Who is He?

Who is He?
Just who is Jesus, some say a myth, others say he was a good man. Some say he was simply a prophet. Christians however say Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate, the saviour of the world.
The following are just a few quotes from the New Testament. They tell what the followers of Jesus believed and what Jesus said of himself.
John’s gospel records,
“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 
“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10 22-33.
Notice here Jesus claimed to be one with God and did not back down on that statement even when facing the possibility of being stoned.
Jesus speaking to his disciples 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 
Jesus makes it clear he is the only way to meet God the Father.
Matthew’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and his apostles,
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  Matthew 16:13-17.
All of the apostles and all of the writers of the New Testament believed that Jesus was the Son of God the Christ, the Messiah.
The Writer of Hebrew summing things up this way,
“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
Jesus is the “is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,...”
This is what true Christians today believe.
The question you the reader must answer is the same one Jesus asked Martha as recorded in the gospel of John,
“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 is do you believe the same thing Martha believed?
Please think about it.

Sound Advice

Sound Advice
The apostle Peter writes,
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8-12.
Here to my mind is some good and logical advice to all who would believe in Christ Jesus. Peter tells us,
1. Live in harmony with one another,
2. Love as brothers,
3. Be compassionate and humble
4. Do not repay evil with evil, insult with insult, but with blessing.
5. Keep your tongue from evil speech.
6. Seek peace and pursue it.
Peter then adds a seventh point, “the eyes of the Lord are no the righteous and he ears are attentive t their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Even if you are not a believer in Christ Jesus. Living your life by these ideals is a good way to live your life.
Please think about it.

Sinner to Saint

Sinner to Saint
The apostle Paul writes,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The apostle Paul makes it very clear why Christ Jesus came into this world. That being to save sinners.
Writing to the Romans Paul states,
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
Prior to that Paul wrote,
“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.
Paul notes to Timothy that he was the worst of sinners.
The book of Acts tells of how Paul then called Saul, persecuted the early church until God took hold of his life in a miraculous way.
Paul is an example for all who would follow Christ that no matter how bad your life is, truly accepting Christ into your life can result in a changed life.
This is the message that Paul is telling Timothy. It is the message Jesus wants the Christians to tell the world. Jesus 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
As I have said in previous blog posts Christians believe God through Jesus Christ reached down to mankind and offered forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him.
The Bible also makes it clear how we get to heaven. It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
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.

Jesus speaking to his apostles said,

... “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”  

John 14:6

   Paul writing to the Romans said,

“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.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
The apostle John noting,

“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.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“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

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

“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

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

What do you believe?

Post Script
The Bible tells us Sinning is falling short of God’s ideal for your life. God realized that man could not live a life good enough to stand before Him. That is why Jesus came to pay the price for the sins of all who would truly believe in him.
A Saint in the new Testament is a believer in Christ. A believer in God.
So by admitting you are a sinner, believing in and receiving God’s saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ. You can go from sinner to Saint and have eternal life with God.
Please think about it.

"Headed to Hell?"

Headed to Hell?
My wife at one time was a librarian and to say she has a few books is an understatement. The walls of our house are lined with books.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
   It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... 
For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency  courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 
                                                                                                         2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with fire and brimstone.
   We only have to look around us to see the world is filled with people who are out to feed their lusts. Men and women who seek power no matter the cost.
We look to the terrorist of the world who wish to force their ideologies on people. Who seek power by the sword.
There are also such people within the western world. Men and women who use their power and influence to feed their greed.
While there are many super rich and others of wealth that have pledged to help the poor. There are many, many more that are using the poor and weak of our society to fill their pockets.
Many owners of industry have refused to think about the environment or worker safety until laws were passed forcing them to think about it.
Our society has fallen away from God and the further it falls the worse it gets. Man needs God. Man needs to realize that there is ultimately a God to answer too.
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.
 Until all men realize there is a God to answer to however our world is destined to get a lot worse.
I truly believe the answer to the worlds problems lies in having faith in God and following his precepts who Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                         Matthew 11:28-30.
Please think about it.

A Christian Thought

A Christian thought

“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 that we cannot be good enough to stand before a holy God. That all our righteousness is like filthy rags. That’s why he sent Jesus.
Paul saying,
“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.” 
Roman’s 5:6-8.
Christians believe that Salvation is a gift from God we cannot work our way into heaven it is an act of our faith.
“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 
We believe the words of the Apostle John who wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men...
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 
                                                                                                   John 1:1-4, 12-14 
We believe,
“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 
We believe the writer of Hebrews who wrote,
“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
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                          Hebrews 11:1.
As this new year dawns please at least think about reading the Bible. I know many people who think they know what the Bible says but have never even read just the New Testament.
Take a look at it for yourself I suggest starting with the New Testament and see what God has for you.
Please think about it.