We are all no doubt shocked by the latest terror attack that occurred yesterday when a soldier was murdered by Islamic Fundamentalists; of course, we roundly condemn such wickedness and we should never incite or condone violence. However, we may well ask ourselves why this is happening. Indeed, from the end of WW2 to the late 1960s terrorism didn't occur in Britain. Even the IRA were largely dormant during this time. What happened to change all that? Why is it that since that time we have had many years of IRA terrorism (which is now re-surfacing despite the Good Friday agreement of 1998)? Why have we had a terror threat and actual attacks from Islamists?. Why have we been embroiled in a mini-Vietnam for the last 10 years with hundreds of British troops killed?
I would suggest that the answer to these questions lies in the following: in the 1960s, and since, Satan-inspired MPs have passed laws that have trampled underfoot the infallible Word of God, the Bible. MPs have virtually spat in God's face - and He is not mocked. Consider the following - just after parliament legalised murder (abortion) the troubles in N. Ireland flared up. MPs showed a blatant disregard for the laws of God and common decency by their action, they showed a callous contempt for the sanctity of human life; is this why the Lord permitted the dreadful scourge of IRA terrorism? Moreover, in the same decade Parliament legalised homosexuality even though it is clearly condemned in the Word of God as an abomination. Just after this a dreadful outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease occurred; (incidentally, the last time such an outbreak took place was just after a practising homosexual was appointed as Agriculture Secretary - coincidence?)
This latest terrorist outrage happened within 24 hours of MPs passing a law which mocked the Biblical definition of marriage - coincidence?
(Before anyone accuses me of hating homosexuals let me say that I have nothing but pity in my heart for them; they are trapped in their sin just as an insect is trapped in a spider's web. I pray that God, in His sovereign mercy, would release them from that bondage. I would never incite hatred or violence towards them and I pray for them.)
However, the fact remains - over the last 45 years this country has turned it's back on God, parliament is under the control of the devil and we are lurching from one crisis to another. Is there any hope left? The answer is Yes. If this nation turns back to God in repentance and faith in Jesus; if MPs reverse evil laws that have brought this trouble upon us then God may yet be merciful and cause His face to shine upon us once again.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" 2nd Chronicles 7 v 14.
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Friday, 10 May 2013
Is the church in decline in the UK?
Opponents of the Gospel often like to tell us that the Christian faith is in serious decline in this country. They point out that churches are closing and that the C of E is losing members at an alarming rate. Consequently, they say, Christianity is a spent force.
At first glance this may seem to be the case; but it all depends on what you define as "The Church". For many people this is simply the state religion or the recognised, historic denominations. However, in NT parlance the church is made up of all those who have repented of their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. When we apply this definition the picture looks radically different.
There are many 1,000s of Evangelical Christian groups all over the country who are meeting to worship Jesus and study the Bible. They may not belong to any "official" denomination, and they may meet in rented premises such as school halls, but they are still churches, they are still the people of God. Such groups often have a good number of young people coming to their meetings and people are getting saved and baptised.
It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that, far from being a spent force, the true church is actually growing in the UK. Biblical and Evangelical Christianity is seeing steady growth.
Of course, we are not seeing the majority of people turning to Christ but this should not surprise us; after all didn't Jesus say that the way to eternal life is narrow "and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7 v 14). There will be many people in Heaven, worshipping Jesus for all eternity, but as a percentage of the whole human race it will not be the majority. Most people do not want to repent and turn to Christ because they love their sins too much and the devil has convinced them to stay that way; indeed, he has blinded them (2 Cor 4 v 3-4).
However, we should remember that although the Gospel has never converted everyone in any place, it has converted some in every place, and will continue to do so. This is the triumph of the Gospel - making inroads into the lives of the most unlikely people, humanly speaking. The miracle of grace is turning people's lives upside down - I know because I have witnessed it. As an evangelist I have had the joy of seeing hardened sinners transformed by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, they have been literally Born Again.
In the light of the above I would suggest that the atheists who delight to crow over us because the Christian faith is allegedly finished should stop giving in to wishful thinking and look again - Christ is building His church "and the gates of Hell will NOT prevail against it" Matt. 16 v 18
At first glance this may seem to be the case; but it all depends on what you define as "The Church". For many people this is simply the state religion or the recognised, historic denominations. However, in NT parlance the church is made up of all those who have repented of their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. When we apply this definition the picture looks radically different.
There are many 1,000s of Evangelical Christian groups all over the country who are meeting to worship Jesus and study the Bible. They may not belong to any "official" denomination, and they may meet in rented premises such as school halls, but they are still churches, they are still the people of God. Such groups often have a good number of young people coming to their meetings and people are getting saved and baptised.
It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that, far from being a spent force, the true church is actually growing in the UK. Biblical and Evangelical Christianity is seeing steady growth.
Of course, we are not seeing the majority of people turning to Christ but this should not surprise us; after all didn't Jesus say that the way to eternal life is narrow "and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7 v 14). There will be many people in Heaven, worshipping Jesus for all eternity, but as a percentage of the whole human race it will not be the majority. Most people do not want to repent and turn to Christ because they love their sins too much and the devil has convinced them to stay that way; indeed, he has blinded them (2 Cor 4 v 3-4).
However, we should remember that although the Gospel has never converted everyone in any place, it has converted some in every place, and will continue to do so. This is the triumph of the Gospel - making inroads into the lives of the most unlikely people, humanly speaking. The miracle of grace is turning people's lives upside down - I know because I have witnessed it. As an evangelist I have had the joy of seeing hardened sinners transformed by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, they have been literally Born Again.
In the light of the above I would suggest that the atheists who delight to crow over us because the Christian faith is allegedly finished should stop giving in to wishful thinking and look again - Christ is building His church "and the gates of Hell will NOT prevail against it" Matt. 16 v 18
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