Notes from Jesus, Paul, and Psalms

Notes from Jesus, Paul and Psalms 

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.

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.

God knows our DNA. He knows why we are the way and why we do things we do. That is why we have no right to judge those around us except for our personal safety.

The apostle Paul tells us we can judge some people those people being those who claim to be Christians. 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.

This is to make certain the truth from the scriptures are being taught correctly. 

The apostle Paul stating,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15.

Please think about it.

Expel them

 Expel them

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.

These words from the apostle Paul are clear. We are not to judge those outside the church that is Gods job. 

We are however to judge those inside the church. I believe this means we are to judge what they say and do to see that what they are teaching, and saying is correct when it comes to the Bible.

If it is not then we are to expel them from the church.

Please think about it.

Time to

 Time to

The apostle Paul writes,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5,6.

In Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding;

 do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, 

and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme;

 therefore get wisdom.

 Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her, 

and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head 

and present you with a crown of splendour."

                                                                     Proverbs 4:5-9.

Sadly way to many people calling themselves Christians lack wisdom and understanding. They act both in word and in deed without thinking of the consequences. This is especially true of Evangelical Christians in North America. Who it seems heap condemnation on everyone they disagree with.

Over the years I’ve talked to people in the LBGTQ+ community in particularly who have been turned away from God by people claiming to be Christians. 

But it isn’t just limited to them. Many others have been turned away from Christ because of the actions of people claiming to be Christians who are not. Christians have no right to judge anyone outside their faith the apostle Paul stating,

"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

Sadly too many Christians wrongly judge others while not expelling the evil doers inside their churches.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist made a great statement when he said,

It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

“God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

It’s time for those who claim to be Christians here in North America to get wisdom and understanding. And while their at it take time to meditate on 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.

Please think about it.

It's time

  It’s time

Jesus said,

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

What is your light telling others about you? About God?

Are people seeing your good deeds or are they seeing something negative?

Over the years I’ve been a believer in Christ Jesus I’ve heard again and again non-believers say, “I’ve seen what those Christians do. And I’m at least as good as them and even better.”

Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                       Mahatma Gandhi.

When I hear things like this I firmly believe that the people whom Gandhi and others are seeing are Christians in name only. They are not following the teaching of Christ.

Jesus even 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!'" Matthew 7:22,23.

Sadly many who claim to be Christians are not. Equally sadly they are bringing the name of Christ into disrepute because of their words and deeds.

It’s time for true Christians true believers in Christ Jesus to stand up to those who call themselves Christians but are not. It’s time to as the apostle Paul said,

"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.

Please think about it.

Reformation NOT Revival

 Reformation Not, Revival.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

This beyond doubt is happening in the North American church today. We have evangelist and pastors who rather than gathering wise biblical teachers and scholars around them as advisors that tell the truth.

    Men and women who will at times disagree with them, correct them, and say why they are doing so. They pick and choose only those that think the way they think.

The result is such people can easily, and frequently do, misuse the word of God to say what they want to say. 

Some do so out of ignorance or because they have not had good teaching in their lives. Others do so for personal gain. Deliberately misleading those who would follow them.

Walking in evangelical circles here in Canada I hear a lot about the need for revival. Revival being, a reawakening within the church. While this needs to happen. What needs to happen first is Reformation.

Reformation a turning back to the fundamentals of our Christian faith. 

By this I mean we need to take a hard look at what passes for Christianity. We need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who 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.

We need to get out of politics and believing the lie that the United States and Canada are Christian nations. We need to heed the apostle Peters words who said,

“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.

We need to take a good look at the evangelist and pastors that we support who are millionaires to see if they are “in love with money”. Remembering that the apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

And while there is nothing wrong with being a millionaire we must ask them would you be willing to give up everything to follow Jesus? Jesus quoted as telling a rich man,

"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21..

Please think about it.

Basic Christian Belief

 Basic Christian Belief

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"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 am convinced that we especially we who live in North America, are seeing what the Apostle Paul predicted happening before our eyes.

In North America we enjoy amazing freedoms. Sadly many calling themselves Christians use these freedoms to preach false teachings. These men and women have gathered around them people who agree with them. People who are unwilling to tell them they are wrong.

The apostle Paul said,

"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.

With very few exceptions this is not happening in the church today.

Now having said that there is room to disagree on some things. But we should never differ on the basics. The basics to me are in a nutshell contained in the Apostles Creed. While not written by one of the apostles it gives if you will a base line for Christian thought.

The Apostles Creed reads,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

Thus my question to you. Do you and those pastors and evangelist you listen to and support believe this?

Please think about it.

As humanly possible

  As humanly possible

“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.

I read an interesting statement from Lenny Bruce that read,

"Every day people are straying away from the church

 and going back to God. Really." 

                                                                       Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."

Another one by an unknown author read,

I believe in God; 

I just don't trust anyone who works for him.”

                                                                               Author Unknown.

Sadly these statements are true. They are showing that the words of the apostle Peter are coming true when he said,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."2 Peter 2:1-3.

Many of those false teachers here in North America hide under the freedom of speech laws. They say they have the right to say what they believe. Which according to law they do.

That being said I don’t feel the church is doing enough to denounce false teaching. The apostle Paul clearly stated,

"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.

Thus my question to you. When you hear things you don’t feel are right, being said by a leader in your church or an evangelist do you (politely) question them about the false teaching?

Do you bring your questions to those in authority within your church congregation or denomination?

I firmly believe that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to preach and see that the gospel of Christ is preached in as pure a form as is humanly possible. For if it is not, it could have eternal consequences. 

What do you think?

Please think about it.

As one approved

  As one approved 

In the book of Genesis we read,

“So God created man in his own image,

In the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.”

                                                 Genesis 1:26, 27.

We are created according to scripture in the image of God. However there are some within the Church especially here in North America that are making God in their image. 

     They are picking and choosing scriptures to make God conform to what they believe. And in doing so, sadly, they are leading people astray. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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

As someone said to me, “the wolves are not outside the church these days. Many are within the church aiming to destroy it from within.

As Christians we need to watch out for those who are misusing scripture. Men and women who are heretics.

The apostle Paul 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 order to do this we need to read the Bible for ourselves, pray and ask God to show us the truths that are in the Bible.

We need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.

Please think about it.

On Judging

On Judging
“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
Do you judge the world and those around you? Do you look on people you disagree with, people who are living a lifestyle you disagree with and judge them?
We should not be doing this.
We can however and are told to by Paul to not associate with immoral people who call themselves brothers in Christ. Paul says,
“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.
Unfortunately all too many Christians do the opposite to what Paul says. They judge those outside our faith and turn a blind eye or refuse to speak out against anyone who claims to be a brother in Christ and is,
“..sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
We as Christians seem to have a bad record when it comes to speaking up against those who are doing wrong within our faith. Things that makes us look bad.
We need to be open and honest. Christianity like any group will from time to time find people in their midst that are Christians in name only. Their actions are not actions of true believers.
We need as Paul says, to, “Expel the wicked from among us.”
After all as Jesus 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!’” Matthew 7:22,23
Think about it.

Closes doors

Closes doors
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.
Let me state here that there are certain circumstances when we must judge people. Particularly when it comes to our personal safety or the safety of others. The apostle Paul even says,
"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.
Paul here makes it clear we can judge someone inside the church but this only extends to judging whether or not they who claim to be brothers and sisters in Christ are teaching the truth about Jesus. We have no right to judge anyone with respect to where they will spend eternity.
If we choose to judge those outside the church we will get backlash and doors will close, preventing us from presenting the Love of Christ to them.
We have no way of knowing why the person is the way they are. Only God knows that.
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.

If we look in the book of acts at the apostle Paul presenting the gospel message in Athens at no time does Paul call those present sinners. He mentioned that God will one day judge the world, but he doesn’t call his audience sinners. That wasn’t his job. His job was to present the gospel of Christ to them.
Which is what we are to do.
Thus my question, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus are to judging people or are you in love presenting the gospel of Christ to them?
Please think about it.

Christians and Judgement

Christians and Judgement
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.
This makes it clear to anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus. We are not allowed to judge. I believe this to be especially true when it comes to where anyone will spend eternity.
The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians have the right to Judge other Christians but only with respect to what they are teaching. Paul 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.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We can judge those who claim to be Christians because by the fact they are claiming to be Christians they are saying I believe the teachings of the Jesus and the Apostles. If they don’t we are to cast them out of the church.
As for those who are not Christians we have no right to judge them at all. Only God has that right, because only God knows what is in the heart of an individual.
Only God knows why a person is the way they are.
The job of a follower of Christ Jesus is made clear when 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.
We are to make disciples of all nations. At no time does Jesus ever tell his followers to judge anyone. No should we.
We will never win souls for Christ by judging and criticising them. It is only through love and developing a dialogue between ourselves and those around us, that we will win souls for Christ.
Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus. Do you judge others, intentionally or otherwise?
Please think about it. 

Judgement and the Christian

Judgement and the Christian
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 judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13
How do you speak and act with other people?
Do you refuse to interact with those of different faiths or lifestyles?
Do you judge those with whom you disagree with?
Are you quick to point out whether or not a person is going to hell?
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.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Christians have no right to judge other people. We can, I believe from what the apostle Paul states judge other Christians but only to see if they are teaching sound doctrine. We however have no right to judge anyone when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
The mandate of the church was given 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.
Our job as individual Christians is to present the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus to those around us. We cannot do this if we are in any way judging those around us.
Please think about it.

Only God

Only God
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 by far one of my favourite portions of scripture. It tells me in modern terms God knows my DNA. He knows why I am the way I am. Therefor especially when it comes to where I will spend eternity only God has the right to judge me.
True we have the right to judge others when it comes to our personal safety or to protect ourselves from injustice. We as believers in Christ Jesus even have the right to judge others claiming 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.
Judging other who claim to be Christians however to my way of thinking is only to see if they are preaching the word of God correctly. We as mere mortals cannot judge others with respect to where they will spend eternity.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist wisely 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
Even Jesus told us,
"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.
In short we are to love all people, our family, our neighbour, even our enemy. For only God knows what truly makes us the way we are and only He can judge individuals fairly.
Please think about it.

Watch Out

Watch out
The apostle Peter wrote,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Peter’s warning is a warning for the ages. We as believers in Christ Jesus must keep our own house clean. We must be completely committed to proclaiming the gospel message in the purest form possible.
The apostle Paul 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.
We as believers in Christ Jesus have no right to judge anyone inside or outside the church with respect to where they will spend eternity. That is God’s job. Not ours.
That being said we have an obligation to look at what is being taught in our church congregations and to expel from our congregations and denominations those who are not teaching the word of God in spirit and in truth.
We must remember we are the light of the world. The great evangelist Charles Spurgeon said,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.”” Charles H. Spurgeon.
We therefore must not let anything dim our light. The message we proclaim to the world must be proclaimed to the world in word and in deed.
The apostle Peter telling us,
“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.
Francis of Assisi reminding us,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                  Francis of Assisi.

We must remember this. We must always be vigilant when it comes to those who would be preachers, and teachers of the word God.
We should be checking what they are saying against the Bible text, and if they are in error, we must correct them. If they will not take correction then we must be willing to as the apostle Paul put it “expel the wicked” from among us.
The only way we can do this is if we as individuals study the scriptures ourselves and with others in order the see the truths as they appear in the Bible.
Please think about it. 

False Teachers

False Teachers
The Apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ Jesus writes,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Peter here issues a waring about false prophets. He echoes the words of Jesus who 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
Many in the world today are calling themselves Christians who are not. They as Peter states,
“They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to watch carefully for such teachers. We need to know what we believe and why we believe what we believe.
We need to listen carefully to what evangelist, pastors, priests, even people calling themselves prophets are saying.  We need to, within our churches stand up to false teaching.
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.
As believers in Christ Jesus we must always remember to present to those around us the pure unadulterated word of God. It is the only way we will truly win souls for Christ.
Please think about it.