Many people think that God is an irrelevance to them if, indeed, He even exists! However, I would like to outline 2 testimonies that I came across only this last week that prove that God is very much alive. and still performing miracles.
The Gideons have a wonderful ministry of placing Bibles in numerous places (including prisons) and giving out New Testaments to youngsters in schools. An extremely violent prisoner in the north of England was placed into solitary confinement because he kept attacking the warders and other prisoners. While there he had access to a Bible and, in a rage, tore it up into pieces. As he lay on his bed wondering what was to become of him he decided to pick up one of the torn pages; it "just happened" to be the parable of the prodigal son. As he read this the Lord spoke to him and, to cut a long story short, he got wonderfully converted. Having been released he now reaches out to people who seem to be embarking on a criminal road, telling them how Jesus can change them, just as He changed him.
The second testimony may be less "spectacular" but is still, nonetheless an evidence of the saving grace of God:
In the county of Kent there is a free newspaper that comes out every week-end and is financed by advertising. 2 weeks ago they carried an article along the lines that "religion" is dying. Of course, it's not religion that people need but Christ as a personal Saviour. The next edition carried a letter from a Canterbury resident with the following heartwarming testimony (abridged) - "up until the age of 40 I was the biggest atheist going. Then I went to a local church after being invited by a friend. As a result of the work of the Holy Spirit I became born-again and accepted Christ as Saviour. It is not dependent upon religion but relationship. We can have a relationship with God through faith in Christ".
In the case of both men it was, humanly speaking, impossible that they would get saved. They were so very far from God they would never believe and trust in Christ. However, God had other ideas and drew them to a knowledge of Himself.
When I heard/read about the above I was thrilled to see that, indeed, the age of miracles has NOT passed. God is still in the business of changing lives - "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.
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Thursday, 12 November 2015
What do you think of Christ?
As regular readers of this blog will know, I spend several afternoons a week passing out tracts in Canterbury and Ramsgate and, over the years have been blessed in seeing souls saved and backsliders restored.
The latest tract I'm currently using is entitled "What do you think of Christ?" and has been well received by people in general. The wording of this is as follows:
What Do You Think of Christ?
Perhaps we might give one of the following answers to this question:
I never think about Him
I'm just not interested in Him
He isn't relevant to me
I'm just too busy to think about Him
There are many people who might give one of these answers and yet not a day goes by without them using His name casually or even as a swear word. When surprised, upset or angry they will use the name of Jesus or His title "Christ". Perhaps this reveals exactly what they think of Him, or maybe these words come out without them even thinking about what they are saying.
Actually, how we view Jesus Christ is very important, because it not only affects our lives in this life but also in the life hereafter. That may seem very unlikely to you, but have a think about three things the Bible says about Him.
He is a prophet
The first part of the Bible, the Old Testament, predicted that someone called "the Christ" would one day come. He would announce the good news that God loves people throughout the whole world. He would give proof of who He was by performing amazing miracle, "then the eyes of the blind would be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped" (Isaiah 35 v 5). Jesus would offer to heal the broken hearted and set free those whose lives were controlled by sin and evil.
Jesus did all those things without exception during His life here on earth. His disciples could say to Him "you are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16 v 16).
He is a priest
Jesus Christ lived a life that was completely pure and holy in every way. All other priests need to have their own sins forgiven by God before they can be concerned about the sins of others. Jesus Christ didn't have any sin, ".....He is holy, harmless, undefiled..." (Hebrews 7 v 26).
His absolute perfection qualified Him to reunite people to God. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ" (1st Timothy 2 v 5).
To be that mediator Jesus Christ was willing to stand in the place of people like us and pay the price that our sins deserve, "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many" (Hebrews 9 v 28). Jesus died on the cross and three days later rose triumphantly from the dead and appeared to many eyewitnesses.
He is a king
We all have a king in our lives, even if it is only ourselves. Jesus Christ is the person who really deserves that place. When He went back to Heaven He was crowned "King of kings" (Revelation 19 v 16). One day He will come again for all to see that He is the rightful king "...every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2 v 11).
What do you think about Christ? was a question Jesus asked a group of sceptics (see Matthew 22 v 42). If you are a sceptic, then please take time to think seriously about Christ. You can come to know Him as your Prophet to teach you, your Priest to forgive you, and your King to protect and guide you.
THE TRACT THEN HAS A FORM FOR PEOPLE TO FILL IN AND SEND TO THE OPEN AIR MISSION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
READERS WHO WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION PLEASE LOOK UP: www.oamission.com
The latest tract I'm currently using is entitled "What do you think of Christ?" and has been well received by people in general. The wording of this is as follows:
What Do You Think of Christ?
Perhaps we might give one of the following answers to this question:
I never think about Him
I'm just not interested in Him
He isn't relevant to me
I'm just too busy to think about Him
There are many people who might give one of these answers and yet not a day goes by without them using His name casually or even as a swear word. When surprised, upset or angry they will use the name of Jesus or His title "Christ". Perhaps this reveals exactly what they think of Him, or maybe these words come out without them even thinking about what they are saying.
Actually, how we view Jesus Christ is very important, because it not only affects our lives in this life but also in the life hereafter. That may seem very unlikely to you, but have a think about three things the Bible says about Him.
He is a prophet
The first part of the Bible, the Old Testament, predicted that someone called "the Christ" would one day come. He would announce the good news that God loves people throughout the whole world. He would give proof of who He was by performing amazing miracle, "then the eyes of the blind would be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped" (Isaiah 35 v 5). Jesus would offer to heal the broken hearted and set free those whose lives were controlled by sin and evil.
Jesus did all those things without exception during His life here on earth. His disciples could say to Him "you are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16 v 16).
He is a priest
Jesus Christ lived a life that was completely pure and holy in every way. All other priests need to have their own sins forgiven by God before they can be concerned about the sins of others. Jesus Christ didn't have any sin, ".....He is holy, harmless, undefiled..." (Hebrews 7 v 26).
His absolute perfection qualified Him to reunite people to God. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ" (1st Timothy 2 v 5).
To be that mediator Jesus Christ was willing to stand in the place of people like us and pay the price that our sins deserve, "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many" (Hebrews 9 v 28). Jesus died on the cross and three days later rose triumphantly from the dead and appeared to many eyewitnesses.
He is a king
We all have a king in our lives, even if it is only ourselves. Jesus Christ is the person who really deserves that place. When He went back to Heaven He was crowned "King of kings" (Revelation 19 v 16). One day He will come again for all to see that He is the rightful king "...every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2 v 11).
What do you think about Christ? was a question Jesus asked a group of sceptics (see Matthew 22 v 42). If you are a sceptic, then please take time to think seriously about Christ. You can come to know Him as your Prophet to teach you, your Priest to forgive you, and your King to protect and guide you.
THE TRACT THEN HAS A FORM FOR PEOPLE TO FILL IN AND SEND TO THE OPEN AIR MISSION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
READERS WHO WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION PLEASE LOOK UP: www.oamission.com
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Acts 5 v 39 and the invinciblity of the Gospel.
In the Acts of the Apostles we read the thrilling early history of the Christian church and the progress of the Gospel as many souls get saved and evangelise the lost. However, when God is active in saving souls the devil is also active and the inevitable persecution occurs, much of it extremely savage.
In Acts chapter 5 we read of how Peter and his companions were brought before the Sanhedrin and threatened for preaching the Gospel. One of the council members was Gamaliel who very wisely cautioned against taking action against the preachers for one simple reason - if this Gospel that they are preaching "is of God you cannot overthrow it". So it proved; despite the persecution directed against believers the Gospel spread like wildfire and opponents were unable to prevent this.
There are two notable examples of the impotence of man to stop God's plans from being effected -
1. In Matthew 2 we read of Herod murdering small children in order to kill Christ, but the plot failed. Shortly after that he died.
2. In Acts 12 we read of another Herod having James murdered and intending to do the same to Peter. However, Peter was miraculously released and Herod was slain by God. Just after that we read (in verse 24) that "the Word of the Lord grew and multiplied".
Both of these wicked men were very powerful but could not stop the Lord's will being carried out.
This tells me that if God wills for the Gospel to be spread, and He does, then no scheme of man can thwart that. Indeed, we read in Job 42 v 2 that no purpose of God can be hindered.
What a strong encouragement this is to me as I seek to tell others about Jesus through the distribution of tracts. Over the years there have been attempts to stop this (even from those professing to be Christians) but these have failed. All the while God leads me to spread His word,and the message of the only way of salvation, then this will occur and, as the Gospel is spread, God is pleased to draw precious souls to Himself and grant them repentance unto life.
The most powerful efforts of man to stop the Gospel will always fail for one simple reason - God is sovereign and He WILL ensure that every one of His elect WILL be saved.
In Acts chapter 5 we read of how Peter and his companions were brought before the Sanhedrin and threatened for preaching the Gospel. One of the council members was Gamaliel who very wisely cautioned against taking action against the preachers for one simple reason - if this Gospel that they are preaching "is of God you cannot overthrow it". So it proved; despite the persecution directed against believers the Gospel spread like wildfire and opponents were unable to prevent this.
There are two notable examples of the impotence of man to stop God's plans from being effected -
1. In Matthew 2 we read of Herod murdering small children in order to kill Christ, but the plot failed. Shortly after that he died.
2. In Acts 12 we read of another Herod having James murdered and intending to do the same to Peter. However, Peter was miraculously released and Herod was slain by God. Just after that we read (in verse 24) that "the Word of the Lord grew and multiplied".
Both of these wicked men were very powerful but could not stop the Lord's will being carried out.
This tells me that if God wills for the Gospel to be spread, and He does, then no scheme of man can thwart that. Indeed, we read in Job 42 v 2 that no purpose of God can be hindered.
What a strong encouragement this is to me as I seek to tell others about Jesus through the distribution of tracts. Over the years there have been attempts to stop this (even from those professing to be Christians) but these have failed. All the while God leads me to spread His word,and the message of the only way of salvation, then this will occur and, as the Gospel is spread, God is pleased to draw precious souls to Himself and grant them repentance unto life.
The most powerful efforts of man to stop the Gospel will always fail for one simple reason - God is sovereign and He WILL ensure that every one of His elect WILL be saved.
Monday, 19 October 2015
T'int right, tint fair, t'int proper
I recently watched a period drama set in Cornwall in the 1780s which made for compelling viewing. Although the programmes were serious, in that they reflected the grinding poverty of the age and the injustice of the courts, there were humorous moments. One of the characters, Jud, had a saying when he came across a situation that was not to his liking (which was often) - "t'int right, t'int fair, t'int proper".
As I was reading Romans chapter 9 recently I came across verse 18 which reads as follows: "therefore He (God) has mercy on whom He will have mercy and whom He will He hardens". This is referring to the fact that it is God who gives people the desire to repent of their sins and believe on Christ for salvation. The fact that He draws some and not others is taught in such verses as John chapter 6 verses 37, 44 and 65.
Moreover John chapter 3 has Jesus teaching that just as the wind blows where it wishes, so the Holy Spirit blows where He wishes into people's lives and makes them regenerate (born again).
At first glance this verse may seem unfair; I can imagine this Jud character coming up with his usual "t'int-ing" as he reads this (or as it's read to him) but one needs to keep this whole "fairness" business in context.
What is fairness? If a person is on death row the Governor of the state is not obliged to pardon him from the death penalty, he is not being unfair if he does not do so. In a similar way God does not owe us salvation; if we could prove God owes us salvation, then it would be grossly unfair to teach that He grants the desire to repent to some, and not others. However, we cannot prove such for one simple reason - He doesn't owe salvation to any of us; he owes us justice and that justice demands that we are all damned for eternity.
The fact that God shows us mercy is a testament to His kindness. He doesn't damn us all, even though we deserve it. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise again to be our Saviour. Then, not content with "simply" sending His Son (to be the Saviour of the world - 1st John 4 v 14). He sends the Holy Spirit to us to ensure that we respond to the message. Left to ourselves we would never come to repentance and faith in Christ, our hearts are too hard and we are love our sins too much. However, when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and "quickens" us we are moved to respond as we should do.
What should be our response to this matter? When we come across such verses as Romans 9 v 18 we should rejoice that God has shown us mercy. If we have truly repented of our sins and received Christ we should praise God from the bottom of our hearts that He moved us to do so.
We should also respond to such verses by re-doubling our efforts to evangelise the lost. If God has truly given a people to Christ (as John 6 v 37 tells us) then we are on the wiunning side. We have a cause that cannot fail for one simple reason - if God is drawing someone then they WILL believe.
As I was reading Romans chapter 9 recently I came across verse 18 which reads as follows: "therefore He (God) has mercy on whom He will have mercy and whom He will He hardens". This is referring to the fact that it is God who gives people the desire to repent of their sins and believe on Christ for salvation. The fact that He draws some and not others is taught in such verses as John chapter 6 verses 37, 44 and 65.
Moreover John chapter 3 has Jesus teaching that just as the wind blows where it wishes, so the Holy Spirit blows where He wishes into people's lives and makes them regenerate (born again).
At first glance this verse may seem unfair; I can imagine this Jud character coming up with his usual "t'int-ing" as he reads this (or as it's read to him) but one needs to keep this whole "fairness" business in context.
What is fairness? If a person is on death row the Governor of the state is not obliged to pardon him from the death penalty, he is not being unfair if he does not do so. In a similar way God does not owe us salvation; if we could prove God owes us salvation, then it would be grossly unfair to teach that He grants the desire to repent to some, and not others. However, we cannot prove such for one simple reason - He doesn't owe salvation to any of us; he owes us justice and that justice demands that we are all damned for eternity.
The fact that God shows us mercy is a testament to His kindness. He doesn't damn us all, even though we deserve it. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise again to be our Saviour. Then, not content with "simply" sending His Son (to be the Saviour of the world - 1st John 4 v 14). He sends the Holy Spirit to us to ensure that we respond to the message. Left to ourselves we would never come to repentance and faith in Christ, our hearts are too hard and we are love our sins too much. However, when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and "quickens" us we are moved to respond as we should do.
What should be our response to this matter? When we come across such verses as Romans 9 v 18 we should rejoice that God has shown us mercy. If we have truly repented of our sins and received Christ we should praise God from the bottom of our hearts that He moved us to do so.
We should also respond to such verses by re-doubling our efforts to evangelise the lost. If God has truly given a people to Christ (as John 6 v 37 tells us) then we are on the wiunning side. We have a cause that cannot fail for one simple reason - if God is drawing someone then they WILL believe.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
The sovereingty of God in Judson's conversion.
Adoniram Judson was an American missionary to Burma in the 19th century and faithfully preached the Gospel for many years. His life is quite famous as he was one of the first people to go to that country with the Gospel and his work of Bible translation is still bearing fruit today.
However, what is not so well known is the circumstances which led to him coming to know Christ as his personal Saviour. He was born in 1788 and raised in a Christian family, leaving home to go to college in the early 1800s. While at college he fell into the company of one Jacob Eames who quickly turned him away from any belief in the Bible as the Word of God, and Christ as the Son of God. After returning home, and having a huge row with his parents over his unbelief, Judson left home again and travelled widely.
To cut a long story short he found himself at an Inn (an old fashioned named for a hotel - of sorts!) and asked for a room for the night. The proprietor advised him that there was only 1 room available, next door to a man who was dying - "there may be some noise from the adjoining room, but if you can put up with that the room's yours for the night". As Judson was dog tired he gladly accepted the offer and, after a short time being concerned for the fate of his neighbour, he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning dawned bright and sunny and Judson went downstairs to pay his bill. "What happened to the man in the next room" he asked the proprietor. "Oh, he died" came the reply. When Judson asked his name the reply cut him to the heart - "Jacob Eames".
The man who turned Judson's heart away from Christ and the Bible was the man who was ushered into eternity, in the very next room! This was so obviously a working of God's providence that Judson was moved to give serious consideration to his own soul and, in the process of time, he came to repentance and faith in Christ as his own personal Saviour.
What does this true account of Judson's conversion tell us? It tells us that if God has a person in His sights for conversion then He will so order events that that person WILL come to repentance and faith in Christ.
In John 6 v 37 Jesus said that all people given to Him by His Father WILL come to Him, not one will fail to do so. Moreover, in Job 42 v 2 we are told that no purpose of God can ever be thwarted. Putting these simple truths together we can confidently assert that God IS sovereign in the affairs of people and will get His way, why? - because He is God and He is in control.
This simple fact is a great encouragement to me as I pass out Gospel tracts and point people to Christ. If any of those passing by have been given to Christ, then no matter how much they resist Him they will come.
To put it another way - if God is drawing someone, then he, or she. will believe. "No one can come to me, unless the father, who sent me, draws him." John 6 v 44.
However, what is not so well known is the circumstances which led to him coming to know Christ as his personal Saviour. He was born in 1788 and raised in a Christian family, leaving home to go to college in the early 1800s. While at college he fell into the company of one Jacob Eames who quickly turned him away from any belief in the Bible as the Word of God, and Christ as the Son of God. After returning home, and having a huge row with his parents over his unbelief, Judson left home again and travelled widely.
To cut a long story short he found himself at an Inn (an old fashioned named for a hotel - of sorts!) and asked for a room for the night. The proprietor advised him that there was only 1 room available, next door to a man who was dying - "there may be some noise from the adjoining room, but if you can put up with that the room's yours for the night". As Judson was dog tired he gladly accepted the offer and, after a short time being concerned for the fate of his neighbour, he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning dawned bright and sunny and Judson went downstairs to pay his bill. "What happened to the man in the next room" he asked the proprietor. "Oh, he died" came the reply. When Judson asked his name the reply cut him to the heart - "Jacob Eames".
The man who turned Judson's heart away from Christ and the Bible was the man who was ushered into eternity, in the very next room! This was so obviously a working of God's providence that Judson was moved to give serious consideration to his own soul and, in the process of time, he came to repentance and faith in Christ as his own personal Saviour.
What does this true account of Judson's conversion tell us? It tells us that if God has a person in His sights for conversion then He will so order events that that person WILL come to repentance and faith in Christ.
In John 6 v 37 Jesus said that all people given to Him by His Father WILL come to Him, not one will fail to do so. Moreover, in Job 42 v 2 we are told that no purpose of God can ever be thwarted. Putting these simple truths together we can confidently assert that God IS sovereign in the affairs of people and will get His way, why? - because He is God and He is in control.
This simple fact is a great encouragement to me as I pass out Gospel tracts and point people to Christ. If any of those passing by have been given to Christ, then no matter how much they resist Him they will come.
To put it another way - if God is drawing someone, then he, or she. will believe. "No one can come to me, unless the father, who sent me, draws him." John 6 v 44.
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Migrant Mission Field
Unless you have been living on the moon you cannot have failed to notice the huge press coverage being given to the plight of refugees trying to flee ISIS and get asylum in Europe. The politicians have been taking to the air-waves to give their opinions which vary from "let's give them a warm welcome" to "we're full up, they can't come here" with one senior figure saying that this is "an exodus of Biblical proportions".
So what should be the Christian response? Of course, we should do what we can to help those in need and, if people are fleeing oppression we should give them asylum. After all, Britain has a fine record of taking in genuine refugees - remember the Ugandan Asians of the early 1970s?
Moreover, when it comes to helping others Christians have a big advantage over the unsaved and it is simply this - we can, and should, give humanitarian help, but we can also tell refugees the way to eternal life.
If we truly believe the Bible we know that Jesus is the only and exclusive way to Heaven (I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father but by me - John 14 v 6) and we should take every opportunity to point people to Christ, especially when a bridge has been established due to us having done them a kind service. Indeed, this has been happening during the current crisis.
In Siciliy, there are Christian groups giving material help to Syrian refugees and also passing on Arabic scriptures so that they can learn about Jesus, and there other parts of Europe where similar work is taking place.
Many of these poor people come from countries that ban evangelism and so it could be that God, in His sovereignty, has brought this situation about in order to move huge groups of people to a country where they can hear the Gospel. Two examples of this will suffice to prove my point:
1. About 15-16 years ago a large number of Kosovan refugees came to Kent and, more particularly, Cliftonville, which is on the edge of Margate just a few miles from where I live. A local Gospel Hall set up English language classes and sought to befriend them. As well as teaching them English the believers also gave them Scriptures and Gospel material in their own language. Eventually, they were dispersed all around the country but it is obvious that God brought them to this area to hear the precious truths of Christ and have an opportunity to be saved.
2. Over the years many Iranians have fled that country in fear of their lives and ended up in the UK. As a result of evangelism, and the Holy Spirit opening blind eyes, many have been saved and even started up Iranian Christian Fellowships with a view to encouraging one another and reaching out to their fellow compatriots. Indeed, in my own evangelism I well remember having regular contact with such a refugee who fled Iran after questioning Islam. I was able to pass on a Bible to him and a book "More than a carpenter", both in Farsi.
We often think of missions as going to another country to preach the Gospel but God also works by bringing people to Europe for the same purpose.
Only eternity will reveal the good done for people's souls in this way.
So what should be the Christian response? Of course, we should do what we can to help those in need and, if people are fleeing oppression we should give them asylum. After all, Britain has a fine record of taking in genuine refugees - remember the Ugandan Asians of the early 1970s?
Moreover, when it comes to helping others Christians have a big advantage over the unsaved and it is simply this - we can, and should, give humanitarian help, but we can also tell refugees the way to eternal life.
If we truly believe the Bible we know that Jesus is the only and exclusive way to Heaven (I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father but by me - John 14 v 6) and we should take every opportunity to point people to Christ, especially when a bridge has been established due to us having done them a kind service. Indeed, this has been happening during the current crisis.
In Siciliy, there are Christian groups giving material help to Syrian refugees and also passing on Arabic scriptures so that they can learn about Jesus, and there other parts of Europe where similar work is taking place.
Many of these poor people come from countries that ban evangelism and so it could be that God, in His sovereignty, has brought this situation about in order to move huge groups of people to a country where they can hear the Gospel. Two examples of this will suffice to prove my point:
1. About 15-16 years ago a large number of Kosovan refugees came to Kent and, more particularly, Cliftonville, which is on the edge of Margate just a few miles from where I live. A local Gospel Hall set up English language classes and sought to befriend them. As well as teaching them English the believers also gave them Scriptures and Gospel material in their own language. Eventually, they were dispersed all around the country but it is obvious that God brought them to this area to hear the precious truths of Christ and have an opportunity to be saved.
2. Over the years many Iranians have fled that country in fear of their lives and ended up in the UK. As a result of evangelism, and the Holy Spirit opening blind eyes, many have been saved and even started up Iranian Christian Fellowships with a view to encouraging one another and reaching out to their fellow compatriots. Indeed, in my own evangelism I well remember having regular contact with such a refugee who fled Iran after questioning Islam. I was able to pass on a Bible to him and a book "More than a carpenter", both in Farsi.
We often think of missions as going to another country to preach the Gospel but God also works by bringing people to Europe for the same purpose.
Only eternity will reveal the good done for people's souls in this way.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
What is the spirit of antichrist?
Whenever one thinks about the word "antichrist" there is a tendency to conjure up thoughts of some particularly vile person who spends his time attacking the Christian gospel, and making all kinds of spiteful comments against the person of Christ and His followers.
However, it may surprise you to know that, in fact, most people today exhibit the spirit of antichrist even if they are exceptionally mild-mannered and have a respect for Christians. Consider the following from 1st John chapter 4 v 3 "And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist........"
To put it simply, every person who does not accept that Jesus is the Christ and that He really is who He said, viz. the Son of God, is guilty of having a spirit of antichrist. No matter how mildly and respectfully they present that view they are under God's condemnation for their unwillingness to accept Jesus as the Christ.
This truth is clearly confirmed by a careful of reading of John chapter 3. In verse 18 we read people are "condemned already" if they don't believe "in the name of the only begotten Son of God". Moreover, in verse 36 we are told that those who "believe on the Son have everlasting life"; while those who do not so believe shall not see life, but will have the wrath of God abiding upon them.
I well remember having a long conversation with a bloke who was appalled at the Biblical truth that faith in Christ as the Son of God is essential to obtain eternal life. "Do you mean to say", he exclaimed, "that Rabbi Jonathan sacks, a good man, is going to Hell?" I replied in the affirmative (a simple question deserves a straight answer) and pointed out that this applies to everyone who does not accept Christ as the Son of God. They are ALL in the same boat, they are ALL going down and only if they get into the lifeboat that is the Lord Jesus will they be saved.
To put this very simply - atheists, agnostics, Muslims, sikhs, hindus, most Jews (I say most Jews because there are an increasing number of Jews who have accepted Christ) and all who will not accept that Jesus is the Son of God are on the same broad way that leads to judgement.
The teaching I am putting forward in this article would be considered "extreme" but, being the truth, it must be proclaimed without fear or favour. There are millions of our fellow citizens exhibiting the "spirit of antichrist" and they need to be warned to repent of their unbelief and accept Christ - the eternal consequences of not doing so do not bear thinking about.
At the end of the day we must base our beliefs on the clear statements of The Lord Jesus Christ not the political correctness of modern society. He said: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father but by me" - John 14 v 6.
However, it may surprise you to know that, in fact, most people today exhibit the spirit of antichrist even if they are exceptionally mild-mannered and have a respect for Christians. Consider the following from 1st John chapter 4 v 3 "And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist........"
To put it simply, every person who does not accept that Jesus is the Christ and that He really is who He said, viz. the Son of God, is guilty of having a spirit of antichrist. No matter how mildly and respectfully they present that view they are under God's condemnation for their unwillingness to accept Jesus as the Christ.
This truth is clearly confirmed by a careful of reading of John chapter 3. In verse 18 we read people are "condemned already" if they don't believe "in the name of the only begotten Son of God". Moreover, in verse 36 we are told that those who "believe on the Son have everlasting life"; while those who do not so believe shall not see life, but will have the wrath of God abiding upon them.
I well remember having a long conversation with a bloke who was appalled at the Biblical truth that faith in Christ as the Son of God is essential to obtain eternal life. "Do you mean to say", he exclaimed, "that Rabbi Jonathan sacks, a good man, is going to Hell?" I replied in the affirmative (a simple question deserves a straight answer) and pointed out that this applies to everyone who does not accept Christ as the Son of God. They are ALL in the same boat, they are ALL going down and only if they get into the lifeboat that is the Lord Jesus will they be saved.
To put this very simply - atheists, agnostics, Muslims, sikhs, hindus, most Jews (I say most Jews because there are an increasing number of Jews who have accepted Christ) and all who will not accept that Jesus is the Son of God are on the same broad way that leads to judgement.
The teaching I am putting forward in this article would be considered "extreme" but, being the truth, it must be proclaimed without fear or favour. There are millions of our fellow citizens exhibiting the "spirit of antichrist" and they need to be warned to repent of their unbelief and accept Christ - the eternal consequences of not doing so do not bear thinking about.
At the end of the day we must base our beliefs on the clear statements of The Lord Jesus Christ not the political correctness of modern society. He said: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father but by me" - John 14 v 6.
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