Easter this year falls on the last week-end of March and, as I started to think upon this important celebration, I recalled a double incident that occurred during the Easter period of 1992. Before looking at this in more detail a bit of background is necessary.
In the 1960s and 70s two "comedians" became very popular - Frankie Howerd and Benny Hill. They were renowned for being particularly "smutty". They seemed to glorify sinful behaviour and this only made them more popular - it also made them a lot of money. However, both of them died around Easter 1992. All their wealth and popularity counted for nothing as they were ushered into eternity.
I truly hope that these purveyors of filth repented and accepted Christ before they died. If so, then a merciful God would have wiped the slate clean and welcomed them into everlasting blessings. However, if they did not repent then they have been paying the price for their wickedness and will do so for all eternity. It seems to me appropriate that they should be called to keep an appointment with God during the very time when millions of Christians were celebrating Christ's death and resurrection - the only means by which sinful people can be forgiven by a Holy God.
What is the lesson in this matter? Simply this; as Christians we must be grieved as we survey the scene in Britain today. Immorality of all kinds is openly displayed and tolerated. Indeed, such wickedness is encouraged by people in high places. The latest example of this being in the House of Commons just 2 weeks ago when the Prime Minister's obsession with promoting perversion was played out for all to see.
We also see militant atheism becoming more strident and vicious with the resultant persecution of Christians being a matter for anti-Christian opponents to gloat over.
In this kind of environment it is easy for us to be discouraged and defeatist. However, God is not mocked, He records the evil deeds of sinful people and, should they not repent, they will pay for it. While typing this article I recalled to mind another vile man who passed into eternity even while he was involved in a bout of extreme drunkenness - the actor Oliver Reed. This man was known as a "Hell-raiser" who gloried in his drunkenness and violent behaviour. He did not have time to repent before eternity beckoned and he is definitely paying the price for his rebellion against God.
In this context it would do us good to remember the words of Psalm 37 v 35-36 "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not; yea I sought him but he could not be found".
Moreover, we should also remember the 73rd Psalm. Asaph was depressed as he considered the vileness of the ungodly and the way they flaunted their wickedness (just like many do today). However, when he went into the place of prayer he "considered their latter end" - verse 17. When Asaph considered the fact of death and eternity he comforted himself with the truth of the matter viz. although the ungodly may be having the "upper hand" at present, the day will come when they keep that appointment with God. It is in eternity that the believers have the "last laugh". (Remember the old saying "The one who laughs last laughs longest"). We are the ones who will come out "on top".
In the light of the above facts would should our response be?
1. We should pray for the ungodly that God would yet show them mercy by opening their eyes to the error of their ways.
2. We should encourage ourselves in God, knowing that He is sovereign.
God will have the last word. There are millions of people, suffering awful torments right now, who would give anything just to be able to turn the clock back and have another opportunity to repent and accept Christ - for them it is too late. One second in Hell is enough to obliterate all the pleasant memories of sin.
Monday, 18 February 2013
Monday, 11 February 2013
Children are young vipers.
I thought that title would raise a few eyebrows! The 18th century preacher, Jonathan Edwards, described children who were "outside of Christ" as "young vipers". This description would probably shock us today - imagine Billy Graham or some other well known preacher coming out with such a comment; no doubt he would lose his support and be vilified by the newspapers.
Moreover, as we look at young children, be they our own, or our friends, we tend to speak of them as "little darlings"; and there is nothing wrong with that. There is much in small children that delight us, and rightly so. However, if we are true, Bible-believing Christians we will also recognise that children are still sinners in need of a saviour. They have sinful hearts and are capable of doing bad things even at a young age.
I witnessed an example of this last week. There is a "you-tube" video going round the internet at present featuring a boy of 3 being filmed by his mother denying that he had eaten some "sprinkles" even though the evidence was written all over his face. No doubt, many who watched this considered the boy "an adorable little chap" who didn't really mean any harm. However, this incident proves the teaching of the Bible when it says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" - Jeremiah 17 v 9. Moreover in Romans 3 v 10-18 we read the most damning indictment of human nature ever penned.
Children do not have to be taught to lie, they just do it. Why do they lie even though they have never been taught to do so? The answer is simple - because they have been born with corrupt hearts. They are doing what comes naturally.
In my last article I wrote of how people get cross when you speak to them of the universal guilt of mankind - viz. we are all sinnners. However, one way to prove to people that they are sinners is to ask them if they have ever told a lie. They are then caught in a trap - if they say "no" then they are lying; if they say "yes" then they have proved that the Bible is true when it says that we are all sinners.
What is the remedy for this universal guilt? Answer, the blood of Jesus Christ "which cleanses us from all sin" 1st John 1 v 7. When my wife and I were married on February 21, 1981 we had this text printed on the invitation cards, the order of service and the serviettes at the reception. People who came to our wedding were left in no doubt about the only way we can be cleansed from our sins and put right with God.
In case you were wondering, I don't know what became of the little boy in the "you tube" video; but if that mother was a Bible believing Christian she would have given him a stern lecture on the exceeding sinfulness of sin, warned him about the dangers of eternal damnation for all unrepentent sinners, and sent him to bed with no supper!
Moreover, as we look at young children, be they our own, or our friends, we tend to speak of them as "little darlings"; and there is nothing wrong with that. There is much in small children that delight us, and rightly so. However, if we are true, Bible-believing Christians we will also recognise that children are still sinners in need of a saviour. They have sinful hearts and are capable of doing bad things even at a young age.
I witnessed an example of this last week. There is a "you-tube" video going round the internet at present featuring a boy of 3 being filmed by his mother denying that he had eaten some "sprinkles" even though the evidence was written all over his face. No doubt, many who watched this considered the boy "an adorable little chap" who didn't really mean any harm. However, this incident proves the teaching of the Bible when it says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" - Jeremiah 17 v 9. Moreover in Romans 3 v 10-18 we read the most damning indictment of human nature ever penned.
Children do not have to be taught to lie, they just do it. Why do they lie even though they have never been taught to do so? The answer is simple - because they have been born with corrupt hearts. They are doing what comes naturally.
In my last article I wrote of how people get cross when you speak to them of the universal guilt of mankind - viz. we are all sinnners. However, one way to prove to people that they are sinners is to ask them if they have ever told a lie. They are then caught in a trap - if they say "no" then they are lying; if they say "yes" then they have proved that the Bible is true when it says that we are all sinners.
What is the remedy for this universal guilt? Answer, the blood of Jesus Christ "which cleanses us from all sin" 1st John 1 v 7. When my wife and I were married on February 21, 1981 we had this text printed on the invitation cards, the order of service and the serviettes at the reception. People who came to our wedding were left in no doubt about the only way we can be cleansed from our sins and put right with God.
In case you were wondering, I don't know what became of the little boy in the "you tube" video; but if that mother was a Bible believing Christian she would have given him a stern lecture on the exceeding sinfulness of sin, warned him about the dangers of eternal damnation for all unrepentent sinners, and sent him to bed with no supper!
Friday, 1 February 2013
The truth is offensive
I was speaking with a pastor yesterday who told me that a lady who was attending the church he pastors has stopped coming because she doesn't like this talk about "sin". This particular preacher does mention sin in his sermons but he also speaks about the forgiveness of sin through repentance and faith in Christ.
When I heard this I remembered an incident that occured when I was passing out tracts on Broadstairs sea-front. A man asked me what the leaflet was about and I replied: "it's about Jesus, He died for your sins". He walked away only to return seconds later and, in a very indignant tone, said "hang on a minute, I haven't got any sins!".
People get very offended when you tell them the Biblical teaching that we have all fallen short of God's standard (Romans 3 v 23) and need to be saved. If they are law-abiding and "decent" people, as most are, then they will feel indignant when the truth is told.
Why is this? Upon further reflection on the conversation mentioned in the 1st paragraph I thought upon a long talk I had with a lady in Canterbury city centre. She had attended a church some years before but had drifted away - she told me that she wants to hear things that make her feel good about herself. That is the reason why people get so offended when you speak about their need to be forgiven of their sins - it doesn't make them feel good about themselves.
Sadly most so-called "evangelical" preachers today have imbibed this mindset in their ministry. They are afraid to speak the truth in case people leave, so they water it down and tickle people's ears. It seems that success is measured by how many people attend church rather than how faithful the preacher is to the inerrant word of God - the Bible.
What is the result of this sorry state of affairs? Many churches are full of people who have made a "profession of faith" but are not truly saved because there has been no conviction of sin and no repentance. They have simply never been taught that conviction of sin and true repentance is absolutely essential for true conversion. Instead of this they have been "taught" that Jesus loves them just as they are, and repentance is never mentioned (in case it offends people). Consequently, they are deluding themselves that they are right with God and heading for Heaven.
The true Evangelical preachers teach the Word of God as it stands - we have all fallen short of God's standard, we have all sinned and, by nature, we are enemies of God and children of wrath. However, for those who truly repent and have faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour there is forgiveness and the assurance of everlasting life.
"....and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His (Jesus') name...." Luke 24 v 47.
When I heard this I remembered an incident that occured when I was passing out tracts on Broadstairs sea-front. A man asked me what the leaflet was about and I replied: "it's about Jesus, He died for your sins". He walked away only to return seconds later and, in a very indignant tone, said "hang on a minute, I haven't got any sins!".
People get very offended when you tell them the Biblical teaching that we have all fallen short of God's standard (Romans 3 v 23) and need to be saved. If they are law-abiding and "decent" people, as most are, then they will feel indignant when the truth is told.
Why is this? Upon further reflection on the conversation mentioned in the 1st paragraph I thought upon a long talk I had with a lady in Canterbury city centre. She had attended a church some years before but had drifted away - she told me that she wants to hear things that make her feel good about herself. That is the reason why people get so offended when you speak about their need to be forgiven of their sins - it doesn't make them feel good about themselves.
Sadly most so-called "evangelical" preachers today have imbibed this mindset in their ministry. They are afraid to speak the truth in case people leave, so they water it down and tickle people's ears. It seems that success is measured by how many people attend church rather than how faithful the preacher is to the inerrant word of God - the Bible.
What is the result of this sorry state of affairs? Many churches are full of people who have made a "profession of faith" but are not truly saved because there has been no conviction of sin and no repentance. They have simply never been taught that conviction of sin and true repentance is absolutely essential for true conversion. Instead of this they have been "taught" that Jesus loves them just as they are, and repentance is never mentioned (in case it offends people). Consequently, they are deluding themselves that they are right with God and heading for Heaven.
The true Evangelical preachers teach the Word of God as it stands - we have all fallen short of God's standard, we have all sinned and, by nature, we are enemies of God and children of wrath. However, for those who truly repent and have faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour there is forgiveness and the assurance of everlasting life.
"....and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His (Jesus') name...." Luke 24 v 47.
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