If you want

If you want

If you want to be judged, 

judge someone. 

If you want to be treated as a bigot,

 act like one. 

If you want to be hated,

 hate, 

If you don’t want to be listened to,

 don’t listen to others.

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.
Do you treat people in the same way you like to be treated? Think about it. When you present the gospel to friends do you point to their sins or do you point to the message of Love and salvation Christ offers.
I watched with interest the other day a preacher who with all the best of intentions started spouting off about the ills of society. He seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time bashing one particular group. Still by my count he did manage to bash almost every group in our western society that he disagreed with.
As I listened I thought to myself what a waste of time, energy and money. It was obvious he and the organization he represented spent a lot of time and money on the television program. Television and Radio time doesn’t come cheap.
The reason I say he wasted all that money is the fact he bashed so many groups telling them that they wouldn’t get to heaven, that his message of salvation was lost.
The moment you criticize anyone you loose them.
While his message may have rang true with the believers in his church it was definitely was a turn off for non-Christians watching.
He portrayed God as a God of do’s and do not’s. A God with a big stick ready to bash you. That’s not what the Bible says.
James writes,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
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 2:8-13

The bible is a book of mercy.
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
Jesus makes it clear to all men everywhere what his principle purpose in coming to this world is 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.”                         
      John 3:16-18.
Please think about it.