Of Christians and Gay's
Over the years I have been asked by many people can Gay people get to heaven.
Over those same years I have sadly witnessed many pastors and evangelist in the media say emphatically no. I disagree.
At the risk of alienating the Christians that read my blogs I say anyone can get to heaven to say otherwise or to judge any other group because they are not like us is wrong.
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
Simply put keep our own house clean and let God take care of those outside the church.
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.
What Jesus said is true. If we judge someone, especially someone outside the church they are going to judge us also.
James makes it clear,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right.
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it....
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 2:8-10,12, 13.
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
That’s what I as a Christian do and I truly believe all Christians should be doing.
When it comes to who gets to heaven I believe the following applies to all people.
First of all the Apostle Paul make it clear is a free gift. Writing to the Ephesians he states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
God sent His one and only Son to point mankind to the path that leads to Him. John recoding,
“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 answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
There are many within our church walls today who are sinners, but know how to act like Christians. So they go unnoticed.
I would go as far as saying some of these people are even pastors and evangelist.
All who have not already need to admit they are sinners and accept Christ into their life.
John noting,
“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.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
John recoding,
“Yet to all who received him,(Jesus) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12,13
No one has the right to tell someone whether or not they are saved. That is a personal decision between the individual and God.
Only God knows the heart of men. Only God knows why we are the way we are.
So ultimately, in the end, it come down to what do you believe?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?
Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour?
Jesus made it very clear, saying,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Do you believe this?
Think about it.
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Where
Where
Where are the people?
Where?
Are they but shadows in the mall?
Shadows wandering, looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles or beads.
Are they?
Are they but shadows in time,
What is life?
Yours or mine?
What?
Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?
A wisp in the eternal aether
Are people wisps of smoke?
What of man’s or woman’s! accomplishments?
What of them?
Is the sum total of all ones life simply a pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?
Is that life?
Is life simply a cacophony of molecules and atoms,
Sound and energy travelling through endless time?
Is it?
Or
Is a life.
Yours and mine,... more?
Is it a divine opera?
An opera played out on a high mesa
A stage suspended between heaven and hell.
Are we as Shakespear said, simply actors?
Are we but actors in a play?
Actors awaiting the final curtain call,
Sending us to eternity?
Are you ready for the final curtain call?
Are you?
What is the sum total of your life?
What?
What will “they” say about you when you pass on?
What will God say?
The Psalmist wrote
“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.
Psalms 39:4,5
Jesus said,
‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’
Revelations 3:20
The Apostle Paul wrote,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God—
Ephesians 2:8
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see...
And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:1,6
Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father
except through me.” John 14:6
Life is more than a wisp of smoke in the eternal aether.
Shadows wandering, looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles and beads.
Shadows in time.
Life is a divine opera.
An opera played out on a high mesa.
A stage suspended between heaven and hell.
An opera with a twist.
A play who’s final ending is determined by you and me.
A play deciding where we will spend eternity.
Where will you spend eternity?
Will you accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life today?
Will you pray.Dear Heavenly Father,
I recognize that Jesus is your one and only Son.
That he came to earth to die for my sins.
I confess I am a sinner and that I fall short of what you want for my life.
Please forgive me of my sins and come into my life.
That I may spend eternity with you
In Jesus name I pray
Amen.
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
On Salvation
On Salvation
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
Lorenz Eifert said,
“The dying Jesus is the evidence of God's anger toward sin; but the living Jesus is the proof of God's love and forgiveness.”
Lorenz Eifert
Jesus died for us. It is that simple. Not because we were good but to make us good. That’s what Paul is saying in the above quote from Romans, saying,
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”
1 Corinthians 15:3.
This is the core of what we Christians believe. That Christ died not for his own sins but for our sins and short comings.
I know it can be a hard concept to grasp because to the human mind at least the question is, why would anyone want to die for someone else? Especially if that person was a sinner.
We Christians recognize we have and all knowing and just God who realized that we could not be good enough to stand before him. Therefore he showed us the lengths He would go in man’s terms to reconcile man to Himself. Giving us eternal life free of charge.
A free gift that cost Christ his life. The apostle Paul saying
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Have you ever considered accepting that free gift?
Think about it
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
Lorenz Eifert said,
“The dying Jesus is the evidence of God's anger toward sin; but the living Jesus is the proof of God's love and forgiveness.”
Lorenz Eifert
Jesus died for us. It is that simple. Not because we were good but to make us good. That’s what Paul is saying in the above quote from Romans, saying,
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”
1 Corinthians 15:3.
This is the core of what we Christians believe. That Christ died not for his own sins but for our sins and short comings.
I know it can be a hard concept to grasp because to the human mind at least the question is, why would anyone want to die for someone else? Especially if that person was a sinner.
We Christians recognize we have and all knowing and just God who realized that we could not be good enough to stand before him. Therefore he showed us the lengths He would go in man’s terms to reconcile man to Himself. Giving us eternal life free of charge.
A free gift that cost Christ his life. The apostle Paul saying
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Have you ever considered accepting that free gift?
Think about it
Monday, 3 November 2014
Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites
Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending the disciples out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefore tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone who is doing good or they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks and hypocrites truly Christians. 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.
Sometimes I think we Christians who get our civil rights granted to us by a secular governments, use them to attack civil authorities and others we disagree with. This should not be so.
Jesus and the disciples never once spoke out against the secular civil authorities of Rome. Thus setting the example for us.
Unless our freedom to worship, speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one.
Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times over the centuries, starting with Rome, and still are having that right restricted. Never-the-less we still worship and florish.
What Gandhi and others are saying, is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on, or judge those who disagree with us, it will turn them against us.
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.
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus made it clear what the Christians duty to him is. Matthew records,
“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
In order for us to reach the world we Christians must be willing to discuss what we believe with others and to listen to what they have to say.
This is what it is to be a Christian.
To reach out to the world with the love of Christ.
To present to anyone who will listen the teachings of Christ.
To give every man and woman who will listen the opportunity to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending the disciples out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefore tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone who is doing good or they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks and hypocrites truly Christians. 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.
Sometimes I think we Christians who get our civil rights granted to us by a secular governments, use them to attack civil authorities and others we disagree with. This should not be so.
Jesus and the disciples never once spoke out against the secular civil authorities of Rome. Thus setting the example for us.
Unless our freedom to worship, speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one.
Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times over the centuries, starting with Rome, and still are having that right restricted. Never-the-less we still worship and florish.
What Gandhi and others are saying, is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on, or judge those who disagree with us, it will turn them against us.
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.
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus made it clear what the Christians duty to him is. Matthew records,
“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
In order for us to reach the world we Christians must be willing to discuss what we believe with others and to listen to what they have to say.
This is what it is to be a Christian.
To reach out to the world with the love of Christ.
To present to anyone who will listen the teachings of Christ.
To give every man and woman who will listen the opportunity to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
A manger, Carpenter's bench, a crown of thorns
A manger, carpenter’s bench and a crown of thorns
“They gave him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of his career.”
W.E. Orchard
Let’s face it Christians are an odd bunch. We worship a carpenter from Nazareth, a back water town in a back water province of the mighty Roman empire. A man that preached for only three years and died a hideous death on a cross without raising a fist in anger.
This is not what man would consider great. Yet today Jesus Christ is considered by many to be the greatest man that ever lived.
It defies human logic.
General George S. Patton defined greatness this way
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Gen. George C. Patton.
Patton’s definition doesn’t take into account Jesus. He was nothing like Patton described. He was not a great general and his glory is not fleeting.
Earthly glory is indeed fleeting but then Jesus never claimed to be an earthly hero.
Another General who knew what he was talking about was Napoleon he said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
I do not believe Jesus to be a man. True while he walked this earth he acted as nothing more than a man. Because I believe that in order to be fair with man upon judgement day he had to know what it was to truly be human. Never the less I believe Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.
I believe what the apostle John said,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14.
For me Jesus was and is the Son of God, God incarnate who came to earth not only to show how far in earthly terms he would go to reconcile man to God, but I believe he came to experience all it was to be a man.
No one can stand before God today and say you do not know what it is to be a man because he does. He walked this earth and truly know what it is to be human.
The question is to you the reader, Do you believe Jesus is who He said he is or not?
Think about it.
“They gave him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of his career.”
W.E. Orchard
Let’s face it Christians are an odd bunch. We worship a carpenter from Nazareth, a back water town in a back water province of the mighty Roman empire. A man that preached for only three years and died a hideous death on a cross without raising a fist in anger.
This is not what man would consider great. Yet today Jesus Christ is considered by many to be the greatest man that ever lived.
It defies human logic.
General George S. Patton defined greatness this way
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Gen. George C. Patton.
Patton’s definition doesn’t take into account Jesus. He was nothing like Patton described. He was not a great general and his glory is not fleeting.
Earthly glory is indeed fleeting but then Jesus never claimed to be an earthly hero.
Another General who knew what he was talking about was Napoleon he said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
I do not believe Jesus to be a man. True while he walked this earth he acted as nothing more than a man. Because I believe that in order to be fair with man upon judgement day he had to know what it was to truly be human. Never the less I believe Jesus was the Son of God, God incarnate.
I believe what the apostle John said,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 12-14.
For me Jesus was and is the Son of God, God incarnate who came to earth not only to show how far in earthly terms he would go to reconcile man to God, but I believe he came to experience all it was to be a man.
No one can stand before God today and say you do not know what it is to be a man because he does. He walked this earth and truly know what it is to be human.
The question is to you the reader, Do you believe Jesus is who He said he is or not?
Think about it.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
A thought for the 21st Century
A thought for the 21st Century
We live in a world that is becoming a violent place. The rise of terrorist groups in the world is just the tip of the iceberg.
Violent crime is everywhere in the world. Here in North America alone thousands die due to violence of all types every year.
Morality it seems is slipping away. People have no fear of the consequences. I listened to a news report about the trial of a man who had killed three RCMP officers. The man said it seems rather matter o factly that he simply wanted to kill police. From what I heard there was no real emotion from the man. He just did what he did.
I’ve heard other similar stories over the years of people who have simply killed because they simply wanted to do so.
Young people are picking up guns and killing other youth simply because the person said the wrong thing, was in the wrong gang, or even something as simple as accidentally bumping into them.
The world in general is becoming a harsher place to live.
Here in North America, Canada and the United States where I live I see the influence of Christianity waning and with it the morals of our society.
I came up through the “do your own thing” days of the sixties and seventies. A time when the values of society were being questioned.
Supposedly in the psychedelic sixties my generation was disillusioned the society of our parents. Yet what we have put in it’s place is no better and if anything worse.
Secular humanism mixed with materialism in all its forms has slowly taken over morality as we use to know it is slowly disappearing if it has not gone already.
I do know there is an alternative to our modern society however and that is following Jesus.
Christianity offers moral absolutes that are relevant and right for today.
Jesus had rightly been called the prince of peace. He has said 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 22:37-40
Jesus however goes one step further 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,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew 5: 43-45
Whether you believe in God or not. No matter what you think of Jesus the words he spoke are truth. They are words that are relevant for today.
Words and ideas we should be teaching to our children and practising ourselves.
Think about it.
We live in a world that is becoming a violent place. The rise of terrorist groups in the world is just the tip of the iceberg.
Violent crime is everywhere in the world. Here in North America alone thousands die due to violence of all types every year.
Morality it seems is slipping away. People have no fear of the consequences. I listened to a news report about the trial of a man who had killed three RCMP officers. The man said it seems rather matter o factly that he simply wanted to kill police. From what I heard there was no real emotion from the man. He just did what he did.
I’ve heard other similar stories over the years of people who have simply killed because they simply wanted to do so.
Young people are picking up guns and killing other youth simply because the person said the wrong thing, was in the wrong gang, or even something as simple as accidentally bumping into them.
The world in general is becoming a harsher place to live.
Here in North America, Canada and the United States where I live I see the influence of Christianity waning and with it the morals of our society.
I came up through the “do your own thing” days of the sixties and seventies. A time when the values of society were being questioned.
Supposedly in the psychedelic sixties my generation was disillusioned the society of our parents. Yet what we have put in it’s place is no better and if anything worse.
Secular humanism mixed with materialism in all its forms has slowly taken over morality as we use to know it is slowly disappearing if it has not gone already.
I do know there is an alternative to our modern society however and that is following Jesus.
Christianity offers moral absolutes that are relevant and right for today.
Jesus had rightly been called the prince of peace. He has said 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 22:37-40
Jesus however goes one step further 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,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew 5: 43-45
Whether you believe in God or not. No matter what you think of Jesus the words he spoke are truth. They are words that are relevant for today.
Words and ideas we should be teaching to our children and practising ourselves.
Think about it.
Friday, 31 October 2014
Noble Words
Noble words
The Oxford dictionary defines Covet as: “yearning to possess something that belongs to someone else.”
We live today in what at times is a very self centred society. It’s a society that tells us what we need. We need the latest designer clothing, the most up to date smart phone, fancy cars complete with the latest gadgets to help us drive them.
Both children and adults are told by the media that if we don’t have all these gadgets we’re out of step.
In our “must have” society where day after day, we are told by advertisers that we “must have this” “we can’t do without this” it’s easy to see how someone can covet things of their neighbours.
Temptation is always there. The world doesn’t make it easy not to covet things of our neighbours. Especially for our kids and youth.
Our youth see the latest brand name thing, and it becomes a status thing for them. One teacher told me one of the biggest problems they were having in her school was with clothing.
Kids were looked down on, if they didn’t have “the right clothes.” Translation the right designer label.
Teens have been beaten by other teens, so they could take their two hundred dollar running shoes.
When it comes to anything in this day and age, society doesn’t make life easy, be it for teen or adult.
Materialism especially since the end of the second world war has slowly crept into our society. It has become a virtual god.
Particularly with the rise of the world wide web materialism has slowly become more evasive in our lives.
I click on a search engine and advertisements appear suggesting that I might like such and such an item.
Do we really need five hundred dollar smart phones that can do so much that most people don’t use half of what they can do?
While I know quality does matter when it comes to clothing do we really need to pay hundreds of dollars for designer running shoes or designer clothing?
Our society already has bowed down to the god of materialism and has in many ways, whether we are willing to admit it or not, paying the price in the form of crime.
Materialism is a harsh god. Sadly a god far to many people in the twenty-first century are following.
There is however an alternative. The one true and living God. The God who took it upon himself to sent his Son Christ Jesus call all men to him.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Think about it.
“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house;
you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife,
nor his male servant,
nor his female servant,
nor his ox, nor his donkey,
nor anything that is your neighbour’s.
Exodus 20:17
The above words from Exodus I think is an ideal that even those who do not believe in God can agree with are noble.The Oxford dictionary defines Covet as: “yearning to possess something that belongs to someone else.”
We live today in what at times is a very self centred society. It’s a society that tells us what we need. We need the latest designer clothing, the most up to date smart phone, fancy cars complete with the latest gadgets to help us drive them.
Both children and adults are told by the media that if we don’t have all these gadgets we’re out of step.
In our “must have” society where day after day, we are told by advertisers that we “must have this” “we can’t do without this” it’s easy to see how someone can covet things of their neighbours.
Temptation is always there. The world doesn’t make it easy not to covet things of our neighbours. Especially for our kids and youth.
Our youth see the latest brand name thing, and it becomes a status thing for them. One teacher told me one of the biggest problems they were having in her school was with clothing.
Kids were looked down on, if they didn’t have “the right clothes.” Translation the right designer label.
Teens have been beaten by other teens, so they could take their two hundred dollar running shoes.
When it comes to anything in this day and age, society doesn’t make life easy, be it for teen or adult.
Materialism especially since the end of the second world war has slowly crept into our society. It has become a virtual god.
Particularly with the rise of the world wide web materialism has slowly become more evasive in our lives.
I click on a search engine and advertisements appear suggesting that I might like such and such an item.
Do we really need five hundred dollar smart phones that can do so much that most people don’t use half of what they can do?
While I know quality does matter when it comes to clothing do we really need to pay hundreds of dollars for designer running shoes or designer clothing?
Our society already has bowed down to the god of materialism and has in many ways, whether we are willing to admit it or not, paying the price in the form of crime.
Materialism is a harsh god. Sadly a god far to many people in the twenty-first century are following.
There is however an alternative. The one true and living God. The God who took it upon himself to sent his Son Christ Jesus call all men to him.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Think about it.
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Man's Way
Man’s way
I would recommend that we straighten out a few things before we contemplate any interplanetary transportation system. Suppose a man from Mars should suddenly appear on Earth? I think it would be terribly embarrassing if he learned that a second-rate singer in a night club makes four thousand dollars a week, and a high-school teacher makes three thousand eight hundred and ninety dollars a year. This and many other things should be straightened out first if we intend to maintain our dignity when planet folks start visiting us.
Harry Golden
I came across the above quote and realized just how profound those words are. Our priorities as a society are royally messed up.
Take for example the Ebola epidemic in Africa. One of the reasons it can’t be contained is because very little priority was given to finding a vaccine for it. Someone noted to me the big pharmaceutical companies couldn’t make a lot of money on developing it so it took a back seat to other research.
The same is true when it comes to looking for cures particularly for rare illnesses. People are dying due to rare illnesses daily, illnesses that a cure could be found for if only there was the financial resources available.
Look at world hunger. There is enough food in the world to feed the world but politics, war and money symbols of man’s selfishness, stop the food from getting to where it’s needed.
The group calling itself the Islamic State (ISIS) has become a major threat to the world, why? Because of political inaction. It was the problem of someone else.
Young men and women are becoming radicalized by ISIS and other groups because society particularly in the west doesn’t seem to have anything to offer them.
Over the centuries the western world in particular has fallen away from the Christian faith and for that matter faith of any kind to be replaced with Atheism and materialism
Materialism and Atheism offers little in way of true fulfilment except a few theories and platitudes.
In the middle east with the exception of Israel, Christianity has been restricted, banned out right, and even persecuted. At the same time society in those countries in which Christianity has fallen out of favour, seems to have become a harsher place to live.
What is needed is a firm foundation based on the love of one’s fellow man whoever he may be.
The book of Matthew records Jesus answering the following question,
“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 22:37-40.
It is this ethic that is needed in society today.
In his book, "Essentials in Christian Faith" published in 1958 John B. Harrington, quotes from Paul Gallico writing in Esquire magazine in 1948. It something that could have been written today.
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"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" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
I would agree with Gallico, religion in all it’s organized forms has in part caused the situation in the world today. The members of ISIS may be religious but they are not men of true faith.
No one has to fear a man of true faith be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim or any other faith in the world today. Men of faith may differ in their beliefs but they will always be open to discuss their differences without fear.
I as a Christian believe the teachings of Christ are truly the answer to what this world needs. The teachings of love for God and for our neighbour whoever they may be.
It is the lack of love and a sense of belonging that are driving these young people to ISIS and groups like them. We need to change all that.
For me as a Christian the answer lies in Christ who said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Think about it
I would recommend that we straighten out a few things before we contemplate any interplanetary transportation system. Suppose a man from Mars should suddenly appear on Earth? I think it would be terribly embarrassing if he learned that a second-rate singer in a night club makes four thousand dollars a week, and a high-school teacher makes three thousand eight hundred and ninety dollars a year. This and many other things should be straightened out first if we intend to maintain our dignity when planet folks start visiting us.
Harry Golden
I came across the above quote and realized just how profound those words are. Our priorities as a society are royally messed up.
Take for example the Ebola epidemic in Africa. One of the reasons it can’t be contained is because very little priority was given to finding a vaccine for it. Someone noted to me the big pharmaceutical companies couldn’t make a lot of money on developing it so it took a back seat to other research.
The same is true when it comes to looking for cures particularly for rare illnesses. People are dying due to rare illnesses daily, illnesses that a cure could be found for if only there was the financial resources available.
Look at world hunger. There is enough food in the world to feed the world but politics, war and money symbols of man’s selfishness, stop the food from getting to where it’s needed.
The group calling itself the Islamic State (ISIS) has become a major threat to the world, why? Because of political inaction. It was the problem of someone else.
Young men and women are becoming radicalized by ISIS and other groups because society particularly in the west doesn’t seem to have anything to offer them.
Over the centuries the western world in particular has fallen away from the Christian faith and for that matter faith of any kind to be replaced with Atheism and materialism
Materialism and Atheism offers little in way of true fulfilment except a few theories and platitudes.
In the middle east with the exception of Israel, Christianity has been restricted, banned out right, and even persecuted. At the same time society in those countries in which Christianity has fallen out of favour, seems to have become a harsher place to live.
What is needed is a firm foundation based on the love of one’s fellow man whoever he may be.
The book of Matthew records Jesus answering the following question,
“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 22:37-40.
It is this ethic that is needed in society today.
In his book, "Essentials in Christian Faith" published in 1958 John B. Harrington, quotes from Paul Gallico writing in Esquire magazine in 1948. It something that could have been written today.
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"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" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
I would agree with Gallico, religion in all it’s organized forms has in part caused the situation in the world today. The members of ISIS may be religious but they are not men of true faith.
No one has to fear a man of true faith be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim or any other faith in the world today. Men of faith may differ in their beliefs but they will always be open to discuss their differences without fear.
I as a Christian believe the teachings of Christ are truly the answer to what this world needs. The teachings of love for God and for our neighbour whoever they may be.
It is the lack of love and a sense of belonging that are driving these young people to ISIS and groups like them. We need to change all that.
For me as a Christian the answer lies in Christ who said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Think about it
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Rethink
Rethink
As I write this it is October 28th 2014. Sadly I watched the funeral of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo the soldier murdered while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
This man was proud to be a Canadian and serve his country. Our prayers go out to his family.
The man that killed him was nothing more than a hate filled misguided evil man.
What causes a man to do such a thing?
Chedly Belkhodja, principal of Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs states,
“Radical Islamic groups can appeal both to lonely lost souls and Muslims in Western countries who feel excluded and marginalised,... A lot of young people can be an easy prey,”
Studies by John Horgan seems to agree.
John Horgan, is a psychologist and professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Centre for Terrorism and Security Studies.
He notes foreign fighters are drawn to join ISIS by the need to “belong to something special.”
They want to find something meaningful for their life,” he said. “Some are thrill seeking, some are seeking redemption.”
Max Abrahms, also an expert on terrorism, from Northeastern University notes that from most of the terrorism research available, those who join terrorist groups like ISIS are the most "ignorant people with respect to religion and they are generally the newest members to the religion.... They would probably fail the most basic test on Islam,"
Sadly a lot of negative things have been done in the name of religion. I remember the IRA and UDA in Northern Ireland. They called themselves Catholics and Protestants even calling themselves Christians, but by any stretch of the imagination these people were not Christian. They simply used the name. These people were in reality people who wished to stay united with England and those who wished to separate.
Their fight was fuelled by prejudges and hate built up over centuries.
Were they truly Christian they would not have been fighting. They would have obeyed the words of Christ,
Jesus said,
“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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew5: 43-45
They would have followed the teachings of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone....
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18,20,21.
Whether you believe there is a God or not you cannot deny that such ideals as are expressed by Jesus and the Apostle Paul are good ideals.
Precepts that if followed would make the world a better place.
Sadly society particularly in the west is slipping away from God yet they have no substitute. Atheism and Materialism do not fill the void that many people have inside of them.
In today’s society it seems that if you do not fit into a box society has built, if you are different in any way like many of those who turn to groups like ISIS are, then you are rejected quite often by those around you. You become an outsider.
So is it any wonder when some group comes along offering inclusion and purpose that seems good, young men and women head for it.
I am old enough to remember James Jones and the Jones town mass suicide of the late seventies.
A young charismatic man claiming to be Christian convinced a very large number of people to follow him down to the jungles of South America where they committed mass suicide.
This man like ISIS offered his followers a sense of belonging and purpose only to lead them to their deaths.
Our society is failing. Tough new laws can help protect people. Perhaps even preempt a terrorist strike but laws cannot change thoughts.
Only a social rethink can do that.
I as a Christian know Christ can change lives. Can offer a sense of belonging to the disenfranchised.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus is truly the answer to changing lives. I know because he changed mine and those of my friends and family.
He can change yours.
Think about it.
As I write this it is October 28th 2014. Sadly I watched the funeral of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo the soldier murdered while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
This man was proud to be a Canadian and serve his country. Our prayers go out to his family.
The man that killed him was nothing more than a hate filled misguided evil man.
What causes a man to do such a thing?
Chedly Belkhodja, principal of Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs states,
“Radical Islamic groups can appeal both to lonely lost souls and Muslims in Western countries who feel excluded and marginalised,... A lot of young people can be an easy prey,”
Studies by John Horgan seems to agree.
John Horgan, is a psychologist and professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Centre for Terrorism and Security Studies.
He notes foreign fighters are drawn to join ISIS by the need to “belong to something special.”
They want to find something meaningful for their life,” he said. “Some are thrill seeking, some are seeking redemption.”
Max Abrahms, also an expert on terrorism, from Northeastern University notes that from most of the terrorism research available, those who join terrorist groups like ISIS are the most "ignorant people with respect to religion and they are generally the newest members to the religion.... They would probably fail the most basic test on Islam,"
Sadly a lot of negative things have been done in the name of religion. I remember the IRA and UDA in Northern Ireland. They called themselves Catholics and Protestants even calling themselves Christians, but by any stretch of the imagination these people were not Christian. They simply used the name. These people were in reality people who wished to stay united with England and those who wished to separate.
Their fight was fuelled by prejudges and hate built up over centuries.
Were they truly Christian they would not have been fighting. They would have obeyed the words of Christ,
Jesus said,
“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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew5: 43-45
They would have followed the teachings of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone....
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18,20,21.
Whether you believe there is a God or not you cannot deny that such ideals as are expressed by Jesus and the Apostle Paul are good ideals.
Precepts that if followed would make the world a better place.
Sadly society particularly in the west is slipping away from God yet they have no substitute. Atheism and Materialism do not fill the void that many people have inside of them.
In today’s society it seems that if you do not fit into a box society has built, if you are different in any way like many of those who turn to groups like ISIS are, then you are rejected quite often by those around you. You become an outsider.
So is it any wonder when some group comes along offering inclusion and purpose that seems good, young men and women head for it.
I am old enough to remember James Jones and the Jones town mass suicide of the late seventies.
A young charismatic man claiming to be Christian convinced a very large number of people to follow him down to the jungles of South America where they committed mass suicide.
This man like ISIS offered his followers a sense of belonging and purpose only to lead them to their deaths.
Our society is failing. Tough new laws can help protect people. Perhaps even preempt a terrorist strike but laws cannot change thoughts.
Only a social rethink can do that.
I as a Christian know Christ can change lives. Can offer a sense of belonging to the disenfranchised.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus is truly the answer to changing lives. I know because he changed mine and those of my friends and family.
He can change yours.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
The Walk
The walk.
Someone has said, “from the moment we are born we are walking to eternity. The problem is not everyone prepares for it.”
Tony Campolo wrote,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo
I do not believe nor can I believe we simply are born into this world to procreate then slip into oblivion. To me it would be such a waste of potential.
Every man woman and Child has potential and skills. To be able us use them for a few decades or a few years over a century seems pointless.
That’s one of the reasons I believe there is an eternity we will one day enter and a God we will one day stand before.
You can choose to believe it or not.
I believe there is a God who created the universe and all that is in it.
I believe he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to point mankind to God. To point mankind who has fallen far short of God’s ideals to him. To make away for each and every man.
C. S. Lewis wrote of Jesus,
“He(Jesus) 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
Jesus said,
“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.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Jesus made it clear,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
The apostle Paul points out that it is our faith in Christ that saves us,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews making it clear,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The question is do you believe what I have just said?
Think about it.
Someone has said, “from the moment we are born we are walking to eternity. The problem is not everyone prepares for it.”
Tony Campolo wrote,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo
I do not believe nor can I believe we simply are born into this world to procreate then slip into oblivion. To me it would be such a waste of potential.
Every man woman and Child has potential and skills. To be able us use them for a few decades or a few years over a century seems pointless.
That’s one of the reasons I believe there is an eternity we will one day enter and a God we will one day stand before.
You can choose to believe it or not.
I believe there is a God who created the universe and all that is in it.
I believe he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to point mankind to God. To point mankind who has fallen far short of God’s ideals to him. To make away for each and every man.
C. S. Lewis wrote of Jesus,
“He(Jesus) 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
Jesus said,
“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.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Jesus made it clear,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
The apostle Paul points out that it is our faith in Christ that saves us,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews making it clear,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The question is do you believe what I have just said?
Think about it.
Monday, 27 October 2014
The story of a Man
The story of a Man.
Many years ago, perhaps thirty-five or so now I was doing what we call street witnessing with a friend on the streets of big city.
We’d do a three or four kilometre lap along a major street. People and the police were use to us doing it.
We got our regulars some who simply wanted someone to talk, or argue with along with the drunks coming out of the bars and some new people.
On this particular occasion around midnight on a very cold February night, a very agitated man in his mid twenties came up to us. At first we though he might have a mental illness but that wasn’t the case.
He was very rational he just didn’t agree with anything we said. He had a lot of preconceived ideas that just didn’t add up.
He eventually told us he was a devil worshipper.
Over the space of an hour we tried to tell him about Christ although it was difficult because he didn’t want to listen. All he wanted to do was tell us what he believed.
Finally we were able to him what we believed, the words of Jesus.
“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.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18.
He told us quite bluntly he didn’t believe. That we were wrong and he was right then left us.
A short time later the man was hit by a car and critically injured. We were unable to find out whether or not he survived his injuries but it gave us pause to think.
Were we the last chance he had to receive Jesus into his life. Did he enter a Christless eternity?
I know for non-Christians it’s hard to understand why we as followers of Christ feel it is of paramount importance that we give everyone the opportunity to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
If Christians are wrong in our belief. Then following the teachings of Christ means you have lived a good, moral and rewarding life.
If we are right then not following Christ has eternal consequences.
Think about it.
Many years ago, perhaps thirty-five or so now I was doing what we call street witnessing with a friend on the streets of big city.
We’d do a three or four kilometre lap along a major street. People and the police were use to us doing it.
We got our regulars some who simply wanted someone to talk, or argue with along with the drunks coming out of the bars and some new people.
On this particular occasion around midnight on a very cold February night, a very agitated man in his mid twenties came up to us. At first we though he might have a mental illness but that wasn’t the case.
He was very rational he just didn’t agree with anything we said. He had a lot of preconceived ideas that just didn’t add up.
He eventually told us he was a devil worshipper.
Over the space of an hour we tried to tell him about Christ although it was difficult because he didn’t want to listen. All he wanted to do was tell us what he believed.
Finally we were able to him what we believed, the words of Jesus.
“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.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18.
He told us quite bluntly he didn’t believe. That we were wrong and he was right then left us.
A short time later the man was hit by a car and critically injured. We were unable to find out whether or not he survived his injuries but it gave us pause to think.
Were we the last chance he had to receive Jesus into his life. Did he enter a Christless eternity?
I know for non-Christians it’s hard to understand why we as followers of Christ feel it is of paramount importance that we give everyone the opportunity to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
If Christians are wrong in our belief. Then following the teachings of Christ means you have lived a good, moral and rewarding life.
If we are right then not following Christ has eternal consequences.
Think about it.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
A Sermon for the Ages
A sermon for the ages
Many contemporary pastors and evangelist have said many things about Jesus. Here however is what the apostle Paul said about Jesus. He was speaking to the learned men of his day in Athens. Never the less his message is a message for the ages and thus a message for we who live in the twenty-first century.
The men were philosophers who had beliefs of their own. Unlike many today however they were open to new teachings. They were men that had open minds who truly wanted to learn.
Men who wanted to know the truth.
The book of Acts records the following
“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?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others."
Acts 17:17-34
Think about it.
Many contemporary pastors and evangelist have said many things about Jesus. Here however is what the apostle Paul said about Jesus. He was speaking to the learned men of his day in Athens. Never the less his message is a message for the ages and thus a message for we who live in the twenty-first century.
The men were philosophers who had beliefs of their own. Unlike many today however they were open to new teachings. They were men that had open minds who truly wanted to learn.
Men who wanted to know the truth.
The book of Acts records the following
“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?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council.
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others."
Acts 17:17-34
Think about it.
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