Is God guilty of genocide?

As we read through the Old Testament we come to various passages where God commands the Israelites to wipe out the inhabitants of the land to which they were going - the Promised Land. They are told not to spare any of these people but to utterly destroy them. 

People who object to the Bible being described as the infallible Word of God will say how can a God of love command His people to carry out such "genocide"?  It is a question that has perplexed many and the answer is 3-fold:

1.  The people who were to be dealt with in this way were particularly depraved.  They were involved in the worst types of filth and perversion imaginable.  Indeed, their deeds were so vile that I don't even wish to list them.  (This sounds very much like the UK today!).  The question then should not be "How can a God of love command His people to destroy the inhabitants of the land?", it should rather be "How could these people be so depraved that they had to be wiped out?" 

2.  The Israelites were to be a witness and testimony to monotheism and the worship of the one, true God as opposed to the idolatry of these nations who were to be wiped out.  God was concerned that His people would not be tainted with their filth and end up going astray.  Indeed, because the Israelites didn't carry out God's commands to the full these pagans did end up being a snare to them.  As a result many of the people of God went astray and had to be punished.

3.  God is sovereign.  We often "judge" God by our own standards instead of submitting ourselves to the teaching of His inerrant word.  In the New Testament, and in a different context, the Apostle Paul said "Who are you, O man, to reply against God?"  Romans 9 v 20. 

It is this last point that we must continuously bear in mind.  It is not for us to question God, it is for us to accept His sovereign will and submit to it.  This is extremely hard for us to do given that we are, by nature, rebellious creatures and not inclined to obey the commands of God.

Of course, in the New Testament, under the dispensation of Grace, we don't wipe out the heathen today.  Under the dispensation of Grace we bring the Gospel to people and then God, in His sovereign mercy, opens people's eyes and reveals to them their need of Christ as their personal Saviour.  (Many Christians don't like the Biblical truth that people only get saved as God reveals truth to them but it is what the Bible says, and we must accept it.  For example in Matthew 16 when Peter said that Jesus was the Son of God He replied "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in Heaven" Matthew 16 v 17).

As we preach the Gospel we will often get people raising all kinds of objections and this one is at, or near, the top of the list.  However, we should not be intimidated but rather boldly declare that a sovereign God can do what He likes with His creatures.  Our responsibility is not to "apologise" for the "genocide" of the Old Testament but simply spread the Word, believing that God will draw people to the foot of the cross in repentance and faith.

Jesus said "No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me, draws him."  John 6 v 44

3 Glorious Promises from our Saviour

Sometimes Christians can get themselves concerned that they are not going to Heaven because they might not be "one of the elect".    The following article is designed to give help to those who struggle with this question.

The reason why I have assurance of eternal life in Heaven is not because I'm convinced I'm "one of the elect" but because of 3 glorious promises from the lips of the Lord Jesus as recorded in John's Gospel.  Let's look at these one by one:

Firstly, in John 3 v 16 we read that "...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life".   The words "Whoever believes" in the original Greek are actually "every believing one" or "every one believing".  This is a clear statement to the effect that every single person who believes in Christ, the Son of God, has eternal life.  It is an absolute statement and should be taken at face value.  Conversely,  those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God are under His condemnation - see verse 18. This is not "politically correct" but it is the truth.

Secondly, in John 5 v 24 The Lord Jesus said that  the one who hears His words and believes in the one who sent Him has eternal life "and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death unto life".  Not only do we have assurance of eternal life for the price of believing in Christ, but also we WILL NOT be condemned to everlasting torments in Hell; we can't be condemned because The Lord Jesus has given that promise.

Thirdly, in John 6 v 37 the Saviour makes a declaration and gives a promise.  (Read every word very carefully)  "All that the Father gives me will come to me; and the one who comes to me I will, by no means, cast out".  Every single person given to Christ by the Father (those elected according to His foreknowledge - 1st Peter 1 v 2) WILL come to Christ for salvation.  This is a wonderful encouragement in evangelism because we know that we have a cause that cannot fail.  Moreover, the Saviour promises that the ones who come to Him WILL NOT be cast out - what a glorious promise.

We can have absolute assurance that, if we truly believe in the Lord Jesus, He will not cast us aside, He cannot do so because He is bound by His promise.

I would urge all Christians to meditate on these wonderful words from the Saviour's lips and rejoice - because our names are written in Heaven. 

Why did Jesus die?

The local paper in my area, "Thanet Gazette", has a faith column every week and ministers are asked to submit articles for this.  2 weeks ago a Baptist Union minister had an article in which he suggested that Jesus died because He was a "dissident".  As the paper is read by tens of 1,000s of people it disturbed me that many are going to get completely the wrong idea of the reason for Jesus' death.  Consequently, I wrote to the same paper presenting the real reason for the crucifixion and, to my surprise (O ye of little faith), the editor published it.

For the benefit of blog readers this letter is replicated below:

"I am writing with regards to the faith article in the June 7th edition where a local minister stated that the Lord Jesus paid the ultimate price for being a "dissident".  By the words "ultimate price" I assume he means the death penalty which, in Jesus' case, was crucifixion.

I don't doubt this gentleman's sincerity but I do question his theological soundness. Jesus was not put to death for being a "dissident".  His death was fore-ordained by God the Father as a sacrifice for our sins.  Indeed, when Jesus was hanging on the cross the wrath of a Holy God against sin was poured upon Him.  Consequently, people who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their personal Saviour will not experience that wrath because it was borne by Jesus.

This is known as "propitiation".  In 1st John 2 v 2 and 1st John 4 v 10 we read that Jesus was the propitiation for our sins.  This is also known as penal substitution.  Sadly, many translations of the Bible have removed the word propitiation and this has led to confusion over the real purpose of Christ's death.

The fact of Christ's sacrifice for our sins (and His subsequent resurrection) is not only theologically correct but requires a response from all of us.  We all need to be truly sorry for our sins that have caused great offence to God, and we need to accept Jesus as our personal Saviour in order to have eternal life."

I truly hope that this letter will be read by many people and lead to them coming to know the Saviour for themselves.

"Your sins have been paid for"

Anthony Norris Groves was a missionary to Baghdad in the 1800s.  He went out there with his family and no guarantee (humanly speaking) of financial support.  While there he befriended a number of Muslims and sought opportunity to explain the Gospel to them.

At some point a dreadful cholera epidemic broke out and many people died.  One of Mr Groves' Muslims friends said to him "It's alright for you Christians, your sins have been paid for, but I'm terrified of death".

This observation sums up one of the most fundamental differences between Biblical Christianity and false religion.  As a believer in the Lord Jesus I know I am  going to Heaven, not because of any good in me, but because Jesus paid for my sins.

This was exemplified in a recent conversation I had with a very sincere, and earnest young chap.  He stated that he thought all religions were basically the same, and that all the various religious leaders taught the same things.  After pointing out the obvious (?) fact that belief systems that contradict one another can't all be right I then moved on to the assurance of Heaven which I enjoy. I pointed out that Muslims do not have assurance of eternal life, even Muhammed had no such assurance. He acknowledged that this was a fundamental point and I trust that this seed sown in his mind and heart will lead to his personal salvation.

Coming back to the main point - all of the great religions (and Evangelical Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with the risen Christ) have belief systems and various rules but none of them can give assurance of eternal life.  Why is this?  The answer is simple - because their sins have not been paid for.

Sin is a barrier between us and God, until it is removed we cannot know Him and we cannot have an assurance based upon truth.  When Jesus died for the sins of the world the way was opened up for anyone to truly repent of his or her sins and accept Him as their personal Saviour.  Those who accept Christ  know that their sins have been paid for, the slate has been wiped clean and their names are in the book of life.

As a word of personal testimony let me say that, even as a young kid, I wanted to have assurance of Heaven.  God had written eternity in my heart (as He has for all people, we all know that there is an eternity to face when we die) and I craved this assurance.  What a wonderful day it was for me (Sept 13, 1975) when Jesus came into my heart.  As the song puts it:

"Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, when at the cross the Saviour made me whole.
My sins He washed away, and my night He turned to day, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul".

"He who hears my word, and believes in Him who sent me, has everlasting life....."  John 5 v 24

The scourge of terrorism - why?

We are all no doubt shocked by the latest terror attack that occurred yesterday when a soldier was murdered by Islamic Fundamentalists; of course, we roundly condemn such wickedness and we should never incite or condone violence.  However, we may well ask ourselves why this is happening.  Indeed, from the end of WW2 to the late 1960s terrorism didn't occur in Britain.  Even the IRA were largely dormant during this time.  What happened to change all that?  Why is it that since that time we have had many years of IRA terrorism (which is now re-surfacing despite the Good Friday agreement of 1998)?  Why have we had a terror threat and actual attacks from Islamists?.  Why have we been embroiled in a mini-Vietnam for the last 10 years with hundreds of British troops killed?

I would suggest that the answer to these questions lies in the following:  in the 1960s, and since, Satan-inspired MPs have passed laws that have trampled underfoot the infallible Word of God, the Bible.  MPs have virtually spat in God's face - and He is not mocked.  Consider the following - just after parliament legalised murder (abortion) the troubles in N. Ireland flared up.  MPs showed a blatant disregard for the laws of God and common decency by their action, they showed a callous contempt for the sanctity of human life; is this why the Lord permitted the dreadful scourge of IRA terrorism?  Moreover, in the same decade Parliament legalised homosexuality even though it is clearly condemned in the Word of God as an abomination. Just after this a dreadful outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease occurred; (incidentally, the last time such an outbreak took place was just after a practising homosexual was appointed as Agriculture Secretary - coincidence?)

This latest terrorist outrage happened within 24 hours of MPs passing a law which mocked the Biblical definition of marriage - coincidence?

(Before anyone accuses me of hating homosexuals let me say that I have nothing but pity in my heart for them; they are trapped in their sin just as an insect is trapped in a spider's web.  I pray that God, in His sovereign mercy, would release them from that bondage.  I would never incite hatred or violence towards them and I pray for them.)

However, the fact remains - over the last 45 years this country has turned it's back on God, parliament is under the control of the devil and we are lurching from one crisis to another.  Is there any hope left?  The answer is Yes.  If this nation turns back to God in repentance and faith in Jesus; if MPs reverse evil laws that have brought this trouble upon us then God may yet be merciful and cause His face to shine upon us once again.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven and will  forgive their sin, and will heal their land"  2nd Chronicles 7 v 14.

Is the church in decline in the UK?

Opponents of the Gospel often like to tell us that the Christian faith is in serious decline in this country.  They point out that churches are closing and that the C of E is losing members at an alarming rate.  Consequently, they say, Christianity is a spent force.

At first glance this may seem to be the case; but it all depends on what you define as "The Church".  For many people this is simply the state religion or the recognised, historic denominations.  However, in NT parlance the church is made up of all those who have repented of their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  When we apply this definition the picture looks radically different.

There are many 1,000s of Evangelical Christian groups all over the country who are meeting to worship Jesus and study the Bible.  They may not belong to any "official" denomination, and they may meet in rented premises such as school halls, but they are still churches, they are still the people of God.  Such groups often have a good number of young people coming to their meetings and people are getting saved and baptised.

It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that, far from being a spent force, the true church is actually growing in the UK.  Biblical and Evangelical Christianity is seeing steady growth.

Of course, we are not seeing the majority of people turning to Christ but this should not surprise us; after all didn't Jesus say that the way to eternal life is narrow "and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7 v 14).  There will be many people in Heaven, worshipping Jesus for all eternity, but as a percentage of the whole human race it will not be the majority.  Most people do not want to repent and turn to Christ because they love their sins too much and the devil has convinced them to stay that way; indeed, he has blinded them (2 Cor 4 v 3-4).

However, we should remember that although the Gospel has never converted everyone in any place, it has converted some in every place, and will continue to do so.  This is the triumph of the Gospel - making inroads into the lives of the most unlikely people, humanly speaking.  The miracle of grace is turning people's lives upside down - I know because I have witnessed it.  As an evangelist I have had the joy of seeing hardened sinners transformed by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, they have been literally Born Again.

In the light of the above I would suggest that the atheists who delight to crow over us because the Christian faith is allegedly finished should stop giving in to wishful thinking and look again - Christ is building His church "and the gates of Hell will NOT prevail against it"  Matt. 16 v 18

Courage in the best cause.

Sometimes we read about people who have shown exceptional courage in standing against tyranny.  They have put their lives on the line in order to campaign for democracy. 

An example of this would be Aung San Suu Kyi, who has opposed the military dictatorship in Burma even though it has cost her so much; or perhaps we can remember the Polish electrician, Lech Walesa, who (30 years ago) stood up for democracy against the communist regime in his country.  However, the problem with promoting a political cause is that it is a dead cause, this is because politics only lasts for the lifetime of the campaigner; when he or she dies they will face eternity.  What good then will their political campaigning be?  Moreover, the Bible teaches, in Romans 13 v 1 - 5, that God appoints (not merely "allows") the governing authorities and we are expressly forbidden to oppose them.  (Incidentally, the Burmese lady mentioned above is a Buddhist and, therefore, not right with God because Jesus is the only way to eternal life.  All those who do not accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour are under God's condemnation  - John 3 v 18 and v 36).

However, I do believe that we can learn a valuable lesson from these pro-democracy activists and it is this - if they are prepared to put their lives on the line for an earthly cause, how much more should we, as Christians, show courage for an eternal cause.  If we believe, as we claim we do, that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and that the unsaved are heading for Hell, then we should do all we can to make Christ known, and give people an opportunity to accept or reject Him (there is no neutrality, we are all either saved or lost).

I am troubled by the fact that so many Christians in the UK are happy to seek their own comforts and look out for the best of both worlds, we want to know our sins are forgiven and that we have eternal life, but are we prepared to stand up for Jesus when it is deeply unpopular to do so?

An example of a Christian who did show great courage is found in the biography of C T Studd written by his son-in-law Norman Grubb.  Mr Grubb relates how, when CT and Priscilla (his wife) were in China they brought the Gospel to man who admitted to being an opium addict and a murderer.  He was wonderfully saved.  He then went back to his home village and preached the Gospel to the people there; the local mandarin was outraged and ordered him to be flogged.  He almost died as a result but, after making something of a recovery, he went back and preached again.  This time he was put into the local jail.  He preached through the window and crowds gathered to hear him.  Not wishing to make him a martyr the authorities released him. 

This man, and many others like him in the annals of Christian history, show the true spirit of Christ - they are not concerned about ease and comfort. Their lives are a rebuke to the soppy, insipid, and weak evangelicalism of 21st century Britain which is more concerned to avoid causing offence to the lost than to preach the word fearlessly and effectively.  May the Lord fill us with a desire to fear Him first of all and have no regard  for our own safety or reputations.

Remember the words of the Apostle Paul in Acts 20 v 24 "none of these things (persecutions) move me; neither count I my life as dear unto myself,  so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I have received of the Lord Jesus; to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God"