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Canada
A believer in Christ Jesus for over forty years.

Friday, 3 July 2015

How dare they say that

How dare they say that
Jesus 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.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.   Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.” 
1 Peter 2:13-17
“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.
These are powerful statements to Christians. Written at a time when Christians were living in what essentially was a pagan empire. The Roman empire.
Peter who said “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men...” would be put to death by the emperor Nero, as would Paul.
Jesus makes it clear,
“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.
So put this way, if you want to get persecuted. Persecute others. If you want your freedoms restricted, restrict the freedoms of others. If you want to be judged judge others.
Christians have no right to impose their beliefs on others any more than we would want others to impose their beliefs on us. Our job is to simply present the Salvation message of Christ to those who will listen.
The apostle Paul speaking to the church in Corinth and through them to us makes a clear statement that we have no right to judge those outside the church,
“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.
He tells us we are not the judge of those outside the church God is. We are to keep our own house clean. We are to police ourselves and expel those who are teaching falsely within the church. Those who are judging others in the name of Christ.
No Christian has the authority to judge anyone who ever they are.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“Let us preach Christ, let us be faithful to proclaiming the Gospel, but let's leave judgment in the hands of God.”
Tony Campolo
If we as Christians want to maintain our freedom we need to respect the freedom of others. Nelson Mandela wrote,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
                                                 Nelson Mandela
  James the brother of Christ wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!” 
                   James 2:12,13
Jesus 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.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? "
Matthew 5:43-46
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 22:37-40.
Your neighbour dear Christian is everyone you meet. Whether you agree with them or not.
Dear Christian Jesus gave you your job when he said,
“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 28:19,20.
We cannot do this job unless ALL people irrespective of who they are less than free.
Think about it.

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