The apostle Paul writes,
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...” 1 Timothy 2:1.
If you claim to be a Christian do you pray for everyone around you? Do you pray for your family members, friends, neighbours, enemies, government and religious leaders? The apostle Paul says you should. So do you?
Please think about it.
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 this way in the year 2025 this means;
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 on others
however good they may be.
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.
If you
are telling the world you are a Christian
You should be telling the world
I love you as Jesus loves you,...
Please think about it
Bless
To all those who have read my blogs throughout the years I would just like to thank you and dedicate this verse from the book of numbers.
"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace"
Please in all you do throughout the coming year take time to bless someone. As our Lord and Saviour Christ 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.
Please don’t just think about it.
Do it.
Actions have Consequences
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.
This teaching of Jesus has profound implications.
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.
If you
are telling the world you are a Christian
You should be telling the world
I love you as God loves you,...
unconditionally.
Please think about it.
What are you doing for others?
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
While I know the Talmud is a Jewish book and not Christian it presents an interesting scenario. It states,
"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
The great American civil rights leader once said,
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” Martin Luther King, Jr.
So the question if you are a Christian becomes, what are you doing for others? At the very least are you doing what 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.
Please think about it.
Live Free
The apostle Peter wrote,
"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16.
With all the freedoms we here in North America enjoy it is easy to use those freedoms to cover up evil.
Here we have laws that guarantee our freedom of speech. Thus we can within reason say anything we want. That being said, there are men and women particularly in the political and religious communities that say things that are wrong or blatant lies. Then threaten those who try to correct them with libel. Saying it’s their right to free speech that allows them to say what they did.
At the same time there are those who would use the freedom they have to take away the rights of others. This is especially I find used by those calling themselves Christians. Who would seek to restrict the freedoms of people who’s lifestyle they disagree with.
As Christians we have do not have the right to restrict the rights of those we disagree with. 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 our job as believers in Christ Jesus to go out in love and reach people for Christ. If we are trying to restrict others rights we will never win them for Christ.
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.
You dear reader would not like your rights and freedoms restricted. But by trying to restrict the rights and freedoms of others you are giving them the right to try and restrict you rights.
The late American Evangelist Billy Graham wisely said,
“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,
God's job to judge
and my job to love,”
Billy Graham
Please think about it.
Choose your friend
In the book of James we read,
"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4.
What James is saying here is if we love the various things of this world, material possessions, money, various political and secular philosophies and other things in this world that don’t line up with the teachings of the Bible, we become an enemy of God.
Jesus tells us,
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.
If we consider ourselves Christians. True followers of Christ Jesus. We need to examine what we believe and why we believe it.
We need to ask God to show us what we need to get rid of in our life and how we can best serve Him.
Why not take some time now to pray and ask God to show you how you can conform your life and lifestyle to serving Him?
Please think about it.
You must be sincere
The apostle Paul writes,
"Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil;
cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honour one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:9,10.
When people, especially those outside the church see you, do they see that the love you have is sincere?
As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, we cannot do anything halfheartedly. We must be sincere in everything we do. That is especially true when it comes to love. We must love as God loved. Unconditionally.
Is you love unconditional? Are you devoted to other Christians in brotherly love? Do you honour others above yourself?
Please think about it.
Think of it this way
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.
If you
are telling the world you are a Christian
You should be telling the world
I love you as God loves you,...
unconditionally.
Please think about it.
Do not forget
In the book of Hebrews we read,
“Do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16.
The late civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr. said,
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is,
'What are you doing for others?'”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.
So if you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. What are you doing to help others?
Please think about it.
Treat others
Jesus said,
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31.
The meaning of this portion of Scripture is self explanatory. Treat others the way you want them to treat you.
In Matthews gospel we see Jesus as saying it this way,
"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.
If you call yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Jesus Christ you should be doing so.
So the question becomes do you treat others the way you want to be treated?
Please think about it.
Watch out for others
In the book of Philippians we read,
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross." Philippians 2:3-18 (ESV).
Are you humble?
Do you count others more significant than yourself?
Do you lookout for not only the interest of yourself but of others too?
Here in the book of Philippians we read that if we are following the teachings and example of Jesus, we should be watching out for the interest of others as well as are own.
So do you watch out for the interest of others?
Please think about it.
A Principle of the Christian life.
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.
Are you quick to judge people?
Do you judge people in a negative way simply because they disagree with you or have a lifestyle you disagree with?
If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus you shouldn’t be. Jesus makes that clear here in Matthew 7:1,2.
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. When you judge others your are giving them the right to judge you the same way.
So the question becomes, are you judging or loving others? Even those you disagree with or have a lifestyle you disagree with?
Please think about it.
Remember this
"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 this way it means;
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 on others
however good they may be.
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.
If you
are telling the world you are a Christian
You should be telling the world
I love you as Jesus loves you,...
unconditionally.
Please think about it.
Jesus said this
Jesus said this,
"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 this way in the year 2021 this means;
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 on others
however good they may be.
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.
If you
are telling the world you are a Christian
You should be telling the world
I love you as Jesus loves you,...
unconditionally.
Please think about it
Who are you relying on?
The Psalmist writes,
"I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1,2.
If you consider yourself a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus, where does your help come from? Are you sure you are truly relying on the Lord, The Maker of heaven and earth?
In Psalm twenty we are reminded,
"Some trust in chariots
and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."
Psalm 20:7.
It is so easy for a person to slip from relying on The Lord to relying of our material possessions. Quite often we do it without even realizing it.
So I ask you again, if you truly believe you are a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus; Are you relying on God or something else?
Please think about it.
Where?
In the book of Hebrews we read,
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2.
If you consider yourself a Christian where are your eyes fixed? Are they fixed on a political figure? Are they fixed on the things this world can offer? Are they fixed on particular teacher, or preacher?
According to the writer of Hebrews they shouldn’t be. Believers in Christ Jesus should have their eyes firmly fixed on Jesus who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
So I ask you again where are your eyes fixed?
The gates of hell will not prevail
The Psalmist writes,
"The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
Psalm 14:1
C.S. Lewis said of Christianity,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
For me I believe there has to be something to Christianity. We are a people who preach peace, love and living in harmony with our fellow man. We present to those who will listen to us the way we believe you get to heaven. Then leave it up to the individual to decide for themselves if we are right or wrong.
A true Christian will never force their faith on anyone.
That being said if Christianity is untrue. If God does not exist why are governments such as North Korea putting Christians in forced labour camps?
Why wont Saudi Arabia allow people to convert to Christianity?
Why are atheist in the United States trying to get Christian symbols out of schools and other public places?
It seems to me if there is nothing behind the Christian faith then the symbols and practices of Christianity are meaningless.
Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, (361-363 A.D.) an ancient adversary of Christianity. Said in his work against Christianity:
“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”
At the end of his life Julian was forced to say: “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Over the centuries many men and governments have come against Christianity yet none have prevailed.
Christianity is stronger today than it has ever been and it is still growing even in countries that try to suppress it.
It continues to grow because it is of God, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Think about it.
If followed
The apostle Paul writes,
"Let each of you look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4.
Here’s a concept I think is lost on many who call themselves Christians. Sadly this pandemic has shown us short falls among Christians.
With tens of millions vaccinated without problems. Some who call themselves Christians are not getting vaccinated, some even refusing to wear a mask, calling it a breach of their rights and freedoms.
To my mind this tantamount to worshipping their rights over God and the interests of others.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1,2.
Paul makes it clear we are to submit to the governing authorities. The only exception to that I would say and I believe Christian scholars agree is when those authorities forbid us from worshipping God. And here in North America we have not been stopped from worshipping God.
Yes we have had to be creative in how we worship, meeting on zoom, meeting outside, meeting with substantially less people in our churches, but we have never been stopped from worshipping God.
The only things the authorities have asked of us, is to, wear a mask, socially distance and get a vaccine. All that have been proven to help stop the spread of Covid.
Precautions that if followed will help us as Christians look out for the interest of others.
Please think about it.
Whom do you trust?
The Psalmist writes,
"I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold."
Psalm 18:1,2
In Psalm 20 we read,
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God”
Psalm 20:7.
Where I your trust? Do you trust in your own power or in God’s power? It is a question we must all answer.
So I ask you whom do you truly trust in the good times and in the bad times, is it in God or something else?
Please think about it.
