Apostasy abounds

I've never been entirely happy with the organisers of the Greenbelt "Christian" music festival. The so-called music they play reminds me of the heartbeat of Hell and the people concerned seem to be so worldly. This whole exercise is clearly a million miles away from true, Biblical Christianity.

However, this event really descended into the pits last month when they had the U.K.'s leading gay rights activist as a guest speaker. Pervert-in-chief, Peter Tatchell, was invited to address them in what must be one the most blatant evidences of apostasy I have ever come across. We all know that Tatchell makes no pretence to be a Christian but when those who bear that title give a platform to such a man it proves that they know nothing of what a true Christian is. These people are deluding themselves if they believe that they are true followers of the one who said "by their fruits you know them" (Matthew 7 v 16). True Christians do not compromise with evil, especially evil that is so perverse that the New Testament refers to it as being "against nature" (Romans 1 v 26-27).

While on the subject of false Christians I am reminded of that wolf in sheep's clothing Cliff Richard. He claims to be a Christian and yet his life and beliefs simply do not bear this out. He published a biography entitled "My Life, My Way" - a dubious title for a Christian - in which he makes unbiblical comments. This book records that he does not believe that fornication is sinful. Moreover, he refuses to accept that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible. Furthermore, he has been living with a "male friend" and will not answer any question about whether or not he is a homosexual. There is nothing wrong with two men having a close friendship and living in the same property, but if Cliff Richard is not engaged in gay perversion why does he not simply issue a statement to that effect? I wonder if he will be the latest in a long line of celebrities to "come out", at least that would be the honest thing to do.

We are truly living in dark and dreadful days with apostasy and unbelief all around us. However, rather than despair let us renew our own dedication to the Lord and stand firm for Him knowing that in due course "we shall reap if we faint not"- Galatians 6 v 9.

National Silly Society

I have read in the national press an article about a plan to send judges in Scotland a copy of the Bible - God's infallible word. This has been supported by Lord Mackay of Clashfern who is a believer in the Lord Jesus. Mr Mackay has pointed out how important it is to use the wisdom of the Bible in the judiciary system. This seems to me a good idea, given the general state of the country and the lack of respect for authority etc.

However, this has been opposed by a spokesman for the "National Secular Society" one Terry Sanderson (there's always someone, somewhere seeking to spoil things). He is on his usual crusade against the Christian faith which he seems to hate with a passion. Who then are the NSS? It appears that they are a group which exist to drive out any expression of the Christian faith from public life and take every opportunity to attack the Bible. Given that our Christian heritage has benefited this country enormously over the years, and given that the erosion of that same heritage has led to the serious social problems we now have, I would have thought that this cowboy outfit should be renamed the National Silly Society. Moreover, the two leading figures, Sanderson and a bloke named Keith Porteous (pompous) Wood are, I understand, in "civil partnership" (that says it all really). No wonder these poor creatures hate the Bible so much. However, their campaign to remove the Bible is doomed to fail. No matter how much it is maligned and hated, God's word always bounces back.

Down through the annals of history people have tried to destroy the Bible. For over 70 years the communists in the old USSR used all the state apparatus in this vain attempt but failed miserably. Moreover, in Acts chapter 12 King Herod sought to block the spread of the Gospel by murdering James - he was dealt with by the Lord and God's word continued to spread. The campaign by these clowns (Sanderson and Pompous-Wood) will also fail. God is sovereign - He will ensure that His word continues to go forth and do it's work of converting people.

As far as the leaders of the NSS are concerned - let us redouble out efforts to pray for them - that God may be pleased to grant them repentance unto life.

Proud in their arrogance

Once of the most distressing sights of modern Britain is not only the rampant wickedness that we witness daily but the way that an increasing number of people glory in their sinful behaviour. Examples would be the man caught out in an adulterous affair who finds his popularity increasing among his friends because he boasts about his "exploits" with women; or perhaps the man who boasts about his ability to "outdrink" other men. We see also a disturbing number of young people boasting about going to the nightclubs and getting "smashed" - the depraved title for drunkenness.

However, one of the most glaring examples of depravity is the so-called Gay Pride parades that many cities and towns host in this vile country. The latest being the Brighton parades at the week-end. Not content with being involved in what the Bible terms "an abomination" they have to openly promote their filth for all to approve of - and woe betide anyone caught daring to suggest that such practices are sinful. Persecution against those Christians who are bold enough to speak the truth is increasing. I am reminded of that verse that says "they call the evil good and the good evil". Isaiah 5 verse 20.

However, these perverts need to remember that "the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small". God bides His time. There is no need for Christians to incite hatred or violence against them (indeed, it is wrong to do such) - God will judge them in His own time and in His own way. One hopes that they will see the error of their ways and repent, casting themselves upon a merciful God who will pardon those who plead with Christ for mercy. However, should they continue in their depravity then they WILL face eternal torments when they die. One second in Hell will be enough to wipe out all their "pleasant" memories when they willingly engaged in these vile pursuits.

As Christians we may feel beleaguered, but we should look up - for our "redemption draws nigh". We have our Heavenly inheritance to look forward to. After all, what is a few short years of persecution if it is followed by an eternity of unalloyed bliss? During our time of pilgrimage on earth let us re-double our efforts to share Christ with those we meet - including sodomites - in the hope that God will yet show mercy.

The Sovereignty of God

I was encouraged to hear recently of a young lady who had come to know the Lord Jesus as her personal Saviour. She was not raised in a Christian home and had not been taught about the Gospel in her home environment. However, having been asked by a friend to go to a young people's group her interest in the Gospel grew and eventually she was converted. So often when people from Christian homes are saved cynics dismiss that as a result of "indoctrination". However, what about when someone from a completely non-Christian background is saved? How is it that such a one comes to the point of repentance and conversion? The answer to that question is the same for all conversions - whether or not the subject has been raised from a Christian background. The answer is simple - the sovereignty of God.

In John 6 v 37 Jesus said "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and he who comes to me I will by no means cast out". Moreover, in John 17 Jesus makes several mentions of this truth -that a people have been given to Him by the Father. Humanly speaking no-one will be saved; our hearts are too hard, our spiritual sight is dim and we are dead "in trespasses and sins". Unless God intervenes in a person's life that will continue to be the case until they die and pass into Hell.

However, God is merciful. Before the world even began He gave a people to His Son. As time goes on He works in each of those so given and opens their eyes, enlightens their understanding, gives them spiritual life and brings them to a point when they willingly repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Nothing can stop God so working in their lives. They may resist for a while, the devil may put obstacles in their way - but in God's good time He will work in them and they WILL be saved.

This is a great encouragement in the work of evangelism - as we sow the seed of the Gospel we can have absolute certainty that God will move upon those who are in His sights. There is no need to be discouraged by lack of results - it is all in God's hands. There is no need to use gimmicks or water down the truth in order to attract people - God draws them as it pleases Him to do so. If God is pleased to save hardened atheists like Richard Dawkins, or my old friend Barry Duke at the Freethinker - then He will do so.

God is truly sovereign, we sow the seed, He gives the increase!

Time to get real, Chris

Christopher Hitchens is a well known writer who consistently rails against God and the Christian faith. Indeed, any form of religion is fair game for this man's rantings. I won't give him credence by detailing the kind of drivel that he has come up with - suffice to say that he has a huge amount to answer for when he finally meets the God he has insulted.

I recently heard that he has been diagnosed with cancer. What is my first thought on receiving this news? One of deep and intense pity. No-one should gloat when an enemy is stricken with such a dreadful illness. I have had good Christian friends who have died of cancer, and I would not wish it on anyone - not even Hitchens (or Dawkins for that matter!). Moreover I do sincerely wish that he will recover and go on to live for many years to come.

However, I also find myself hoping that this experience will cause Hitchens to seriously consider his need of Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Sometimes God allows calamities into the lives of unbelievers in order to bring their attention to eternal matters. There are many people in Heaven now who were brought to repentance and faith in Christ after realising how fickle life is following an illness. The good news of the Gospel is that even this man, despite his "God hating" history, can be saved. If he will only open his heart to Jesus and call upon Him for mercy - then Jesus stands ready to show such mercy and forgive him all his past wickedness. However, if Hitchens continues to be in rebellion against God then he will have all eternity to bitterly regret his folly.

Some years ago, a Times journalist - John Diamond - died of cancer. During his period of treatment he wrote articles outlining his treatment and the struggles he faced trying to cope with his illness. He even wrote an article stating that many Christians were sending him tracts and booklets in the hope "of bringing me round before the big day". I don't know if he repented and accepted Christ before passing into eternity - but I do hope that Christians will do the same for Hitchens. I certainly will be praying for him, that he will face the reality of his situation and turn to the Lord before it is too late.

The Spirit of Rebellion

We are all, no doubt, aware of recent events in the North East of England when a gunman by the name of Moat killed one man, wounded his ex-girlfriend and blinded a copper. Eventually he was cornered by a riverside and killed himself. His death was followed by a huge outpouring of sympathy for him on the internet which led to condemnation by the Prime Minister who called Moat "a callous murderer". However, the actions of those who lionised Moat are nothing new - in the 1920s Bonnie and Clyde roamed the southern states of the US robbing banks and killing anyone in their way. They were eventually shot in a Police ambush and afterwards referred to as heroes for the way they evaded capture for so long. Then in the 1970s a french gangster - Jacques Mesrine - was similarly killed in a Police ambush after years of murderous activities. His death was followed by sympathetic comments from "admirers".

The question remains - why do so many people heap so much praise upon those who have done wrong? The answer is simple - it is the spirit of rebellion against authority. This is why Diana was well liked and mourned so hysterically when she died. She was seen as a rebellious figure who would not "toe the line" by fitting in with royal convention. We can all point to examples of such people. This spirit of rebellion is most exhibited when it comes to Divine authority; not only do we read of this throughout the pages of God's infallible Word, the Bible, but also in our own lives. Have we not, all of us, shown such a spirit when doing things the Bible specifically prohibits? Do we not witness this when offering people the Gospel and they reject it, often with contempt? In our natural state our hearts are hardened against God and unless He works upon us we will continue in our sin and rebellion and pay the eternal penalty when we die.

Those of us who are believers in the Lord Jesus should be thankful to God for opening our eyes and implanting the gift of faith while at the same time re-doubling our efforts to bring the truths of the Gospel to Hell-bound sinners. For any unbelievers reading this the warnings of the Bible are clear - you must repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, to refuse to do so is to manifest a spirit of rebellion.

"We should obey God rather than men"

The above quote comes from the New Testament, Acts 5 v 29, and was made by the Apostle Peter after he was told that the authorities had forbidden him to preach the Gospel. The early Christians were often put into the position of having to choose between obeying the law of the land or obeying God.

The Bible teaches that God's people should be law-abiding and, indeed, Christians should set a golden example of being good citizens in this respect. We should ensure that we keep the speed limits, pay our taxes and fill in our tax returns correctly. As far as the general law of the land is concerned we should be above reproach. However, what happens when we are put into a position of having to choose between obeying the law or living out the Christian life? Of course, in a free and democratic country like ours such a position does not arise.........or does it? In recent years a number of anti-Christian laws, particularly in relation to gay perversion, have been passed that have brought us into direct conflict with the authorities. Examples are as follows: in 2005 the govt. passed a law that enabled sodomites to have civil partnerships - this has led to Christian registrars being hounded out of their jobs because they won't compromise by officiating at such "ceremonies". More recently an equality law has led directly to Christian guest house owners being sued because they won't allow homosexual acts under their own roof.

Now, yet another assault on Christian liberty is being prepared with the full knowledge and consent of the Prime Minister (shame on him). The govt. is preparing to allow gay ceremonies to take place in churches. Given the hostility of the gay rights movement to the teachings of God's infallible word it is only a matter of time before they sue evangelical ministers for refusing to carry out gay weddings and give their blessing to what God has clearly condemned.

Moreover, an increasing number of local councils have sought to prevent street evangelists from handing out tracts and some have even been arrested when they have obeyed the great commission.

When faced with these situations we have a stark choice - obey the law or obey God. In these cases we are not only permitted to disobey the law we are commanded to do so in God's Word.

May the Lord give us strength and courage to stand firm for Him and not allow ourselves to compromise the truth.