Christian Life

Christian Life

“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 
As a Christian I believe everything you do is done before God’s eyes. He will bring everything you do to account.
I also believe there will even be many on that day of judgement who claim to know God and claim to have been working for God, who claim to be Christian, who will see the words of Jesus are true, when he said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
Many people who have gone to church all their lives. Many who have been evangelist, pastors, priest, teachers, even Popes will hear the words, “Away from me, you evildoers”.
Being a Christian is not just saying a prayer. It’s not just going to church weekly or daily. It’s not just studying the Bible, preaching, or teaching the scriptures. It’s not following a set of rules and rituals.
John the Baptist is recorded in Matthews Gospel upon seeing the scribes and Pharisees as saying,
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:7-10.
These were religious leaders who followed the ritual, preached and taught from the scriptures yet they were not doing things right in the sight of God. They had a head knowledge of God. But they were interpreting the scriptures wrongly for their own purposes.
These men seemed to be very judgmental and judging people can turn people away from God.
Matthew’s Gospel records this incident,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:10-13.
The religious men who were condemning Jesus for sitting with sinners are like some who claim to be Christians today in 2016. They judge others because of their lifestyle.
I’ve heard of Christians who want the right not to serve in their place of business  those who’s lifestyle they disagree with. I’ve heard of those claiming to be Christians who condemn, protest and wish to restrict the rights of those they disagree with. Yet Jesus never did this.
John’s gospel tells us of a woman caught in adultery. She was brought to Jesus in order to trap Jesus into saying something that was against the law. Jesus however reacted this way.
“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 
“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:7-11.
Jesus who had the right to judge the woman did not.
If you claim to be a Christian you must realize that it is not your job to judge anyone. The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
If you are a Christian you must make sure you are truly doing the will of God. That God is established in your heart. That you are not perverting the scriptures to suit what you believe. Because if you are simply following the scriptures you want to follow you are not following God. You are following yourself. Thus you may one day hear the words of Jesus
“...‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:23b.
Please think about it.

What the World Needs

What the World Needs.
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said,
We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.
We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace; help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom of our LORD and of our God, we pray. Amen.
I am a great admirer of the late doctor King. He in what was perhaps one of the most tumultuous times in American history was a voice of reason. Dr. Kings message of non-violence and love is what is needed in this day and age.
To quote Dr. King again,
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Anne Frank a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazi’s in the Netherlands during world war two knew what it was to be a victim of hate yet in her diary she wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank.
We in this day and age need to be teaching our children that, because love and respect for our fellow human beings begins at birth.
In the first century C. E. the apostle Paul wrote a definition of love that I believe we all must instil in the hearts of our children and practice ourselves. He said,

“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.

This is what is needed today.
Please think about it.

Doing Gods Work

Doing Gods Work.
Every now and then I like to poke Christians with a pointy stick. This I believe may be one of those times.
The book of acts records,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.   But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:28-39.
Over the years I’ve seen this quote used by Christians to justify them protesting against gay rights, abortion and other things they disagree with. They used it wrongly.
True we as Christians must obey God rather than man. We must stand up for our rights to worship and evangelise as we wish. That however does not justify us protesting against those we disagree with.
The Apostle Paul tells us,
“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.
According to Paul we are not to judge those outside the church. That is God’s job. In the quote from acts the Peter a Jew (this was before the church split from Judaism) was brought before a Jewish religious court and told not to preach in the name of Jesus. Thus he a Jew  had the right to tell those Jewish leaders he was to obey God not men.
Jesus in the past had, had conflict with the religious leaders and spoke against them but that was his right as a member of the Jewish faith.
Jesus and His apostles never once spoke against, protested against or raised a sword in anger against the secular Roman government.
The apostle Paul under the emperor Nero who would eventually execute him said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
The apostle Paul, Jesus and the other apostles lived in a world in which there were many laws and practices that they would have disagreed with. Yet they never spoke against them.
They did as Jesus told them they presented the Gospel of Christ to all who would listen to them.
Billy Graham said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
They didn’t spend time and money on protesting or lobbying their government official about things they thought were wrong or needed changing. They couldn’t, the Romans wouldn’t have listened anyway.
The men that followed Christ spoke with everyone mixed socially with everyone and presented the gospel in word and in deed to everyone. In doing so by the end of the first century the Gospel message had been taken throughout the Roman Empire.
Those early disciples of Christ took seriously the words of Jesus who 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.
My question to the Christians reading this are you truly doing what God wants you to do? Are you presenting the gospel to all people no matter who they are?
Please think about it.

All Flesh is Grass

All flesh is Grass

The other day I photographed a wrecked sailing ship. I have no idea what it’s name is. I have no idea what it carried or where it sailed when it was new all I know is it is now a wreck.
This ship in its day could have carried passengers to various places around the world. It could have carried valuable cargo. It could have had a very illustrious career. But people seeing it will never know. All they will see is a wreck. Stripped of it’s shinny new coats of paint it had when it was new. It’s beauty faded and gone forever. Seemingly with no purpose.
I got to thinking that people can be like that wreck.
Former Secretary of State James Baker once said, "Someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned since being in Washington. I replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting." Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration. "There he was alone - no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."
Isaiah the prophet wrote,
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” 
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8.
No matter who we are or how much power we have in this life, it is all gone upon our death.
The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us,
“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.
The apostle Paul said to the Athenians,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:22-32.
Are you ready to stand before God?
Please think about it.

Christian Values

Christian Values
I was once asked what are Christian values?
 Tony Campolo once said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo.
He was right but Christian values was summed up by Jesus when He 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.
In our twenty-first century western society and for that matter any society anywhere in the world that means we must have compassion for those who less fortunate than us. We must do all we can to help the sick, feed the hungry and stand up for the oppressed even if we do not necessary agree with them.
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 neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus went beyond that he 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 5:43-47.
Put simply Christians are to Love, God, our neighbour and even our enemy. These are Christian values.
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20
As Christians in a democracy we need to be putting these values into practice. I believe everyone who claims to be a Christian will be held to these standards. I also believe that the more power we have to help people the more God will hold us accountable.
I firmly believe those who claim to be Christian and own businesses must provide a living wage, good benefits and working conditions for their workers. Treating them the same way they want to be treated.
The same goes for politicians who claim to be Christians. They should see that the laws they pass benefit all society. A good health care system, fair taxes, safe neighbourhoods, good all inclusive social programs for the less fortunate.
Jesus told this Parable he said,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
I believe everyone claiming to be Christian must treat people the way they want to be treated. They must love God, their neighbour and even their enemy.
We must as Christians help the less fortunate, the sick, and love even those we disagree with. These are true Christian values.
Please think about it

Do all you Can

Do all you Can

"Do all the good you can,

By any means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can."

John Wesley.

James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
Do you do your best to help others in need? Helping others in need should be an outcome of our faith in Jesus, our faith in God. Our faith should produce good works.
The apostle Peter tells Christians,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Do people see your good deeds every day?
If you claim to be a Christian you should not have to tell anyone you are they should know by your life and lifestyle. Francis of Assisi said,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much 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,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

Francis of Assisi

If you claim to be a Christian this should be your prayer. People should see Jesus in everything you do.
As a Christian you should be reaching out to people in love not only in word but in deed. You should be willing to sit down with anyone and without being judgmental presenting the word of God to them.
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.
Are you living such a life?
Please think about it.

Do you Love?

Do you Love?
The apostle Paul writes,

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honor one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud,

 but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone. 

Romans 12:9-18

Words for Christians to live by.
 So if you claim to be a Christian do you live by them. Is your love for all people sincere or dose it come with conditions? Do you cling to what is good?
Take a few minutes to meditate on each line of the above scripture. There are dozens of questions that come out of it.

Do you honour others above yourself? 

Are you zealous in serving God? 

Are you joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer? 

Do you help people in need? 

Practice hospitality? 

Bless those who persecute you? 

Rejoice with those who rejoice? 

Mourn with those who mourn?

Are you willing to associate with people from all positions in life 

even if that is a person living on the street,

 a drug addict,

 or simply a person of poor estate? 

Are you conceited thinking you know best in all situations? 

Do you repay evil for evil?

Do you do what is right in the eyes of everybody? 

Do you as far as depends on you live at peace with all people?

If you claim to be Christian you need to be asking yourself these questions. You need to be asking yourself do others see Christ’s love reflected in me?
Jesus made things very simple when He 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.

You should never be doing something to anyone that you would not want done to you. If you claim to be Christian you need to truly love. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,

“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.

This is I believe God’s ideal for love. I also believe although we may fall short of God’s ideal, it is possible to practice the kind of love the Apostle Paul is talking about here.
Showing such unconditional love to all people is I firmly believe, one step toward a holy life and as the writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Please think about it.

The Christian Life

The Christian life
The writer of Hebrews states,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12,13.
Here’s a note to anyone who claims to be Christian. If you claim to be Christian you will be judged as a Christian. You may say “I am a Christian. I have confessed my sins to God. I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Therefore I am saved by grace” It is very easy to say those words but do you really mean it?
When you stand before God will you hear,
“His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21.
Or will you hear,
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41.
True we are saved by grace but if we are truly saved we will want to become more Christ like.
Jesus told this parable,
“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.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46. 
This is what it is to be Christian to minister to the material and spiritual needs of those around us. That includes family, friends, neighbours, and even our enemy.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo.
He is right. To be Christian is to show unconditional love to all people. To extend the hand of fellowship to all.
Our faith in Christ should result in action.
Francis of Assisi reminds us,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
What are your deeds telling those around you about you,... about Christ?
Please think about it.

Of Christians and Others

Of Christians and Others
If you are a Christian are you sitting with sinners?  If not you should be.
Matthews gospel records
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
Question, as a Christian would you be as Jesus was asked to sit with those outside your faith?  Would people who know you disagree with their lifestyle of faith ask you to sit down with them for an open discussion?
Quite often I have heard Christians being called judgmental and closed minded. People not willing to listen to the opinions and beliefs of others. This I know to be true. Yet in order to be true to the teachings of Jesus we need to be known as people who are open to talk to others.
We can talk to others of different faiths and lifestyles without compromising our faith. The apostle Paul while in Athens did just that.
Paul upon entering Athens would have been surrounded with pagan temples. People who’s lifestyle was far different from that of his own. Yet he was asked by the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers to come and speak to them. The book of Acts records,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.   Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others” Acts 17:17-34.
Paul set the example for all generations of Christians as to how to witness.
Paul did not judge them. He did not criticize their gods. He simply told them what he believed and let them decide for themselves.
The result was some believed, some scoffed, but more importantly some wanted to hear more about what he said.
This is how we living in the twenty-first century need to present the gospel. If we do so it will open far more doors for us than anything else we can do.
Please think about it.
  

Anyone

Anyone
The Apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”Romans 10:9-13.
Paul makes it clear here if you “confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raise him from the dead you will be saved.
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.
It is by the grace of God we get to heaven. We cannot be good enough to stand before a holy God.
C. S. Lewis states,
“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.
Christians believe God reached down in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus to offer us forgiveness of sin and eternal life with God.
We Christians believe is Jesus incarnate. God in the flesh. That he provided purification for our sins. The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3  
Through Jesus God offers us a choice. Jesus speaking of himself stating,
“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.
Thus the choice in yours, who do you think Jesus is?
Please think about it. 

A Caution to Christians

A Caution to Christians
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2Timothy 2:16.
Godless chatter, do you engage in it? Godless chatter is teaching wrong teaching. We need to be very careful about what we teach. False teaching can spread like wildfire through a congregation and have disastrous consequences. It can turn people away from God.
Paul in 2 Timothy gives an example saying,
“Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,  
who have wandered away from the truth.....”  2 Timothy 2:17,18a.
  We as Christians must hold those who teach the scriptures to a high standard. The apostle Paul states,
“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.
While we as Christians have no right to judge those outside the church. We as Christians have the right to Judge those who claim to be Christians because they by calling themselves Christians are saying “I believe as you do”.
Likewise if they are not teaching correct doctrine then we have the right to expel them from the body of believers.
Christians must remember,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.
As Christians we must be studying the word of God for ourselves. We must be questioning those people who are teaching the word of God if we perceive they might be in error. Asking them to explain more fully from the scriptures what they believe.
We must check to see that all scripture is used in its correct context not simply used in such a way as to deliberately or otherwise lead people astray.
The key thing is for Christians to be on guard. Pray and ask God for direction. Study the scriptures for yourself and as Paul says to Timothy,
“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.
Please think about it. 

Walk in Truth

Walk in truth
The Psalmist writes,

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked 

or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law he meditates day and night.” 

Psalm 1:1,2.

Where do you walk? Take a look at your life. Who do you take counsel from? Do you let your views on politics guide you? Do you let a certain philosopher, pastor, or evangelist direct what you believe?
The Psalmist makes it clear we as believes in God should be delighting in “the law of the LORD”. We should be studying the word of God. Doing what God wants us to do.
Over the years I’ve seen many calling themselves Christians who have followed a specific evangelist, pastor or teacher, only to fall away from God, when the one they were following was found to be a fraud or was caught in sin.
We as Christians should be following the example of Jesus and the apostles. We should be delighting in the ways of God. Not some for lack of a better term “formula for living”.
The formula for living is in the Bible. We should as Christians be at the very least studying the New Testament directly.
At the church I attend we have a mid week bible study group that does just that. We study the Bible. We encourage people to bring different versions and we use several commentaries that help us understand some of the background of the scriptures.
What we do not do is rely on the interpretation of one person or one commentator. We believe that it is important to look at scripture from various points of view and in the context of the day it was written.
Sadly all to many people today read scriptures from the point of view of their culture and the values of their society. They pick and choose what they want to believe. You cannot do this.
Someone once said “if you pick and choose only what you want to believe in the bible then you are only listening to yourself not to God.”
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“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.” 2Timothy 2:15.
This is what all Christians should be doing.
Please think about it.

The Royal Law

The Royal Law
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 judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:8-13.
Sadly I see and hear many Christians who judge and in whom mercy is not seen.
Jesus tells 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.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
The way I see it we as Christians have no right to judge those outside the church. We can judge those inside the church to ensure that they are teaching sound doctrine but that is as far as it goes.
We as Christians have no right to judge others because we do not know what is in their hearts and minds. We do not know why they are the way they are. Only God know that.
Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all people. He did not tell us to judge anyone. Which sadly too many Christians do.
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 neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
We as Christians MUST! remember this.
A great light is held upon the Christian. The eternal resting place of those we come in contact with may rest upon our actions. We cannot take our actions and our faith lightly.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
The writer of Hebrews tell us,
“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.
Please think about it.

The Christian and Judgement

The Christian and Judgement
Hear is something for Christians to think about.
The Bible states,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
It does not debate whether there is a God or not. The Bible makes it clear that there is a God who created the heavens and the earth. I as a Christian believe this. There is no middle ground.
I as a Christian also believe what 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.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14. 
God will ultimately judge everyone for their actions.
Now I know the Talmud is not considered an inspired book by Christians but it has truths that line up with Christian thought. Here is one we need to consider.
The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud.
Everyone will be judged by God, and the question I can see Him asking us is, “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?”
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.
So my Question is, if you consider yourself a Christian, are you doing to others what you would have them do to you?
As Christians we need to be thinking about this carefully.
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 judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:8-13.
Please think about it.

Freedom of Judgement

Freedom of judgement
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe.  In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.” Baruch Spinoza.
I as a Christian believe God has instilled in each and every person a freewill to do as they wish. That freedom even extends to whether the individual believes in God or not. Each individual must have the freedom to judge for themselves what they believe.
God did not make robots. God crated human beings with a free will.
I believe that no matter who you are Christian, Muslim, Jew, or those of other faiths, even Atheist must have the right to choose what they believe.
I also believe it is important to be able to sit with those of different philosophies and faiths and discuss openly our opinions without fear.
I as a Christian do not fear may faith being questioned by others. I know what I believe and I am convinced that I am right. I welcome others who wish to present their faith to me. I welcome exchanges in ideas. This I believe is the way God intended it to be.
Jesus when on this earth spoke to those outside his faith. Jesus had contact with Romans, Samaritans, and others. He sat down with those looked down upon by religious leaders of His day.
This is what I believe Christians should be doing today. Jesus tells us,
“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.
We cannot do this if we are not willing to accept the differences in our society and reach out to them in love.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“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.
Part of living at peace with all men involves listening to them allowing them to judge for themselves what they believe without fear or reprisal or judgement from anyone.
Please think about it. 

Favour with God and Man

Favour with God and Man
The writer of Proverbs states,
“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.
Love by far should be the most important thing in a Christians life. It was Jesus who told us to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. Our love should be unconditional love. Which for many people if not most is a very hard thing.
The apostle Paul defined love as,

“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.

Think about this. Francis of Assisi wrote this prayer. It is a prayer I think all who consider themselves Christians need to consider taking to heart and praying once in a while. It states,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much 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,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

Francis of Assisi

Learning to truly love God, neighbour and even our enemy is one of the important steps on the road to living a peaceful and holy life. And the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“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.
Please think about it.

The Christian Life

The Christian Life
Jesus spoke this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”   Luke 16:19-31.
I am speaking here to Christians. How do you treat people. The above parable tells of a rich man that treated a poor man badly.
Many Christians can be accused of this.
From a spiritual point we are treating others badly by not telling them about the salvation Jesus brings.
In a purely practical way if we are not showing love to those around us, even if we disagree with them we are like that rich man.
If we by our actions are turning people away from God, we are like that rich man.
If we own a business and are not paying our workers a fair wage and benefits, we are like that rich man.
Christianity is not just a faith, it is a complete lifestyle. In the book of James we read,
"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
judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! 
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:13-20.
If we are in a position to help our fellow man we must be it a physical need or a spiritual need.
While I know the Talmud is a Jewish book not considered the inspired word of God by Christians some of what it says has relevance to Christians. Here is one instance.
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud
Think of it this way. A Christian knows God is real. Thus when he stands before God the above scenario could possibly happen.
The writer of Hebrews tells us in a nutshell how Christians should live. It states,
“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.
If we are living a holy life our words and our deeds will line up with those of Jesus. People will see the love of God reflected in our life and be drawn towards Him.
Please think about it.  

A Note to Parents

A Note to Parents
The writer of Proverbs states,
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6.
The Talmud states,
“Whoever teaches his son teaches not alone his son but also his son’s son, and so on to the end of generations.”  The Talmud
The writer of Deuteronomy states,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
Do you do this? Do you teach your children to Love God? By teaching them to love God I do not mean to beat them over the head with the Bible.
I’ve seen far to well meaning Christian parents use the Bible and God’s name to correct their children. They have without realizing it forced their faith on their children.
No one has the right to force their faith on anyone. We must present our faith in word and in deed to all those around us. Especially our children.
We must live our faith in full view of our children friends and family. They must know that our faith in God and in Christ is paramount in our lives.
It is only when we teach by example that our children will see that our faith is important. Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
 Francis of Assisi.
We need to heed this as our children and indeed the world is watching us.
Please think about it.