A Truth

A Truth
The letter James was described to me as a “Christian how too” letter. A letter all who claim to be followers of Christ need to read and heed.
He writes,
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. 
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:25-27
James makes several points to the believer
1/ He tells us that we should be studying the word of God. That by doing so we will be blessed.
2/ That we should keep a tight rein on our tongue. That not doing so can make his faith worthless.
The wrong word can sometimes be more damaging that a physical injury. What we say can either point people to God or away from God. Can point people to eternal life with God or an eternity without him.
If our words are not pointing people to God then our faith is worthless because the whole duty of a believer in Christ is to point people to eternal life with God.
3/ James states “Religion that God our Father accepts is pure and faultless”
We are to keep true to what the scriptures say. Not twist them to say what we want them to say. This is the only faith God accepts.
4/ We are to look after the widows and orphans.
We are to look after those who cannot look after themselves.  As one pastor told me “our faith must has legs”.
James later in his letter reminds us that faith without works is useless.
Question. If you claim to be a Christian what are you doing for Christ?
Please think about it.

A Challenge

A challenge

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26.
My Question is do you believe this.
The New Testament makes it clear as to who the early Church thought Jesus was. He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Saviour of minkind.
What I would ask the non-Christian is to get a copy of the New Testament and read it carefully asking God to show his reality to you.
Read it for yourself. Even visit a Church. I alway recommend a Baptist church in most areas of the world. But in Canada I also recommend the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada churches.
Go into the church even if its not on a Sunday and ask to speak to a pastor about his or her faith. Any good and honest pastor will gladly take time to tell you what they believe and why.
Please think about it.

A Note to non-Christians

A Note to non-Christians
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.
I as a Christian love to tell people about Christ and the eternal life with God he offers for free. I do my best to present to people the truths that are in the Bible.
I however realize there are many people claiming to be Christians who are not and they are turning many away from Christ.
The Apostle Peter states,
“Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”
                                                                                                                                       2 Peter 3:2.
The apostle Paul writing to Christians states,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 
                                                                                                                           2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Sadly there are many men and women out there who would exploit people in the name of Jesus. They may say they are believers but they are not. Christianity like every walk of life has its share of frauds.
The truth of God however is out there for anyone who is truly looking for it. All one has to do is read the Bible.
I encourage non-Christians to read the New Testament and pray and ask God to show you the truth. I suggest people find a church. I usually suggest a Baptist church because they have sound teaching generally.
And don’t just take someone’s word about what the bible says ask questions. Ask a lot of questions. A true Christian will give you honest answers. They will show you where there answers can be found in the Bible. They will show you the scriptures in context that support their answers.
I know it can be hard for a non-Christian to tell the difference between a true Christian and a fraud it can be for a believer in Christ. Still it is not impossible.
I firmly believe that if you are truly seeking God he will show himself to you as you read the Bible and pray to Him.
What I believe in can be stated like this,

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.

The list is based on what is referred to as the Apostles Creed. That while not written by an apostle are several fundamental points that are the basis of Christian teaching. To teach other than that is to be teaching wrong Christian principles.
What I wold ask non-believes reading this is that if you are truly serious about leaning about Jesus please read the New Testament. Then find a church, like I say a Baptist church is a usually a good choice. Ask the pastor of the church to tell you what he believes and why.
Remember also that there are different if you will flavours of church congregations from the very traditional full of symbolism and ritual to the very contemporary that use modern music and lively forms of worship.
So don’t turn away from a church congregation simply because you don’t like the worship. Look around, pray and ask God to show you a place that is right for you. A place that is teaching the truth from the Bible. A place that glorifies God.
Please think about visiting a Church this week.