About Jesus
Luke Writes,
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:1-7.
The apostle John writing from a spiritual point of view writes,
"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.
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it....
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
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 1:1-5, 9-14.
Here are two versions of the birth of Jesus. Luke’s version that describes the physical birth of Jesus. That he was born in Bethlehem in barn.
The other version the apostle John’s version tells spiritually who Jesus is. He makes it clear that,
“He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
Simply put Jesus was there at the dawn of creation. That all things were made by him. Jesus is God in other words.
He makes it clear that,
“The Word (Jesus), became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
In other words Jesus whom John refers to as the “Word” who is God came into His creation.
He came to show us the way to heaven. Jesus said of himself,
‘Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Jesus never shied away from this. He claimed to be the way to God. The religious leaders of his day would have seen this as Jesus making himself equal to God.
John records this incident during the trial of Jesus before the Roman Governor
“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
The very reason Jesus was on trial was two fold. First the religious leaders of his day seen him as a threat to their authority. Second the he claimed to be God, which was blasphemy and punishable by death.
C.S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“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
Please think about it
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Monday, 20 April 2015
History teaches
History teaches
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive. Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints. People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism. The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
The one thing history teaches that no matter how well educated and cultured a people are they can be led astray.
The German people of the 1930's and 40's were well educated yet they were led down a path that led to destruction and the murder of millions by Adolf Hitler and his henchmen.
Throughout history individuals both secular and those who have twisted various religions for their own destructive purposes have arisen causing the deaths of millions..
Society needs moral absolutes men need God.
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
The writer of Ecclesiastes got it right when he 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 judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
It is only when man fails to recognize there is a just and Holy God whom he we one day have to answer to, that he will do such horrible things to his fellow man.
It is when men twist and pervert the teachings of God to suit their own ends that horrific acts take place against both individuals and society as a whole.
Secular teachings and Atheism have little to offer society as a whole other than a few nice moral teachings that are essentially unenforceable.
I know Atheist that live up to a far higher ethical standard than some who claim to be Christians and I applaud them. Still all of their good deeds and morals and those of millions of good men and women like them around, the world cannot stop despotic groups like IS or other terrorist.
It took a world war and the death of in excess of 56,000,000 people soldiers and innocent men, women and children to bring Hitler’s satanic regime to trial.
The leaders of terrorist groups today like the Nazis of the 1930's and 40's have a perverted sense of what is right and wrong and do not fear God.
We live very much in a world that is becoming more and more secular. Where individuals and families are excluding God from their lives.
In doing so we are going down a slippery slope that leads to a lake of fire and brimstone.
Without moral absolutes society decays.
The answer to the worlds problems is for all people everywhere to turn to God.
Think about it, even if just the ten commandments were obeyed by all people. Commandments given to Moses by God. There would be no murders, therefore no war, no terrorism. Crime would end, as would adultery and other evils that plague society.
Think about it if men recognized and believed the fact that they would one day stand before God and be judged for the things they had done, both good and bad, our world would be a much better place.
Please think about it.
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive. Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints. People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism. The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
The one thing history teaches that no matter how well educated and cultured a people are they can be led astray.
The German people of the 1930's and 40's were well educated yet they were led down a path that led to destruction and the murder of millions by Adolf Hitler and his henchmen.
Throughout history individuals both secular and those who have twisted various religions for their own destructive purposes have arisen causing the deaths of millions..
Society needs moral absolutes men need God.
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
The writer of Ecclesiastes got it right when he 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 judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
It is only when man fails to recognize there is a just and Holy God whom he we one day have to answer to, that he will do such horrible things to his fellow man.
It is when men twist and pervert the teachings of God to suit their own ends that horrific acts take place against both individuals and society as a whole.
Secular teachings and Atheism have little to offer society as a whole other than a few nice moral teachings that are essentially unenforceable.
I know Atheist that live up to a far higher ethical standard than some who claim to be Christians and I applaud them. Still all of their good deeds and morals and those of millions of good men and women like them around, the world cannot stop despotic groups like IS or other terrorist.
It took a world war and the death of in excess of 56,000,000 people soldiers and innocent men, women and children to bring Hitler’s satanic regime to trial.
The leaders of terrorist groups today like the Nazis of the 1930's and 40's have a perverted sense of what is right and wrong and do not fear God.
We live very much in a world that is becoming more and more secular. Where individuals and families are excluding God from their lives.
In doing so we are going down a slippery slope that leads to a lake of fire and brimstone.
Without moral absolutes society decays.
The answer to the worlds problems is for all people everywhere to turn to God.
Think about it, even if just the ten commandments were obeyed by all people. Commandments given to Moses by God. There would be no murders, therefore no war, no terrorism. Crime would end, as would adultery and other evils that plague society.
Think about it if men recognized and believed the fact that they would one day stand before God and be judged for the things they had done, both good and bad, our world would be a much better place.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Rights
Rights
“Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone - except God.”
Billy Graham
What Billy Graham says is true. Our society does it’s best to offend no one yet it offends God all the time.
Over the past few years there have been several court cases in the United States that have caused scripture quotations to be removed from the walls of schools, public buildings and courtrooms.
Just a few days ago here in Canada the supreme court ruled that the mayor of a Quebec town could not start the council meeting with a prayer. The ruling has made other city councils across Canada think about what they are doing.
To my knowledge these cases have been brought before the courts by Atheist groups or individuals not religious groups.
Atheist who say God doesn’t exist. So if God doesn’t exist why are they so upset by a prayer. If there is no God to hear it, it can’t do any harm.
I as a Christian am not offended when atheist say things I disagree with. That’s their right in a free and democratic society.
What it comes down to I think is many atheist are not comfortable with what they believe. Why else would they be offended by words being said to a someone who they claim doesn’t exist.
Should I get upset and go crying to the supreme court saying I object to there not being a prayer said to God. Because I believe that as a Christian I should pray for divine guidance for our political leaders.
C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Now having said that I will support rights of anyone Atheist or other individuals to believe and practice what they believe.
Sadly however there are those who would, in a multicultural democracy hold their rights above other.
In a true democracy all are equal and people of different faith, beliefs and lifestyles should stand shoulder to shoulder to uphold those rights.
Please think about it.
“Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone - except God.”
Billy Graham
What Billy Graham says is true. Our society does it’s best to offend no one yet it offends God all the time.
Over the past few years there have been several court cases in the United States that have caused scripture quotations to be removed from the walls of schools, public buildings and courtrooms.
Just a few days ago here in Canada the supreme court ruled that the mayor of a Quebec town could not start the council meeting with a prayer. The ruling has made other city councils across Canada think about what they are doing.
To my knowledge these cases have been brought before the courts by Atheist groups or individuals not religious groups.
Atheist who say God doesn’t exist. So if God doesn’t exist why are they so upset by a prayer. If there is no God to hear it, it can’t do any harm.
I as a Christian am not offended when atheist say things I disagree with. That’s their right in a free and democratic society.
What it comes down to I think is many atheist are not comfortable with what they believe. Why else would they be offended by words being said to a someone who they claim doesn’t exist.
Should I get upset and go crying to the supreme court saying I object to there not being a prayer said to God. Because I believe that as a Christian I should pray for divine guidance for our political leaders.
C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Now having said that I will support rights of anyone Atheist or other individuals to believe and practice what they believe.
Sadly however there are those who would, in a multicultural democracy hold their rights above other.
In a true democracy all are equal and people of different faith, beliefs and lifestyles should stand shoulder to shoulder to uphold those rights.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 18 April 2015
My Testimony
My Testimony
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans 3:23.
Forty-two years ago in a small church that an old girlfriend had taken me to. I became a youth leader. I believed there was a God but didn’t have what I can only describe as a heart knowledge of God.
The girlfriend and I split. She stopped going to the church but I continued on.
One day I was asked to give a message to the youth. I began with the above verse. Why I don’t really know. I just know that’s where I felt I had to start. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I remember I stumbled over the meaning of the words as I spoke but those words stuck with me.
A few weeks later I went to a Doug Oldham concert and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
The words I’d started my teaching with a few weeks earlier suddenly had meaning. I realized that I was indeed a sinner. That I couldn’t live a life good enough to reach heaven that I needed Jesus in my life.
I realized the truth of John 3:16-18 that says,
“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.
I realized the truth of Ephesians 2:8,9
“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.
I realized that God through Jesus Christ had reached down to me, because I was not good enough to reach up to Him.
Over the forty-one years since then life had thrown a lot of things both good and bad at me. I have done things I’ve regretted but I have never regretted letting Christ into my life.
I can attest that the words of Jesus are true when he 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.
That is why I write these blogs, present the gospel to anyone who will listen, and teach the Bible at church and any other place I’m asked to.
I believe it is the most important message the world needs to hear.
Dear reader please consider reading the Bible and letting Jesus into your life.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans 3:23.
Forty-two years ago in a small church that an old girlfriend had taken me to. I became a youth leader. I believed there was a God but didn’t have what I can only describe as a heart knowledge of God.
The girlfriend and I split. She stopped going to the church but I continued on.
One day I was asked to give a message to the youth. I began with the above verse. Why I don’t really know. I just know that’s where I felt I had to start. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I remember I stumbled over the meaning of the words as I spoke but those words stuck with me.
A few weeks later I went to a Doug Oldham concert and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
The words I’d started my teaching with a few weeks earlier suddenly had meaning. I realized that I was indeed a sinner. That I couldn’t live a life good enough to reach heaven that I needed Jesus in my life.
I realized the truth of John 3:16-18 that says,
“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.
I realized the truth of Ephesians 2:8,9
“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.
I realized that God through Jesus Christ had reached down to me, because I was not good enough to reach up to Him.
Over the forty-one years since then life had thrown a lot of things both good and bad at me. I have done things I’ve regretted but I have never regretted letting Christ into my life.
I can attest that the words of Jesus are true when he 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.
That is why I write these blogs, present the gospel to anyone who will listen, and teach the Bible at church and any other place I’m asked to.
I believe it is the most important message the world needs to hear.
Dear reader please consider reading the Bible and letting Jesus into your life.
Friday, 17 April 2015
I look to you
I Look for You
Solomon Ibn Gabirol wrote,
“In the morning I look for you, My rock and my tower, I lay my prayers before you, that day and night are in me.
Before your greatness, I stand, and am unnerved, because your eye will see the thoughts that are in me.
What is it that the heart or the tongue can do, and what power is there in the spirit that is in me?
But I know you are pleased with the songs that men make, and so I shall praise you while the divine soul is in me.”
I understand what the writer is saying here. The city where I live is surrounded with vineyards and orchards. In addition there is a natural beauty that is amazing.
As I look into nature I cannot believe all of this came by chance. Everything is perfectly designed to make life possible on this earth.
The bible tells us,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
I at one time knew someone that was into mathematics he seen it as the perfect science. He seen the universe as being perfect from a mathematical prospective. He told me that somewhere there is one mathematical formula that can link all creation. Everything from the largest galaxy to the smallest parts of the atom.
As I a layman look at the world I agree with him. We may only have parts of that mathematical puzzle yet but given time and good science we will one day find the formula.
The principle reason I believe this is because I believe there is a God that created the heavens and the earth.
The bible makes it clear,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
The bible dose not leave the existence up to debate. It says clearly, “God created” end of debate.
Now I don’t claim that the Bible is a science book too many people have tried to read science into it. It may have a few things that relate to science, but it is not a pure book of science.
The bible is a book of theology. It is a book of relationships. It tells how God would have us relate to both God and our fellow man.
Above all it points our way to heaven. It’s that simple.
The bible from ancient times laid down a set of laws all civilized societies today live by the ten commandments.
In the New Testament it points clearly the way to heaven.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
Jesus answered, “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.”
John 3:16,17.
To the word of Paul to the Romans,
“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.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
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.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. 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
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol wrote,
“In the morning I look for you, My rock and my tower, I lay my prayers before you, that day and night are in me.
Before your greatness, I stand, and am unnerved, because your eye will see the thoughts that are in me.
What is it that the heart or the tongue can do, and what power is there in the spirit that is in me?
But I know you are pleased with the songs that men make, and so I shall praise you while the divine soul is in me.”
I understand what the writer is saying here. The city where I live is surrounded with vineyards and orchards. In addition there is a natural beauty that is amazing.
As I look into nature I cannot believe all of this came by chance. Everything is perfectly designed to make life possible on this earth.
The bible tells us,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
I at one time knew someone that was into mathematics he seen it as the perfect science. He seen the universe as being perfect from a mathematical prospective. He told me that somewhere there is one mathematical formula that can link all creation. Everything from the largest galaxy to the smallest parts of the atom.
As I a layman look at the world I agree with him. We may only have parts of that mathematical puzzle yet but given time and good science we will one day find the formula.
The principle reason I believe this is because I believe there is a God that created the heavens and the earth.
The bible makes it clear,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
The bible dose not leave the existence up to debate. It says clearly, “God created” end of debate.
Now I don’t claim that the Bible is a science book too many people have tried to read science into it. It may have a few things that relate to science, but it is not a pure book of science.
The bible is a book of theology. It is a book of relationships. It tells how God would have us relate to both God and our fellow man.
Above all it points our way to heaven. It’s that simple.
The bible from ancient times laid down a set of laws all civilized societies today live by the ten commandments.
In the New Testament it points clearly the way to heaven.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
Jesus answered, “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.”
John 3:16,17.
To the word of Paul to the Romans,
“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.
Isaiah telling us,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
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.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. 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
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Because
Because
Because...
“He (God) first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
I will...love God
Because...
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
I will...love God
Because...
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another; as I have loved you,
that you also love one another.
By this shall all know that you are My disciples.
If you have love for one another.
John 13:34,35
I will...love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because...
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
Luke 6:27,28
I will...love my enemies.
Because...
The Bible says, “Love suffers long and is kind:
love does not envy; loves does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own,
is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity,
but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things; believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
I will...I will love.
Because...
The Bible says, “Now abides faith, hope and love,
these three;
but the greatest of these is love. 1
Corinthians 13:13
I will...Have faith in God..
For according to Ephesians 2:8,9:
“...by grace you have been saved through faith,
and not of yourselves;
it is a gift of God, not of works; lest anyone should boast.”
I have hope in Christ...
For
according to Romans 5:1,2:
“...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our LORD Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace
which we stand, and rejoice in hope of glory of God.”
I have love...
For
Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40:
“...you shall love the LORD your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it:
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Because of this and much more
I will love.
Scripture assembled by Neal W. with words fromthe apostles
Matthew, Luke, John & Paul
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
IS is not the first
IS is not the first.
T.H. White wrote
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos. But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ. Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into Strom troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate. On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.”
T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
As I look at terrorist groups around the world today I cringe in horror. Still they are not new. Tyrants throughout history have been trying to impose their will on people for centuries.
Hitler alone killed six million Jews and five million other people whom he looked down on or whom he disagreed with.
Hitler I am certain has had judgment past on him as will the leaders of IS and all terrorist groups around today.
Paradise is the one place these people will not be going.
What these people who lead terror organizations fail to see is history has taught that violence and intolerance only ends in destruction. Empires founded on violence have all fallen.
One man’s Kingdom however has not and his followers reach into every country, in every strata of society around the world. That Kingdom is God’s and Jesus is His one and only Son.
Jesus was sent to point the way to heaven. To die for the sins of each and every man, woman and child.
Jesus never raised a hand in anger even to the men that condemned him to die. In fact he called out from the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Napoleon wrote of Jesus,
"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.
Today there are approximately two point two billion (2,200,000,000) Christians in the world. All won over by love.
IS and other terrorist groups have but a few million under their foot at this moment, and while like Hitler they may think they are building their version of the thousand year riche they are sadly mistaken.
If these people truly want to build heaven on earth they need to turn to Jesus and follow the path of love.
Jesus is recorded in the book of John giving the two options that are available to all men,
“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.
Killing innocent men women and children dose not lead to paradise Jesus does.
Please think about it.
T.H. White wrote
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos. But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ. Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into Strom troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate. On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.”
T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
As I look at terrorist groups around the world today I cringe in horror. Still they are not new. Tyrants throughout history have been trying to impose their will on people for centuries.
Hitler alone killed six million Jews and five million other people whom he looked down on or whom he disagreed with.
Hitler I am certain has had judgment past on him as will the leaders of IS and all terrorist groups around today.
Paradise is the one place these people will not be going.
What these people who lead terror organizations fail to see is history has taught that violence and intolerance only ends in destruction. Empires founded on violence have all fallen.
One man’s Kingdom however has not and his followers reach into every country, in every strata of society around the world. That Kingdom is God’s and Jesus is His one and only Son.
Jesus was sent to point the way to heaven. To die for the sins of each and every man, woman and child.
Jesus never raised a hand in anger even to the men that condemned him to die. In fact he called out from the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Napoleon wrote of Jesus,
"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.
Today there are approximately two point two billion (2,200,000,000) Christians in the world. All won over by love.
IS and other terrorist groups have but a few million under their foot at this moment, and while like Hitler they may think they are building their version of the thousand year riche they are sadly mistaken.
If these people truly want to build heaven on earth they need to turn to Jesus and follow the path of love.
Jesus is recorded in the book of John giving the two options that are available to all men,
“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.
Killing innocent men women and children dose not lead to paradise Jesus does.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
I believe
I believe
It is the message we have for the world.
The apostle John who was with Jesus throughout his ministry recorded Jesus as 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.
Christians accept this statement on faith and we present it to all people everywhere to accept or reject.
Please think about it.
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
I believe in the Holy Ghost:
I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of the saints:
(that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places.)
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting. Amen.
The Apostles Creed while not written by the apostles of Jesus in brief states what I and all Christians believe.It is the message we have for the world.
The apostle John who was with Jesus throughout his ministry recorded Jesus as 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.
Christians accept this statement on faith and we present it to all people everywhere to accept or reject.
Please think about it.
Monday, 13 April 2015
About Jesus
About Jesus
“After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:1-6.
Here while the apostles are carrying out their first mission John the Baptist now in prison sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. Jesus answers,
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”
All of these are signs of the Messiah. All are proof of the divinity of Christ.
How much more proof is needed with respect to Jesus. He was doing these miraculous things in front of people.
Things the scribes and pharisees of the day were not doing.
Jesus was showing He was Lord by everything he was doing. Then leaving it up to the individual to decide who he was.
The writers of the New Testament do not shy away from the fact Jesus performed miracles. That he claimed to be from God. That he was indeed the son of God.
Most of the writers of the New Testament were first hand witnesses to what Jesus said and did. The others most certainly spoke to those who walked and talked with Jesus.
All of these men believed the accounts and put it down in writing.
They believed he miraculously healed the sick.
The he is the Son of God.
That he died for our sins,
That he rose from the dead.
That walked on the earth for a while after his resurrection
That he ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
Now to my mind there is only three possibilities here. These men were deceived by Jesus and others, or they are liars.
If it is deception and or lies, it would be the most monumental collection of deception and lies ever in history.
C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity put it like this,
“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
Please think about it.
“After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:1-6.
Here while the apostles are carrying out their first mission John the Baptist now in prison sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. Jesus answers,
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”
All of these are signs of the Messiah. All are proof of the divinity of Christ.
How much more proof is needed with respect to Jesus. He was doing these miraculous things in front of people.
Things the scribes and pharisees of the day were not doing.
Jesus was showing He was Lord by everything he was doing. Then leaving it up to the individual to decide who he was.
The writers of the New Testament do not shy away from the fact Jesus performed miracles. That he claimed to be from God. That he was indeed the son of God.
Most of the writers of the New Testament were first hand witnesses to what Jesus said and did. The others most certainly spoke to those who walked and talked with Jesus.
All of these men believed the accounts and put it down in writing.
They believed he miraculously healed the sick.
The he is the Son of God.
That he died for our sins,
That he rose from the dead.
That walked on the earth for a while after his resurrection
That he ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
Now to my mind there is only three possibilities here. These men were deceived by Jesus and others, or they are liars.
If it is deception and or lies, it would be the most monumental collection of deception and lies ever in history.
C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity put it like this,
“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
Please think about it.
Sunday, 12 April 2015
New Wine
New wine
“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.
Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wine skins, and both are preserved.”
Matthew 9:14-17.
Here’s a quick explanation of this passage based on several commentaries I’ve read.
Basically here Jesus is comparing himself to the bride groom and he makes it clear that the guests of the bride groom, his disciples, his followers, do not fast while the bride groom is with them. They rejoice.
He goes on to note that “Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.”
He’s comparing his ministry to new wine.
In the time of Jesus wine was kept in goat skins. Old skins were already stretched to the maximum putting new grape juice into them would cause the old skins to burst as the as the new juice fermented and expanded spilling the wine.
Jesus is saying his ministry is a new ministry that can no longer be contained in the structure of Judaism.
His ministry is for the whole world. Not just Israel. 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
Up until this point in time while there were converts to Judaism, Judaism itself was not a religion that evangelized.
Now Jesus was changing all of that by taking the belief in the one true God to the whole world.
This is why Jesus came to take the salvation message. The Love of God to all the nations of the world.
The message of Christianity is this.
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
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: 11-13
Christians ask people to believe by faith that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. That he came to this earth to save each and everyone who would have faith in Him.
True Christians will never force their faith on anyone. They will simply present their faith and let the individual decide for themselves. Which is what I have done here.
Please think about it.
“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.
Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wine skins, and both are preserved.”
Matthew 9:14-17.
Here’s a quick explanation of this passage based on several commentaries I’ve read.
Basically here Jesus is comparing himself to the bride groom and he makes it clear that the guests of the bride groom, his disciples, his followers, do not fast while the bride groom is with them. They rejoice.
He goes on to note that “Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.”
He’s comparing his ministry to new wine.
In the time of Jesus wine was kept in goat skins. Old skins were already stretched to the maximum putting new grape juice into them would cause the old skins to burst as the as the new juice fermented and expanded spilling the wine.
Jesus is saying his ministry is a new ministry that can no longer be contained in the structure of Judaism.
His ministry is for the whole world. Not just Israel. 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
Up until this point in time while there were converts to Judaism, Judaism itself was not a religion that evangelized.
Now Jesus was changing all of that by taking the belief in the one true God to the whole world.
This is why Jesus came to take the salvation message. The Love of God to all the nations of the world.
The message of Christianity is this.
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
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: 11-13
Christians ask people to believe by faith that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. That he came to this earth to save each and everyone who would have faith in Him.
True Christians will never force their faith on anyone. They will simply present their faith and let the individual decide for themselves. Which is what I have done here.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Why I am a Christian
Why I’m A Christian
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,...”
1 Peter 1:3,4
When people ask me why I’m a Christian it’s simple. I can’t believe that this world is all there is. I cannot believe that when this mortal body dies we just past to oblivion.
I believe that spark that we have that separates us from animals. Call it intelligence, the soul whatever. That part of your body that makes you, you, I believe is made to live forever.
That this world is just the beginning of a journey through eternity. I believe as the ancients did that what we do here affects what will happen to us in eternity.
I’ve looked around at other faiths and for me the only one that makes sense is Christianity.
Christianity requires an act of faith like all faiths. For many perhaps the hardest thing to put into practice. But there is a difference Christians believe in putting ones faith in Jesus Christ that we can attain eternal life in heaven the moment we believe in Christ. It gives assurances of eternal life for simple faith in Jesus Christ.
We don’t have to worry about having the good in our lives weighed against the bad in our lives when we stand before God.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis
Christianity does call us to live as good and loving life as we can but it also recognizes that we are mortals, a long way from perfect.
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.
I know to many such a statement may seem perhaps overly simple or even arrogant on the part Jesus.
But I believe what he said.
I don’t believe that I could ever be good enough to stand before a holy God if I was left to my own devices.
I am human and I fall far short of what God wants for my life daily. Thus I truly believe I am in need of a saviour to pay the price for my short comings and that is exactly what Jesus did.
To the reader of this I would ask that you read the Bible carefully with an open mind and make your own conclusions.
I would challenge you to go to an evangelical church, perhaps a Baptist church or if you’re in Canada a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church or in the United States an Assemblies of God church, and talk to the pastor.
Ask them questions about their faith. Ask them why they believe and what they believe.
Good honest pastors are always willing to meet with you and share their faith. So why not ask them to do so.
Think about it.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,...”
1 Peter 1:3,4
When people ask me why I’m a Christian it’s simple. I can’t believe that this world is all there is. I cannot believe that when this mortal body dies we just past to oblivion.
I believe that spark that we have that separates us from animals. Call it intelligence, the soul whatever. That part of your body that makes you, you, I believe is made to live forever.
That this world is just the beginning of a journey through eternity. I believe as the ancients did that what we do here affects what will happen to us in eternity.
I’ve looked around at other faiths and for me the only one that makes sense is Christianity.
Christianity requires an act of faith like all faiths. For many perhaps the hardest thing to put into practice. But there is a difference Christians believe in putting ones faith in Jesus Christ that we can attain eternal life in heaven the moment we believe in Christ. It gives assurances of eternal life for simple faith in Jesus Christ.
We don’t have to worry about having the good in our lives weighed against the bad in our lives when we stand before God.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis
Christianity does call us to live as good and loving life as we can but it also recognizes that we are mortals, a long way from perfect.
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.
I know to many such a statement may seem perhaps overly simple or even arrogant on the part Jesus.
But I believe what he said.
I don’t believe that I could ever be good enough to stand before a holy God if I was left to my own devices.
I am human and I fall far short of what God wants for my life daily. Thus I truly believe I am in need of a saviour to pay the price for my short comings and that is exactly what Jesus did.
To the reader of this I would ask that you read the Bible carefully with an open mind and make your own conclusions.
I would challenge you to go to an evangelical church, perhaps a Baptist church or if you’re in Canada a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church or in the United States an Assemblies of God church, and talk to the pastor.
Ask them questions about their faith. Ask them why they believe and what they believe.
Good honest pastors are always willing to meet with you and share their faith. So why not ask them to do so.
Think about it.
Friday, 10 April 2015
Why Christians Preach
Why Christians Preach
Why Christians Proselytize
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1John 1:1-3
If you had what you deemed to be the most important thing in all of history, something that people must hear, wouldn’t you want to share it.
That is what we as Christians believe we have.
We have the way to salvation and eternal life. That being a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here John makes that perfectly clear. Look carefully at what he has to say,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.’
John and the other disciples actually lived with Jesus. They listened to his teachings and were completely convinced he was who he said he was the Son of God.
He notes that,
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
John makes it clear that Jesus was with our Heavenly Father, God, and that he appeared to them in bodily form, Jesus.
John does not say Jesus may be the way or is one of many ways. He says he is the way to eternal life. He quotes Jesus as saying,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
He makes it clear why Christians are presenting their beliefs, saying,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John wants all the world to know that we all can have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
He writes,
"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
This is the message all true Christians want to present to the world.
Think about it.
Why Christians Proselytize
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1John 1:1-3
If you had what you deemed to be the most important thing in all of history, something that people must hear, wouldn’t you want to share it.
That is what we as Christians believe we have.
We have the way to salvation and eternal life. That being a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here John makes that perfectly clear. Look carefully at what he has to say,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.’
John and the other disciples actually lived with Jesus. They listened to his teachings and were completely convinced he was who he said he was the Son of God.
He notes that,
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
John makes it clear that Jesus was with our Heavenly Father, God, and that he appeared to them in bodily form, Jesus.
John does not say Jesus may be the way or is one of many ways. He says he is the way to eternal life. He quotes Jesus as saying,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
He makes it clear why Christians are presenting their beliefs, saying,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John wants all the world to know that we all can have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
He writes,
"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
This is the message all true Christians want to present to the world.
Think about it.
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