The Romans Road

Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at what a disciple of Jesus really is. Now I know that many of those who receive these posts are already born-again of His Spirit. But there may be others who are not and who are now asking: "How do I become a disciple of Jesus - knowing that I may enjoy His presence; be able to share everything with Him; and trust Him, implicitly, in every situation?" That is the question with which I will deal in this post.

First of all, however, let me state that what follows is not something that I have "produced" myself. Indeed, I do not even know who first formulated it! However, it is based on Paul's letter to the early disciples of Jesus in Rome and, as such, has become known as "The Romans Road". Interestingly, during the week, I watched a video on YouTube on how the Romans constructed roads, many of which have survived until today. It is very brief, and may be worth watching at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1aFWtBXHII (you may have to "copy and paste"!). Regardless of that, I trust that the following will help - even if it is just one person!

The Romans Road - a well-engineered path to Salvation.

Although many people believe that they will go to heaven because of the 'good' things that they have done - living a good life; doing charity work; having been baptised (christened) as an infant; attended a worship service regularly; treated others fairly; or given financial support to "good works"; the Bible makes it perfectly clear that none of us is able to live up to the standards of righteousness that Almighty God has set. That means that we need a way to God that doesn't rely on anything that we may do, but on the gift of His grace alone. The Romans Road provides what we may refer to as a 'map' for our salvation, and eternal fellowship with Father God. There are seven steps:

1. You must acknowledge God as the Creator of everything, and accept your humble position in His created order and purpose. "Ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honour Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened." (1:20-21; see also Gen.1:1).

2. You must realise that you are a sinner, who needs forgiveness. Not one of us is worthy under God's standards. "For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (3:22-23; see also Gen.3:1-13).

3. Father God has provided the way by which we may receive that forgiveness. He showed us His love by coming into this world, in the Persona* of the Son Who became sin for us, and Who paid the penalty for your sins, and mine by dying on the cross for us - the perfect sacrifice. "But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (5:8; see also Gen.3:14-15).

4. If we remain as sinners, we shall die - eternally. However, if we repent of our sins, and accept that salvation that was gained for us, at such great cost, at Calvary, acknowledging the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, we shall have eternal life. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (6:23; see also Isaiah 59:2; John 3:16-18, 36).

5. You must share that Jesus, the Christ, is your Lord and Saviour, believing in your heart that the Father raised Him from the dead, and that you are truly saved in Him. "... if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved." (10:9-11; see also Ephesians 2:8-9).

6. That's just about it! There are no religious formulae or rituals. You simply, and sincerely, call upon His name, and you shall be saved! "For, «every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.»" (10:13; see also Acts 16:30-31; John 17:3). 

7. Determine, in your own heart, to make Jesus, the Christ, the Lord of your life - today, and every day. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory for ever." (11:36; see also Acts 1:8). 

Well, that's the road - but are you ready to start walking on it, accepting God's Gift of salvation? If so, may I welcome you to the most wonderful family on earth! Oh, it's not perfect! I know that only too well - and I know that I am a part of the imperfection. But I would rather be a part of that family - which is the very Body of the Christ, on earth - than of any other group of people.

Finally, our good works do not save us - but once saved, there are certain things that we should do! 

• Tell someone else about your new-found faith in the Lord Jesus.
• Be baptised, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - as commanded by the Lord Jesus. (Matt.28:19)
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a very long period of time. Just develop the daily habit (without it becoming no more than a habit!) of praying, and reading God's Word. There are many useful books that will help you to structure your Bible reading in a helpful manner.  
• Find a Fellowship where the Bible is faithfully preached, and attend the worship services - developing a group of believing friends who will support you, and help you with questions you may have. 
• Support your Fellowship, and other Christian ministries, by your tithe and offerings.

If I can be of any personal assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at the e-mail address in the heading. May God bless you in your new life.

* This word, and many others, are explained fully in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith." There is a link to the site at which it may be purchased, at the top of the page. ALL royalties go directly to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

Sin.

Sin is something to which I have referred in a number of posts. It is not a particularly popular topic - but it is a very important one! I plan, DV, to look at the subject in this, and the next two (or three!) posts. Budding preachers may even discern a little three-alliterated-point sermon!

In this post, I want to look, briefly, at the reality of sin. This involves asking the question "What is it?" The answer provided by the authors of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (on which, with my Presbyterian background, I was raised!) is that: "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God." (Q.14). In other words, sin is not simply committing a crime. Of course, in most countries, that which is considered to be a crime is, indeed, a sin. If I murder someone, I have broken the law; committed a crime - and I have also sinned. However, the Lord Jesus says "... that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment;" (Matt 5:22) - and He makes that statement in the context of the sixth commandment. Yet I will not be arrested for being angry with anyone - it is not a chargeable offence.

Teasing out the Catechism definition, it is saying that if I fail to live up to God's law, or  in any way disobey it, then I have sinned. The reality is that not one of us meets those criteria. Every day; every hour; I let God down in one way, or another! Whether, or not, I like the idea, I am a sinner in His sight! And worse - I can do nothing about it! I am not a sinner because I sin - I sin because I am a sinner!

How is this so? Well we have to go right back to the beginning. In his letter to the early church on the great metropolis of Rome, Paul writes: "... sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned." (Rom 5:12). You may read the story (if you don't already know it) in Genesis 3 - read the whole chapter! We see, in the opening verses, the devil's strategy. He starts by sewing the seeds of doubt: "Did God say …" (v.1) He then goes on to "put words in God's mouth: "... You shall not eat of any tree of the garden'?" Now, it is true that, at this point, the woman puts the devil right. (vs.2-3).  However, the devil moves on in his strategy by denying God's Word (vs 4-5). This leads to the woman's defection from the command of Almighty God, and her drawing her husband into the devil's scheme. (v.6).

Note the progression - the woman saw; she took; she ate; she gave. That is the sad progression of defection - and it is a pattern that has been followed ever since. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, brought sin into the perfect world that had been created ("And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good." [Gen 1:31]), and it has been a part of each of us ever since. The psalmist-king of Israel, David, wrote: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Ps 51:5). Now let me emphasise that David, writing under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, was not condemning the act of sexual intercourse which, between a man and a woman in a marital relationship, is God's way of fulfilling His command in Gen.1:28. What David is saying is that from the moment of our conception, we are sinners! 

So that is the reality of sin - it is inherited by each one of us. If David were writing today, he might simply say that it is "in our DNA", and we cannot get rid of it. That is why Paul can state, quite categorically, that "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"(Rom 3:23). And, if we look at ourselves, honestly, we know that that is true. You are a sinner; I am a sinner; every human being on the face of the planet is a sinner. There's no getting away from it. And, says Paul, "... the wages of sin is death," (Rom 6:23).

But that is leading on to the next post when, DV, we shall look at the results of sin.

"I make all things new".

The title for this post is taken from the New Testament Book of the Revelation of Jesus the Christ, given to the apostle John while he was in exile on the island of Patmos. It's found in the 21st chapter, and the 5th verse where we read « And He Who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." ».

The words are spoken by Almighty God, Himself. That, to me, makes them very important. But what do these words mean? I believe that the most important word in the statement is the word "all". It has been playing in my mind for many months. What is excluded from "all"? The answer, obviously, is "Nothing!". What then is included? The equally obvious answer is "Everything"!

Doubtless, I shall (DV), at some point, preach on that statement. However, for this post, I want to suggest just three things that will be "made new" in the new heaven and the new earth.

The first of these is a new body. « Lo! » writes Paul, « I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. » (I Cor 15:51-52). This is a reference to that event - that I believe to be much closer than some are willing to admit! - that disciples of Jesus call "the rapture" (see I Thess.4:13-17). This even will, as Paul makes clear, take place in a flash - less than a nanosecond, to utilise modern terminology! However, the more important thing is not the speed at which it will happen, but the change that will take place. My mortal body - whether I be physically alive at the time, or already physically dead - will be instantaneously changed to an immortal body. Paul has already made reference to this earlier in that chapter (and see, also, Phil. 3:20-21). The physical body that I currently use will be of no use to me in the new heaven and the new earth. It is a body that is tainted with sin - and there will be no sin there! I need a "resurrection body" that is fit for the new environment in which I shall be living. Oh, and note - it will be a "physical" body, just as was the resurrection body of the Lord Jesus. He could be touched; He could eat and drink; yet He could suddenly appear in a locked room! I have my own theory as to how that might have happened - but it would take too much space in this post to explain! Suffice it to say that it has to do with molecular structure!

The second of the "all things" that I want to consider here is a new mind. I never even try to suggest that I am a perfect man - and if I ever did, a few minutes chatting to my wife, my children, other family members, and numerous friends, would quickly set the record straight! I freely acknowledge that I am a sinner. I am, it is true, a sinner who has been saved by the grace of God - but for as long as I live in this mortal body, I share the experience of Paul: « ... I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death ? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! » (Rom 7:21-25). However, I would claim that most of my sin is "mind-based". Not that that makes it any less sin! The Lord Jesus, Himself, made clear that, while the thought is not as bad as the deed, it is every bit as much sin! (cf. Matt.5:21ff). So, just as I need a new body to replace this body of sin and death, I need a new mind - one that has not been filled with sinful thoughts.

The third thing that I wish to mention is new relationships. When I was much younger, I thought as many still do, that when I got to heaven I would be meeting with those who had arrived there before me! Now, in my later life, I have come to the conclusion that that will not be the case! I won't be asking Paul for his personal exposition of his letter to the believers in ancient Rome. I won't be telling David, and Peter, what a great comfort each of them was to me. I won't be running around looking for my parents; my wife; my children. So what led me to that conclusion? Simply the words in the Revelation that state: « ... I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them; He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away." » (Rev 21:3-4; emphases added).

Now, if I were to be in the new heaven and the new earth, and knew that some of my most-loved ones were not there, I believe that I would be saddened beyond words. Therefore, I have concluded that I will not have that knowledge. I will be aware of others who are there, and who may well become my new friends. However, these will be new relationships at a level of which I am, currently, unable to perceive! Effectively, I will even have new memories!

These thoughts, of course, are my own. I have quoted God's written Word - but the ideas are not spelled out specifically. However, while I am not setting myself up beside Paul, I would dare to use his words (written in a totally different context) and: « ... give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. » (I Cor 7:25).

Of course, all of the above is purely academic if one is not in a right relationship with Father God, through new life in the Spirit, because of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. If that is you, then there are links on the sidebar of the blog that may help and, of course, if I may be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me at the e-mail address at the top of the blog.

What is a "Christian"?

To be honest, I tend to use the description "Christian" as seldom as possible! The reason is that I find that the word has been so totally devalued! You may have experienced this for yourself! "Mrs McTavish, across the street - what a wonderful woman! She would give you the coat off her back; she would give you her last slice of bread; she would walk twenty miles to help you; she's a good Christian"! Now, if I knew this mythical Mrs McTavish, I have no doubt that I would consider her to be a very nice person; the "salt of the earth"; someone who would be good to have as a next-door-neighbour. Sadly, however, that does not make her a Christian! A Christian should be like that - and much, much, more - but that is another story! 

The fact remains that many people think that they are "Christian" because, they would claim, they are not 'pagan' and, of course they were 'born in a Christian country'! Their names may even be on the membership list of a Christian fellowship which they attend occasionally, and to which they sometimes provide financial support (even if somewhat meagre!). However, it takes more than that for a sinner to become a child of the living God. It takes repentance from sin, and faith in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, Who gave Himself as an atoning* sacrifice on the cross at Calvary, and Who rose again that we may have eternal life - a life that has much more to do with quality than longevity!

So, back to the title question - what is a Christian? The word was first used by the people of Antioch, and was really a term of derision! These were "Christ-followers" and, as such, were deemed to be somewhat crazy! But certain things may be said about them that we may use to see if we measure up to what it required.

They were, and are, those who know a Person - and that Person is the Lord Jesus, the Christ. Of course, many know about Him - but this is a personal knowledge. If I may explain it like this - I know HM the Queen, and have been, on more than one occasion, no more than eight feet away from her! I know her date of birth - both biological and official; I know her husband's name; I know her children's names - and those of her grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. I know when she became Queen; I recall her Coronation; I know her favourite animal pet; etc., etc. Anything that I don't know, but wanted to, I could easily find out online!

I also know my wife! But that 'knowledge' is totally different. It's a knowledge that has come from now more than fifty years of marriage - and a couple of years of courtship before that! It's the knowledge that comes from an intimate relationship that has deepened over the years. It's a knowledge that comes from shared experiences, and of seeking to put her first (even if I haven't always managed to do that!).

Do you see the difference. In the case of HM the Queen I know about her. When it comes to my wife - I know her! And it's that kind of knowledge of the Lord Jesus that His true disciples have.

But not only do we know His Person; we also enjoy His presence. Have you ever been involved in a "long-distance" relationship? I don't recall ever having been, in the past - but I am experiencing it at the present time. Because of the current situation regarding Covid-19, I have not seen my children for a full year! Oh, we communicate regularly, using the various forms of modern technology to which we have access. We share our experiences; at times, we rejoice with one another; on other occasions, we commiserate with one another. But it just isn't the same as being able to hold one another in a big hug!

Jesus said to His disciples: "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Heb.13:5). His presence, through the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit, is with His disciples always. That even includes the experience of physical death. David, the psalmist-king of Israel knew this. In what is probably his best-known psalm, he writes these words: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me;" (Ps 23:4). That is why death holds no terror for the disciple of Jesus - because his Lord is with him. On Wednesday of this week, I shall (D.V.) be conducting the funeral service for a friend of some seven years. There will be mixed emotions. On the one hand, his widow, extended family, and friends, will grieve. But - and it is a very big "But" - we shall recall the words of Paul to the Thessalonian disciples: "But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep." (I Thess. 4:13-14). A presence that not even physical death can remove.

I know His Person; I enjoy His presence; and I experience His power. The life of a true disciple of Jesus is not always easy. Most of those who read this post will not suffer to the same degree as those in what we refer to as "the persecuted church". But there may be discrimination; ostracism; loss of former friends; even rejection by family. How does one cope with such situations? Just before He ascended to the Father, the Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples and, in that brief discourse, He made this promise: "... you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;" (Acts 1:8). Power to live; power to witness; power to suffer for His name's sake. All that we need is found in Him.

That, in a nutshell, is a description of a disciple of Jesus - a true Christian. Note, of course, that I used the indefinite article! That is because there is so much more that might be said concerning the subject. However, I trust that what I have shared in this post will help some to examine themselves, to see if they are, indeed, His disciples - or merely using the name. If you should conclude the latter, then I beg you not to procrastinate*. Deal with the matter now and, if I may be of any further assistance, feel free to contact me at the e-mail address at the top of the page.

* These words are dealt with, fully, in my first book: "Great Words of the Faith". Links to it and to the other two in the series, are at the top of the page. Remember that I am happy to promote my books because ALL royalties are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

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'! 

Another year ends!

As I have no idea what I am going to put into this post, I have no idea as to exactly when it will be posted!  However, as I start to type, it is only four hours until "the bells" - the passing of midnight, and the ushering in of a new year.

Perhaps the word on which I might focus is the word 'new'.  I remember, as a child at Primary School, having a 'copy book'.  The idea was that I learned to write correctly by literally copying, on the blank line underneath, the letters that were printed on one line of the book.  Of course, those were also the days of inkwells and pens with nibs!  Nothing wrong with that, except for the fact that I would sometimes dip my pen too far into the inkwell and, as a result, have too much ink on the nib.  Then, when I started to write, a big blob of ink would flow from the nib on to the page, leaving a big blot!  I had "blotted my copybook" (and now you know the origin of that particular saying!).  That blot was there to stay.  There was no way in which I was able to get rid of it.  How I longed for a new copybook that would allow me to have a fresh start, away from my earlier mistakes.

Life is a bit like that!  Each of us is continually "blotting our copybook"!  It's generic.  We have inherited it from our first parents, Adam and Eve who, in the Garden of Eden, allowed sin to enter the perfect world that Almighty God had created.   This is why we are born as sinners.  It is our human nature.  We may have to teach our children an awful lot as they grow - but I've yet to even hear of any parent having to teach a child to say 'No'; to be selfish; to 'throw a tantrum'.  You will be able to add to that list without my assistance!

Every day, I 'blot my copybook' - and so do you!  How may I be so certain?  Simply because I know people, and the Bible confirms what I have discovered experientially.  "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." claims the writer of Ecclesiastes (Eccl. 7:20); while Paul writes "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me." (Rom 7:19-20) and, again, "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Rom 3:23)

What I need is a new copybook; a fresh start; a new life.  And that is what the Lord Jesus offers, and promises, to all who come to Him in repentance and faith, and submit their lives to Him as their Saviour and Lord.  Those who do "... walk in newness of life." (Rom 6:4).

As you approach 2014, may I encourage you to seek the One Who, alone, can provide you with a new copybook for life - and discover that, all along, it is He Who has been seeking you!

A Happy New Year to one and all.  :-)

Following!

I'm quite excited!! The number of folk who are 'following' this blog has risen to five! :-) Anyone else who wishes to do so will find the appropriate facility in the left-hand side-bar!

It reminds me of an occasion, many years ago, when our daughters were still going on holiday with my wife and me. We were staying with a number of friends in various parts of continental Europe and had arrived in Belgium, where we were to stay overnight, in Brussels, with friends from the Christian organisation Operation Mobilisation [http://www.uk.om.org/]. We had an address, but it was getting dark and, in spite of having used the one Belgian franc that we had to telephone for directions, we were totally lost. Asking directions from a variety of Belgian worthies had proved to be of no use - either they were speaking Flemish; or my French hadn't fully 'kicked in'!

As we drove along one, obviously residential, street, I noticed a young man heading towards the car in a driveway. On the assumption that someone younger might have a better command of the English language than any of the older folk with whom we had spoken; or that he might be able to understand my poor French; I stopped the car, got out, and went over to make my enquiry. As soon as I mentioned the address to which we were heading, he uttered just two words - "Follow me!" Then, he led the way to the end of the street in which OM had their quarters.

Recently, I had occasion to remind some young friends that Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship. The man-made religions of the world tell us to do this, and do that, in the hope that we might gain the favour of the deity. But the Christian faith states that Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, took upon Himself human flesh and, in the Persona of the Son, paid the penalty for my sin, and for the sin of all who will accept His great sacrifice on their behalf.

And, in Jesus, He doesn't give us a list of rules and regulations to follow. He says "Follow Me!". (Matt.4:19 inter al) He doesn't give us directions. He says "I am the Way, ..." (John 14:6). He doesn't provide a series of tasks that we must complete. He says "I am among you as the One who serves." (Luke 22:27)

I am very grateful to the five folk who have decided to follow my musings. But I am eternally grateful that the Lord has invited me to follow Him! The invitation is to you, as well!

Repentance - or "Sorry I was caught"?

So Mr Gordon Brown thinks that a lady who had the temerity to question him on a range of policies is "a bigoted woman". Oh, I know that once he had discovered that his honest personal opinion had inadvertently been shared with millions via a still-live radio microphone, he made profuse apologies - even referring to himself as a "penitent sinner"!

Unfortunately, for Mr Brown (and, by the way, I listened to him on a radio 'phone-in programme where all but one caller addressed him as either Mr Brown, or Prime Minister; yet he seemed to think that he had the automatic right to address each one by his/her first name!), I suspect that I am not the only member of the electorate who will draw the conclusion that his sorrow was for having been caught. "Bigot", I would suggest, is not the kind of terminology that one uses about someone simply because, as Mr Brown later tried to make out, one isn't sure that one has managed to get one's own point of view across!

"A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit." said Jesus. "A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thornbushes or grapes on bramble bushes. A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." (Luke 6:43-45; my emphasis)

Not for the first time, Mr Brown's "moral compass" would appear to be pointing in the wrong direction. Being a son of the manse does not automatically make one a son of the Kingdom!