Getting to heaven, a Christian belief,

 Getting to heaven, A Christian belief.

The Bible also makes it clear how we get to heaven. It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,

Jesus speaking about 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.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. And we all at some point in our lives fall short of what God wants for our life. Sin separates us from God.

Isaiah telling us, 

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

There is however hope.

  The apostle John noting,

“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.”1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating, 

“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

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith on the individuals part. Hebrews stating,

“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

This is what true Christians believe and I leave it here for your consideration with these words from C. S. Lewis, who wrote,

“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.

Seeking with your whole heart

 Seeking with your whole heart

“You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                               Jeremiah 29:13

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading. People are becoming lovers of self.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.

It's 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."

What Gallico is searching for is Christ Jesus.

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Have you asked Jesus into your life?

Please think about it.

It is good to praise the Lord

  It’s good to praise the Lord

The Psalmist writes,

“It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.” Psalm 92:1-3.

Do you praise the Lord? Do you take time out of your day and praise the Lord?

I firmly believe if we believe in Christ Jesus. If we believe in God, we need to take time out of each day and praise the Lord. Be that singing along with recorded worship music or just by raising our own voice to praise Him.

Consider taking time several times a day to praise God, either audibly or silently. 

Please think about it.

Flee the evil desires of youth

  Flee the evil desires of youth

“Flee the evil desires of youth, 

and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, 

along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” 

                                                                                   2 Timothy 2:22

Here is some simple advice to all who believe in Christ Jesus. 

Flee,

Evil desires of youth.

Pursue, 

righteousness, faith, love and peace.

This is what we should expect of ourselves as believers in Christ Jesus. Along with those who call out to the Lord with a pure heart?

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Do you give thanks?

 Do you give thanks?

  In the book of Psalms we read,

"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 

If you claim to be a Christian,

Can you say with sincerity the above quoted scripture from the book of Psalms?

Do you give thanks to God for all you have and for all he has done for you?

Do you give thanks because you know the LORD is good and his love endures forever.

Please think about it.

Shine before men

 Shine before men

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.

Jesus said all who believe in Him are the light of the world. As such we are not to hide that light. We are to put that light on a stand in order to give light to everyone.

Put simply we are to tell those around us about the Love and Salvation that comes through belief in Christ Jesus.

We are not to force our faith on anyone just present what we believe and leave it at that. Let those who hear the Gospel message decide for themselves.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you letting your light shine?

Please think about it.

A commandment from Jesus

 A commandment from Jesus

In the gospel of John Jesus is quoted as saying,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

The key quote here is “Love one another as I have loved you,”

God’s love is unconditional. What the Bible refers to as Agape. This is how Christians are to act with each other and others. If we do so they will see the fruit of the spirit in us. The fruit of the spirit being,

“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.

So if you consider yourself as a Christian are you showing love to those around you? When people see the fruit of you life do they see the fruit of the spirit in it?

Please think about it.