Not to condemn

Not to condemn 

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.

I am someone who is not in favour of so called ‘hell fire and brimstone’ preachers. I say this because I don’t think yelling and screaming that someone that they are going to hell bothers non-believers because many times they don’t believe in hell.

The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians, (Acts 17:17-34) brought up the topic of divine judgement. A time when God will judge all men, did not mention Hell.

In her book To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee writes,

“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)....” Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Harper Lee is right. People calling themselves Christians have probably done as much if not more to turn people away from Christ than those who are not Christians.

In the name of Christ many try to take away the rights or restrict the rights of those they consider morally wrong or those they disagree with. You cannot legislate morality. Nor did Jesus and his disciples ever try to do this.

Jesus and his apostles lived in a society that was as least if not more diverse than our twenty-first century society. Yet they didn’t try to overthrow the Roman government.

Instead they sat down with those they disagreed with and presented the good news of Jesus Christ, much to the dismay it seems of the religious leaders of their day.

From my point of view I believe we as 21st century believers, especially those of us who live in the western democracies need to follow their example.

We need to stop yelling at those we disagree with. Stop telling and them they are on the way to hell and point them to heaven.

Jesus speaking of himself said why he came to this earth. John’s gospel recording,

"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.

This is what we a believers in Christ Jesus must always remember. Our job is to save souls for Christ. NOT try to restrict their rights, and especially not judge where they will spend eternity for only God knows that. 

Please think about it.

Will you be happy or sorry?

 Will you be happy or sorry?

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Millions, if not billions of people in this world get up in the morning. Do what they have to do during the day without giving death a second thought.

Even when we go to the funeral of a friend or family member, we don’t think much about dying. Yet it is something we will go though.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”Tony Campolo.

So are you certain that you will go to heaven?

In the Gospel of John we read,

"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.

So do you believe in Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Ransomed from Sheol

 Ransomed from Sheol

The Psalmist writes,

“But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, 

for he will receive me.  (Selah)

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, 

when the glory of his house increases

For when he dies he will carry nothing away;

his glory will not go down after him.

For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed

and though you get praise when you do well for yourself

his soul will go to the generations of his fathers,

who will never again see light

Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beast that perish.” 

                                                                                                     Psalm 49:15-20.

Simply put. God will ransom believers in Him from Hell.

The Psalmist tells us not to be afraid when a man becomes rich. When he gains prestige in this world. When he considers himself blessed. 

What matters is that all the wealth we have in this world will stay here. Ultimately those who have only the wealth of this world and no faith in God, in Christ Jesus. They “will never see light again.

It is therefor imperative we have understanding of God and what awaits us beyond the grave. 

Because if we do not understand that we are destined for an eternity in Hell.

Jesus said,

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36.

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich. It is what emphasis we place on our material wealth. If we value it above God and Christ Jesus we are on a path that leads to destruction.

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.

Least and Greatest Possible Number

  Least and Greatest Possible number

Jesus said,

"This, then, is how you should pray: " ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9,10.

We live in turbulent times. Some Christians believe we may even be in the last days prior to the return of Christ Jesus. Which may or may not be the case. 

When Christ will return is not up to us. When it come to Christ’s return Jesus made it clear,

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36. 

What we as believers in Christ Jesus should be praying however is that Gods kingdom should come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. While at the same time obeying Christ’s command to,

“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 28:19,20.

As someone once told me we should be doing this, 

“to make sure the least possible people go to Hell and the greatest possible number of people go to heaven”.

So my question to you is. If you consider yourself a Christian are you reaching out to those around you and presenting the Gospel message to them?

Please think about it.

To gain or forfeit

  To gain or to forfeit.

Jesus said,

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36.

Martin Luther King jr. in a prayer said,

“Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.” Martin Luther King jr.

If there is one thing the people of the world need to know is that while this life is finite we are not. When we no longer need this body we are destined to live on throughout eternity. Where we will live however, depends on what we do in this life.

I as a Christian believe there is both a heaven and a hell. That it is here in this world where we make the decision as to where we will spend eternity.

I believe Jesus when He 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.

The bottom line however is you dear reader must decide for yourself if what Jesus is quoted staying here is right or wrong.

Please think about it.

Going to Hell?

 Going To Hell? 

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading. People are becoming lovers of self.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.

It's 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."

What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted. In 2Timothy 4:3,4. And the solution to the problem. The only solution is the Love of God.

Sadly the church particularly here in North America where I live is turning away from its first love. Especially in the light of the current political situation in the United states many claiming to be Christians are becoming political. 

They are putting political figures ahead of God. Claiming political leaders are Christians when their actions prove otherwise. Bringing Gods word into disrepute.

If ever there was a time for revival within the Church it is now.

I believe that each individual who claims to be a Christian needs to look at themselves and ask God to show them what it is to be Christian in 2021.

For if they don’t and they continue in a way that is not pleasing to God they will one day here the words of Jesus who 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

Please think about it.

A Choice

A choice

Jesus told this Parable,
“Someone in the crowd said to him (Jesus), "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 
Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"  
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 
And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  
He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 
"Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  
And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 
"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:13-21.
When you leave the city where I live along a certain major road you pass through the centre of a huge cemetery. Almost as many people are buried in it as are in the city. Most of the time no one thinks anything about it. Still it is a reminder that you don’t get out of this world alive.
Rich and poor are buried in that place. A place where all are equal their wealth or lack there of in this world, left behind to be divided up between relatives friends and even strangers.
Back when I was a new Christian in the early seventies my pastors wife use to say,

“We have but one life, that will soon be past. 

Only what is done for Christ will last.”

Truer words were never spoken. You may have all the riches in the world. Be part of the so called 1% but ultimately all you have will mean nothing unless you have given your life to Christ Jesus.
You have but two choices in this life. You can either believe in God, and the Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus or you do not.
From my perspective as a Christian the decision you make about God, and Christ Jesus will determine your eternal resting place.
If I am wrong there is nothing to fear. If I am right those who don’t believe in God and the Saving Grace that Comes through Christ have a lot to worry about.
Thus it is up to you.
Please think about it.

Where do you stand?

Where do you stand?
The writer of Ecclesiastes writes,

“Whoever loves money never has enough;

 whoever loves wealth 

is never satisfied with their income 

this too is meaningless.” 

                                             Ecclesiastes 5:10.

The apostle Paul writes,

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

Some people, eager for money, 

have wandered from the faith 

and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 

                                             1 Timothy 6:10

Now there is nothing wrong with having a lot of money. The problem arises when you put the wrong emphasis on money. When you love it. As the writer of Ecclesiastes states,

“Whoever loves money never has enough”

The apostle Paul telling us,

“Some people, eager for money have wandered from their faith

and pierced themselves with many griefs”

Money can buy you nice things in this world. Enough money can buy you anything material thing your heart desires. Money however cannot buy you true peace of mind or a place in heaven.
Jesus told this parable,
"Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 
And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  
He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 
"Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  
And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 
"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:15-21.
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus saying something we should all consider. Jesus said,

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, 

yet forfeit his soul?” 

                            Matthew 8:36.

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.  
     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
So where do you stand?
Are you certain of where you will spend eternity?
Please think about it.

By the grace God has given you

By the grace God has given you
The apostle Paul writes,
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." 1 Corinthians 3:1-15
Here Paul is making it clear that Jesus must be our foundation. The teachings of Christ must be paramount in our lives. We must build our faith on Christ and no one else.
He warns that we must be careful how we build on that foundation. We cannot build on this foundation using earthly logic using earthly wisdom.
Sadly many people who say they are Christians do not build their foundation on the teachings of Jesus. They choose to follow a particular teacher, preacher or evangelist.
Men however are fallible. They fall into temptation. When this happens those who are followers of them quite often fall with them and turn from God.
In Matthews gospel we read of Jesus saying,
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7:24-27.
My question to anyone who considers themselves a Christian is, is your faith build on the words of Christ Jesus?
If so are you putting them into practice?
Please think about it.

Your Choice

Your Choice
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
“Do 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 following is a story about a judge about to make a ruling. All I would ask of the reader is to think carefully about it. It is called,
The Eleven O Clock Parable

"It's eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, waits. 
Will the new law be legal? 
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant. 
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . "HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!"
Approached by the media he says it again, "homosexuals are going to Hell." 
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?"
Wasn't it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ 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.” 
Would this man want people demonstrating against his beliefs and lifestyle?
Is this man showing love?
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
Is this man want to be judged by the same rules he is judging others?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, "Can we truly know what is in someone else's head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?" 
I think not.
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day.
Turning away from my window I put on my robes and head toward the courtroom. As I do I pray, “Lord give me wisdom to make the right decision this day.”
What decision would you make?
Would you follow the law or your beliefs?
Please think about it.

Hell in a Handbarrow

Hell in a Handbarrow
Some time ago I came across a book by John B. Harrington called Essentials in Christian Faith published in 1958. After reading it I realized it could have been written yesterday, it’s message was,... is, that relevant.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico published 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.”
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 brimstone.
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
This is happening today.
As I look around the world today it is easy to look a the various terrorist groups who claim to be acting in the name of their faith when they are not. They are simply evil men who attach religious names to themselves to try an justify what they are doing.
The same is true for many politicians and others here in the west. While they espouse “Christian values” their words and deeds show they do not.
Christianity is not immune to false teachers. In fact it is to Christians that the apostle Paul is writing to.
There are many men and women calling themselves Christian pastors, evangelist, who are not. This is true also for many who sit in the pews.
Jesus warned of us about such people saying,
“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 believers in Christ Jesus it is incumbent on us to show the world there is rest for their weary soul. That there is something beyond this world and the materialism there in. As Gallico puts it, “Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position...”
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.
This is the message we as believers in Christ Jesus must reach out to the world with. For if we don’t we just may condemn someone to a Christless eternity.
Please think about it.

A religious Effigy

A religious Effigy
Jesus speaking to his followers said,
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven Matthew 5:13-16.
Some time ago I came across a 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."
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.
The world cannot go on the way it is.
Never in the history of human kind as there been a greater need for the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus. Sadly however at least where I live here in North America the Church it seems has become a religious effigy of what it should be. The salt has lost its saltiness, the light is under the bowl and people are potentially going to hell because of it.
Sadly many in society to day think little about God and the salvation offered by Christ Jesus. Many in our society see what the apostle Paul saw when he wrote to Timothy.
"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.
Those outside the church see a church looking inward. A Church that passes judgement on them without getting to know them.
Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus. Have you become a religious effigy of what a Christian should be. Or are you presenting the Gospel of Christ, the hope of mankind, with love and understanding to others.
Please think about it.

Before God

Before God
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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 4:13.
There is a quote from the Talmud I can see as happening. It 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
Jesus told 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.
We all rich and poor will stand before God and be judged. You might get away doing wrong in this life but you will not when you stand before God.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”Tony Campolo.
Thus my question to you.
Will you be happy when you stand before God?
Please think about it.

Failing Christ

Failing Christ
Jesus said,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18,19.
Many modern businesses have what they call mission statements. If Jesus ever had such a mission statement. The above quote would be it.
In today’s 24/7 society people are looking for precisely what Jesus is offering, something beyond the materialism and secularism western society offers. They may not know what it is but they know it is there somewhere.
I firmly believe that what they are looking for is the freedom Christ has to offer. They however through no fault of their own are missing that opportunity.
Sometime ago I came across a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, although it 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."
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 brimstone.
   When I speak I can only truthfully speak of what I see first hand about Christians and the North American society in which I live.
The way I see it the Christian church has slowly let secularism politics and other things of the world into its doors.
So much so in many cases Christians have for lack of a better term “become religious”. They are known for what they are against and not for what they are for. 
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
All of these things the apostle Paul mentions have quietly slipped into the church today and church leaders are failing to correct the wrongs being done in the name of Jesus, in the name of God. Thus the church is failing in it’s mandate.
The church often talks of the need for revival and if ever there was a time for revival it is now. Revival however come with a price. It comes from within. Starting by going back to the basics. Going to God in prayer and asking Him to show where things have gone astray. At the same time there is a need to go back to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles to study the scriptures and put them into practice.
All of the great reformers of the church have done this. In doing so they caused great debate and conflict within the church. It at times has even resulted in the deaths of many servants of God. The result however was a return to the true teaching of the scriptures.
Jesus said,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18,19.
This is the mission statement of Jesus. This should be the mission statement of the church today in the twenty-first century. A statement we must take to heart. For if we do not we are failing Christ.
Please think about it.

Who's going to Hell?

Who’s going to Hell?
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.
Jesus also 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 have no right to judge where anyone will spend eternity. That is God’s decision and we must as believers in Christ Jesus must always remember that.
The Eleven O Clock Parable
It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, waits. 
Will the new law be legal? 
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant. 
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are going to Hell.” 
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Wasn’t it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another? 
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day, and how can I reach them for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”
Question one, What is the right answer?
We as Christians, especially here in the west live in a secular democracy. A multicultural state similar in many ways to that of the Roman empire that the first century church lived in. With a government that does it’s best to accommodate all people regardless of their faith, lifestyle or sexual orientation. 
We are called to reach out to everyone with the love of God irrespective of who they are. We are told not to judge anyone.
I firmly believe two things when it came to the early church.
1/ God used the multicultural nature of Rome and the relative freedoms it gave its people to spread the gospel message and to show us how to spread that message.
2/ I believe the apostles and those within the early church kept their hearts and minds focussed on spreading the Gospel message and thus were not sidetracked by politics or trying to decide where anyone will spend eternity, or anything else.
It is a lesson we in the twenty-first century church need to heed.
As long as we keep our hearts and minds focussed on presenting the message of Christ to the world around us we will win souls for Christ.
If however we are distracted in anyway we run the risk of failing in our mission something that has eternal consequences.
Please think about it.

The Eleven O Clock Parable

The Eleven O Clock Prayer

“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

It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, waits.
Will the new law be legal?
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant.
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are going to Hell.”
From my office window I watch, asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Wasn’t it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another?
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world for Christ, of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man obeying 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
Were the shoe on the other foot would he want people demonstrating against what he believed in, against his lifestyle?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head? What makes them who they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”
Especially if you consider yourself a Christian,
Please think about it.

Not Everyone Will

Not Everyone will
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.
It has been said by many both inside and outside the church that if you want to find any kind of wrong doing all you have to do is look at the church.
I would agree. The church as an institution is an old and carries a lot of baggage. There has been many things done by the church that is wrong, everything from the crusades, to murder, to theft to child abuse.
Many calling themselves Christians have acted like hypocrites, bigots and worse.
While these people may say they are Christians, followers of Christ Jesus. They are not.
In the above scripture I quoted Jesus tells us “not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven.” many who call themselves Christians will find themselves cast into hell. It’s that plane and simple.
The Apostle Paul said,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.
This happened in the time of the Apostles it is still happening today.
That is one of the many reasons the New Testament was written. It was inspired by God to show believers in Christ Jesus what God expects of them. To tell believers in Christ what is right and wrong before God.
And the only way we can know what God expects of a believer in Christ Jesus is to study the bible as a whole and the New Testament in particular.
We also need to make sure we are studying the word of God in the context of how it was written. We should never “cherry pick”. Listening to only what we want to hear.
 St. Augustine wrote,

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, 

and reject what you don’t like, 

it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” 

                                                     St Augustine.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you truly studying the whole of the Bible or just the parts you like?
Please think about it.

You and God

You and God
The Psalmist wrote,

“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.

Here is a scripture that says it all for me when it comes to the individual and God. The Psalmist makes it clear God knows all about us. That He knit us together in our mothers womb.
Put in modern terms God knows our genetic make up. He knows why we are the way we are. We can never stand before God and say you didn’t know what it was like to be me, because He does.
The Scriptures also tells us,
“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. 
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 1:1-3,14.
Here the apostle John makes it clear that Jesus is God that he made the world and everything in it. That God in the form of Jesus Christ came into the world that he made.
That being said, no one can stand before God and say you did not know what it was like to be human. We cannot say it because Jesus walked this earth. He knew what it was like to be human. He felt the everyday things humans feel, the sun on his face, the rain, the smell of dust. He knew what it was like to have loving friends and family. He knew what it was to have enemies that wanted to put him to death.
He knew what it was like to be accused of a crime he didn’t do and of being wrongfully convicted of that crime. He felt the pain of a Roman whip. The agony of a cross.
Jesus knew what it was to be human. Thus when we stand before him we will be without excuse.
We will be without excuse because he knows why we are like we are and what it is like to be human. Thus He can judge us fairly.
As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe that we can know here in this world whether we will enter Heaven or not. The apostle John states,

“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.” 

                            John 1:12,13.

The apostle Paul makes it clear we cannot work our way to heaven it is a gift of God. Paul writing
“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.
Thus the question becomes are you willing to accept the saving grace of God that comes through Jesus. Are you willing to believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind by faith or are you not.
The choice in yours.
Please think about it

The Biblical Choice

The Biblical Choice
The Book of Genesis states,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
The Gospel of John states
“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....
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 1:1-4,14
The book of Joshua states,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15.
Jesus is recorded as saying this about himself,
“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.
The writer of
“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 writing t the Ephesians said,
“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 
The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                          Hebrews 11:1

“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

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. After all it was written to believers.
The Bible however gives all who read it a choice. They may believe in God and go to heaven, or not believe in God and pay the consequences of their unbelief. It is not ambiguous.
It presents the truth about God and leaves it to the individual to decide for themselves.
So my question to you the reader is, Do you believe in God and that Jesus Christ is the One and Only Son of God the Saviour of mankind or not?
Before you answer however I would ask that you read at the very least the New Testament asking God to show his reality to you.
Please think about it.