“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
Faith the corner stone of the church. The call to salvation is a call to step out in faith believing. As Hebrews one puts it,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see This is what the ancients were commended for.”Hebrews 11:1,2.
We who are Christians are called to present a simple message to the world. That of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is not the place of the church to dictate secular governmental policy. It is not the place of the church to dictate morality to none-Christians.
The Church is there to present a the way to salvation to anyone who will listen.
The message of the Church is simple. The apostle Paul puts it this way,
“...“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31
Jesus himself makes a bold statement that no other religious leader in history has ever made when he said, ... “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
As Christians we cannot afford to get involved in secular politics or morality debates. We must live life in a way that would attract others to us. A life that would make it possible to present the gospel to others in a way that would at the very least make them think about their place in eternity.
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.
Translation, be aware of your surroundings and who you are dealing with, while at the same time being non-threatening.
We have a message that is of the utmost importance to every man, woman, boy, and girl on the face of the earth. We cannot afford to turn people away by our words and deeds.
We as Christians have a spot light shining on us and it is up to us to show people the way to heaven. The rest is up to them.
About Me
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Of Christians and Saltiness
Read Matthew 5
“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. Matthew 5:13.
“Danger! Danger!” the robot from lost in space.
Sometimes I think that’s what people hear and see when they look at Christians, little robots crying out danger.
Sadly from my vantage point here in Canada the danger North Americans hear about come from those claiming to be Christians, who scream about the evils of our society and government.
Those cries sadly are becoming so loud that the real message of the gospel is becoming lost in the cacophony sounding brass and clanging cymbals.
To many well meaning Christian leaders are out there in the world playing the world’s game, pointing out the evils, the sins, in the world.
The world knows it has a lot of problems. That it’s far from perfect. No one has to do much digging to discover the world and many people from every strata of society are corrupt.
There are thousands if not millions of groups world wide protesting the ills of society.
I believe too many in the world, don’t see the positive message of the Gospel, for a hundred different reasons. Principally however it’s because too many Christians are preaching hell fire and brimstone.
Jesus left a warning for such people, “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. Matthew 5:13.
How can we save souls if our message is seen as so negative.
Christians have a message that is of prime importance to everyone who walks the face of the earth. It is a positive message.
If we look at scripture we never see Jesus or the apostles getting involved in protests or secular politics. They stuck to the message given to them by Christ even to the point of death.
The same holds true around the world today. I’m sure the church in China or in some hard line Arab countries have no time to play politics. They must stick to the message and believe the message of Christ.
I think sadly in North America, (and that’s all I can speak of as this is where I live,) many prominent Christian leaders have fell into the “freedom trap”.
They have freedoms that the world envies and they use it. Sadly not always in the best way.
The Christian message is simple. It is one of love and forgiveness direct from God. Pointing mankind to God. Simply put it goes like this,
“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.
Evangelizing is the prime directive of the church. It is to go into all the world and tell a fallen world the way to heaven.
Jesus made it clear, “ John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.”
John 3:16,17 states, “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.”
Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear, God is asking people to make a leap of faith, “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 11:1 defines faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Ephesians 2:8,9 makes it clear salvation is a free gift from God, “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.”
Put simply the Bible recognizes what I think most people already instinctively know. That when compared to a holy perfect God we fall far short of what He would have for our lives.
Romans 3:10 As it is written; there is none righteous; no, not one.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The Bible clearly states God is patiently knocking on our hearts door waiting for us to let him into our lives
Revelation 3:20 states. "Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will sup with him, and he with Me."
God simply asks in Romans 10:9,10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
This is the message we as Christians are charged with taking to the world. A message that can change the world one person at a time.
Think about it.
“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. Matthew 5:13.
“Danger! Danger!” the robot from lost in space.
Sometimes I think that’s what people hear and see when they look at Christians, little robots crying out danger.
Sadly from my vantage point here in Canada the danger North Americans hear about come from those claiming to be Christians, who scream about the evils of our society and government.
Those cries sadly are becoming so loud that the real message of the gospel is becoming lost in the cacophony sounding brass and clanging cymbals.
To many well meaning Christian leaders are out there in the world playing the world’s game, pointing out the evils, the sins, in the world.
The world knows it has a lot of problems. That it’s far from perfect. No one has to do much digging to discover the world and many people from every strata of society are corrupt.
There are thousands if not millions of groups world wide protesting the ills of society.
I believe too many in the world, don’t see the positive message of the Gospel, for a hundred different reasons. Principally however it’s because too many Christians are preaching hell fire and brimstone.
Jesus left a warning for such people, “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. Matthew 5:13.
How can we save souls if our message is seen as so negative.
Christians have a message that is of prime importance to everyone who walks the face of the earth. It is a positive message.
If we look at scripture we never see Jesus or the apostles getting involved in protests or secular politics. They stuck to the message given to them by Christ even to the point of death.
The same holds true around the world today. I’m sure the church in China or in some hard line Arab countries have no time to play politics. They must stick to the message and believe the message of Christ.
I think sadly in North America, (and that’s all I can speak of as this is where I live,) many prominent Christian leaders have fell into the “freedom trap”.
They have freedoms that the world envies and they use it. Sadly not always in the best way.
The Christian message is simple. It is one of love and forgiveness direct from God. Pointing mankind to God. Simply put it goes like this,
“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.
Evangelizing is the prime directive of the church. It is to go into all the world and tell a fallen world the way to heaven.
Jesus made it clear, “ John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.”
John 3:16,17 states, “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.”
Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear, God is asking people to make a leap of faith, “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 11:1 defines faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Ephesians 2:8,9 makes it clear salvation is a free gift from God, “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.”
Put simply the Bible recognizes what I think most people already instinctively know. That when compared to a holy perfect God we fall far short of what He would have for our lives.
Romans 3:10 As it is written; there is none righteous; no, not one.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The Bible clearly states God is patiently knocking on our hearts door waiting for us to let him into our lives
Revelation 3:20 states. "Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will sup with him, and he with Me."
God simply asks in Romans 10:9,10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
This is the message we as Christians are charged with taking to the world. A message that can change the world one person at a time.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
A thought from Francis of Assisi
“Most high, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart; give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, so that I may carry out Your holy and true command.”
Francis of Assisi
Each of us wether we know it or not has a purpose in life. I think it can be safely said that the vast majority of people in the world have no idea of their purpose.
I think that statement is particularly true about Christians. Statistics show that a small minority of people within the church do all the work.
Over and over throughout the years I’ve heard pastors evangelist and others say we need to be doers of the word not just hearers of the word. Yet many Christians don’t seem to get it.
One pastor I had said we need to get on our knees and ask God what he wants us to do for Him, listen for his reply, then get up and do it.
This prayer of St. Francis exemplifies what we as individual Christians need to ask God.
“enlighten the darkness of my heart...”
We each need God to forgive our sin to shine His light on the darkest corners of our heart. That we may draw closer to Him.
“Give me, Lord a correct faith,...”
Each of us needs to study the word of God to know what is right teaching.
Paul writing to Timothy writes,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“ a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge,...”
As Christians we need to know beyond doubt that we have a “certain hope” a hope that is in Christ Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews stating
“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”
Hebrews 10:22-24
Think about it.
enlighten the darkness of my heart; give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, so that I may carry out Your holy and true command.”
Francis of Assisi
Each of us wether we know it or not has a purpose in life. I think it can be safely said that the vast majority of people in the world have no idea of their purpose.
I think that statement is particularly true about Christians. Statistics show that a small minority of people within the church do all the work.
Over and over throughout the years I’ve heard pastors evangelist and others say we need to be doers of the word not just hearers of the word. Yet many Christians don’t seem to get it.
One pastor I had said we need to get on our knees and ask God what he wants us to do for Him, listen for his reply, then get up and do it.
This prayer of St. Francis exemplifies what we as individual Christians need to ask God.
“enlighten the darkness of my heart...”
We each need God to forgive our sin to shine His light on the darkest corners of our heart. That we may draw closer to Him.
“Give me, Lord a correct faith,...”
Each of us needs to study the word of God to know what is right teaching.
Paul writing to Timothy writes,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“ a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge,...”
As Christians we need to know beyond doubt that we have a “certain hope” a hope that is in Christ Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews stating
“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”
Hebrews 10:22-24
Think about it.
Quintessence
Quintessence is to quote Webster dictionary: "the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form."
To my mind love is the quintessence of Christianity.Jesus said:"
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you"Matthew 5:44
In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said:
"Jesus said to him, ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’"
The Apostle Paul, when writing to the Corinthians gave what to my mind is the best definition of love ever written.
"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...now abides faith hope and love but the greatest of these is love." 1Corinthians 13:4-8b,13
The verses quoted above say it all. God set an example, He loved the world so much he sent His one and only Son to die for us.The Bible make it clear that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world.
John 3:17 states:"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
God loved the world so much He sent Christ to us. He has no desire to see anyone perish. That’s why He sent His son.
That’s why Jesus told us to love our enemies.If we truly love God we will show that love in all we do, to all we know.
The apostle Paul wrote this in Romans 12:9-21
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the LORD, rejoicing in hope,patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give no place to wrath, for it is written:"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the LORD. Therefore"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
This is what it is to act like a Christian.We have no record of Jesus ever speaking out against the secular, civil Roman authority.He, a Jew, spoke against the wrongs being preached in the name of God by the religious leaders of his day.When He spoke He spoke to correct those who would pervert the Word of God. Those who would put up roadblocks to people coming into a personal relationship with God.Jesus exhibited love. He even prayed and asked forgiveness for those who crucified him.If we are truly Christian, we need to do this also.
Our love should not be conditional on who a person is. It should not be conditional on the lifestyle of a person, or upon them changing their lifestyle. That is between them and God.
Jesus warns us "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.
Christians have no right to judge. It is counter productive to the cause of Christ.We cannot win souls if we even give the slightest hint of a judgmental attitude. 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
To be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves, is to know the world around you and it’s perils. To be cautious, but at the same time present yourself as harmless.A dove is none aggressive. The symbol of peace.
The message the Christian brings is not that of war but rather the message of salvation from the prince of Peace. A gift of salvation and a peace that passes all understanding to every man woman and child in the world.
It is the duty of every Christian to "..."Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15.
To take the message of the prince of peace to the world.That all who would believe may know the true meaning of Paul's words when he wrote,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4
This is the Quintessence of being Christian.
Think about it.
To my mind love is the quintessence of Christianity.Jesus said:"
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you"Matthew 5:44
In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said:
"Jesus said to him, ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’"
The Apostle Paul, when writing to the Corinthians gave what to my mind is the best definition of love ever written.
"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...now abides faith hope and love but the greatest of these is love." 1Corinthians 13:4-8b,13
The verses quoted above say it all. God set an example, He loved the world so much he sent His one and only Son to die for us.The Bible make it clear that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world.
John 3:17 states:"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
God loved the world so much He sent Christ to us. He has no desire to see anyone perish. That’s why He sent His son.
That’s why Jesus told us to love our enemies.If we truly love God we will show that love in all we do, to all we know.
The apostle Paul wrote this in Romans 12:9-21
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the LORD, rejoicing in hope,patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give no place to wrath, for it is written:"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the LORD. Therefore"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
This is what it is to act like a Christian.We have no record of Jesus ever speaking out against the secular, civil Roman authority.He, a Jew, spoke against the wrongs being preached in the name of God by the religious leaders of his day.When He spoke He spoke to correct those who would pervert the Word of God. Those who would put up roadblocks to people coming into a personal relationship with God.Jesus exhibited love. He even prayed and asked forgiveness for those who crucified him.If we are truly Christian, we need to do this also.
Our love should not be conditional on who a person is. It should not be conditional on the lifestyle of a person, or upon them changing their lifestyle. That is between them and God.
Jesus warns us "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.
Christians have no right to judge. It is counter productive to the cause of Christ.We cannot win souls if we even give the slightest hint of a judgmental attitude. 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
To be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves, is to know the world around you and it’s perils. To be cautious, but at the same time present yourself as harmless.A dove is none aggressive. The symbol of peace.
The message the Christian brings is not that of war but rather the message of salvation from the prince of Peace. A gift of salvation and a peace that passes all understanding to every man woman and child in the world.
It is the duty of every Christian to "..."Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15.
To take the message of the prince of peace to the world.That all who would believe may know the true meaning of Paul's words when he wrote,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4
This is the Quintessence of being Christian.
Think about it.
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