Earth to Heaven

I seem to be going through a stage of life where one friend after another is taking seriously and terminally ill, and sadly passing away. Normally, life’s events like these happen occasionally, but not for now. I have two ways to look at this, and react. I can take the passing of friends in a sad and grieving way, emphasising the tragic loss of a loved one to the spouse and family, and that is a normal, fit and proper reaction. In fact, this is very appropriate in the immediate aftermath of the loss. However, if we can find it within us, there is another way.

We are supposed to be a Christian country, but do we take this faith personally? Do we live the Bible we read, with all the promises it contains? I am fortunate to have many friends and family who live the faith of the Christian life, and believe in God’s promises. So, after the grief has eased (not passed, because humanly it may never go away) how about believing the words we read in the Bible we love? Words like: And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4  How can you not love these words?

Our loved ones who have gone on before us are not dead. They are very much alive and no longer sick, diseased, lame, blind, confused, or troubled. We have this assurance: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14 and in the words of 2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Finally, we know without a doubt that Jesus feels our grief and pain at our greatest time of loss. This is the reason we know that He IS our Saviour, and the One who stands beside us in our loss and for that time afterwards when others may not be in touch so often. Now, rest in and be comforted by the One who understands our grief best of all, as God’s Word records: Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ John 11:35,36 How can we doubt His offer of that same love to us?

Who Do You Think You Are?

For by the grace given to me I say to every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

This TV program takes celebrities back through their ancestry to see if their forefathers were anything like the person on the program today. There have been many surprises, some good and some not so good and even embarrassing. However, in the Christian life, we know that God has no grandchildren, or do we think of that too lightly?

This verse tells us that we shouldn’t lord it over our unsaved friends in the sense that we are in an eternally superior position, but what about the comparisons we make to our fellow Christians? Divisions can be made by denomination where we write off certain churches, and their people, in one stroke of the pen. Then there are the others, perhaps in our own church, who identify as Christian, but we see them through different eyes. They don’t live the way they should, or to be more accurate, they don’t live the way we interpret the Bible.

The apostle Paul’s words hit home, and straight to the heart if we let them. None of us belong to an elite group or church fellowship. There are good Christian people all around us, living their lives in the light they have been given, or know. As the title says, “Who do you think you are”? Well? I am talking to myself now. Am I in a better position in my Christian life that God will favour me more than any other? Absolutely not, because Ephesians 2:8 says: “we are (all) saved by grace, not of works should any one boast”. I recite the words all too easily sometimes without seeing my own sin. Do I boast? Then that alone says that I think better of myself than I should, and Paul’s words apply. I pray for wisdom and humility, because I need them daily.

Whose Side?

But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:39-41

Sometimes I think we are too quick to discount someone’s faith, or even a part of that faith, if it doesn’t sit well within our own understanding of Scriptural truth. We set aside many other Christians of different denominations who hold their beliefs sincerely, and live out that faith in better ways than we do ourselves, and yet we dismiss them as misled or just plain wrong. Now and again, when I hear someone I know, or have only heard of by reputation, saying something I don’t like or believe, I have to stop myself from saying, “..but the Bible says” as if I am the only one reading the Word and trying to live by its teaching. I am not that perfect person who knows all, and come to think of it that perfect person doesn’t exist this side of heaven. We must avoid the trap of being ‘elitist’ in nature, word, deed, or thought.

Our greatest example and perfect leader did not fall into that trap, so should we not be closely following our Lord and Saviour? Jesus was careful to separate actions ‘in His name’ (which have their reward), while pointing out if they do these things, they cannot ‘lightly speak evil of Me’. I am reminded that we show our faith as being genuine by the works we do as a result of our faith. We come to believe in Jesus through faith, but if it stops there, Scripture says we are ‘dead’. That should pull us up short when we try to compare other people’s faith as inferior to ours when they are the ones who put action to their words. Instead of comparing the faith of others, let’s get down to working for the Kingdom. What is your gift or talent that God has already given you to use for His work? You can only use it when you find out what it is.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

Ignorance Is No Excuse

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

There seems to be a ‘go with the flow’ mentality in our society where we accept what others think and say because we don’t want to stick out as different. Peer pressure is a powerful force in young people, but what reasons or excuses do older folks have for not thinking some important things through?

The biggest question we face, whether young or old is whether there is a God or not. We live in a nation which at least claims to be Christian, but we skim over the meaning, don’t we? Once we answer the first big question to our own satisfaction, and after careful reason and thought, we are best placed to decide what effect it will have on our lives.

God makes it plain that we need to gather knowledge about Him, and use reason to fully understand our place in His creation. We cannot do that by forming a committee, or joining a help group. We must do it by ourselves. Great care must be taken because He says we will be rejected if we don’t give it due diligence. Don’t decide there is no God based on the shallow thoughts of a few friends who seem sincere. Trust me, they may be sincere, but they are sincerely wrong. Of course there is a lifestyle price to pay, and most of us don’t like that prospect. What, change my ways? Really? I know it doesn’t feel like it, but in spite of what your pals say, the changes we make when we find God (actually He has already searched us out) will be for the good every time. Give it some thought. It can’t hurt, right?

The Christian Alcoholic

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,  and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Recently I have become more and more aware of people in the evangelical church who dabble with alcohol. I have also noticed cases where the little dabble takes the form of endorsement and the active condoning of almost any form of hard drink. This kind of lifestyle goes counter to the teaching of the Scripture.

Ah, I hear you say, but what about the first miracle of Jesus in Cana where he turned water into wine? If you read the story in full, you will not see any reference to Jesus either drinking the wine that was miraculously made, or suggesting that His followers should. Some in the church have hung their hat, and their argument on this miracle because it happened, and not because of the message in the story. The message is summed up in the words of Jesus’ mother Mary, when she said: “Do whatever he tells you”. Is Jesus telling His followers to make wine? Is He suggesting His followers should drink wine? No! The message is one of obedience, and one we would do well to follow ourselves.

The apostle Paul chose to abstain from some things he knew he could do, but he didn’t do them because the resulting example would have been contrary to the message of the Kingdom. But let’s go back to the title. We know that an alcoholic does not go out of his or her way to end up like that. We also know that every alcoholic starts out with a single drink. Are Christians exempt from this law of nature? Are there no alcoholics who risked it and lost big time? The statistics are the same. The risk and percentage of alcoholism is not determined by religion, social class, job, or gender.

So, here is my problem. Armed with this public knowledge, why would anyone take that first drink? Let me take it a step further. Why would any Christian, church leader, or pastor think that the example set is a good witness, even if they don’t succumb and become another sad alcoholic who risks losing a lot, and may even everything that is important to them, and to those who look up to them? Even Paul didn’t do some things because he could. Can any of us put ourselves on a higher plane? The apostle said it this way:

I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do the good I want to do, and I do the evil I hate. And if I don’t want to do what I do, that means I agree that the law is good. But I am not really the one doing the evil. It is sin living in me that does it. Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is not spiritual. I want to do what is good, but I don’t do it. I don’t do the good that I want to do. I do the evil that I don’t want to do. So if I do what I don’t want to do, then I am not really the one doing it. It is the sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:15-20

Almost

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:28

Have you thought about the ‘almosts’ in your life? The older I get, the more of them have slipped away from me, but fortunately most did not matter or make a difference, however, some were important opportunities missed that would never come my way again. Perhaps you have had a few ‘almosts’ in your own life?

Some of our ‘almost’ moments become regrets as we look back. That missed job opportunity. The time we could have stepped into a feud to pour oil on troubled waters, and we didn’t. The ‘almost’ of a lost proposal. Not going to see the doctor quickly enough to make a difference in the essential treatment which almost killed you. The almosts are endless, and we have all endured a few. Some known, many only known to ourselves.

However bad or serious these times have been, there is one ‘almost’ which brings greater  consequences, and sometimes we play it down, ignore it, or don’t think about warning others. In our text, Paul took the opportunity to tell King Agrippa, and although the ‘almost’ didn’t translate into a change of heart and mind, at that point Paul had done all he could. In fact he did the only thing we as Christians, are asked to do, and that is to tell others about the benefits of salvation when the right time presents itself. Ultimately the decision lies in the heart of the hearer, and the saddest words are ‘you almost persuade me to become a Christian’. Can I suggest an even sadder outcome for the Christian is when we don’t even bother to try for fear of failure or rejection? Yes, the stakes are high, and for eternity.

9/11/01 and 7/7/05

As Christian people and nations, let us never forget that the message of love, forgiveness and hope is not reflected in other faiths in quite the same way, and certainly not by the Islamic religion. The evidence of the differences are clearly seen on many occasions, but for the USA and the UK, particularly on these dates.

Some apologists would have us distinguish between those who have been radicalised, and the ordinary peaceful Muslims, and we must be careful how we speak because the Christian voice is the one which is labelled as racist and intolerant, and that is in spite of the clear evidence to the contrary. Can we please be done with this media misinterpretation and injustice now?

Whatever label you want to put on the people who carried out these, and almost every terrorist act, they are Muslims. They read and study the same Quran. They revere the name of their prophet, and venerate their false god. They all want Sharia Law. They all believe in an Islamic world state. Meanwhile we seem to have conveniently forgotten who the real enemy of religious freedom is, and it is clearly not Christianity. I think it is time we stopped putting ourselves down and making excuses for the guilty. After all, we already have been given the truth.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Peter 2:1

Now that we know this, how did Jesus say we should react? No one said it would be easy, but this is the way of Christian love, and love conquers all, as we also read in 1 Corinthians 13.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45

Loose Talk

Recently I posted a piece on ‘Loose Living’ and in the days after this, I have had cause to pull myself up on loose talk. Not coarse or bad language, but talking and responding in such a way that does not show the right ‘Christ-like’ spirit. If you use any of the social media platforms, the chances are that you will find yourself printing something you would never say to anyone face to face. We all know the verse, “When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29

In Scotland we live in a society and culture where a form of sarcasm is considered normal banter, even between Christians, but as others look on, is it the best way to behave? Mark 9:42 says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”

The thing that pulled me up short was the fact that on some social mediums, although a bit of light(?) sarcasm can pass between friends, there are other young in the faith folks who look on, and that way of talking can be a bad example and a stumbling block. Is that what we really want? The words of Jesus are a very strong warning against loose talk in any of its forms, and I don’t want to be remembered for that characteristic. Let good, wholesome, clean fun begin!

The Gospel of Information

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16

Have you been keeping an eye on the major UK church headlines recently? From the sexuality of the CofE bishops, the ‘flexibility’ of the CofS ministers to homosexuality, down to the effect on the ordinary parishioner, we are seeing a seismic shift in what is expected and presented by those who are our nation’s hierarchy of theology, and it stinks (in my humble opinion)!

However, there are other changes happening right under our noses, and it’s not all good news. Churches and Ministers of the Gospel (there’s a clue) are charged with preaching the Word of God. Why? Because the verse says it all. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to Salvation, and that beats all knowledge and information (no matter how significant) hands down every time. The Gospel, in some churches, has been relegated to second place behind a well informed and educated sermon. Is it possible, even just a tiny bit, that we are becoming a little ashamed of this life changing Gospel?

To be honest, I am more concerned with the sure but certain lack of clear Gospel preaching and teaching, than I am about any Bishop’s sexual leanings. After all, if the Gospel was preached clearly and with conviction, there would be far fewer half baked christians (small ‘c’) in all of our churches. My thoughts are; preach the Word without shame, whether your parishioners like it or not. Don’t apologise for speaking truth, because Jesus Christ IS TRUTH! Preaching the Gospel of Salvation requires a response. Does your preacher, minister, or pastor ask for a personal response to the presentation of the Gospel?

Jesus said .. “I am the .. truth, no one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Loose Living

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise (fools) but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15,16

The longer I am a Christian, and the more I move in circles of Christian people, I am seeing a division of opinion as to what living the Christian life looks like. On one side I am privileged to share fellowship with those who want to follow the way of holiness, and take every opportunity to be like Christ, and bear His name with reverence and fear. They are Christians in the best sense of the word and would never think of themselves as an elite or special group.

As time passes, I see some christians being ‘clever’ with interpretation and diluting the Word of God. Sin has changed its meaning, and so too has the fear and reality of hell. Some would go as far as to say it either doesn’t exist, or it is not an everlasting torment. When sin and hell have been ‘downgraded’ we have the perfect storm which satan brings on the people who claim to be saved. Saved from what? Not sin, if it has been redefined, and certainly not a fear of hell, if at its worst it is not everlasting.

Loose living is my way of saying that some in the church have already sanitised the reality of sin, and it shows a group of people claiming to be Christian, but living a lifestyle like those who would never think of being in church, except for a christening, wedding, or funeral service. Have you noticed that everyone who dies seems to go to heaven? The funeral service has even been sanitised to give the family comfort in their time of grief, when that is the last thing they need in this life while there is time. It is already too late for the one who has died, but those who live and breathe can hear the gospel and repent. Is the church up to  the job? More importantly, are you and I up to the challenge of NOT being in a ‘Loose Living’ relationship with God?

Let me leave you with this thought. What kind of church do you want to attend? Is it one where the lines of Holy Living have been relaxed to a culture of Loose Living, or one where the Word of God is held high as the prime example of Godly Living, and Loose Living is neither preached from the pulpit nor lived in the pew? Is it worth taking the risk when the Bible warns us to be alert with words like:

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude v4

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31