Signs in the heavens, Pt 2.

In the previous post, I introduced the concept of "the Rapture", and we discovered, from God's Word, that there will be a departure we will make at that climactic event - a departure that is certain, and that will be sudden.

However, we must also consider the destination we shall have.  “… we shall be caught up … to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thess.4:17).  We won’t depart merely in order to wander around, aimlessly, in space like rogue satellites, or even disembodied spirits!  We will have a destination, a goal, to which we will go.  And that destination will be the Christ Himself! 

There will be a Person we will meet.  And we will meet Him “in the air”.   Since the air was thought of, in Paul’s contemporary culture, as being the abode of all manner of evil spirits; since the devil is even designated “… the prince of the power of the air,” (Eph.2:2); it is a measure of the complete supremacy of the Christ, that He should meet His people in that region.

So, although I would contend that these words be taken literally, they also have a symbolic meaning pointing, as they do, to the majesty and power of the victorious Jesus.  He is the Person we shall meet. 

But there is also a perfection we will gain.  No matter how faithful a disciple of Jesus I might be( and oh, how I wish that I were more faithful!), I am still, while dwelling in this mortal body, imperfect.  There is, raging within me, that battle of which Paul wrote to the young church in Rome: “I cannot understand my own behaviour.  I fail to carry out the things I want to do, and I find myself doing the very things I hate.  When I act against my own will, that means I have a self that acknowledges that the Law is good, and so the thing behaving in that way is not my [converted] self but sin living in me.” (7:15-127; Jerusalem Bible). 

The devil continues to exert pressure on us; we are tainted by the influence of the world around us, from which we cannot really escape.  Sanctification (also dealt with in "Great Words of the Faith"), the process of “perfecting” for the disciple of Jesus, is only completed when we enter the immediate presence of the Lord – either at our physical death, or at the Rapture.  But then, we shall be perfect, even as He is perfect. (see I John 3:2).

So, at the Rapture, there is a departure that disciples of Jesus will make; there is a destination we will have; and, as we shall discover next time, there is a delight that we shall know.

Holy - me?!

It would appear that a number of those who receive these weekly posts, did not receive the one sent out last week. The post was rejected by about 20 Inboxes! The message, received by me, was "The response from the remote server was: 554 Message rejected on 2021/08/01 22:58:50 BST, policy (3.2.1.1) ID (60CA88F70810F1FD) - Your message looks like SPAM or has been reported as SPAM

As that post was the most important of the little series of three, I would encourage all to check it out on the blog (link below!). The reason for the "spam" message may have been that I included a couple of graphics. Anyway, I believe (but am open to correction!) that if you have my e-mail address in your "Contacts", then no message will be considered to be 'spam' unless you deliberately so designate it. Hope that helps!

Having dealt, in the previous three posts, with sin, I want to move on to something else. You may recall that sin has its consequences. You may be surprised to discover that salvation also has its consequences! Those consequences are summed up in a big, theological word: "sanctification". As with so many great words of the Christian faith, that word is dealt with, more fully, in my first book "Great Words of the Faith". The Kindle version is less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee in an average café (or one cup if you use the more exotic establishments!), and ALL royalties are sent directly to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

So what is "sanctification"? Well, to the disciple of Jesus - one who has recognised the reality of his/her sinful state; has understood the results of that sinful state; and has accepted the remedy provided by Father God through the Son; the word refers to the process of becoming increasingly more like Jesus. It has to do with holiness. However, holiness is a word that is often misunderstood! There are many who seem to think that it refers to "perfection"! After all, they would point out, does not Father God, Himself, say "... you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."? (Lev 11:45). Yes, He does! But the word "holy" (qadosh, in Hebrew) does not actually mean "perfect", although Father God is, of course, total perfection. The word means to be separate - and is used, e.g., of the vessels in the Temple that were the best possible - but were "holy" because they were separated from common use.

So, to be holy is, in common language, to be different. The disciple of Jesus should be different - in a very positive way - from those who are not His disciples! I have often been told by people who claimed to be disciples of Jesus that if they acted in a certain manner, that was in line with God's Word, they would "stick out like a sore thumb"! My response was usually along the lines of "That's what you're supposed to do!" Would that more of us were like sore thumbs!

Sanctification, as I point out in the book, begins at conversion. "It begins as soon as I give control of my life to Jesus; as soon as I open my heart’s door to Him; as soon as I acknowledge my own sinfulness, and my total inability to deal with it; and accept His free offer of full salvation." Sanctification follows on from justification. However, while justification is an instant act, sanctification is a process. Just as physical growth begins, in one sense, at birth; so spiritual growth – which is what sanctification is – begins at rebirth.  I have a long way to go; I will make many mistakes; I will fall down again and again.  But I will have started!

Of course, even with the help of God the Holy Spirit, the process of sanctification is not easy! The simple reason for that is that when the enemy - the devil - realises that we are being serious about our new life in Jesus, he doesn't just leave us alone. Rather, he attacks with increasing ferocity! Peter writes: "Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion , seeking some one to devour." (I Peter 5:8). We must expect to take blows: discouragement, repeated falls, temptations. It's a daily struggle for all who want to walk in the Spirit - but this struggle is, in itself, proof that God has done something in us!

However, although not easy, sanctification is possible because God has made us a place of habitation of the Spirit, and John reminds us that "... He who is in you (God the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world. (the devil)" (I John 4:4). Sanctification is possible because God has made us new creatures, saints, so that we can enter into his pre-prepared works. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10). 

It is also worth noting that sanctification is not an option! Indeed, the very idea that it even could be is a nonsense! Listen to Paul, again. Having shared on the grace of Almighty God, that deals with my sin, and yours, he continues: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Rom 6:1-2). Being saved/born again/regenerated while still wanting to live in sin, is incompatible! Indeed, wanting to live in sin, is to be a slave to sin, while our salvation makes us dead to sin, i.e. we no longer wish to be controlled by it! 

The relevant chapter in my book ends like this:

« "Sanctification – the process of being made like Jesus:

Who are sanctified?  Only true believers – disciples of Jesus - because sanctification begins at conversion.

How are believers sanctified?  Through the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit, as the process continues in Christian living.

When are believers fully sanctified?  Only after physical death, as their growing more and more like Jesus is completed in glory; as they become like Him; seeing Him as He is.

To the best of my knowledge, the little printed plaque that is on my study wall is a Brian Ross ‘original’ (the words, not the sentiment!).  It reads, quite simply: “In this life I shall never be sinless but, by God’s grace, I may sin less!” »  And that is sanctification. It's amazing what a bit of separation can do! 

A near miss is as bad as a mile!

I was reading, the other day, about a game that, apparently, used to be played by children in England - in the days before iPads, and X-boxes, and multi-channel television!  The game, I read, was named "Saints and Sinners" - a name that, understandably, caught my attention!

The way in which the game was played was that a metal hoop was erected at a measured distance, and the children were given a bow, and ten arrows each.  The objective was to shoot all ten of your arrows through the hoop.  If anyone achieved that goal, and shot all ten arrows through, then that child was proclaimed a saint.  However, if a child missed just one arrow, that child was named as a sinner.  Of course, if a child missed with all ten arrows, (s)he was still designated a sinner!  That child was no greater a 'sinner' than the one who missed with just one arrow!  That was the rule of the game.

One of several words that is translated "sin" in the New Testament, is the Greek word "hamartia" (for others, see chap.4 in my book "Great Words of the Faith").  This word speaks of a 'falling short'; 'missing the mark'; 'going off the straight'; or 'going too far'.  It’s a word that comes from the world of sport.  In archery, the sport in which it was first used, there is a bull's-eye for which the archer aims.  Now, if my arrow hits the bull, or the mark, I gain the prize; but, if it misses the mark, whether by only a fraction of an inch, or by a couple of feet, then I don’t get anything!  And if it falls short of the target, or overshoots it, whether by six inches, or six yards, I am still not awarded the prize.

Sin is not only a breaking of God's Law; it is also a failure to attain the standard of perfection that the Law demands.  It may also be likened to a chain.   Even if only one link is broken, the effectiveness of the chain is ruined.  The Law demands continuous, uninterrupted, obedience.  If we fail to live up to that standard for only one minute, we become guilty sinners before God!   We do not need to commit murder, or adultery, or theft, or deceit to be unfit for heaven.  If we break even one of God's laws, then we are sinners in His sight.  That's why Paul could say, without hesitation, that "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..." (Rom 3:23).  To deviate from the way of perfection by one nanometre is to 'miss the target', and come short of God's standard.

In just a couple of weeks, people all over the world will be celebrating the birth of a very special Baby in the Judaean town of Bethlehem.  That baby grew to be the man, Christ Jesus.  He never "missed the mark", but kept God's Law perfectly.  He is the "... One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Heb 4:15).  All others have sinned, and 'come short'; so all of us need Him as our Saviour.

One of my favourite Christian songs is now a 'Golden Oldie'!  Its the hymn "When peace, like a river,...".  My favourite verse reads: 

"My sin - O the bliss of this glorious thought - 

my sin, not in part, but the whole 

is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more: 

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul." (Horatio G Spafford; 1828-88)

Whoever you are, you are a sinner because of your failure; but you can become a saint by His victory! 

Today, my wife and I travelled, by bus, to Livingston.  The journey lasts for about an hour, so she advised me to take a book to read.  The book that I was almost finished reading had only a chapter left, so that wasn't going to be of any use.  I quickly scanned my bookshelves - and spotted a book that I had acquired (I suspect that it was a 'freebie'!) some time back, but that had since been neglected.  It is a book that tells the story of George Müller of Bristol (although he was Prussian by birth and upbringing).

It is also a book that has already grabbed my attention, and already has a number of passages highlighted.  Very early in the narrative, we are provided with a brief synopsis of the subject who was born in 1805, and who departed this earthly life in 1898 - a true 19th century man.  The final part of the synopsis reads: "... the last six years were used of God in mellowing and maturing his Christian character."  So, a man of God, whose name has become almost a by-word for believing prayer, and who was in his 93rd year of mortal life when he was called home, was mellowed and matured in his Christian character in the final six of those years!

Actually, when I gave the matter some further thought, I realised that the idea isn't really so strange!  Although not yet close to the age at which George Müller was promoted to glory, I am certainly past the fresh flush of youth - both physically and spiritually!   However, it is as I have become less young (I refuse to be 'old'!) that I have found myself drawn closer to the Lord, and spending more time in His Word, than I have ever done before.  How mellow and mature I am becoming is something that others are better equipped to judge.

Why should this be?  Well, I speculate!  However, I suspect that it has something to do with the increasing awareness that I am closer to my heavenly reward today than I have ever been before!  Now, I know that that has always been true, but I seem to be becoming increasingly aware of it.  And not simply aware of it, but looking forward to it with increasing anticipation. 

I have a regret.  That regret is that I have waited so long to reach this stage.  By the way, I am not claiming anything even remotely like 'perfection'.  I may joke about that ("I used to be conceited, but now I'm perfect", etc.) but I am fully aware of the reality.  However, as a 'one-liner' that came to me, many years ago, puts it: "In this world, I shall never be sinless but, by the grace of God, I may sin less!"   When I confess my sin during my private devotions, and receive the forgiveness that has already been gained for me at Calvary, I also ask that the Lord would continue His work of sanctification in me.  (That, by the way, is a word that means, basically, being made more like Jesus.  I deal with it more fully in the first book in the "Getting to know you" series - details in the heading to the blog!).

It is unlikely - although not impossible (the Lord has a great sense of humour!) - that I will ever enjoy the spiritual stature of a George Müller.  However, I will be content to walk a little more closely to my Saviour each day.  My advice, and encouragement, to others is not to leave it until you are my age.  Spend more time with Him, now.  Read your Bible (or listen to recordings!) in a systematic way.  Ask yourself questions about the passage that you have read - "What does this passage teach me about the character of God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, all three?"  "What is this passage saying to me as an individual?"  "Is this passage pointing out a specific sin that requires to be dealt with?"   Don't 'say prayers' - pray!   Keep a list of prayer subjects for daily prayer; another one for weekly prayer (and the day of the week on which those people will be prayed for, or situations prayed about!).  Spend a few minutes, at the beginning, moving into His presence.  It all helps to draw you closer to Him - and that can only ever be for your good!

You will be blessed - you can't be otherwise.  I encourage you to do it - you know it makes sense!

What is a Christian?

On a number of occasions, over the years, I have preached on the question: "What is a Christian?"  I have come at the question from different angles, and provided a number of answers to it.  However, someone from my Facebook contacts placed the following on their page and, as well as sharing it on that particular social medium, I want to share it here.  I wish that I had read it a long time ago - and if I preach on that same subject in the future, I will undoubtedly make reference to this.  Indeed, I may well quote it in full!

I hope that many who read it 'get the message'!