If You

 If you

Jesus said,

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  

When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46

If you found something of great importance to mankind. Something that would change lives. Would you not want to share it?

That is what we as Christians, as true followers in Christ Jesus believe we have. We believe: 

Jesus is the Son of God

The Saviour of all who believe in Him.

We believe He gave his life for the sins we committed.

The Apostle Paul states,

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

As believers in Christ Jesus we believe you cannot be good enough to stand before a Holy God. The simple fact being we are far from perfect and sin. Sin meaning falling short of Gods ideal for our life.

Thus Jesus speaking of Himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.

All it takes on our part is to believe Jesus paid the price for our sins. Then confess those sins to Jesus.

The apostle John stating,

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

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

It all comes down to what the Apostle Paul 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.

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.

Please think about it.

The test

 The test

The apostle John writes,

"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.

Here is if you will the litmus test for someone who claims to be Christian.

1/ He does right.

2/ He does not sin.

John making it clear,

“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 3:10.

The way I see it this is how we should judge anyone who claims to be a Christian.

Please think about it.

God's Forgiveness

 God’s forgiveness

The Psalmist writes,

“Lord, if you kept an account 

of iniquities, 

Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is 

forgiveness,

So you may be revered”

                              Psalm 130:3,4

The Psalmist here is telling us that if God kept an account of our iniquities no one would get to heaven. But the God we serve is a loving God. A God of forgiveness. 

The apostle 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.

Do you believe in God and the grace that comes from Christ Jesus?

Do you believe the words of the apostle John who states,

"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?

Please think about it.

He died for you

 He died for you

The apostle Paul writes,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

                                                                   Romans 5:8.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

"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.

It is by the Grace of God that we get to heaven. Through our faith in Christ Jesus. 

C. S. Lewis wrote,

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.

Christ died for you. It really is that simple. 

The apostle John writes,

"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.

Thus you have a choice to believe in The Lord Jesus Christ and be assured you are going to Heaven, or take your chances on not believing in Christ Jesus. 

But before you make your decision think about this. 

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists. Blaise Pascal

Please think about it.

If yo believe with your heart

 If you believe with your heart.

The apostle Paul 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.

There is no need for explanation of this portion of scripture. It says what it says.

If you confess Jesus is Lord.

If you believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead.

You will be saved.

So the question becomes: Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Confession of faith

 Confession of Faith

The apostle Paul writes,

“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.

The writer of the book of Hebrews states,

“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.

You cannot call yourself a Christian unless you truly believe in and have absolute faith God.

Simply believing God exists is not enough. God calls each individual to have faith in Him.

Do you have such faith?

Please think about it.

Faith

 Faith

Luke’s Gospel records,

“Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!  

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 

Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" 

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:24-27.

One commentary I read on this noted that many in the day of Jesus thought that the rich would get into heaven more easily than the poor. The thinking being the rich were blessed of God and the poor not so. 

Some calling themselves Christians even today say if you are not healthy and wealthy you are sinning and therefore cannot enter heaven.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The apostle 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.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“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

Scripture is filled with accounts of the poor getting to heaven. The parable Jesus tells of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) being an example.

In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews the writer tells us of great men and women of God who were all saved by their faith, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah.

Getting to heaven has nothing to do with the size of your bank account. Quite the contrary while there is nothing wrong with being rich it can have its down sides. The apostle Paul writing,

“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.

It’s when your money or anything else for that matter comes before God that there’s a problem.

Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman states,

“God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”John 4:23.

Do you? 

Do you worship God in spirit and in truth?

Please think about it.

Do you pray for

Do you pray for
Jesus 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.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."  1Timothy 2:1-4.
Someone once said to me “why should I pray for a dictator who brings hardship on people? Why should I pray for rulers that live unethical lives? Leaders who are immoral?
Especially why should I pray for my enemies?
Paul makes it clear why we should pray for those in authority. He states, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” When we live peaceful and quiet lives it is easier to spread the gospel.
We should also be praying for the salvation of our political leadership.
As for praying for our enemies. We should be praying for their salvation. That God will change their heart. That they would let us live our lives in peace.
The apostle Paul writing about Jesus said,
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2:9-11.
Every leader of every country like every other person that has ever lived will one day bow before Jesus and confess that He is Lord.
Every leader, as will every person will be judged by God for their deeds in this life. The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
As Christians we have a duty to tell the world about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. That extends to all walks of life from the poorest person living on the street, to the richest man in the world, to all those in authority over us.
Thus my question to you the reader. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus;
Do you pray for your political leaders?
Do you pray for your boss at work?
Do you pray for your enemy?
Do you pray for peace and freedom that the gospel of Christ may spread more easily?
Please think about it.

Foolishness?

Foolishness?
The apostle Paul writes,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

                                                                                1 Corinthians 1:18.

Think about this. The whole New Testament revolves around Jesus. Jesus who claimed to be the Son of God. Equal to God. It talks about his dying on the cross for the sins of each individual who would believe in him. It talks about his resurrection from the grave. It tell of how he waked the earth after rising from the grave. Then ascended into heaven.
This to many people today and in the past seems foolishness. Yet those who believe in Christ Jesus believe it to be absolutely true.
The question is do you believe what the New Testament says about Jesus or not.
Many who dismiss Jesus and God out of hand I find have not read the Bible. What they know of the teachings of Jesus and Jesus himself is purely second hand. Which can be a dangerous thing. For second hand sources can have a bias.
I firmly believe individuals need to read the Bible for themselves. It is the only way to truly know the truth about Jesus and about God.
Thus my challenge to anyone who reads this take time to at least read the New Testament before you make up your mind about Jesus.
Please think about it.

Why?

Why?
Luke’s Gospel records,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,  
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32.
This passage of scripture tell us why Jesus came to earth. To call the sinners to repentance.
John’s Gospel records Jesus speaking of himself saying,
“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 a message those calling themselves Christians need to remember. The purpose of Christ’s coming to earth was to save the world. Not condemn it.
Jesus told his disciples,
“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.
It is not the Christians job to judge the world. It is not the Christians job to say where anyone will spend eternity. It is the Christians job to make disciples of all nations.
In order to do this we must live out the message of Christ in word and in deed.
We must remember 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.

We must ask ourselves am I presenting the gospel message to others in a way that I would like it presented to me?
Please think about it.

Christians are you truly saved?

Christian are you truly saved?
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
Sadly what Jesus is saying is true. There are many people today who claim to be Christians who are not. That includes not only people who sit in the pews, but pastors, evangelist and others.
Leonard Ravenhill an English American evangelist said,
“I doubt if 5% of professing Christians in America are born again--and that's true of England!” Leonard Ravenhill.
There are many, many people who go to church that will find out one day that they are not going to heaven. That is especially true I think of many who have grown up in the church. These people know the ritual. They know what to say and when to say it. But they have no personal relationship with Christ.
Many go to church here in North America because it’s a social thing. Their grandparents went. Their parents went and their friends go to church. Thus they go.
But as the saying goes. “Going to church and reading your bible doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck.
I firmly believe there is a need within the Church especially here in North America where I live for a revival. A revival that must start from within.
We as true believers in Christ Jesus need to be reaching out to the people within the walls of our church congregations to ensure that all who attending are truly in a right relationship with God. For if we don’t it will have eternal consequences.
Please think about it.

The Narrow or The Wide Gate

The Narrow or the Wide Gate
Jesus said,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13,14.
There are many in the world today that say there are many ways to heaven. Believers in Christ Jesus do not believe this. We 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.
Even the apostle Paul admitted that what believers in Christ believed seemed to be foolishness. Paul wroting,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
That being said all of the disciples of Christ including Paul and every other believer in Christ to modern day believe Jesus is the way to heaven.
Individuals must understand that God does not do things the way man does things.
I’m certain most individuals would say the best way to show God exists and show mankind the way to heaven is by God coming out of heaven in a miraculous way. For God to show Himself in all his might and power.
The apostle Paul however notes,
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
God wants individuals to have faith in Him because God knows that people of faith are the truest followers. Followers who will literally go to the grave for what they believe in.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Ultimately it all comes down to you the individual and what you believe. You have the choice to believe there are many ways to heaven, or you can believe Jesus is “The Way” to heaven The choice is yours. However remember this the writer of Proverbs states,

“There is a way that seems right to a man 

but in the end it leads to death” 

                                         Proverbs 14:12.

Thus I would ask the question, How firm are you in your beliefs?
If you were to die today do you believe you would go to heaven?
Please think about it.

Christians and the Immoral

Christians and the Immoral
The apostle Paul writes,
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.  
And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?  
Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.   When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,  hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 
Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?  
Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  
Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.    With such a man do not even eat. 
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 5:1-13
The Corinthians had their problems. Problems that can relate to today.
In this portion of Scripture there are two parts. One involving believers and one involving non-believers.
The first part addresses a sin committed by one who claims to be a believer in Christ.
Here they had someone among them who was guilty of incest. Incest was not only against Jewish law but against Roman Law. Paul noting
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.” 
He states,
“And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?” 
As Christians we have a moral code sent down by God. A code that if you claim to be a Christian you must follow. There is no middle ground.
If a person is found to be breaking God’s law it is the job of the Church to correct the person. If they do not repent of their sin then they should be put out of the assembly of believers. It is that simple.
Paul states,
“...hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.”
It sounds harsh but Paul’s intentions here is aimed at the salvation of this person. He hopes that by putting him out of the fellowship of believers the man will understand the magnitude of his sin and repent.
Paul notes there is no room in the body of believer for sin. He points out,
“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?  
Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  
Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.”
Yeast is symbolic of sin. Once sin gets into a body of believers it can quickly make its way through the whole congregation if it is not checked.
Paul make the analogy to Passover in which Jewish households get rid of all the yeast in the house. The symbol of sin. The bread they eat is unleaven free from sin.
It is the job of the Church to make sure all within it are following Christ in spirit and in truth. Paul knew that we all sin that none of us are completely sinless. However if we confess our sins to God and ask forgiveness God will forgive us. The apostle John telling us,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10.
The second Part of what the Apostle Paul is telling believers is
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.    With such a man do not even eat. 
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.” 1Corinthians 5:9-13.
Paul makes it clear that when he speaks of not associating with sexually immoral people or those who are greedy, swindlers or idolaters. He dose not mean those outside the body of believer, otherwise believers would have to leave the world.
What Paul is speaking about when it comes to not associating with such people he means those who claim to be believers in Christ and do those things.
Christians believe it or not are suppose to be willing to sit down and present the gospel to people who are sexually immoral, greedy, swindlers, idolaters, those of other faith, Atheist, people of different lifestyles, the average person and indeed people of wall walks of life. In fact anyone who will listen to our message It is for these people Jesus came.
Paul also points out that we are not to judge those outside the Church only those inside he states,
“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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
If you claim to be a Christian are you acting like this?
Please think about it.