Chosen by Jesus
The gospel of John records Jesus speaking to his disciples as saying,
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” John 15:18-21.
Christianity to my knowledge is the only faith that claims its founder Jesus, is God incarnate. Not only that but it claims that Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” John 14:11.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that believers in Jesus, believe that Jesus and God are one in the same. Hebrews states,
“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 1:3.
Christianity is an all or nothing faith. You either believe Jesus is who He says He is or you do not.
For the most part, especially here in the west, those who disagree with what Christians believe, leave believers in Jesus alone.
That being said Christians are among the most persecuted groups in the world.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is on record as saying Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year, while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
Still however the message of Jesus Christ continues to go forth into the world with the assurance that what Jesus said was true when he said,
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Christianity is above all a faith of Love. God’s love in reaching down to mankind through His one an only Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus himself saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
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.
Persecution of believers in Christ will not stop that love from being taken to the world. For we who believe in Christ Jesus are told by Jesus,
“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,”
Matthew 5:43,44
Napoleon Bonaparte, said of Jesus,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
What Napoleon said is true. Believers in Jesus are willing to die for him. For the message He has told believers to deliver to the world is the most important message ever given to man. A message that has eternal consequences for all who would hear it.
Please think about it.
The gospel of John records Jesus speaking to his disciples as saying,
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” John 15:18-21.
Christianity to my knowledge is the only faith that claims its founder Jesus, is God incarnate. Not only that but it claims that Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” John 14:11.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that believers in Jesus, believe that Jesus and God are one in the same. Hebrews states,
“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 1:3.
Christianity is an all or nothing faith. You either believe Jesus is who He says He is or you do not.
For the most part, especially here in the west, those who disagree with what Christians believe, leave believers in Jesus alone.
That being said Christians are among the most persecuted groups in the world.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is on record as saying Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year, while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
Still however the message of Jesus Christ continues to go forth into the world with the assurance that what Jesus said was true when he said,
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:10-12.
The reason Christians believe it is important to take the message of Jesus Christ to the world is because God loves the world and wants to have fellowship with each individual.Christianity is above all a faith of Love. God’s love in reaching down to mankind through His one an only Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus himself saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
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.
Persecution of believers in Christ will not stop that love from being taken to the world. For we who believe in Christ Jesus are told by Jesus,
“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,”
Matthew 5:43,44
Napoleon Bonaparte, said of Jesus,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
What Napoleon said is true. Believers in Jesus are willing to die for him. For the message He has told believers to deliver to the world is the most important message ever given to man. A message that has eternal consequences for all who would hear it.
Please think about it.
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