A living Word!

Many will have heard the Bible described as "the living Word of God". Perhaps the prime reason for that adjective "living" is the description found in Heb. 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." However, it is also true to say that, regardless of how often one has read the Bible, or any part thereof, one may always see something that one has never noticed before!

That was my experience this afternoon when, during the worship service in Lamonzie, the guest preacher directed us to Acts 18:9-11 - "And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, «Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.» And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."

It was just a couple of weeks ago that, as I was preaching, I was describing Corinth - the 'city' referred to here - as a "centre of immorality and iniquity", as any historian of the period would agree!  Indeed, Corinth was so notorious for its debauchery that contemporary Greeks used the description "to play the Corinthian" as a means of referring to the lowest of loose living! That is why those words: "... I have many people in this city." hit me like a cold wave at the seaside. Almighty God, the omniscient (all-knowing) One, is able to say, even about a city like Corinth,  "... I have many people in this city." 

How had I missed those words before? I have read the whole Bible a number of occasions; the New Testament even more often; and some books and passages more often than I could ever begin to count! Yet I had never really taken account of those words until today (and I was reading them in French! Perhaps that helped!).

So what are these words actually saying? It is certain that there had been no previous preaching of the Gospel message there. If there had been, Paul would not have been constrained to visit Corinth - not the Paul whose ambition was "... to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on another man's foundation," (Rom. 15:20). I would suggest that what the Lord was saying to His faithful servant was that there would be fruit - even in Corinth! These were words of great encouragement, that impinge on the difficult doctrine of election/predestination*. Paul was being told to preach the Gospel in the assurance that the Lord already knew, and had known for all of time, those in Corinth who would respond positively. Of course, he almost immediately found a couple of newcomers, Aquila and Priscilla (v.2), Jews who had come from Rome when the emperor had banished all Jews from the city. It may have been that this couple were "Messianic Jews", converted in Rome under the ministry of Peter - but we cannot be certain of that. What we do know is that, like Paul, they were tentmakers, and that he stayed with them. Imagine - having Paul as one's houseguest for some eighteen months! Wow! However, even if Aquila and Priscilla were, indeed "Messianic Jews", there is no way by which two people could be considered to be "many"!

The (true) Church of Jesus, the Christ, consists of those of whom Paul could write: "... He [God the Father] chose us in Him [the Lord Jesus] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. He destined us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Eph. 1:4-6; emphasis added). So, because Paul had been assured that the Father had people, already set apart for salvation, he spent that time in Corinth and preached the Gospel in faith, and with courage. It wasn't "an easy patch". The Corinthian correspondence that is available to us, makes clear that the young church there had many difficulties. Yet those very difficulties may give hope to someone reading this post!

In what we know as Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, he has this to say: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." (I Cor 6:9-11; emphasis added). This is, surely, a reminder that your past of much less importance than your future - if you are "... in Christ ..." (see, e.g., Rom. 8:1).

How do you know that you are one of the elect? Well, this is the real paradox.  Because the only way in which I can be sure that I am one of the elect is by accepting, in repentance and faith, the Lord Jesus, the Christ, as my personal Saviour and Lord.  In other words, I am assured that I am one of the elect – by becoming one!

This is, indeed, a great mystery.  Suffice it to say that God the Holy Spirit only works in the elect; and that if He is prompting you right now, then it is in order that you might claim your inheritance.  And if He is speaking to your heart, don’t try to chase Him away!  Yield your all, and be filled with that wonderful assurance that "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." (John 15:16).

It will be to your eternal good, and to His eternal glory.

*The subject of predestination/election is dealt with, in greater depth, in ch.15 of my book "Great Words of the Faith", available from Amazon in both paperback, and Kindle formats. Links are at the top of the blog. Please permit me to emphasise that I do not receive a single penny from sales. ALL royalties are sent, by Amazon, directly to the Bank Account of Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

In control!

I suspect that most of us have done it - intended to click on one link on the computer screen, and accidentally clicked on the one above/below it!  It happened to me earlier today, and I ended up with a message about conspiracy!  However, I noted down the three questions that were asked on the sound-clip, as I have different answers to them!  Here they are:

1. Who really controls the world?

According to the theory - and, in human terms, it may well be true - it is a group of "Big Banks" and transnational companies.  However, when I open the pages of my Bible, I discover that this is not actually the case!  I read, for example, that "... The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against YHWH and His anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.' He Who sits in the heavens laughs; YHWH has them in derision. Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, ..." (Ps 2:2-5).  Later on, in the same Book of Psalms, we read: "For dominion belongs to YHWH, and He rules over the nations." (Ps 22:28).  Just one further quotation from the Psalms: "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion; He is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise Thy great and terrible name! Holy is He!   Mighty King, lover of justice, Thou hast established equity; Thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Extol YHWH our God; worship at His footstool! Holy is He!" (Ps 99:1-5; emphasis added). 

Yes, make no mistake about it.  The One Who really controls the world is the One Who created it!

2. Who is pulling the strings?

Well, that question is actually answered in the response to the first one!  However, "pulling strings" suggests a more personal aspect.  The old Book of Proverbs has this to say: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of YHWH that will be established." (Prov 19:21).  Writing to the Ephesian disciples of Jesus, almost 2,000 years ago, Paul could say: "In Him, according to the purpose of Him Who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of His glory." (Eph 1:11-12; emphasis added).  Again, writing to his fellow-believers in Rome, he could give the wonderful assurance that: "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28; emphasis added).

Now, let me make clear that I am not suggesting that we are all like puppets, with Almighty God as the puppet-master!  We have been given the wonderful privilege - and awesome responsibility - of free-will.  I make decisions, on a daily basis. Sadly, it is often the case when time shows that IO made a wrong decision!  But this does not affect the overall plan and purpose of God. He, from His vantage point of eternity, sees every decision I make before I have made it and, in ways that are totally beyond my puny understanding, works them into His ultimate plan for me, and for the whole of creation!  By the way, there is much more on that topic in the chapter on "Predestination" in my book "Great Words of the Faith". (see above).

3. Who is hiding behind the curtain?

That has to be my favourite question of the three!  The Biblical "curtain" was the one in the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple, that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.  It was through this curtain, or "veil" that the High Priest alone was permitted to go - and only on one occasion each year (the day of Atonement; Yom Kippur) after special sacrifices and other rituals.  Iyt was "behind the veil" that the Shekinah (the visible manifestation of the glory of God) was seen.  It was the veil that kept that awesome sight from mortal men.

When Jesus of Nazareth breathed His last as He hung on a cross at Calvary, we read "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom;" (Matt 27:51).  In other words, the barrier that symbolised the separation between God and mankind was removed - and removed from above! The way was now open for us to enjoy direct access to the Father - without priest, or sacrifice, or a keeping of the Law.  So, the anonymous writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus could write: "Therefore, brethren, ... we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, ..." (Heb 10:19-20).

Who is hiding behind the curtain?  No-one!  The way is open; the veil has been torn; through the shed blood of Jesus, I can enter the presence of the Creator of all that is.

I confess to actually enjoying reading some of the conspiracy theories that abound, today. One or two of them even have that "ring of truth" about them.  But when it comes to the sovereign power of God, and my access to Him through the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus - and, of course, His glorious resurrection! - then it is no theory. All of that, and more, has been confirmed by billions down through the centuries, and even millennia.

Of course, the real question is: "What have you done about it?!  Have you come, in repentance and faith, to this same Jesus; seeking forgiveness for your sins, and entering into a new life through, and with, Him?  If not, why not?  I commend Him to you - and will happily provide any help that I can. There are also a couple of useful links further down the page.  Do use them!

A new year.

Perhaps you didn't actually notice the "deliberate mistake" in the heading to this first post of 2015!   You have probably looked, now, and realised that I missed out the word 'happy' in the greeting.  This is not because I do not wish all of my readers a happy, peaceful, and prosperous 2015.  I do!  However, I am also something of a realist, and am aware of some of what is happening in the world around me.

As we begin this new year, it is certainly possible - and understandable - that we would do so with a certain trepidation.  Here, in the UK, we face a little over four months of electioneering for the May General Election.  It could be one of the closest-fought, most unpredictable, elections of a generation and, as such, will almost certainly lead to a lot of 'dirty campaigning'.  The economy, in the UK, may be improving (as we are assured by some), but it is still fragile.  Most of the people with whom I associate are still feeling a lot of economic pressure.

Further afield, there is the ongoing threat from Islamic extremists.  The so-called 'Islamic State' has shown itself to be one of the most cruel, and violent, groups since Attila the Hun.  In Nigeria, Boko Haram is not much better; nor is Al Shabbab in Somalia.  Of course, such groups could have been mentioned in the previous paragraph as they have, not just the UK, but the whole of western Europe, in their sights.

One could go on, but anyone treading this is more than capable of adding to the list.

However, stepping into 2015 with anything but confidence is the wrong attitude for those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus.  Our Lord warned us: "In this world you will have trouble."  We can all instantly relate to that!  However, He continued: "But take heart!  I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).  Hallelujah!  Father God assures us: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10).  The Psalmist testified, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." (Psalm 56:3).  Peter invites us to "... cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7).

Why do we fear the future?  Because it is unknown, and the unknown can be frightening.  And because we feel ourselves inadequate to the challenges that may lie ahead.  But, amazingly, the future is known to God (more on that in my first book - Great Words of the Faith, in the chapter on Predestination!).  And God promises to meet all our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Even for those who are "in Christ Jesus" (Gal.3:28, inter al), the year ahead may not always work out in the way that we had hoped.  However, we may have the confidence that all is in His will and purpose, and that as we walk with Him, He will continue to lead us - even if it is, as with so many of our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church,through storm and tempest.  

So, "take heart" indeed.  The heavenly Father knows your every need (see Matt.6:32), and He has promised never to leave you,nor forsake you. (Heb.13:5).

Of course, if you are not already His, then you need to make that transition from darkness into light.  There are a number of useful links towards the bottom of this page (right-hand-side) and, of course, I will be delighted to be of whatever assistance I can.  Please feel free to contact me using the e-mail address at the top of the page.

Blessings, and shalom, throughout the coming year.

18 who did not bow the knee to the 'cool' perversion of political correctness.

The Scottish Parliament has spoken - but it does not reflect the beliefs and desires of the majority of the population of Scotland.  By 105 votes to 18, it has passed the Bill that will redefine marriage - except that, to the majority, it will do no such thing.  It all boiled down to a failure to recognise the difference between equality and equivalence (see my letter to Mr John Pentland, MSP, below).  However, there were eighteen brave persons who showed that they could not be browbeaten into subjection on such an important issue.

Why is it so important?  Because marriage, between a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, for life, is the bedrock of any civilised society.  It is the only union that is capable of procreation, and the continuation, for as long as time exists, of the human race.  This is true whether, or not, one is a religious person, let alone a disciple of Jesus.

Of course, according to the Scottish Government’s Health Secretary, Alex Neil: “We have always maintained at the heart of this issue there is one simple fact: a marriage is about love.”  Sorry, Mr Neil, but such a statement is, to put it mildly, gushy garbage.  Of course a marriage ought to have love at its heart, but there is much more to the institution than that.  There is commitment; there is mutual support; there is, above all, and uniquely within a heterosexual relationship, the conception of children - without the need to go to a third party for assistance.  Of course I know, as we were frequently reminded over the past year or so, that there are heterosexual couples who are either unable, or unwilling, to have a family.  These, however, are a small minority.  Within a homosexual/lesbian relationship there is no possibility.  The number of men who are capable of bearing a child with another man is absolutely zilch/zero - and the same is true of two women.  At the very least, and from a non-religious perspective, it is an anthropological phenomenon that affirms that marriage is actually about the sanctioning and recognition of new biological, sexual and physical unions of men and women; the way human societies order, structure, promote and protect mating, motherhood and procreation, attaching fathers to children and their mothers, providing an ordered context for sexual activity, rooted in the protracted and intense needs of mothers and infants and in securing the future of society.

So what happens next?  I imagine that we will have to wait and see.  Of one thing I am certain, that the homosexual lobby will not be satisfied with what they now have (although I will be happy to be proved wrong!).  There will be appeals to the European Court of Human Rights as soon as a member of the Christian clergy refuses to 'marry' a homosexual couple.  It is unlikely that  any Muslim Imam will have the same problem!   It will be then that the current Scottish government will realise how totally useless are their assurances that individual members of the clergy will be 'protected'.

However, anyone who has read the chapter on Predestination in my book, Great Words of the Faith, will know that this evening's vote did not surprise the Eternal Creator of all that is.  He is still on the throne of heaven and, as the old adage had it: "Man proposes, but God disposes."  Could it be that all of this is a judgement on a society and culture that has moved far from the faith of its fathers?  Paul's words to the early believers in Rome, which you may read at Rom.1:18ff, are a valid commentary on our modern, 'progressive' society.

Those of us who are disciples of Jesus will continue to pray - that the relevant law will be repealed, and that God will have mercy on an apostate nation.

Down-sizing - or ditching?!

Okay, so we are in the flat.  We have only a few boxes left to unpack - well, only a few that are really urgent!  Problem is, we (Note from my wife: "Change that 'we' to 'I'!!) still have a lot of stuff in the house that we have now left (simply because it has not yet been sold!).

We have also encountered a couple of difficulties with the flat, the worst of which is that the boiler has broken down and is, apparently, beyond repair.  The solicitors are now 'fighting' over who should be responsible for the cost of replacement.  Still, we take comfort from the assurance that not even any of this has caught the Lord by surprise (read the chapter on 'Predestination' in my book Great Words of the Faith).

I have also realised that it is something of an illustration of the Christian life!  When a person submits to Jesus, and accepts Him as No.1 in their life, they are 'born again'.  That's a Biblical expression that means that they have started a completely new life.  It's Jesus' own words: "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.'" (John 3:3).

I suggest that it's a bit like moving house.  When we make that submission, we have to get rid of a lot of old 'baggage'.  The writer of the great Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus encourages us to "... lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:1-2).

However, we don't merely need to clear out the old, sinful, baggage that we have carried around, perhaps for many years.  We also have to be aware that,contrary to what even some preachers claim, following Jesus is not guaranteed to be a 'bed of roses'.  Indeed, the Lord constantly made that clear to those who heard Him speak.  "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matt 5:11-12; emphasis added).  Perhaps we in the so-called 'developed' world have much too easy a life as those who claim to be followers of the Way!  In some fifty countries around the world, that is certainly not the case! (see some of the links below).  I sometimes wonder what would happen in, for example, the U.K. if we were suddenly to be faced with the persecution that is common-place in those countries!  I suspect that many would be withdrawing from 'church membership' - perhaps even some of those who were preaching on the previous week!  By the way, please do not make the mistake of thinking that such a thing would not happen here!  Watch the trends!

Down-sizing, and dealing with difficulties.  Part and parcel of moving house - and part and parcel of the new life, in Christ, to which all are called, even if so many reject, or ignore, that call!

I'm an author!!!

Today, I finally managed to publish my first Kindle book!  It's named "Great Words of the Christian Faith", and is intended to enable those who have not had the benefit of a formal theological education to understand, a little better, such words as "predestination", "propitiation", and "sanctification".  There are 24 words in all, with "Love" the word that is central to the Christian Faith, being given two chapters.

The plan, and hope, is that it will be the first in a series of books, under the general title of "Getting to know you".  I have already commenced the second volume that will, DV deal with "Foundations of the faith".  This, I hope, will cover The Apostles' Creed; The (erroneously-named!) Lord's Prayer; and, possibly, the Ten Commandments and/or The Sermon on the Mount.  I shall wait to see how much I write on the first two sections before deciding on the rest!

I have two websites from which the book may be purchased, and downloaded.  For those in the UK it is:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009EG6TJW

For the USofA, it is:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009EG6TJW

As I discover the URLs for other countries, I will make them known!

Because of my personal interest in the persecuted church, 30% of the Royalties will be going to Release International and Open Doors - two of the organisations that support brothers and sisters in Christ in those countries in which being one of His disciples is to invite discrimination, harrassment, persecution, imprisonment, and even death.

I trust that many will find the book to be both interesting and helpful; will purchase it; and will recommend it to others!