A Christian duty

 A Christian duty

The apostle Paul writes,

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:13-15.

Jesus said,

"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 the duty of all Christians. All who believe in Christ Jesus, to take His message of the Love of God and the Salvation God offers through Christ Jesus to the world. Be that the world at large, their family, friends, or neighbours.

And we cannot do this by judging those around us.

In order to do this effectively however it must be stressed that when we present the word of God to those around us, we must do it in love.

When Jesus was accused of sitting with "tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 9:10-13) he didn't judge them. If had they probably wouldn't have listened to him. 

Likewise when Paul spoke in Athens to the Epicurean Stoic philosophers and others in the Areopagus (Acts 17) he didn't judge them. He instead presented the Gospel message and let them determine if what he said was right or wrong.

This is the example we must follow.

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.

This is especially true when we are talking about where a person will spend eternity. Only God can judge where someone will spend eternity.

Interestingly the only time a believer in Christ Jesus can judge anyone is when they are judging those who claim to be Christians. The apostle Paul writing,

"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.

This I believe is a safeguard to assure that those who claim to be Christians are preaching the true gospel message.

 So are you telling people in your world about the Love of God in Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Focus

  Focus

Jesus said,

"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.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

“Let us preach Christ, let us be faithful to proclaiming the Gospel, but let's leave judgment in the hands of God.” Tony Campolo.

My question to anyone reading this who claims to be a true follower of Christ Jesus is, are you doing this?

Are you making sure you are not judging those around you?

Are you focusing on what Jesus commanded us to do when He said,

"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.

Please think about it. 

Remember these things

  Remember these things

Jesus said,

"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.

Here ultimately is what Christians are called to do. To tell the world about Christ Jesus. To go and make disciple of all nation.

The only way we are going to be able to do this is to remember three things...

1/ Do not judge anyone no matter who they are. What they believe or their way of life.

2/ Love unconditionally.

3/ do as 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.

The final thing we need to remember are also the words of Jesus who said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Please think about it.

The only way

  The only way

James the half brother of Jesus said,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

Are you merciful? Do you stand in judgement of those you disagree with. Those who are of a different faith. Those who have a different lifestyle? 

Jesus said,

“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.

There is no room for argument here. Jesus tells us not to judge. I believe we are not allowed to judge others because we do not know why they are the way they are.

The duty to God of all Christians was made clear by Jesus when he said,

“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.

They only way we can fulfil our duty to Christ is to present the gospel in a loving way to those around us. 

We will never win a soul to Christ by judging them.

Please think about it.

Only through Love

Only through Love
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. Having freedom to speak what one believes enables Christians to spread the gospel message easier.
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.
As Christians we must remember what the apostle Paul writes here in 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We must keep our focus on the reason for Jesus coming to this earth. The apostle John quotes Jesus speaking of himself as 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.
Jesus speaking to his apostles said,
"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.
This is the duty of all who believe in Christ Jesus. To make disciples of all nations. And we must do this in love. For it is only through love that we will win anyone for Christ.
Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus; are you reaching out to those around you with the Love of God?
Please think about it.

Speak Carefully

Speak carefully.

“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
I believe we are going to be held account for all we say and do. That even Christians will be called to give account of their words and deeds.
I believe the Talmud while a Jewish book and not Christian, has a good point when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”  The Talmud.
After all if we profess to be believers, God knows and we know that we believe in God. He knows if we’ve prayed and observed the ritual. He even knows if we truly have dealt honourably and faithfully with our fellow man.
But he offers us a chance to be honest,  asking us do we believe we have dealt honourably and faithfully in all our dealings with our fellow men.”
As Christians we are called to live as good a life as we humanly can.
People around us are looking at us and they notice what we do right and wrong. If our lifestyle is not better than that of the worlds then the world can say, “Why should I become a Christian I am as good if not better than them.”
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
"Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them."Billy Graham
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                            Francis of Assisi.

Our life and lifestyle should reflect the Love of God. We will make mistakes. We will get upset with people we come in contact with. But the key is when we make mistakes we need to admit them and correct them.
And when we deal with others that have done something against us we must show mercy towards them and forgive them.
It was Jesus who said,
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”  Matthew 6:12
James makes it very clear
“... judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”  James 2:,13
C.S. Lewis wrote,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis
Please think about it.

What are your deeds saying?

What are your deeds saying?
The book of acts records this incident that happened to the apostle Paul in Athens. It reads,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?”  Acts 17:17-19.
Here is an interesting incident in Paul’s life. He was presenting the Message of Christ Jesus in the synagogues and the market place. Apparently in a peaceful and civil manner.
While in the market place Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate him which led them to invite Paul to a meeting of the Areopagus a place where philosophy and other things were debated. The ancient equivalent if you will of a Ted talk.
Acts 17:20-34 tells us what happened. Paul met the Athenians where they were at. Noting that they were very religious and obviously seeking truth for they even had a temple to “an unknown god”.
From there without judging or saying anything negative about the beliefs of the Athenians, Paul presents his beliefs on Christ Jesus. The final result was some scoffed at what he said, some believed, and some wanted to hear more.
The way Paul conducted himself in Athens should be an example for Christians today.
We live in a world of vast diversity when it comes to religion, philosophy and lifestyles. We in our service to Christ will from time to time be called on to present the message of Jesus to a wide range of people. People of different faiths, philosophies, and lifestyles.
It is therefore of the utmost importance that we present the gospel of Christ in a civil, non-judgmental way.
We must keep for lack of a better term “on script”. Telling people about the Love of God through Christ Jesus. Without judging them or in anyway insulting there faith, philosophy or lifestyle.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,

 God’s job to judge 

and 

my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                               Francis of Assisi.

The apostle Paul’s deeds in Athens led him to being asked to speak in the Areopagus. To tell all present about the Saving Grace of Christ Jesus.
What are your deeds telling those around you?
Please think about it. 

No Right

No Right
The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.
This is one of my favourite scripture quotes. It tells me God has known me from the moment of conception.
It tells me I am unique and wonderfully made.
Above all it tells me God knows why I am the way I am. Something no individual in this world can say. Thus to my way of thinking no one has the right to judge me. Even Jesus said,
“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.
As a believer in Christ Jesus I take Jesus admonition not to judge others to heart, for the simple reason I have no idea what makes a person the way they are.
My job as a believer in Christ is to love. 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
Matthews gospel 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.
This is what I as a believer in Christ Jesus must do, love unconditionally.
Billy Graham perhaps one of the greatest evangelist at least of my generation said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                       Billy Graham.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you truly love?
Please think about it.

You Knit Me

You Knit Me
The Psalmist writes,

“For you created my inmost being; 

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. 

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 your eyes saw my unformed body. 

All the days ordained for me were written in your book 

before one of them came to be.” 

                                  Psalm 139:13-16.

The way I see the above portion of Scripture is this. God knows our very DNA. He knew us as we were being formed in our mothers womb. As a result God knows why we are the way we are. As a result God and only God has the right to judge anyone.
I say this particularly when it comes to where we will spend eternity. No human being can say where another human being will spend eternity.
Jesus said,
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.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Believers in Christ Jesus have no right to judge anyone outside their own faith. Even when judging those inside their faith it is only with respect to what someone is teaching. We have the right to judge what a person is teaching to see if they are indeed teaching the truth about Jesus.
We do not have the right to say where a person will spend eternity.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo.
This if you are truly a believer in Christ Jesus is what you are suppose to do.
Jesus told us,
“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.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

A Note to the 21st Century Church

A note to the 21st Century Church
Think about this...
Jesus and his disciples,
• Never Voted.
• Never Protested.
• Never judged anyone outside their own faith.
Yet they within a century they had spread the Good News of the Love of Jesus Christ throughout the known world.
They did so by,
• Presenting the Love of God to their neighbours and enemies alike.
• Showing Love and Mercy to all those they came in contact with.
• Living as far as possible at peace with those around them.
The disciples put into action the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
And the words writer of Hebrews,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
They followed the teaching of the Apostle Peter who wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century, are you doing this?
Please think about it.

What Business is it of Mine

What business is it of mine
The apostle Paul wrote,

“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.

Jesus said,

“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 believer in Christ Jesus has no right to Judge, especially those outside the body of believers.
As believers in Christ Jesus we have the right to judge those inside the church but only to determine if what they are teaching is correct.
We cannot judge whether a person is going to heaven or not. That is God’s job.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and 

my job to love, 

                             Billy Graham.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to remember one key thing 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.
Put it this way. If you don’t want people judging you don’t judge them.
Jesus gave his followers a job to do he said,
“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.
As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot do this job effectively if we are judging people in any way shape or form.
The job of the Christian is to love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. We must do this because it is the only way to win souls for Christ.
Please think about it.

About Judgement

About Judgment
Jesus said,
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.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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.
The Apostle Paul writes,

“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.

It is very easy to judge someone. Christians however according to Jesus, James and the apostle Paul are not to judge anyone. Especially those outside the church. And we are only allowed to judge those inside the church to see if they are teaching sound doctrine. If they are not we are to expel them from the church.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,”

                 Billy Graham

Another American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
That all, means all of us, Popes, pastors, evangelist, people sitting in the pew, political leaders, men and women on the street. All have sinned. The apostle John however tells 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.
As Christians we must remember we are sinners saved by the grace of God. We have no right to judge another human being.
We do however have an obligation before God to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen to us. Something we can only do if we are not judging people. The writer of Hebrews reminds us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Please think about it.