An Admission from a Christian

An admission from a Christian.
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.
The Church has been around a long time and like with any institution that has been around for millennia false teachers have entered the Church.
Unfortunately especially it seems when it comes to those who espouse to be in the evangelical church there is no policing. Preachers in North America in particular can say what they want to say. Which is a good thing in one respect. It’s called freedom of speech. With such freedom  however comes a responsibility to teach the truth. And puts the onus on believers to police themselves. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians tells us,
“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
 In the above quoted scripture Jesus himself admits there will me many who say they did God’s work but were not true believers at all.
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy 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.
I see these men in the media all the time. You only have to Google the names of some of these preachers to see they are not true Christians.
There is however a growing group of Christians in all denominations who are starting to take a hard look at the Bible and its teaching. They are turning back to the true teachings of Jesus. One of love for God, our neighbour and our enemy.
Men and women who believe the teachings of the Apostle Paul who said,

“If it is possible, 

as far as it depends on you,

 live at peace with everyone.”

                             Romans 12:18.

Who follow the teachings 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

Jesus who said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45
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 neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                      Matthew 22:37-40
Such men and women are the “new fundamentalist”. Men and women who know Jesus reached out to everyone irrespective of what they believed, their race, their ethnicity, or their lifestyle.
Men and women who dislike what passes for Christianity sometimes. People who wish to ensure that all people have the opportunity to feel the Joy and Peace only a relationship with Jesus can bring.
A relationship that costs nothing more than having faith in Christ.
As the apostle Paul put it,
“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
Christianity is God reaching down to man. It is Jesus calling to each and every person saying,
“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.
We believe as Christians have believed from the time of Jesus that the most important message we can give to the world is the words of Jesus who 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.” John 3:16 
Please think about it.

Not all are Christians

Not all are Christians
Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“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 7:15-23
The above scripture was written to Christians but it is something non-Christians need to know about.
There are many men and women in the media that call themselves Christians that are not. They talk a good talk but they are not Christians.
Like one of my friends said “Just because you stand in a fire station doesn’t make you a fire truck. Likewise just because you go to church or have a so called Christian ministry in the media doesn’t make you a Christian.”
There are many claiming to be Christians who are not. I liken them to scam artist in the secular world. They say things that sound right but ultimately are leading people down the garden path so to speak.
That’s not to say all in the media are charlatans. By far the majority of those claiming to be Christian ministries in the media are legitimate honest people doing their best to represent God the right way.
To the non-Christian I suggest that if you want to find out about Christianity, visit a Church. I always recommend a Baptist Church as they are consistent in their beliefs and practices around the world.
Don’t be afraid to talk to the pastor of a church about what he and his church believe. An honest pastor will always be willing to meet with you one on one.
I would also suggest you never support a Christian ministry unless they tell you first where the money goes.
I live in Canada and the church I attend by law has to give a financial statement every year to the congregation. Our congregational meetings are open to the public so everyone can see where the money is spent.
Above all I reiterate the warning of Jesus who said,
“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!’”
As a Christian I believe everyone needs to come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
At the same time I realize there are many in the world calling themselves Christians who are not. Thus the need for caution and going to a local church congregation.
Like I say a Baptist Church is good for the most part anywhere in the world. If you live in the United States, the Assemblies of God churches are good.
In Canada the Pentecostal assemblies of Canada are a good solid organisation firmly rooted in the Bible.
All I would ask of you the reader is consider attending a church in your area. Try several. Remember today church congregations vary from very conservative traditional churches steeped in tradition to very contemporary congregations that have modern very lively services.
Please think about it.  

Christians and christians

Christians and christians

“Going to church makes you no more of a Christian than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck.”

I’ve heard many non-Christians over the years say I know people who go to such and such a church. I know what they do during the week and I am much better than they are. Why should I go to church?
My answer is simple not everyone who goes to church each Sunday is a Christian. Many people go all there lives to church yet are not Christians.
Many pastors, Christian teachers, and evangelist are not Christians.
What defines a Christian is simple.
A Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the Son of God, the saviour of mankind. They have admitted they are a sinner. That they have fallen short of the glory of God. They have confessed that sin to God and accepted Christ into their heart and lives.
When that happens their lives start to change.
Still Christians upon accepting Christ do not automatically become perfect, they are only progressing some at slower rates than others.
The key however is they made a decision to follow Christ and are doing their best to do what they feel He wants them to do.
I as Christian know there are many claiming to be Christian teacher, preachers and evangelist as well as many sitting in the pews of any given church on any given Sunday that are not Christians. They are teaching and practising things that are not Christian.
The apostle Paul knew this. He wrote to Timothy saying,
“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.
Jesus even 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.
The key I believe for the non-Christian is to visit a Church at least once in a while. Try different Churches. Listen to what the pastor or teacher has to say and judge for yourself what God has for you.
Many people do criticize the church and much of the criticism the church get is deserved.
The basic facts still however remain. Jesus love you and offers you a choice. 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.
Please think about it.

Not all are Christians

Not all are Christians

“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 7:22,23

Here’s an admission or warning if you will from a Christian of over forty years now. The admission is this. Not all who call themselves Christians are Christians.
Some may have been Christians to start out, but have turned away from correct Christian teaching.
Others are simply money grabbers. Charlatans who see using the bible as an easy way to get rich.
Still others are either misguided or like the powerful feeling they get when they stand in front of a pulpit, be it in a church on in the media.
These men I admit have hurt the Christian cause over the centuries. These men are still hurting the Christian cause today.
Unfortunately Christianity is filled with human beings who have frailties. We are no different from other groups or institutions.
Here in Canada there is a scandal about people in the Senate misusing their position and government money.
In the United States policemen have been charged in attacks on some unarmed black youths.
While these men committed crimes it doesn’t mean all police or all Senators are criminals.
Would we call all gay men or all heterosexual men criminals if one was caught committing a crime. Certainly not.
Likewise it’s the same for those who call themselves Christian. I can list many things that have been done in the name of Christ that is wrong. It doesn’t mean all of us are bigots or criminals.
This for me is what a true Christian is.
A true Christian believes Jesus when he says,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
                                                                                                                                                 John 14:6
A True Christian believes the words of the Apostle Paul who tells us salvation if a gift received by faith he states,
“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
A true Christian believes and puts into practice what Jesus said as recorded by Matthew,
“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
A true Christian will 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 22:37-40
Jesus also saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"  
Matthew 5:43-46
A true Christian will show love to all people. They will know what Christian Love is as defined by the apostle Paul and practice it. Paul writing,
“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.
A true Christian will take the advice of Francis of Assisi who said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                             Francis of Assisi.
Finally a true Christian will respect you and your beliefs while at the same time presenting their beliefs to you for your consideration.
We Christians believe we have the most important message in the history of mankind. One that has eternal consequences.
That is why a true Christian will respectfully present their beliefs to you.
That message being in the words of Jesus,
“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
Please take time to consider what I have said.