Responsibility?

One of the news items this week concerned the case of Dr Stuart McNee. Dr McNee would probably have gone through life without being known to anyone outwith his family circle, friends and colleagues. However, he was the doctor responsible for the nineteen overdoses of radiation received by sixteen-year-old Lisa Norris, and from which she subsequently died just over three years ago. Dr McNee, after an enquiry by a panel from the Health Professions Council, was found to have shown a lack of competence in Lisa’s treatment – but was allowed to keep his job!

Of course, responsibility and accountability are words, and concepts, that appear to be rapidly disappearing from our culture. Too many Members of Parliament – in both Westminster and Brussels – have been acting in ways that, for most of the rest of us, would be considered fraudulent, and would result in criminal charges being brought against us but, because it is claimed that what was done was “within the [made by us, for us] rules”, no such action is taken. Bankers, who appear to have been responsible for the current recession, are already talking of paying themselves bonuses at a level of which ordinary mortals could do no more than dream – even ’though it was the taxes of such ordinary mortals that allowed their banks to continue, and secured their highly-paid jobs! And don’t get me started on parents! Not all parents, of course. However, there are far too many children getting away with everything from nuisance behaviour, to criminal activity, to promiscuity – with either the tacit approval of their parent(s), or their complete ignorance. Such parents seem to have abrogated all parental responsibility.

Of course, the Bible shows that personal responsibility has been evaded since the very beginning. When the Lord God questioned our first parents with regard to their having disobeyed His clear instruction, Adam blamed both Eve, and God Himself (“… the woman You gave me …”), and Eve blamed the serpent! (Gen.3:12 ff). Many centuries later, king David tried to get out of his situation with Bathsheba and her pregnancy by having her husband, Uriah, brought back from the battle-field in the hope that Uriah would sleep with his wife and then accept that the child was his own. And, in one of the greatest abrogations of personal responsibility in the whole of Scripture, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate “washed his hands” and claimed that it was the mob who were now responsible for the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. (Matt.27:22-26).

Each of us will, eventually, have to accept responsibility for our own lives. Those who have not accepted the salvation that the Christ gained for us, at the cost of His own blood, will stand before the “great white throne” (Rev.20:11 ff) and, having no excuse, will be consigned to eternal separation from the Lord. Even those of us who have claimed His righteousness as our own, will stand before the judgement seat of Christ, there to accept responsibility for our actions as professed believers (Rom.14:10 ff; I Cor.3:10 ff).

May all who read these words accept responsibility for their own lives now, that they may enjoy eternity in the Lord’s presence.

Worth thinking about!

The proof of spiritual maturity is not how "pure" you are but your awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to God's grace. - Philip Yancey

Bible study is not merely to inform us- it's meant to transform us. – Anon

God without man is still God; man without God is lost – Anon

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. – Winston Churchill

In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy. – Karl Reiland

Happiness is a direction, not a place. – Anon

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday – and all is well! – Anon

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. – Walter Winchell

I count him braver who conquers his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self. – Aristotle

If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. – Anon

Many of the above are from that well-known 'person': A.N.Onymous. However, if you happen to know the real person to whom any such quotations should be attributed, please advise me (via a comment - click on 'Comments' at the foot of the post, and a new screen will appear, with a box for your comment. If you do not wish to have it published, please just say so!), and I will happily rectify the situation.

Freedom of speech!

One of the more commented-upon news items of the past week was the decision of the BBC to invite Mr Nick Griffin of the British National Party to be a panellist on this week’s edition of Question Time. The programme was underway by the time I switched on but, from the part that I did view, I suspect that it did Mr Griffin and the BNP no harm at all! My reason for arriving at this conclusion – unwelcome as it will be to many (myself included) – is that the programme appeared to be a ‘have-a-go-at-Griffin’ opportunity for both the other panellists, and a large section of the audience.

A long time ago, a very gracious man quoted to me the words attributed (wrongly, I believe) to the French revolutionist, Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This, it seems, is an idea that was foreign to most of the audience, and conveniently forgotten by some of the panellists – in spite of their occasional protestations to the contrary!

My concern is that the very way in which most of the programme came across as a concerted attack on one member of the panel will have provided him with something of a ‘martyr’ persona. This, in turn, may have a certain appeal to the traditional British attitude of supporting the underdog!

Of course, someone has said that a country gets the politicians it deserves. Perhaps the U.K. has so increasingly turned its collective back on its Judaeo-Christian heritage that it is merely reaping what it has sowed (see Gal.6:7).

“…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” (II Chron.7:14). Let us pray!

Marriage

Well, here I am – back for less than forty-eight hours! We had a wonderful time in both Italy and Suffolk and are grateful to the friends who provided such lavish hospitality. Tomorrow, we head off with our caravan, to Beith in Ayrshire and plan to be away until Tuesday. It’s a tough old life this de facto retirement – but somebody has to live it!! :-)

One of the more unusual items of news that I saw on my return to England was a report of a so-called ‘dog marriage’, in which two dogs (well, I suppose it would have been more accurate to refer to either two canines, or a dog and a bitch!) were taken through a ‘marriage ceremony’ in which terms such as ‘take this bone’ and ‘I now pronounce you dog and wife’ were used! Apart from the obvious ridiculousness of the ‘event’, it suggested to me that marriage is again under attack – not, this time, by the homosexual community with its ‘civil partnerships’, but by the mockery of this animal ‘relationship’ that would appear to be more for the perverse gratification of certain dog owners, than for any perceivable benefit of their pets!

“Marriage”, I stated on many occasions, “is a state of life provided and instituted by God. It has been blessed by the presence of Jesus Himself at the marriage in Cana of Galilee. In Holy Scripture it is commended as honourable in all ways, and the marriage union is seen as a symbol of the union of loyalty and love that exists between Christ and His people. It is, therefore, not to be undertaken lightly or unadvisedly, but thoughtfully and reverently, and as before God; and with due consideration of the reasons which it was given to us. It was given for the sake of the life-long companionship, help, and comfort that husband and wife ought to have of each other. It was given so that family life may continue, and that children, who are a gift from God, maybe brought up in the love and security of a stable and happy home. It was given for the welfare of human society, which can be strong and happy only where the marriage commitment is kept and honoured.”

Sadly, it seems (and official statistics would appear to confirm), too many in our contemporary culture and society have no understanding of such concepts as ‘honourable’, ‘reverence’, ‘life-long companionship’, commitment’ and, of course, ‘husband and wife’. Faithful marriage was the backbone of our society for many centuries. It is a matter of regret – and a cause for repentance – that it has been so devalued in recent decades. As a follower of Jesus, I pray that the coming General Election in the U.K. will see an increasing number of Members of Parliament who will be willing to stand up for Biblical values in our society. Let us be faithful in prayer that this might be the case.

What a difference a letter can make!

It was, you may remember, during the Labour Party Conference – in fact, carefully timed (it seemed ) to take any shine off Mr Brown’s closing speech – that a particular British tabloid declared that it was changing its allegiance from the Labour Party to the Conservatives! Other media were quick to broadcast the news, and to remind readers/viewers/listeners of the headline when the aforementioned tabloid claimed to have been instrumental in ensuring a Conservative victory in 1992 – “It’s the Sun wot won it”! (No comment on the abuse of the English language!)

As I sat at the Communion service at Liberty Community Church this morning, I thought of that headline. All of the pundits seem to be insisting that newspapers do not have the influence on the voting public that they like to think they have. So, whether or not the Sun was instrumental in deciding the outcome of any election is a moot point. And, even if it was, it is a transitory (no ‘pun’ intended!!) situation, the effects of which quickly fade away.

However, in front of me, on the table, were the Communion elements – the bread that speaks of the Body of the Lord Jesus, and the cup that symbolises His blood. Together, they are a constant reminder of His great sacrifice at Calvary when, perfectly sinless, He paid the penalty for my sin. The victory on that day – confirmed when He rose from the dead – has an eternal effect upon all of those who, unreservedly, place their trust in Him, and in Him alone, for salvation. When it comes to that most important event - more important than any election, in any country - we may proclaim, with great joy and thanksgiving – “It’s the Son wot won it”.

Joyce and I head off tomorrow morning to spend a day or so with friends in England, en route for a few days with a GLO missionary couple in Italy, so I may not be able to add any new posts for the next ten days. However, if you haven’t yet done so, may I encourage you to listen to some of the audio messages that you will find at www.revcbross.blogspot.com and, if you are fairly new to this blog, to browse over some of the earlier posts. Not all of them are tied to a particular event/situation!

Until the second half of next week!!