I note that today's newspapers have given full vent to the fate of one Anjem Choudary. He is a man who holds to a particularly extreme brand of Islam and has been convicted of inciting people to join ISIS. Over the years he has just managed to stay within the law despite making many comments that have caused great offence to most people in this country including many Muslims.
However, the law has finally caught up with him and he faces a lengthy prison term when sentenced next month.
Personally, I find it difficult to be swept up in the mob-hysteria surrounding this man, and the hatred for him that the press seem to be encouraging. As I think of Anjem Choudary, I do not think of an Islamist who incited violence, but rather of a poor, deluded creature who desperately needs Jesus in his life.
It is my fervent prayer that someone will give him a Bible, or at least a New Testament, and that he will read it. Having read it may the Lord be pleased to open his eyes and implant the gift of faith, granting him repentance unto life. The power of the Gospel is such that even a man full of such vile hatred can be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit in his life.
As Christians we are under constant temptation to think and behave as the people of the world, the unsaved, think and behave. When we read of people who have been guilty of inciting, or committing, acts of violence we may easily be drawn along with the crowd in pouring out bile against them. However, whenever I read of such people I think of how God, in His sovereign mercy, converted some of the Nazis at Nuremberg (you can read about it in Tim Townsend's book - "Mission at Nuremberg") or how God converted the Jap pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbor (Mitsuo Fuchida - google his name alongside the words "Christian conversion"). In more recent years there have been well documented accounts of criminals, who have been involved in the most appalling acts of wickedness, coming to know Christ as their personal Saviour.
Do we believe in the power of the Gospel to transform the worst of sinners? Do we really believe in the truths of Romans 1 v 16 - ("I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone who believes")? Do we really believe the Word of God when it says that God is able to save "to the uttermost" all who come unto Him through Christ? (see Hebrews 7 v 25).
If your answer to these 3 questions is "yes" then I trust that you will join with me in praying for Anjem Choudary, that God's grace will be revealed to him, and that he will be turned "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God" - Acts 26 v 18.
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
Tuesday, 19 July 2016
A lesson from a gecko
Some years ago I was visiting a friend who showed me his pet gecko in a fish tank. It is not the sort of pet I would want, but, well, whatever floats your boat. Anyway, while I was there he fed this creature with a live beetle. This insect was put in the tank and was quite happy to forage about among the leaves, blissfully unaware of its fate.
After a few moments the gecko spied the beetle, its eyes went a deep red and out popped its tongue to consume the unwary beetle.
As I thought upon this recently, I realised that there is a deep spiritual lesson to learn. You may be wondering if I've finally lost my marbles! What possible spiritual lesson can be learnt from such an incident?
The answer is remarkably simple; the way this beetle was ambling along, totally unaware of what was coming is a stark reminder of non-Christians going about their daily lives not realising, or choosing to ignore, what is coming when they die.
As I pass out tracts I notice how most people seem to be quietly getting on with their lives, they are not hurting anybody, it seems, and they are content to put aside uncomfortable thoughts of death and the fact they will give account of themselves to God. To give the devil his credit, he has done a good job of blinding them (2nd Cor 4 v 3-4) to the point that, even when they are offered the Gospel, with the concurrent warning of the need to get right with God, they politely decline. Just like the beetle in the above story, they do not want to be disturbed, or have their comfort zone interrupted in any way.
Instead of condemning these poor creatures for refusing the Gospel, our hearts should be full of pity for them. Indeed, in principle, they are no different from the car drivers going round a bend not knowing that on the other side there is a pile-up awaiting them.
Their situation is hopeless; at least, humanly speaking it is. However, God, in His mercy, has not left Himself without witness - He is using preachers, evangelists, pastors, and and army of Christians who, while going about their daily lives, seek to take all opportunities to point out to them the only way to eternal life viz. through faith in Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour.
Are we going to rise to the challenge and give people the chance to get right with God? Or are we selfishly keeping this vital truth to ourselves not caring a wit about the souls around us - soon to be eternally happy, or eternally miserable.
Only Heaven will reveal the good that has been done as we seek to tell others their need of Christ, and pray that God will be pleased to open their eyes and grant them repentance unto life - 2nd Timothy 2 v 25.
After a few moments the gecko spied the beetle, its eyes went a deep red and out popped its tongue to consume the unwary beetle.
As I thought upon this recently, I realised that there is a deep spiritual lesson to learn. You may be wondering if I've finally lost my marbles! What possible spiritual lesson can be learnt from such an incident?
The answer is remarkably simple; the way this beetle was ambling along, totally unaware of what was coming is a stark reminder of non-Christians going about their daily lives not realising, or choosing to ignore, what is coming when they die.
As I pass out tracts I notice how most people seem to be quietly getting on with their lives, they are not hurting anybody, it seems, and they are content to put aside uncomfortable thoughts of death and the fact they will give account of themselves to God. To give the devil his credit, he has done a good job of blinding them (2nd Cor 4 v 3-4) to the point that, even when they are offered the Gospel, with the concurrent warning of the need to get right with God, they politely decline. Just like the beetle in the above story, they do not want to be disturbed, or have their comfort zone interrupted in any way.
Instead of condemning these poor creatures for refusing the Gospel, our hearts should be full of pity for them. Indeed, in principle, they are no different from the car drivers going round a bend not knowing that on the other side there is a pile-up awaiting them.
Their situation is hopeless; at least, humanly speaking it is. However, God, in His mercy, has not left Himself without witness - He is using preachers, evangelists, pastors, and and army of Christians who, while going about their daily lives, seek to take all opportunities to point out to them the only way to eternal life viz. through faith in Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour.
Are we going to rise to the challenge and give people the chance to get right with God? Or are we selfishly keeping this vital truth to ourselves not caring a wit about the souls around us - soon to be eternally happy, or eternally miserable.
Only Heaven will reveal the good that has been done as we seek to tell others their need of Christ, and pray that God will be pleased to open their eyes and grant them repentance unto life - 2nd Timothy 2 v 25.
Friday, 24 June 2016
Further proof that Genesis 12 v 3 is correct (and the whole Bible with it).
In Genesis 12 v 3 we read that God made a declaration which, in effect, states that people who curse the Jews are under God's curse, and those who bless the Jews receive God's blessing. In April I wrote an article stating that, because David Cameron had made virulent anti-Israel comments in the House of Commons, then his days as Prime Minister were numbered. (If you wish to read this article, simply scroll down).
Little did I realise, at the time, how precarious his position became in just a few weeks.
He entered the EU referendum debate as a strong "In" campaigner and, for a while, it appeared that he had backed a winner; a clear victory for the "In" campaign would have strengthened his own position as PM. However, against all the odds and much to my astonishment (o ye of little faith) he had, in fact, backed a loser and, only this morning, announced his resignation to take effect after the summer recess.
If any proof were needed that the Bible is. indeed, the inspired and infallible Word of God, then this unambiguous event is sufficient to convince all but the most hardened, and rebellious of sinners.
We can point to many proofs of the Bible's truthfulness - fulfilled prophecies, power to change lives, standing the test of time (despite many attempts to stanp it out) but seeing the truths of Genesis 12 v 3 enacted before our eyes will draw us to the conclusion that we can have absolute confidence in its claims to be inspired by God and "profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness" (2nd Timothy 3 v 16).
I have been a follower of Christ for over 40 years, ever since He opened my eyes to the truth and drew me to Himself on that memorable September night over 40 years ago. During that time I have never doubted the infalliblity of the Bible. Indeed, for "Christians" to deny that the Bible is infallible is to deny that they can be sure that Jesus is the Son of God, or that Jesus died for their sins and rose again.
After all, if we doubt the infallibility of the Bible how can we be sure of the facts concerning Christ's person and work; how can we be sure that we are saved and going to Heaven?
It is possible that there are young Christians, recently saved, who struggle with the question of the Bible being infallible. I can understand that, especially if they have been brought up in a non-Christian home and have not had the benefit of Christian teaching from a young age. If there are any such people reading this article I would encourage you to examine the evidence. As mentioned earlier - the fulfilled prophecies, changing lives and standing the test of time. However, this truth about the fulfillment of God's promise to bless those who bless the Jews, and His warning not to curse the Jews, is so blatantly obvious that we can experience a real boost to our faith as we ponder it.
Having come to the realisation that the Bible is to be trusted it is incumbent upon us to read it, study it, digest it and live by it (and, if necessary, die for it). For Christians to say that they believe the Bible, and yet spend very little time reading it, is hypocrisy of the worst kind. Let us, like the Psalmist say "Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it" - Psalm 119 v 140
Little did I realise, at the time, how precarious his position became in just a few weeks.
He entered the EU referendum debate as a strong "In" campaigner and, for a while, it appeared that he had backed a winner; a clear victory for the "In" campaign would have strengthened his own position as PM. However, against all the odds and much to my astonishment (o ye of little faith) he had, in fact, backed a loser and, only this morning, announced his resignation to take effect after the summer recess.
If any proof were needed that the Bible is. indeed, the inspired and infallible Word of God, then this unambiguous event is sufficient to convince all but the most hardened, and rebellious of sinners.
We can point to many proofs of the Bible's truthfulness - fulfilled prophecies, power to change lives, standing the test of time (despite many attempts to stanp it out) but seeing the truths of Genesis 12 v 3 enacted before our eyes will draw us to the conclusion that we can have absolute confidence in its claims to be inspired by God and "profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness" (2nd Timothy 3 v 16).
I have been a follower of Christ for over 40 years, ever since He opened my eyes to the truth and drew me to Himself on that memorable September night over 40 years ago. During that time I have never doubted the infalliblity of the Bible. Indeed, for "Christians" to deny that the Bible is infallible is to deny that they can be sure that Jesus is the Son of God, or that Jesus died for their sins and rose again.
After all, if we doubt the infallibility of the Bible how can we be sure of the facts concerning Christ's person and work; how can we be sure that we are saved and going to Heaven?
It is possible that there are young Christians, recently saved, who struggle with the question of the Bible being infallible. I can understand that, especially if they have been brought up in a non-Christian home and have not had the benefit of Christian teaching from a young age. If there are any such people reading this article I would encourage you to examine the evidence. As mentioned earlier - the fulfilled prophecies, changing lives and standing the test of time. However, this truth about the fulfillment of God's promise to bless those who bless the Jews, and His warning not to curse the Jews, is so blatantly obvious that we can experience a real boost to our faith as we ponder it.
Having come to the realisation that the Bible is to be trusted it is incumbent upon us to read it, study it, digest it and live by it (and, if necessary, die for it). For Christians to say that they believe the Bible, and yet spend very little time reading it, is hypocrisy of the worst kind. Let us, like the Psalmist say "Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it" - Psalm 119 v 140
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
We are ALL just as guilty.
No doubt you will all know that a few days ago a jihadist, by the name of Omar Mateen, killed 49 people at a nightclub. It appears that this poor chap had fallen under the influence of a particularly virulent form of Islam and felt it was his duty to kill people in the name of Islamic State, hence the incident that occurred the other day.
It also appears that Mr Mateen was killed by the Police in a shootout. The Police are not to blame for this, it is their job to protect people and that means, regrettably, they sometimes have to open fire in carrying out their duties. It a shame that the person responsible for this rather unfortunate business was killed because, had he been captured alive, he would have had a chance to hear the Gospel and get saved. Even people who commit terrible crimes can be forgiven by God if they simply turn to Christ and ask Him to be their personal Saviour.
This whole matter has now resulted in an outburst of grief and candlelight vigils for the victims. One wonders why there is not the same reaction when Christians are butchered, as routinely happens in parts of the Middle-East, but, of course, that would not fit in with the sensitivities of the left, or the Guardian newspaper. Nor is it politically correct to show solidarity with Christians given that, when it comes to human rights and equality, Christians go to the bottom of the pile and are treated with thinly vieled contempt.
That being said, the main reason for this article is simply this - before we rush to condemn Mr Mateen, (who, in my view, is just as much a victim as the 49 others who died) we need to examine our own hearts.
In 1st John 3 v 15 we are told that hatred is akin to murder. Have we ever hated anyone in our hearts? If so, then we are as bad as Mr Mateen. However, there is another sense in which we are all muderers - we all killed the Son of God. What this jihadist did was wrong in God's sight but what we have ALL done, in putting to death the very Son of God, was even worse.
When Jesus died on the cross, He was paying the penalty for your sins and mine. As the Bible says: He tasted death for every man (and women and children!) - Hebrews 2 v 9. If we were not sinful then Jesus would not have died. As the wages of sin is death, Jesus did not have to die because He was, and is, perfect. However, in order to reconcile us to God He died a horrible death bearing our guilt so that we could go free from God's judgment; but God's forgiveness is not automatic - we have to ask for it.
We all need to acknowledge our guilt before God, even the guilt of putting Jesus on the cross, even the guilt of driving in those nails and causing Him so much suffering and pain; and then we need to ask Him to be our personal Saviour. Then, and only then, can we sure of eternal life in Heaven.
For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3 v 16.
It also appears that Mr Mateen was killed by the Police in a shootout. The Police are not to blame for this, it is their job to protect people and that means, regrettably, they sometimes have to open fire in carrying out their duties. It a shame that the person responsible for this rather unfortunate business was killed because, had he been captured alive, he would have had a chance to hear the Gospel and get saved. Even people who commit terrible crimes can be forgiven by God if they simply turn to Christ and ask Him to be their personal Saviour.
This whole matter has now resulted in an outburst of grief and candlelight vigils for the victims. One wonders why there is not the same reaction when Christians are butchered, as routinely happens in parts of the Middle-East, but, of course, that would not fit in with the sensitivities of the left, or the Guardian newspaper. Nor is it politically correct to show solidarity with Christians given that, when it comes to human rights and equality, Christians go to the bottom of the pile and are treated with thinly vieled contempt.
That being said, the main reason for this article is simply this - before we rush to condemn Mr Mateen, (who, in my view, is just as much a victim as the 49 others who died) we need to examine our own hearts.
In 1st John 3 v 15 we are told that hatred is akin to murder. Have we ever hated anyone in our hearts? If so, then we are as bad as Mr Mateen. However, there is another sense in which we are all muderers - we all killed the Son of God. What this jihadist did was wrong in God's sight but what we have ALL done, in putting to death the very Son of God, was even worse.
When Jesus died on the cross, He was paying the penalty for your sins and mine. As the Bible says: He tasted death for every man (and women and children!) - Hebrews 2 v 9. If we were not sinful then Jesus would not have died. As the wages of sin is death, Jesus did not have to die because He was, and is, perfect. However, in order to reconcile us to God He died a horrible death bearing our guilt so that we could go free from God's judgment; but God's forgiveness is not automatic - we have to ask for it.
We all need to acknowledge our guilt before God, even the guilt of putting Jesus on the cross, even the guilt of driving in those nails and causing Him so much suffering and pain; and then we need to ask Him to be our personal Saviour. Then, and only then, can we sure of eternal life in Heaven.
For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3 v 16.
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
The truths of 2nd Cor 2 v 15-16
In 2nd Cor 2 v 15-16 we read that preachers are "savour of death unto death..... and life unto life" - what does this mean?
One way of answering the question is to remember that the same sun which softens the wax, also hardens the clay.
As one who passes out tracts and speaks to the unsaved I find these verses particularly apt as they sum up the responses people make to the free offer of the Gospel.
With regards to the phrase "savour of life unto life" consider the following people I have spoken to over the years: (names have been changed to protect their identity).
1. I think of Mark. I first encountered him while he was selling the Big Issue in Canterbury. He was very open to the Gospel and was pleased to receive a Gideon NT. Over the years we had many conversations and he came to know the Saviour. As one who had been a drug addict, and seen 4 close friends die of drugs, he rejoiced in the Gospel and I rejoiced when witnessing his baptism.
2. I think also of James. He was clearly seeking God and I passed on a number of tracts and booklets to him as I spoke to him about Christ and the Gospel. One day, he approached me to say that he had been saved through the material given him (and, of course, through the Holy Spirit opening his heart - Acts 16 v 14). He is now settled in a church in Margate that faithfully preaches the same Gospel I shared with him.
3. I think, too, of Tracy. She was seeking after God and bought a book on Buddhism; that same day she came past me while I was giving out tracts and took one. To cut a long story short - she got saved, baptised, and is now worshipping God at an Evangelical church in Canterbury.
4. Also, I think of Paul. A young chap who was brought up in a Christian home (what a privilege) but rejected God at the age of 14. However, he came to realise that he needed God in His life and was seeking him. What a joy to point out the promise of Jeremiah 29 v 13 viz. that if people seek God with all their hearts they WILL find Him. He also took "Knowing God Personally" which I give out to seekers.
In all of these cases, and many more beside, the Gospel is truly a message of life unto life. However, there is a flip side to this - for many the Gospel is a message of death unto death; that is, they hate its message because it reminds them of their sin, their need of repentance and the eternal fate that awaits them if they don't get saved. Examples of these are as follows:
1. An atheist who I see walking his dog while I'm passing out tracts. He taunts me for what I'm doing and tells me to get a ******** proper job.
2. A Muslim man who said that I needed help when I told him that Jesus is divine. Another Muslim man who told me that it is idolatory to worship Jesus.
3. A lady who gasped with shock when I told her that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. On that same theme, another lady who told me that that teaching is "racist". Many times I've been called a bigot or narrow-minded because of the truths of John 14 v 6.
4. The Jewish man, very friendly in himself, but vehement in his denial of Christ as God's Son and strong in his rejection of the necessity of faith in Him in order to have eternal life.
Again, I could give many examples of people who seem to be hardened by the same Gospel which softens others.
As we tell people of Jesus and the only way to eternal life, let us NEVER compromise truth for the sake of popularity but always faithfully declare the Gospel knowing that it is "the power of God unto salvation" - Romans 1 v 16.
One way of answering the question is to remember that the same sun which softens the wax, also hardens the clay.
As one who passes out tracts and speaks to the unsaved I find these verses particularly apt as they sum up the responses people make to the free offer of the Gospel.
With regards to the phrase "savour of life unto life" consider the following people I have spoken to over the years: (names have been changed to protect their identity).
1. I think of Mark. I first encountered him while he was selling the Big Issue in Canterbury. He was very open to the Gospel and was pleased to receive a Gideon NT. Over the years we had many conversations and he came to know the Saviour. As one who had been a drug addict, and seen 4 close friends die of drugs, he rejoiced in the Gospel and I rejoiced when witnessing his baptism.
2. I think also of James. He was clearly seeking God and I passed on a number of tracts and booklets to him as I spoke to him about Christ and the Gospel. One day, he approached me to say that he had been saved through the material given him (and, of course, through the Holy Spirit opening his heart - Acts 16 v 14). He is now settled in a church in Margate that faithfully preaches the same Gospel I shared with him.
3. I think, too, of Tracy. She was seeking after God and bought a book on Buddhism; that same day she came past me while I was giving out tracts and took one. To cut a long story short - she got saved, baptised, and is now worshipping God at an Evangelical church in Canterbury.
4. Also, I think of Paul. A young chap who was brought up in a Christian home (what a privilege) but rejected God at the age of 14. However, he came to realise that he needed God in His life and was seeking him. What a joy to point out the promise of Jeremiah 29 v 13 viz. that if people seek God with all their hearts they WILL find Him. He also took "Knowing God Personally" which I give out to seekers.
In all of these cases, and many more beside, the Gospel is truly a message of life unto life. However, there is a flip side to this - for many the Gospel is a message of death unto death; that is, they hate its message because it reminds them of their sin, their need of repentance and the eternal fate that awaits them if they don't get saved. Examples of these are as follows:
1. An atheist who I see walking his dog while I'm passing out tracts. He taunts me for what I'm doing and tells me to get a ******** proper job.
2. A Muslim man who said that I needed help when I told him that Jesus is divine. Another Muslim man who told me that it is idolatory to worship Jesus.
3. A lady who gasped with shock when I told her that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. On that same theme, another lady who told me that that teaching is "racist". Many times I've been called a bigot or narrow-minded because of the truths of John 14 v 6.
4. The Jewish man, very friendly in himself, but vehement in his denial of Christ as God's Son and strong in his rejection of the necessity of faith in Him in order to have eternal life.
Again, I could give many examples of people who seem to be hardened by the same Gospel which softens others.
As we tell people of Jesus and the only way to eternal life, let us NEVER compromise truth for the sake of popularity but always faithfully declare the Gospel knowing that it is "the power of God unto salvation" - Romans 1 v 16.
Thursday, 5 May 2016
What if they don't want to change?
While passing out tracts in Canterbury, one day, I was approached by a lady who identified herself as a "Zen Buddhist". During the course of our conversation she introduced the subject of homosexuality and my response to this was simple - the Bible does teach that it is wrong, but the Bible also teaches that they can be changed, 1st Corinthians 6 v 11 being a key verse in this matter. The conversation progressed amicably enough and, after about 15 minutes, she walked away.
Afterwards, as I reflected on this the thought went through my mind - "what if they don't want to change?". Indeed, that question can be asked of any unsaved person. It seems that John 3 v 19 is absolutely correct when it says that people "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil".
Over the years I have had, literally, hundreds of conversations with unbelievers, the vast majority of whom appear to have no desire to repent of their sins and turn to Christ. Moreover, it is impossible - humanly speaking - for them to do so. Why is this? The Bible says: "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1st Corinthians 2 v 14).
Humanly speaking, people will never come to repentance and faith in Christ as their personal Saviour; their eyes are blind, their ears are deaf, their understanding has been darkened, their minds have been alienated from God, their hearts are hard and they are spiritually dead.
How, then, can they be brought into a position whereby they recognise their need of Christ, repent and accept Him? Consider the following Bible passages:
In Matthew 11 v 27 Jesus stated that people will not know Him unless it has been revealed to them by Jesus Himself.
In Matthew 16 v 15-17 Jesus asked His disciples who they believe that He is. Peter replied that He is the Son of God, to which Jesus responded by stating that this was revealed to him by His Father in Heaven, and he didn't come to this conclusion by natural means.
In Luke 8 v 10 Jesus told His disciples that they had been "given" to know "the mysteries of the kingdom of God".
In John 6 v 44 Jesus said that people could not come to Him unless they were "drawn" by His Father, and in verse 65 of the same chapter Jesus said that people will not believe in Him unless it has been "given" to them by His Father.
In John 10 v 26-27 Jesus told a group of people that they did not believe because they were not of His sheep and that His sheep hear His voice.
In Acts 11 v 18 we read that God granted gentiles "repentance unto life" - a gift.
In Acts 13 v 48 we read that "those ordained unto eternal life believed", the inference being that people not so ordained do not believe (see John 10 v 26).
And, finally, in Acts 16 v 14 we read that Lydia listened to Paul's preaching and responded because the Lord "opened her heart".
Taking all these verses together we can see that, as we spread the Gospel, it is the Lord who grants the gift of faith. The work of evangelism is our responsibility, the work of converting people is God's responsibility.
Bearing all this in mind, what should our response be?
Firstly, we should be full of praise and adoration to God for opening our eyes and drawing us to faith in Christ and secondly, we should re-double our efforts to preach the Gospel knowing that we have a certainty of God's blessing in the conversion of precious souls, as it pleases Him to do so.
All people who have been given to Jesus WILL come to Him (John 6 v 37).
Afterwards, as I reflected on this the thought went through my mind - "what if they don't want to change?". Indeed, that question can be asked of any unsaved person. It seems that John 3 v 19 is absolutely correct when it says that people "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil".
Over the years I have had, literally, hundreds of conversations with unbelievers, the vast majority of whom appear to have no desire to repent of their sins and turn to Christ. Moreover, it is impossible - humanly speaking - for them to do so. Why is this? The Bible says: "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1st Corinthians 2 v 14).
Humanly speaking, people will never come to repentance and faith in Christ as their personal Saviour; their eyes are blind, their ears are deaf, their understanding has been darkened, their minds have been alienated from God, their hearts are hard and they are spiritually dead.
How, then, can they be brought into a position whereby they recognise their need of Christ, repent and accept Him? Consider the following Bible passages:
In Matthew 11 v 27 Jesus stated that people will not know Him unless it has been revealed to them by Jesus Himself.
In Matthew 16 v 15-17 Jesus asked His disciples who they believe that He is. Peter replied that He is the Son of God, to which Jesus responded by stating that this was revealed to him by His Father in Heaven, and he didn't come to this conclusion by natural means.
In Luke 8 v 10 Jesus told His disciples that they had been "given" to know "the mysteries of the kingdom of God".
In John 6 v 44 Jesus said that people could not come to Him unless they were "drawn" by His Father, and in verse 65 of the same chapter Jesus said that people will not believe in Him unless it has been "given" to them by His Father.
In John 10 v 26-27 Jesus told a group of people that they did not believe because they were not of His sheep and that His sheep hear His voice.
In Acts 11 v 18 we read that God granted gentiles "repentance unto life" - a gift.
In Acts 13 v 48 we read that "those ordained unto eternal life believed", the inference being that people not so ordained do not believe (see John 10 v 26).
And, finally, in Acts 16 v 14 we read that Lydia listened to Paul's preaching and responded because the Lord "opened her heart".
Taking all these verses together we can see that, as we spread the Gospel, it is the Lord who grants the gift of faith. The work of evangelism is our responsibility, the work of converting people is God's responsibility.
Bearing all this in mind, what should our response be?
Firstly, we should be full of praise and adoration to God for opening our eyes and drawing us to faith in Christ and secondly, we should re-double our efforts to preach the Gospel knowing that we have a certainty of God's blessing in the conversion of precious souls, as it pleases Him to do so.
All people who have been given to Jesus WILL come to Him (John 6 v 37).
Friday, 8 April 2016
Proof that Genesis 12 v 3 is correct. (Israel lives!)
In Genesis 12 v 3 we read that God said to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you....."
I have long taken this to mean that people who bless the Jews are blessed by God and those who curse the Jews are cursed by God, and this interpretation has been proved correct throughout history. Many political leaders have floundered after betraying Israel and have been either dumped from office, or faced serious problems until they have come to their senses and did right by Israel.
This was proved to be the case with various Prime Ministers eg Churchill lost the election in 1945 after telling Chaim Weizmann that the Jews could expect no more help from Britain; Heath was ejected after betraying Israel by recalling arms that had been sold to the Jewish state (and paid for) and Callaghan lost a vote of confidence in the House (37 years ago last month) after betraying Israel by breaking a promise to let them have oil at cut-price (he was advised to break this promise by the arch-lefty Tony Benn). Even Maggie, who had previously been pro-Israel, betrayed them by dispatching Wally Waldegrave to speak to the PLO at a time when the PLO were committed to the destruction of Israel, she lost a leadership election the following year.
The latest example of Genesis 12 v 3 being proved true has been Cameron. Until late February he had been reasonably pro-Israel and had even publicly said that he was a friend of Israel, he also opposed the "boycott Israeli goods" campaign.
However, all that changed in late February when he attacked Israel in the House over the settlement programme (how else is the Jewish state going to settle Jews who come into the country, they need that land to house their own people). He made it clear that he was deeply unhappy with Israel and appeared to fundamentally shift his position. Since then he has had nothing but trouble - a shock resignation from the cabinet (IDS) with all the fallout that entailed, open rebellion over his decision to use tax-payers money to finance the "In" campaign over the EU and the exposure of his dishonesty over the Panama Papers.
Clearly his days as PM are numbered - if wants to survive as PM he needs to repent of his anti-Israel stance and go back to his previously stated position as a friend of Israel.
God is NOT mocked. Amos 9 v 14-15 clearly teaches that the Jews would return to their own land "and never again be uprooted"; Cameron needs to acknowledge the validity of that prophecy and come out as a strong supporter of Israel or he will be out of office.
I have long taken this to mean that people who bless the Jews are blessed by God and those who curse the Jews are cursed by God, and this interpretation has been proved correct throughout history. Many political leaders have floundered after betraying Israel and have been either dumped from office, or faced serious problems until they have come to their senses and did right by Israel.
This was proved to be the case with various Prime Ministers eg Churchill lost the election in 1945 after telling Chaim Weizmann that the Jews could expect no more help from Britain; Heath was ejected after betraying Israel by recalling arms that had been sold to the Jewish state (and paid for) and Callaghan lost a vote of confidence in the House (37 years ago last month) after betraying Israel by breaking a promise to let them have oil at cut-price (he was advised to break this promise by the arch-lefty Tony Benn). Even Maggie, who had previously been pro-Israel, betrayed them by dispatching Wally Waldegrave to speak to the PLO at a time when the PLO were committed to the destruction of Israel, she lost a leadership election the following year.
The latest example of Genesis 12 v 3 being proved true has been Cameron. Until late February he had been reasonably pro-Israel and had even publicly said that he was a friend of Israel, he also opposed the "boycott Israeli goods" campaign.
However, all that changed in late February when he attacked Israel in the House over the settlement programme (how else is the Jewish state going to settle Jews who come into the country, they need that land to house their own people). He made it clear that he was deeply unhappy with Israel and appeared to fundamentally shift his position. Since then he has had nothing but trouble - a shock resignation from the cabinet (IDS) with all the fallout that entailed, open rebellion over his decision to use tax-payers money to finance the "In" campaign over the EU and the exposure of his dishonesty over the Panama Papers.
Clearly his days as PM are numbered - if wants to survive as PM he needs to repent of his anti-Israel stance and go back to his previously stated position as a friend of Israel.
God is NOT mocked. Amos 9 v 14-15 clearly teaches that the Jews would return to their own land "and never again be uprooted"; Cameron needs to acknowledge the validity of that prophecy and come out as a strong supporter of Israel or he will be out of office.
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