There are a number of reasons why people refuse to repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour but ultimately it comes down to the simple fact that they have been blinded by the devil - see 2nd Corinthians 4 v 4. Given that fact one may wonder how it is that anyone will believe; if the devil is stronger than people (and he is) and if he has blinded people (and he has) how can anyone believe?
There are six reasons why people repent of their sins and accept Christ:
1. Truth is revealed to them.
In Matthew 16 v 13-17 Peter declares Jesus to be the Son of God. Jesus sates that Peter believed this because it was revealed to him by His "Father in Heaven". Of course, anyone can have an academic knowledge of the teachings of the Gospel, but until God reveals truth to their hearts then they will not believe.
2. God draws them.
In John 6 v 44 Jesus makes it clear that no-one can come to Him until the Father "draws them". Think of water in a well not being able to draw itself, a person comes along and draws that water using a bucket. That is what happens when people come to Christ for salvation - they are drawn to Him..
3. They are enabled to believe.
In John 6 v 65 Jesus said that no-one can come to him unless "it has been given him by my Father". The New International Version is more explicit, using the word "enabled". In our natural state we are not able to receive the "things of the Spirit of God" (1st Corinthians 2 v 14) . For us to believe we need to be "enabled".
4. They are the sheep who hear the shepherd.
In John 10 v 26-27 Jesus said to a group of people "You do not believe because you are not of my sheep, my sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me". Those who are not "the sheep" may hear the physical voice of a Gospel preacher but they will not hear the voice of Christ, and they cannot, because they are not of the sheep.
5. They have been ordained to eternal life.
In Acts 13 v 48 we read of those who believe doing so because they were "appointed to eternal life". In John 6 v 37 we read of those who have been given to Christ coming to Him. These 2 verses are making the same point - people believe because they were ordained to do so.
6. Their hearts have been opened.
In Acts 16 we read of Paul going to Philippi to preach the word and he preached to a group of ladies gathered by the riverside. As he did so the Lord opened Lydia's heart so that she gave attention to what Paul was preaching, and she got saved (see verse 14).
When I got saved in Sept 1975 I thought it was me opening my own heart and accepting Christ, but as I read the Bible I find that it was God who did the work - all praise to His glorious name!
As I spread the Gospel on the streets of Kent I am encouraged to know that God has all these things in hand and that HE WILL draw people to Himself in repentance and faith.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Israel - proof that the Bible is true.
In preaching and teaching the Bible the first emphasis must always be on the cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. People need Him in their lives and so we should make that the first priority in evangelism and Bible teaching. Issues like evolution, abortion and gays are important, and we should have Biblical views on them, but people's need of personal salvation come first.
To that end we read the Bible and see Christ on every page; in particular, we see a huge number of Old Testament prophecies and how they are fulfilled in Christ. As we read them our faith is encouraged and we are strengthened in our belief that the Bible is infallible.
There are other prophecies in the OT that relate, not to the cross, but to Israel and, while we must not be sidetracked from the Gospel, it does us good to see how they have been fulfilled even in our day and generation. One such prophecy is found in the last two verses of the book of Amos. This prophecy states that the Jewish people would return to the land (meaning, of course, Israel) and "would never again be uprooted". After the ransacking of Jerusalem in 70AD, and the dispersion of the Jews, it appeared that they were finished as a race. Humanly speaking, they would simply assimilate into the nations they went to, and, through intermarriage, would eventually die out.
As the centuries passed, the land of Israel became part of the Ottoman empire and there was no place for a nation dedicated to preserving, and protecting, the Jewish race. Over the centuries the Jews were savagely persecuted (much of this being orchestrated by "Christians"; think: Martin Luther's call for Jews to be driven off their land), the worst example being the holocaust when 6 million were murdered. Yet despite all this, there were Christians who believed in the OT prophecies like the one mentioned above, and they were looking for the day when Israel would, once again, become a nation.
Against all the odds, humanly speaking, Israel became a nation in May, 1948 and, despite numerous attempts to destroy it (the latest being the Hamas campaign dedicated to the removal of Israel from the map) it still stands today. This is a stunning fulfilment of prophecy and should encourage the faith of people, like myself, who believe that the Bible is true in every detail.
In stating the above I am aware that sometimes the IDF (Israeli Defence Force) carry out attacks that lead to tragic loss of civilian life; I'm also aware that Jews need Christ as their Lord and Saviour - they are not automatically right with God just because they are Jews. However, the fact that Israel came into being, and continues to survive, is solid proof that the Bible IS God's word, and what He says WILL come to pass.
If what God says about Israel comes to pass, then what He says about a coming judgement day is also going to come to pass. There will be a day of reckoning when we must all give account of ourselves to God. Only those who have trusted the Saviour can be sure of eternal life.
To that end we read the Bible and see Christ on every page; in particular, we see a huge number of Old Testament prophecies and how they are fulfilled in Christ. As we read them our faith is encouraged and we are strengthened in our belief that the Bible is infallible.
There are other prophecies in the OT that relate, not to the cross, but to Israel and, while we must not be sidetracked from the Gospel, it does us good to see how they have been fulfilled even in our day and generation. One such prophecy is found in the last two verses of the book of Amos. This prophecy states that the Jewish people would return to the land (meaning, of course, Israel) and "would never again be uprooted". After the ransacking of Jerusalem in 70AD, and the dispersion of the Jews, it appeared that they were finished as a race. Humanly speaking, they would simply assimilate into the nations they went to, and, through intermarriage, would eventually die out.
As the centuries passed, the land of Israel became part of the Ottoman empire and there was no place for a nation dedicated to preserving, and protecting, the Jewish race. Over the centuries the Jews were savagely persecuted (much of this being orchestrated by "Christians"; think: Martin Luther's call for Jews to be driven off their land), the worst example being the holocaust when 6 million were murdered. Yet despite all this, there were Christians who believed in the OT prophecies like the one mentioned above, and they were looking for the day when Israel would, once again, become a nation.
Against all the odds, humanly speaking, Israel became a nation in May, 1948 and, despite numerous attempts to destroy it (the latest being the Hamas campaign dedicated to the removal of Israel from the map) it still stands today. This is a stunning fulfilment of prophecy and should encourage the faith of people, like myself, who believe that the Bible is true in every detail.
In stating the above I am aware that sometimes the IDF (Israeli Defence Force) carry out attacks that lead to tragic loss of civilian life; I'm also aware that Jews need Christ as their Lord and Saviour - they are not automatically right with God just because they are Jews. However, the fact that Israel came into being, and continues to survive, is solid proof that the Bible IS God's word, and what He says WILL come to pass.
If what God says about Israel comes to pass, then what He says about a coming judgement day is also going to come to pass. There will be a day of reckoning when we must all give account of ourselves to God. Only those who have trusted the Saviour can be sure of eternal life.
Thursday, 7 August 2014
The New Birth
In John chapter 3 we read the words "Except a man be Born Again he cannot see the kingdom of God".
About 12 years ago I was passing out tracts when a man approached me and said "I've done the Born Again bit". I don't doubt his sincerity, and he may well have been a true believer in Christ, but his choice of words was a little unfortunate. In reality we don't do the "Born Again bit", God does it in us.
As we consider this subject it may be helpful to look at four questions viz.
1. Why is the New Birth necessary?
It is necessary because we are, in our natural state, dead in trespasses and sins (see Ephesians 2 v 1). This speaks for itself; there is no spiritual life in people who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. This is why they consider the claims of Christ to be irrelevant and not important enough to give any thought to. Moreover, those who die in that state of spiritual deadness are under God's condemnation for all eternity.
2. What is the operation of the New Birth?
In other words, how does it happen? It happens when the Holy Spirit of God comes upon people and gives them new life. It cannot be explained, but needs to be experienced (ie. better felt than telt). I experienced this, in my own life, in September 1975 when I got saved. Millions of people all over the world, over the last 2 millenia, have also experienced the same phenomena . The Bible likens it to a wind which cannot be seen but it's effects are clearly visible (see John 3 v 8).
3. What is the condition of the New Birth?
The answer is found in 1st John 5 v 1 where we read that "everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God". When we come to the realisation that we are lost sinners, that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and we truly repent and accept Him, then we are Born Again. God brings us to newness of life. The Bible puts it like this: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" 2nd Corinthians 5 v 17.
4. What is the result of the New Birth?
I've already alluded to this in the previous paragraph when mentioning the new life we experience. We are also adopted into God's family; we become His children (see John 1 v 11-13). Many people believe that we are all naturally God's children but this is not the case. We are all, naturally, the devil's children; but when we get saved then, and only then, do we become the children of God through faith in Christ.
This is vital subject but, sadly, so many people continue in their spiritual deadness because they refuse to submit to the Lordship of Christ. May the Lord be pleased to draw precious souls to Himself through the spread of His infallible word - the Bible.
About 12 years ago I was passing out tracts when a man approached me and said "I've done the Born Again bit". I don't doubt his sincerity, and he may well have been a true believer in Christ, but his choice of words was a little unfortunate. In reality we don't do the "Born Again bit", God does it in us.
As we consider this subject it may be helpful to look at four questions viz.
1. Why is the New Birth necessary?
It is necessary because we are, in our natural state, dead in trespasses and sins (see Ephesians 2 v 1). This speaks for itself; there is no spiritual life in people who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. This is why they consider the claims of Christ to be irrelevant and not important enough to give any thought to. Moreover, those who die in that state of spiritual deadness are under God's condemnation for all eternity.
2. What is the operation of the New Birth?
In other words, how does it happen? It happens when the Holy Spirit of God comes upon people and gives them new life. It cannot be explained, but needs to be experienced (ie. better felt than telt). I experienced this, in my own life, in September 1975 when I got saved. Millions of people all over the world, over the last 2 millenia, have also experienced the same phenomena . The Bible likens it to a wind which cannot be seen but it's effects are clearly visible (see John 3 v 8).
3. What is the condition of the New Birth?
The answer is found in 1st John 5 v 1 where we read that "everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God". When we come to the realisation that we are lost sinners, that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and we truly repent and accept Him, then we are Born Again. God brings us to newness of life. The Bible puts it like this: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" 2nd Corinthians 5 v 17.
4. What is the result of the New Birth?
I've already alluded to this in the previous paragraph when mentioning the new life we experience. We are also adopted into God's family; we become His children (see John 1 v 11-13). Many people believe that we are all naturally God's children but this is not the case. We are all, naturally, the devil's children; but when we get saved then, and only then, do we become the children of God through faith in Christ.
This is vital subject but, sadly, so many people continue in their spiritual deadness because they refuse to submit to the Lordship of Christ. May the Lord be pleased to draw precious souls to Himself through the spread of His infallible word - the Bible.
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Mandela - the movie
Last week I rented the Mandela movie from the local library and was pleased to note that they had, by and large, stuck to the historical truth, and didn't seek to suggest that Mandela was a man without fault. It showed his life in general and his struggle against the injustice of apartheid. (Incidentally, the Dutch Reformed Church were wholly wrong to use the Bible to justify apartheid, believing, as they did, that the Boers were the "elect" race).
Whenever I watch films, I try to look for spiritual lessons that I can take with me throughout my Christian life, and this film was no exception. There are 2 particular points that came through very clearly for me viz.
1. Mandela, for all his faults, showed great magnanimity towards the white population. After 27 years in prison he could be forgiven for feeling bitter, and one word from him would have led to the whites being massacred. However, he behaved as a true statesman and led the country through a difficult transition to democracy. One may feel that he exhibited the kind of grace that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. This is a lesson for us; the heaviest load to bear is a grudge and when people do not learn to forgive then they damage themselves.
2. As I saw the scenes of brutality and oppression towards the black majority I began to consider another form of oppression, one that is even worse than the barbarity of apartheid. I refer, of course, to the way that the devil keeps people enslaved in their sins. The reason why people do not repent of their sins and accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour is that, not only have they been blinded by the devil, but also enslaved by him. As we witness people being enslaved and used by oppressors we need to see, in that, a picture of how the devil treats people.
Why is it that so many people cannot see their need of Christ - because the devil has them under his control.
Why is it that many people have addictions that they cannot break free from - because the devil has enslaved them.
Why is it that many people engage in immorality, homosexuality and various gross perversions - because the devil manipulates them, and plays with them in the same way as a cat plays with a mouse.
In other words, people who do not have Christ as their personal Saviour are helpless - in a sense they cannot help doing the things they do, the devil is controlling them like a puppet master pulling the strings. Of course, they are still accountable to God and, if they don't repent, will face eternal damnation, but these poor creatures have been caught by satan and are being used by him to further his evil designs.
The Bible teaches, in 2nd Timothy 2 v 26, that the unsaved have been taken captive by the devil, at his will, to do his will. What is the answer to the predicament these people are in - the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In John 8 v 32 Jesus said that the truth will set people free. Moreover, the prophecy in Isaiah 61 about setting prisoners free has been, and is being, fulfilled in Christ. When God opens the eyes of poor blind sinners, and draws them to repentance and faith in Christ, they are set free. They know the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit, they have been born again.
As I consider these matters I am renewed in my dedication to spread the Gospel, the only means whereby the slaves can be set free.
Whenever I watch films, I try to look for spiritual lessons that I can take with me throughout my Christian life, and this film was no exception. There are 2 particular points that came through very clearly for me viz.
1. Mandela, for all his faults, showed great magnanimity towards the white population. After 27 years in prison he could be forgiven for feeling bitter, and one word from him would have led to the whites being massacred. However, he behaved as a true statesman and led the country through a difficult transition to democracy. One may feel that he exhibited the kind of grace that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. This is a lesson for us; the heaviest load to bear is a grudge and when people do not learn to forgive then they damage themselves.
2. As I saw the scenes of brutality and oppression towards the black majority I began to consider another form of oppression, one that is even worse than the barbarity of apartheid. I refer, of course, to the way that the devil keeps people enslaved in their sins. The reason why people do not repent of their sins and accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour is that, not only have they been blinded by the devil, but also enslaved by him. As we witness people being enslaved and used by oppressors we need to see, in that, a picture of how the devil treats people.
Why is it that so many people cannot see their need of Christ - because the devil has them under his control.
Why is it that many people have addictions that they cannot break free from - because the devil has enslaved them.
Why is it that many people engage in immorality, homosexuality and various gross perversions - because the devil manipulates them, and plays with them in the same way as a cat plays with a mouse.
In other words, people who do not have Christ as their personal Saviour are helpless - in a sense they cannot help doing the things they do, the devil is controlling them like a puppet master pulling the strings. Of course, they are still accountable to God and, if they don't repent, will face eternal damnation, but these poor creatures have been caught by satan and are being used by him to further his evil designs.
The Bible teaches, in 2nd Timothy 2 v 26, that the unsaved have been taken captive by the devil, at his will, to do his will. What is the answer to the predicament these people are in - the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In John 8 v 32 Jesus said that the truth will set people free. Moreover, the prophecy in Isaiah 61 about setting prisoners free has been, and is being, fulfilled in Christ. When God opens the eyes of poor blind sinners, and draws them to repentance and faith in Christ, they are set free. They know the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit, they have been born again.
As I consider these matters I am renewed in my dedication to spread the Gospel, the only means whereby the slaves can be set free.
Monday, 21 July 2014
Flight MH17
Unless you have migrated to Mars you cannot have failed to notice that, last week, a passenger plane was brought down by a missile over Eastern Ukraine. It appears that the missile was fired by pro-Russian "rebels" who are fighting the Ukrainian govt. over the future of the region. I've no wish to take sides in this conflict as my first responsibility is to preach the Gospel, not get involved in politics. However, all people, of whatever persuasion, would have been shocked at the appalling loss of life and the blame game started within minutes of the tragedy taking place.
Whenever, such an incident occurs I tend to ask myself - "What spiritual lessons can be learned?" I believe there are 2 basic lessons that we can draw from this.
Firstly, don't be a hypocrite. Messrs Obama and Cameron have roundly condemned the Russians for allegedly arming the separatists. However, Obama seems to have forgotten that the US navy brought down an Iranian passenger plane in 1988 with heavy loss of life. Moreover, Cameron seems to have forgotten that he supported the Iraq war which lead to huge suffering among Iraqi civilians. Both of these "leaders" exemplify one of the basest traits of human nature - the tendency to condemn others for things we do ourselves. Jesus warned against this in Matthew chapter 7.
Secondly, we all need to recognise 3 basic truths - life is brief, death is certain and we must all pass into eternity one day. The time and date that we meet God has been fixed by Him and we don't know when that day will come. Those reading this article cannot be certain that they will be alive tomorrow, as death can come at any time. Yesterday on Broadstairs sea-front I had an hour long conversation with a man in which this issue came up, it is always relevant.
Moreover, after death comes the judgement, and then it's eternity in bliss or torments. Over the week-end I heard a sermon from John Macarthur (of Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California) in which he stated that the most important question in life is this "How can a guilty sinner get right with God and avoid eternal Hell?"
No question is as important as that, and no quest is more urgent than seeking to be right with God.
I sincerely hope that all the victims of this tragedy were saved; it is highly unlikely that they would have had notice of their death as it was so sudden - and that is a wake-up call for all people.
We all need to be sure we are right with God and this is ONLY by repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. As Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, NO-ONE comes to the Father but by me" - John 14 v 6.
Whenever, such an incident occurs I tend to ask myself - "What spiritual lessons can be learned?" I believe there are 2 basic lessons that we can draw from this.
Firstly, don't be a hypocrite. Messrs Obama and Cameron have roundly condemned the Russians for allegedly arming the separatists. However, Obama seems to have forgotten that the US navy brought down an Iranian passenger plane in 1988 with heavy loss of life. Moreover, Cameron seems to have forgotten that he supported the Iraq war which lead to huge suffering among Iraqi civilians. Both of these "leaders" exemplify one of the basest traits of human nature - the tendency to condemn others for things we do ourselves. Jesus warned against this in Matthew chapter 7.
Secondly, we all need to recognise 3 basic truths - life is brief, death is certain and we must all pass into eternity one day. The time and date that we meet God has been fixed by Him and we don't know when that day will come. Those reading this article cannot be certain that they will be alive tomorrow, as death can come at any time. Yesterday on Broadstairs sea-front I had an hour long conversation with a man in which this issue came up, it is always relevant.
Moreover, after death comes the judgement, and then it's eternity in bliss or torments. Over the week-end I heard a sermon from John Macarthur (of Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California) in which he stated that the most important question in life is this "How can a guilty sinner get right with God and avoid eternal Hell?"
No question is as important as that, and no quest is more urgent than seeking to be right with God.
I sincerely hope that all the victims of this tragedy were saved; it is highly unlikely that they would have had notice of their death as it was so sudden - and that is a wake-up call for all people.
We all need to be sure we are right with God and this is ONLY by repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. As Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, NO-ONE comes to the Father but by me" - John 14 v 6.
Wednesday, 16 July 2014
One reason people don't get saved.
The welfare state was set up in the late 1940s by the Attlee government. This was, no doubt, motivated by a genuine desire to see an end to poverty by helping those who had fallen on hard times.
However, over the last few decades it has become so massive that millions of our fellow-citizens now refuse to work because they know they can get free handouts from the state. I'm not writing now about those who are genuinely unemployed, but those who don't want to work (I see them often in Ramsgate town centre; all they are fit for is boozing, swearing and fathering kids by different women, producing another generation of scroungers - I call them the "Pramsgate Militia").
The New Testament makes it crystal clear that such people should not even be allowed to eat (see 2nd Thessalonians 3 v 10). As the number of claimants has increased the number of people getting saved seems to have declined - why is this? The answer is obvious, over the last 40 years, or so, many people have come to trust in the state to provide, rather than God. Consequently, they think they don't need God. In effect, the welfare state has caused people to end up in Hell.
This mentality (the state provides, therefore we don't need God) explains why lefties tend to be atheists to a man - the likes of Michael Foot, Robin Cook, Donald Dewar and Bob Crowe were all strong atheists with a mouth to match! Of course, these people have passed into eternity and, one hopes, came to their senses before their appointment with God!
Having established the fact that the rise in the Welfare State has co-related with a fall in the numbers of conversions to Christ, I come now to the remedy: slash welfare spending, big time. As benefits are reduced so churches can set up soup kitchens where those in need can get soup and rolls to feed themselves. As the poor are queueing up to get their food Christian Evangelists can get alongside them and tell them of the Saviour. Perhaps such evangelists can sit down with them as they eat and tell them of the Bread of Life, and how they need to have their souls fed as well as their bodies.
This will have a huge impact for good in our nation - as more and more people get saved so they will be an influence for good and we will see crime falling; we will also see the new converts going out with the Gospel and leading many others to Christ.
At the end of the day - what matters is not how much of this world's goods we have but whether or not our souls are saved. Slashing benefits will help to get matters back into their proper perspective.
It is eternity that counts, not making people comfortable and state-dependent in this life.
However, over the last few decades it has become so massive that millions of our fellow-citizens now refuse to work because they know they can get free handouts from the state. I'm not writing now about those who are genuinely unemployed, but those who don't want to work (I see them often in Ramsgate town centre; all they are fit for is boozing, swearing and fathering kids by different women, producing another generation of scroungers - I call them the "Pramsgate Militia").
The New Testament makes it crystal clear that such people should not even be allowed to eat (see 2nd Thessalonians 3 v 10). As the number of claimants has increased the number of people getting saved seems to have declined - why is this? The answer is obvious, over the last 40 years, or so, many people have come to trust in the state to provide, rather than God. Consequently, they think they don't need God. In effect, the welfare state has caused people to end up in Hell.
This mentality (the state provides, therefore we don't need God) explains why lefties tend to be atheists to a man - the likes of Michael Foot, Robin Cook, Donald Dewar and Bob Crowe were all strong atheists with a mouth to match! Of course, these people have passed into eternity and, one hopes, came to their senses before their appointment with God!
Having established the fact that the rise in the Welfare State has co-related with a fall in the numbers of conversions to Christ, I come now to the remedy: slash welfare spending, big time. As benefits are reduced so churches can set up soup kitchens where those in need can get soup and rolls to feed themselves. As the poor are queueing up to get their food Christian Evangelists can get alongside them and tell them of the Saviour. Perhaps such evangelists can sit down with them as they eat and tell them of the Bread of Life, and how they need to have their souls fed as well as their bodies.
This will have a huge impact for good in our nation - as more and more people get saved so they will be an influence for good and we will see crime falling; we will also see the new converts going out with the Gospel and leading many others to Christ.
At the end of the day - what matters is not how much of this world's goods we have but whether or not our souls are saved. Slashing benefits will help to get matters back into their proper perspective.
It is eternity that counts, not making people comfortable and state-dependent in this life.
Friday, 4 July 2014
Pray for Rolf Harris to be saved
It appears that Rolf Harris has been sentenced to 5 years and 9 months for doing things he shouldn't to young girls over a long period of time. He was convicted a few days ago and has now gone to prison for his offences.
Of course, what he did was wrong, and he has been rightly punished for it. No doubt he will reflect long and hard while in prison concerning the shame he has brought upon himself, and the distress he has caused his family just at that time of life when he should be at peace with himself and his family.
However, my biggest concern is for his soul. Many people will write him off as "an evil paedophile" who is beyond redemption, but I believe he can be converted and forgiven by God.
Jesus loves even people like Rolf Harris, and loves them so much that he laid down His life on the cross as a sacrifice for their sins, then rose again to be their Saviour.
Even people who have committed vile acts of perversion against children can be changed by the power of God's Holy Spirit; indeed, if we are honest with ourselves we would have to admit that we have all fallen short of God's standards. Most of us have not done evil things to children but we have all sinned against a Holy God - we have all broken His laws and gone our own way in life. None of us have reached up to the standard which God requires which, of course, is perfection.
Consequently, before condemning Rolf Harris let us look at our own hearts and lives; let us all acknowledge that we need the Saviour to take away the guilt of our sins and give us peace with God.
I did this nearly 38 years ago when I repented of my sins and accepted the Lord Jesus as my personal Saviour - now I know I am bound for Heaven, not because there is any good in me but because Jesus paid the price for all my sins and now lives in my heart.
While we examine ourselves and ensure that we are right with God, let us remember to pray for Rolf Harris; this poor man needs the peace that only God can give, and which can only come through the Lord Jesus Christ. May it happen that, as he languishes in a prison cell, he will read God's Holy word and come to know the Saviour.
Of course, what he did was wrong, and he has been rightly punished for it. No doubt he will reflect long and hard while in prison concerning the shame he has brought upon himself, and the distress he has caused his family just at that time of life when he should be at peace with himself and his family.
However, my biggest concern is for his soul. Many people will write him off as "an evil paedophile" who is beyond redemption, but I believe he can be converted and forgiven by God.
Jesus loves even people like Rolf Harris, and loves them so much that he laid down His life on the cross as a sacrifice for their sins, then rose again to be their Saviour.
Even people who have committed vile acts of perversion against children can be changed by the power of God's Holy Spirit; indeed, if we are honest with ourselves we would have to admit that we have all fallen short of God's standards. Most of us have not done evil things to children but we have all sinned against a Holy God - we have all broken His laws and gone our own way in life. None of us have reached up to the standard which God requires which, of course, is perfection.
Consequently, before condemning Rolf Harris let us look at our own hearts and lives; let us all acknowledge that we need the Saviour to take away the guilt of our sins and give us peace with God.
I did this nearly 38 years ago when I repented of my sins and accepted the Lord Jesus as my personal Saviour - now I know I am bound for Heaven, not because there is any good in me but because Jesus paid the price for all my sins and now lives in my heart.
While we examine ourselves and ensure that we are right with God, let us remember to pray for Rolf Harris; this poor man needs the peace that only God can give, and which can only come through the Lord Jesus Christ. May it happen that, as he languishes in a prison cell, he will read God's Holy word and come to know the Saviour.
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