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.

Slavery

In case there is anyone who has not noticed, most of western Europe is currently experiencing a severe heatwave. Yesterday, our outside thermometer - shaded by a large canopy - registered above its maximum mark of 50C! At 10.20 p.m., it was still registering 34C!

Regretfully, I had some essential work to do - outside. It was not a pleasant experience. I was working for 10-15 mins, and then taking a 15 minute break - and a pint of cold drink. However, as I did so, I found myself thinking of some who did not have the freedom to 'pace themselves' as I was doing. I thought of Hebrews in the land of Egypt, prior to the Exodus. Working from sunrise to sunset, in similar conditions, but with no humanitarian, or other, breaks. I thought of Negros in the southern states of the USA, picking cotton in such conditions and, again, with no breaks. We have a name to describe that kind of situation. We call it "slavery"!

Some people seem to think that such situations are no more than the stuff of history. However, slavery goes on even today - but we now refer to it as "people trafficking", as if that makes one iota of difference to its victims! Whatever we name it, slavery is, to most ordinary people, a vile and obnoxious practice.

Yet there is one form of slavery that is positive and beneficial! When I read the letters in the Second Testament, I find that Paul, and James, and Peter, and Jude, all refer to themselves as slaves! It is true that, in most English-language versions of the Scriptures, the word "servant" is used. But that word translates the Greek word "doulos" - and, make no mistake about it, the doulos was a slave!

These Biblical writers knew all about slavery. They knew what being a slave entailed. They knew that a slave had absolutely no rights of his/her own. They knew that the slave was the absolute property of his/her master/mistress. The owner had the very power of life and death over the slave. They were considered, by the vast majority, to be property - especially when the availability of new 'property' was so ready as Rome conquered, and enslaved its defeated enemies. They were described as 'vocal agricultural implements' and some would have preferred them without the vocal part!

When I was studying history at the University of Glasgow - so many years ago! - I had to produce an essay on one of the people referred to as "Beneficent despots". Those two words could have been seen as contradictory, as someone who was, and is, beneficent is kindly, and loving, and wise; while a despot is another way of describing an absolute dictator. However, to the disciple of Jesus, the Christ, He is the true "beneficent despot"!

By that, I mean that He demands total obedience from His people, but He treats them as His friends. Indeed, towards the end of His earthly life, He spoke to those who weer His closest followers: "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15).

So, being a slave of Jesus is not a hardship - although being in His service can bring many difficulties, as those in the persecuted church know only too well. However, as we willingly submit ourselves to Him; as we echo His own prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Not My will but Thine be done." (Luke 22;42); as we crown Him Lord of our lives; then we enter a slavery that is truly privileged. 

That is why the true disciple of Jesus is happy to be known as a slave - because we are the slaves of the King of kings, and Lord of lords, Who gave Himself, on the cross, for our redemption*. Who would not gladly serve One such as that?! Who would not wish to be under His control?!

Of course, not one of us is a perfect slave - but we serve a perfect Master Who may be trusted in every situation and circumstance. I commend Him to you.


* This is one of the Great Words looked at in my first book (details above). Available as both a paperback and a Kindle e-book, ALL royalties are paid directly to Release International in support of the persecuted church. Please consider purchasing this, and the other two books, and commending them to others.

Godly exercise.

For many years, until well after I had retired from full-time employment, I spent a couple of afternoons each week at one of a number of gymnasiums to which I had (free!) access. I have no doubt that all of that exercise helped me to have the level of health and strength that I enjoy today.

However, I read of one fitness advocate who claims that one doesn't need a treadmill, exercise bicycle, barbells, or any other specialist equipment in order to get a great physical workout at home! He uses a toolbox for stepping exercises; lifts cans of  soup, or bags of flour, to work his shoulder muscles; and makes use of other common household items in his daily training. Other trainers agree, and encourage people to use ropes, chairs, brooms, and even full bags of groceries, in conditioning routines. They see exercise as a matter of will, not wealth.

Actually, the same principle holds true with spiritual fitness! As a retired pastor, I still have a reasonable selection of books in my study. However, while commentaries and the like are undoubtedly helpful, we can begin our spiritual training without any of them! All that we need is the written Word of God, and the guidance of God the Holy Spirit.

Writing to his "son in the faith", the young pastor Timothy, Paul gave this advice: "Exercise daily in God - no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever." (I Tim.4:7-8; The Message).

I recall, during the year between my time at the Bible Training Institute, Glasgow, and at the University of Glasgow, being invited to preach before a congregation in the East End of the city, on Boys' Brigade Founder's Day. I was working night-shift in the Larchgrove Boys' Remand Home at the time (while I gained the 'Highers' that I needed in order to enter University). During the ten or twelve days prior to the Sunday appointment, I spent many hours poring over my Bible and what commentaries, etc., that I then possessed. As I set off for the Home, the night before the worship service at which I was scheduled to bring the message, I had absolutely nothing! I could not very well carry my theological "library", so off I went with a pad of lined paper, and a Bible.

One of the benefits of the night shift was the time one had to oneself! I still recall praying that the Lord would grant me some inspiration so that I might bring a meaningful word to the congregation. By the time I left to return to my 'lodgings'in the Y.M.C.A., I had that word! No recourse to commentaries, or other similar aids. Just the Word of God, and the Spirit of God. That was more than sufficient. I learned a valuable lesson on that particular night shift!

Of course, not everyone is called to preach -  but it doesn't require an annual subscription to take the spiritual truths that we know, and put them into practice. We don't need special equipment, or materials, to pray for a friend; to give thanks to Father God; to sing His praises (and if you don't have a 'singing voice', then just open that mouth and praise Him as you are able!). We just need to begin where we are, with what we have, right now!

Remember: "Godly exercise is the key to godly character."

Make yourself clear!

One of the many privileges that I have enjoyed during my increasingly long life was sitting under the ministry of the late Rev. George B.Duncan (in the original St George's-Tron), and the tutelage of the late Rev. Prof. William Barclay in the University of Glasgow.  Both men instilled in me the need to speak that others might understand.  You see, there is no point in talking to people who can't understand what you are saying.  I have been discovering that, all too often, since I came to live in France!  I speak to someone - and receive blank looks; they respond - and I look just as blank!

Paul writes to the early disciples of Jesus on the great city of Corinth, and asks: "Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how shall I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will any one know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible, how will any one know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning; but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me." (I Cor 14:6-11).

Paul was making reference to the specific gift of speaking in a spiritual language (the gift of tongues), but the message may well be expanded.  We who are preachers have a special responsibility to keep our message so simple, and interesting, that even a child will be able to grasp it.  I have listened to many preachers who have been so intent on displaying their own academic excellence that they have simply talked "over the heads" of the gathered congregation!  But God's people are described, not as giraffes, but as sheep!  We who give out the Gospel message must keep the feed at a level that the sheep can reach!

Of course, this doesn't only apply to preachers!  All of us are preaching the Gospel, all of the time, whether we are aware that we are doing so, or not!  In the workplace; at our leisure activities; in the home (especially if we are the only disciples of Jesus there); wherever we may be, if people know that we claim to follow the Nazarene, then they are reading us, and listening to us, all of the time!

There is an old poem - that I may well have quoted on this blog before - that reminds us of this:

“Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today;

He has no feet but our feet to lead men in His way.

He has no tongue but our tongues to tell men how He died;

He has no help but our help to bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible the careless world will read;

We are the sinner’s Gospel; we are the scoffer’s creed.

We are the Lord’s last message given in deed and word;

What if the type is crooked?  What if the print is blurred?”

The story is told of a judge who, having listened to the arguments in a divorce suit, said to the husband: "I have decided to give your wife £400/month in maintenance."  The husband's face brightened.  "That's very kind of you, your Honour.  I'll try to slip her a few quid, myself, now and then"!    A misunderstanding that may cause us to smile.  However, when it comes to the preaching of the Gospel, lack of clarity may lead to disastrous results.  Whether it is from a platform or a pulpit; in our general conversation; or when someone has asked a specific question, and we need to "... make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, ... with gentleness and reverence;" (I Peter 3:15); let us make clear that each of us is born a sinner, destined for hell (eternity without God); but that, out of His unsurpassable, immeasurable, love for us, Jesus died (and rose from the dead!) to pay the penalty for our sin.  Salvation, therefore, is the free gift of grace to all who will receive it, by faith.  "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).

Jesus said: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24).   That's pretty clear!

This is my life!!

I am still able to recall the late Eamonn Andrews, with his big red book, informing some unsuspecting person: "This is your life".  Some of the stories were quite amazing.

This morning, I was the invited speaker at a Men's Breakfast in Calderwood Baptist Church, East Kilbride, where I had been asked to share my testimony.  I decided to entitle it "This is MY life"!  Mind you, fitting 27 years (and [quite] a few months) into about 45 mins wasn't easy.  However, I only over-ran by a couple of minutes!

It had been interesting, during the week, preparing my notes.  I haven't been asked for a word of personal testimony for many years and, of course, there is now so much more to share.  I reckon that I could have spoken for twice as long - and still have left out so very much!  (No surprise there, then!).

My initial question was "Who is Brian Ross?", and I made the point that the answer to that depended, to a great extent, on who was being asked.  To my late parents, I was their first-born son - the eldest of six boys.  To my teachers in both Primary and Grammar Schools, I was a pupil - seldom top of the class, but always in the top half!  To my colleagues when I left school and entered the real adult world of work, I was a chef; to lecturers at the Bible Training Institute, the University of Glasgow, the Open University, Moray House College of Education, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Liverpool (with Trinity College), I was a student; to my wife, I am a husband; to my children, a father; to my grandson, a grandfather.  To a number of Christian congregations/fellowships, I am a minister; to a couple of generations of young folk, I was a teacher.  To listeners to both Caleb Radio and Revival Radio (now Revival FM), I was a programme producer and presenter; on a couple of occasions, I was an advocate in an Industrial Tribunal.  To some 1500 personnel in Strathclyde Police, I am a chaplain; having just completed my first (!) book, I am an author; to many, I trust, I am a friend.  It's been - and continues to be - quite a life!

However, the final point that I shared was the one that I have in common with every other man and woman who has ever lived - with only one exception.  I'm a sinner!  I don't even manage to meet my own standards, let alone those of a holy and sinless God.  Even if I managed to get through one 24-hour period without committing a single sin of thought, word, or deed, I would still be a sinner.  "In sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5) is not making comment on the act of physical sexual intercourse between a man and a woman, within the bounds of a loving marital relationship.  It is making the point that, from the instant that single sperm from my father pierced my mother's egg, and mitosis (the division of cells) commenced, I was already a sinner!  That's why I sin! 

However, I was also able to say that I am a sinner - saved by grace: the grace of a God Who loves me so much that, in the Persona (not a typo!) of the Son, He took upon Himself human flesh; lived a life in which He experienced all that I experience, and more, yet without sinning (Heb.4:15); and died on a cross, in my place!  "Bearing shame, and scoffing rude; in my place, condemned He stood.  Sealed my pardon with His blood.  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!" (P.P.Bliss)

He has travelled with me, now, for more years than I care to admit!  During those years, I have let Him down, time and time again - but He has never let me down.  If you don't have a personal relationship with Him, I commend Him to you; and I commend all who read this to His grace.