Born to Die

At the end of March, I attended a Celebration of the life of a brother in the Lord whose spirit is now with his Saviour. Such events are happening with increasing regularity as I draw, day by day, more closely to my own departure from this mortal life. Of course, there are many of us who, as we look around us and see more and more Biblical prophecies being fulfilled, are convinced that the Rapture* of the saints of God - i.e. all of those who are truly disciples of Jesus - could occur within the lifetime of even people of my advanced age!

Mind you, there is a sense in which the first thing that we do when we are born is to start to die! That is the destiny of each and all, until the Rapture. What is important is what we do with the life we are given. The testimonies to the life of my friend were positive and encouraging. I pray that even some of what was said about him may be able to be said about me when my time comes!

However, there is one death that was the most important in the history of humankind. Many of us remember it daily, but especially did we do so last month. It was the death of Jesus, the Christ, on a cross at Calvary. He, more than any of us, was born to die. 

He, Himself, identified many reasons why He had been born. Consider the following sampling of verses and references. First and foremost, the Christ came to redeem those who would believe: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). But under that umbrella of redemption come many other aspects.

 Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me, and to accomplish His work." (John 4:34). God's will was paramount even in judgment (John 5:30) as well as resurrection. "For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40). It also governed His teaching (7:16-17). In everything, Christ sought to bring glory to His Father (7:18).

 

Many aspects of Christ's work are to be realized in this life, for He said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). His desire in it all was that we might have an eternal relationship with God. "That they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

 

But the primary goal was to bring to climax His redemptive strategy. He knew that none of the other aspects of His work had any effect without atonement for sin, which was only possible if a blood sacrifice was made for that sin. "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). This was the reason He came to earth - to pay the penalty for your sin and for mine. And only through Him are we able to come to the Father, receive His forgiveness, and be assured of eternity in His glorious presence. 

*This is one of the "Great Words of the Faith" that is dealt with in my book of the same name - as promoted at the end of March. Please remember that I receive no financial, or other material, benefit from the sale of my books, as all royalties are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted Church.

Nothing but grace.

As some are aware, my wife and I spent a week on a cruise to the Norwegian fjords at the beginning of the month. We. had a lovely, relaxing, time - but, sadly, did not see the Aurora Borealis. That, I must confess, was a great disappointment.

Having been on one previous cruise to celebrate our Ruby wedding anniversary (actually, several months after the date!) we had some idea of what to expect on board.  What we did not expect was that, on the Monday evening, the Head Waiter in the restaurant to which we had been assigned for dinner, would ask if we would like to sit at the Captain's table, in a different restaurant, on the following, formal dress, evening! Those who recall the UK television series "Keeping up appearances" will understand when I say that Hyacinth would have been deep green with envy!! Anyway, we accepted and, on the following evening, dressed up "to the nines", we arrived with our Invitation Card, and were shown to the largest table in the room!

The menu was the same as that for the rest of the passengers, but the service was exceptional. There were eight of us at the table (not, as it turned out, with the Captain, but with the Purser!) and, each couple had their own waiter. This meant that, for each course, all eight plates were laid simultaneously! Class!!

While we awaited the arrival of the third of the passenger couples, I asked the other couple who were already there if they knew why we had been chosen. They had no more idea than had I! That set me thinking (yes, I do undertake this activity occasionally!). We had not paid for this privilege; we had not performed some heroic deed; we had not earned it. I realised that this was a good illustration of grace!

What is grace? Well, if you purchase a copy of my first book "Great Words of the Faith", there's a whole chapter dedicated to that subject. However, putting it simply, it is Almighty God treating us as we don't deserve. As a sinner, I deserve only His wrath, judgement, and punishment. But, because, in the Persona (see the chapter on "The Trinity" in the aforementioned book) of the Lord Jesus, He paid the penalty for my sin - and yours - on the cross of Calvary, I am freely forgiven, and accepted by Him as His child. 

Not only is there no cost, on my part, involved, but there are no conditions. Father God doesn’t even set out conditions that have to be met before He bestows His grace upon us!  As we accept Him, and the gifts of His grace, we do find that there are conditions attached – but these are more of a necessary response to His love than a prerequisite to receiving it.

Without cost; without condition; and without compare.  It is only by the grace of God that we can be built up spiritually; it is only by His grace that we can receive the inheritance of His children.  Incomparable grace – without compare in its make-up; and without compare in its measure. Writing to his son in the faith, Timothy, Paul states that “… the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”   “… the grace of our Lord overflowed …”  (I Tim.1:14).  That’s grace beyond measure!

And it’s without compare in its motive. Those of a certain age, and ecclesiastical background, may remember the first question in the Shorter Catechism?  “What is the chief end (the prime purpose, the 'raison d’être') of man?”  And the answer?  “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.”  There can be no greater motive than the glory of God.

Grace – without cost; without condition; without compare.  Grace: God’s own gift to undeserving sinners. May God grant to each one of us, by His grace, the courage, and strength, and faith, to respond positively to it, that we might appropriate all of its wonderful blessings and benefits at a personal level; and be found, in the company of all of His faithful people, giving all of the glory to Him.

An open door.

It's probably less common than it ought to be - and I have only experienced one such situation in all of my adult working life! - but, sometimes, a boss will make clear to his/her employees that, "My door is always open."

Now we know that that those words are not to be taken literally! There will be many times when the boss needs a certain amount of privacy because, for example, (s)he is working on sensitive information, or because an employee is being disciplined. We know that what the boss is really saying is "I am always available to you. I will listen to you.I will do what I can to alleviate any difficult situation." And the vast majority of employees will be grateful to have such an employer.

Have you ever noticed that, according to the Gospel records, the Lord Jesus was never asked, by the disciples, for a master-class in miracles; or a presentation on preaching; or a homily on healing? Indeed, there was only one such request made of Him: "He was praying in a certain place, and when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”" (Luke 11:1; emphasis added).

Prayer! What an important practise for the disciple of Jesus! But what is it? Well it is, obviously, speaking - but it is speaking to Father God, in the Name of the Son (Jesus, the Christ), under the prompting of God the Holy Spirit. However, if it is, as some sceptics might suggest, merely "talking to the ceiling", then it would certainly be a waste of time and effort. But is this truly the case?

John records, in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus, the Christ: “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the Holy One, the True One, Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut;” (Rev.3:7-8; emphasis added).

Now those highlighted words are generally taken as referring to opportunities to minister and evangelise for the Philadelphian fellowship. However, I believe that we may also take them as a more general reference to prayer. How many, in the persecuted church, know this truth. They may be denied a Bible, or even a few portions of the Scriptures; they may be physically isolated from their brothers and sisters in Jesus; they may be denied food, water, even sleep; but no-one can stop them from praying! No mortal is capable of shutting that open door!

When I come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, I know that I have an open door that no man can shut. And, unlike any earthly boss, I may take those words literally. It doesn't matter where I am. It doesn't matter what time of day it is. It doesn't matter if I am going to throw up a quick "arrow prayer", or whether I am going into a period of deep intercession. Always, His door is open.

And He always answers. Yes - always! I have often heard people claim that "I prayed, and God didn't answer!" I have also heard some say, joyfully that "God answered my/our prayer!" - the implication being that, on other occasions, He had failed to do so!

The truth is that we often think that our prayers have been answered only when we receive that for which we had prayed. However, no loving father responds positively to every request made. I am a father, and would not have done so with my children. Why not? Simply because of my greater knowledge, and experience, of life!

Father God is the one "from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named," (Eph.3:15), and He is infinitely more knowledgeable than any of His children. More than that, He can do what no earthly father can do - He sees all of time at once and so, He knows the future every bit as well as He does the past. And so, He sometimes answers our prayers with "No! I know that that is not for you." Other times, He answers with "Wait! This is not the right time." But always, He answers, as He brings about His perfect will and purpose.

And always, but always, His door is open to those who come to Him, not claiming anything of their own, but only the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. Let us pray!

A modern prodigal!

When my wife and I are asked about any specific situation, my wife will usually reply before I do.  "If you want the facts," she will say, "ask me.  If you want a story, ask Brian!"

I cannot complain!  She is absolutely correct.  I am a storyteller.  However, one of the greatest - if not the greatest! - storytellers was Jesus of Nazareth.  For many of the lessons He taught, He used stories.  For the next few posts, I would like to share some of them, and try to discover their relevance for we who live in the 21^st century.

Perhaps the best-known of Jesus' stories, or parables, is that commonly referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son (if you are not familiar with it, then I recommend looking it up – Luke 15).  The word 'prodigal' means 'wasteful', so the title isn't altogether inaccurate.  However, I would suggest that a better title is the parable the Parable of the Loving Father!

If we were to place the story in a 21^st century setting, the younger son might leave home - a very comfortable home in which he even had servants to look after him - and, complete with his future inheritance, set off to be a whizz-kid in the City, working the financial markets. He would purchase a really nice "bachelor flat"; a fast car; trendy clothing; and dine in the finest restaurants. He would throw parties for his new-found friends, and would be the "guy to be seen with" for a lot of physically attractive young women. Then would come a financial disaster, similar to that of 2008!   After that crash, he would find that his credit card was declined; that his bank balance had dropped to nothing; and that his friends no longer wanted to know him.  He might be able to get no more than a zero-hours contract, at less than the minimum wage, doing a job that he hated, and that he felt was below him!  It would be then that he might come to his senses, realise that even the servants in his father's household were better off than he, and decide to go back, apologise to his father, and seek employment in his father's service.

The wonderful thing in the story is, of course, that the father, whom he has treated in such a shabby fashion, should not only accept him back, but give him a place of honour as his son. Indeed, many would claim that the usual title given to the parable - that of the Prodigal (i.e. wasteful) Son, should be replaced by the title of the Loving Father.

That's why the parable is still relevant today.  A parable is simply a lesson in story form.  And the main lesson in this parable is that Almighty God welcomes back men and women, and boys and girls, who recognise that they are not even able to maintain the standards they set themselves, let alone the standards that He has set.  Let's face it, how many of your New Year resolutions are you still keeping?! However, if we genuinely seek God, and accept the salvation that, according to the New Testament teaching, He offers through Jesus and His sacrificial death at Calvary, then we are welcomed back and made right in His sight.

You want to be right with God, the heavenly Father?  Come to Calvary!

Change!

After five months of silence, here I am with a new blog post for a new year.

It was while I was back in Scotland, at the end of November - collecting my dear wife! - that we visited the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. This is what used to be named the Transport Museum, but in a new venue! What an amazing experience! Things that we both remembered from even before our marriage were there in front of us, testifying to the changes that have been made in even that (mere!) half-century (+).

Before that, we had visited the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, at the University of Glasgow. I was speaking with one of the staff about the changes that had been made on campus, and of the many changes that have been made to the city of Glasgow itself, since my own days as a student at the University (before the member of staff with whom I was speaking had been born!).

Everywhere I go, I seem to discover changes, whether physical with regard to road layouts and buildings, etc.; or to social attitudes; or to fashion (seeing two young ladies who had just graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University and who, along with many others, were parading through the bus terminal in academic gowns and hoods - and tattooed legs! - was quite a shock to my conservative system); or to any of the other issues that seem to come under the general heading of "woke". You may wish to add your own "change" subjects/topics to my short list. However, change there is, and change there will undoubtedly be!

However, there is one important exception. In the letter written to Hebrew disciples of Jesus by an unnamed human author, is this amazing statement: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever." (Heb.13:8). Now, if someone is the same at all times, then there can be no change in, or by, that individual! By the way, this is also a reminder that Jesus is Almighty God. Speaking through the prophet Malachi, YHWH states: "...  I YHWH do not change;" (Mal.3:6). One hymnwriter wrote: "Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me".

But what is the practical outworking of this fact? Well, I would suggest that it is simply that we may depend on God. I am a lover of Gilbert & Sullivan light opera. In one of their productions, "The Mikado", (who, in the show, is the ruler of Japan) one of the characters who is in danger of being put to death, makes this statement to the Mikado: "When your Majesty says, ‘Let a thing be done,’ it’s as good as done – practically, it is done – because your Majesty’s will is law." In other words, the Mikado's will could be depended upon - and he is just a fictional character!

How, then, may I depend on God? His written Word, the Bible, is actually full of promises that He has made to His people. However, having spent almost five months with very limited physical human contact, the one that means most to me is the promise made by the Lord Jesus, to His disciples: "I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matt. 28:20). Another hymnwriter penned these words: "No, never alone, No, never alone; He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone:" I actually prefer the French translation of that chorus which, in a reverse translation, (!) reads; "No, never completely alone; no, never completely alone. Jesus, my Saviour guards me, never leaves me alone. No, never completely alone; no, never completely alone. Jesus, my Saviour guards me, I am never completely alone."

As we move into this new year, that is a promise that I shall continue to hold - even with my dear wife back with me! It's a promise that you, too, may claim. However, you need to be in that saving relationship with Him that is made possible by His atoning* death on the cross at Calvary. That, in turn is, at its very simplest, accepting that none of us can ever, by our good deeds, achieve, or deserve, or purchase, eternal life in the presence of the Lord. We may only come to Him, in repentance* and faith*, and accept what He has already done for us. It is then that we become truly His, and begin to know eternal life, even now. But we must be walking with Him now! As someone has said: "If we do not have Him with us in this life, He will not have us with Him in the next."!

I wish each and all who read these words, a good new year, and pray that it will be in His presence.

* These words are explained in my book: Great Words of the Faith: - link at the top of the page. Remember that I receive no financial benefit - ALL royalties are sent, directly, to the bank account of Release International in support of the persecuted church.

Heaven - Pt.2

Welcome back! In the previous post, I trust that I established that the Bible teaches. clearly, that those who will inhabit the «new heaven and new earth» (Rev.2:1) will have a new body - a resurrection body that will not, necessarily, be like the body we currently inhabit! It will, I would suggest, be at least as different as was the resurrection body of the Lord Jesus from His incarnate body. 

Anyway, I keep returning to those words found in Rev.21:5 « Behold, I make all things new.» There will be a new environment - «new heaven and new earth» (Rev.2:1); there will be a new body; and, I have now come to the conclusion, there will be a new memory. Yes, I realise that that is quite a leap - but I would contend that it is fully Biblical! 

As was pointed out to me, merely quoting a couple of Biblical texts does not necessarily make a line of thought to be Biblical. It must not go against the rest of the Biblical record. So is there anywhere in the Scriptures of the Old or New Testaments that would oppose my thinking? I am unaware of any - but will be happy to hear from anyone who can point me to any such teaching.

What might a "new memory" be like? Well, I freely admit that I am now bordering on the realm of total speculation. However, my new memory would not be a total wipe-out of my current memory. For example, I will not be asking "Who is that Lamb upon the throne?" I am thinking of the well-known words of William Rees: "Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise? He can never be forgotten, Throughout heaven’s eternal days." Yes, with my new memory, I shall still praise Him for His atoning sacrifice that gained my salvation.

The thing is that, with our 'mortal' memories, we are actually unable to forget! I used to tell pupils who were facing important examinations that their mind is akin to an office with a lot of rooms. In each room is a large number of filing cabinets, each with four drawers. Each of those drawers has multiple folders holding everything that we have ever seen, heard, or thought. Now, material that is not called upon is gradually pushed to the bottom of the furthest away filing cabinet in the room at the end of the corridor. It is never lost, but we have difficulty in accessing it - until something happens that brings it right to the front! That, I would explain, is the purpose of exam revision!

Father God, I believe, is different. He, being God, is capable of "not remembering"! I can remember sins that I have committed decades ago. I don't dwell on them every day, but sometimes they are brought to the fore, and I can do nothing about that! Speaking of the Children of Israel, through his prophet Jeremiah, YHWH says «... for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.» (31:34; emphasis added).

I believe, therefore, that personal relationships that I enjoyed (and, in some cases, endured!) will not be in my resurrection memory. That will be true for those whom I know who have been saved, and those whom I know who have not been saved. This, I would contend, is perfectly Biblical! It ensures, for example that, for any individual, there shall be no «... mourning nor crying nor pain any more, …» (Rev 21:4), as it will not be recognised that unsaved, former loved ones, are not sharing the bliss of heaven with them.

But those words go on to state that «... the former things have passed away.» So what does that imply? Well, I would suggest that, at the very least, it means that my mortal life will have gone. I shall have a new life, as different from this one as a beautiful flower is from the seed from which it grows. I know that I shall have a new body - an incorruptible body that is incapable of sinning. I know that I shall have a new dwelling-place - «In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?» (John 14:2). I know that I shall have a new understanding - «Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.» (I Cor 13:12). That, by the way, blows my mind! That I shall understand as fully as my heavenly Father understands me!! Wow! And I shall, at last, achieve full sanctification!* John, in his first letter,^# assures me that «… it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him , for we shall see Him as He is.» (1 John 3:2). In heaven, I shall be like Jesus - not the poor, sin-marred, reflection that I present in my mortal flesh, but a perfect reflection of all that He is in His purity and love. Who would claim that, given all of that, Almighty God, my heavenly Father, will not include my memory when He says « Behold, I make all things new.». 

Of course, there is what we might call "a catch"! You see all of this, and more, is only for those who, having repented* of their sin, have placed their trust, wholly, and solely, in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, for their salvation, and their spending eternity in His glorious presence. Not one of us can claim such an inheritance based on our own wealth; social, or ecclesiastical, standing; property; good works; personal genealogy; or anything else that is "us". The only thing that we may bring is the very sin from which we must be saved. Only the atoning* sacrifice of the Lord Jesus is sufficient. But when we do accept His offer of full salvation, then we are accepted by the Father, and are justified* in His sight. Hallelujah!

I recall reading, very many years ago, an allegedly true story of Queen Victoria. Like the present Queen, she loved her Scottish residence of Balmoral, and would frequently go for long walks around the estate. On one occasion, as I recall the story, she stopped off in the home of an elderly woman and, as they conversed, the conversation turned to spiritual matters. The old woman was bold enough to ask the Queen if, when she died, she would go to heaven. "Why yes," replied Victoria. "And may I ask your Majesty on what grounds you are so assured?" "Of course," came the immediate response. "On the blood of the Lord Jesus, shed for me at Calvary." The old woman was delighted, and the two of them knelt together in prayer - Queen and Commoner, united in the true family of God.

May all who read these words have the same faith in Him - it's the only Way!

* This is one of the words with which I deal in "Great Words of the Faith". 

^# This Letter is the basis for my book "Defending the Faith".

See links above.

In the Beginning - Pt.7

The record of Genesis 6:5-22 is possibly one of the best-known, and most controversial, passages to be found in the whole of the Tanakh (the "Old Testament"). It is, of course, with the following chapter, the record of the Flood.

Verse 5 gives us the verdict of the Creator on the humanity that He had created, but that had quickly fallen into disobedience, and had been banished from His near presence. « YHWH saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. » As someone once put it, « The heart of man's problem is the problem of man's heart. » There was, however, one exception - the man named Noah who, we are told « … found favour in the eyes of YHWH. » (v.8).

What was YHWH to do? He could see that « … the earth was corrupt in [His] sight, and the earth was filled with violence. » (v.11 - and doesn't that sound just like the situation in which we live today?!). So, He shared His divine thoughts with that one « … righteous man … » ( v.9), Noah. « And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for the earth is filled with violence through them; behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch." » (vs.13-14). The means of that destruction was, we later discover, a flood that covered the whole earth, so that the tops of the highest mountains were under 15 cubits (about 22'6", or just under 7 metres) of water! It was an historical, global, catastrophe. 

Now, of course, there are those who would try to show that this was just a "local flood". I have seen "local floods", and none covered the tops of mountains - or even small hills! Certainly, other Biblical writers have no doubt as to its extent!  Peter, for example, writes of « … the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished." (II Peter 3:6). The issue has been the subject of many academic books and other studies, and is certainly much too big to deal with here, but I will simply state that the evidence for a worldwide flood is more than a little solid, and we shall look at this a little more closely next time, DV.

What, then, are the basic lessons that we may learn from this part of the record of the flood? It shows the reaction of Almighty God to the human sinfulness that had become so prevalent. It shows, first of all, 

1. God's grief

Notice the sharpness of the language in vs.5-7, and 11-13. We know how much sin hurts, and sickens, us - but how much more must it pain our Creator? It's little wonder that He decided to wipe out humanity! Indeed, the amazing thing is that He has not done so again - totally and permanently. Of course, that is partly because He keeps His promises (spoiler: 8:21-22). However, this Flood record also shows

2. God's grace.

In His love, Almighty God rescued the one family that honoured Him and, through them, gave humanity a fresh start. Notice how orderly righteousness is. Sin destroys, but the description of Noah: « Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. … … he did all that God commanded him. » (vs 9,22) provides a model of health and growth. 

God's rescue act - prepared, remember, since before the beginning of time! - is planned to perfection. It is practical and precise in every detail. And it is an advance model of a still greater rescue act, from which each of us may benefit.

Peter writes: « For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. » (I Peter 3:18-22).

The death, and resurrection, of the Lord Jesus were just as perfectly planned and executed - and, you may recall, they too were no "afterthought"! In Gen.3:15 we read these words, spoken by YHWH to the serpent: « I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. » At Calvary, the Lord Jesus bruised the head of the satan, even although « He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed. » (Is.53:5).

Praise God for His love, and grace, and mercy - and for the wonderful salvation that is the lot of all who trust, wholly, and solely, in the Son. May that be your personal experience. It will be for your good, and to His glory.

In the Beginning - Pt.4

Continuing the theatre analogy, this post brings the entrance of the villain of the play! Booo!

If there is an orchestra playing at this stage, they would surely be playing the well-known Frank Sinatra song: "I did it my way"! We find the script in Gen.3: 1-13, which I would encourage you to take time to read. The devil, in the form of a serpent, tempts us all into the one basic sin that we must all face - that of deciding for ourselves what is right, or wrong, instead of taking God's word for it! The one restriction placed on our first parents was, you may remember, "... of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." (Gen 2:17). 

That was a simple, straightforward, and easily understood instruction. However, the devil questions, and distorts, God's word: "He said to the woman, "Did God say, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden'?" (Gen 3:1). Now, of course, that is not exactly what the Creator had commanded - but it is very close! The woman, who was being targeted, provided a more accurate quotation (vs 2-3 - but note the additional instruction that she included! cf. 2:17 if you need some help!), so then the devil flatly contradicts God's word: "... the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not die.'" (Gen 3:4). He spreads the lie that God's law is actually an unreasonable restriction, and that He won't punish those who break that law: "You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:4-5).

The woman chooses to believe the devil, and the man follows suit: "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate." (Gen 3:6). What follows is a series of fractures as they come to terms with their own self-image: "Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons." (Gen 3:7). Worse than that there was a fracture in their relationship with God: "... they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But YHWH Elohim called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of thee in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." (Gen 3:8-10). When further questioned by God, there was also a breakdown in their own newly-formed relationship: YHWH asked "... 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?' The man said, 'The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.'" (Gen 3:11-12). Oh, how easy it is to blame others - even God Himself! - for our own failures! And the woman did the same: "Then the YHWH Elohim said to the woman, 'What is this that you have done?' The woman said, 'The serpent beguiled me, and I ate.'" (Gen.3:13).

Can we be totally honest withourselves? Have there been times, even recently, when we have given into temptation? Times when we have believed the devil's lies? Have we then tried to pass the blame on to someone else? I suspect that each one of us must admit to this having been our frequent experience. Certainly, the apostle John makes it clear that none of us can, honestly, claim that it is never our experience! "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." (I John 1:8-10; emphasis added). And, like our first parents, we try to put the blame on someone else! However, instead of doing that, we should allow God to emphasise, in our own consciences, that it is our fault! We may then confess it, and seek His forgiveness - a forgiveness that was won for us at Calvary.

Until next time.

In the Beginning, Pt 2 ...!

In the previous post, we looked at the first 19 verses of the 1st chapter of the Book of Genesis (the Book of Beginnings). As we continue, let us imagine that we are an audience. We are in our seats. The Overture has finished, and the curtain has gone up to reveal the backdrop. Now, from "stage left" and "stage right"; from above, and below; the characters enter. First of all there is the crowd scene; then the heroes arrive on stage.

The Creator has made an environment that is capable of supporting life. Now, He lets loose a flurry of fin, feather, and fur  to fill it. Do notice that human beings don't get a creation day to themselves, being created on the sixth day with all of the other «beasts of the earth» (Gen.1:25) - the creatures that inhabited the land. From one perspective, we are a part pf the animal creation.

However, Almighty God planned a very special role for us in the world. «Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” ... And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”» (vs. 26, 28). He appointed us to be His agents, or stewards, to run the planet for Him. This is the work He has designed us to do. 

But that is not all. He also desires that we reflect His own character! «Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; ... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.» (vs.26, 27). Being like God means treating the natural world both responsibly and constructively. Notice, too, that in spite of the claims of some in our contemporary world, there were, and are, only two genders - male and female. That is the Biblical position and, I would contend, the position of common sense and observation! What does it mean to be «created in His image»? That, too, is a subject on its own, and something to which I may return!

He also created us to rest with Him. «And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had done in creation.» (2:2-3). God's "rest" is not idleness! He has finished a perfect job - «And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.» (1:31; emphasis added) - so there is no more creating to do. Of course, He has been busy ever since, with other work - sustaining, guiding, feeding, etc. He is not the "god who creates, and then ignores" that some propose! And we must never forget His great work of redemption through the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross at Calvary, and His glorious resurrection. But the Creator built into human nature the need to make one day of the week different - to break off from our daily work, to celebrate His work, and to turn to things for which there may be no time on other days.

Sadly, as we look around, we see much abuse of God's plan for the world. We see exploitation of the environment, and cruelty to animals. We see indignities to people who are made in His image, including man's dominance over women, rather than partnership with them. We see waste and misuse. We see some who have little or nothing, while others have far more than they need. How can this be? That is a question that the Book of Genesis answers shortly - but it is for another post!

The Romans Road

Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at what a disciple of Jesus really is. Now I know that many of those who receive these posts are already born-again of His Spirit. But there may be others who are not and who are now asking: "How do I become a disciple of Jesus - knowing that I may enjoy His presence; be able to share everything with Him; and trust Him, implicitly, in every situation?" That is the question with which I will deal in this post.

First of all, however, let me state that what follows is not something that I have "produced" myself. Indeed, I do not even know who first formulated it! However, it is based on Paul's letter to the early disciples of Jesus in Rome and, as such, has become known as "The Romans Road". Interestingly, during the week, I watched a video on YouTube on how the Romans constructed roads, many of which have survived until today. It is very brief, and may be worth watching at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1aFWtBXHII (you may have to "copy and paste"!). Regardless of that, I trust that the following will help - even if it is just one person!

The Romans Road - a well-engineered path to Salvation.

Although many people believe that they will go to heaven because of the 'good' things that they have done - living a good life; doing charity work; having been baptised (christened) as an infant; attended a worship service regularly; treated others fairly; or given financial support to "good works"; the Bible makes it perfectly clear that none of us is able to live up to the standards of righteousness that Almighty God has set. That means that we need a way to God that doesn't rely on anything that we may do, but on the gift of His grace alone. The Romans Road provides what we may refer to as a 'map' for our salvation, and eternal fellowship with Father God. There are seven steps:

1. You must acknowledge God as the Creator of everything, and accept your humble position in His created order and purpose. "Ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honour Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened." (1:20-21; see also Gen.1:1).

2. You must realise that you are a sinner, who needs forgiveness. Not one of us is worthy under God's standards. "For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (3:22-23; see also Gen.3:1-13).

3. Father God has provided the way by which we may receive that forgiveness. He showed us His love by coming into this world, in the Persona* of the Son Who became sin for us, and Who paid the penalty for your sins, and mine by dying on the cross for us - the perfect sacrifice. "But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (5:8; see also Gen.3:14-15).

4. If we remain as sinners, we shall die - eternally. However, if we repent of our sins, and accept that salvation that was gained for us, at such great cost, at Calvary, acknowledging the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, we shall have eternal life. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (6:23; see also Isaiah 59:2; John 3:16-18, 36).

5. You must share that Jesus, the Christ, is your Lord and Saviour, believing in your heart that the Father raised Him from the dead, and that you are truly saved in Him. "... if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved." (10:9-11; see also Ephesians 2:8-9).

6. That's just about it! There are no religious formulae or rituals. You simply, and sincerely, call upon His name, and you shall be saved! "For, «every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.»" (10:13; see also Acts 16:30-31; John 17:3). 

7. Determine, in your own heart, to make Jesus, the Christ, the Lord of your life - today, and every day. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory for ever." (11:36; see also Acts 1:8). 

Well, that's the road - but are you ready to start walking on it, accepting God's Gift of salvation? If so, may I welcome you to the most wonderful family on earth! Oh, it's not perfect! I know that only too well - and I know that I am a part of the imperfection. But I would rather be a part of that family - which is the very Body of the Christ, on earth - than of any other group of people.

Finally, our good works do not save us - but once saved, there are certain things that we should do! 

• Tell someone else about your new-found faith in the Lord Jesus.
• Be baptised, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - as commanded by the Lord Jesus. (Matt.28:19)
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a very long period of time. Just develop the daily habit (without it becoming no more than a habit!) of praying, and reading God's Word. There are many useful books that will help you to structure your Bible reading in a helpful manner.  
• Find a Fellowship where the Bible is faithfully preached, and attend the worship services - developing a group of believing friends who will support you, and help you with questions you may have. 
• Support your Fellowship, and other Christian ministries, by your tithe and offerings.

If I can be of any personal assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at the e-mail address in the heading. May God bless you in your new life.

* This word, and many others, are explained fully in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith." There is a link to the site at which it may be purchased, at the top of the page. ALL royalties go directly to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

Sin - 3

The reality of sin - it is, to use modern terminology, in your DNA and in mine. It is something of which, deep down, each of us is aware. The results of sin - it creates a great gulf between us and our Creator God; a gulf that none of our good works, resolutions, turning over a new leaf, giving to charitable causes, attending worship services, or anything else you care to name, can bridge that gulf. 

However, as I stated at the end of the previous post, this does not mean that we are without hope.  That is because there is, indeed, a remedy for sin - but not one that we are capable of providing by ourselves! Paul writes to his brothers and sisters in Rome that "... the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23). Notice, if you will, that wages are deserved! If I have worked for my employer, and completed the tasks that have been assigned to me, in the time allotted, then I fully deserve the wages that I am paid. However, a gift is something that I don't deserve, but simply accept - with gratitude! So, my spiritual death is the fully deserved wages of a life lived in sin, and rejecting my Creator. On the other hand, I may receive, here and now, eternal life - the very life of Almighty God in me, now, and throughout eternity.* 

                                                                                                               

In what is almost certainly the best-known verse in the New Testament part of the Bible, the apostle John tells us that "... God so loved the world that He [the Father] gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him [the Son] should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus, Himself, claimed that: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6; emphasis added). In those two verses we see both the inclusiveness, and the exclusiveness, of the Christian Gospel. It is inclusive in that it is available to all; it is exclusive in that it is available only to those who come to the Father through the Lord Jesus. Now there are some who will immediately ask about "predestination". That is too big a subject to deal with in a post - but I do deal with it in my first book, "Great Words of the Faith". The Kindle version costs less than a couple of cups of coffee in an average coffee-shop, and the royalties go directly, and entirely, to Release International in support of those who suffer in the persecuted church.

The God-provided remedy for your sin, and for mine, is the Lord Jesus Who, at Calvary, as the perfect spotless Lamb of God, paid the penalty for our sin, and opened the way into the Father's presence - without the need of an intermediary, whether physically alive, or already departed this earthly life. 

There are three things that we must do.

1. We must believe that He was, and is, God the Son - the second Persona (not a typo - see the chapter on 'The Trinity' in "Great Words") of the eternal Godhead. John tells us that he wrote his account of the Gospel "... that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31).

2. We must repent. Repentance is more than being sorry for our sins. After all, if I rob a bank and am then caught, I will be sorry - but not necessarily for my crime, but for now having to pay the price of that crime. Hell will be full of people who are sorry for their sinful lives - but too late! Repentance is seeing my sin as God sees it. The prophet Isaiah describes it, very graphically, when he writes: "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." (Isa 64:6). It was a Messianic Jew (i.e. someone born a Jew but who accepts Yeshua [Jesus] as HaMashi'ach [the Messiah]) who explained to me, many years ago, that the Hebrew expression used by the prophet referred to the rag used, at that time, by a menstruating female during her time of menstruation. Not a pleasant 'word-picture'!

3. We must confess. That is to say, we have to share our new life, and our new-found faith, with others! Paul, again in his great letter to the early believers, writes: "... if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved." (Rom 10:9-10). 

All three steps are necessary. My current car is almost too clever for my liking! To start the engine, it is not sufficient that I turn the ignition key. Oh no! I must insert the "key" (that isn't even a 'key' as in my previous cars); I must press down, hard, on the clutch; and I must push the "starter button". No one of those actions, or even any two, will start the engine. All three are required! Would I expect my eternal salvation to be any different?!

However, when I follow the requirements, and the car engine starts, I may go on my journey - should it just be to Pineuilh, to the shops, or much further afield on holiday. So with the Christian life - life "in Christ Jesus". Our recognition of our sinfulness - its reality; our understanding of what it does - its results; if it leads us to the One Who is, Himself, the remedy; provides us with a new birth, that starts a new life, that will not always be easy, but will always be rewarding. 

And there is more! Just this morning, in Lamonzie-St.Martin, we were reminded of Paul's words in Rom.3: 23-24: "... since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, " Now there are some things that don't translate well, and one such is the easy way by which to understand the word "justified"* In the English language, and probably no other, it is that when I am "justified", it means that Father God treats me "just as if I'd" never sinned at all! Do you realise the magnitude of that statement? I am a sinner; I sin on a daily basis; yet because "...  the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (I John 1:7), Almighty God no longer sees my sin, and treats me as if I am sinless! Wow!

As the Gaither Vocal Band (the best-ever line-up!) sing - the iron bars and chains of the enemy, the devil, that hold us down are broken, and we are free, free indeed.

If anything above has touched your own heart,and you wish to receive further help, please do not hesitate to contact me. I shall endeavour to put you in touch with someone who lives in your own area, and who will be able to provide that help. Otherwise, I shall try to help you, myself, from a distance!

"There's a way back to God from the dark paths of sin; there's a door that is open, and you may go in: at Calvary's cross is where you begin, when you come, as a sinner, to Jesus."(E.H.Swinstead).

* This concept is also dealt with in "Great Words"!

Communion

It was back in 2008 - remember those days when we were free to meet regularly, without any concern about 'social distancing' or the wearing of masks! - that, during Communion in the fellowship with which we then worshipped, the following words came to me. I published them, on this blog, that evening with the comment that: "It’s never going to be classic literature, but the thoughts are sincere, and intended to bring glory to the Lord." I found a hard copy at the weekend, and decided that it might be an encouragement to someone of I posted it again.

It’s only a tiny piece of bread, but it speaks of a God above
Who came, in the Person of the Son, to show how great His love.

It’s only a tiny piece of bread, but it speaks of atoning death
As Jesus completed His earthly work, and breathed His last human breath.

It’s only a tiny piece of bread, but it speaks of new life for me.
It reminds me of all that Jesus did, on that cross, at Calvary.

It’s only a little cup of wine, but it speaks of the Saviour’s blood
Shed on that cross, for all mankind; fulfilling the sacred Word.

It’s only a little cup of wine, but it speaks of the mighty flow
Of the mercy of God, to a sinner like me, and the grace that e’en I might know.

It’s only a little cup of wine, but it speaks of great sacrifice
As it spurted from head, hands, feet, and side; and the soldiers threw their dice.

It’s only a tiny piece of bread, and a little cup of wine;
But, each time I partake, I rejoice once again, in His wonderful love divine.

Blessings, and shalom.

Two certainties.

In  “The Cobbler of Preston” (Christopher Bullock; 1716) appears the line, “Tis impossible to be sure of any thing but Death and Taxes.”, and the sentiment has been echoed on a number of occasions, by a number of well-known people.

However, I would suggest that there are two other certainties, referred to by the prophet Hosea, in the book that bears his name. He writes, concerning YHWH "... He has torn, that He may heal us; He has stricken, and He will bind us up." (Hos 6:1).

I know that Almighty God punishes those who deliberately break His laws - those who are sinners in His sight. And that, as I stated on Wednesday, included my friend; it includes me; and it includes every person who has ever lived - with the solitary exception of the Lord Jesus. "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..." (Rom 3:23) writes Paul - and that "all" includes you and me.

However, I also know that Almighty God forgives those who repent, and turn to Him, through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. These are two certainties that I have sought to preach, clearly and distinctly, throughout my pastoral ministry.

On Wednesday of the past week, I conducted the funeral service for an English friend who, with his wife, had been living in France for some seven years. A brother in the Lord; John had been suffering from cancer for many months but, on the previous Thursday, his mortal body had succumbed. His widow asked that I would conduct the service because, to use her own words: "We sing from the same hymn-sheet"! She knew that I would bring the Gospel message into whatever I said at the funeral. And I did!

I commenced the message by possibly shocking some of those present with the announcement that John was not dead! What was in that coffin was the mortal body that he had been given and that he used for almost 80 years. The man that we knew – some of us better, and for longer, than others – was not there.  He was, and is, with Jesus! How could I be certain? Simply because at 45 years of age, John recognised that he was a sinner! That's the first certainty.

John had a 'church background'; He believed in the existence of God. He knew about Jesus. But, as he shared when he gave his own testimony, he didn’t have a personal relationship with the Saviour. However, in middle age, he discovered that the very God against Whom he sinned, loved him so much that He had already done something about the situation! In the Persona of the Son, Almighty God took upon Himself human flesh – that very flesh that He had created – and came to live among mankind. He lived a quiet, unassuming, hard-working, life for about 30 years but then became a wandering Teacher and, eventually, as we shall shortly be recalling at Pâques (Resurrection Day), was crucified, and buried in a borrowed tomb.

John confessed his sins, and his sinfulness; he acknowledged that he could never do anything about them; he accepted that, at Calvary, the Son paid the penalty that he deserved to pay; he was born anew of God the Holy Spirit; he became a true son of Almighty God – joint-heir with the Lord Jesus, the Christ; he moved from death to life – a life that continues even although his mortal body has reached the end.

One of John's favourite Bible verses is found in John’s account of the Gospel, in 14:6. It reads « Jesus said …, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” » There is only one way – and that is through the Lord Jesus. Anything else is counterfeit. I cannot earn my salvation; I cannot buy my salvation; I do not deserve my salvation. It is, as Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers “… the gift of God …” (2:8).

Two certainties: As surely as the sun rises in the morning, the judgement of Almighty God will come. But His mercy is just as certain for those who turn from their sin, to the new life in the Lord Jesus.

May all who read this post find that new life for themselves.

A past long gone.

I have tried to find the story online - but have been unable to do so! Of course, it may be entirely apocryphal, but even if it is just a parable, it has an important lesson. It is the story of a nun who had, in her youth, committed what she considered to have been a grievous sin. She had, as a Romanist, gone to her priest, and had received 'absolution'. However, this brought her no peace at all. Day after day, she would mentally chide herself for her foolishness, and seek forgiveness.

One day, as she prayed and, again, asked for forgiveness from the only One Who can truly grant it, she believed that she heard a voice asking: "For what do you require forgiveness?" She named the sin, and the voice responded: "But why. I forgave you that sin on the first occasion on which you asked!"

According to the English novelist, Aldous Huxley, "There are no back moves on the chessboard of life"! Yet is it not true that we remain aware of things that we have done in the past, and things that we failed to do? Often, our sins worry us. They motivate us to wish that we could undo the past!

That is why those of us who have placed our trust in the Lord Jesus can be thankful for the message of Father God, found in both the First and Second (aka Old and New) Testaments. The great prophet, Isaiah, urges us to "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isa 55:6-7).

Another of the Hebrew prophets asks: "Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? ... ... Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19; emphasis added). 

When Paul preached in Antioch, he said: "Let it be known to you therefore, brethren, that through this man [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him every one that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39; emphasis added).

John, on whose letters my third book - Defending the Faith - is based, writes: "... if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:7-9; emphasis added).

Are you worried about your past? Rejoice! God has cast all of your sins into the depths of the sea. Are you still concerned about your sins? Rejoice! If you are in Jesus, and He is in you, (in other words if you are His true disciple, born again by the work of God the Holy Spirit in your life), they are forgiven, and you are cleansed from all unrighteousness. 

Permit me to share just two further scriptures. The writer of the great Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus quotes from the prophet Jeremiah when he states: "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more." (Heb. 10:17); while the psalmist-king, David writes: "... as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." (Ps. 103:12).

If you have truly put your faith in the Lord Jesus, and received the salvation that He gained for you at Calvary, then the past is truly forgiven and, as the Spirit does His sanctifying work in you, the future is assured!

I love singing, and have many favourite songs and hymns. But if I was forced to choose just one as my "favourite favourite", it would be "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way" (aka "It is well with my soul".) Of that hymn, my favourite verse - and one that I seldom sing without a tear in my eye - is the one that reads:

"My sin; O the bliss of this glorious thought; My sin, not in part, but the whole is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord; Praise the Lord, O my soul."

May that be your personal testimony as well!

Amazing Grace

In about 1736, a young boy named John Newton went to sea with his father, on a Merchant ship. A few years later, his father retired and, some time after that John was "press-ganged" into the British Royal Navy. Facing intolerable conditions, he tried to desert, but failed. He was punished, severely, in front of the full ship's complement. Eventually, he was able to transfer to a ship that was going to Africa to collect slaves who would be taken to the British colonies in North America. 

Newton hardened himself to the trafficking of human beings and, eventually, became captain of his own slave ship. He denied God and goodness in every way. Even after he was enslaved himself and escaped, he lacked empathy and went back to being a slaver. However, on May 10th, 1748, his life was changed forever. Off the north-west coast of Ireland, his ship encountered a terrifying, violent storm. As it appeared that the vessel would sink, Newton cried out, "Lord, have mercy upon us!" The storm began to die down, and the ship limped into Lough Swilly. 

Newton recognised, and began to reflect upon, God's mercy. It was the beginning of a spiritual journey that led him to faith in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, and His atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind, at Calvary. He experienced the amazing grace of the amazing God. In time, he left the slave trade, and entered Christian ministry in the Church of England. Although he became a well-known preacher of the Gospel he is, of course, best known for his much-loved poem (later set to music): "Amazing Grace; how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me" - an amazing testimony of his own experience. 

Not all of us go through physical storms at sea. However, each of us does go through the storms of life, when we feel totally overwhelmed by various experiences. Like John Newton, we may cry out to Almighty God, seeking His mercy. 

In the book of the prophet Isaiah, we read these words: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you so that He does not hear." (Isa 59:1-2). 

At Calvary, the Lord Jesus bridged that gap of separation by His sinless sacrifice. As God the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin we respond to that love, and are born again. God the Holy Spirit now dwells within us, and gives us the power to forsake our sin - doing for us what we are incapable of doing for ourselves. That is, truly, amazing grace. May it be your experience, today!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/6OZMThBZz2w

Death - the final frontier!

As I have mentioned before, I am an avid reader, and enjoy reading not only my Bible, and various theological books, but also a good novel. I especially enjoy a good detective story - trying to figure out  the identity of the perpetrator of the crime involved (usually a murder!). Often, I fail miserably, and it is only in the final chapter that the criminal is exposed! Some of the novels I have read have been real 'cliffhangers', and it has been almost the last page before I discover "whodunnit"!! However, there is one cliffhanger that none of us will ever resolve until we experience it for ourselves - what happens after physical death?

Anyone who has watched, in sadness, as someone close to them has died may wonder about their new existence (if they believe that there is "anything" after physical death, in the first place!). Our hearts may ache to know what they are doing, or where they are. Some appear to have the idea that the after-life is just a continuation of this one. How often have I read, on the pages of Facebook, "birthday anniversary" wishes being sent to someone who died, perhaps many years ago? I even read one 'tribute' (and I have no doubt that that was what was intended) to a mother who had died. I can't recall the exact wording, but the wish was expressed that, now that she and the father who had died many years previously, were able to celebrate their wedding anniversary together, the father would be treating the mother to a nice meal in an Italian restaurant "up there"!

That, I would respectfully suggest, is simply wishful thinking. The Bible clearly teaches that if a person had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, the Christ, then that person's spirit is with Him, awaiting that call, and sound of the shofar, to which I referred in the previous post. Awaiting the resurrection if the body as it is instantly transformed into the new body that will be theirs throughout eternity. 

So we do have some clues regarding those who have died, in Jesus. We know that they are enjoying God's presence. Paul, inspired by God the Holy Spirit, writes these words to the early disciples of Jesus in Corinth: "We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (II Cor 5:8; emphasis added).  We also know that they are recognisable, and conscious of their surroundings - just like the rich man and Lazarus the beggar, of whom the Lord Jesus spoke (Luke 16:19-31). We also know that they haven't yet received that perfect body that will be theirs at the Rapture, as stated above.    

There is more that we may know - but that refers to after the Rapture; the seven years of the Tribulation; and the Second Advent when the Lord Jesus will vanquish His enemies. That is yet another topic for another post!  The only other truth that I would share just now is that Father God, in His matchless love and power, has a glorious reunion planned. Then, our eternal rejoicing will truly begin. The last page of the mystery has a very happy ending - if you are in Jesus! If not ... !!!

This is why I so often end a post by urging you to, if you have not already done so, turn to the Lord Jesus, confessing your sinfulness, and your sins; accepting the forgiveness that He gained for you at Calvary; and handing over the reins of your life to Him. It's something I did more than 60 years ago and, although I have let Him down more often than I care to remember, He has never let me down. He won't let you down, either!