Getting to Heaven (a hot button issue)

 Getting to heaven (a hot button Issue)

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  Psalm 139:13-16.

Someone trying to put me on the spot in front of my pastor and others, asked me, “Can a Gay man get to heaven.”

I quoted the above verses from Psalm 139. 

I informed the man that God knows us intimately that according to the Psalmist God created our inmost being. That He knitted us together in our mothers womb. To me that means God knows our very genetic code and what makes us, us.

God does not discriminate against anyone be they gay or strait, from Canada or from anywhere else in the world. God Loves all people equally and knows why they are like they are.

When Jesus 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.” John 3:16.

He did not put limits on God’s love. He did not discriminate between races or sexual orientation. He simply said, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

So yes anyone can get to heaven. They simply have to listen to the words of Jesus who gives all people everywhere a choice when He 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.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.

Jesus said,

Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Matthew 7:1.

This is especially true when judging where a person will spend eternity. That is between them and God.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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.

Salvation is a free gift from God open to all who will believe in Jesus Christ no matter who they are.

Please think about it.

Who is the greatest

 Who is the greatest

     “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

He called a little child and had him stand among them.  

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:1-4.

What makes a person great, education, being a great orator, Power, being a mighty hero, What? 

Most people when asked to name a great leader they may mention the name of a politician, soldier, artist. And in human terms they may well be great. But in time their names fade from memory. I read an article that asked teenagers who Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt were. Few could answer. Fewer still in Canada could name the fathers of confederation. In the united states it was the same. Few could name those who signed the deceleration of independence.  

One man’s name however is known around the earth. Jesus of Nazareth. Two point two billion people still follow him today.

Dr. James Allan Francis in 1926 wrote a poem called One Solitary Life, it reads,

He never wrote a book 

He never held an office 

He never went to college 

He never visited a big city 

He never travelled more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born 

He did none of the things usually associated with greatness... 

Nineteen centuries have come and gone 

And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race 

And the leader of mankind's progress 

All the armies that have ever marched 

All the navies that have ever sailed 

All the parliaments that have ever sat 

All the kings that ever reigned put together 

Have not affected the life of mankind on earth 

As powerfully as that one solitary life 

Christ Jesus.

Jesus taught us what it was to be humble. He came to do the work of God. To do the will of his Heavenly Father. In doing so he showed us what it was to be humble. 

Jesus humbled himself to the point of washing the feet of his disciples. 

Humility is in short supply among most people today. How many politicians have fallen because they refused to humble themselves and admit what they were doing was wrong. 

How many wars have started because the leaders of a country have refused to back down because it was a case of honour. And to back down would be a disgrace.

Jesus the Son of God who was there on the day of creation. The one who created the world. Humbled himself to become a man and to die for the sins of man. To die for sins he didn’t commit. 

We as individuals need to look at the teachings of Christ. We need to look at his life, learn the lesson of humility he taught and put that lessons into action in our life.

In doing so I believe we will make the world a far better place.

Think About it.

The reason for Christs coming

 The reason for Christs coming

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.”1 Timothy 1:15,16

Here Paul is simply stating why Jesus came. “to save sinners” 

Sinning meaning, falling short of Gods ideals for your life.

Paul makes it clear that all of us have sinned. When in Romans he states,

“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.

We are all sinners according to the Bible and all means all, from the Pope, to priests and pastors, to televangelist to the person sitting in the pews to the person on the street. All means all.

Sin separates us from the love of God that is why Jesus came to this world.

The apostle John noting there is hope for all of us stating,

“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 Paul writing to the Ephesians states,

“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

Paul writing to the Romans states,

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:1-8

The Christian message is clear. Salvation and eternal life is a free gift paid for by Jesus Christ.

Please think about it. 

Family, Friend, & Foe

 Family, Friend, & Foe

In the book of Romans we read,

“Do not be overcome by evil, 

but overcome evil with good.” 

                                Romans” 12:21

Martin Luther King Jr. During the height of the civil rights movement said, 

Love is the only force 

capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

                                                             Martin Luther King, Jr.

Christians are called to love. In the book of proverbs we read,

“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.

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.

Jesus also said,

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'  

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..." Matthew 5:43,44

The Christian definition of love was written by the apostle Paul when he wrote,

"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....”

                                           1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

So if you consider yourself a Christian do you love, family friend and foe alike?

Please think about it.

Why I believe

  Why I believe

Because,

“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

I will believe in God,

Because,

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

  Because scripture tells us.

“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.

Because

“...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

Because faith is defined as,

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

Because  

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

Because of all of this and what I read in the Bible I believe in God.

Do you?

Think about it.

These are Christian issues

  These are Christians issues

Jesus said,

"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.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:34-40.

A true Christian will do these things. More than this however the basic truths that Jesus is speaking of here should be universal.

Just from a humanitarian stand point we should be feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, tending to the sick.

We should even be looking at the world around us and speaking out for those who are wrongly imprisoned for their faith or political views.

Those of us who have, should be helping those who have not, be they in our own country or on distant shores.

Tony Campolo said,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed." Tony Campolo American Evangelist.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing these things?

Please think about it.

Being Prepared

  Being prepared 

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  

The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 

"At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  

The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 

" ‘No,' they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 

"Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!' they said. ‘Open the door for us!' 

"But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

Here is a simple parable with a simple meaning for all Christians. Be prepared because we do not know when Christ will return.

I have heard many throughout the years say that means we should study Revelations because the time is short and Christ return in imminent. That might be true, and there is nothing wrong with studying Revelations. The problem is many are studying Revelations to see if they can pin point the hour when Christ returns. 

The hour when Christ returns is immaterial to the Christian walk. The key in the above parable is ‘BE PREPARED' 

All to many Christians are not prepared. They are not studying the word of God they are not praying, they are not reaching out to the lost. There lives are not wholly committed to Christ.

As believers in Christ we must be doing what Christ commanded us to do. 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.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it.