Your choice
“You can’t force people to do what they don’t want to do, to feel what they don’t feel. If someone wills one thing, you cannot tell it to will another. It has to come from within.”
-Yeshayahu Leibowitz, Judaic scholar and professor of biochemistry, quoted in
“Of Thorns, Idols, and Prophecy,” Hadassah, May 1990
I agree with the professor. You cannot force people to do what they don’t want to do. I believe Jesus and his disciples believed it. 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.
This to Christians is the great commission. To go into all the world and present the teachings of Christ to all who will listen.
At no time did Jesus or his disciples force their beliefs on anyone. We are called to present the teachings of Christ to the world. Nothing more.
As a Christian I believe Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to heaven.
Jesus said,
“....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“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
At the trial of Jesus the apostle John records this conversation between Jesus and Pilate,
“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
John 18:33-37
C.S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Where do you stand with respect to Christ.
Think about it.
Monday, 1 December 2014
An Argument for Christ
An argument for Christ
Throughout history men have had gods. Almost universally these gods have had very human flaws. None have every changed history in the way Jesus did simply because the gods of the Romans, the Greeks, the Norse and others were made up by man.
Thor, and Zeus have no influence on modern man yet Jesus effects the lives of over 2,200,000,000 people today.
The teachings of Jesus have changed the world.
Jesus who is God incarnate came to earth to show God’s love to man. To reconcile sinful man to himself.
He realized man could never reach high enough to reach him so he came down to live among us and show us the way to heaven.
The apostle Paul speaking in Athens made this case for Christ,
“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.
Ultimately the question is do you believe what Paul and every other true Christian that has ever lived is saying?
Think about it.
Throughout history men have had gods. Almost universally these gods have had very human flaws. None have every changed history in the way Jesus did simply because the gods of the Romans, the Greeks, the Norse and others were made up by man.
Thor, and Zeus have no influence on modern man yet Jesus effects the lives of over 2,200,000,000 people today.
The teachings of Jesus have changed the world.
Jesus who is God incarnate came to earth to show God’s love to man. To reconcile sinful man to himself.
He realized man could never reach high enough to reach him so he came down to live among us and show us the way to heaven.
The apostle Paul speaking in Athens made this case for Christ,
“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.
Ultimately the question is do you believe what Paul and every other true Christian that has ever lived is saying?
Think about it.
Saturday, 29 November 2014
The Invisible Player
Invisible Player
“Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
Albert Einstein
Einstein was right. We all dance to a mysterious tune intoned by an invisible player. That player however is closer than we realize.
The apostle Paul speaking in Athens said,
“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.’
Acts 17:24-38.
The evidence for there being a God is all around us. From the largest galaxy in the heavens to the smallest sub atomic particle everything is in balance. Everything works in harmony to sustain life as we know it.
It happens this way I believe because God created it that way.
The book of Genesis makes it clear,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
Genesis does not debate the existence of God it simply states this is what God did end of story.
I could write pages on why I believe God exists but ultimately it is an act of informed faith.
I believe all one has to do is look around us to nature and see how it very much lines up with the Bible.
The choice to believe or not to believe there is a God is up to you. Do we as Einstein said,
"Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player."
Albert Einstein.
Is that player God?
The choice is yours. Think about it.
“Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
Albert Einstein
Einstein was right. We all dance to a mysterious tune intoned by an invisible player. That player however is closer than we realize.
The apostle Paul speaking in Athens said,
“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.’
Acts 17:24-38.
The evidence for there being a God is all around us. From the largest galaxy in the heavens to the smallest sub atomic particle everything is in balance. Everything works in harmony to sustain life as we know it.
It happens this way I believe because God created it that way.
The book of Genesis makes it clear,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
Genesis does not debate the existence of God it simply states this is what God did end of story.
I could write pages on why I believe God exists but ultimately it is an act of informed faith.
I believe all one has to do is look around us to nature and see how it very much lines up with the Bible.
The choice to believe or not to believe there is a God is up to you. Do we as Einstein said,
"Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player."
Albert Einstein.
Is that player God?
The choice is yours. Think about it.
God Knows
God Knows
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139: 1-16.
Here is why God can Judge us and men cannot. The Psalmist makes it clear that God knows our very being. He knows what makes us tick. He knows why we are like we are.
No man has any true idea what is on the inside of another man. We cannot read a persons thoughts or truly understand a persons motives for doing what he does.
I know people from all walks of life. People who’s lifestyle is quite different to mine and I accept them. Sadly many, particularly Christians, do not.
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.
A true Christian will obey this command of Jesus because they recognize that only God knows a mans hart.
A true Christian will present the offer of Jesus to those around him 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.
Jesus made it clear saying,
“...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 wrote,
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.
Salvation and the eternal life it gives is free have you accepted it.
Do you know Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
Jesus does not discriminate. He loves and cares for you irrespective of your way of life or your lifestyle and he offers to you a peace for your soul that passes all understanding.
Will you consider accepting him as your Lord and saviour today.
Think about it.
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139: 1-16.
Here is why God can Judge us and men cannot. The Psalmist makes it clear that God knows our very being. He knows what makes us tick. He knows why we are like we are.
No man has any true idea what is on the inside of another man. We cannot read a persons thoughts or truly understand a persons motives for doing what he does.
I know people from all walks of life. People who’s lifestyle is quite different to mine and I accept them. Sadly many, particularly Christians, do not.
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.
A true Christian will obey this command of Jesus because they recognize that only God knows a mans hart.
A true Christian will present the offer of Jesus to those around him 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.
Jesus made it clear saying,
“...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 wrote,
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.
Salvation and the eternal life it gives is free have you accepted it.
Do you know Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
Jesus does not discriminate. He loves and cares for you irrespective of your way of life or your lifestyle and he offers to you a peace for your soul that passes all understanding.
Will you consider accepting him as your Lord and saviour today.
Think about it.
Friday, 28 November 2014
Hope for today
Hope for today
“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.
Over the years I have seen many people loose hope. Some sadly have ended their life by their own hand. In fact one statistic I read said that there is a suicide every seven minutes in North America.
People commit suicide for a variety of reasons. As someone who knows a great number of mentally ill people and as someone who lives with mental illness I can relate to why people want to end it all.
They look at the mental and physical anguish and just can’t take it any more. But there is hope. That hope is in Christ Jesus.
I know it sounds trite to say Jesus love you and cares for you, but it’s true. I have found in my darkest hours Jesus has been there for me.
I have found that no matter where I am or what my condition I can turn to Christ and He gives me peace and reassurance.
To quote a friend “life sucks at times.” he’s right.
I watched my mother and mother-in-law die of cancer both in their mid fifties. Both were in some pain thankfully it was controlled to a degree.
Still both left this world to their eternal rest with their faith in God intact.
Sadly far to many people can only believe in what they see, hear and touch. Faith demands more. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
The most important reward for those who accept Christ into their lives is of course Eternal life.
There is however more, there is rest for your troubled soul in this life.
I don’t deny that I go through some very deep despondent times in my life. The illness I have can push me into a deep pit of despair from time to time. But the hope I have in Christ. My hope in God, has never wavered.
In fact if anything the deeper my despair the closer I have drawn to God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Calls Jesus.
It is a call for all mankind, no matter where you live in the world, no matter what your lifestyle is, what you have done in life or who you are.
He offers you rest for you soul all you must do is ask him into your life.
Are you willing to ask Christ into you life?
Think about it.
“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.
Over the years I have seen many people loose hope. Some sadly have ended their life by their own hand. In fact one statistic I read said that there is a suicide every seven minutes in North America.
People commit suicide for a variety of reasons. As someone who knows a great number of mentally ill people and as someone who lives with mental illness I can relate to why people want to end it all.
They look at the mental and physical anguish and just can’t take it any more. But there is hope. That hope is in Christ Jesus.
I know it sounds trite to say Jesus love you and cares for you, but it’s true. I have found in my darkest hours Jesus has been there for me.
I have found that no matter where I am or what my condition I can turn to Christ and He gives me peace and reassurance.
To quote a friend “life sucks at times.” he’s right.
I watched my mother and mother-in-law die of cancer both in their mid fifties. Both were in some pain thankfully it was controlled to a degree.
Still both left this world to their eternal rest with their faith in God intact.
Sadly far to many people can only believe in what they see, hear and touch. Faith demands more. The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
The most important reward for those who accept Christ into their lives is of course Eternal life.
There is however more, there is rest for your troubled soul in this life.
I don’t deny that I go through some very deep despondent times in my life. The illness I have can push me into a deep pit of despair from time to time. But the hope I have in Christ. My hope in God, has never wavered.
In fact if anything the deeper my despair the closer I have drawn to God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Calls Jesus.
It is a call for all mankind, no matter where you live in the world, no matter what your lifestyle is, what you have done in life or who you are.
He offers you rest for you soul all you must do is ask him into your life.
Are you willing to ask Christ into you life?
Think about it.
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Foolishness
Foolishness?
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The Apostle Paul here make it clear that the message of salvation offered up by Christians is foolishness to none believers.
That God’s way is not the way man would consider doing it.
I’ve often heard many people say why doesn’t God just show himself why does he allow such evil in the world.
God first of all has shown himself. Firstly through the scriptures but also through the universe as a whole.
Take a look around you. All of the universe from the largest galaxy to the smallest sub atomic particle are in balance. All serve a purpose and that to sustain life as we know it.
Just a slight variation in the overall equation that makes up our world and indeed the universe in general would prevent life from existing as we know it.
The Bible makes it clear that God created the universe. That he also made man and gave him the ability to choose.
In doing so he essentially said to man you can choose my way that leads to eternal life or you can turn against me. Either way there are consequences.
Sadly over the centuries man has chosen the wrong way. He has brought pain and suffering on himself and his fellow man.
But God did not forsake man. The apostle Paul writing,
“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.
God truly wants to have a personal relationship with each and every person on the planet.
That’s why he sent Jesus to this earth. That is why the Bible was written.
It may not be the way man would have done things but it is the way God does things and we must follow those rules.
Jesus said, ...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
In the New Testament God makes it clear that he loves us. But in order to get to heaven we must believe in Him. Jesus saying,
“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.
We must put our faith in God the writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
Think about it.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The Apostle Paul here make it clear that the message of salvation offered up by Christians is foolishness to none believers.
That God’s way is not the way man would consider doing it.
I’ve often heard many people say why doesn’t God just show himself why does he allow such evil in the world.
God first of all has shown himself. Firstly through the scriptures but also through the universe as a whole.
Take a look around you. All of the universe from the largest galaxy to the smallest sub atomic particle are in balance. All serve a purpose and that to sustain life as we know it.
Just a slight variation in the overall equation that makes up our world and indeed the universe in general would prevent life from existing as we know it.
The Bible makes it clear that God created the universe. That he also made man and gave him the ability to choose.
In doing so he essentially said to man you can choose my way that leads to eternal life or you can turn against me. Either way there are consequences.
Sadly over the centuries man has chosen the wrong way. He has brought pain and suffering on himself and his fellow man.
But God did not forsake man. The apostle Paul writing,
“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.
God truly wants to have a personal relationship with each and every person on the planet.
That’s why he sent Jesus to this earth. That is why the Bible was written.
It may not be the way man would have done things but it is the way God does things and we must follow those rules.
Jesus said, ...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
In the New Testament God makes it clear that he loves us. But in order to get to heaven we must believe in Him. Jesus saying,
“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.
We must put our faith in God the writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Life
Life
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I know what it’s like to be depressed. I know what it’s like to feel like life has no meaning.
I live with Bipolar affective disorder and when I’m very depressed life can seem like it has no meaning.
I look at the words of Ecclesiastes above and can relate at times. But that is only when I’m depressed and not thinking strait.
Sadly many I know who have committed suicide because they see life as one endless meaningless journey of emotional and physical pain.
This is not so. Life has meaning. There is always hope.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
I believe those words. Through the darkest days of my life, and believe me there have been extremely dark days in my life when it is only my faith in Jesus, in God that has got me through.
The writer of Ecclesiastes after examining his world dose come to the right conclusion. He states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
God gives meaning to life. He showed me that there is more. That pain and suffering is temporary. That there is alway light at the end of every dark tunnel.
I came to know the Lord long before I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. I undoubtedly was suffering from it because I was having times of deep depression an manic highs. But it would be over twenty years after my accepting Christ that I would be formally diagnosed.
During that time prior to my diagnosis I knew little of what was happing to me I knew only that I’d become despondent and depressed. The highs I put off to a burst of energy that lasted days at a time.
When I was down however I had learned to turn to God. To lean on him for comfort. I do believe it was God who showed me the good in life, and in my wife and family.
Suicide did cross my mind occasionally. But my love of God and his laws prevented it.
When I finally did have my big emotional collapse on the side of a major highway on the way home from work. I believe God was there for me.
I firmly believe the right people were set up to help me. I was able to get in with a good psychiatrist who offered me hope. When he unfortunately passed away I was able to get in with a second good Psychiatrist and when he retired with my current one. All of this in a area that was short of Psychiatrist.
I was able to get into group therapy sessions and after a lot of trial and error the right medications that have helped stabilize my mood swings.
Today I live with my Bipolar disorder there is no cure only medication to help you cope.
I have adjusted my life and lifestyle to help me live with it.
I have what I call my pillars that I rest on. My doctors both family and psychiatrist, the medications I take, my family (my wife and children) and my faith in God who is there for me no matter what.
Jesus said,
I believe this. Having Jesus in my life has given me meaning and I have rest knowing that even in my darkest hour I can turn to him.
It is the same hope he offers all people even you dear reader. Will you consider letting Jesus into you life.
Please think about it.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I know what it’s like to be depressed. I know what it’s like to feel like life has no meaning.
I live with Bipolar affective disorder and when I’m very depressed life can seem like it has no meaning.
I look at the words of Ecclesiastes above and can relate at times. But that is only when I’m depressed and not thinking strait.
Sadly many I know who have committed suicide because they see life as one endless meaningless journey of emotional and physical pain.
This is not so. Life has meaning. There is always hope.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
I believe those words. Through the darkest days of my life, and believe me there have been extremely dark days in my life when it is only my faith in Jesus, in God that has got me through.
The writer of Ecclesiastes after examining his world dose come to the right conclusion. He states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
God gives meaning to life. He showed me that there is more. That pain and suffering is temporary. That there is alway light at the end of every dark tunnel.
I came to know the Lord long before I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. I undoubtedly was suffering from it because I was having times of deep depression an manic highs. But it would be over twenty years after my accepting Christ that I would be formally diagnosed.
During that time prior to my diagnosis I knew little of what was happing to me I knew only that I’d become despondent and depressed. The highs I put off to a burst of energy that lasted days at a time.
When I was down however I had learned to turn to God. To lean on him for comfort. I do believe it was God who showed me the good in life, and in my wife and family.
Suicide did cross my mind occasionally. But my love of God and his laws prevented it.
When I finally did have my big emotional collapse on the side of a major highway on the way home from work. I believe God was there for me.
I firmly believe the right people were set up to help me. I was able to get in with a good psychiatrist who offered me hope. When he unfortunately passed away I was able to get in with a second good Psychiatrist and when he retired with my current one. All of this in a area that was short of Psychiatrist.
I was able to get into group therapy sessions and after a lot of trial and error the right medications that have helped stabilize my mood swings.
Today I live with my Bipolar disorder there is no cure only medication to help you cope.
I have adjusted my life and lifestyle to help me live with it.
I have what I call my pillars that I rest on. My doctors both family and psychiatrist, the medications I take, my family (my wife and children) and my faith in God who is there for me no matter what.
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 11:28-30I believe this. Having Jesus in my life has given me meaning and I have rest knowing that even in my darkest hour I can turn to him.
It is the same hope he offers all people even you dear reader. Will you consider letting Jesus into you life.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
A Choice
A Choice
“No, The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
Peter John Kreeft PH.D.
As quoted in the case for faith by Lee Strobel
Put simply God gave us a choice. Him or sin.
God did not create sin but he did create the possibility for us to sin, by giving us a free will.
Sin being turning away from God’s rules by breaking his laws. Choosing to kill, slander, be selfish, to stray sexually, break promises to be reckless. The list of God’s rules we break goes on and on.
The result of breaking those laws is separation from God. But God has not forsaken us.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Jesus gives us a choice, he said,
God through Jesus is calling all men to himself. Offering a free gift of eternal life, to all who would believe in him.
Are you willing to believe in Christ?
Think about it.
“No, The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
Peter John Kreeft PH.D.
As quoted in the case for faith by Lee Strobel
Put simply God gave us a choice. Him or sin.
God did not create sin but he did create the possibility for us to sin, by giving us a free will.
Sin being turning away from God’s rules by breaking his laws. Choosing to kill, slander, be selfish, to stray sexually, break promises to be reckless. The list of God’s rules we break goes on and on.
The result of breaking those laws is separation from God. But God has not forsaken us.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Jesus gives us a choice, he 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.God through Jesus is calling all men to himself. Offering a free gift of eternal life, to all who would believe in him.
Are you willing to believe in Christ?
Think about it.
Monday, 24 November 2014
A Case for God
Case for God.
Here is a quote I like,
“Think about that. How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God? The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed.”
Peter John Kreeft PH.D.
as quoted in The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel.
I agree with Kreeft. Logically with all the pain and suffering in the world you would think the God we construct would be an evil one. Yet we see Him as a God of love.
Kreeft goes on to say,
“The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
God could have chose to build us like robots with no personality, no free will. But what good would that have been.
Martin Luther King jr said in a prayer to God.
“...help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.”
God created us to have fellowship with Him. He did not want a programable robot. He wanted someone who could think and reason with Him. Someone he could call his friends. Even his children.
From the very beginning as he was creating the world he chose to give man the right to choose knowing full well that man may just choose to do evil.
God laid on the hearts of all mankind what is right and wrong. Then he said in essence the choice is yours.
Throughout history God has showed himself to man. The culmination being in sending His one and Only Son Jesus Christ to this earth.
He watched as evil men, men used by the devil himself put Jesus on the cross to die. Something that his enemies thought would end the matter.
But evil was overcome by good. Jesus rose from the grave victorious proving to all who would believe that He was indeed the Son of God. That his words are true.
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
The apostle John writing,
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.
John 1:12,13.
This is what God had intended all along for all of mankind to come into a close intimate relationship with him.
This is the kind of relationship he wishes to have with you who are reading this.
Ultimately believing in God is an act of faith but it doesn’t have to be blind faith. I don’t think God wants that. He prefers informed faith.
The Bible lays down who God is and what he wants for our life.
The new testament in particular shows His love for mankind and what he wants for our lives as individuals.
Will you consider reading at least the New Testament with an open mind. Would you consider asking God in prayer to show you that he is indeed real.
Think about it.
Here is a quote I like,
“Think about that. How is it possible that over ninety percent of all human beings who have ever lived usually in far more painful circumstances than we, could believe in God? The objective evidence, just looking at the balance of pleasure and suffering in the world, would not seem to justify believing in an absolutely good God. Yet this has been almost universally believed.”
Peter John Kreeft PH.D.
as quoted in The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel.
I agree with Kreeft. Logically with all the pain and suffering in the world you would think the God we construct would be an evil one. Yet we see Him as a God of love.
Kreeft goes on to say,
“The evidence is that God is all-powerful. The point to remember is that creating a world where there’s free will and no possibility of sin is self contradiction and opens the door to people choosing evil over God, with suffering being the result. The overwhelming majority of pain in the world is cause by our choices to kill, to slander, to be selfish, to stray sexually, to break our promises, to be reckless.”
God could have chose to build us like robots with no personality, no free will. But what good would that have been.
Martin Luther King jr said in a prayer to God.
“...help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.”
God created us to have fellowship with Him. He did not want a programable robot. He wanted someone who could think and reason with Him. Someone he could call his friends. Even his children.
From the very beginning as he was creating the world he chose to give man the right to choose knowing full well that man may just choose to do evil.
God laid on the hearts of all mankind what is right and wrong. Then he said in essence the choice is yours.
Throughout history God has showed himself to man. The culmination being in sending His one and Only Son Jesus Christ to this earth.
He watched as evil men, men used by the devil himself put Jesus on the cross to die. Something that his enemies thought would end the matter.
But evil was overcome by good. Jesus rose from the grave victorious proving to all who would believe that He was indeed the Son of God. That his words are true.
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
The apostle John writing,
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.
John 1:12,13.
This is what God had intended all along for all of mankind to come into a close intimate relationship with him.
This is the kind of relationship he wishes to have with you who are reading this.
Ultimately believing in God is an act of faith but it doesn’t have to be blind faith. I don’t think God wants that. He prefers informed faith.
The Bible lays down who God is and what he wants for our life.
The new testament in particular shows His love for mankind and what he wants for our lives as individuals.
Will you consider reading at least the New Testament with an open mind. Would you consider asking God in prayer to show you that he is indeed real.
Think about it.
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Response to a Comment
Response to a comment
I got the following response to one of my postings that argued for God and against atheism. The person is right in part. He said,
“Well death's the actual end for an atheist, so our lives are worth more than you theists who flood the market with "immortality".?
Before I go on however let me preface things with this note. I am a Christian and therefore can only comment on what I see from a Christian perspective.
So that being said, if death is an end then I have nothing to fear. So if I’m wrong about God then so be it. But he states theist flood the world with immorality.
The first thing that came to my mind was who sets the rule with regards to immorality. I believe God does. I cannot believe early man suddenly put together a universal moral code.
If science is to be believed, and I firmly believe it is, there were various early tribes all over the world. Scattered in such a way as it would be difficult, if not impossible for them to communicate directly with each other.
Even at the time the ten commandments were given there were groups around the world that couldn’t possibly communicate with each other that had to have had at least a very similar moral code, such as do not kill, do not steal, etc. otherwise society in those early civilizations would be in a state of anarchy at best.
It would be survival of the fittest. Violence would prevail if violence became the norm early man would potentially drive himself to extinction.
Thus I believe on the heart of every man and woman that has ever lived God has written His moral code.
I would however agree that it seems like theist flood the market with immorality.
I as a Christian can probably list pages of names of men and women who called themselves Christians or the world seen as Christians that were immoral. Everything from Popes, to evangelist to pastors to various individuals sitting in the pew of every church in the world.
How do I know these people are immoral because God set a standard and these people have fallen short quite often in a very public way.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi has a point but Gandhi I believe only seen those who called themselves 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.
The church has been around along time and many people with their own agenda’s have entered it. Many people who are immoral who are in it to make a fast buck have set themselves up as Christians. These people I believe will, as Jesus said be turned away from heaven.
One thing I am certain of however is that at true Christian will not force his morality on anyone outside the church 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.
The church unfortunately is a trusting organization by nature thus it doesn’t do a very good job of policing itself. Then that can be said of every organization in the world. Everything from the government to corporations big and small have had people within them who were immoral.
I do not believe the church “floods the market with immorality”
If it seems that way, perhaps its because people within the church are being caught in immorality, because of the high standards the true church and for that matter society outside the church demand Christians to live by.
In world war two German U-boats use to see ships silhouetted against the lights of American cities. The lights caused the ships to stand out thus making them targets.
If it seems like Christians produce more than it’s fare share of immoral people, perhaps, just perhaps it’s because they are standing in the light of God that shows their immorality and other sins.
The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
If there is no God then those who commit any kind of immoral act on this earth have nothing to fear but if there is they indeed have a lot to fear be they Christians or not.
Think about it.
I got the following response to one of my postings that argued for God and against atheism. The person is right in part. He said,
“Well death's the actual end for an atheist, so our lives are worth more than you theists who flood the market with "immortality".?
Before I go on however let me preface things with this note. I am a Christian and therefore can only comment on what I see from a Christian perspective.
So that being said, if death is an end then I have nothing to fear. So if I’m wrong about God then so be it. But he states theist flood the world with immorality.
The first thing that came to my mind was who sets the rule with regards to immorality. I believe God does. I cannot believe early man suddenly put together a universal moral code.
If science is to be believed, and I firmly believe it is, there were various early tribes all over the world. Scattered in such a way as it would be difficult, if not impossible for them to communicate directly with each other.
Even at the time the ten commandments were given there were groups around the world that couldn’t possibly communicate with each other that had to have had at least a very similar moral code, such as do not kill, do not steal, etc. otherwise society in those early civilizations would be in a state of anarchy at best.
It would be survival of the fittest. Violence would prevail if violence became the norm early man would potentially drive himself to extinction.
Thus I believe on the heart of every man and woman that has ever lived God has written His moral code.
I would however agree that it seems like theist flood the market with immorality.
I as a Christian can probably list pages of names of men and women who called themselves Christians or the world seen as Christians that were immoral. Everything from Popes, to evangelist to pastors to various individuals sitting in the pew of every church in the world.
How do I know these people are immoral because God set a standard and these people have fallen short quite often in a very public way.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi has a point but Gandhi I believe only seen those who called themselves 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.
The church has been around along time and many people with their own agenda’s have entered it. Many people who are immoral who are in it to make a fast buck have set themselves up as Christians. These people I believe will, as Jesus said be turned away from heaven.
One thing I am certain of however is that at true Christian will not force his morality on anyone outside the church 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.
The church unfortunately is a trusting organization by nature thus it doesn’t do a very good job of policing itself. Then that can be said of every organization in the world. Everything from the government to corporations big and small have had people within them who were immoral.
I do not believe the church “floods the market with immorality”
If it seems that way, perhaps its because people within the church are being caught in immorality, because of the high standards the true church and for that matter society outside the church demand Christians to live by.
In world war two German U-boats use to see ships silhouetted against the lights of American cities. The lights caused the ships to stand out thus making them targets.
If it seems like Christians produce more than it’s fare share of immoral people, perhaps, just perhaps it’s because they are standing in the light of God that shows their immorality and other sins.
The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
If there is no God then those who commit any kind of immoral act on this earth have nothing to fear but if there is they indeed have a lot to fear be they Christians or not.
Think about it.
Saturday, 22 November 2014
On Atheism
On Atheism
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft PH.D.
as quoted in a case for faith by Lee Strobel
I have always contended that there has to be more to life than what I can see, touch, hear and feel. That life is more than an accumulation of a bunch of bobbles bangles and beads. That is why I accepted Christ as my saviour in the first place. He made life make sense.
I truly believe there is life beyond death. That death is not an end. That, that thing that is us, our very soul does not die when our physical body wears out. But travels through eternity.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver.
To my knowledge no Atheist or group has ever come up with a moral code to equal that of the ten commandments.
In those few short words the Bible lays down for mankind in brief how to live with respect for both God and our fellow man.
The Bible does not contest the fact that there is a God. It makes it clear there is. End of story.
The Bible make it clear we all have hope. The Atheist offers no hope.
The call of Jesus to the world is,
The one thing no Atheist has ever been able to explain, is why do so many people around the world who are going through all kinds of pain and suffering still have an unwavering faith in a just and loving, almighty God.
I believe the answer is simple. There is a just, and loving, almighty God.
Think about it.
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value”
Peter John Kreeft PH.D.
as quoted in a case for faith by Lee Strobel
I have always contended that there has to be more to life than what I can see, touch, hear and feel. That life is more than an accumulation of a bunch of bobbles bangles and beads. That is why I accepted Christ as my saviour in the first place. He made life make sense.
I truly believe there is life beyond death. That death is not an end. That, that thing that is us, our very soul does not die when our physical body wears out. But travels through eternity.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver.
To my knowledge no Atheist or group has ever come up with a moral code to equal that of the ten commandments.
In those few short words the Bible lays down for mankind in brief how to live with respect for both God and our fellow man.
The Bible does not contest the fact that there is a God. It makes it clear there is. End of story.
The Bible make it clear we all have hope. The Atheist offers no hope.
The call of Jesus to the world is,
“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.
Here’s something to think about.The one thing no Atheist has ever been able to explain, is why do so many people around the world who are going through all kinds of pain and suffering still have an unwavering faith in a just and loving, almighty God.
I believe the answer is simple. There is a just, and loving, almighty God.
Think about it.
Friday, 21 November 2014
The cost of Salvation
The Cost of Salvation
I in these blogs have often said salvation is free and it is for us.
John records 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.”
John 3:16-17
Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“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 stating,
“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
Salvation as shown above for us is simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Salvation however cost Jesus his life
The Apostle Paul writes,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
I believe that God deliberately sent Jesus to us to demonstrate in purely human terms how far he would go to reconcile himself to us.
I could write pages on why Jesus had to come to this earth most of which would bore a theologian.
The key thing in all of this however is that God want’s to have a personal relationship with you.
God does not care who you are or what your lifestyle is. He knows your heart and he want to come in and have that intimate relationship with you. 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.
Are you willing to believe in Jesus. Are you willing to come into a personal relationship with him?
Please think about it.
I in these blogs have often said salvation is free and it is for us.
John records 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.”
John 3:16-17
Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“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 stating,
“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
Salvation as shown above for us is simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Salvation however cost Jesus his life
The Apostle Paul writes,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
I believe that God deliberately sent Jesus to us to demonstrate in purely human terms how far he would go to reconcile himself to us.
I could write pages on why Jesus had to come to this earth most of which would bore a theologian.
The key thing in all of this however is that God want’s to have a personal relationship with you.
God does not care who you are or what your lifestyle is. He knows your heart and he want to come in and have that intimate relationship with you. 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.
Are you willing to believe in Jesus. Are you willing to come into a personal relationship with him?
Please think about it.
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