In Genesis 12 v 3 we read that God made a declaration which, in effect, states that people who curse the Jews are under God's curse, and those who bless the Jews receive God's blessing. In April I wrote an article stating that, because David Cameron had made virulent anti-Israel comments in the House of Commons, then his days as Prime Minister were numbered. (If you wish to read this article, simply scroll down).
Little did I realise, at the time, how precarious his position became in just a few weeks.
He entered the EU referendum debate as a strong "In" campaigner and, for a while, it appeared that he had backed a winner; a clear victory for the "In" campaign would have strengthened his own position as PM. However, against all the odds and much to my astonishment (o ye of little faith) he had, in fact, backed a loser and, only this morning, announced his resignation to take effect after the summer recess.
If any proof were needed that the Bible is. indeed, the inspired and infallible Word of God, then this unambiguous event is sufficient to convince all but the most hardened, and rebellious of sinners.
We can point to many proofs of the Bible's truthfulness - fulfilled prophecies, power to change lives, standing the test of time (despite many attempts to stanp it out) but seeing the truths of Genesis 12 v 3 enacted before our eyes will draw us to the conclusion that we can have absolute confidence in its claims to be inspired by God and "profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness" (2nd Timothy 3 v 16).
I have been a follower of Christ for over 40 years, ever since He opened my eyes to the truth and drew me to Himself on that memorable September night over 40 years ago. During that time I have never doubted the infalliblity of the Bible. Indeed, for "Christians" to deny that the Bible is infallible is to deny that they can be sure that Jesus is the Son of God, or that Jesus died for their sins and rose again.
After all, if we doubt the infallibility of the Bible how can we be sure of the facts concerning Christ's person and work; how can we be sure that we are saved and going to Heaven?
It is possible that there are young Christians, recently saved, who struggle with the question of the Bible being infallible. I can understand that, especially if they have been brought up in a non-Christian home and have not had the benefit of Christian teaching from a young age. If there are any such people reading this article I would encourage you to examine the evidence. As mentioned earlier - the fulfilled prophecies, changing lives and standing the test of time. However, this truth about the fulfillment of God's promise to bless those who bless the Jews, and His warning not to curse the Jews, is so blatantly obvious that we can experience a real boost to our faith as we ponder it.
Having come to the realisation that the Bible is to be trusted it is incumbent upon us to read it, study it, digest it and live by it (and, if necessary, die for it). For Christians to say that they believe the Bible, and yet spend very little time reading it, is hypocrisy of the worst kind. Let us, like the Psalmist say "Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it" - Psalm 119 v 140
Friday, 24 June 2016
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
We are ALL just as guilty.
No doubt you will all know that a few days ago a jihadist, by the name of Omar Mateen, killed 49 people at a nightclub. It appears that this poor chap had fallen under the influence of a particularly virulent form of Islam and felt it was his duty to kill people in the name of Islamic State, hence the incident that occurred the other day.
It also appears that Mr Mateen was killed by the Police in a shootout. The Police are not to blame for this, it is their job to protect people and that means, regrettably, they sometimes have to open fire in carrying out their duties. It a shame that the person responsible for this rather unfortunate business was killed because, had he been captured alive, he would have had a chance to hear the Gospel and get saved. Even people who commit terrible crimes can be forgiven by God if they simply turn to Christ and ask Him to be their personal Saviour.
This whole matter has now resulted in an outburst of grief and candlelight vigils for the victims. One wonders why there is not the same reaction when Christians are butchered, as routinely happens in parts of the Middle-East, but, of course, that would not fit in with the sensitivities of the left, or the Guardian newspaper. Nor is it politically correct to show solidarity with Christians given that, when it comes to human rights and equality, Christians go to the bottom of the pile and are treated with thinly vieled contempt.
That being said, the main reason for this article is simply this - before we rush to condemn Mr Mateen, (who, in my view, is just as much a victim as the 49 others who died) we need to examine our own hearts.
In 1st John 3 v 15 we are told that hatred is akin to murder. Have we ever hated anyone in our hearts? If so, then we are as bad as Mr Mateen. However, there is another sense in which we are all muderers - we all killed the Son of God. What this jihadist did was wrong in God's sight but what we have ALL done, in putting to death the very Son of God, was even worse.
When Jesus died on the cross, He was paying the penalty for your sins and mine. As the Bible says: He tasted death for every man (and women and children!) - Hebrews 2 v 9. If we were not sinful then Jesus would not have died. As the wages of sin is death, Jesus did not have to die because He was, and is, perfect. However, in order to reconcile us to God He died a horrible death bearing our guilt so that we could go free from God's judgment; but God's forgiveness is not automatic - we have to ask for it.
We all need to acknowledge our guilt before God, even the guilt of putting Jesus on the cross, even the guilt of driving in those nails and causing Him so much suffering and pain; and then we need to ask Him to be our personal Saviour. Then, and only then, can we sure of eternal life in Heaven.
For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3 v 16.
It also appears that Mr Mateen was killed by the Police in a shootout. The Police are not to blame for this, it is their job to protect people and that means, regrettably, they sometimes have to open fire in carrying out their duties. It a shame that the person responsible for this rather unfortunate business was killed because, had he been captured alive, he would have had a chance to hear the Gospel and get saved. Even people who commit terrible crimes can be forgiven by God if they simply turn to Christ and ask Him to be their personal Saviour.
This whole matter has now resulted in an outburst of grief and candlelight vigils for the victims. One wonders why there is not the same reaction when Christians are butchered, as routinely happens in parts of the Middle-East, but, of course, that would not fit in with the sensitivities of the left, or the Guardian newspaper. Nor is it politically correct to show solidarity with Christians given that, when it comes to human rights and equality, Christians go to the bottom of the pile and are treated with thinly vieled contempt.
That being said, the main reason for this article is simply this - before we rush to condemn Mr Mateen, (who, in my view, is just as much a victim as the 49 others who died) we need to examine our own hearts.
In 1st John 3 v 15 we are told that hatred is akin to murder. Have we ever hated anyone in our hearts? If so, then we are as bad as Mr Mateen. However, there is another sense in which we are all muderers - we all killed the Son of God. What this jihadist did was wrong in God's sight but what we have ALL done, in putting to death the very Son of God, was even worse.
When Jesus died on the cross, He was paying the penalty for your sins and mine. As the Bible says: He tasted death for every man (and women and children!) - Hebrews 2 v 9. If we were not sinful then Jesus would not have died. As the wages of sin is death, Jesus did not have to die because He was, and is, perfect. However, in order to reconcile us to God He died a horrible death bearing our guilt so that we could go free from God's judgment; but God's forgiveness is not automatic - we have to ask for it.
We all need to acknowledge our guilt before God, even the guilt of putting Jesus on the cross, even the guilt of driving in those nails and causing Him so much suffering and pain; and then we need to ask Him to be our personal Saviour. Then, and only then, can we sure of eternal life in Heaven.
For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3 v 16.
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