I do not know you!

I am currently reading in the Gospel according to Luke for my daily private devotions. This morning, I arrived at chap.13, and verses 13-20. Those verses contain some of the most terrible words that any mortal will ever hear. In v.27, we read these words of the Lord Jesus: "... depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity!'"

The frightening thing about those words is that they were being addressed, not to murderers; adulterers; fraudsters; drunkards; thieves; etc. They were being addressed to those who had claimed:  "'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.'" (v.26).

Now, those words were spoken in the presence of a crowd of Jewish people. However, as Paul reminded young Pastor Timothy: "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (II Tim 3:16-17). So those words must have something to say to you an to me to day! Permit me to suggest some of what they might say.

There are, sadly, too many who appear to believe that, as long as they live in a "Christian country" (if such a place can be truly found at this time!), then all is well. When they die, they will, automatically, 'go to heaven'! I am amazed at the number of notices I read in social media that announce the death of a loved one, with the assumption that that person has 'gone to heaven'! I am sorry - but there is nothing in the Bible that teaches such a view of "universal salvation"!

Yet others seem to think that attending a worship service from time to time; doing 'good' things; giving to any form of charity; being 'nice' and 'kind' is sufficient. After all, God will take all of their good works into account, and they are sure to outnumber their less benevolent actions! I am sorry - but there is nothing in the Bible that teaches such a view of "salvation by works"!

I recall, many, many years ago, that the Glasgow Evening Times published a particularly scathing article about the Rev. Prof. William Barclay, headed "Divinity professor who doesn't believe in miracles!" (or some such words!). Now, I had the distinct privilege of sitting under Prof Barclay's tutelage, and may have known more about his personal views than the author of the article appeared to know! I also had the distinct privilege of sitting under the ministry of the Rev George B Duncan in St George's-Tron Church. On the Sunday evening after the article had been published, Mr Duncan was preaching. I confess that I do not recall the complete message - but I can still see him, in my mind's eye, leaning a little over the pulpit lectern. "You know", he said, " there are some people who are going to die, and discover that there are, in heaven, those whom they had never expected to be there." He leaned back, and paused. Then he leaned forward again. " There are going to be some who die, and discover that there are some whom they had expected to be in heaven, but who are not there!" He leaned back again. Then he leaned forward a third time and, with what I can only describe as a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, said, "And, of course, there are some who are going to die, and discover that they are not in heaven themselves!"

Prof. Barclay comments: "The standards of heaven are not the standards of earth." (Daily Study Bible on Luke. p.190). Centuries before, the prophet Isaiah uttered these words of YHWH: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says YHWH. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." 

There will, indeed, be many surprises when the final membership of the Kingdom of God is revealed. The Good News is that you may be there! Not because of anything at all that you have done, are doing, or may yet do. Paul, writing to the early disciples of Jesus in Ephesus summed it up in just one sentence: "For 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; emphases added).

Have you responded, in faith, to that wonderful grace of God - God's Riches At Christ's Expense? He has paid the price, the penalty for your sin and mine, that we may go free. As I have noted before: "He paid a debt that He did not owe, because I owed a debt that I could not pay".

Turn to Him, today. You have no guarantee of another opportunity! Another commentator writes: "... there is inevitably a time-limit on the offer of salvation. When the door of opportunity is finally shut, it will be too late. Men must strive to enter now." (Leon Morris; TP Commentary on Luke). Paul writes: "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (II Cor 6:2).

Come now - tomorrow may be too late! 

Four Gospel records.

It was quite recently that I saw the question: "Why are there four Gospels?" My first response to that question is that there are not "four Gospels", but four accounts of the one Gospel - the Good News about Jesus, the Christ. However, the question is still a valid one: "Why are there four Gospel records?"

The simplest answer comes from the world of policing, where officers will endeavour to obtain as many witnesses as possible to any crime, or incident. Doing so ensures that they have as complete a picture as possible of what happened. Each witness will provide evidence that comes from a slightly different perspective than that of other witnesses.

Chronologically, Mark was the first to write the Gospel record, followed by Matthew, and then Luke. In these three records, known as the Synoptics, the emphasis is on the human nature of the Lord Jesus; in John, the last to be written, the emphasis is on His deity. However, we then discover that each was written for a different "audience"! Matthew wrote especially for Jews; Mark for Romans; Luke for Greeks; and John for disciples of Jesus. All four wrote for the whole world.

In Mark, the Lord Jesus is depicted as the Servant of God; in John as the Son of God (God the Son). In Matthew, He is portrayed as the Ruler of men; in Luke, as unique among men. Matthew and Mark provide the record of His official glories; Luke and John show His personal glories, as Son of Man and Son of God. The 19th century French philospher, historian, and writer, Ernest Rénan, described Matthew's account of the Gospel as "the most important boook ever written", and Luke's account as "the most beautiful book ever written." (although I would certainly not subscribe to many of Rénan's other views!)

Marks record may well be described as "the most concise book ever written"; while John's record surely deserves the description of "the most heavenly book ever written."!

I came across this, anonymous, poetic piece in one of my reference books:

"Matthew - Messiah, Israel's King, sets forth, by Israel slain;

but God decreed that Israel's loss should be the Gentiles' gain.

Mark tells us how, in patient love, this earth has once been trod

by one Who, in a Servant's form, wasyet the Son of God.

Luke, the  physician, writes of a more skilled Physician still, 

Who gave Himself, as Son of Man, to save us from all ill.

John, the beloved of Jesus, sees in Him the Father's Son,

the everlasting Word, made flesh, yet with the Father One."

Why are there four Gospel records? So that the fullest possible picture might be provided of the One Who came that you and I might have - if we choose to accept it - eternal life. Not "pie in the sky when you die", but the very life of the Creator of all that is, in you, here and now!

So the really important question is: "With all of that information, have you accepted His wonderful gift of salvation from sin, and a life so new that it is described as being "born again"? 

And, if not, why not?!

Saviour

In my personal devotions, I have just started to read through the Gospel according to Luke.   This is, of course, not the first time that I have read through this book, penned by a Gentile medical doctor, writing as one who has carefully researched his material, for the immediate benefit of someone named "Theophilus"(which may be the name of a specific individual but which may also, according to a translation of the Greek, be a general 'title' - "lover of God"), all under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit.  However, as so often happens when one reads the Living Word of the Living God, a word; a phrase; a sentence; jumps out in a way that had not been noticed on any previous occasion!

This morning, my allotted passage was Luke 1:39-80, and the little phrase that stood out was at the beginning of the newly-pregnant Mary's song of praise when she visited her older relative, Elizabeth - herself miraculously pregnant with the child who would be known as John the Baptiser.  That song is commonly referred to as "The Magnificat" (from the Latin translation), and the first sentence commences: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, ..." (Luke 1:46-47).

Saviour!  This is a wonderful title for God.  Mary's words are a reminder that He is a personal Saviour.  He is the Saviour of all who accept that they are sinners deserving nothing but His wrath, and judgement, and punishment; who recognise that there is nothing that they can ever do about that; but who also accept the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, as he paid the price for their sin.

Of course, He is also "... the Saviour of the world." (John 4:42).  However, this is not to suggest that all will be saved!   What it shows is that His work on the cross is sufficient for all - but it is only efficient for those who believe.

There are many, even today, who are willing to accept that Jesus of Nazareth was a good Teacher - and He was.  There are many who believe that if we all lived by His teaching, the world would be a much better place - and it would.  The Bible teaches, clearly, that He was Almighty God, having taken on human flesh, that He might save us from the penalty, the power and, ultimately, the presence, of sin.  This is teaching that is "... sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (I Tim 1:15).

Be sure that you know Him as your personal Saviour, and Lord, and be able to echo the words of Mary: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, ..."    It will be for your good, and to His eternal glory.

"A horse, a horse, my dinner is a horse"

Apologies to the English Bard and, if you are a vegetarian, you might wish to read something else!

I am, of course, making reference to the news that the Princess Royal has dared to even suggest that there may be nothing wrong with the human consumption of horse-meat!  I can only agree.  It was a few years ago, while my wife and I were on holiday in France, that we noticed that particular commodity on special offer at the local supermarket.  We knew that horse-meat was considered to be a delicacy by the Belgians, but had not realised that it is also eaten by the French.  It is somewhat expensive but, with the special offer, we decided to 'give it a go'.

It was delicious!  So much so, that we are forever looking out for a similar special offer, as we would be delighted to have it again.  Lean, tender, and full of flavour, I would recommend it to any human carnivore.

There is, of course, an element of controversy with regard to the human consumption of animal meat.  In Gen.9:3, we read these words of God to Noah, after the Flood: "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and, as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything."   That seems clear enough.  The prohibition of certain animals (and fish, and fowl) came later and may be seen as very wise hygiene regulations as all of the creatures that were declared to be terefah (forbidden) are 'dirty eaters' that would, particularly in a nomadic, desert, culture, be more likely to carry bacteria that would be harmful to the human body.  However, there are those, even from within the Christian culture, who maintain that the next verse effectively forbids the eating of animal flesh.  It reads: "Only you shall not eat flesh with its blood."  It is true that meat that is totally cleared of blood would be somewhat insipid, and I have even read that this verse shows that the preceding verse actually refers to animals like lizards, and that Noah was being given permission to eat reptilian eggs!  This interpretation is based on the Hebrew word remes which does refer to reptiles - but which also refers to other creatures as well!   Lesson - don't use so-called 'proof texts'!

Jesus taught that it was permissible to eat all foods.  In Mark 7:19, the evangelist records His rebuke of certain Pharisees, and comments "Thus He declared all foods clean" (i.e. kosher = permitted).  Dr Luke tells us of a vision given to Peter, in which he was convinced that "What God has cleansed, you must not call common" (Acts 10:15).  Now this vision was not primarily a lesson on the acceptability of animal meat for food, but was preparing Peter for his visit to the Gentile centurion, Cornelius.  However, the lesson is implied that, under the New Covenant, all meat is available to us to eat.

So, when I have the opportunity to do so, I will enjoy some horse steak - and will give thanks to the One Who provides for all of my needs, and so much more besides!