Defending the Faith

 

This is the third volume in "The Faith" series.

It is based on, primarily, the 1st letter of the apostle John to the church at large. One of those who has endorsed it writes:

“This is a very readable book, and I would happily have it available to hand out to encourage people to understand, more deeply, their need to speak out their faith to those amongst whom they live. Brian takes his readers on a believable, and encouraging, journey through Christian fellowship, care, and growth, and encourages us to live the Christian life by sharing the Gospel with those who do not yet believe, because we seek to love them as God loves them. He brings John’s letters from the page, and helps us to live as true disciples of Jesus.”

Rev. Dominic Stockford
Minister, Christ Church, Teddington
Chairman, The Protestant Truth Society

Please remember that I do not promote my books for my own financial benefit. I receive absolutely nothing from purchases. All royalties are sent,directly,to the bank account of Release International, in support of the persecuted church. All three volumes are available in both paperback and Kindle e-book formats. Links to each of them may be found at the top of the page. 

Volume 4, "Living the Faith", based on the Letter from James, is in preparation and, it is hoped, will be available early in the new year. A fifth - and, probably, final - volume is planned. It was suggested by a dear friend, and brother in the Lord, and the "working title" is "Sharing the Faith".

If you find any of my books to be helpful, please leave a positive review. 😇

Please also remember that in March, Brian was interviewed for an online summit on the topic of “Death”.  He was able to provide a Christian perspective, and the interview may be watched here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPEfzYiPfcI&t=1s

It would be most helpful if you would watch, and leave a "Like"! As others point out, it costs nothing, but the algorithm places the clip at a "higher" level (or something like that! I am no computer expert!).

The fragrance of Lebanon.

Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country that is often in the news  - sadly, for reasons that are not good! However, did you know that the same country is mentioned at least 68 times in the Tanakh (that's the Old Testament part of the Bible)? 

In those days, it was a great, high, mountain range covered with mighty cedar trees. As these trees were felled, a pungent, pleasant, odour was released, pervading the the air surrounding the majestic heights. Those who had been to its towering peaks to secure the choice specimens that grew there, came away with their clothing saturated with a lasting fragrance. It was just as, last night, my wife opened the door of our wood-burning stove - and there was a delightful woody fragrance that pervaded our home, and was still there when we arose this morning.

We may apply these facts to the life of the true disciple of Jesus. When we spend time with Him - quality time! - then something of Him remains with us. There is a lingering aroma of holiness that surrounds those who, like Peter and James and John, have been on the mountain top with the One Who loves them with an everlasting love.

When the Dome of the Rock was being constructed, in Jerusalem, at the end of the 7th century A.D., it was customary to bring loads of incense and aromatic shrubs into the shrine, which was named al-Sakhrah.* As a consequence, anyone worshipping there carried with him so much of the perfume of the place that, when people passed him by, they would say to one another: "He has been to the Sakhrah today"!

Is it not the case that too many of us tend to dwell in the dark valley of defeat and despair when we should be living on our own Lebanon? However, it is only as we commune on the heights of sanctification with the Saviour, that the refreshing fragrance of His grace will permeate our personal testimony to His saving power.

May I suggest that you examine yourself - as I examine myself - to determine whether, or not, you have set your affection on things above. Have you cast aside the enticements that contemporary society offers, and chosen the high road of holiness that will take you to the peaks of praise and fellowship? When you do, you will hear, with great joy, His sweet whisper: "my bride; ... the scent of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon." (Song of Solomon 4:11). 

 * the Arabic word for the Rock, as it is claimed, by Islam, that it was from that spot that the founder of the religion, Mohammed, ascended to heaven after his miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem on the winged steed al-Buraq. In the much older, and true, Jewish tradition it is the spot on Mount Moriah on which Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son, the son of the promise, Isaac.

Knowing, and growing.

Recently, I came across this quotation: "A Christian who memorises a lot of Scripture verses can remain spiritually ignorant, while a believer who can hardly remember a text but who applies it is a spiritual giant by comparison."

An interesting thought! It is, of course, a mini-commentary on James' words in his letter to the early church: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (1:22). 

One of my friends frequently comments that the church, in the "West" is dying from ignorance - ignorance of the Word of God. I agree! However, it must also be said that there is a difference between knowing Biblical facts, important 'though that is, and being obedient to God's Word. That's why, when we listen to a sermon, read a devotional passage, or receive a fresh insight from a book that we are reading, we need to practise what we have learned. Only then does God's truth become a personal possession.

I have read that when British king, Edward VI, attended a worship service, he stood as the Word of God was being read. He also took notes and, later, would study them with great care. Throughout the week, he sought, diligently, to apply them to his own life! That is the sort of response to which we are all being called by those words of James, quoted above. The apostle continues: "For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (vs.23-24). How often do you; how often do I; hear a great message on Sunday - but have forgotten it by Monday?! Yet a single, revealed truth that is acted upon, is more vital to our spiritual growth as disciples of Jesus, than a head full of information that is simply "gathering dust"!

Perhaps you feel that you have reached a spiritual plateau. If that is the case (and even if it is not!), check if there is a Biblical command that you have not obeyed; a truth that you have doubted!  Could there be a promise that you have not yet claimed? A warning here! Make sure that you read that promise in its full context! I recall a young man who had not long been converted telling me, excitedly, that he was getting a brand new car. Knowing something of his personal financial situation, I asked how this was going to happen. He pointed me to some words from Psalm 37: "... He [the LORD] will give you the desires of your heart." (v.4). I had to gently refer him to the context of those words: "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.  Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (vs.3-7; emphases added). There is a full sermon there, but suffice it to say that it is not as simple as my friend seemed to think! 

New light is given only to those who are walking in the light that they already have. Spiritual growth only occurs when doing follows hearing! I think that it was Oswald Chambers who said that "One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it"!

It needs to be read!

Over the past week, or so, I have been with a couple of groups of people that included some who would appear to have very little knowledge of the Bible, although they are, I believe, regular "church-goers".  A number stated, openly, that they do not know it as well as they should and because of that, they do not know the basic message of the Gospel.  To hear, for example, a professed disciple of Jesus accept the possibility of reincarnation tells me that such a person either hasn't read Hebrews 9:27 - "... it is appointed unto man to die once, and then comes judgement." - or has totally failed to understand it! 

Of course, important 'though the reading of the Word of God is, that is not enough if we are to be true servants of the Lord Jesus.  I have been reminded of the story of the man who announced to his pastor that he was planning to visit Israel.  After having shared his planned itinerary, he asked the pastor : "And what do you think I'm most looking forward to doing?"  The pastor thought for a moment before replying.  "Well," he said, "a number of things come to mind.  However, since you want me to name just one, I would think that it would have to be the empty tomb."  "No," responded the other.  "Obviously I do want to see that, but the highlight of the tour will be to climb a mountain. Then, when I reach the summit, to read aloud the entire Sermon on the Mount!"

The pastor knew his flock!  He shook his head, all too aware of the man's spiritual problems - and the reason behind them.  "Brother," he remarked, "why go all of that distance just to read it?  Wouldn't it be better for you to stay at home, and keep it?!"

It is, of course, commended, and commendable, to read the Word of God.  Indeed, it is actively encouraged within its own pages!  So the Psalmist declares: "With my whole heart I seek Thee; let me not wander from Thy commandments!  I have laid up Thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." (Ps. 119:10-11).  Paul reminds the believers in Rome that "... whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." (Rom 15:4).  The same apostle instructs his "son in the faith", Timothy, to "... attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching." (I Tim 4:13).

However, if all that we do is read, then we are in danger of treating that Word, that is "... living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb 4:12), as little, if anything, more than literature. C.S.Lewis writes: "... in most parts of the Bible everything is, implicitly or explicitly, introduced with 'Thus saith the LORD'.  It is if you like to put it that way, not merely a sacred book, but a book so remorselessly, and continuously, sacred that it does not invite, it excludes or repels, the merely aesthetic approach. ... ... It demands, incessantly, to be taken on its own terms: ..." (The Literary Impact of the Authorised Version").

Reading is good, but it is insufficient.  James urges his readers to: "... be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22); while Paul assures the Romans that: "... it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified." (Rom 2:13).

You may be a faithful reader of the Word - but are you a keeper?  Do you, perhaps, just scan its pages superficially; merely perusing it as a spiritual exercise (that can, all too easily, degenerate into some form of "salvation by works"!), or to salve your own conscience?  Or does it move you to effective action?  As the titles of many of the commentaries on the Letter of James make clear, there are two parts to the Gospel - believing it; and behaving it!

Remember that, while it is true that it is "... by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9), it is also true that: "... we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works , which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (v.10)! 

Prayer!

The third of our four anchors should be, I would suggest, prayer.  Some might even suggest that it should be first - but, like the best competition results announcements, I am working in 'reverse order'!!

There is little hope for the ship that leaves for the open seas of life without this anchor aboard!  So many do - and many, who once possessed it, have long since cast it away.  It is sad, but true, that there are a lot of people - including some who would make the claim to be Christians - who seldom, if ever, pray except when in a tight corner.  One wit has commented that the most sincere prayer ever uttered is "God help me!"  I would dispute that conclusion - but I can understand it being made.

But how can God possibly be real to such people?  Even the Lord Jesus, as we read often in the Gospel narratives, "... continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6:12; KJV).  And if He, God the Son, the Second Persona (see the chap on the 'Trinity' in "Great Words of the Faith") of the Godhead, had need to pray - and to spend much time in prayer - how much more do we need to pray?!

It is, surely, much more than mere coincidence that great times of spiritual awakening have times when men and women have fervently sought God's face in believing prayer!  Someone has written that, "To neglect prayer is to play around with one's very soul.  Without it, we cannot commune with out Maker."

 James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, wrote: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.  Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.  Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit." (James 5:16-18).

But "None is righteous, no, not one;" writes Paul (Rom 3:10), referring to Psalm 14.  So where does that leave us?  Praise God, He has not left us helpless.  The same Paul writes to the early believers in Philippi: "... whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith;" ( Phil 3:7-9; emphasis added).

Be certain that you have that righteousness - that you may effectively make use of the anchor of prayer!

Hope - in the Lord Jesus, the Christ; Duty - steadfastly carried out; Prayer - that is fervent and believing.

The Church - or the Christ?

A few days ago, I received an unexpected e-mail from the son of a couple with whom my wife and I had been very friendly, but with whom we had lost contact.  He was making some specific enquiries, but he also informed me that he had gone through a divorce, and "ended up back at church!".  Now, to be fair, he went on to state that he has "radically recommitted my life to Christ", but his initial comment reminded me of my days as a parish minister, and my attendance at meetings of the Synod.  For those without a Presbyterian background, the Synod (now defunct!) was the ecclesiastical court between the Presbytery and the General Assembly.

Anyway, I quickly noticed that, when a minster who had just retired into the Synod area was being welcomed, or when intimation of the death of a Synod member was given, the person in question was always described as "a faithful servant of the church"!  This always bothered me!  Of course, I knew that I was in ministry in order to serve my own congregation.  Indeed, I knew that "to minister" means "to serve".  However, I also knew that my prime service is to the Lord.

That was certainly how the early believers saw it.  Listen to Paul: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle," (Rom 1:1; my emphasis).  He writes of others in the same way: "... Ep'aphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf  and has made known to us your love in the Spirit." (Col 1:7-8; my emphases).   Later in that same letter he writes that "Tych'icus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord." (Col 4:7; my emphasis).  He advised Timothy that "... the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one," (II Tim 2:24; my emphasis)

And it wasn't just Paul!  "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," (James 1:1; my emphasis).  "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ," (II Peter 1:1; my emphasis).  "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ," (Jude 1: my emphasis).  Even when reference is made to the service of the church, it is in words like these: "... what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." (II Cor 4:5-6; my emphasis).

It is good to serve God's people in whatever capacity we are able to serve.  But it is important to remember Whose we are, and Whom we really serve; remembering that we serve, "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:" (Eph 6:6-7; my emphasis).