ABC

The leader of a UK main political party recently announced that he was standing down. At the recent General Election his party won more seats, with an increase in membership. So, why the resignation of an apparently successful leader?

Tim Farron is a Christian, and was not afraid to say it. He paid the price because the media hounded him to explain his views on homosexuality, same sex marriage, abortion etc. which he had tried to keep separate from his politics. As a Christian, of course he is out of step with the mainstream secular, ‘godless’ society and the media made no bones about making him a target. I am forced to ask an obvious, but simple question. If Tim Farron was a Muslim or a Hindu would it have caused such a stir? Absolutely not (in my view)! Our once ‘Christian nation’ now adopts the ABC approach. That’s “Anything But Christianity”. We seem to take delight in running down anything or anyone “Christian”, but the same rules do not apply to other faith groups. Is that because Christians are an easy target for a lazy ‘put down’ by the media? After all, Christianity is based on love and forgiveness, not fighting, revenge, or jihad.

Our Western nations in general, are (or at least were) mainly Christian, forming laws based on the principles contained in the Bible. Not so much now, as we are more than happy to use Christlike people fodder for comedians, atheists and naysayers. We should not be surprised, after all Jesus warned us that we would be criticized and insulted because of our faith, and he should know, after all He was cruelly tortured and murdered! Knowing what lay ahead, Jesus warned us with these words:

People will hate you because you belong to the Son of Man. They will make you leave their group. They will insult you. They will think it is wrong even to say your name. When these things happen, know that great blessings belong to you. Luke 6:22 ERV  

Real Love

Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. Romans 12:9

The source of doing good, is real love. Not an artificial or superficial love, but a deep and genuine love. Christmas is a time when so much good is done by many people. You see it in the nursing homes, hospitals, on the streets, and in every family as we celebrate and enjoy the reason for the good that we do. It’s in the love of the baby in the manger who grew into a young man, eventually giving His life to show us what real love is. He is our example, from the cradle, through the grave, to the resurrection and ascension. Jesus is God, and is now where He started out before coming to earth to be the example and Saviour we needed.

So, while we are hating the evil in the world, remember the source of the ultimate love is Jesus. We are tempted to watch the evil that men do in the name of their false, barbaric religion, but we should never lose sight of love and the force and power it contains. What kind of God do you want to rule your life? A god of terrorism, hate, and death? Or a God of pure love who is the embodiment of goodness? My vote is already cast!

So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. Romans 8:31

Evil into Good

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Genesis 50:20,21

The old saying goes, “Bad things happen to good people” and how true. I’m sure bad things have happened to you, but I wonder how we cope and react as Christians? Bad things take many forms from sudden poverty, loss of employment, serious illness, and even the death of a loved one. Christians are not immune, no matter what the so called prosperity gospel preachers tell us.

Joseph had it bad. Hated by his brothers, thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned for years, forgotten by those he had helped. Joseph had every reason to believe that God had abandoned him, but somehow he held on to his faith until he came out the other end of his long dark tunnel. The end of the story sees Joseph reunited with the brothers who had hated him, thrown him into a pit, and sold him to a travelling group. I’m not sure what I would have done, but Joseph was overjoyed, and wept.

He knew the bad stuff had happened for a purpose, and he recognised that reason when it came, even though it was many years later. The lesson is clear. When bad things happen, and we think God has left us alone, hang in there because there will come a time when God will turn things around, and in doing so reveal His eternal plan for your good. Our problem is that we want the answer right away, so how long are we prepared to wait for God to intervene in our broken life? Sadly, we might give up before God’s plan unfolds fully, so let’s determine to stay the course and “wait patiently before the Lord” Psalm 37:7.