You have heard of the Dickens novel a "Tale of 2 cities" but I would like to outline for your below a "Tale of 2 Brothers". Moreover, unlike Dickens' novel, this is true.
In San Fransisco in the early 1900s lived two Chinese brothers. The eldest one was a law-abiding citizen who did not get himself into trouble. However, the youngest was a wild boy who was frequently getting into fights and causing trouble.
One day he had an argument with a man over a card game and stabbed him to death. After this he ran home and, taking off his blood-stained shirt, made off into the darkness. The elder brother arrived home and, realising what had happened, took off his own shirt and put on the blood-stained one. He then gave himself up to the Police. The elder brother was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair.
Just after this the younger brother went to the Police and told them they had made a mistake but they dismissed him by stating that the price for the crime had been paid.
This is an excellent illustration of what Jesus has done for us - we are in trouble with God because of our sins. Moreover, we cannot get out of this mess by our own efforts. However, God did not leave us in our sin; He sent Jesus to pay the price and then raised Him again the third day to be our Saviour. This who turn from their sins and receive Him are saved, those who don't are lost.
This is the simple Gospel message that has been taught since the 1st century AD. It has never changed and it is responsible for millions being saved from the wrath to come and being guaranteed eternal life.
"For God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life". John 3 v 16
Monday, 15 October 2012
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Who are the real bigots?
In recent years it has become fashionable to be abusive towards those who do not subscribe to political correctness. Indeed, those who keep saying we must be tolerant of other people's lifestyles are very intolerant towards those who disagree. A couple of examples will suffice:
A Christian couple who do not wish to allow homosexuals under their roof have been bombarded with hate mail and abusive texts/e-mails. The Police made a half-hearted attempt to investigate but (surprise, surprise) nothing came of this.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, referred to those who support marriage as "bigots"; he quickly backtracked when he realised the trouble he made for himself. However, Clegg showed himself in his true colours as an extremely nasty individual who cares nothing for anyone who disagrees with him, (which is hardly surprising as he is an atheist).
The other day a meeting took place in Birmingham held by those who support marriage and addressed by, inter alia, a former Archbishop of Canterbury. Outside were the usual rent-a-mob crowd shouting abuse.
No doubt one could give many other examples but the above clearly show that godless men and women are so unreasonable that they cannot give a fair hearing to anyone who expresses a Christian belief. Should we be surprised at this? In a word - no. The Bible records how Paul asked the Christian at Thessalonika to pray that he would be delivered from "unreasonable and wicked men" (2 Thess 3 v 1). Those who have not been saved from their sins are under the control of the devil - consequently there is no telling the depths of wickedness to which they may sink.
Instead of responding to these people by being abusive in return we should pray for them, that God would be pleased to "grant them repentance unto life" and bring them into the full light and liberty of the Gospel. Then, and only then, will they behave with the right attitude to others.
Let us remember, too, that when we are persecuted for righteousness sake our reward is great in Heaven - Matthew 5 v 10-12.
A Christian couple who do not wish to allow homosexuals under their roof have been bombarded with hate mail and abusive texts/e-mails. The Police made a half-hearted attempt to investigate but (surprise, surprise) nothing came of this.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, referred to those who support marriage as "bigots"; he quickly backtracked when he realised the trouble he made for himself. However, Clegg showed himself in his true colours as an extremely nasty individual who cares nothing for anyone who disagrees with him, (which is hardly surprising as he is an atheist).
The other day a meeting took place in Birmingham held by those who support marriage and addressed by, inter alia, a former Archbishop of Canterbury. Outside were the usual rent-a-mob crowd shouting abuse.
No doubt one could give many other examples but the above clearly show that godless men and women are so unreasonable that they cannot give a fair hearing to anyone who expresses a Christian belief. Should we be surprised at this? In a word - no. The Bible records how Paul asked the Christian at Thessalonika to pray that he would be delivered from "unreasonable and wicked men" (2 Thess 3 v 1). Those who have not been saved from their sins are under the control of the devil - consequently there is no telling the depths of wickedness to which they may sink.
Instead of responding to these people by being abusive in return we should pray for them, that God would be pleased to "grant them repentance unto life" and bring them into the full light and liberty of the Gospel. Then, and only then, will they behave with the right attitude to others.
Let us remember, too, that when we are persecuted for righteousness sake our reward is great in Heaven - Matthew 5 v 10-12.
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