What is a Christian - Pt. 2

In the first post in this mini-series, I sought to give a general introduction to the question "What is a Christian?" (or, as I prefer to ask "What is a disciple of Jesus?"). In this (postponed!) post, I want to suggest that a true disciple of Jesus, a Biblical Christian (is there really any other kind?!) is someone who enjoys a Presence, and that that Presence is the Presence of Jesus Himself.  He is, says Paul “at hand” or “very near”. (Phil.4:5).  Now it may well be that the apostle is referring to the coming Rapture – that cataclysmic event that will precede the seven years of tribulation that will, themselves, herald the return of the Lord Jesus, in glory and power.  But also reminds us of very nearness of Lord which every true believer experiences.  One modern translation puts it nicely “the Lord is at your elbow.”

It makes such a difference who we have around.  During my teaching career, I used to see it in school with depressing regularity.  A child would arrive at the beginning of S1 (1st year of Secondary education in Scotland - aged 11 - 12 years), well-mannered; conscientious; enthusiastic about learning.  However, by S3, just two years later, (s)he was a different child altogether.  What was the underlying cause for this difference? It was, quite simply, the company they had started to keep.  My paternal grandmother was a woman of very little formal education, but cart-loads of homespun philosophy, and good old common-sense. One of her many favourite sayings, that I heard multiple times, was “Show me your company, and I’ll tell you your character”. How true! 

We hear a lot, today, about 'environment' - usually referring to the country, district, buildings, etc., in which people grow, and how these can affect a life for either better or worse.  There is, of course, some validity in the claims made. Yet I would suggest that the environment of people is even more important. Many years ago, I was introduced to a lady named May Nicholson. May was reared in Ferguslie Park, Paisley. Her own testimony made quite clear the sort of environment there was in that part of the town in those days! All that I will state here is that it was not the most promising of backgrounds in which a person could be raised - unless Jesus steps in! In May's case, He did, and she became the Founder of the Preshal (the Scots Gaelic word that translates as "Precious") Trust, which helps those who came from difficult situations, and who suffered from social exclusion in the Linthouse area of the city of Glasgow. This problem is manifested in poverty, alcohol and other substance abuse, low literacy and numeracy levels, depression, and low self-esteem.

The Trust, working with other agencies, provides a wide range of social, recreational and educational activities which enable these issues to be dealt with effectively, adopting an holistic approach whereby they seek to cater for the whole person, including meeting individual physical, mental and - as a Christian-rooted organisation - spiritual needs. Before moving to France, I often had the privilege of ministering at the Sunday evening Preshal Fellowship, and met many lovely people - who were now enjoying the Presence of the Lord Jesus. May Nicolson died in September, 2019, but the work continues, and she will not be forgotten by many who came to enjoy the Presence of the Lord Jesus through her.

This is why the disciple of Jesus is so blessed.  Because such a one enjoys this Friendship; this Presence; that is completely different – the Presence of Jesus.  But it is not only a Presence that is different, it is also a Presence that is constant! 

How often have you thought “I only wish that so-an-so were here”?  You find yourself in a situation in which you are out of your depth – but you know that this particular friend or relative would know exactly what to do.  This, of course, is the problem with human beings.  No matter how fine our family, friends, and colleagues are, they can’t always be with us.  There are times when we lose their company, and their influence.  Maybe that’s been your situation.  “If so-and-so had been there, I would never have done that, or said that.”   

And then along comes Jesus. And He makes this amazing, this wonderful, this mind-blowing promise: “I am with you – always!” (Matt. 28:20; emphasis added). Not just some of the time; not even most of the time; but all of the time!  And not just at a worship service, or a Bible study, but everywhere!  That’s one good reason why the true follower of Jesus is careful where he/she goes – the places we frequent.  My late mother chided me once when, as a student at the BTI in Glasgow, I went to – the cinema!  “If the Lord returned and you were sitting in a picture-house”, she asked, “How would you feel?”  To be honest, I wouldn’t have felt too bad at all – I was only watching The Sound of Music!  But, of course, I want Jesus to be comfortable to be with me wherever I am!  I want Him to enjoy my presence, even as I enjoy His.

And you?! 

Addiction!

It may surprise some, but I do read books other than the Bible. I even read books that are not specifically Christian! I enjoy a good crime novel, and have read many good stories in that genre. 

However, it is interesting to read stories that,although fictional, have a distinctively Christian flavour. One such is my current "extra-curricular" reading material. It is named "And He healed them all", by Jeffrey McClain Jones, sub-titled "A day in the life of Jesus of Nazareth".

The basic story-line is that James Wolfer goes to visit his old friend Walter Schrader in a nursing home, expecting to find his former professor as depressed as the last time he visited. However, instead of a dour Walter, mourning the disabilities left him by a recent stroke, James finds his friend excited to tell him about a compelling dream he had the previous night. In that dream, and many dreams that follow, Walter believes he is seeing a day in the life of Jesus. And it was a day in which a great multitude came to him, with a whole range of physical and spiritual ailments, and he healed them all. One of the passages (that I have highlighted, in full) concerns two girls who have been involved in 'paranormal activities', and who have been brought to the Lord Jesus for healing. Part of the story reads as follows:

"The Teacher addressed  them. 'Do you want to be free of these spirits? Do you choose to let go of this power?'

They checked with each other. ''Yes', they said, simultaneously.

The Teacher nodded. But when He reached for their hands, both girls stepped back.

Their mother grabbed their arms. 'You have to let Him do what you're asking Him to do. Do you want to be free, or not?'  ... ... ... ... ... 

"Each girl let Him take a hand. I had the impression that they had just attached themselves to a power source that was not entirely pleasant to touch. ... ... ... ... ... ... 

"The Teacher almost bellowed. 'Do you want to be free of these spirits? Do you choose to let go of this power?' It seemed that neither girl could speak, but they both managed to nod their heads, haltingly, against the force that radiated from the Teacher." (emphases added). Although this particular incident is the product of a man's imagination, it does bear some similarity to the incident involving the apostle, Paul, and recorded for us by Dr Luke, in Acts 16:16ff (q.v.).

In his account of the Gospel record, John relates an incident that took place in Jerusalem: "Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Beth-za'tha, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to be healed?'" (John 5:2-6; emphasis added). I used to think that that was a rather pointless question. After all, the man would not have been there if he had not wished to be healed - would he?!

Addiction may be defined as "a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). The word is most commonly associated with alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs (most of which are, in a majority of countries, illegal) but may,of course,apply to anything that has, effectively, taken over our lives. I may be addicted to chocolate (a very common addiction!); or to sport; or to work (yes - even to work!); or to gambling; or to watching TV Game Shows; etc., etc.

It is said that the first step in overcoming any addiction is the acceptance that one is, in fact, addicted! However, I would suggest that there is a required "second step" - and that is that one wishes for the addiction to be broken. I recall, just a year or so ago, asking a young friend who is addicted to nicotine if she honestly wanted to stop smoking cigarettes. To her credit, she was honest! She said, "No." I knew then, that although I had been praying for her deliverance for a long time (and continue to do so), she was not going to overcome her addiction - because she didn't want to do so!

The problem, I suspect, is one of the dependency that an addiction creates; and the 'comfort zone' that it provides! Sadly, there is also a vicious circle that can, like a whirlpool, suck a person down to the very depths of despair. I yield to the temptation to have just one drink; just one cigarette; just one pill; - and then feel so disappointed with myself, and my failure, that I take another! And so it goes on.

During my lifetime I have dealt with a number of addicts, addicted to various substances that are harmful to the human body. I have discovered something that is of extreme importance - that while organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous, may help (and, for many people they do!), only Almighty God can heal (and He does!)!

The answer to these addictions, and every other one, is not to be found in a bottle, or a packet of cigarettes, or an online casino, but by yielding oneself to the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit allows Him to have His way - and that is always for our good!

Do you truly want to be freed from your addiction? Then ask the Teacher for His help. He never turns anyone away!

Disciples of Jesus - and alcohol!

With the New Year now into its fourth day, there will be many who will, only now, be returning to "normality" after a round of parties and, in all probability, the consumption of more alcohol than is considered to be "reasonable"!   Among them will, I suspect, some who would claim to be "Christians" (aka disciples of Jesus).

It may be claimed that no-one knows alcohol better than a recovering alcoholic!  Such a person will have known the grip that alcohol - an addictive drug, albeit a legal one - can have on an individual.  Last week, I came across a list of "50 reasons to be teetotal".   As someone who is, himself totally teetotal, I was interested.  However, what made me even more interested was the discovery that this list had been compiled by a recovering alcoholic who has been saved by the grace of God, and who is now pastoring a Christian Fellowship!

Remember, this list (I am only printing the first ten on this post) is intended to be of special interest to those who would happily describe themselves as disciples of Jesus - or, at least, as "Christians" (which is not always recognised as being the same thing!).


1. I can't be sober-minded if I'm not sober.

2. Alcohol has an assignment: destruction.

3. Alcohol is a depressant. Anything that depresses should be avoided at all costs.

4. I don't want to make my brother or sister stumble in the name of exercising my "Christian liberties." My choice to drink could lead to someone's demise.

5. Alcohol skews my judgment.

6. Alcohol leaves me worse, not better.

7. What I do in moderation, my children will do in excess.

8. Even the unsaved know I shouldn't drink. Bible in one hand, beer in the other—any lost person could point this out as a confusing contradiction.

9. Alcohol doesn't bring others closer to the Lord when they see me drinking, but further away.

10. Alcohol doesn't bring me closer to the Lord when I drink, but further away.

You may not agree with any, or all, of the above points.  However, do please remember that they were written, not by teetotal me, but by someone who has experienced, all too clearly, the destructive aspects of alcohol consumption - and who probably started with just a little "social drinking".  I am not seeking to judge anyone on their alcohol intake - merely, I hope, providing some "food for thought"!

Sex!

Given my contention of a few posts ago, that the names/words in the 'label list' seem to determine the number of visitors to the blog, and readers of individual posts, it will be interesting to note if there is a significant increase on this occasion!

Anyone who has accessed the blog on the strength of the heading to this post, expecting some salacious snippets of sexual shenanigans, is going to be very disappointed!  However, I hope that you will read on, and even check out some of the previous posts!

Sex, as I was growing up, was a taboo topic.  'Nice' people didn't discuss it; children knew nothing about it.  How things have changed!   On this morning's Today programme, on BBC Radio 4, was the disturbing news that, according to a report by the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England (although it is reckoned that the situation is similar throughout the U.K.), children as young as 12 are carrying out sexual violence against each other!

According to the report, gang rape is not uncommon; almost 40% of the young people who responded to the survey said they knew of cases of youngsters exchanging sex for drugs, alcohol or to pay off a debt; and more than 30% gave examples of girls being used as bait to attract and “set up” male members from rival gangs. 

A separate survey, the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, shows that women have caught up with men in the 'sexual revolution' - and have even overtaken them in the case of same-sex relationships - but they are still the ones who pay the biggest price in terms of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.   Four times as many women now report same-sex experiences with other women compared to 20 years ago. They are also starting to have sex earlier in the lives and are having more sexual partners over their lifetime than a generation ago.  However, 10% claim to have been forced to have sex against their will - which I would have classed as 'rape'!

Sex was designed by Almighty God.  Within the confines of marriage, as He ordained it (i.e. between one man and one woman) it is a good activity, free from guilt or shame.  It is the means of procreating the human race, and the family is still the bedrock of society - even although, in certain parts of the world, we seem to be determined to undermine it!

It was, it could be argued, the 'sexual revolution' of the '60s that brought sex 'into the open'.  Since then, we have witnessed a persistent pushing out of the boundaries.  Homosexuality, once considered to be a crime, was decriminalised, then accepted, and is now, by some, viewed as being the equivalent of heterosexuality!

The World-Wide-Web (Internet) has been, and is, a vehicle for much that is good.  Just last evening, I was commenting to a friend that I find it invaluable for research for the writing of books; the preparation of sermons (no scratching my head for hours trying to remember an appropriate illustration/quotation!); the expansion of my general knowledge.  However, it is also the disseminator of pornographic images such as are blamed in the report on the sexual activity of children.  It is little wonder that children act as they do when such images of violent sexual activity is available to be viewed in their own bedrooms.  It is there, it is claimed, that even young boys are 'learning' that females are there to be used for the boy's own sexual gratification. Parents, too, have abrogated much of the responsibility for the rearing of their children to 'professionals' - who are not with them in the home.

The basic problem, then, is in the mind.  When I started taking an interest in computing, I was taught the acronym GIGO - Garbage in; Garbage out.  If I feed my computer rubbish, that is all that it will regurgitate.  The same is true of that most specialised, and powerful, 'computer' - the human mind.  If I constantly fill my mind with garbage, then garbage is what will result in my words, and in my behaviour.  That is the great wisdom of the words of Paul: "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom 12:2; emphasis added).

Is there an answer?  Of course there is - although, sadly, those who are the 'trend-setters' and the 'elite' of our society are unlikely to espouse it.  Paul, under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, also wrote: "...  whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Phil. 4:8).

If more of us were to respond, positively, to such a challenge, what a difference it would make to our personal lives; to the lives of our families; and to the very society in which we live.

The law - is it only for breaking?

A number of years ago, I decided to stop shopping in Tesco because they had started to sell the "morning-after" pill - not a contraceptive; more of a DIY abortion - without prescription, and without any concern as to the age of the customer!  This meant that any girl, even if under the legal age for indulging in penetrative sexual intercourse, could ensure that no pregnancy would occur; and that neither a doctor, nor a parent, need know anything about her behaviour.  Now, of course I know that a male had to be involved, but it is always the female who is left, quite literally, "holding the baby"!

What I interpreted, then, as a lack of moral concern and a flaunting of the law (regarding under-age intercourse), has been shown once again, to be part and parcel of this company's basic policy.  The new legislation outlawing the sale of cheap alcohol in Scotland - and designed to combat the scourge of Scotland: alcohol abuse (aka binge drinking) - comes into force today.  However, it has been widely reported that Tesco is in the vanguard of companies working to circumvent the law in this situation.  They have, reportedly, targeted Scots with the information that cut-price deals may still be obtained by shopping online at the company's wine store.  Doing this will mean that the alcohol has to be transported across the Scots/English border - and this, apparently, means that it is exempt from the new Scottish law!   However, it may also be said to be an action that is totally contrary to the spirit (no pun intended!) of the law.

I am no supporter of the Liberal Democrats - either north or south of the border - but I agree totally with Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie who said: "Tesco is acting like modern day smugglers. ... If they were an ethical company with a social conscious, they would not be behaving in this irresponsible manner." (The Herald newspaper).

Such an attitude certainly won't encourage me to return to the Tesco fold.  I can only hope that others will join with me in my Tesco boycott!

Caring for the body!

I discovered, to day, that I am one of a very select group of people in Scotland. A survey, conducted by no less prestigious an organisation than the University of Glasgow, concluded that 97.5% of the population of Scotland smokes, drinks (alcohol), is obese, has a poor diet (but plenty of food!), or takes no exercise. Indeed, some 20% are 'guilty' of either four or five of these 'activities'.

So, here I am - a non-smoking, teetotal, five-a-day, trim-figured, twice-a-week at the gym for a planned workout, man. One of only 2.5% who, it would appear, can make such a claim!

Of course, I suppose that part of the reason for this is my personal attitude towards my physical body. Paul, writing to the disciples of Jesus in ancient Corinth - a city renowned for its excess in all manner of physical activities - asks the pointed question: "... do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, Whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" (I Cor 6:19; NKJV) And he continues with a word of exhortation: "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (I Cor 6:20; NKJV).

This, I believe, is a reminder that even my physical body is part of the stewardship that the Lord has entrusted to me. It is not mine to abuse in any way. It is the dwelling-place of God the Holy Spirit - the third Persona of the Trinity. I am not doing anything special when I do my best to look after it - I am only doing the least that I ought to do!

Does this mean that every disciple of Jesus should be the same as me? Heaven forbid - as Paul would also say! However, it may be a timely reminder, to quote Paul again: "... why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say,

'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.'

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. " (Rom 14:10-13; NLT)

The important part of that quotation may be, not the reminder that I am not here to judge others, but that each of us will answer to Almighty God for our own lives - and lifestyles!