The Way

The Way
Thomas Aquinas said,
“If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.” Thomas Aquinas.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
I as a Christian can testify that the words of Jesus are true.
I have gone through many things in my life. I have experienced many hard times as well as good times. Still through it all God has been there for me.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said of the Christian life,

“The Christian life is not a constant high. 

I have my moments of deep discouragement. 

I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 

'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” 

Billy Graham.

The key to a Christian life is the Christians always knows God is there for them no matter what the circumstances. Jesus is our hope.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“And hope does not disappoint us, 

because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, 

whom he has given us. 

You see, at just the right time, 

when we were still powerless, 

Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, 

though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:5-8.

  To quote Billy Graham again,
“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'”Billy Graham.
I know to the non-Christian this seems foolish the apostle Paul even said,
“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
Put simply we Christians believe getting to heaven is a matter of faith. The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6.

Faith is the key to what Christians believe. God knows those who have faith in something are the strongest of believers.
God also knows it can be very difficult to believe in something or someone you cannot see or touch. That I believe is why God asks for faith. Not because it is easy but because it is hard.
Please think about it.

The First Question

The First Question
“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
I like what the Talmud says here. What will you say when you stand before God.
 Jesus tells this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Be you rich or poor we will all stand before God at a moment in our life. A rich person may have more to answer for when it come to dealing with their employees, investors or other people in their life. But everyone else will have to answer to God also for how we treat our fellow man.
We deal with people everyday be a a cashier in a store, the postman, our coworkers, our neighbours. How we treat them is of concern to God.
I do believe God is as much concerned with the small things as he is with the big things. He is very concerned how you teat your fellow man.
As a Christian I believe you get into heaven by faith. The apostle Paul states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
At the same time I believe be we Christian or not, we as individuals will have our words and deeds Judged by God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes writes,
“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
So the question is not whether God exists or not. He does.
 The question is when you stand before God will you be able to say “I have dealt honourably and faithfully with my fellow man.”
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
Napoleon Bonaparte former emperor of France said 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.
Throughout history people have spoken against Jesus. Many have predicted the end of Christianity. Yet it still continues on.
In the early days of Christianity before it split with Judaism two of Christ’s disciples who had been told by the religious authorities of the day not to preach in the name of Jesus were found to be preaching in his name. They were brought before the religious court of the day and the Book of Acts records what happened,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.   Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:28-39.
I think the fact that the message of Christ has reached every corner of the world today and the fact its followers continue to grow in number even as you read this, shows Christianity is of God.
Some estimates say there are close to three billion Christians in the world today and the number is growing.
That growth comes not by force of arms but by love. True Christianity is very much a faith of love. Love for God, ones neighbours and even ones enemies. That I believe is why Christianity is so successful. Christians, true Christians love all people as does Jesus, as does God.
John’s gospel states,
“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.
 That being said each individual who hears about Jesus must decide for themselves who he is.
If you do not believe in Jesus I would ask you to read the New Testament for yourself. Read and see for yourself what those early Christians some of whom knew Jesus personally, believed in who is.
Please think about it.

The Choice

The Choice
The apostle John writes,

“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

The apostle Paul writes,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  

not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

Ephesians 2:8,9

The Writer of Hebrews states,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’”? 
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” ? 
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Hebrews 1:3-6.
Here is an important fact about Christianity. We Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. That he came to earth to die for our sins. That is through God’s grace and faith in Jesus that we enter heaven. We cannot work our way to Heaven.
If what Christians believe is wrong then all Christians have done is lived a good life.
If on the other hand what Christians believe is correct, and I believe it is. Then those who hear the message about Jesus have a lot to fear. For their eternal resting place depends on what they believe.
As C. S. Lewis put it,
“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.
What I would ask those who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind is to read the New Testament and see what the writers of it believed about Jesus.
Please think about it.

Today

Today
Billy Graham the American Evangelist said,
“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.”Billy Graham.
Jesus asked Martha this question,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
Dear reader do you believe this?
As a Christian I believe everyone who hears about Jesus Christ must answer that question. It for me is the most important question an individual can answer.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind. This is what I as a Christian believe. I also believe what Jesus said when speaking of himself 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.
C. S. Lewis said of Christianity,
“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.
If not true in following Christ, all Christians have done is lived a good life. However if what Christians believe about Jesus is true, and I believe it is, then those who hear about Jesus have a very important choice to make.
Thus I would ask you the reader to read the New Testament and see what those who believe in Jesus believe him to be and why. Then I would ask, do you believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Why record it?

Why record it?
The following is an account from the Gospel of John about Jesus raising someone from the dead. John records,
“On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  
Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,  and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.  
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  
But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 
“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 
And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”  
When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.  
Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.  
When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  
“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 
Jesus wept. 
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 
But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  
“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 
 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”   The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John11:17-44.
My question has always been to those who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he did do miracles, why would the gospel writers include things in their writing that were not true.
To lie about anything Jesus did would be to jeopardize all the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Because if one portion of the New Testament is wrong then it puts into question the whole thing.
I as a Christian have no doubt that the New Testament and all that is said about Jesus is true. The miracles, the fact that he is the Son of God, God incarnate, the Saviour of mankind.
If you the reader do not believe this all I would ask is that you read with an open mind what the New Testament has to say. To talk with true believers in Jesus. Go to a church on a Sunday or any other day of the week and ask to speak to the pastor about Jesus. Ask the pastor what he believes and why.
Then decide for yourself if what believers in Christ believe is true.
Please think about it.

A Faith of Love

A Faith of Love
The apostle Paul writing to Christians states,

“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.

The principle teaching of Christianity is Love. A Love that started with God. John’s gospel states,
“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.
The reason Jesus came to this earth is because God loves all people and He wishes to have fellowship with all people.
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 22:36-40.
Jesus took loving one step further when he 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?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”  Matthew 5:43-47.
True Christianity is not a confrontational faith. It is one of love and acceptance of all people. Even our enemy.
C. S. Lewis once said,
“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.
Christians believe we cannot live lives good enough to stand before a Holy God. God knows this also that is why God in the form of Jesus Christ, entered the world to point each person toward Himself.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Paul also notes,
“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.
A true Christian believes that God in Love reached down to mankind and offered eternal life to those who would believe in Him through faith.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Please think about it. 

Getting to Heaven... Just like the Thief

Getting to Heaven... Just like the Thief
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
"I'm going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: 'Lord, remember me.”Billy Graham.
          Luke's Gospel records the incident between Jesus and the two criminals on the cross. Matthew notes,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43.
Illustrated here at the crucifixion of Jesus we have the way Christians believe you get to heaven.
The one thief rejected Jesus.
The other thief admitted he had been punished justly for his crimes. He admitted Jesus was not guilty of any crime.
 He confessed his sins to Jesus. He believed by faith that Jesus was the Son of God the Saviour of mankind and by doing those things he was forgiven of his sins and entered heaven.
The following is what I as a Christian believe each person must do in order to get to heaven.

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.” 

John 3:16,17.

"Jesus answered,

 “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

 John 14:6

  Paul writing to the Romans said,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 and are justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

 Romans 3:23,24.

        Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.

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

 The apostle 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.

                The Apostle 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?
Please think about it.

Jesus, you decide

Jesus, you decide
Sometime ago I was asked by a non-Christian friend why do Christians always want to tell people about Jesus? I quoted this parable spoken by Jesus,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.   When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”Matthew 13:44-46.
As Christians we truly believe Jesus is the way to heaven. That Jesus is the one and Only Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.
We believe this is the most important message the world needs to hear.
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
Jesus speaking to Thomas said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
These are strong statements all Christians believe and have believed since the day Jesus walked the earth.
As a people we Christians believe that we cannot hide this message. It is of supreme importance to the eternal resting place of those who hear the message of Jesus.
It is a message Jesus told his disciple and those who followed them to tell. Matthews gospel record,
“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.
  The Choice however is always up to the individual. C. S. Lewis said of Christianity,

“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.

You dear reader must decide that for yourself.
Please think about it.

Message from a Blacksmith

Message from a Blacksmith

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,

“To wear and bater all these hammers so?”

“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.

                                                                                           Anonymous 
It seems that from the very moment Christianity started people have either tried to stop it or predicted it would die out.
The book of Acts tells us this incident that happened to two of Jesus’ disciples who had been told by the religious authorities of the day not to speak about Jesus and did.
The book of Acts records,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.   Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:28-39.
The men who sought to kill the disciples for spreading the message of Jesus were the first of many throughout history to the present day that tried to stop the spread of the gospel by violence or other means. None have been successful.
I believe Gamaliel was right. Jesus and His teachings are of God.
Jesus is the Saviour of mankind the one and only Son of God who paid the price for our sins and is the way to heaven.
Jesus never denied who he was. He claimed to be one with God the Father.
The Apostle John wrote,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.”  John 10:24-30.
Later John’s gospel records this conversation between Martha and Jesus,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ. As a result anyone who comes against Him will not prevail. Thus the question is do you believe this?
Take some time to read the New Testament and decide for yourself after reading what believers thought of Jesus.
Please think about it.

Until

Until
Rick Warren stated,

You were made by God and for God, 

and until you understand that, 

life will never make sense. 

                                                                        Rick Warren
For me life makes no sense without God. Life has no meaning if all we are here to do is to produce the next generation then die. Those who do not believe in God I believe have it wrong.
Peter John Kreeft make an interesting point when he states,
“Atheism treats people cheaply. Also, it robs death of meaning, and if death has no meaning, how can life ultimately have meaning? Atheism cheapens everything it touches, look at the results of communism, the most powerful form of atheism on earth.
And in the end, when the atheist dies and encounters God instead of nothingness he had predicted he’ll recognize that atheism was a cheap answer because it refused the only thing that’s not cheap the God of infinite value” Peter John Kreeft ph.d.
The Psalmist tells us,

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness;

 come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.” 

Psalm 100:1-5.

 I as a Christian believe we were created by God to have fellowship with God.
The choice however to believe in God or not always belongs to you the individual. God did not create robots. He created living beings who have a freewill, a freewill to believe in him or not. Thus the choice is yours.
Please think about it.

God

God
Thomas Aquinas said,
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas.
I as a Christian believe you have two choices in this life.
1/ Believe there is a God who created the Heavens and the Earth. That He entered this world He created in the form of Jesus, His one and only Son through whom he provided a way to heaven.
2/ Do not believe in God and the Saving Grace offered by Jesus and not go to heaven.
It all comes down to faith. Be you a Christian or Atheist you must have faith.
A Christian has faith that the words of the writer of Hebrews is true when he said,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had self-righteous purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3  
Christians believe,
“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.
Christians believe you cannot work your way to heaven. It is only by accepting the free grace of God by faith that you may enter heaven.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
Obviously Atheist do not believe this. Never-the-less Atheist do not believe in “nothing” their faith is in their own for lack of a better term “self-righteousness”
They have made themselves if you will “a god.” For in order to be absolutely certain there is no God you must have been everywhere and know everything.
For if you don’t know everything then your not knowing God exists may be the thing you don’t know.
Likewise if you have not been everywhere then God may well be where you have not been and we all know there is no one living today who has been beyond the grave.
Thus the choice is yours.
Believe what the New Testament says about God and Jesus or do not believe.
The question I would ask you those who do not believe in God is, Are you so confident in your beliefs that you are willing to risk your eternal destiny on those beliefs?
The way I see it as a Christian if I am wrong I have lived a good moral life. If I am wrong I have lost nothing.
On the other hand if you do not believe in God and he exists as I believe he does, you have lost everything.
Please think about it.