In a number of articles I have mentioned the fact that the reason why people do not believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour is because the devil has blinded them. This is stated clearly in 2nd Cor. 4 v 4.
This truth leads me to the question - why do the unsaved behave as they do? For example, why do drunkards feel the need to drink until they are legless? Why do people commit acts of fornication and adultery? Why do homosexuals engage in this gross perversion which is contrary to nature? Why do violent people feel the need to be so aggressive? Why do people take drugs? Why do militant atheists ridicule the fact that there is a God who sees everything? The list is endless, and when you ask people why they behave the way they do they will often say "I can't help it, it's the way I am".
In a sense that is right, they can't help it because of one very simple reason - the devil has enslaved them. In 2nd Timothy 2 v 26 we read that such people have been taken captive by the devil at his will and to do his will. In other words they are trapped like insects in a spiders web. They are helpless and without any hope.......outside of the saving power of the Gospel.
In John 8 v 32 Jesus said "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free".
Self-reformation is useless; many times people may try and turn over a new leaf but their best efforts invariably end in failure. Their only hope lies in the work of the Holy Spirit as He applies the truths of the Gospel to their hearts.
In Romans 1 v 16 we read "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes". It is for this reason that evangelists dedicate themselves to spreading the word. We have seen first hand the way that Christ works in people's lives, we have seen how He can turn them upside down and change them so radically that are literally "re-born" (born-again, that is, born from above).
All this is in fulfillment of the promise in 2nd Cor. 5 v 17 "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away. Behold all things have become new."
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
In the world but not of it.
In a news article the other day Trevor Phillips, of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, launched an astonishing attack upon Christians. He stated that we were unwilling to integrate in society and even made the bizarre suggestion that Muslims are making more effort in this regard. Of course, we should not be surprised at this; after all the EHRC funded (at tax payers' expense) the persecution of a Christian couple in Cornwall who did not wish to have perversion taking place in their own home. Consequently we should expect the likes of Phillips and his ilk to be anti-Christian.
However, it would be a good idea to examine his claim, that we fail to "integrate" into society, in the light of what the Bible teaches. In John 18 v 36 Jesus taught that His kingdom "was not of this world". Moreover, in John 17 v 15-16 Jesus made it clear that his followers were to be in the world but not of it.
As we read through the New Testament we come across another challenging verse on this matter viz. in Romans 12 v 2 we are told not to be "conformed to this world". Moving on from there we find, in 1st John 2 v 15-17, a clear command not to "love the world nor the things that are in the world"; why is it that we are not to be so attached to this world? The answer is simple, because John goes on to say: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. The world passes away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abides forever".
Verses such as the above make it crystal clear that, although we should be law-abiding and good citizens, we are not to seek to fit in with the world or, as Phillips puts it, to "integrate". We are to be a separate people living for God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (Philippians 2 v 15).
No doubt the likes of Trevor Phillips and the EHRC will continue their attacks on Biblical Christianity but we must not be deterred by such base individuals and groups. True believers will continue to stand firm for Jesus and present the Christian Gospel as the only hope for this evil country in which we live.
However, it would be a good idea to examine his claim, that we fail to "integrate" into society, in the light of what the Bible teaches. In John 18 v 36 Jesus taught that His kingdom "was not of this world". Moreover, in John 17 v 15-16 Jesus made it clear that his followers were to be in the world but not of it.
As we read through the New Testament we come across another challenging verse on this matter viz. in Romans 12 v 2 we are told not to be "conformed to this world". Moving on from there we find, in 1st John 2 v 15-17, a clear command not to "love the world nor the things that are in the world"; why is it that we are not to be so attached to this world? The answer is simple, because John goes on to say: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. The world passes away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abides forever".
Verses such as the above make it crystal clear that, although we should be law-abiding and good citizens, we are not to seek to fit in with the world or, as Phillips puts it, to "integrate". We are to be a separate people living for God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (Philippians 2 v 15).
No doubt the likes of Trevor Phillips and the EHRC will continue their attacks on Biblical Christianity but we must not be deterred by such base individuals and groups. True believers will continue to stand firm for Jesus and present the Christian Gospel as the only hope for this evil country in which we live.
Monday, 20 June 2011
"....saw great light"
I regularly go out onto the streets of Canterbury and Ramsgate to pass out Christian leaflets and speak to people about the truths of the Gospel. There have been a number of conversions and I would like to share with you an example of God's grace working in the life of a man whom we shall call "Steve".
Eight years ago I met him while he was selling the "Big Issue" - his life was a complete and utter mess. As well as being a drug addict he had lost friends who died after drug overdoses. My response was to give him a Gideon New Testament and urge him to seek God. I also promised I would pray for him. Over the years I had scores of conversations with him and continually encouraged him to read the NT and seek God as this was the only way to find the peace that he craved in his life.
In recent weeks he has been converted and now attends a Bible-believing church in Canterbury. His life has been truly turned upside down; he has peace and assurance in knowing Jesus as his personal Saviour.
In Matthew 4 v 16 we read: "The people which sat in darkness saw great light". This is so true of Steve and countless numbers of others who have indeed seen the light of the Gospel and been Born Again of the Holy Spirit.
What does the above example of God's power tell us? I believe it tells us two things in particular.
Firstly, that God is real. Our atheist friends like to boast that there is no God and that the Gospel is all a fairy story. However, when we see a person so radically transformed then we can see for ourselves that there is a God and that He does turn peoples' lives around.
Secondly, we learn that there are limits to what doctors can do. In Steve's case the doctors did a commendable job in helping him with various problems and addictions but they could only go so far. They couldn't give him peace, and they couldn't give him assurance of Heaven - only Jesus can do that.
As an evangelist I have supreme confidence in the power of the Gospel to do it's own work in peoples' lives. As the Bible says: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes" Romans 1 v 16.
Eight years ago I met him while he was selling the "Big Issue" - his life was a complete and utter mess. As well as being a drug addict he had lost friends who died after drug overdoses. My response was to give him a Gideon New Testament and urge him to seek God. I also promised I would pray for him. Over the years I had scores of conversations with him and continually encouraged him to read the NT and seek God as this was the only way to find the peace that he craved in his life.
In recent weeks he has been converted and now attends a Bible-believing church in Canterbury. His life has been truly turned upside down; he has peace and assurance in knowing Jesus as his personal Saviour.
In Matthew 4 v 16 we read: "The people which sat in darkness saw great light". This is so true of Steve and countless numbers of others who have indeed seen the light of the Gospel and been Born Again of the Holy Spirit.
What does the above example of God's power tell us? I believe it tells us two things in particular.
Firstly, that God is real. Our atheist friends like to boast that there is no God and that the Gospel is all a fairy story. However, when we see a person so radically transformed then we can see for ourselves that there is a God and that He does turn peoples' lives around.
Secondly, we learn that there are limits to what doctors can do. In Steve's case the doctors did a commendable job in helping him with various problems and addictions but they could only go so far. They couldn't give him peace, and they couldn't give him assurance of Heaven - only Jesus can do that.
As an evangelist I have supreme confidence in the power of the Gospel to do it's own work in peoples' lives. As the Bible says: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes" Romans 1 v 16.
Friday, 17 June 2011
A blatant example of persecution
When Christians in the UK complain about being persecuted the usual stock reply is that there is freedom of speech and religion in this country. If that is the case then why is the following situation taking place ?
For a number of months now a group of Pro-Life Christians have been mounting a peaceful protest against abortion near the Wistons Abortion Clinic in Brighton. Despite the fact that the protest has always been peaceful, and devoid of any abusive language or behaviour, this group has been subjected to harassment from the local plods. Last year two of their number were twice arrested and held for many hours - no charges were brought by the CPS (because no crime had been committed). Since then there have been a number of incidents when coppers have tried to harass them - the latest being that their banners were stolen by the Police and also a camcorder that was being used to film Police harassment.
The leaders of this group have asked for a meeting with the Chief Inspector but he has ignored them. This is a blatant attempt to silence free speech but the Police are getting away with it because the victims are Christians. I have no doubt that if this group were pro-abortion humanists then the Police would be leaving them alone or even protecting them. This is because Brighton is a centre for all manner of filth and perversion. However, because the protesters are pro-life Christians they are seen as an easy target for persecution.
This, and many other incidents from around the country prove that Christians are being harassed and persecuted in the name of political correctness. The perpetrators of this wrongdoing tend to be either the local councils or the Police (who are more interested in ticking boxes than going after the real criminals). However, persecution takes many forms and other bodies (such as the GMC in the case of Dr Richard Scott from Margate) are also allowing themselves to be used by the devil to harass God's people.
However, those who are seeking to silence the truth of God's word need to be on notice that the Christian faith has survived 2,000 years of persecution and is not about to crumble now in order to appease servants of the devil.
We are on the victory side as eternal life in Heaven is assured for us - our persecutors are on the losing side because, if they don't get saved, then they will definitely face eternal torments. We should not be deterred from preaching the truth of God's infallible word, and we should certainly not allow ourselves to be intimidated. Jesus Christ is Lord!
For a number of months now a group of Pro-Life Christians have been mounting a peaceful protest against abortion near the Wistons Abortion Clinic in Brighton. Despite the fact that the protest has always been peaceful, and devoid of any abusive language or behaviour, this group has been subjected to harassment from the local plods. Last year two of their number were twice arrested and held for many hours - no charges were brought by the CPS (because no crime had been committed). Since then there have been a number of incidents when coppers have tried to harass them - the latest being that their banners were stolen by the Police and also a camcorder that was being used to film Police harassment.
The leaders of this group have asked for a meeting with the Chief Inspector but he has ignored them. This is a blatant attempt to silence free speech but the Police are getting away with it because the victims are Christians. I have no doubt that if this group were pro-abortion humanists then the Police would be leaving them alone or even protecting them. This is because Brighton is a centre for all manner of filth and perversion. However, because the protesters are pro-life Christians they are seen as an easy target for persecution.
This, and many other incidents from around the country prove that Christians are being harassed and persecuted in the name of political correctness. The perpetrators of this wrongdoing tend to be either the local councils or the Police (who are more interested in ticking boxes than going after the real criminals). However, persecution takes many forms and other bodies (such as the GMC in the case of Dr Richard Scott from Margate) are also allowing themselves to be used by the devil to harass God's people.
However, those who are seeking to silence the truth of God's word need to be on notice that the Christian faith has survived 2,000 years of persecution and is not about to crumble now in order to appease servants of the devil.
We are on the victory side as eternal life in Heaven is assured for us - our persecutors are on the losing side because, if they don't get saved, then they will definitely face eternal torments. We should not be deterred from preaching the truth of God's infallible word, and we should certainly not allow ourselves to be intimidated. Jesus Christ is Lord!
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