Dark and useless.

Bishop John Taylor Smith, Chaplain General to the British Army, died long before I was born - but, for many years, I have felt that I knew him, as my own minister, spiritual mentor, and friend, the late Rev. George B.Duncan, often referred to him, and quoted him. 

The First World War took place during his long tenure as Chaplain General, and the story is recorded that he had been visiting a military hospital during the conflict. As he made his way from one ward to another, he passed a group of convalescents who were seated around a table on which a bowl had been placed - upside down. The Bishop paused, and spoke to the men. "Do you know what is inside that bowl?" he asked. On receiving a response in the negative, he replied, "Darkness and uselessness!"

Then, reaching over, he lifted the bowl and set it down again, the correct way up. "Now," he said, "it is full of light, and ready to hold fruit, soup, or anything else for which it is suited. It is a converted bowl! Which position represents your spiritual lives, gentlemen? Are you inverted, and useless; or have you been changed and made productive because you have turned from darkness to light?"

The condition of the natural man is described, by Paul, as "... darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God ..." (Eph 4:18). However, the transforming grace of Almighty God makes an astounding difference in one's experience. It frees us from the power of darkness and death, and brings us into the light where our lives may become useful to the Lord and to our fellows.

César Malan was a Swiss conservative evangelical minister, and hymn-writer, in Geneva at the beginning of the 19th century. He was suspended from preaching, after having preached a forthright sermon that did not please those in authority over him (I can now relate, personally, to this dear brother's situation!) but later, reinstated - for a time! On a trip to Great Britain, he was visited by Charlotte Elliot - also a hymn-writer. She was experiencing that deep sense of spiritual need to which Paul referred, and said to Malan: "I am a very great sinner. Will Christ Jesus take me, just as I am?" "Yes," was his immediate response. "He will take you, just as you are, and no other way!"

Charlotte returned home, went to her room, and wrote those words that have become so familiar through the evangelistic campaigns led by the late Dr Billy Graham: 

"Just as I am - without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me;

And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee - O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am - and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, Whose blood can cleanse each spot - O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - though toss'd about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without, - O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, - O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe, - O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - Thy love unknown has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, - O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - of that free love the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above, - O Lamb of God, I come!" (Charlotte Elliot, 1789-1871).  

"Just as I am". Have you come to Jesus in that way? Have you repented of your sins, and claimed His help in living your life for Him? Have you opened yourself to the working of God the Holy Spirit in your life? 

He has paid the price. He waits for you to respond to His love and grace and mercy. Will you do so? This might be the last opportunity that you have! I pray that you will - and would be honoured to help in any way. If you wish to do so, please use the e-mail address at the top of the blog, or a pm in Facebook! I shall respond as quickly as I can.

An attitude of gratitude.

It was in one of our 'local' supermarkets, this afternoon. My wife and I were attending to some shopping requirements. As we passed a trolley that had a small child in it, he dropped the model car with which he was playing. I stooped down to pick it up and gave it to him. His (I presume) mother, turned around from the shelving and instructed him; "Dit merci au monsieur."("Say thank you to the gentleman."). "Merci, monsieur.", the child immediately said, and I responded appropriately.

As we walked on, I spoke to my wife, saying how good it was that a child was being taught to say "Thank you". I know that it is not as common in the UK as it was when I was being raised. I then found myself thinking: How often do we say "Thank you" to Father God, for all of His love, and grace, and mercy, and provision, and protection? Indeed, I suspect that those who are named "the persecuted church" are more thankful, in spite of the suffering that they endure, than are many of us who live in the greater freedom of the "western" countries.

Last week, we were back in the UK to attend the funeral service for a very dear friend of forty years, who had died of triple cancer. I can still recall (and will probably never forget!) her words when she informed us, a year ago, of her diagnosis. She informed us that she was in a "win, win" situation. "Either the cancers will be destroyed, and I will have more time to spend with (her husband) and the family; or it won't, and I will see Jesus sooner. Either way, I can be thankful."

John MacArthur is a well-known pastor and theologian from the USA. He has stated that “A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry.” The late Dr Billy Graham pointed out that “A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord.” I recall the late Rev. George B.Duncan - for many years my minister, spiritual mentor, and personal friend - tell of a Scripture Union Camp that he had led on the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. It was a boys' camp and, one evening, on the slopes of Goat Fell (the high point of the island), they were all seated around a camp-fire. He suggested that every boy pray, but do no more than thank the Lord. He informed us that it was a very moving experience to hear these young lads, one by one, say simply but sincerely, "Thank You, Lord", or "Thank You, Jesus."  

The letters of the apostle Paul have much to say about thanksgiving. However, it was to the disciples of Jesus in Philippi that he gave what is arguably the most important teaching on the subject: "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God." (4:6). We do not give thanks only when all appears to be well, but even when it is anything but! (That, by the way, is the attitude of our persecuted brothers and sisters).

So, do you have an attitude of gratitude? We have so much for which to give thanks. If a small child can do so because a stranger picked up a wee car and returned it to him, surely we, who have received so much from the hand of Father God, can do likewise! Someone has said that “To be grateful is to recognise the love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything.” Thank You, Lord; Thank You, Jesus.