Persecuted for the right reason

  Persecuted for the right reason

In the book of Acts we see the apostle Paul after being brought before King Agrippa in chains telling him how he was faithful to the vision he received on the road to Damascus when he became a believer in Christ Jesus. The book of Acts records.

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  

That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.  

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—  that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles." 

At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 

"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.  

The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.  

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 

Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:19-29.

The apostle Paul here was being persecuted for his beliefs. He was being persecuted for saying, 

“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:20b.

If we are truly believers in Christ Jesus and are being persecuted this is what we should be being persecuted for. For calling those around us to “repent and turn to God”. For presenting the gospel of Christ Jesus.

Sadly many times here in North America with all our freedoms those who claim to be Christians say they are being persecuted for their faith when they are not. 

Many Christians here use their freedom of speech to condemn, judge and even attack, those they disagree with. Then when they receive criticism they call it persecution.

Many Christians particularly in the United States mix their politics with their faith and try to restrict the rights or take away rights of those they disagree with.

If we are truly servants of God then we will willingly sit down with those we disagree with, and in a loving way listen to them. While at the same time in a loving and respectful manner present the gospel of Christ Jesus.

The late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr. wrote,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

The whole gospel message is that of Love the love of God not just for mankind as a whole, but for each individual. So, if we are to be persecuted for what we believe and what we are preaching let it be because we are preaching the Love of God.

Please think about it.

 

Calling on the name of the Lord

  Calling on the name of the Lord

“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 would guess that most people never think about their mortality or where they will spend eternity. 

In the book of acts we read about Paul speaking to his jailor it reads,

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts 16:30,31.

Paul writing to the Romans wrote,

“...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13.

Have you called on the name of the Lord?

Do you believe Jesus died for your sins?

Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and saviour?

If not here is a simple pray you can say.

Dear Heavenly Father

I know that I am a sinner in need of your saving grace. I believe that Jesus prayed the price for my sins. Please come into my life today. Guide me and lead me from this day on.                                                                      Amen

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour...

Please think about it.

Because He loved us

  Because He loved us

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."1John 4:10.

Christianity is different from other faiths. We as Christians believe God reached down to us in love. The apostle John stating,

"We love because he first loved us."1John 4:19.

C. S. Lewis noted,

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."  C.S. Lewis.

I firmly believe we cannot reach high enough to reach God. I also believe we cannot be good enough to get into heaven. That’s why Christ came into this world.

In the book of Romans we read,

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

Have you experienced the love of God in your life?

Please think about it.  

Thanking God

 Thanking God

The Psalmist writes,

“You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 

      Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:28,29.

When was the last time you simply prayed and thanked God for being your God?

When was the last time you thanked God for being good?

When was the last time you thanked God that His love endures forever.

If you are a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus you should be praying all the time. But quite often when we pray we pray that God will help us or others and there is nothing wrong with that.

However we need to take time every day to thank God for what He is.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Standing with Jesus

 Standing with Jesus

In the book of James we read,

“You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”  James 4:4

Jesus said,

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24.

If we are going to follow Christ we must follow him wholeheartedly. We cannot blend the ways of the world with our faith. We must be willing to as Jesus said,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34.

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him(Jesus), we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13.

So where do you stand with Jesus?

Please think about it. 

In the name of Christ

  In the name of Christ

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.

A bright light shines on Christians. So much so we cannot do things lightly. Our faith must be sincere backed by our actions. 

In the book of James we read,

"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."  James 2:17,18.

Christians are called to put “legs on” our prayers. We need to pray then get up and do what God has commanded us to do. Jesus in sending out the twelve apostles in the gospel of Matthew states,

“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.'  

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:6-8.

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.

Just what are you doing for Christ and are you doing it in the name of Christ?

Please think about it.

Judged

  Judged

“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) Romans 2:13-15

Hear Paul is making it clear that those who hear the law are not necessarily righteous, but rather those who obey the law.

Saying that if Gentiles obey the law without actually having heard the law will be found righteous.

We all from birth have a conscience and as we grow we know clearly what is right and wrong. It’s engraved on our heart.

While it is by believing in Christ Jesus that we get to heaven. We will only be judged by what we know about Christ and the salvation that comes through him.

Please think about it.