COVID-19

It's been some time since I published a post on this blog - mainly because I have been away form home and, as well as being very busy, it is not always convenient to sit down and spend time composing a post when on the move, or when living in someone else's home.

We (my wife and I) are due to head south to Dover tomorrow morning. We have booked accommodation there and, we trust, we all be on the ferry to Calais on Wednesday morning. As long as we manage to get across the Channel, and through the Customs at Calais, we should be okay to get home - although we may find that our booked accommodation for an overnight on the journey south, will have cancelled all reservations! Dear Christian friends have already cancelled a visit for Sunday, on account of the COVID-19 virus, and even the two fellowships with which we are personally involved have cancelled, or are considering cancelling, public worship! France is taking the situation very seriously!

I mentioned this virus - almost in passing - in my last post. However, I have learned more about it in the past couple of weeks, and wish to share some further thoughts and advice just now.

I was challenged a few days ago when I pointed out that influenza is the cause of more deaths, annually, than COVID-19. "They are not the same", I was informed. That, I believe, is true. But that was not my point. What I was seeking to emphasise is the results of both conditions! I have checked the most recent figures for the UK with regard to the present situation. As of yesterday, there have been 1,372 cases reported, and of these 35 people have died. Now, just one preventable death is one too many, and I sympathise with those who have been bereaved. However, it would appear that in most - if not all - of those 35 cases, there were already underlying medical issues that contributed to the deaths. 

Checking the latest figures that I could find for influenza, I discovered that - again, just in the UK - over the winter of 2018-2019, there were 3,157 people admitted to ICU/HDU departments (this figure does not, as far as I am able to understand, include the thousands more who were able to be treated at home) with confirmed influenza. Of these, 312 people died! I don't recall panic buying of toilet rolls, etc., every other winter because of the 'flu!

Of course, we must be sensible. Indeed, one of my former pupils posted on Face book that what we are being advised to do is what any sensible person should have been doing in any case! He is quite right! Let me remind you of some sound advice:

• First of all, washing your hands. The primary way we make ourselves sick is by touching our face. If you pick up COVID-19 by coming in contact with some contaminated surface, you will likely give it to yourself by touching your face. It has been recommended that we wash our hands for 20 seconds. Some have suggested hand sanitisers - but others are more sceptical about this! 
• Secondly, avoid touching common objects when out in public. For example, use a plastic glove when holding the pump as you top up your fuel tank. I now carry a small supply just in case none is available at the pump.
• Thirdly, stay away from people who are coughing to reduce exposure to possible viral infection.
• Fourthly, if you are the person coughing, cough into your elbow and minimise how much travels through the air or gets on your hands.
• And last but not least, conduct your life as you would any other day because we know that Almighty God is sovereign and can handle a simple disease outbreak like this.

(I am grateful to Dr. Andrew Fabich is a professor of microbiology at Truett McConnell University, Cleveland, GA. for much of the above information, although it is really what has been made publicly available by others.).

That final point, above, is the most important. As with any illness, we are being reminded that each of us is "... a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:14). However, for those whose trust is in the living God, there is the confidence that, in the words of the Psalmist-king of Israel, during a time of trouble and difficulty, that  He "... will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent, He will set me high upon a rock." (Ps 27:5).

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In this world - a world that has been infected by the virus of sin - we shall always face trouble of one sort or another. In eternity, we shall know true peace. Let the apostle John have the last word from the glorious vision that he was given, and that we know as the revelation of the Lord Jesus: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and 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.» And He who sat upon the throne said, «Behold, I make all things new.» "(Rev 21:1-5).

Hallalujah! Come, Lord Jesus! 

For Sinners only!

We live in a world of bad news! Recent weeks have seen a succession of severe storms coming across the Atlantic Ocean. The Covid-19 "Coronavirus" is now said to be active in about fifty countries worldwide. There are renewed attacks by Muslim militants (aka terrorists) in a number of African countries. The Stock Markets have experienced an unusual drop in their indices. It's just one thing after another!

However, there is one piece of Good News that we must never forget! Praise God, that He has never withdrawn His offer of forgiveness of sin! This is, surely, Good News for sinners such as you and me. Sadly, however, there are those who simply don't recognise that they re sinners in need of salvation. Rather, they make excuses for themselves such as:

• My good deeds outweigh my bad ones;
• I'm not as bad as other people;
• Most of the time, I'm a very good person.

Their personal "shortcomings", they feel, don't jeopardise their standing before Almighty God (assuming that they believe that they are answerable to Him in the first instance!).

What a fallacy! Imagine if you will, being charged, and tried, for the crime of theft. You set forward your defense: "Don't forget, Your Honour, that my good deeds outweigh my bad ones. I'm not as bad as a murderer or a rapist. Indeed, there are many other people who are much worse than I!" No judge is going to acquit you on such grounds. The offender must be judged according to the offence, not according to other good deeds, or the deeds of other people! If justice is to be done, then the offender must pay the penalty for his crime.

Or must he?! In one of my books (ALL Royalties go directly to Release International, to support the persecuted church), I recount the following:

"When the well-known American evangelist, Billy Graham, was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Dr.Graham admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When the preacher pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That’ll be ten dollars – a dollar for every mile you went over the limit."

Then, suddenly the judge recognized the famous evangelist. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid – but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten-dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, when he recounted the story, "is how God treats repentant sinners!" And that is grace." (Great Words of the Faith, chap.8).

That story also describes what Almighty God, in the Persona (not a typo - see the chapter on The Trinity, in the same book!) of the Son, did for sinners! And we are all sinners! "... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom.23:23).

Has false reasoning kept you away from the One Who died, and rose again; the One Who opened the way into the presence of the Father; the One Who "paid the ticket" for your sins, and for mine?

If so, He is waiting for you, now, to confess your sins, admit your need, and put your trust in Him. May you do so - for your own eternal good, and for His glory.

A special day!

For my dear wife, today is a very special anniversary of the day of her physical birth. As is our custom, with our birth dates (day and month, only!) being only one week apart, we went out for a meal on Tuesday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Then today, a dear French friend invited us to her home for another celebratory meal - again, delicious! There have been, of course other good wishes and cards etc, from family and friends both in France and in Scotland. This evening, we were at the mid-week meeting of the fellowship where we currently worship, and where we had been asked to lead the time of praise. They also marked my wife's special day with a fulsome rendering of "Bonne Anniversaire"!

I am so grateful for the wife that God gave me, so many years ago. Before I had even met her I was, of course, familiar with these words in the Book of Proverbs:

"A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm,all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax,and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant,she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it;with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor,and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household,for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes herself coverings;her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates,when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them;she delivers girdles to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing,and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household,and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands,and let her works praise her in the gates." (Prov 31:10-31).

Okay, in a different time, and a different culture, not every word is fully applicable but, when I read those words today, I know that more than 50 years ago, I found "a good wife" - and, if we are both spared until September 4th, she will have been my wife for a full 50 years! She has, undoubtedly, been a much better wife to me than I have been husband to her, but we love each other more today than we did on the day on which we were married.

Is there a secret for a long marriage? I'm not sure. I have known, and know, couples whose marriages have not lasted because one of the individuals died at an early stage of the marriage. This may have been because of a fatal accident, or an equally fatal illness. Sadly, however, I also know many more where the couple have "drifted apart", and ended up in divorce. Many of these have been couples who profess the same faith in the Lord Jesus that my wife and I do. So what goes wrong in such marriages?

I can only suggest that being content with one another's company; sharing both joys and sorrows; and serving the Lord together; are major components. There is also a matter of commitment. Our marriage has not been without difficulties - both family and personal. There have been times when it would have been easier to just walk away. But when we make a commitment to one another, and hold to it, then we can go on, and on, and on!

When I started this post, I wasn't sure what I would say. I'm not at all sure that it is the most helpful post that I have ever published. But if it is the means by which just one marriage is saved, then it will have been worthwhile. Blessings to all.

A birthday anniversary!

In my previous post, I made the point about "birthday anniversaries" and mentioned that I have two. There was, of course, the day of my physical birth day - and Facebook will be reminding all of my Facebook friends about that, during this coming week; but there was also my "second birth day" - and I celebrated that today!

Like most of the truly significant points in our lives, I recall it as if it had happened last night! In those far-off days, reaching into the mists of time (okay, that's a slight exaggeration!), it was not uncommon for young teens to still attend Sunday School (we didn't even have fancy 'hip' names for it!), and I was no exception. I attended the Boys' Brigade Bible Class in the morning, and Sunday School in the afternoon (as well, of course, as both morning and evening worship services!). My teacher, in the afternoon Sunday School was a Mr McCloy. One day, perhaps having discerned that the time was right, he gave me a small book. It was entitled "The King of kings", and was based on the silent film of the same name. That film was the second in a Biblical Trilogy, produced and directed by the famous Cecil B DeMille. As the title indicates, it was based on the life, death, and resurrection, of Jesus of Nazareth but, unlike the Biblical record, it went into much more detail in certain areas.

Remember, that with my personal upbringing, for which I am forever grateful, I already knew the Biblical record. However, those who recorded it, were writing for a contemporary audience and that may be the reason that details of, for example, the crucifixion, were not included. People in the 1st century AD did not need to be informed about it! It was, after all, a popular spectacle!

This book was different and, as I read the account of the crucifixion I realised, for the first time, some of the horror that lay behind the simple Gospel record: "And they crucified Him." I learned about the prior flogging - that the whip was like a "cat o' nine tails" and had pieces of bone, and lumps of lead, tied into each of the thongs, so that the very flesh of the victim's back was ripped up. I learned that when Calvary was reached, the heavy cross was laid flat on the ground; the victim flung on top of it (Roman crucifixion squads were not noted for sharing the "milk of human kindness"!), and long, blunt nails were hammered, viciously, into the wrists, and the overlapping feet, of the victim. His arms were then securely tied to the cross-beam of the cross, as they actually took the body's weight (the nails were to hinder any movement); and the cross was then raised so that the foot of the vertical beam dropped into a prepared hole. Can you imagine the pain that just that one stage caused to the victim?

As the victim hung there, shamefully exposed (the loincloth in a crucifix is added for the sake of decency), his body sagged. This led to him being unable to breathe properly. The solution was to push against his feet (securely fixed to the cross) - but this caused excruciating pain. Gradually, he found it impossible to push, and died from suffocation and choking on his own blood. Of course, this could take many hours, and as night fell, the temperature dropped rapidly, and so exposure hastened the death.

That is, in itself, a very abridged explanation. For those who wish to learn more, and have the stomach for it, there is a useful site at 

https://mudpreacher.org/2012/04/03/the-crucifixion-of-jesus-in-excruciating-detail/

Please note, also, that when the soldier pierced the side of the Lord Jesus with a spear, eye-witness John records: "But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water." (John 19:34). When I was younger, I read those words with a picture of two streams - one 'water' and the other of blood - coming from Jesus' body much as two flavours of ice-cream from a "Mr Softee" machine! However, what the apostle actually saw was a clear serum (which looked exactly like water) with clots of blood in it. This, pathologists confirm, signifies the rupture of the heart and is, alone, confirmation that Jesus had suffered physical death.

So what happened 61 years ago, in my own bedroom? Simply this - I realised, for the first time, something of what the Lord Jesus had suffered physically, and I knew that He had done so for me. Some understanding of the spiritual cost came much later!  That was when I prayed the simple words:

"Come into my heart, Lord Jesus; come into my heart today. Come into my heart Lord Jesus; forever with me to stay."

He came - and He has stayed. I have not always been a great disciple; a good witness; a fine example. Yet He continues to love me, and guide me, and walk with me. And He will do the same for you. Acknowledge, even now, that you are a sinner. Admit that you are unable to do anything about your own sin. Accept that, at Calvary, He did all that was required. Believe that He died on the cross, and rose from the tomb. Confess your new faith to someone else. Find a Christian fellowship in which the Gospel is faithfully preached, and God's written Word accepted in its entirety, and obeyed in every area. Fellowship with other disciples of Jesus. Be prepared to see changes in your life, and in your relationships. But be assured, you will never regret such a decision.

There is a link, if you scroll down, that you may find to be helpful in your new life. And remember that you, too, will now have two birth days to celebrate!

Rewards!

One of my very dear brothers in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, has been vocally adamant, in the past, that in Glory, we will all be exactly the same. I have begged to differ! The Word of God certainly does so. 

What, I suspect, confuses him - and many others - is the difference between salvation and reward. Salvation is a free gift, that may be received only through our personal faith in the Lord Jesus, and His sacrificial death, on the cross at Calvary, for our sins. Neither you, nor I, can ever earn our salvation; purchase our salvation; or even deserve our salvation! Paul makes this abundantly clear when he writes to the Ephesian believers: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9; emphasis added). Again, writing to the young pastor, Titus, he reminds him that "... when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in [God] the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we might be justified by His grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7; emphasis added). By the way, note that Paul here fully equates the Father and the Son!

So that is salvation - freely offered to all who will confess their sins, accept their own inability to do anything about their sinful nature, and accept "... the free gift of God ... eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23). Rewards are different! They are earned by what we actually do in the Name of,  and for the sake of, the Lord Jesus. They are what we receive for our faithful witness and work for Him. 

In his second letter to the believers in Corinth, and writing in the context of the physical death of the disciple of Jesus, Paul states; "So whether we are at home [i.e. physically alive] or away [i.e. out of our mortal body], we make it our aim to please Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body." (II Cor 5:9-10; emphasis added).  He had, of course, already referred to this in his first letter: "... no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." (I Cor 3:11-15; emphasis added).

Note those words that I have not emphasised: "... the fire will test what sort of work each one has done." In other words, it is not the quantity of my "works" that will be measured, but my faithfulness to the written Word of God, and the quality of my "works". I am not saved by my works, however good they may be; but I am saved in order to serve, and that means action, or works. Immediately after those well-known words to the Ephesians, quoted above, Paul states that "... we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10; emphasis added).

Allow me to emphasise that this does not affect my salvation. However, although we will still be the recipients of eternal life, there will be those of us who will learn, to our deep dismay that we shall receive very little reward. Let me also point out that this is the Judgement Seat of the Christ, before which only believers will stand. This is not the Great White Throne where the Lord will separate the sheep from the goats, and where many, according to the Lord Jesus, "... will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in Your Name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'" (Matt 7:22-23; Rev. 20:11ff.). At the Great White Throne, true disciples of Jesus are covered by His blood and righteousness. However, unbelievers, and those who are "wolves in sheep's clothing" (see Matt. 7:15), will receive their own 'reward' - eternity, separated from the Lord.

The final promise recorded for us in the Word of God is from the lips of the Lord Jesus: "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done." (Rev 22:12; emphasis added). Let us be like the Lord Jesus, Who said: "We must work the works of Him Who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work." (John 9:4).