That you may have eternal life

 That you may have eternal life

The Apostle John writing about Jesus said,

“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.

The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus said,

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28.

It is the core of Christian belief that through belief in Christ Jesus you become children of God. That you receive eternal life.

Jesus said,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.

The apostle Paul writes,

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1Timothy 1:15,16.

What the apostle Paul is saying here through belief in Christ Jesus we receive eternal life.

Thus the question becomes. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate who died for your sins, That you may have eternal life in heaven with God?

Please think about it.

Jesus existed

 Jesus existed

In the gospel of John we read,

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

John’s Gospel also records,

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when    I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.  John 14:8-11

The apostle Paul writes,

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,"  1 Corinthians 15:3

Martha is recorded in John’s gospel as saying,

“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,...”John 11:27.

So the question becomes do you believe these Biblical references or not. The people noted that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. That he was a real person.

Outside the Bible we can read the account of 

Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37—100 AD), aka Joseph ben Mattathias, is one of the most important writers of antiquity. His book Jewish Antiquities has a passage most scholars accept as authentic, Josephus writes,

"Around this time lived Jesus, a wise man. For he was a worker of amazing deeds and was a teacher of people who gladly accept the truth. He won over both many Jews and many Greeks. Pilate, when he heard him accused by the leading men among us, condemned him to the cross, [but] those who had first loved him did not cease [doing so]. To this day the tribe of Christians named after him has not disappeared."

Pliny the Younger (61-112 AD) was a powerful Roman lawyer, senator and intellectual famed for his letters which were turned into ten popular books. In his tenth book is a letter written, #96, to Emperor Trajan asking for help with trials of accused Christians. Three times he mentions the Christians of Christ. This letter is not suspected of being a forgery by most historians. Pliny writes, in part,

“They had met regularly before dawn on a determined day, and sung antiphonally a hymn to Christ as if to a god (carmenque Christo quasi deo dicere secum invicem). They also took an oath not for any crime, but to keep from theft, robbery and adultery, not to break any promise, and not to withhold a deposit when reclaimed.”

It, I believe, is easy to say Jesus didn’t exist and say that the historical evidence is flawed. It’s much harder to believe he existed because once you admit he existed then you have to admit that what the bible says about him has to have some merit.”

Flavius Josephus and Pliny the Younger were recording who Jesus was within living memory and they say he existed.

Which brings us the next question. Who do you believe Jesus is Messiah, Christ, Son of God?

Please think about it.

What is expected

 What is expected

The following is a few verses that what is expected of a Christian.

The apostle Paul writes,

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

The writer of Proverbs saying,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3,4

Christian love defined by the apostle Paul,

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, 

it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                     1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

Jesus said,

“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

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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45

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 22:37-40.

Jesus also 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

We are to forgive those who sin against us. Jesus saying,

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  Matthew 6:14,15

We are called not to judge people. Jesus saying,

“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

The apostle Paul telling us to not to judge those outside the church and keep the church clean. Writing,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13

Paul also reminding 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

The writer of Hebrews saying,

“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

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer that we as Christians should consider taking to heart. He wrote,

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”   Francis of Assisi.

Think about it.

A Man's Choice

 A Mans Choice 

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and He examines all his paths.” 

                                                               Proverbs 5:21.

The writer of Ecclesiastes states.

“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

Whether you believe God or not He exists. C. S. Lewis said,

“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain 

To me to be an atheist and say there is no God is to be arrogant. For in saying there is no God you are saying you know everything and have been everywhere. That includes beyond the grave.

The simple fact remains that unless you truly have been everywhere you cannot for certain say that God does not exist. For the simple fact God could be where you have not been.

Atheism is as much a faith as any religion in the world. You must have faith that you are right in order to be an atheist.

Being wrong and being an Atheist has disastrous implications for it can effect where you will spend eternity.

Being a Christian on the other hand means if you are wrong you have at the very least lived a good moral life. Which is not a bad thing.

Blaise Pascal put it this way

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.

If you are right as a Christian and I as a Christian believe Christians are right, means there is an eternal home in heaven with God in which there is peace and rest for your soul.

Thus the question is how strong is your faith be it in Atheism or Christianity. Do you truly believe there is no God ? Do you think this life is all we have?

Before you answer that question. I would ask that you read the New Testament and see for yourself what Christians believe. 

Please think about it.

Are you Salty?

  Are you Salty?

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 

“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 5:13-16

Are you Salty? Are you as a Christian living a life discernibly different from the world around you. My first pastor use to ask if you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence that you were indeed living for Christ?

Francis of Assisi said it best,

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 

                                                                                  Francis of Assisi.

As Christians our light should be shining at all times. We shouldn’t have to tell people we are Christians, nor should we be always quoting scripture and hitting them over the head with the bible.

Our lives should be a testimony of our love for Christ. Again to quote Francis of Assisi,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                                             Francis of Assisi.

Think about it.  

Confessing your sins to God

  Confessing your sins to God

The gospel of Luke records,

"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.

The crucifixion illustrates how we get to heaven.

During Chris’s crucifixion two criminals hung with him. One hurled insults at him telling him if he was the Christ to save himself and them.

The other believed Jesus was the Christ confessed that he was a sinner and asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. 

To which Jesus replied,

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”

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." 1 John 1:9,10.

The condemned man admitted he was a sinner, that he had done wrong. He believed Jesus to be who he said he was, The Son of God and asked Jesus to simply remember him when He entered his Kingdom.

Have you confessed your sin large or small to God?

If not why not do so today?

Please think about it.

Christians believe

  Christians believe

"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

For the most part I believe people believe in an after life. They believe in a heaven and a hell. Most people however believe that if you live a good life, a life where the good outweighs the bad you'll get to heaven. Christians don't believe it's quite  that way.

While Christians believe you must do as much good in this life as you can we are still not perfect enough to stand before a Holy God.

Christians acknowledge that man makes mistakes big ones, and little ones. That no man is completely good. That even the best people has the potential to do evil things. That even the most evil of men have the potential to repent of their wrong doing.

C. S. Lewis said,

"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

Lewis also said,

"He (Jesus) 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

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.