Honours!

One of the topics recently covered by the British media is, again, that of "Honours" and who is deserving of them! For what it's worth, I would not allow any Prime Minister to recommend his/her cronies for any honour, and certainly not for a peerage. These "honours" should be reserved for those who have actually done something outstandingly good for the country, and not just for their own little clique!

Last week saw a different kind of "Honour" being conferred as Honorary Degrees were conferred upon a number of people who, in the eyes of the University of Glasgow, had made a significant contribution to a variety of spheres of activity. I am still waiting for that august centre of learning to award me an honorary DD - having left with a lowly L.Th., and now having a string of academic qualifications; authored three books; and fulfilled a commission for the former Strathclyde Regional Council on Religious Education in the classroom. Perhaps a member of the University Court will accidentally read my blog, and this post!!!!

However, many years ago, my wife and I were visiting a dear friend whom I had first met when my ship - the original ss Oriana - was berthed in Vancouver, Canada, on a Sunday, and I had made my way to "Highland Presbyterian Church" for their evening service of worship. That is a story in itself, but suffice to say that I met two sisters, considerably older than was I(!), who became good friends and whom I visited when I was in the city, and Dr Jean when she retired and returned to Edinburgh. She was a very highly-qualified lady, and had been Chief Medical Officer of Health for the City of Vancouver. I was bemoaning the fact that, for a variety of reasons, I only had my L.Th, and my Diploma from the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow. Jean looked at me! "Never forget, my lad, that you have the best qualification of all." I looked at her, questioningly. "You already have your degree from the University of Life!" It was a comment worthy of thought!

Then, there is the greatest honour that can be bestowed upon any member of the human race. Writing to the early disciples who lived in the province of Galatia, in southern Asia Minor, Paul states: "...  in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith." (Gal.3:26). Later, in the history of the Christian Church, the apostle John penned his account of the Gospel record. He wrote, at the beginning: "... to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God;" (John 1:12). Paul, again, this time in his letter to the believers in Rome, writes: "When we cry, “Abba! Father!”  it is the Spirit Himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, ..." (Rom.8:15-17). I have added the emphasis in each quotation!

And we may go further! In my book "Foundations of the Faith", I state that as a child of God, I am also adopted – and that is even more wonderful.  Dr James Packer writes: “Adoption is the highest privilege that the Gospel offers: higher even than justification. This may cause some raising of eyebrows, for justification is the gift of God on which, since Luther, evangelicals have laid the greatest stress.  None the less, careful thought will show the truth of the statement we have just made.  ... ... ... Adoption is higher because of the richer relationship with God that it involves.  Justification is a forensic idea, conceived in terms of law, and viewing God as judge.  In justification, God declares of penitent believers that they are not, and never will be, liable to the death that their sins deserve, because Jesus Christ, their substitute and sacrifice, tasted death in their place on the cross. ... ... ... Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father.  In adoption, God takes us into His family and fellowship, and establishes us as His children and heirs.  Closeness, affection, and generosity are at the heart of the relationship.  To be right with God the judge is a great thing; but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater.”  (Knowing God, pps 230-231; Hodder & Stoughton, 1973; bold emphasis added).

I am a sinner! I don't need anyone else to tell me that - I am all too aware of my own weaknesses. Almighty God is sinless. Indeed, He cannot bear to even look upon sin. Yet, in Messiah Yeshua (to momentarily lapse into Hebrew!) I have the inestimable honour of being a child of that same God, the Holy One of Israel, and a joint-heir with the Lord Jesus! That beats a peerage, a knighthood, a DD, and anything else that may be relevant, into the proverbial cocked hat!

And more! You, too, if you have not already done so, may receive that honour. How do you deserve it? You don't! You never can. It's conferred upon you by His amazing grace. All that you have to do is accept it. Of course, once you do that, you begin a life that is, for so many, extremely difficult, even dangerous! But it is so worthwhile, and I commend it to you.

Why "go to church"?

My current daily readings are in Paul's letters to the believers in Thessalonica. These letters are perhaps most used when one is considering the Rapture, and/or the Second Advent (they are not the same thing! See my book "Great Words of the Faith" - details above. ALL royalties go directly to Release International in support of the persecuted church.). It is true that the main reason for this correspondence is the problems that were being encountered by the Thessalonians due to some unhelpful teaching on these matters. However, as I reached the end of the first of these letters, I realised how much Paul had to say about another matter that is dear to my heart.

As he draws this letter to a close, the apostle deals with the local church. He writes: "... we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,  and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil." (I Thess 5:12-22).

There is sufficient material in that section for a short series of sermons! However, permit me to simply throw out a few "blessèd thoughts"! The first of these is that it is really tragic when believers neglect, or ignore, the local church. The New Testament knows nothing of the "solitary believer" (except where fellowship is physically impossible, as for many in the persecuted church, today). The church is meant to be a family - and a family requires a number of people. The church is a building - but one cannot build much with just one, or two, bricks. The church is a group of fellow-workers - not a "congregation of two"! (see I Cor.3:9).

Now, of course, no family of which I have ever had any knowledge - including my own - is perfect! However, without a family to protect and nurture, a child would suffer and die! It is also the case that no Christian Fellowship is perfect. However, there is the well-known saying: "If you ever find the perfect church, don't join it. You'll only spoil it!" You see, the church - any fellowship, congregation, or ministry, is composed of imperfect people! However, the true child of God needs a church family in order to grow, and thrive, and develop the gifts that God the Holy Spirit gives to him, or her. It is in, and through the local church that we may best serve God, and receive spiritual support in our serving.

Now I know that, in this modern world, I can go to YouTube and find many fine messages, and good teaching, from sound and experienced brothers who are true ministers of the Word. But where is the fellowship? Where is the relationship? To whom may I go when I have a difficulty? Is singing a chorus/hymn/song by myself a genuine experience of worship? It may be - on occasion! However, there is something that blesses me when I ma worshipping in concert with others of like mind.

When I was a young man, in the British Merchant Navy, I was also a very young, immature, and inexperienced, disciple of Jesus. Each Sunday, when my ship was at sea, there was what was referred to as "Divine Service"- held in the First Class ballroom (I sailed in a large passenger liner!). This consisted of the Captain reading through the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, and then the congregation - mostly passengers, but with a few crew members - singing the "sailor's hymn": "Eternal father, strong to save". It was, on my part, an attempt to witness to my faith - but spiritually uplifting it was not!

How happy I was when we were in port on a Sunday! I checked the local churches and, if possible, found one of my own denomination. If that was not possible, then I went to a congregation close to the docks. I worshipped with Presbyterians; Free Presbyterians; Baptists; Anglicans; and Independents. I made friendships that lasted for many years - and am still in contact with the then Assistant Minister of the Scots Church in Margaret Street, Sydney, Australia. I learned lessons that I would never have learned as a "solitary Christian". I discovered that, if I was with other true believers, then whether I was in Southampton, or Kowloon; in Sydney or San Francisco; in Vancouver or Melbourne; in Honolulu, or wherever; I was "family". These were my brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus, and we were "... all one ..." (Gal.3:28) in Him.

I know those, today, who appear to believe that they can survive without the family. I would lovingly suggest that, at best, they can "exist". But one is more vulnerable to the attacks of the evil one if one is not in a family. When a lion is tracking a herd of antelope, it looks for the one that is separated from the herd. That is the vulnerable one - and is more easily taken down. It doesn't have the strength of the family to protect it.

You want to be "church"? Then be part of a family of believers - and may you know the blessing of the Father as you find your own place of service in that family (because the true church of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, is not a spectator sport!).