Just as your Father

 Just as your Father

Jesus said,

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." 

                                                              Luke 6:36.

Mercy according to the Oxford dictionary is "compassion or forgiveness shown towards an enemy or offender in one's power."

Throughout my years in church work I have heard from various individuals that I shouldn’t associate with “certain people” because they are sinners. Those individuals were WRONG. And were sinners themselves. They were sinners because they judged others. Jesus saying, 

Judge not, that you be not Judged   

"For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2 

Paul writing to the romans stating,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

Matthews Gospel records,

“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.  

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?" 

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:15-17.

Jesus is the ultimate doctor. Healing the soul. His call is,

"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.

Jesus associated with everyone irrespective of who they were or their status in society. And we are called to do as he did. 

If we don’t take to Gospel message to the world who will?

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.

It is our job as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus to present the gospel to all people without judging them. Jesus saying,

"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.

The only way we can do this is showing love and mercy to those around us.

Please think about it. 

Calls on the name

Calls on the name

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.

Sin is falling short of the mark. Falling short of Gods expectations for us.

Isaiah the prophet writes,

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

God knew we would always fall short of his expectations. That's why he sent Jesus to us.

Writing to Titus Paul states,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

Writing to the Ephesians Paul writes,

"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 cannot work our way into heaven. It is only by accepting Gods grace that comes through Christ Jesus that we can enter heaven. The apostle Paul writing,

“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.

Do you believe Jesus in Lord the Saviour of all who trust in him?

Please think about it.

God's showed you

 God’s showed you

In the book of Micah we read,

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Here the prophet Micah tells us what has to be the most basic actions believers in God, believers in Christ Jesus has to do.

Act justly

Love mercy

Walk humbly with God.

If you claim to be a believer in God. A believer in Christ Jesus. Are you doing these things?

Please think about it.

Principle for living #8, Love

 Principle for Living #8, Love. 

The writer of Proverbs states,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; 

bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” 

                                                                                             Proverbs 3:3,4.

The American civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr. said,

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

During the height of world war two Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,

“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.” Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon

I truly believe our faith in God should result in us showing unconditional love for those around us. Our neighbours, our families, Our friends, even our enemies.

Love is a universal truth that Atheist as well as men and women with Faith in God can agree is good for both individuals and society as a whole.

The apostle Paul defines love this way,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

There is a famous prayer by Francis of Assisi that I believes says it all. Especially if one calls themselves a believer in Christ. It states,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

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

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

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

                                                            Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Acting justly, Loving mercy, Walking humbly

 Acting justly Loving mercy, walking humbly,

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. 

And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act justly

 and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God."

                                                     Micah 6:8.

If you believe in God. If you believe in Christ Jesus this in a nut shell is what God requires of you. In fact whether you believe in God or not acting justly, loving mercy is an honourable way to live.

So if you consider yourself as a true believer in God. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Are you acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with your God?

Please think about it

Showing Mercy

 Showing Mercy

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.

Here is something we all must take to heart. We will all be judged by God one day. Thus we need to take this portion of scripture to heart.

We need to “speak and act as those who are going to be judged”. We need to realize that “judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful”.

We must remember that “Mercy triumphs over Judgment.”

When God judges you will He see that you have judged others without mercy? OR will God see you have shown mercy to those around you?

Please think about it.

God's expectation

 God's expectation 

In the book of Micah we read,

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. 

And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God." 

                                                    Micah 6:8.

God could not have made things more simple than He does through the prophet Micah. Take a few moments to read that portion of scripture again.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. 

And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God." 

                                                    Micah 6:8.

Please think about it.

Mercy Judgement Forgiveness

 Mercy Judgement, Forgiveness 

Jesus made it clear,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37.

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.

So the question becomes, Do you judge people or do you show mercy toward those around you?

Do you obey the words of Jesus who 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.

Please think about it.

Don't be led astray

Don' be led astray

The apostle Paul speaking to king Agrippa said,

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  Acts 26:19 20.

The apostle John wrote,

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:7-10.

In North America where I live love at times seems to be in short supply. We have people claiming to be Christians supporting a person who is cutting needed aid to their countrymen. Who is forgetting the poor. While scripture clearly says,

"A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge." Proverbs 29:7.

Where do you stand?

Please think about it.

What God requires of the believer

 What God Requires of the believer

In the book of Micah we read.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.

This is about as clear as it can be. The believer is required to...

Act justly.

Love Mercy.

Walk humbly with your God.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

What God asks of the believer

 What God asks of the believer

In the book of Micah we read,

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.

These words couldn’t be more direct. God is asking us to,

Act justly.

To Love mercy.

To walk humbly with God.

If you are a believer in Christ Jesus. Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

So what are you doing?

 So what are you doing?

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.

Do you judge people? Do you show mercy towards people especially those you disagree with. Do you judge someone begging for money on the street or those with a different lifestyle, or faith than yours?

You should not be. Jesus made it perfectly clear saying,

"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 like what the late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                         Billy Graham.

So what are you doing?

Please think about it.

In whom do you trust?

In whom do you trust?

In the book of Lamentations we read,

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion" says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him" Lamentations 3:22-24.

As a believer in Christ Jesus. As a Christian. I am so thankful that I worship a God whose love never ceases. A God who is with me through the good times and the bad times. A God in whom I trust.

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.

Do you worship the Lord God Almighty? Who do you trust?

Think about it.

Receiving God's Mercy

 Receiving God’s Mercy

In the gospel of Luke, Luke quotes Mary the mother of Jesus saying,

"And Mary said:                                                                                                         

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me

holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

from generation to generation.” 

                                                      Luke 1:46-50.

Truly all generations of Christians are calling Mary blessed. What could be greater than God choosing her to bring forth His son Jesus.

Notable here is what Mary says about those who fear God. She states,

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

from generation to generation.”

If you truly believe in God and His Son Christ Jesus then God’s mercy is shown to you. It is through the Mercy of God that comes from believing in Christ Jesus that saves us. The apostle Paul writing,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

Do you believe in God? 

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Have you received God’s mercy?

Please think about it.

Justice, Kindness, Humility

  Justice, Kindness, Humility

In the book of Micah we read,

“He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and walk humbly with your God?” 

                                                 Micah 6:8.

This is what God requires of those who believe in Him. 

To be just in all our dealings with our fellow man.

To love Kindness. To show kindness to everyone we come in contact with.

To walk in humility before God and man.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are these the qualities people see in you?

Please think about it.

You should not

You should not

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.

This is the one verse every Christian. Every one who calls themselves a true believer in Christ Jesus should put into actions.

Put simply, if you would not like what you are about to do to others in word or in deed, they you should not be doing it to those around you.

Please think about it

Mercy Triumphs

Mercy Triumphs

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.

As Christians. As true believers in Christ Jesus. We must be careful how we act toward others. That is especially true when we judge someone. 

One day even Christians will be judged by God and we must remember this. 

It is very easy to judge others. But quite often we don’t have all the facts. That is why I believe Jesus said,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."  Luke 6:37.

When we are tempted to judge others, especially when it comes to their eternal resting place we must be very careful not to judge them.

Instead of judging people we should forgive them of any wrong they may have done and do everything in our power to love them.

Question; Do you show mercy to those around you, especially those who have wronged you?

Please think about it.

Will you accept Christ Jesus today?

 Will you accept Christ Jesus today?

Matthews gospel records,

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.

Jesus here makes it clear why He came to earth. To reach the sinner for God. To point the sinner to heaven. To show God’s mercy to all who would believe in Him.

The apostle Paul points out,

"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.

We are all sinners. We all fall short of the glory of God. But all who believe in Christ Jesus are redeemed through Christ’s death on the cross.

The apostle Paul pointing out,

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

The apostle John tells us,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9.

Will you confess your sin to God today and accept Christ Jesus into your life today?

Please think about it. 

By His Mercy

 By His Mercy

The apostle Paul writes,

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.

Here is a Christian distinctive. Christians do not believe we can be good enough to enter Gods heaven. And God knew this was true. Therefore God reached down from heaven in the form of His one and Only Son Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,

"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 also wrote,

"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. Romans 10:9,10.

Question have you done this?

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.