Wednesday 24 July 2013

Three Lies of Christian Convey

Whenever I speak to ordinary people about the Christian faith, almost invariably I find - to my own disappointment, frustration and dismay, they have believed three common lies about the church. To add insult to injury it seems it is Christians that have conveyed and impressed these lies on people. Now as if that is not bad enough, worst of all I am afraid that I myself may have been party to perpetuating these lies. So, what are these lies and what is the truth.

Three Lies

1) Rules and Regulations
Don't do this! Don't do that! 'Do's' and 'don'ts'. The Christians seem to have convinced people that Christianity is about a set of rules. But the Apostle Paul wrote ...


Colossians 2
[20] Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: [21] “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? [22] These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

The Apostle Paul is saying the dead opposite to what people have come to believe. He is clear, being a Christian is not about a load of 'do's' and 'don'ts'. In fact he argues that rules and regulations, 'do's' and don'ts' are the "basic principles of this world" - something Christians should have "died to". He also says in Galatians

[5:1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

And again He writes in 2 Corinthians

2 [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Of course we can debate the meaning of freedom - I'll do a blog on that some time, but whatever it means, it does not mean living a life bound by external rules and regulations.  The New Testament couldn't be clearer ... 

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.

2) Judging and Condemning
Another lie we Christians have conveyed is that, Christianity is about judging people and condemning them. That's what Christians do. But again the Bible teaches the exact opposite ...

Romans 
[2:1] You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Jesus said ...

Luke 6 [37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

3) Christianity is for the Good and Religious
Christians have also given the impression that Christianity is for religious people and good people. 

But Jesus said in The Gospel of Mark ...

[16] When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?”
 [17] On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The 'teachers of the Law' / Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day, they were very religious and thought of themselves as very 'righteous'. Notice though, Jesus is hanging out with ordinary people, sinners - that is people who know they are not so good, They know that when it comes to 'standards', they fail their own - let alone Gods! The average person in Jesus' day - due to life's demands and poverty, was not able to fulfil the meticulous demands set by the religious - they were busy trying to survive - so they were not religious, they were so-called "sinners".

In fact Jesus hung out with so-called 'sinners' so much that he got the nick-name 'Friend of sinners'. 

Matthew 11 [19] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”' But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”

In fact the most scandalous thing about God, is, again as the Apostle Paul put it ...

Romans 4:5
However, to the man who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

The word 'work' in the phrase "does not work" refers to the notion that we win God's favour by doing good works. But God justifies the ungodly - not the religious, not the 'good', but sinners. Now I am not proud of being a sinner at all. Sin is selfishness. It is always sin that spoils.  But admitting I am a sinner is what makes me a 'Grace-case'!

So there you have it. If I have ever given anyone the impression that Christianity is about 'do's' and 'don'ts' - I hope I have set that record straight - it is the opposite - it is about freedom - particularly from rules and regulations!

If I have ever given the impression that Christianity is about judging people - it is not - the last thing a Christian should do is judge people.

If ever I gave the impression that Christianity is for good and religious people - and especially if I have given the impression that I think I am a good and religious person - I am sorry. The truth is, Jesus is a friend of sinners - and on that basis I am very proud to say, He is a friend of mine! 

The Royals


Whatever you think about the Royal family, they are becoming increasingly popular. It is debatable whether they bring more money into the country than they cost, so I guess that means we're not talking big profits or losses ... So who cares?

I'm not a huge fan of the monarchy. But on the whole, I am glad they are there. Apart from the Olympics being here in the UK, there is not a lot that gets the nation out of their houses, onto the streets in joyful celebration - I think anything that does that is a pretty good thing and I'd rather pay a little and have it than not. Life in the UK would be a bit more bland without the Royals - there's little doubt about that.

It also strikes me as ironic, that our unelected monarchy, we can safely say, is loved by thousands, if not millions of Brits. But our elected politicians, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and the rest of the shady culprits - who loves them? Once you get past their own mothers  - well, in rolls the tumbleweed!

I think this is because the very reason politicians get elected is because of 'lowest common denominator politics'. In other words, they appeal to the widest number of voters because they are bland in policies, bland in character, bland because of political correctness and, well, just bland. When it comes to hi-def colour TV, well we may as well go back to black and white when it comes to politics, shades of grey are more than adequate. Unlike the monarchy!

Added to the irony is the fact that we give the power to our elected politicians who no-one really trusts or loves, or even likes, and we have rendered powerless our monarchy who, at least in the case of the Queen, seem principled and certainly loved by many. I guess it's best that way though.

So what about the Royal baby? Firstly the name? I go for George, quintessentially English.  But is this baby something to get so excited about? Well a new baby is always good news. Standing outside the hospital, Kate and William looked great with their new baby. I reckon that family unit will continue to be the best ambassadors we have. And who knows what this new baby will grow up to do? If His Mum and Dad continue to win the hearts of people, that could put the Royal baby (when he finally ascends the throne) in a very powerful position - especially if politics continues as it is, dead, dull, boring. Perhaps we as a nation will prefer a real leader?

My final thought concerning the Royal baby though is that I cannot help make the connection to another Royal baby who caused a very different stir when he was born. There was no bed in the hospital for him - there was no hospital, just a stable, no slick, black four wheel drive and baby seat, just a donkey, no lining of the streets with cheers and waves, no position of power, no advantages at all. This is how King Jesus was born. He lived in obscurity until the age of 30, working as a carpenter. Then from the age of 30 Jesus began His public work which ended three years later in his being tortured and murdered unjustly. That was 2000 years ago. And yet this King still reigns today. 

A monarchy always has the potential to be better than a democracy because a monarch can really rule and lead. If the monarch is benevolent, wise and courageous, a servant of the people, He will be loved and the country will prosper. If not, then it's bad news. That is the problem with a monarchy, it is dangerous because a good successor cannot be guaranteed, a democracy, sadly, is safer. The problem is human sin - it spoils everything!


So, if we could have a wise, benevolent, powerful monarch who is loved by and loves His people, but also who will never be succeeded - that is the answer that would resolve the issue of the inherent danger of a monarchy - that is what Jesus offers. I encourage you all, find out about Him, pledge your allegiance to Him.

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Love Letter to a Lesbian

This is a letter by Jackie Hill to all the lesbians out there

Dear ______,

I just want you to know that I understand.

I understand how it feels to be in love with a woman. To want nothing more than to be with her forever. Feeling as if the universe has played a cruel joke on your heart by allowing it to fall into the hands of a creature that looks just like you.

I too was a lesbian. I had same-sex attractions as early as five years old.

As I grew up, those feelings never subsided. They only grew. I would find myself having crushes on my female best friends, but I was far too ashamed to admit it to them—let alone to myself.

At the age of 17, I finally made the decision to pursue these desires. I entered into a relationship with a young lady who became my “first.” The first time we kissed, it felt extremely natural, as if this feeling is what I had been missing all along. After her came another woman and then another woman. Both relationships were very serious, each lasting over a year.

I enjoyed these relationships and loved these women a lot. And it came to the point that I was willing to forsake all, including my soul, to enjoy their love on earth.

In October 2008, at the age of 19, my superficial reality was shaken up by a deeper love—one from the outside, one that I’d heard of before but never experienced.

For the first time, I was convicted of my sin in a way that made me consider everything I loved (idolized), and its consequences. I looked at my life, and saw that I had been in love with everything except God, and these decisions would ultimately be the death of me, eternally.

My eyes were opened, and I began to believe everything God says in his word. I began to believe that what he says about sin, death and hell were completely true.

And amazingly, at the same time that the penalty of my sin became true to me, so did the preciousness of the cross. A vision of God’s Son crucified, bearing the wrath I deserved, and an empty tomb displaying his power over death—all things I had heard before without any interest had become the most glorious revelation of love imaginable.

After realizing all of what I would have to give up, I said to God, “I cannot let these things or people go on my own. I love them too much. But I know you are good and strong enough to help me.”

Now, at the age of 23, I can say with all honesty that God has done just that. He has helped me love him more than anything.

Now why did I just tell you about this?

I gave you a glimpse of my story because I want you to understand that I understand.

But I also want you to know that I understand how it feels to be in love with the Creator of the universe.

To want nothing more than to be with him forever. To feel his grace, the best news ever announced to mankind. To see his forgiveness, that he would take such a wicked heart into his hands of mercy.

But with that in mind, we’re in a culture where stories like mine either seem impossible or hilarious, depending on the audience.

Homosexuality is everywhere—from music, to TV, even sports. If you’d believe all that society had to say about homosexuality, you’d come to the conclusion that it is completely normal, even somewhat admirable.

But that is far from the truth.

God tells us that homosexuality is sinful, abominable and unnatural (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:8–10). But if I were to be honest, sometimes homosexual attractions can seem natural to me.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this may be your dilemma as well.

You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal.

Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels?

So which voice should you believe?

These temptations caused me to doubt God’s word. My temptations and desires began to become more real to me than the truth of the Bible.

As I was praying and meditating on these things, God put this impression on my heart: “Jackie, you have to believe that my word is true even if it contradicts how you feel.”

Wow! This is right. Either I trust in his word or I trust my own feelings. Either I look to him for the pleasure my soul craves or I search for it in lesser things. Either I walk in obedience to what he says or I reject his truth as if it were a lie.

The struggle with homosexuality is a battle of faith. Is God my joy? Is he good enough? Or am I still looking to broken cisterns to quench a thirst only he can satisfy? That is the battle. It is for me, and it is for you.

The choice is yours, my friend. I pray you put your faith in Christ and flee from the lies of our society that coincide with the voices of your heart—a heart that Scripture says is wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Run to Jesus instead.

You were made for him (Romans 11:36). He is ultimately all that you need!

He is good and wise (Psalm 145:9). 
He is the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).

He is kind and patient (2 Peter 3:9). 

He is righteous and faithful (Psalm 33:4).

He is holy and just (1 John 1:9). 

He is our true King (Psalm 47:7).

He is our Savior (Jude 1:25).

And he is inviting you to be not just his servant, but also his friend. If lasting love is what you’re looking for anywhere else, you are chasing the wind, seeking what you will never find, slowly being destroyed by your pursuit.

But in Jesus, there is fullness of joy. In Jesus, there is a relationship worth everything, because he is everything. Run to him.