Confident praying.

I wonder how often you "pray"! Many do - but only in an emergency, or when they want something. I recall, when I was in the British Merchant Navy, and it had become known that I was a Christian, one fellow crew-member asking me to pray that such and such a horse would win a particular race, as he had bet a large sum of money on this happening! I may have been still very young in my faith, but even I knew that this was not the purpose of prayer!

John, in his first letter (see my book "Defending the Faith") writes: "And this is the confidence which we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us." (5:14). This is the classic conditional promise. Confidence in prayer is tied directly to the qualifier: "according to His will"!

It is, therefore, important that we "understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17).

Many surveys have verified that most people pray. However, all of those studies note that a good portion of the prayers are directed toward an unknown “higher power.” It may seem obvious, but the first requirement for coming under the will of Almighty God is to “believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus the Christ” (1 John 3:23). Before God will respond positively to our “petitions,” we must be “born anew” (John 3:3).

 

Jesus was once asked what the greatest command was. His response, quoting from Deuteronomy 6, was: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). That internal and invisible love of the heart is expressed by obedience to the commandments that God has given. John records it this way: “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (I John 5:3).

Thus, a simple formula appears. If we obey what God has commanded us (starting with faith in the saving work of Christ), then we are assured that God will hear us when we pray. Once our confidence is secured, we can know that God will respond to what we desired from Him. The psalmist states the formula like this: “Take delight in YHWH, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4). 

A new believer in a fellowship to which I once belonged, came to the meeting, very excited! He had just discovered that very verse. He quickly informed us of the "desires of his heart" for which he had asked. He had to have the clear condition pointed out to him - and also the fact that we need to ask in accordance with His will!

You wish to experience His answers - be they "Yes", "No", or "Wait"? Then delight in Him, and keep His commandments.

The Captain of Our Salvation

When I was a young chef in the British Merchant Navy, I quickly learned that the Head Chef in the galley was not my ultimate boss on the ship. That right belonged to one man, and one man only - the Captain! Of course, he was also charged with being responsible for the ship, the whole ship's company, and the passengers that we carried!

The writer of the letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus refers to the Saviour by this title. He writes: "But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him (the Father), for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation (the Son) perfect through sufferings." (2:9-10; KJV).

Looking at alternative versions, we discover that the Greek word "archēgon" may be translated in a number of ways, e.g. "pioneer"; "initiator"; "author"; "originator"; "founder"; "source"; "leader". All of these words convey the idea of one who is at the front; first in line; the leader. So, the Lord Jesus is seen to be the first in line of an endless procession of the true people of God, in every age, resurrected from the grave, and marching to the ultimate realisation of their salvation - to the heavenly Zion prepared for them by God. 

The word "archēgon" is used on only three other occasions in the Scriptures of the Second (New) Testament. On each occasion, it is used within a context of resurrection and glorification. Peter, addressing the crowd after the miraculous healing of the man who had been lame from birth" (Acts 3:2),states that they: "... killed the Author of life, Whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses." (v.15; emphasis added).

Later on, as the apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin, they responded to the High Priest's questioning (v.28) by saying: "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We must obey God rather than men." (vs.29-31; emphasis added).

The only way by which we sinners could ever share in His glory was for Him to suffer and die. Indeed, for Him "to be sin" (II Cor.5:21) - the very epitome of sin; sin personified in Him; sin in all its vileness. I firmly believe that it was at that moment in human time that the Son uttered what is often referred to as "the cry of dereliction" as the Father, Who cannot bear to even look upon sin, turned His eyes away from the beloved Son. “Eli, Eli, la′ma sabach-tha′ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”. (Matt.27:46).

As a result of what our "Captain" has done, on our behalf, ought we not to be "looking to Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."? (Heb.12:2; emphasis added).

The song may not apply, in every sense, to the above - but it was the first one that came to my mind as I prepared the text! It was also a favourite at the meetings of the FGBMFI in Stirling, when my dear wife and I led the praise with guitar and piano-accordion. Happy memories!

Why "go to church"?

My current daily readings are in Paul's letters to the believers in Thessalonica. These letters are perhaps most used when one is considering the Rapture, and/or the Second Advent (they are not the same thing! See my book "Great Words of the Faith" - details above. ALL royalties go directly to Release International in support of the persecuted church.). It is true that the main reason for this correspondence is the problems that were being encountered by the Thessalonians due to some unhelpful teaching on these matters. However, as I reached the end of the first of these letters, I realised how much Paul had to say about another matter that is dear to my heart.

As he draws this letter to a close, the apostle deals with the local church. He writes: "... we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,  and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil." (I Thess 5:12-22).

There is sufficient material in that section for a short series of sermons! However, permit me to simply throw out a few "blessèd thoughts"! The first of these is that it is really tragic when believers neglect, or ignore, the local church. The New Testament knows nothing of the "solitary believer" (except where fellowship is physically impossible, as for many in the persecuted church, today). The church is meant to be a family - and a family requires a number of people. The church is a building - but one cannot build much with just one, or two, bricks. The church is a group of fellow-workers - not a "congregation of two"! (see I Cor.3:9).

Now, of course, no family of which I have ever had any knowledge - including my own - is perfect! However, without a family to protect and nurture, a child would suffer and die! It is also the case that no Christian Fellowship is perfect. However, there is the well-known saying: "If you ever find the perfect church, don't join it. You'll only spoil it!" You see, the church - any fellowship, congregation, or ministry, is composed of imperfect people! However, the true child of God needs a church family in order to grow, and thrive, and develop the gifts that God the Holy Spirit gives to him, or her. It is in, and through the local church that we may best serve God, and receive spiritual support in our serving.

Now I know that, in this modern world, I can go to YouTube and find many fine messages, and good teaching, from sound and experienced brothers who are true ministers of the Word. But where is the fellowship? Where is the relationship? To whom may I go when I have a difficulty? Is singing a chorus/hymn/song by myself a genuine experience of worship? It may be - on occasion! However, there is something that blesses me when I ma worshipping in concert with others of like mind.

When I was a young man, in the British Merchant Navy, I was also a very young, immature, and inexperienced, disciple of Jesus. Each Sunday, when my ship was at sea, there was what was referred to as "Divine Service"- held in the First Class ballroom (I sailed in a large passenger liner!). This consisted of the Captain reading through the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, and then the congregation - mostly passengers, but with a few crew members - singing the "sailor's hymn": "Eternal father, strong to save". It was, on my part, an attempt to witness to my faith - but spiritually uplifting it was not!

How happy I was when we were in port on a Sunday! I checked the local churches and, if possible, found one of my own denomination. If that was not possible, then I went to a congregation close to the docks. I worshipped with Presbyterians; Free Presbyterians; Baptists; Anglicans; and Independents. I made friendships that lasted for many years - and am still in contact with the then Assistant Minister of the Scots Church in Margaret Street, Sydney, Australia. I learned lessons that I would never have learned as a "solitary Christian". I discovered that, if I was with other true believers, then whether I was in Southampton, or Kowloon; in Sydney or San Francisco; in Vancouver or Melbourne; in Honolulu, or wherever; I was "family". These were my brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus, and we were "... all one ..." (Gal.3:28) in Him.

I know those, today, who appear to believe that they can survive without the family. I would lovingly suggest that, at best, they can "exist". But one is more vulnerable to the attacks of the evil one if one is not in a family. When a lion is tracking a herd of antelope, it looks for the one that is separated from the herd. That is the vulnerable one - and is more easily taken down. It doesn't have the strength of the family to protect it.

You want to be "church"? Then be part of a family of believers - and may you know the blessing of the Father as you find your own place of service in that family (because the true church of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, is not a spectator sport!).

Christchurch, New Zealand - some personal reflections.

During my time in the British Merchant Navy, I had the opportunity to visit New Zealand. Indeed, at that time in my life, my plan was to emigrate to Australia; get a job in a good hotel (I was an experienced chef); be married to a nice Australian Christian girl (there were a couple of distinct possibilities!); and eventually retire to New Zealand. None of that took place, but I have friends who live in New Zealand - including a couple in Christchurch. The news of the deaths, yesterday, caused me to reflect in a number of ways.

The random killing of any human being is to be abhorred. When nearly fifty are slaughtered, our minds reel. We pray that those who have been bereaved in the Christchurch massacre will be helped by those who are able to most effectively do so. It is never easy to bring help to the bereaved - I know that from both personal, and pastoral, experience. However, I also know that those who are able to turn to Jesus, receive help, and strength, that are not available from any other source.

Death, of course, is one of the certainties of life - at least until the Rapture of the Church! Yet it is something that we tend to assume won't happen to us - certainly not if we are under some arbitrarily-chosen age! Yet death is no respecter of persons. It touches all - infants; young children; teenagers; 20s and 30s; those heading towards, and in, "middle age"; the elderly. My point is that it is highly unlikely that any of the victims in Christchurch left their homes that day thinking that they would not return! 

That being the case, is it not wise for each of us to take time to consider our readiness to meet with physical death? Of course, there are different beliefs as to what happens when that event takes place. For some, there will just be 'nothingness'. Life is extinguished - and that is that! Others believe that we have another shot at life - in circumstances that are dictated by the life we are living this time around. 

However, for those of us who claim to be disciples of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, the outlook is much more positive. The anonymous writer of the Letter to the Hebrew disciples of Jesus makes it quite clear that there is no "second" (or subsequent) chance: "... it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, ..." (Heb 9:27). And there is the assurance that, for those who have repented of their sins, and accepted, by faith, the gift of full salvation that Jesus gained for us at Calvary, we will live with Him eternally. Of course, for those who have rejected Him, or simply ignored Him, there is only eternity without Him. That is referred to as hell - and it is not something that any thinking person would wish to suffer!

Of course, Christians are regularly the victims of deadly attacks. In Nigeria, for example, it is the Muslim terrorists of Boko Haram, and the Muslim Fulani tribesmen who slaughter Christians - not in their tens, but in their hundreds and thousands. Indeed, some 90% of all Christians who died in 2018 as a result of terrorist activities (mostly at the hands of Muslims) were murdered in Nigeria! One single attack by Boko Haram, last year, left 106 dead; while one attack by Fulani militants resulted in the deaths of more than 200! However, such events do not receive the attention of the world's media in the same way as has the attack in Christchurch!

So what is a proper response for disciples for Jesus in this situation? May I offer three suggestions?

1. to pray for the bereaved, regardless of their religious, ethnic, national, or social background.

2. to remember that, if all of those who died in Christchurch were devout Muslims, then they died without the Christ - and so without hope - and to seek to do whatever we can to bring the Gospel message to the followers of Islam. It is reported by many that more Muslims are coming to saving faith in Jesus than ever before. We may not be able to physically go to a Muslim country - but we can support, prayerfully and financially, organisations such as SAT-7 (https://www.sat7uk.org/), FEBA (https://feba-radio.org/), and Arab World Media (http://www.awm.org/),who do work amongst these people.

3. to pray for our fellow disciples of Jesus who suffer for His Name's sake - often in ways that are beyond the understanding of most of us.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God." (John 3:16-21).