Bible

Do you live a good Christian life?

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Every good Christian dream of the day when you stand before Jesus Christ and hear Him say, “Welcome to my Fathers’ Kingdom, thou good and faithful servant. Unfortunately, not every so-called good Christian will see their dream turn into reality. As a matter of fact, Jesus, in one of His discourses made it clear, “Not every one that says unto me Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). That begs the question. Is living a good Christian life enough to get you into heaven?

Anyone can seem to live a good Christian life, until the truth comes out.  The Scribes and Pharisees appeared good until Jesus exposed them for what they were; hypocrites. In one, instance, He referred to them as: “You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:26). This pious group was more concerned about outward appearance than they were about the heart.

Unlike the Biblical Scribes and Pharisees, we Christians, must not only seem to live a good Christian life, but our hearts, words and actions must be in sync with the teachings of Jesus Christ. In other words, we must practice what we preach in public and in private. “For I say to you, this is Jesus talking, unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:21). The blue print for a good Christian life can be found in Jesus’ ‘Sermon on the Mount‘. (Read Matthew 5,6,7)

Do you always attempt to prove a wrong?

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Who among us have never tried to prove a wrong? Whether it was something which you have said that hurt somebody‘s feelings, or your downright failure to honor a commitment as well as disobeying a command.

Such behavior is common among human beings; Christian and secular. Rather than fess up and accept responsibility for your action or inaction you put up defenses. Then, when, you are backed into a corner you come up with excuses that usually make no sense. Oddly enough, once you start making excuses you are inclined to lie. The Bible tells us “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22).

Do you remember when you were a child how you would try to prove a wrong to wiggle your way out of trouble? That was what Adam and Eve did after they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Here is what the Bible says happened when God confronted both man and woman.

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Then Adam replied, “I have heard thy voice in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman whom you gave me offered me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What is this that thou has done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” (Genesis 3:9-13).

So, my dear brothers and sisters, the next time the adversary tempt you to prove a wrong fess up and accept responsibility because that is what Jesus expects you to do.

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When Jesus is in your life heaven sounds sweet

Not many people grow old gracefully. Some folks are sunny throughout their lives. There are others who were sunny earlier on, but It seems the nearer they get to the end of their lives the less sunny they have become. Many of these folks have all the toys they have ever wanted, but for some strange reason they are not happy. These poor souls cannot carry on a conversation without barking and growling at the other person.

Over the last 10 years,  I have had to deal with at least one person per week who have displayed what I would like to call a “Nasty Disposition”. I used to get offended, but as the problem occur more and more, I realize it is not personal. It is who they have become, and they cannot do anything about it.

Hence, I thought about how cruel this world is. If we are not careful, it will chew us up and spit us out-leaving many miserable and aloof.

Therefore, I thank God for Jesus. He has the answer for every question and the solution for every problem. If I continue to hold on to the promises of God, and most importantly, His unchanging hand, then my life will be sunny to the end. Hopefully, my testimony then will be similar to one apostle gave at the end of his life: ” I have fought the good fight I have finished the race I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”(2 Timothy 4:7-8).

When you have Jesus in your life, heaven does sound sweet all the time.

Jackie Robinson’s Faith Missing From ’42’ Movie

Jackie Robinson’s Faith Missing From ’42’ Movie.

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