word of God truthfully but are not. Most are in it for the money and prestige.

They are charlatans leading people astray.

As Christians we need to question pastors, priests, evangelist, and Christian teachers. We need to hold them accountable for their words and deeds.

Please think about it. 

The house of mourning is better?

  The house of mourning is better?

In Ecclesiastes we read,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2.

I fully agree with this statement. Being in a house were someone has passed away should give us pause to consider our mortality.

I remember some years ago going to the funeral of my wife’s youngest brother. He was only 41. The funeral was held in his favourite bar. While there was a heaviness in the air. Most of his friends were quite up beat. The pastor gave a simple but good salvation message, but I think it fell of deaf ears. Most of those hearing the message had never gone to church and seemed to accept that one day they would die. What happened after that didn’t seem to matter to them. Their motto seemed to be “live for today. For tomorrow we die”. How sad.

I think at some point in our life we need to think about were we will spend eternity.

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

The apostle John wrote,

"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." 1John 1:9-10.

The apostle John also wrote,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13.

Please think about it. 

A Strong Bulwark

 A strong Bulwark

In Ecclesiastes we read,

"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." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

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.

Abba Hillel Silver is right. It is only when men realize that ultimately there is a God they must answer to that society becomes a better place.

If memory serves me correctly Abba Hillel Silver wrote those words during the dark days of World War Two when millions we dying in the concentration camps. Concentration camps set up by evil men who did not recognize God.

The same thing is happening today in some countries around the world. It is also happening in some of the so called democracies of the world where people are putting political leader ahead of God while turning a blind eye to the evil being done.

Ultimately God will judge everyone. It is therefore imperative that we who truly believe in the gospel of Christ Jesus present His saving grace and the love He shows to all people to all we come in contact with.

Please think about it. 

Use Wisdom

 Use Wisdom

In the book of Colossians we read, 

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:3-6.

Jesus said,

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.

When I look at these two portions of scripture I see a cautionary note. We are called to proclaim the Gospel. While at the same time we are called to be cautious. 

There are people out there that don’t want anything to do with Christians or God. Some are outrightly hostile to the gospel message, as such we need to be cautious around them.

When we present the gospel we need to be respectful. We need to respectfully listen to them and answer their questions. Pointing them to the saving grace of God through Christ Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christian is this how you proclaim the gospel message?

Please think about it.

That you may also have fellowship with God

  That you also may have fellowship with us.

The apostle John writes,

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  

We write this to make our joy complete.” 1John 1:1-4.

The apostle John here tells why he is writing to the church of his day and by extension to us. He tells us that he heard, he seen, he touched “that which was from the beginning”. From the creation of the world.

John and all the apostles truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the Creator of the world.

        So the question becomes was he telling the truth or lying?

Please think about it. 

I have not seen God but...

  I have not seen God but...

The Psalmist writes,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                                   Psalm 19:1.

I am an unabashed creationist. I believe God created the heavens and the earth. Whether that took millions of years and started with the big bang is unimportant. God is God and He could have done it either way.

Ben Zion Bokser wrote,

“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.

To my mind the earth and indeed the universe is fine tuned so that like as we know it can exist and the one that fine tuned the universe is God.

Please think about it.

Citizens of God's People

  Citizens with God’s people

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.” Ephesians 2:19.

Here the writer of Ephesians makes it clear “we are citizens with God’s people... members of His household.”

This is something we as believers in Christ Jesus should always remember. While we might be citizens of the country we are born in. The moment we accept Christ into our heart we become citizens of Christ. AND not only that we become members of God’s household.

Please think about it.

Continue to live in Christ

  Continue to live in Christ

In the book of Colossians we read,

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6,7.

As believers we must remember to continue to live in Jesus. 

In this 24/7 world we live in with all its distractions it’s easy to fall away from Christ. It’s easy to combine teachings of the world with the teachings of the Bible. Quite often we do this without even noticing. The teachings of the world like drips from a tap mingle slowly with the teachings of the scriptures without us noticing diluting the true meaning of Gods word.

We should never mix worldly teaching with the Bible. Rather we should be teaching the Gospel message as pure as we know how to do.

In the book of Jude we read,

“But you must remember beloved the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires."  

These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 

Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” Jude 1:17-23.

Please think about it.

You're a Light to the world

  You’re a Light to the world

Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

I think Christians overlook this scripture sometimes. They forget they are the light of the world. It is through our words and deeds that people will see the light that is Christ Jesus.

All too often people calling themselves Christians do not shine like they should. For a myriad of reasons there are many out there in the world calling themselves Christians but are not. The Apostle Paul stating,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

This is happening particularly in the United states, but also in other countries. 

It is therefor up to the true believer to let their light of the true gospel message shine before all those around them.

If you consider yourself a Christian does your light shine?

Do people know you are a true Christian by both your words and deeds?

Please think about it.