A God of Absolutes.

Over a number of years, I have developed the habit of weighing myself every Friday morning - just to keep a careful eye on my weight! However, I have discovered that our bathroom scales play a trick! When I first step on to them, they register a certain weight. However, if I then step off, and back on again, I amazingly lose a couple of pounds in the process! Neither dieting nor exercise required!! Regretfully, repeating the action doesn't lose me another couple of pounds! Now one of those readings must, surely, be false. However, needless to say, I judge my 'progress' by the lower reading!

We live in an age in which many people believe that there are no absolutes! Self-serving behaviour, it would appear, is the order of the day, and tramples the moral law given for the protection of society. Our contemporary culture prides itself on 'freedom' - that is actually bondage to sin. I am, allegedly, "free" to do what I want; to believe what I want; to be what I want. However, the truth is that I am going to conform to something outwith myself - in many cases, the latest fashion or fad! 

In some educational establishments, for example, the concept of a school uniform appears to be unknown. Pupils may wear what they wish, provided that it does not cause unnecessary offence! However, as one drives past such schools, one often observes that the pupils are all dressed in the same way! They may not be wearing a school-sanctioned uniform - but they tend to be dressed uniformly!

Paul writes to the early disciples of Jesus in Rome: "Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." Rom 6:16-18. In other words, whether we admit it, or not, we are subject to that which effectively controls our actions!

Almighty God is the God of absolutes. His scales never give a false reading. With Him, a pound is a pound; a kilogram is a kilogram; right is right; wrong is wrong. He says "... I, YHWH, do not change;" (Mal 3:6). The writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus, states that "Jesus, the Christ, is the same yesterday and today and for ever." (Heb. 13:8). This means that what He has declared to be sin, is sin - regardless of what humanity may otherwise decide! His Word is true, and eternal.

For those of us who are His disciples, this assurance is a source of great strength. We gain confidence in the face of difficulty, and anticipate the fulfilment of every divine promise, and prophecy. I am nearing the end of my current reading of the Book of Daniel in my personal devotions. I am now working my way through ch.11, and am amazed at the accuracy of prophecy that any student of history can confirm as having taken place. This, of course, encourages me that those prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled, will be - in His perfect timing!

If Almighty God were easily moved by every whim or notion, our eternal destiny would be in constant jeopardy. But, because He is the Unchanging One, we may be absolutely certain that His promise is true, that He "... so loved the world that He (the Father) gave His (the Father's) only Son, that whoever believes in Him (the Son) should not perish but have (here, and now) eternal life." (John 3:16; emphases added). 

Have you taken Him at His word?!

How important is the Bible?!

In my study, I have a large number of copies of the Bible, in many versions and translations. The vast majority of them were gifts, which is one reason why I retain them. However, in all honesty, whilst I sometimes find it helpful to check out a verse, or passage, in something other than my favoured RSV (Revised Standard Version), there are a number of those Bibles that are very rarely used.

So, if I were to receive yet another gifted Bible, I would be grateful; I would say "Thank you" to the giver; and then I would add it to the long line of Bibles that stretches only inches short of the width of my study desk (all 5' of it!).

What a difference if I were a Chinese disciple of Jesus like those in the video-clip below. They are students, receiving their first ever copy of the Bible. When, as you will see, they kiss it, it is not in any form of bibliolatry (worship f the book as an object), but because of what it represents to them.

The video is from International Christian Concern, one of a number of Christian Ministries that support those who are persecuted for their Christian faith, in more than 50 countries in the world today.  

Jesus is alive

I have only just received this link for a dear friend. Although not a "rap" fan, I found it well worth watching. I hope that you will find the same!

"All Hail The Power"

I have now discovered a direct link to share a YouTube video on the blog. I trust that this will be easier next time I wish to do so.  I shall now endeavour to add the video to Friday's post! This is not a specifically Resurrection Day song - but it has great words, and is beautifully sung. Enjoy!

       

Those who passed by.

Many will be familiar with the old Negro spiritual that asks the question: "Where you there when they crucified my Lord?" On this Good Friday, it's a question that may still be, legitimately, asked! 

The story is familiar to many, but here is Luke's account of the part on which I wish to concentrate: "... when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified Him , and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide His garments. And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His Chosen One!" The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Him vinegar, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" (Luke 23:33-37).

Consider those who callously passed by the Saviour, as He hung on the cross - how they mocked Him; scoffed at Him; even challenged Him. How heartless they were. Yet, before we rush to judge them let's remember that many continue to treat Him thus today! They fall, broadly, into three groups.

There are those who want a cross without a Christ. It's possible to revere a symbol - even a symbol of death! - without giving any thought to the Saviour. So-called 'celebrities' will often be seen with a bejewelled gold cross being worn as a necklace; others will have little crosses hanging from their ears; many men will wear a 'chunky' gold cross around their necks. But that emblem, be it of silver, or gold, or wood, or anything else, will never pay the penalty for even one sin. It is the Christ, alone, Who redeems us with His precious blood.

Then, there are those who want a Christ without a cross! They want a mighty conqueror, not a dying Lamb. They would cry "... come down from the cross!" (Mark 15:30). They want a good example; a great teacher; a triumphant king. Theirs is a 'gospel' of human works. They want to be able to sing "I did it me way" - not His. They despise the true Gospel that declares that we are made right with Father God by faith in the One Who shed His blood on the cross.

A third group is those who want neither the Christ, nor His cross. They are untouched by His sorrow; unmoved by His suffering; unrepentant of the sins that He bore. They have never given thought to those wonderful words, penned by Horatio Gates Spafford:

"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." (emphases added)

(by the way, if you don't know the story behind the writing of that song, I would encourage you to check it out. Try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReApJymYSiw  The 'embed' code is below but, for some reason, doesn't always work! Any advice appreciated!)

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He Who was sinless gave His life, that I, who am a sinner, might live in Him. He took my place, that I might have His peace.

What about you?!