I read an article in the Daily Telegraph last Saturday that claimed that an increasing number of "born again Christians" now support "Gay" "Marriage". Given that the Bible, in both testaments clearly prohibits homosexuality this article got me thinking. While considering this my thoughts turned to the fact that so many young "born again Christians" don't consider it sinful to "live together" without being married. What is happening, I wondered; have Christians "moved on" and left me behind?
Further consideration of these matters led me to the conclusion that "Christians" who support fornication and/or homosexuality are not true Christians at all. If a person claims to be a Christian and yet does not accept the clear Biblical teaching, viz. that sex should be within marriage and that between a man and a woman, then he (or she) is not saved.
In Romans 1 verse 32 we read that it is wrong even to approve of those who are engaged in sinful practises. Why then, are there so many who seem to be so badly taught? The answer is simple - their "pastors" do not teach repentance because they are numbers orientated; such men care more for good numbers attending than they do for truth. They are more concerned to minster to "felt needs", and all that rubbish, rather than warn people to repent and trust Christ or face eternal damnation.
A prime example of this would be a Baptist "Church" not 2 miles from where I live. It is packed every week but repentance is not taught. Instead a watered down message of Jesus "loving you just as you are" is taught. People's ears are tickled and so they are happy to come to the "services". No doubt if the leadership team started to preach the truth the church would empty out.
Perhaps this is why most churches in this country that teach repentance tend to be on the smaller side. A clear Gospel is taught with repentance being majored on, and it is unpopular.
The implications for a "repentance-less gospel" are truly horrendous. People exposed to such teaching invariably think they are saved, or "born again", when they are not. They are living in a fools paradise and will have a rude awakening when they stand before God to give account of their lives. When such people end up in Hell they will have just cause to blame the "pastor" who told them they were saved when they were not. I wouldn't like to be in the shoes of such false prophets on the judgement day.
What should be our response to such error? Simply this - we should continue the declare the truth and trust God to draw His elect. Even though we may be considered narrow and unloving we should not be deterred but hold up the Bible as the inerrant Word of God to be declared without fear or favour.
Coming back to those who think they are saved and are not - if their "pastors" were doing their jobs properly they would be urging upon professing Christians the exhortation of 2nd Corinthians 13 v 5
"examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves how that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are reprobates".
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Friday, 9 August 2013
This is why they get so angry
In my work as an evangelist I find that most people are fairly polite. Most people, while not interested in the Gospel, do not re-act with rage when they are offered a Christian leaflet or I tell them that Jesus died for their sins. However, from to time I come across someone who does re-act with anger after being simply offered a leaflet or being told that Jesus loved them so much that He died for them. Several examples are as follows:
Only last week I was on the receiving end of sharp comments when I told a Muslim man, in his 60s, that Jesus died for his sins. During the course of this encounter he was outraged to be told that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and called me an arrogant bigot (this from an adherent of the religion of peace!)
Some years ago I was delivering leaflets to houses near where I live and a man came out onto the street and angrily confronted me. He threatened me with violence and my response was to warn him that he would face God one day.
On another occasion a "lady" came over to me and tore the leaflet up, showering me with the "confetti" that she had produced from her efforts, all the while pouring out invective. I hadn't even spoken to her, she just saw me there with a text on a board and "lost it".
Moreover, when I open my "inbox" it is not unusual to find obscene and abusive comments from militant atheists who are clearly full of rage.
(When people abuse me in this way they are actually doing me a favour because Jesus promised that when His followers are badly treated their "reward is great in Heaven" -Matthew 5 v 11-12).
Why is it that they behave like this? I would suggest that the answer lies in Ecclesiastes 3 v 11 where we read that God has put eternity in peoples' hearts.
Deep down even the most ardent atheists know that they will have to meet God one day and give account of their lives. They know that there is an eternity to face; and they know that, if they don't repent of their sins, they will endure Hell for all of that eternity. It is for that reason that they lose all their sense of balance when offered the Gospel. In Romans 1 v 18 we read that people "suppress" the truth in their hearts and lives. It is as if the truth of God's infallible word is being pressed down like a lid in a "Jack in the box" and when the Gospel is presented the lid flies up again.
Experiences like the above only strengthen my resolve to carry on spreading the Gospel. If people are getting cross after being simply offered a leaflet or being told that Jesus died for them then it is a sure sign that I must be doing something right!
I've no doubt that other evangelists have also had opposition but I would encourage them not to be dis-heartened but to boldly point people to Christ knowing that He is the ONLY way to eternal life.
"Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son Of God" John 3 v 18.
Only last week I was on the receiving end of sharp comments when I told a Muslim man, in his 60s, that Jesus died for his sins. During the course of this encounter he was outraged to be told that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and called me an arrogant bigot (this from an adherent of the religion of peace!)
Some years ago I was delivering leaflets to houses near where I live and a man came out onto the street and angrily confronted me. He threatened me with violence and my response was to warn him that he would face God one day.
On another occasion a "lady" came over to me and tore the leaflet up, showering me with the "confetti" that she had produced from her efforts, all the while pouring out invective. I hadn't even spoken to her, she just saw me there with a text on a board and "lost it".
Moreover, when I open my "inbox" it is not unusual to find obscene and abusive comments from militant atheists who are clearly full of rage.
(When people abuse me in this way they are actually doing me a favour because Jesus promised that when His followers are badly treated their "reward is great in Heaven" -Matthew 5 v 11-12).
Why is it that they behave like this? I would suggest that the answer lies in Ecclesiastes 3 v 11 where we read that God has put eternity in peoples' hearts.
Deep down even the most ardent atheists know that they will have to meet God one day and give account of their lives. They know that there is an eternity to face; and they know that, if they don't repent of their sins, they will endure Hell for all of that eternity. It is for that reason that they lose all their sense of balance when offered the Gospel. In Romans 1 v 18 we read that people "suppress" the truth in their hearts and lives. It is as if the truth of God's infallible word is being pressed down like a lid in a "Jack in the box" and when the Gospel is presented the lid flies up again.
Experiences like the above only strengthen my resolve to carry on spreading the Gospel. If people are getting cross after being simply offered a leaflet or being told that Jesus died for them then it is a sure sign that I must be doing something right!
I've no doubt that other evangelists have also had opposition but I would encourage them not to be dis-heartened but to boldly point people to Christ knowing that He is the ONLY way to eternal life.
"Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son Of God" John 3 v 18.
Thursday, 1 August 2013
"What about those who've never heard?"
As a Christian evangelist I believe passionately in the Biblical doctrine of the Lord Jesus being the only way to Heaven. Our Saviour said Himself in John 14 v 6 that He was the only way, and this was re-iterated by Peter in Acts 4 v 12 "...there is salvation in no-one else..."
However, one question that often perplexes people is the title of this article - "What about those who have never heard?" As a young Christian back in the 1970s this question used to disturb me and I sought the advice and counsel of older Christians for the answer. It troubled me to think that a person could be living in a remote area and never hearing the Gospel; would such a one be cast into Hell? Surely it's not their fault that they have never heard?
Various answers have been suggested to this question. One states that as God is just He will do right by them. We read in Genesis 18 v 25 that the Judge of all the earth "will do right". Another answer is that if a person is truly searching for God, having seen His handiwork in nature, then God will reward such a search by bringing the Gospel across that person's path. The Biblical reference for this would be Jeremiah 29 v 13 "If you search for me with all your heart you will find me". Moreover, Cornelius in Acts chapter 10 was a devoutly religious man who was searching for God and the Lord brought Peter across his path with the Gospel.
There is nothing wrong with the above answers, they are Biblically valid. However, there is another answer that we often don't give consideration to and it runs like this - in John 6 v 37 the Lord Jesus said "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out". It is clear from the Bible that those given to Jesus by the Father are those who have been elected in accordance with foreknowledge as we read in 1st Peter 1 v 2. Moreover, Ephesians 1 v 4 tells us that such have been chosen in Christ before the world was created.
What does this tell us? Simply this - before the world was made God the Father gave His Son a people, chosen "in accordance with foreknowledge" and that every one of those people would come to believe Christ at some point in their lives. Such a person may be living in a remote area with no chance, humanly speaking, of hearing the Gospel, and God will bring the truths of Christ to the hearing or sight of that person.
Consequently, in the light of this glorious truth we can have absolute confidence in the sovereignty of God. The golden chain of redemption in Romans 8 v 29-30 is crystal clear "Those whom He did foreknow He also did predestine to be conformed to the image of His Son..........whom He did predestine, them He also called; and whom He called He also justified, and whom He justified He also glorified."
God is sovereign, He WILL ensure that all those given to Christ will hear the Gospel and be saved.
However, one question that often perplexes people is the title of this article - "What about those who have never heard?" As a young Christian back in the 1970s this question used to disturb me and I sought the advice and counsel of older Christians for the answer. It troubled me to think that a person could be living in a remote area and never hearing the Gospel; would such a one be cast into Hell? Surely it's not their fault that they have never heard?
Various answers have been suggested to this question. One states that as God is just He will do right by them. We read in Genesis 18 v 25 that the Judge of all the earth "will do right". Another answer is that if a person is truly searching for God, having seen His handiwork in nature, then God will reward such a search by bringing the Gospel across that person's path. The Biblical reference for this would be Jeremiah 29 v 13 "If you search for me with all your heart you will find me". Moreover, Cornelius in Acts chapter 10 was a devoutly religious man who was searching for God and the Lord brought Peter across his path with the Gospel.
There is nothing wrong with the above answers, they are Biblically valid. However, there is another answer that we often don't give consideration to and it runs like this - in John 6 v 37 the Lord Jesus said "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out". It is clear from the Bible that those given to Jesus by the Father are those who have been elected in accordance with foreknowledge as we read in 1st Peter 1 v 2. Moreover, Ephesians 1 v 4 tells us that such have been chosen in Christ before the world was created.
What does this tell us? Simply this - before the world was made God the Father gave His Son a people, chosen "in accordance with foreknowledge" and that every one of those people would come to believe Christ at some point in their lives. Such a person may be living in a remote area with no chance, humanly speaking, of hearing the Gospel, and God will bring the truths of Christ to the hearing or sight of that person.
Consequently, in the light of this glorious truth we can have absolute confidence in the sovereignty of God. The golden chain of redemption in Romans 8 v 29-30 is crystal clear "Those whom He did foreknow He also did predestine to be conformed to the image of His Son..........whom He did predestine, them He also called; and whom He called He also justified, and whom He justified He also glorified."
God is sovereign, He WILL ensure that all those given to Christ will hear the Gospel and be saved.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Is God guilty of genocide?
As we read through the Old Testament we come to various passages where God commands the Israelites to wipe out the inhabitants of the land to which they were going - the Promised Land. They are told not to spare any of these people but to utterly destroy them.
People who object to the Bible being described as the infallible Word of God will say how can a God of love command His people to carry out such "genocide"? It is a question that has perplexed many and the answer is 3-fold:
1. The people who were to be dealt with in this way were particularly depraved. They were involved in the worst types of filth and perversion imaginable. Indeed, their deeds were so vile that I don't even wish to list them. (This sounds very much like the UK today!). The question then should not be "How can a God of love command His people to destroy the inhabitants of the land?", it should rather be "How could these people be so depraved that they had to be wiped out?"
2. The Israelites were to be a witness and testimony to monotheism and the worship of the one, true God as opposed to the idolatry of these nations who were to be wiped out. God was concerned that His people would not be tainted with their filth and end up going astray. Indeed, because the Israelites didn't carry out God's commands to the full these pagans did end up being a snare to them. As a result many of the people of God went astray and had to be punished.
3. God is sovereign. We often "judge" God by our own standards instead of submitting ourselves to the teaching of His inerrant word. In the New Testament, and in a different context, the Apostle Paul said "Who are you, O man, to reply against God?" Romans 9 v 20.
It is this last point that we must continuously bear in mind. It is not for us to question God, it is for us to accept His sovereign will and submit to it. This is extremely hard for us to do given that we are, by nature, rebellious creatures and not inclined to obey the commands of God.
Of course, in the New Testament, under the dispensation of Grace, we don't wipe out the heathen today. Under the dispensation of Grace we bring the Gospel to people and then God, in His sovereign mercy, opens people's eyes and reveals to them their need of Christ as their personal Saviour. (Many Christians don't like the Biblical truth that people only get saved as God reveals truth to them but it is what the Bible says, and we must accept it. For example in Matthew 16 when Peter said that Jesus was the Son of God He replied "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in Heaven" Matthew 16 v 17).
As we preach the Gospel we will often get people raising all kinds of objections and this one is at, or near, the top of the list. However, we should not be intimidated but rather boldly declare that a sovereign God can do what He likes with His creatures. Our responsibility is not to "apologise" for the "genocide" of the Old Testament but simply spread the Word, believing that God will draw people to the foot of the cross in repentance and faith.
Jesus said "No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me, draws him." John 6 v 44
People who object to the Bible being described as the infallible Word of God will say how can a God of love command His people to carry out such "genocide"? It is a question that has perplexed many and the answer is 3-fold:
1. The people who were to be dealt with in this way were particularly depraved. They were involved in the worst types of filth and perversion imaginable. Indeed, their deeds were so vile that I don't even wish to list them. (This sounds very much like the UK today!). The question then should not be "How can a God of love command His people to destroy the inhabitants of the land?", it should rather be "How could these people be so depraved that they had to be wiped out?"
2. The Israelites were to be a witness and testimony to monotheism and the worship of the one, true God as opposed to the idolatry of these nations who were to be wiped out. God was concerned that His people would not be tainted with their filth and end up going astray. Indeed, because the Israelites didn't carry out God's commands to the full these pagans did end up being a snare to them. As a result many of the people of God went astray and had to be punished.
3. God is sovereign. We often "judge" God by our own standards instead of submitting ourselves to the teaching of His inerrant word. In the New Testament, and in a different context, the Apostle Paul said "Who are you, O man, to reply against God?" Romans 9 v 20.
It is this last point that we must continuously bear in mind. It is not for us to question God, it is for us to accept His sovereign will and submit to it. This is extremely hard for us to do given that we are, by nature, rebellious creatures and not inclined to obey the commands of God.
Of course, in the New Testament, under the dispensation of Grace, we don't wipe out the heathen today. Under the dispensation of Grace we bring the Gospel to people and then God, in His sovereign mercy, opens people's eyes and reveals to them their need of Christ as their personal Saviour. (Many Christians don't like the Biblical truth that people only get saved as God reveals truth to them but it is what the Bible says, and we must accept it. For example in Matthew 16 when Peter said that Jesus was the Son of God He replied "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in Heaven" Matthew 16 v 17).
As we preach the Gospel we will often get people raising all kinds of objections and this one is at, or near, the top of the list. However, we should not be intimidated but rather boldly declare that a sovereign God can do what He likes with His creatures. Our responsibility is not to "apologise" for the "genocide" of the Old Testament but simply spread the Word, believing that God will draw people to the foot of the cross in repentance and faith.
Jesus said "No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me, draws him." John 6 v 44
Friday, 12 July 2013
3 Glorious Promises from our Saviour
Sometimes Christians can get themselves concerned that they are not going to Heaven because they might not be "one of the elect". The following article is designed to give help to those who struggle with this question.
The reason why I have assurance of eternal life in Heaven is not because I'm convinced I'm "one of the elect" but because of 3 glorious promises from the lips of the Lord Jesus as recorded in John's Gospel. Let's look at these one by one:
Firstly, in John 3 v 16 we read that "...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life". The words "Whoever believes" in the original Greek are actually "every believing one" or "every one believing". This is a clear statement to the effect that every single person who believes in Christ, the Son of God, has eternal life. It is an absolute statement and should be taken at face value. Conversely, those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God are under His condemnation - see verse 18. This is not "politically correct" but it is the truth.
Secondly, in John 5 v 24 The Lord Jesus said that the one who hears His words and believes in the one who sent Him has eternal life "and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death unto life". Not only do we have assurance of eternal life for the price of believing in Christ, but also we WILL NOT be condemned to everlasting torments in Hell; we can't be condemned because The Lord Jesus has given that promise.
Thirdly, in John 6 v 37 the Saviour makes a declaration and gives a promise. (Read every word very carefully) "All that the Father gives me will come to me; and the one who comes to me I will, by no means, cast out". Every single person given to Christ by the Father (those elected according to His foreknowledge - 1st Peter 1 v 2) WILL come to Christ for salvation. This is a wonderful encouragement in evangelism because we know that we have a cause that cannot fail. Moreover, the Saviour promises that the ones who come to Him WILL NOT be cast out - what a glorious promise.
We can have absolute assurance that, if we truly believe in the Lord Jesus, He will not cast us aside, He cannot do so because He is bound by His promise.
I would urge all Christians to meditate on these wonderful words from the Saviour's lips and rejoice - because our names are written in Heaven.
The reason why I have assurance of eternal life in Heaven is not because I'm convinced I'm "one of the elect" but because of 3 glorious promises from the lips of the Lord Jesus as recorded in John's Gospel. Let's look at these one by one:
Firstly, in John 3 v 16 we read that "...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life". The words "Whoever believes" in the original Greek are actually "every believing one" or "every one believing". This is a clear statement to the effect that every single person who believes in Christ, the Son of God, has eternal life. It is an absolute statement and should be taken at face value. Conversely, those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God are under His condemnation - see verse 18. This is not "politically correct" but it is the truth.
Secondly, in John 5 v 24 The Lord Jesus said that the one who hears His words and believes in the one who sent Him has eternal life "and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death unto life". Not only do we have assurance of eternal life for the price of believing in Christ, but also we WILL NOT be condemned to everlasting torments in Hell; we can't be condemned because The Lord Jesus has given that promise.
Thirdly, in John 6 v 37 the Saviour makes a declaration and gives a promise. (Read every word very carefully) "All that the Father gives me will come to me; and the one who comes to me I will, by no means, cast out". Every single person given to Christ by the Father (those elected according to His foreknowledge - 1st Peter 1 v 2) WILL come to Christ for salvation. This is a wonderful encouragement in evangelism because we know that we have a cause that cannot fail. Moreover, the Saviour promises that the ones who come to Him WILL NOT be cast out - what a glorious promise.
We can have absolute assurance that, if we truly believe in the Lord Jesus, He will not cast us aside, He cannot do so because He is bound by His promise.
I would urge all Christians to meditate on these wonderful words from the Saviour's lips and rejoice - because our names are written in Heaven.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Why did Jesus die?
The local paper in my area, "Thanet Gazette", has a faith column every week and ministers are asked to submit articles for this. 2 weeks ago a Baptist Union minister had an article in which he suggested that Jesus died because He was a "dissident". As the paper is read by tens of 1,000s of people it disturbed me that many are going to get completely the wrong idea of the reason for Jesus' death. Consequently, I wrote to the same paper presenting the real reason for the crucifixion and, to my surprise (O ye of little faith), the editor published it.
For the benefit of blog readers this letter is replicated below:
"I am writing with regards to the faith article in the June 7th edition where a local minister stated that the Lord Jesus paid the ultimate price for being a "dissident". By the words "ultimate price" I assume he means the death penalty which, in Jesus' case, was crucifixion.
I don't doubt this gentleman's sincerity but I do question his theological soundness. Jesus was not put to death for being a "dissident". His death was fore-ordained by God the Father as a sacrifice for our sins. Indeed, when Jesus was hanging on the cross the wrath of a Holy God against sin was poured upon Him. Consequently, people who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their personal Saviour will not experience that wrath because it was borne by Jesus.
This is known as "propitiation". In 1st John 2 v 2 and 1st John 4 v 10 we read that Jesus was the propitiation for our sins. This is also known as penal substitution. Sadly, many translations of the Bible have removed the word propitiation and this has led to confusion over the real purpose of Christ's death.
The fact of Christ's sacrifice for our sins (and His subsequent resurrection) is not only theologically correct but requires a response from all of us. We all need to be truly sorry for our sins that have caused great offence to God, and we need to accept Jesus as our personal Saviour in order to have eternal life."
I truly hope that this letter will be read by many people and lead to them coming to know the Saviour for themselves.
For the benefit of blog readers this letter is replicated below:
"I am writing with regards to the faith article in the June 7th edition where a local minister stated that the Lord Jesus paid the ultimate price for being a "dissident". By the words "ultimate price" I assume he means the death penalty which, in Jesus' case, was crucifixion.
I don't doubt this gentleman's sincerity but I do question his theological soundness. Jesus was not put to death for being a "dissident". His death was fore-ordained by God the Father as a sacrifice for our sins. Indeed, when Jesus was hanging on the cross the wrath of a Holy God against sin was poured upon Him. Consequently, people who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their personal Saviour will not experience that wrath because it was borne by Jesus.
This is known as "propitiation". In 1st John 2 v 2 and 1st John 4 v 10 we read that Jesus was the propitiation for our sins. This is also known as penal substitution. Sadly, many translations of the Bible have removed the word propitiation and this has led to confusion over the real purpose of Christ's death.
The fact of Christ's sacrifice for our sins (and His subsequent resurrection) is not only theologically correct but requires a response from all of us. We all need to be truly sorry for our sins that have caused great offence to God, and we need to accept Jesus as our personal Saviour in order to have eternal life."
I truly hope that this letter will be read by many people and lead to them coming to know the Saviour for themselves.
Thursday, 6 June 2013
"Your sins have been paid for"
Anthony Norris Groves was a missionary to Baghdad in the 1800s. He went out there with his family and no guarantee (humanly speaking) of financial support. While there he befriended a number of Muslims and sought opportunity to explain the Gospel to them.
At some point a dreadful cholera epidemic broke out and many people died. One of Mr Groves' Muslims friends said to him "It's alright for you Christians, your sins have been paid for, but I'm terrified of death".
This observation sums up one of the most fundamental differences between Biblical Christianity and false religion. As a believer in the Lord Jesus I know I am going to Heaven, not because of any good in me, but because Jesus paid for my sins.
This was exemplified in a recent conversation I had with a very sincere, and earnest young chap. He stated that he thought all religions were basically the same, and that all the various religious leaders taught the same things. After pointing out the obvious (?) fact that belief systems that contradict one another can't all be right I then moved on to the assurance of Heaven which I enjoy. I pointed out that Muslims do not have assurance of eternal life, even Muhammed had no such assurance. He acknowledged that this was a fundamental point and I trust that this seed sown in his mind and heart will lead to his personal salvation.
Coming back to the main point - all of the great religions (and Evangelical Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with the risen Christ) have belief systems and various rules but none of them can give assurance of eternal life. Why is this? The answer is simple - because their sins have not been paid for.
Sin is a barrier between us and God, until it is removed we cannot know Him and we cannot have an assurance based upon truth. When Jesus died for the sins of the world the way was opened up for anyone to truly repent of his or her sins and accept Him as their personal Saviour. Those who accept Christ know that their sins have been paid for, the slate has been wiped clean and their names are in the book of life.
As a word of personal testimony let me say that, even as a young kid, I wanted to have assurance of Heaven. God had written eternity in my heart (as He has for all people, we all know that there is an eternity to face when we die) and I craved this assurance. What a wonderful day it was for me (Sept 13, 1975) when Jesus came into my heart. As the song puts it:
"Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, when at the cross the Saviour made me whole.
My sins He washed away, and my night He turned to day, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul".
"He who hears my word, and believes in Him who sent me, has everlasting life....." John 5 v 24
At some point a dreadful cholera epidemic broke out and many people died. One of Mr Groves' Muslims friends said to him "It's alright for you Christians, your sins have been paid for, but I'm terrified of death".
This observation sums up one of the most fundamental differences between Biblical Christianity and false religion. As a believer in the Lord Jesus I know I am going to Heaven, not because of any good in me, but because Jesus paid for my sins.
This was exemplified in a recent conversation I had with a very sincere, and earnest young chap. He stated that he thought all religions were basically the same, and that all the various religious leaders taught the same things. After pointing out the obvious (?) fact that belief systems that contradict one another can't all be right I then moved on to the assurance of Heaven which I enjoy. I pointed out that Muslims do not have assurance of eternal life, even Muhammed had no such assurance. He acknowledged that this was a fundamental point and I trust that this seed sown in his mind and heart will lead to his personal salvation.
Coming back to the main point - all of the great religions (and Evangelical Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with the risen Christ) have belief systems and various rules but none of them can give assurance of eternal life. Why is this? The answer is simple - because their sins have not been paid for.
Sin is a barrier between us and God, until it is removed we cannot know Him and we cannot have an assurance based upon truth. When Jesus died for the sins of the world the way was opened up for anyone to truly repent of his or her sins and accept Him as their personal Saviour. Those who accept Christ know that their sins have been paid for, the slate has been wiped clean and their names are in the book of life.
As a word of personal testimony let me say that, even as a young kid, I wanted to have assurance of Heaven. God had written eternity in my heart (as He has for all people, we all know that there is an eternity to face when we die) and I craved this assurance. What a wonderful day it was for me (Sept 13, 1975) when Jesus came into my heart. As the song puts it:
"Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, when at the cross the Saviour made me whole.
My sins He washed away, and my night He turned to day, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul".
"He who hears my word, and believes in Him who sent me, has everlasting life....." John 5 v 24
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)