Defend

Defend

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9.

This is a simple truth God wants all believers to follow. To the extent we are able we are to speak up, 

“for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves, 

for the rights of all who are destitute”

Have you ever done this? Are you as a believer in Christ Jesus willing to do this?

Please think about it.

Statutes

 Statutes 

The Psalmist writes,

"Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. 

The statutes you have laid down are righteous; 

they are fully trustworthy." 

                                              Psalm 119:37,38 

I found this definition of statutes on the internet that clearly defines what the word statutes means in the Bible. It reads

“In the Bible, "statutes" refer to divine decrees, laws, or ordinances established by God to guide the moral, civil, and ceremonial conduct of His people...”

God has, I believe layed in our hart and mind his moral code. The ten commandments being the most obvious. It is a code every believer in God, in Christ Jesus is asked to follow. For by doing so society is a better place. 

When these Gods statutes are violated, society falls into abyss. An extreme example being the second world war were evil men rose to destroy society. Murdering an estimated fifty to sixty million men women and children, soldiers and civilians.

Jesus said,

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Matthew 5:13.

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus it is our job to uphold Gods statutes. To be salt that preserves society. We do this by livinga life that shows love and understanding even to our enemies.

Please think about it.

Don't be led astray

Don' be led astray

The apostle Paul speaking to king Agrippa said,

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  Acts 26:19 20.

The apostle John wrote,

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:7-10.

In North America where I live love at times seems to be in short supply. We have people claiming to be Christians supporting a person who is cutting needed aid to their countrymen. Who is forgetting the poor. While scripture clearly says,

"A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge." Proverbs 29:7.

Where do you stand?

Please think about it.

Which Description

  Which description 

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:7-10.

Here is a simple test of to determine who is of God and who is not of God. You will know them by their actions,

The apostle Paul writes,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."Galatians 5:19-23.

Which description fits you and the pastors, evangelist and politicians you listen to?

Please think about it.

Inclusive

Inclusive
The Pharisees asked Jesus disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13.
Many years ago the pastor of a church I attended at the time put a sign out in front of the church that read,
“This church for sinners only. ALL are welcome.”
Some people in the congregation objected. I believe some even left. The majority however backed the pastor. They understood what the pastor was saying.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
That “all” means everyone you, me, pastors, evangelist, even the Pope. Sinning is falling short of God’s ideals for your life. Sin is what separates us from God. It is something we need to ask forgiveness for.
The apostle John writes,
“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.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans makes it clear,
“...(We) are justified freely by his (God’s) grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:24.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Christ Jesus died for our sins. C. S. Lewis wrote,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
This is the message Christians are told to take to world around them.
This is a message that will never reach non-Christians if we as believers in Christ Jesus are not willing to sit down with anyone willing to listen to us. If we are not inclusive in who we talk to.
Please think about it.