I recently heard a stirring true story that I wish to share with you as it proves that God's Word (The Bible) is more powerful than atheism.
There is a family living in the English Midlands comprising mum, dad and two sons. The dad was a strong and committed atheist - so much so that he completely banned any mention of God and would not have a Bible in the house. The eldest boy went to secondary school at 11 and one day, during the assembly, the Gideons showed up offering New Testaments free to anyone who wished to take them. The boy was intrigued, wondering in himself what it was about this book that so attracted the ire of his dad. Consequently he took a copy and sneaked home with it hoping he wouldn't be discovered. Over the next few weeks he secretly read it in his room and subsequently got saved. He then told his younger brother what happened and he got saved !
The boys were wanting to tell others about this but were afraid of what dad would say. Eventually the elder boy asked his brother to pray while he told mum - to his astonishment she was not cross but actually got converted as well !!
The three new Christians in this family kept this a secret for a while but knew that they would have to come clean in time. So the mother locked the two boys away for their safety and told their dad. Far from being cross he admitted that he had noticed a change in all three and expressed a real interest in the Gospel. They all went to a local church to worship and the dad, too, came to know Jesus as his personal Saviour.
What does this true story teach us ?
Two things spring to my mind:
1. No matter what opposition is thrown at the Gospel if God has His hand upon someone for salvation He will lead them to the truth. He is sovereign and every person given by Him to Jesus will get saved. John 6 v 37.
2. The Bible's power is stronger than atheism. The elder brother was converted simply through reading the Bible without anyone to help him (humanly speaking !). The Holy Spirit worked upon him through the reading of God's Word and he was saved.
As Christians we can rejoice in God's power and His ability to save whom He wishes. We can also rejoice in the fact that, every week, thousands of Bibles and New Testaments are being given out by the Gideons and other Christians.
"The Lord gave the word, great was the company of those who published it". Psalm 68 v 11
Monday, 25 October 2010
Friday, 15 October 2010
Evanjellyism - a Western disease !
One of the by-products of being raised in western culture - particularly in the UK - is that we are conditioned to believe that it is wrong to offend people. Consequently, we tend to be very careful not to make definite or dogmatic statements but take the easy way out by being "diplomatic". This mindset has so infected modern day evangelicalism that we tend to avoid speaking about subjects like eternal judgement and Hell. We also shy away from speaking the truth on the more contentious issues of the day like Homosexuality, or the uniqueness of the Christian Gospel (viz. that Jesus is the only way to God). Indeed it should be stated that many Christians today are little more than chocolate soldiers melting at the sound of battle. I call this "evanjellyism".
Moreover, to make matters worse, when any Christian does display true Biblical courage by declaring the truth he/she is often referred to as "extreme". Furthermore when such believers receive hostility from the world then it is considered that they have brought it on themselves. If we take that line then we may as well say that the Apostle Paul brought trouble on Himself by going to Jerusalem when he was warned not to. Taking this to it's logical conclusion we could also say that John Bunyan brought 12 years imprisonment upon himself by preaching in "unlicensed premises". It is clearly obvious that courage is the lost cord of modern day Western Christianity. Is it any wonder then that the Christians in the UK have made so little impact ? Is it any wonder that we are considered an irrelevance when we are quite happy to merge into the background and not make our stand for Christ?
What then is the remedy? First of all we need to get before God and pray for His forgiveness for being so spineless, and then plead with Him to give us a real anointing of His Spirit so that we would have this Holy Boldness to declare the truth - whatever the consequences. Then, I would suggest that every Christian read a copy of C T Studd's "The Chocolate Soldier" - any Christian who reads this and is unmoved must have a heart of stone.
In the meantime let us give support and encouragement to those few Christians who are prepared to stick their heads above the parapet for Jesus and not criticise them.
"Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" 1st Corinthians 15 v 58.
Moreover, to make matters worse, when any Christian does display true Biblical courage by declaring the truth he/she is often referred to as "extreme". Furthermore when such believers receive hostility from the world then it is considered that they have brought it on themselves. If we take that line then we may as well say that the Apostle Paul brought trouble on Himself by going to Jerusalem when he was warned not to. Taking this to it's logical conclusion we could also say that John Bunyan brought 12 years imprisonment upon himself by preaching in "unlicensed premises". It is clearly obvious that courage is the lost cord of modern day Western Christianity. Is it any wonder then that the Christians in the UK have made so little impact ? Is it any wonder that we are considered an irrelevance when we are quite happy to merge into the background and not make our stand for Christ?
What then is the remedy? First of all we need to get before God and pray for His forgiveness for being so spineless, and then plead with Him to give us a real anointing of His Spirit so that we would have this Holy Boldness to declare the truth - whatever the consequences. Then, I would suggest that every Christian read a copy of C T Studd's "The Chocolate Soldier" - any Christian who reads this and is unmoved must have a heart of stone.
In the meantime let us give support and encouragement to those few Christians who are prepared to stick their heads above the parapet for Jesus and not criticise them.
"Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" 1st Corinthians 15 v 58.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Is Claire Rayner now in Hell ?
The news came through today that Claire Rayner has died. She became famous for answering questions from newspaper readers about emotional issues that were concerning them. (The term for such people is "Agony Aunt"). In itself it is not wrong to seek to help people who have problems; however, in Rayner's case the answers did not reflect the teaching of God's infallible word for one simple reason - she was a convinced atheist (and proud of it !). Consequently she was a fool (Psalm 14 v 1).
According to an article in the "freethinker" web site she died as an atheist - if that is the case then we can say with all confidence that she is now in the torments of Hell. The clear teaching of God's infallible word gives no eternal hope to those who die as unbelievers.
Rayner joins the ranks of other prominent atheists who recently passed into eternity and, if they did not repent, are bitterly regretting their sin and rebellion against God. I have in mind such people as Michael Foot and Robin Cook.
As Christians we face many challenges in life and much hostility. In recent years persecution against us has increased. Consequently we may be tempted to think that it would be easier to go with the tide of unbelief and simply live to please ourselves instead of standing up for Jesus and putting ourselves through distress and anxiety due to opposition. However, let us remember the words of our Saviour when He said "What does it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul" Mark 8 v 36.
Let us not be intimidated - these people who think they are so clever that they can reject God will have their "payback". One second in Hell will be enough to convince them they made the wrong choice; for us Christians one second in Heaven will convince us we have made the right choice, and all the persecution we endured for the Saviour will have been worth it.
According to an article in the "freethinker" web site she died as an atheist - if that is the case then we can say with all confidence that she is now in the torments of Hell. The clear teaching of God's infallible word gives no eternal hope to those who die as unbelievers.
Rayner joins the ranks of other prominent atheists who recently passed into eternity and, if they did not repent, are bitterly regretting their sin and rebellion against God. I have in mind such people as Michael Foot and Robin Cook.
As Christians we face many challenges in life and much hostility. In recent years persecution against us has increased. Consequently we may be tempted to think that it would be easier to go with the tide of unbelief and simply live to please ourselves instead of standing up for Jesus and putting ourselves through distress and anxiety due to opposition. However, let us remember the words of our Saviour when He said "What does it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul" Mark 8 v 36.
Let us not be intimidated - these people who think they are so clever that they can reject God will have their "payback". One second in Hell will be enough to convince them they made the wrong choice; for us Christians one second in Heaven will convince us we have made the right choice, and all the persecution we endured for the Saviour will have been worth it.
Monday, 4 October 2010
The unreasonable reasonists
I noticed earlier in the year that a group calling themselves "The Reasonists" posted an article attacking the work of the Gideons International as they place Bibles /New Testaments in Hotels, Schools and Hospitals. (I say "a group" but this may be a lone operator !). To read it you need to google "Reasonists" and look up the link entitled "Stop the Gideons International".
It seems to me that this person/group is being unreasonable. The simple fact is that the Gideons finance the work themselves, so no cost is incurred by the establishment concerned. Moreover, the management of the Hotel/School/College/Hospital choose to give permission before the Word of God can be placed. The Gideons never force themselves onto anybody - it is all done by consent.
Moreover, what this person/group need to be aware of is that God is sovereign - He will ensure that His word is spread despite opposition from small-minded individuals who masquerade as freethinkers and champions of free speech but, in reality, are on a fruitless crusade to hinder the spread of the Christian Gospel.
In recent months Nottingham NHS trust has tried to ban Gideon Bibles/NT but have had to back down. Moreover, the miners trapped in Chile have received a consignment of Gideon NTs. Every day many thousands of people all over the world are in receipt of a Gideon Bible or NT. God will not be intimidated by anyone, not least a tinpot, cowboy outfit like "The Reasonists".
As God's word goes forth we can be certain that it will do it's own work in drawing lost men, women and young people to a saving knowledge of Christ.
"The entrance of God's word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple". Psalm 119 v 130
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". Romans 10 v 17
It seems to me that this person/group is being unreasonable. The simple fact is that the Gideons finance the work themselves, so no cost is incurred by the establishment concerned. Moreover, the management of the Hotel/School/College/Hospital choose to give permission before the Word of God can be placed. The Gideons never force themselves onto anybody - it is all done by consent.
Moreover, what this person/group need to be aware of is that God is sovereign - He will ensure that His word is spread despite opposition from small-minded individuals who masquerade as freethinkers and champions of free speech but, in reality, are on a fruitless crusade to hinder the spread of the Christian Gospel.
In recent months Nottingham NHS trust has tried to ban Gideon Bibles/NT but have had to back down. Moreover, the miners trapped in Chile have received a consignment of Gideon NTs. Every day many thousands of people all over the world are in receipt of a Gideon Bible or NT. God will not be intimidated by anyone, not least a tinpot, cowboy outfit like "The Reasonists".
As God's word goes forth we can be certain that it will do it's own work in drawing lost men, women and young people to a saving knowledge of Christ.
"The entrance of God's word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple". Psalm 119 v 130
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". Romans 10 v 17
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
The eye of a needle.
In Matthew 19 verse 24 Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. What does this mean?
Well, first of all, in terms of wealth this is relative. A poor man in the UK is far richer than most people in Bangladesh so I don't wish to look at this part of the verse but the part about the camel and the eye of a needle.
Many have advanced the theory that the eye of a needle is a door on a city wall that is so small that a camel needs to shed it's load and get on it's knees to get in. This has been a popular view for several hundred years and many sermons have been preached on it. This sounds plausible until we discover that there is no credible evidence that such a door existed.
Another theory is that there is a mistranslation - the wording should be rope and not camel. If that is so then all our Bibles are wrong and we can no longer trust anything the Bible teaches us.
I believe the answer lies in verses 25-26. The disciples asked "who, then, can be saved?" and Jesus replied that what is impossible to man is possible to God. Humanly speaking it is impossible for anyone to be saved. People's hearts are too hard, their spiritual eyes are blind, their understanding is darkened and they are spiritually dead. However, when God, in His sovereign mercy, works in a person and softens their hearts, open their eyes, enlightens their understanding and regenerates them, then they have the power to repent and turn to Christ.
It is, indeed, impossible for anyone to be saved - unless God works in them. For those of us who know the Saviour this truth should humble us. How can we attribute our salvation to anything that we have done? Let us give God all the praise and all the glory for our salvation.
Well, first of all, in terms of wealth this is relative. A poor man in the UK is far richer than most people in Bangladesh so I don't wish to look at this part of the verse but the part about the camel and the eye of a needle.
Many have advanced the theory that the eye of a needle is a door on a city wall that is so small that a camel needs to shed it's load and get on it's knees to get in. This has been a popular view for several hundred years and many sermons have been preached on it. This sounds plausible until we discover that there is no credible evidence that such a door existed.
Another theory is that there is a mistranslation - the wording should be rope and not camel. If that is so then all our Bibles are wrong and we can no longer trust anything the Bible teaches us.
I believe the answer lies in verses 25-26. The disciples asked "who, then, can be saved?" and Jesus replied that what is impossible to man is possible to God. Humanly speaking it is impossible for anyone to be saved. People's hearts are too hard, their spiritual eyes are blind, their understanding is darkened and they are spiritually dead. However, when God, in His sovereign mercy, works in a person and softens their hearts, open their eyes, enlightens their understanding and regenerates them, then they have the power to repent and turn to Christ.
It is, indeed, impossible for anyone to be saved - unless God works in them. For those of us who know the Saviour this truth should humble us. How can we attribute our salvation to anything that we have done? Let us give God all the praise and all the glory for our salvation.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Apostasy abounds
I've never been entirely happy with the organisers of the Greenbelt "Christian" music festival. The so-called music they play reminds me of the heartbeat of Hell and the people concerned seem to be so worldly. This whole exercise is clearly a million miles away from true, Biblical Christianity.
However, this event really descended into the pits last month when they had the U.K.'s leading gay rights activist as a guest speaker. Pervert-in-chief, Peter Tatchell, was invited to address them in what must be one the most blatant evidences of apostasy I have ever come across. We all know that Tatchell makes no pretence to be a Christian but when those who bear that title give a platform to such a man it proves that they know nothing of what a true Christian is. These people are deluding themselves if they believe that they are true followers of the one who said "by their fruits you know them" (Matthew 7 v 16). True Christians do not compromise with evil, especially evil that is so perverse that the New Testament refers to it as being "against nature" (Romans 1 v 26-27).
While on the subject of false Christians I am reminded of that wolf in sheep's clothing Cliff Richard. He claims to be a Christian and yet his life and beliefs simply do not bear this out. He published a biography entitled "My Life, My Way" - a dubious title for a Christian - in which he makes unbiblical comments. This book records that he does not believe that fornication is sinful. Moreover, he refuses to accept that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible. Furthermore, he has been living with a "male friend" and will not answer any question about whether or not he is a homosexual. There is nothing wrong with two men having a close friendship and living in the same property, but if Cliff Richard is not engaged in gay perversion why does he not simply issue a statement to that effect? I wonder if he will be the latest in a long line of celebrities to "come out", at least that would be the honest thing to do.
We are truly living in dark and dreadful days with apostasy and unbelief all around us. However, rather than despair let us renew our own dedication to the Lord and stand firm for Him knowing that in due course "we shall reap if we faint not"- Galatians 6 v 9.
However, this event really descended into the pits last month when they had the U.K.'s leading gay rights activist as a guest speaker. Pervert-in-chief, Peter Tatchell, was invited to address them in what must be one the most blatant evidences of apostasy I have ever come across. We all know that Tatchell makes no pretence to be a Christian but when those who bear that title give a platform to such a man it proves that they know nothing of what a true Christian is. These people are deluding themselves if they believe that they are true followers of the one who said "by their fruits you know them" (Matthew 7 v 16). True Christians do not compromise with evil, especially evil that is so perverse that the New Testament refers to it as being "against nature" (Romans 1 v 26-27).
While on the subject of false Christians I am reminded of that wolf in sheep's clothing Cliff Richard. He claims to be a Christian and yet his life and beliefs simply do not bear this out. He published a biography entitled "My Life, My Way" - a dubious title for a Christian - in which he makes unbiblical comments. This book records that he does not believe that fornication is sinful. Moreover, he refuses to accept that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible. Furthermore, he has been living with a "male friend" and will not answer any question about whether or not he is a homosexual. There is nothing wrong with two men having a close friendship and living in the same property, but if Cliff Richard is not engaged in gay perversion why does he not simply issue a statement to that effect? I wonder if he will be the latest in a long line of celebrities to "come out", at least that would be the honest thing to do.
We are truly living in dark and dreadful days with apostasy and unbelief all around us. However, rather than despair let us renew our own dedication to the Lord and stand firm for Him knowing that in due course "we shall reap if we faint not"- Galatians 6 v 9.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
National Silly Society
I have read in the national press an article about a plan to send judges in Scotland a copy of the Bible - God's infallible word. This has been supported by Lord Mackay of Clashfern who is a believer in the Lord Jesus. Mr Mackay has pointed out how important it is to use the wisdom of the Bible in the judiciary system. This seems to me a good idea, given the general state of the country and the lack of respect for authority etc.
However, this has been opposed by a spokesman for the "National Secular Society" one Terry Sanderson (there's always someone, somewhere seeking to spoil things). He is on his usual crusade against the Christian faith which he seems to hate with a passion. Who then are the NSS? It appears that they are a group which exist to drive out any expression of the Christian faith from public life and take every opportunity to attack the Bible. Given that our Christian heritage has benefited this country enormously over the years, and given that the erosion of that same heritage has led to the serious social problems we now have, I would have thought that this cowboy outfit should be renamed the National Silly Society. Moreover, the two leading figures, Sanderson and a bloke named Keith Porteous (pompous) Wood are, I understand, in "civil partnership" (that says it all really). No wonder these poor creatures hate the Bible so much. However, their campaign to remove the Bible is doomed to fail. No matter how much it is maligned and hated, God's word always bounces back.
Down through the annals of history people have tried to destroy the Bible. For over 70 years the communists in the old USSR used all the state apparatus in this vain attempt but failed miserably. Moreover, in Acts chapter 12 King Herod sought to block the spread of the Gospel by murdering James - he was dealt with by the Lord and God's word continued to spread. The campaign by these clowns (Sanderson and Pompous-Wood) will also fail. God is sovereign - He will ensure that His word continues to go forth and do it's work of converting people.
As far as the leaders of the NSS are concerned - let us redouble out efforts to pray for them - that God may be pleased to grant them repentance unto life.
However, this has been opposed by a spokesman for the "National Secular Society" one Terry Sanderson (there's always someone, somewhere seeking to spoil things). He is on his usual crusade against the Christian faith which he seems to hate with a passion. Who then are the NSS? It appears that they are a group which exist to drive out any expression of the Christian faith from public life and take every opportunity to attack the Bible. Given that our Christian heritage has benefited this country enormously over the years, and given that the erosion of that same heritage has led to the serious social problems we now have, I would have thought that this cowboy outfit should be renamed the National Silly Society. Moreover, the two leading figures, Sanderson and a bloke named Keith Porteous (pompous) Wood are, I understand, in "civil partnership" (that says it all really). No wonder these poor creatures hate the Bible so much. However, their campaign to remove the Bible is doomed to fail. No matter how much it is maligned and hated, God's word always bounces back.
Down through the annals of history people have tried to destroy the Bible. For over 70 years the communists in the old USSR used all the state apparatus in this vain attempt but failed miserably. Moreover, in Acts chapter 12 King Herod sought to block the spread of the Gospel by murdering James - he was dealt with by the Lord and God's word continued to spread. The campaign by these clowns (Sanderson and Pompous-Wood) will also fail. God is sovereign - He will ensure that His word continues to go forth and do it's work of converting people.
As far as the leaders of the NSS are concerned - let us redouble out efforts to pray for them - that God may be pleased to grant them repentance unto life.
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