To those in the West

 To those in the west

Jesus said,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34.

I firmly believe that we who believe in Christ Jesus living in the western democracies don’t fully comprehend this statement. With all of our freedoms we fail to realize that the cost of following Christ can and is extreme for those in countries where the freedom to worship God is prohibited. Where worshipping God can get you and your family sent to jail or labour camps.

Even in some democracies in the world where Christianity is a minority faith. Believing in Christ can lead to persecution. Persecution that can force a believer to leave his or her home village or town, get dismissed from their job, and in some cases lead to their families breaking ties with them.

As a result we living in the west fail to count the cost of following Christ.   

As a result we quite often take our faith in Christ too lightly to the point at times we place God of second or third priority in our life.

Quiet often choosing to do other things ahead of serving and worshipping God.

Some believers even going as far as hiding their faith from their co-workers or employers.

To those in the west I would remind them of the words of Jesus who said,

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32,33.

So to those reading this who are living in the democratic and free democracies of the west do you admit to those around you, you are a believer in Christ Jesus?

Have you counted the cost of following Christ?

Do you put God ahead of all things in your life?

Please think about it.

Could I

  Could I

In the book of James we read,

“Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:13,14.

Life is short and unpredictable. We have seen in the last few years tens of thousands die of Covid. But covid aside thousands die of medical problems, car crashes, war and a myriad of other things every day.

The key to my way of thinking is are you ready to enter eternity? 

As a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, I believe we can be ready and I don’t mean by just saying the sinners prayer.

The late evangelist Leonard Ravenhill said,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill.

The sinners prayer can give a false sense of security. 

Anyone who truly wants to get to heaven must truly believe in Christ Jesus. 

We should never make our decision to follow Christ in the heat of the moment. While we are in that feel good moment. We must count the cost.

We must I believe take a close look at the New Testament and what God is saying through it before making our decision. By looking at the New Testament we can see what the happened to the apostles. The trials and tribulations they went through. Trials and tribulations that potentially all Christians can go through.

Then we must ask ourselves with Gods help could I go through what they went through.

Please think about it.

The cost of Salvation

The Cost of Salvation

I in these blogs have often said salvation is free and it is for us.
John records 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.”  
       John 3:16-17
Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“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 stating,
“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
Salvation as shown above for us is simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Salvation however cost Jesus his life
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.
I believe that God deliberately sent Jesus to us to demonstrate in purely human terms how far he would go to reconcile himself to us.
I could write pages on why Jesus had to come to this earth most of which would bore a theologian.
The key thing in all of this however is that God want’s to have a personal relationship with you.
God does not care who you are or what your lifestyle is. He knows your heart and he want to come in and have that intimate relationship with you. 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.
Are you willing to believe in Jesus. Are you willing to come into a personal relationship with him?
Please think about it.