A common obligation
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein.
Do we in the western democracies truly live in a civilized society? As I take a look around North America I see homeless people. People sleeping on the streets. I see people in the United States that don’t have health care. To my mind a basic human right.
In Canada welfare, as needed as it is, barely meets the needs of the people that are on it and sadly quite often falls short. Those on any kind of disability pension from the government get equally as little at a time when they need it most.
Government plans if there are any, are woefully inadequate when it comes to helping people out of poverty. Training programs that would give people good jobs are either too costly for the poor to get into or nonexistent.
All this while we are told the top one percent of income earners are getting richer.
Now there is nothing wrong with being rich andare many rich people doing their best to help the poor and disadvantaged. These people are to be applauded for what they do. Still our politicians and indeed those who are in any kind of position be it political or in private industry need to be doing more.
I a Christian believe that all men will stand before God to be judged. And while the Talmud is not a Christian book I think what it say is true when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
The Talmud also tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud
I firmly believe we are our brothers keeper. We need to do all we can to help those in need. Not just to feed and clothe them but to help them become self reliant and a productive member of society.
I know many poor people, as well as people who have disabilities who want nothing more than to work and become a productive part of our society.
I also firmly believe that while individuals may get away with out helping others in this world or doing wrong they will one day be made to account for their actions.
If what I am saying is wrong. Those who do wrong or those who fail to help their fellow man when they are in need, have nothing to fear.
On the other hand if I am right they have a lot to fear.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“What does the worker gain from his toil?
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:9-17
Please think about it.
Saturday, 12 September 2015
Friday, 11 September 2015
What the world needs
What the world needs.
“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.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
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
As I look at our society I see an increasingly secular society that is not meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of the individual. They have increasingly turned from God.
Western society seems to me to feed the masses materialism and there is nothing wrong with materialism in balance. The things we want are not evil in themselves.
They however fail to meet man’s real needs, his spiritual need. And man most definitely has a spiritual dimension.
People may deny their need for God or the fact that God exists but it doesn’t eliminate the fact that man has a deep need that only God can fill.
The words of Jesus are as relevant today as they were when he said them. The Matthew’s gospel recording Jesus as saying,
“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
I believe our society as a whole is destined to fail if the spiritual dimension in the individual is not met and mankind fails to turn to God.
Please think about it.
“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.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
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
As I look at our society I see an increasingly secular society that is not meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of the individual. They have increasingly turned from God.
Western society seems to me to feed the masses materialism and there is nothing wrong with materialism in balance. The things we want are not evil in themselves.
They however fail to meet man’s real needs, his spiritual need. And man most definitely has a spiritual dimension.
People may deny their need for God or the fact that God exists but it doesn’t eliminate the fact that man has a deep need that only God can fill.
The words of Jesus are as relevant today as they were when he said them. The Matthew’s gospel recording Jesus as saying,
“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
I believe our society as a whole is destined to fail if the spiritual dimension in the individual is not met and mankind fails to turn to God.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 10 September 2015
A Universal Truth
A universal truth
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
Anne Frank knew what it was to experience hatred. She was a young Jewish girl that had to hide from the Nazis during the occupation of the Netherlands during world war two. Sadly she was caught and died in one of the death camps.
Those who hid Anne and those who hid other Jews during world war two I believe showed true kindness and love. They put their own lives on the line that others might live. Many even after the war never admitted to doing it. They simply did what they believed was the right thing to do without expecting a reward.
Our world today need more kindness and love. It’s easy to see the hatred coming from the various terrorist groups around the world. It’s harder to see the hatred in the western democracies, especially in the United States.
As I listen to the news and see people killing each other over something as simple as a cell phone or perceived disrespect. You have to ask were is the love. People of all races are dying due to violence of all kinds. Police are being shot because someone dislikes them. Even driving in your car if you’re not careful could see you involved in a road rage incident.
Things it seem are getting out of control. There needs to, I think a rethink in our attitudes.
It seems to me the further our society slips away from God and His ideals the worse our society is becoming. We are becoming a society focussed on ourselves and our rights. We seem to be yelling “I HAVE THE RIGHT TO THIS. YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT!”
We forget in a free and democratic society all are equal. We forget that we need to show love to those around us.
The Beatles use to sing a song that said “all you need is love.” they were right.
Our society needs to be exhibiting love. We need to be teaching it in our schools and especially in our homes. Our politicians need to be leading by example showing love to their opponents not using attack adds or making disparaging remarks about individuals or groups.
We need to as the writer of proverbs said
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3,4.
We need to be practising the kind of love the Apostle Paul wrote about, when he wrote,
This kind of love is something I believe even non-Christians can believe in and practice.
Please think about it.
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
Anne Frank knew what it was to experience hatred. She was a young Jewish girl that had to hide from the Nazis during the occupation of the Netherlands during world war two. Sadly she was caught and died in one of the death camps.
Those who hid Anne and those who hid other Jews during world war two I believe showed true kindness and love. They put their own lives on the line that others might live. Many even after the war never admitted to doing it. They simply did what they believed was the right thing to do without expecting a reward.
Our world today need more kindness and love. It’s easy to see the hatred coming from the various terrorist groups around the world. It’s harder to see the hatred in the western democracies, especially in the United States.
As I listen to the news and see people killing each other over something as simple as a cell phone or perceived disrespect. You have to ask were is the love. People of all races are dying due to violence of all kinds. Police are being shot because someone dislikes them. Even driving in your car if you’re not careful could see you involved in a road rage incident.
Things it seem are getting out of control. There needs to, I think a rethink in our attitudes.
It seems to me the further our society slips away from God and His ideals the worse our society is becoming. We are becoming a society focussed on ourselves and our rights. We seem to be yelling “I HAVE THE RIGHT TO THIS. YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT!”
We forget in a free and democratic society all are equal. We forget that we need to show love to those around us.
The Beatles use to sing a song that said “all you need is love.” they were right.
Our society needs to be exhibiting love. We need to be teaching it in our schools and especially in our homes. Our politicians need to be leading by example showing love to their opponents not using attack adds or making disparaging remarks about individuals or groups.
We need to as the writer of proverbs said
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3,4.
We need to be practising the kind of love the Apostle Paul wrote about, when he wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13 This kind of love is something I believe even non-Christians can believe in and practice.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
God
God
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
This is what I believe. God created the heavens and the earth. Whether he created it using the big bang or some other method I do not care. It’s unimportant to my faith.
Whether it took us a billion years, five thousand years or six days is unimportant to my faith.
I see a universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest microbes and subatomic particles all governed by laws. There is no randomness in nature.
Where it seems like randomness it’s just a case that man has not found the formula or the pattern. Lets face it there is a lot man has yet to learn.
The lack of randomness and perfect order of the universe tells me there is a God of creation.
As I look into the heavens study science and read the Bible I am amazed at how they compliment each other. Keeping in mind especially that the Bible is a book of faith not intended to be used as a science book.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
The Bible talked of a point in time when the universe was created, when scientist and astronomers were saying that the Universe had always been. That it was in a fixed state.
Back in the 1980's N.A.S.A. sent two space craft on a mission that has now taken them beyond the solar system. Trillions of kilometres away from earth they turned it around and took a snapshot of earth. It was a tiny dot the size of the head of a pin. Looking at it, puts in perspective how insignificant we are in the universe. Yet the bible tells us that the God who crated the Universe and placed mankind on that dot chose to enter His creation and live briefly on that dot.
The apostle John noting,
“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....
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 1:1-3,14.
To say that God could not come to earth in the form of Jesus is to limit the power of God at least in one area.
To my way of thinking our God who created the universe and everything in it had to enter the world He created. He had to take a part of his infinite being and enter the world in order to show man how much He loved them. He had to show man He not only intellectually that He knew what it was like to be man but that he physically knew what it was to be man. That he knew on an experiential level.
In Jesus he experienced all there it was to be human. To be tempted. To do everyday things like walk along a road. To attend a wedding. To be flogged and put to death for a crime he didn’t commit, for simple political expediency and everything else in between.
I could go on giving reason I believe in God and Jesus but ultimately it comes down to what you the reader think of God and Jesus.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"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.
For me if the message of the cross and Christ is foolishness, I have lost nothing. I have simply lived a good life. If it is true I have gained eternal life with my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
This is what I believe. God created the heavens and the earth. Whether he created it using the big bang or some other method I do not care. It’s unimportant to my faith.
Whether it took us a billion years, five thousand years or six days is unimportant to my faith.
I see a universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest microbes and subatomic particles all governed by laws. There is no randomness in nature.
Where it seems like randomness it’s just a case that man has not found the formula or the pattern. Lets face it there is a lot man has yet to learn.
The lack of randomness and perfect order of the universe tells me there is a God of creation.
As I look into the heavens study science and read the Bible I am amazed at how they compliment each other. Keeping in mind especially that the Bible is a book of faith not intended to be used as a science book.
The psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
The Bible talked of a point in time when the universe was created, when scientist and astronomers were saying that the Universe had always been. That it was in a fixed state.
Back in the 1980's N.A.S.A. sent two space craft on a mission that has now taken them beyond the solar system. Trillions of kilometres away from earth they turned it around and took a snapshot of earth. It was a tiny dot the size of the head of a pin. Looking at it, puts in perspective how insignificant we are in the universe. Yet the bible tells us that the God who crated the Universe and placed mankind on that dot chose to enter His creation and live briefly on that dot.
The apostle John noting,
“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....
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 1:1-3,14.
To say that God could not come to earth in the form of Jesus is to limit the power of God at least in one area.
To my way of thinking our God who created the universe and everything in it had to enter the world He created. He had to take a part of his infinite being and enter the world in order to show man how much He loved them. He had to show man He not only intellectually that He knew what it was like to be man but that he physically knew what it was to be man. That he knew on an experiential level.
In Jesus he experienced all there it was to be human. To be tempted. To do everyday things like walk along a road. To attend a wedding. To be flogged and put to death for a crime he didn’t commit, for simple political expediency and everything else in between.
I could go on giving reason I believe in God and Jesus but ultimately it comes down to what you the reader think of God and Jesus.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"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.
For me if the message of the cross and Christ is foolishness, I have lost nothing. I have simply lived a good life. If it is true I have gained eternal life with my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
Jesus
Jesus
There are people today who say Jesus is a myth. To say Jesus is a myth is a kin to believing the earth is flat and if you sail far enough you’ll sail off the edge.
No credible historian will say Jesus is a myth. Jesus changed history. Myths don’t change history.
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette,
One man who had exceptional insight into Jesus was not a Christian. He was a Jew working as an historian for the Romans shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus. His name, Flavius Josephus, he became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters. He was born: 34AD.
Josephus wrote,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
Flavius Josephus
Note here Josephus said Jesus rose from the dead and that he won over both Jew and Gentile. That, “he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.”
Jesus is a very real person no one can deny that. The question is who do you believe Jesus to be. Jesus himself said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
For Jesus to say that He was equal to the father was a crime punishable by death at the time. In fact John 10:31 one says,
“ Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,”
John 10:31.
Jesus was well educated with respect to the scriptures. In his early teens he was found by his parents in the temple listening to the wise men and asking questions of them (Luke 2:46-52) Luke 2:47 recording
“Every one who heard him was amazed at his understanding and answers.”
Luke 2:47
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.
Therefore the choice is yours dear reader. Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think carefully about it.
There are people today who say Jesus is a myth. To say Jesus is a myth is a kin to believing the earth is flat and if you sail far enough you’ll sail off the edge.
No credible historian will say Jesus is a myth. Jesus changed history. Myths don’t change history.
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
Kenneth Scott Latourette,
One man who had exceptional insight into Jesus was not a Christian. He was a Jew working as an historian for the Romans shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus. His name, Flavius Josephus, he became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters. He was born: 34AD.
Josephus wrote,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
Flavius Josephus
Note here Josephus said Jesus rose from the dead and that he won over both Jew and Gentile. That, “he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.”
Jesus is a very real person no one can deny that. The question is who do you believe Jesus to be. Jesus himself said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
“I and the Father are one.”
John 10:30.
For Jesus to say that He was equal to the father was a crime punishable by death at the time. In fact John 10:31 one says,
“ Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,”
John 10:31.
Jesus was well educated with respect to the scriptures. In his early teens he was found by his parents in the temple listening to the wise men and asking questions of them (Luke 2:46-52) Luke 2:47 recording
“Every one who heard him was amazed at his understanding and answers.”
Luke 2:47
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.
Therefore the choice is yours dear reader. Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think carefully about it.
Monday, 7 September 2015
The Christian Message
The Christian Message
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:17.
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” this is the principle message of Jesus. This should be the principle message of each and every individual Christian. If it isn’t the message of anyone who claims to be Christian then I would doubt that they are Christian at all.
Both Jesus and the apostles made clear what Christians must do. 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.
That age is still going on and it is our duty as Christians to teach all that the scriptures teach.
We are to teach repentance of sins. The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
I find people get hung up on the word sin. Sin actually means falling short of God’s ideal for our lives be it in a big way or a small way. As humans we all fall short of God’s ideals and must confess our shortcomings, our sins to God.
The Apostle John saying,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
A true Christian does believe and should offer those around them the option Christ offered the world. 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.
It is a cut and dry scenario. Either you believe in Jesus, you believe Jesus is all he said he is or you do not.
To me also being a Christian is much more. It is showing your love to God and God’s love and your love to your neighbour and even your enemy. Jesus saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Jesus also said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
For me knowing all I know about Jesus I would want people to tell me what Jesus said when 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.
Because if I am right and I believe I am each persons eternal resting place is determined by whether you believe in that statement or not.
Please think about it.
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:17.
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” this is the principle message of Jesus. This should be the principle message of each and every individual Christian. If it isn’t the message of anyone who claims to be Christian then I would doubt that they are Christian at all.
Both Jesus and the apostles made clear what Christians must do. 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.
That age is still going on and it is our duty as Christians to teach all that the scriptures teach.
We are to teach repentance of sins. The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
I find people get hung up on the word sin. Sin actually means falling short of God’s ideal for our lives be it in a big way or a small way. As humans we all fall short of God’s ideals and must confess our shortcomings, our sins to God.
The Apostle John saying,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10.
A true Christian does believe and should offer those around them the option Christ offered the world. 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.
It is a cut and dry scenario. Either you believe in Jesus, you believe Jesus is all he said he is or you do not.
To me also being a Christian is much more. It is showing your love to God and God’s love and your love to your neighbour and even your enemy. Jesus saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Jesus also said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
For me knowing all I know about Jesus I would want people to tell me what Jesus said when 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.
Because if I am right and I believe I am each persons eternal resting place is determined by whether you believe in that statement or not.
Please think about it.
Sunday, 6 September 2015
Weeds
Weeds
Michael Flynn
“Jesus said the weeds would grow with the wheat until the Judgement," Dietrich answered, "so one finds both good men and bad in the Church. By our fruits we will be known, not by what name we have called ourselves.”
Michael Flynn,
I have been a Christian for over forty years. I do not live in a bubble. I live in the real world. Sadly I think many of those who call themselves Christians, particularly those calling themselves fundamentalist Christians do live in their own little world. Insisting on imposing their moral values on those around them.
Christians are not called to impose their moral and spiritual values on the world. Nor are they called to judge individuals in any way. That is not what Jesus or any of the apostles did.
When I see people calling themselves Christians standing and protesting against gay rights or for that matter the rights of any group be they gay’s or other religious groups, it makes me upset.
A true Christian to my mind will follow the word of the apostle Paul who said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1.
Keep in mind Paul wrote these words under the reign of the emperor Nero one of the most vicious persecutors of Christians.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43,44
Matthew also records,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus us makes it clear the position Christians must take in all things, when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
The sad fact is here in North America many calling themselves fundamentalist Christians have lost their direction. They have been swept up with protecting “their rights” forgetting that others in a democracy have rights also.
They forget that neither Jesus or His apostles ever demanded “their rights”. They stuck to the message of salvation and eternal life with God through Christ alone. They forget that God wants us to show His love to the world.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23.
From my point of view I would question if those protesting against the rights of others are truly Christian. I would ask them will they hear on judgement day the words of Jesus who said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Please think about it.
Michael Flynn
“Jesus said the weeds would grow with the wheat until the Judgement," Dietrich answered, "so one finds both good men and bad in the Church. By our fruits we will be known, not by what name we have called ourselves.”
Michael Flynn,
I have been a Christian for over forty years. I do not live in a bubble. I live in the real world. Sadly I think many of those who call themselves Christians, particularly those calling themselves fundamentalist Christians do live in their own little world. Insisting on imposing their moral values on those around them.
Christians are not called to impose their moral and spiritual values on the world. Nor are they called to judge individuals in any way. That is not what Jesus or any of the apostles did.
When I see people calling themselves Christians standing and protesting against gay rights or for that matter the rights of any group be they gay’s or other religious groups, it makes me upset.
A true Christian to my mind will follow the word of the apostle Paul who said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1.
Keep in mind Paul wrote these words under the reign of the emperor Nero one of the most vicious persecutors of Christians.
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43,44
Matthew also records,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus us makes it clear the position Christians must take in all things, when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
The sad fact is here in North America many calling themselves fundamentalist Christians have lost their direction. They have been swept up with protecting “their rights” forgetting that others in a democracy have rights also.
They forget that neither Jesus or His apostles ever demanded “their rights”. They stuck to the message of salvation and eternal life with God through Christ alone. They forget that God wants us to show His love to the world.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23.
From my point of view I would question if those protesting against the rights of others are truly Christian. I would ask them will they hear on judgement day the words of Jesus who said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Please think about it.
Saturday, 5 September 2015
Now all has been heard
Now all has been heard
“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.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I can speak forever on why I know there is a God and the most ardent atheist will not believe me. However I am hoping that there are some people out there that are reading these blog posts, that at least consider what I am saying. People who will read at least the New Testament and do consider what is said.
Becoming a Christian ultimately an act of faith. Not necessarily blind faith. Because the Bible as a whole presents to its readers facts about God. It then asks you to believe them or not.
God give each and every person a freewill to believe in Him or not the choice is always in the hands of the individual.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“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
It is up to you the reader to decide for yourself how important Christianity is.
Please think about it.
“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.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I can speak forever on why I know there is a God and the most ardent atheist will not believe me. However I am hoping that there are some people out there that are reading these blog posts, that at least consider what I am saying. People who will read at least the New Testament and do consider what is said.
Becoming a Christian ultimately an act of faith. Not necessarily blind faith. Because the Bible as a whole presents to its readers facts about God. It then asks you to believe them or not.
God give each and every person a freewill to believe in Him or not the choice is always in the hands of the individual.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“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
It is up to you the reader to decide for yourself how important Christianity is.
Please think about it.
Thursday, 3 September 2015
Christs ambassadors?
Christ’s ambassadors?
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
I write this to Christians but I present it here for all to read. Knowing it’s a controversial topic among Christians.
Question to Christians from me a Christian of over forty years. Are you a true ambassador for Christ?
Are you offering to the world around you the olive branch of reconciliation?
Over the last few days I’ve heard on the news of a woman in a clerks office in the United States refusing to issue marriage licences to a gay couple on the grounds she believes it is morally wrong.
While I agree that she has the right to her belief that same sex marriage is morally wrong. This woman is not in a church. She is in a civil secular position and is required to obey the law.
She and I believe any Christian in a government position must obey the law even if they find it morally wrong. If they find laws that they must administer morally wrong perhaps they should not be in that position.
Remember it was the apostle Paul who said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.”
Romans 13:1-5.
Keep in mind that Paul wrote this when the emperor Nero was in power an emperor who burned Christians alive among other atrocities. Yet the apostle still wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Sometimes I think Christians in North America and particularly those in the United States suffer from too much freedom and rights.
They claim “THEIR RIGHTS” at the top of their voice. Yet fail to see others in the secular democracy that they live in have also been given rights.
And yes those rights might conflict with the moral views of Christians but then that has been happening since the day Christ was born.
The apostles lived with the fact that the Roman Empire in which they lived had is some cases vastly different moral view than they had. Yet not once do I see anywhere in the New Testament the apostles speaking out against the Roman government.
The apostles offered the gospel of the Prince of Peace to the world. They never yelled “I have my rights.”
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo.
I do not believe Christians have the right to prevent others from exercising their rights in a secular democracy. Quite the contrary they should be standing up for the rights of all people. Because in standing up for the rights of all people we are also standing up for our own.
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
I write this to Christians but I present it here for all to read. Knowing it’s a controversial topic among Christians.
Question to Christians from me a Christian of over forty years. Are you a true ambassador for Christ?
Are you offering to the world around you the olive branch of reconciliation?
Over the last few days I’ve heard on the news of a woman in a clerks office in the United States refusing to issue marriage licences to a gay couple on the grounds she believes it is morally wrong.
While I agree that she has the right to her belief that same sex marriage is morally wrong. This woman is not in a church. She is in a civil secular position and is required to obey the law.
She and I believe any Christian in a government position must obey the law even if they find it morally wrong. If they find laws that they must administer morally wrong perhaps they should not be in that position.
Remember it was the apostle Paul who said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.”
Romans 13:1-5.
Keep in mind that Paul wrote this when the emperor Nero was in power an emperor who burned Christians alive among other atrocities. Yet the apostle still wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Sometimes I think Christians in North America and particularly those in the United States suffer from too much freedom and rights.
They claim “THEIR RIGHTS” at the top of their voice. Yet fail to see others in the secular democracy that they live in have also been given rights.
And yes those rights might conflict with the moral views of Christians but then that has been happening since the day Christ was born.
The apostles lived with the fact that the Roman Empire in which they lived had is some cases vastly different moral view than they had. Yet not once do I see anywhere in the New Testament the apostles speaking out against the Roman government.
The apostles offered the gospel of the Prince of Peace to the world. They never yelled “I have my rights.”
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo.
I do not believe Christians have the right to prevent others from exercising their rights in a secular democracy. Quite the contrary they should be standing up for the rights of all people. Because in standing up for the rights of all people we are also standing up for our own.
Please think about it.
On God
On God
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
As I look around me from my perch in Canada I see a world that is slowly turning from God and His ideals. There are many out there that say God dose not exist. They say that this life is all we have. If so what a waste of a soul.
To live just a few seconds in the eternity of time is to me not worth it. Especially in the kind of world we live in with all its problems. For me there has to be more.
I truly believe there is a God who made the universe and everything in it. A God who created man to have fellowship with him. A God who knew that for man to truly have fellowship with Him in a meaningful way had to have a freewill.
That freewill however is a two way street. In giving man a freewill God gave man the ability to believe in Him of not. That’s the beauty of having a free will. We can choose to believe what we want to.
For me I see God’s handiwork all around, everything from the majesty of the galaxies to the precision of the smallest subatomic particles.
I see God’s handiwork in the flowers and the living world around me.
I am reminded by science that our world is at just the right distance from the sun to produce life as we know it. That even the distant stars and planets are positioned in such away as to help life exist on this planet we call home.
I cannot believe that this is all by chance. For me there has to be a God who created it all. A God who offers me and all who would believe in him eternal life in heaven a place far from the problems of this world.
A God who gives us a choice. 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.
Therefor the choice is yours dear reader. You can believe in God or your can reject Him. For as C. S. Lewis states,
“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
Please think about it.
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
As I look around me from my perch in Canada I see a world that is slowly turning from God and His ideals. There are many out there that say God dose not exist. They say that this life is all we have. If so what a waste of a soul.
To live just a few seconds in the eternity of time is to me not worth it. Especially in the kind of world we live in with all its problems. For me there has to be more.
I truly believe there is a God who made the universe and everything in it. A God who created man to have fellowship with him. A God who knew that for man to truly have fellowship with Him in a meaningful way had to have a freewill.
That freewill however is a two way street. In giving man a freewill God gave man the ability to believe in Him of not. That’s the beauty of having a free will. We can choose to believe what we want to.
For me I see God’s handiwork all around, everything from the majesty of the galaxies to the precision of the smallest subatomic particles.
I see God’s handiwork in the flowers and the living world around me.
I am reminded by science that our world is at just the right distance from the sun to produce life as we know it. That even the distant stars and planets are positioned in such away as to help life exist on this planet we call home.
I cannot believe that this is all by chance. For me there has to be a God who created it all. A God who offers me and all who would believe in him eternal life in heaven a place far from the problems of this world.
A God who gives us a choice. 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.
Therefor the choice is yours dear reader. You can believe in God or your can reject Him. For as C. S. Lewis states,
“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
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Meaning in Life
Meaning in Life
The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at life and states
“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
If you think about it, it’s a pretty depressing look at life.
Sometimes I think our young people here in the west and particularly here in North America look at life like that. Especially those who go to join the terrorist groups.
Those who go to join terrorist groups it seems are not satisfied with the consumer society we have in the west. They seem to see no meaning in life here.
I’d go as far as saying those who are experimenting or using drugs full time are doing so because life for them lacks meaning.
My brother an atheist said once, “life is short and he who has all the toys in the end wins.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Because when life ends all the trinkets bobbles and beads, all the riches you’ve amassed in your life goes to someone else. You came into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Only what you’ve done for God will last.
Increasingly our society in the west is turning away from God. Our society in the west doesn’t seem to have any great noble causes to stand up for.
My fathers generation stood up to the oppression of Nazism. They stood for and died for a noble cause. The rights and freedom of mankind.
Since world war two however we living in North America and Europe have lived in peace a peace that perhaps is not all it’s cracked up to be.
While we enjoy un precedented freedom, our society has embraced consumerism with both hands and to a degree there is nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with having a nice house, car, and other things. The thing is, that things, have become god’s.
Do we really need another $500.00 smart phone every time the latest becomes available? Do we need a $200 pair or running shoes? Is there any need for the latest car with all the bells and whistles?
I think a lot of the reason many turn away from western society and to groups like Islamic State is because they are disillusioned with what western society has to offer. Materialism is a cold god.
To my mind western society as good as it is, fails because it has turned to “things” to make people happy, something that has never worked.
Christianity here in North America in particular is also failing the younger generation.
As I listen to many evangelist in the media they it seems are spouting doom and gloom or the so called “do’s and don’t’s” doctrine of Christianity. A very unappealing and frankly incorrect version of Christ’s teachings.
Christianity to my mind is not doom and gloom and it definitely is not “do’s and don’ts”.
Christianity correctly practiced is a faith of action a faith that shows love and understanding to the people around us even our enemies.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....”
Romans 12:18-20a
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46.
This is something terrorist groups are not doing.
James the brother of Christ urges Christians to do good works,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18.
Christians around the world today are doing those good works. They are standing up for the oppressed, feeding the hungry and helping the sick. Sadly it is not something seen in the media all that often. Helping the sick, the poor and the disadvantaged of society doesn’t make headlines like a suicide bomber.
To those who might be reading this blog who are looking for meaning and a cause to follow I would urge them to look to Christianity. To ignore the doom and gloom evangelist. To ignore the evangelist that portray Christianity as do’s and don’t’s and look at the core values of the Christian faith. Love for God, your neighbour, even your enemy.
There are many Christian organizations out there that are helping the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and they are doing it without resorting to a force and the gun.
I know for a fact this is true. My son and some of his friends take time every year from their jobs to work around the world building orphanages, schools and doing other essential things.
Additionally there are many Christian youth and adults that give there entire life to working to better the lives of others in all parts of the world. They do so quietly and without fanfare.
It is very rewarding and has eternal consequences.
Please think about it.
The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at life and states
“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
If you think about it, it’s a pretty depressing look at life.
Sometimes I think our young people here in the west and particularly here in North America look at life like that. Especially those who go to join the terrorist groups.
Those who go to join terrorist groups it seems are not satisfied with the consumer society we have in the west. They seem to see no meaning in life here.
I’d go as far as saying those who are experimenting or using drugs full time are doing so because life for them lacks meaning.
My brother an atheist said once, “life is short and he who has all the toys in the end wins.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Because when life ends all the trinkets bobbles and beads, all the riches you’ve amassed in your life goes to someone else. You came into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Only what you’ve done for God will last.
Increasingly our society in the west is turning away from God. Our society in the west doesn’t seem to have any great noble causes to stand up for.
My fathers generation stood up to the oppression of Nazism. They stood for and died for a noble cause. The rights and freedom of mankind.
Since world war two however we living in North America and Europe have lived in peace a peace that perhaps is not all it’s cracked up to be.
While we enjoy un precedented freedom, our society has embraced consumerism with both hands and to a degree there is nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with having a nice house, car, and other things. The thing is, that things, have become god’s.
Do we really need another $500.00 smart phone every time the latest becomes available? Do we need a $200 pair or running shoes? Is there any need for the latest car with all the bells and whistles?
I think a lot of the reason many turn away from western society and to groups like Islamic State is because they are disillusioned with what western society has to offer. Materialism is a cold god.
To my mind western society as good as it is, fails because it has turned to “things” to make people happy, something that has never worked.
Christianity here in North America in particular is also failing the younger generation.
As I listen to many evangelist in the media they it seems are spouting doom and gloom or the so called “do’s and don’t’s” doctrine of Christianity. A very unappealing and frankly incorrect version of Christ’s teachings.
Christianity to my mind is not doom and gloom and it definitely is not “do’s and don’ts”.
Christianity correctly practiced is a faith of action a faith that shows love and understanding to the people around us even our enemies.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....”
Romans 12:18-20a
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46.
This is something terrorist groups are not doing.
James the brother of Christ urges Christians to do good works,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”
James 2:14-18.
Christians around the world today are doing those good works. They are standing up for the oppressed, feeding the hungry and helping the sick. Sadly it is not something seen in the media all that often. Helping the sick, the poor and the disadvantaged of society doesn’t make headlines like a suicide bomber.
To those who might be reading this blog who are looking for meaning and a cause to follow I would urge them to look to Christianity. To ignore the doom and gloom evangelist. To ignore the evangelist that portray Christianity as do’s and don’t’s and look at the core values of the Christian faith. Love for God, your neighbour, even your enemy.
There are many Christian organizations out there that are helping the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and they are doing it without resorting to a force and the gun.
I know for a fact this is true. My son and some of his friends take time every year from their jobs to work around the world building orphanages, schools and doing other essential things.
Additionally there are many Christian youth and adults that give there entire life to working to better the lives of others in all parts of the world. They do so quietly and without fanfare.
It is very rewarding and has eternal consequences.
Please think about it.
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
True love and the message of Christ
True love and the message of Christ
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Someone has said that we as Christians should be expressing the Love of Christ to the world. Showing the unconditional Love of God. We shouldn’t be telling a contemporary audience that they have sin in their life. That Jesus is the only way to heaven.
For me as a Christian not telling people they have sin in their life that needs dealing with or that Jesus is the only way to heaven is not showing love.
The apostle Paul in the above quote expresses what love is. Love is also telling the truth to the person you love.
The New Testament makes it clear that
“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23.
The apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell people this.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for our life. That can be everything from a so called ‘white lie’ to committing a theft or murdering someone all are sins. Sin is simply falling short of what God want’s for our life. And as humans we all have our failings and fall short of God’s ideal.
This is an admission we need to admit directly to God.
Jesus also made it clear that He is 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 me not to tell this to someone, is to me at least lying by omission.
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.
This to me is a truth that must be spoken to all I know and all who will listen to me.
For me to do anything less is not showing love.
Please think about it.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Someone has said that we as Christians should be expressing the Love of Christ to the world. Showing the unconditional Love of God. We shouldn’t be telling a contemporary audience that they have sin in their life. That Jesus is the only way to heaven.
For me as a Christian not telling people they have sin in their life that needs dealing with or that Jesus is the only way to heaven is not showing love.
The apostle Paul in the above quote expresses what love is. Love is also telling the truth to the person you love.
The New Testament makes it clear that
“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23.
The apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1John 1:9-10
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell people this.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for our life. That can be everything from a so called ‘white lie’ to committing a theft or murdering someone all are sins. Sin is simply falling short of what God want’s for our life. And as humans we all have our failings and fall short of God’s ideal.
This is an admission we need to admit directly to God.
Jesus also made it clear that He is 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 me not to tell this to someone, is to me at least lying by omission.
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.
This to me is a truth that must be spoken to all I know and all who will listen to me.
For me to do anything less is not showing love.
Please think about it.
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