A Forgotten Fact

  A forgotten fact

Jesus speaking of Himself said,

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17.

This to my way of thinking is a forgotten fact. Christians are quick to recite John 3:16 that reads,

"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.” 

But they forget John 3:17, which gives the purpose of Jesus’ ministry on the earth. It is this verse that Christians, believers in Christ Jesus must remember.

It is our duty as believers to win souls for Christ. Not judge them, or in any way put up barriers that prevents them from coming to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus; take a look at your life and ask yourself am I truly presenting the Love of Christ in word and in deed?

Think about these words from Francis of Asissi,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                                   Francis of Assisi  

Please think about it.

A Visitation

A Visitation
Luke’s gospel records that when Jesus was born angels appeared to shepherds announcing his birth. Luke states,
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:8-20.
I am a believer in Christ Jesus. I admit I have a bias. I believe the Bible. I believe what the New Testament says about Jesus. Even the miraculous. I believe if the miraculous happenings described in the Bible were not true the writers would not have included them.
That being said it is up to you the reader to make up your own mind regarding what is said in the Bible.
Here in the above quote from Luke’s gospel we are told about shepherds that were visited by angels announcing the birth of Jesus. That they went to see him for themselves and finding what the angels had said was true the told others about it.
Today in the twenty-first century we may not be able to go and see Jesus in the flesh but those of us who believe in him through faith are called on by God to tell the world about Him.
We are called on to glorify and praise God for the saving grace Jesus offers.
Luke states,
“When they (the shepherds) had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
The same is true today. Believers in Christ throughout the world tell those around them about Jesus all the time. And as with the testimony of the shepherds people marvel at what is told to them.
That’s not to say people always believe the testimony of Christians regarding Jesus.
God has given each person a freewill. They have the right to choose what they believe and what they do not believe.
That freewill extends to whether or not they believe Jesus is all the Bible claims he is, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate. God will not impose His will on the individual.
I as a believer in Christ Jesus truly believe what the Bible says about Jesus. It however in the twenty-first century comes down to faith and the writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                     Hebrews 11:1

“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  

Please think about it.

A Universal Truth

A Universal Truth
The Gospel of Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“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 a universal truth whether you believe in Jesus Christ or not.
Think about this. If people be they believers in Christ or not would follow this one universal truth. The world would be a much better place in which to live.
To follow this one statement of Jesus requires the individual to live a life of unconditional  Love. The apostle Paul defining love as,

“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.

Do you love unconditionally?
Please think about it.

Consider this

Consider this
The apostle John writes,
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” 3 John 1:11.
 Question, do you do what is good?
I ask the question because we quite often don’t always do what is good. In fact quiet often we may think we are doing good but are not.
Consider this. The apostle Paul wrote,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”Titus 3:1,2
Now ask yourself this question. When a government grants rights to groups of people, is it right in a secular democracy such as we live in here in Canada and the United States, where all are equal, to even attempt to restrict the rights of others, even if we disagree with them from a religious or moral prospective?
Is it right for you as a believer in Christ to force your morals and beliefs on someone?
Consider this. 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.

Think of it this way,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Matthew also records Jesus as saying,
“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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
To do what is right as a Christian is to show unconditional love to all people even if we disagree with them. To do less is wrong.
My point here is, in a secular democracy in which we live, with a government according to the apostle Paul that is allowed to rule by God. We have no right to restrict the rights of others. Nor do we have the right to impose our faith on others. To do so is simply wrong.
The scripture record is clear. Jesus and the disciples lived in the Roman empire. Perhaps one of the most ethnically diverse empires ever to exist. An empire that tolerated what believers in Christ would have considered sin.
Yet there is no record of them protesting against any of it. In fact they did their best to live at peace with all people presenting their beliefs in humility. Respecting the views of others.
The apostle Paul even said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18
The apostles did it and in doing so they changed the world.
Thus the question becomes, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing good or are you, perhaps well intentionally to your way of thinking, trying to restrict others and impose your beliefs on them?
Please think about it.