Expel them

Expel them

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.

These words from the apostle Paul are clear. We are not to judge those outside the church that is Gods job. 

We are however to judge those inside the church. I believe this means we are to judge what they say and do to see that what they are teaching, and saying is correct when it comes to the Bible.

If it is not then we are to expel them from the church.

Please think about it.

The fruit of a Christian life

  The fruit of a Christian life

In the book of Galatians we read,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.

If we are exhibiting these traits to the world around us then no one can honestly speak negative things about us.

When people look at your life do they see such fruits?

Please think about it.

Christian you to will stand before God

 Christian you to will stand before God

In the book of James we read,

“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 2:12,13.

Jesus said,

“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 or those calling themselves Christians ignore the fact that we will be judged. First of all the world around us will judge us by our words and deeds. And I believe they will judge us in the same way we judge them.

More importantly however is the fact that we will be judged by God and James tells us, 

“judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Jesus said,

"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 25:41-46.

I think we can say that the people Jesus is telling to depart believed in God. That seems to be the extent of their belief however. They were obviously not doing what God asks them to do.

Thus my question; What will God say to you when you stand before Him? 

Please think about it

Representing Christ

 Representing Christ

The apostle Paul wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians5:18-20

Paul makes it clear here, we are Christ’s ambassadors to the world around us. 

An ambassador is a diplomat sent by a state or king as his representative in a foreign country.

Thus if we consider ourselves Christians we must accept the fact that we are diplomats to a country that is not our own. Thus we have to act diplomatically with the people around us. We should never be confrontational.

The apostle Peter states,

"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.

One thing Ambassadors do is present their culture and beliefs to the country where they are posted.

Those belief may not always be the same as the country they are posted in. Added to that the country they are posted in may have radically different views to the ambassadors.

Still a good ambassador will represent his or her country in the best possible light.

As Christians we are called to do this. Being confrontational will only bring conflict and conflict can cost lives.

In the case of Christ causing someone to see Jesus in a negative light could possibly sent someone to a Christless eternity.

So the question becomes; How are you representing Christ?

Please think about it.

How are you treating others?

  How are you treating others?

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.

The Apostle Peter who wrote,

"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.

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.

I know we are all human, make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Are you living a good life? Above all are you treating those around you in the same way your would have them treat you?

Please think about it.

Extolling God

  Extolling God

The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD; 

let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me; 

let us exalt his name together." 

                                        Psalm 34:1-3.

If nothing else the New Testament shows Jesus and his apostles experienced all that it is to be human. They attended weddings. The followed the rules set down in the Torah. They interacted with people of all walks of life.

They were also beaten, thrown in prison all but one dying for their faith. Yet through all of this they praised God. They praised him not only in the good times, but after they’d been beaten and while they were in prison.

They praised God because they knew that even in their darkest hour God was with them. 

How about you; do you praise God in the good times and in the bad?

Please think about it.

God or Money?

 God or money?

In Proverbs

Those who trust in their riches will fall, 

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

                                                               Proverbs 11:28

The Psalmist writes,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." 

                                                                            Psalm 20:7.

Jesus said,

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate theone and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" Matthew 6:22-24 

So here is a simple question to anyone who calls themselves a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus.

In what or in whom do you put your trust?

Please think about it.

By this they will know

  By this they will know

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

Do you show love to other Christians? Do you show love to those around you, family, friend and foe alike?

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 22:36-40.

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer I think all of us who call ourselves true believers in Christ Jesus need to take to heart. He wrote,

"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.

Are you an instrument of Gods Love?

Please think about it.

Crazy, Lunatic, Poached egg?

  Crazy, Lunatic, Poached egg?

The apostle Paul makes this point,

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.

If Jesus was not the Son of God, The Christ. Why would he let himself die on the cross? As the apostle notes someone might die for a righteous man. But why die for a sinner?

C. S. Lewis puts it this way, 

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

So who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it.

If you look

  If you look

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."  Deuteronomy 4:29.

An unknown writer stated,

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God 

for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.”

                                                                              Author Unknown.

In order to truly find God you have to be looking for Him. Sadly too many people are not looking for God. Equally sad is the fact that many people have made up their minds that there is no God without at least reading the New Testament or the Bible as a whole.

As the writer of Deuteronomy states you have to look for God with your whole heart and soul.

Are you?

Please think about it. 

From God

 From God

In the book of Acts we read of a incident where Peter and some other apostles of Jesus who had been told by the religious leader of their day not to preach in the name of Jesus did so anyway. 

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 honoured 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.

The take away from this is a warning to all who would wish to do violence to those who believe in Christ Jesus. In doing so they will find themselves fighting against God.

Christianity has stood the test of time. Today in 2023 there are three billion, (3,000,000,000) people world wide who believe in Jesus and that number continues to grow daily.

Many governments, religious leaders, and individuals have tried to eradicate Christianity but have failed.

They have failed because Christians are following Jesus Christ, God incarnate.

What do you think?

Please think about it. 

The Stone the builders rejected

  The stone the builders rejected.

In the book of Acts we read,

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!  

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  

He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:8-12.

Here Peter is standing before the religious leaders of his day having to give an account to them for healing a man in the name of Jesus. 

Those leaders did not believe in Jesus. Not only that they had the authority to have Peter and those with him jailed or flogged for speaking about Jesus. 

Yet knowing this Peter still spoke boldly about who Jesus was saying,

“He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11,12.

This is what Christians believe today and speak boldly about to the world around them.

If you consider yourself a Christian do you tell those around you, in word and in deed about Jesus?

Please think about it.

Falling Short

  Falling Short

The apostle Paul writes,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23,24.

As mere mortals we fall short of what God wants for us everyday. That is why we need to come before God often and confess our sort comings, our sins, directly to God.

The apostle John writes, 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10.

Do you do this? Have you ever confessed your sins directly to God?

Please think about it.

Do you believe?

  Do you believe?

Jesus said,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 1:10,11.

To many people in the world today think God is a big old man ready to thrash you with a stick if you don’t do as he wishes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Especially when it comes to Jesus.

Jesus speaking of Himself 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 3:16,17.

God loves everyone. God wants everyone to enter into a personal relationship with Him.

That being said God has given everyone that has ever lived a freewill to choose whether or not to believe in Him. Which is an act of faith.

The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"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 11:6.

I think God asks us to have faith in Him because having faith in someone we cannot see is perhaps the hardest thing an individual can do.

The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”

                                                           Hebrews 11:1.

So. Do you believe in God a God that loves us so much He sent His one and Only Son to save us?

Please think about it.

God and only God

  God and only God

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

"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.

I believe what is written above. I also believe that God is a just and all knowing God. That is why I am not scared to stand before Him.

The Psalmist writes,

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.

What the psalmist is saying here is that God knows why we are the way we are. He knows us right down to the level of our DNA. Thus God and only God can judge us justly.

Please think about it. 

Belief in Christ

Belief in Christ

The Psalmist writes,

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:7-12.

Like it or not. Whether you believe in God or not. God is omnipresent. We cannot hide from God. That being said we have no need to fear Gods presence as long as we believe in Him. As long as we believe in Christ Jesus we know we will have a home in Heaven.

In the apostle John’s gospel we read this conversation between Jesus and Martha,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

The question thus becomes do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?

Please think about it.

Green pastures, still waters and the valleys

  Green pastures, still waters, and the valleys

The Psalmist writes,

"The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." 

                                                                                                 Psalm 23.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus. We can say with confidence that no matter what we do. What we go through or where we go. In good times and in bad. God is with us.

Can you say this?

Please think about it.

The Christian Hope

  The Christians Hope,

The apostle Peter writes,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you" 1Peter 1:3-4.

The apostle Peter here tells us of the hope all Christians have. 

A living hope “that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven”

Do you have this kind of hope? 

You can. 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.

Please think about it.

Your Thoughts

  Your Thoughts

In Ecclesiastes we read,

“The thoughts of the wise are in the house of mourning,

 but the thoughts of fools are in the house of pleasure.”

                                                                                        Ecclesiastes 7:4.

This seems like an odd statement. Why would someone who is wise not seek pleasure over mourning?

I would say a large portion of people in this world live by the statement, 

“Live for today. For tomorrow we die”.

Few people unless confronted by the death of a loved one, friend or their own impending death look to what happens beyond the grave.

Pleasure is after all far better to most than thinking about death.

Now I don’t say we should dwell on our death. Quiet the contrary we should look to enjoy each day we are alive.

We should however consider where we will spend eternity.

As a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus I believe His words, when speaking of Himself 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. 

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.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

A Hard Thing

  A Hard Thing

The Psalmist writes,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.

Atheist tell people there is no God. But how do they know? 

The way I see it in order to know there is no God you have to have been everywhere and see everything. Which are traits of God making the atheist a god.

No one in this world can say for certain there is not God simply because God could be in the place that person has never been. A good example is the grave. No one living has gone beyond the grave.

Blaise Pascal made a wise statement, saying,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.

To believe in God requires faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                  Hebrews 11:1.

Faith in anything especially in something or someone we cannot see is for most people a very hard thing. Perhaps that is why God asks us to have faith in Him.

Please think about it.

Suffering Messiah

 Suffering Messiah

The apostle Paul writes,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Let’s face it the Christian message can sound like foolishness to those who don’t believe in Christ Jesus.  

In his letter to the Romans Paul states,

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

   Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8.

 In Jesus God demonstrated in human terms just how much He loved us. He loved us so much that he was willing to die in the most hideous way possible, by crucifixion.

All of this seems the opposite to what a true saviour, should be. In human terms a true saviour is someone who leads a mighty army.

During the time of Jesus I’m sure the Jewish people who were under the boot of Rome looked for a conquering Messiah.

Jesus on the other hand was a suffering Messiah one who came to cleanse the sins of all who would believe in Him. 

Do you believe in Jesus?

Before you answer that question take time to read the New Testament and see what those who knew Jesus best thought about Him.

Please think about it.

Gods power made perfect in weakness

  Gods power made perfect in weakness

The apostle Paul writes,

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

There is a group of people claiming to be Christians who say God always wants you to be health, and wealthy. While I know God wants the best for all who believe in him. Paul here makes it clear we will have troubles. The apostle Paul should know he suffered much for the gospel of Christ.

God allowed Paul to have a thorn in the flesh. We don’t know what was wrong with Paul suffice to know Paul had a physical aliment.

Paul notes that Christ said to him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.

It is a witness to the world when people who are seemingly weak or sick boast about the Lord. When people who are weak by the world standards do great things for God.

I believe the mark of a true Christian shows when they are going through hardships. When they trust in God no matter the circumstance.

Question: Is Gods Grace sufficient for you?

Please think about it.

This world or Heaven?

  This world or heaven?

Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 16:19-21.

Let me make things clear here. There is nothing wrong with being rich. There are many good Christians around the world that are wealthy and serve God to the best of their ability.

The trouble with money and wealth comes when you put your trust in your wealth and not in God. When your wealth becomes your god.

We are called on look to God to provide for us. Jesus said,

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6: 25,26.

If you consider yourself a Christian, where is your trust? In the treasure you have in this world or in heaven?

Please think about it. 

Standing before God

Standing before God

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“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.

We all have our secrets, be they good or bad. We however cannot hide them from God. The Psalmist writes,

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.

Put simply in twenty-first century parlance God knows our very DNA. He knows why we are like we are. Thus God and only God can judge us.

Here’s a question only you can answer; 

Are you ready to stand before God?

Please think about it.

He will Judge

  He will Judge

The Psalmist writes,

“Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

“let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.” Psalm 96:10-13.

I firmly believe God will one day judge everyone. He will judge them in righteousness. That is why we as believers in Christ Jesus must be willing to say to the world “The LORD reigns!”

That is why we must be telling the world,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

That is why we must be telling the world that Jesus 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.

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.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it.

But did we not...

  But did we not...

Jesus 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.

Where do you stand with God? 

Take sometime to look at what you are doing for God. Will you hear the words of Jesus quoted above or will you hear Jesus when he says,

"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.'" Matthew 25:34-40.

Please think about it.

Do you follow preachers blindly?

  Do you follow preachers blindly?

The apostle Peter writes,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping" 2 Peter 2:1-3

Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.

One commentator states they will “commercialize” the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.

There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain. Sadly many of these prosperity doctrine preachers are seen as the face of Christianity in the media.

These people are giving God a black eye.

There only purpose is to line their own pockets.

When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them. 

Peter warns, "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up."

Sadly many people are blindly trusting these preachers, teachers, and evangelist.

As Christians we need to look carefully at the people we follow. We need to check what they are saying against the Bible. We need to ask the question are these people truly following the teachings of Christ?

Do you do this? OR do you blindly believe the preachers, teachers, and evangelist because of their ‘position’ in the media or church?

Please think about it.

Persecution or Judgement

  Persecution or Judgement

The book of Acts records the apostle Paul being brought before Agrippa for preaching the gospel of Christ. Paul never wavered in his faith. Telling Agrippa his story. The book of Acts then records,

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 

Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Acts 26: 28,29.

Paul was being persecuted because he had said,

"...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." Acts 26:20b.

Paul was not being persecuted for judging anyone. He was simply presenting the gospel of Christ to anyone who would listen. Calling on people to repent of their sins.

The religious leaders however disliked this and had him arrested.

Today sadly many people where I live in North America say they are being persecuted when if the truth be known they are not.

Many calling themselves Christians are judging others and trying to have the rights of others taken away. They have mixed politics and their faith. Thus people turn on them calling them in extreme cases judgmental bigots. 

Remember Jesus said,

“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.

So it should be no surprise that if you are judging someone they will judge you the same way. This is not persecution. It is simply the result of someone calling themselves a Christian who are judging others.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                               Billy Graham

If we are to be persecuted let us be persecuted for presenting the true Gospel of Christ. And not because we are judging others.

Please think about it.

Are you doing your best?

 Are you doing your best?

The apostle Paul 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.

Your best. That is all God requires of you. Especially when it comes to handling the word of God. We are asked to do our best.

When it comes to the scriptures we need to study them for ourselves. At the same time we need to read commentaries and listen to teachers that both agree and disagree with what we believe.

I say we should listen to those we disagree with because if someone disagrees with our interpretation of the scriptures we should be asking the question. “why?” 

Why do they believe as they do? Are they right in what they believe or am I right? 

Through all of this we should be praying and asking Gods to direct us to what is right.

It is only after we have done all we feel we can do to interpret scripture correctly should we teach it.

If you are presenting the Gospel message to anyone are you doing your best to present it correctly?

Please think about it.

Unconditionally

 Unconditionally

The apostle Paul writes,

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

 live at peace with everyone."

                                                              Romans 12:18.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus you need to take this verse of scripture to heart. The words of the apostle Paul are as true today as they were when he wrote them. Christians need to live at peace with everyone.

In order to do this we need to consider carefully the words of Jesus who 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

Put this way, today this means;

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals on others

however good they may be.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others 

rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian,

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally!

Please think about it

Canada and the Christian

 Canada and the Christian

The apostle Paul writes,

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time."  1 Timothy 2:1-6.

I live in Canada. I wasn’t born here but I’ve lived here most of my life. I thank God of Canada and its freedoms. Living in Canada I enjoy freedoms only dreamed of by those in other countries.

That being said contrary to what some Christians believe Canada is not a Christian country. It is a secular democracy who’s government does its best to balance the rights and freedoms of all who live within its bounds.

True some laws are based on Judeo-Christian principles. But that does not make the country Christian.

There is no country in the world that could remotely be called Christian. That is why we must do as the apostle Paul instructs. To pray for

 “...kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1Timothy 2:2-4

So as today is Canada day a day when Canada celebrates its birthday. Especially if you are a Canadian or live in Canada pray for the government and all those who are in authority in Canada. Pray that as the apostle Paul states,

“...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1Timothy 2:2.

Please think about it.