Build your life on Christ

One of the most powerful personal evangelists of the Nineteenth Century was John Vassar who grew up in his family’s brewery in New York. Following his conversion to Christ he abandoned beer-making and committed the rest of his life to helping people realise their need of the Saviour. On one occasion while travelling in a remote area, he had a most unusual experience. He came across a cabin inhabited by a devout Christian woman who was married to a very worldly-minded man. The woman begged for a Bible and Vassar gave her one, promising that he would call again on his return journey. He had no sooner left the cabin when her husband returned home. The man saw the Bible and became enraged. Seizing the Book with one hand and taking an axe with the other he went to the wood-pile and hacked it crosswise in two. He then threw half of the destroyed Bible at his wife saying “Since you claim part of all this property around here is yours, there is your share of it.” The other half he tossed into his tool shed.

Weeks later, on a winter’s day, the man wanted to have some space from his wife and so he retreated to his tool shed. Time passed slowly and out of sheer boredom he began to thumb through the mutilated Bible. Suddenly his attention was caught by the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke Ch 15. He became absorbed in this parable and began to question if he had been too hasty in thinking that he didn’t need God. The rest of the parable was in his wife’s part of the Bible so he went back to the cabin to read it. As he read the full story over and over again it had a profound impact upon him. He could clearly see that he was just like the prodigal and like him, was beginning to realise that he did need the Lord after all. Moreover, how could he possibly face the Day of Judgement if he rejected the advances of such a loving God? Finally he broke down in tears and committed his life to the Heavenly Father Who had been waiting for him for so long.

In Matthew Ch 21v 42 Jesus said “The very stone which the builders rejected, will become the chief cornerstone of the whole building.” This may seem a strange thing for Our Lord to say, however He was of course referring to Himself metaphorically as being like a rejected stone which would later become the mainstay of the entire building. Although He directed this statement to the Jewish leaders, it is a saying which can be applied to a far wider group. This saying is an illustration of how individuals often initially reject spiritual matters, thinking that they are of no value, but who later recognise that they are actually of paramount importance.

Every day this kind of recognition dawns upon tens of thousands of people worldwide. They are jogging along in life giving no thought to God or spiritual matters when suddenly “wham”, out of the blue something occurs which shakes their thinking and makes them realise they do need God after all. This shaking can be the result of many different things. Like the worldly husband it might come from reading the Bible. With others it might come from listening to a sermon or watching a Christian DVD. And of course with many, their thinking is shaken when trouble occurs and they are forced to recognise that they need God’s help to get through it. Sadly many individuals only start to seriously think about God and turn to Him after a death, illness or similar incident because such things cause a major reassessment regarding their need for His help and strength.

Some years ago an eminent Christian doctor discovered that he was terminally ill. Wanting to remind his medical students of their need for Christ, he used his illness as an opportunity to write an open letter to them. It read “I stand on the border of mortal life. I look backwards to the years of the past to see all pettiness and triviality shrink to nothing. Such things have no meaning now. Only the worthwhile things I have done for the glory of God count.” He knew that people easily get distracted by worldly things. Rather than making Christ the cornerstone of the life they build, they ignore Him and build their life on the trivial and the passing. He wanted to remind his students that the trivial and the passing are just that; trivial and passing. Once these pursuits are finished and seen to be what they really are, the only thing left is Christ, the rejected Cornerstone.

When individuals do truly recognise their need for God and the importance of spiritual matters, it dramatically changes their behaviour and their outlook on life. They start to develop a very different character from the one they had before because now they are no longer world focused but God focused. This transformation will be observed by all those around them. Living the Christian life in relationship with God and others is very much like “formation flying”. An individual must keep their eye on the Leader (Jesus), but they must always fly (their life) with their relationship to others in “plane” view. Like flying, both their well-being and others around them depends on mutual concern for one another.

For this reason, when Christ becomes the cornerstone or foundation of a person’s life they will regularly “check their instruments” and examine their “flying tactics” (or life) in the light of Scripture, so as to ensure that they are still in “formation.” Almost every wedding I conduct has 1st Corinthians Ch13 as its Bible reading, which is all about “Love”. It is probably one of the best loved and most challenging passages of Scripture and it serves as an excellent “flight manual” to see how our “formation flying” is doing.

The passage teaches that “love suffers long”; are we putting this into practice by being patient and long suffering? It teaches “love is kind”; are we kind when a car cuts us up on the motorway or do we respond with road rage? It says “Love does not envy”; are we envious when a colleague gets promoted instead of us? It states “love does not parade itself and is not puffed up.” Are we proud of our achievements and boastful about our endeavours? It says “love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, and does not rejoice in iniquity…bears all things, endures all things and love never fails…” Is our flying really in formation with all these commandments or do we need to make some course corrections? Moreover, we are to treat others the way we ourselves would like to be treated. (Matthew Ch7v12) Are we obeying the will of our “Squadron Leader” in this?

From time to time we need to check; am I getting distracted again from what is important in life? Am I beginning to focus and spend too much time on the trivial? Am I becoming petty-minded about things? Petty-mindedness is a classic sign that all is not well, deep in our hearts. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for this kind of attitude stating that “they strain out a fly, but will swallow a camel” by focusing on minor issues while neglecting major ones. (Matthew Ch23v24). Are we becoming like them by majoring on minor things? Then again, are we too quick to criticise others and complain about things? In Colossians Ch3v13 we are commanded to “forebear with one another and forgive one another and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive as Christ has forgiven you.” On the other hand, if people criticise us, have we become oversensitive and quick to take offence? Jesus said we must turn the other cheek and be long suffering, rather than repay evil for evil.

With so many distractions around today we must regularly give ourselves proper “thinking time” so as to check our instruments and flight path. Is Christ still at the centre of our hearts and lives? Life is a serious business. No matter what, following the Lord and having His Friendship and Salvation, really is the most important thing of all in life.

Are you really on the Lord's side?

On Monday 5th June 1944, almost every soldier aboard the British Troop ship “Princess Ingrid”, gathered to take part in a Church service conducted by their padre. The next day was D-Day; hopefully the beginning of the liberation of Europe and every soldier was lost in their own thoughts. They knew that for some this would be their last day alive and of greater importance they knew that if the D-Day landings were unsuccessful, millions of innocent people would be left under the domination of Nazism for perhaps decades. The entire fate of Europe and the free world hung in the balance. They earnestly wanted the blessing and help of Almighty God. As a focal point the padre constructed a makeshift altar and placed a silver cross in the centre. Just as he was about to begin the service and plead for God’s help and blessing upon their task, something sinister happened which terrified them beyond words. In front of them all, at that moment, a gust of wind suddenly came up, struck the cloth on the altar and threw the cross to the deck with such force that the cross was broken in two. The padre and the troops were distraught at this omen and a naval telegrapher Ronald Seaborne, who witnessed it, stated that for the first time in his life he understood what the “fear of God” really meant.

Those who know their Bible will not be surprised by this strange and frightening event. Scripture warns that the human race is actually in the midst of a spiritual war which often manifests itself in a variety of physical ways. In Ephesians Ch 6 v 12 it explains that “We do not wrestle against mere flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places.” And in 1st John Ch5v19 it further adds that “The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” Scripture clearly teaches that until the Second Coming of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ; this will neither be a peaceful nor a restful world because evil is trying to destroy that which is good.

Although this spiritual war often manifests itself in physical ways, the primary place of conflict is neither the battlefields of Europe past or present, nor in the Middle East. The sobering reality is that the primary place of conflict between good and evil actually takes place in our own hearts. Every time an individual has to decide between right and wrong they are involved in this conflict. Each time a person decides to be selfish or proud, jealous, envious, bitter or unforgiving; each time they neglect to obey the Ten Commandments, they side with the powers of darkness. On the other hand, each time an individual chooses to do that which is right, just and loving, they side with the Lord. In 1st John Ch 3 v7 it chillingly warns “Let no one deceive you. The person who practises righteousness is righteous…but he who sins is of the devil.” Is it any wonder the world is in such a mess? The greatest need for Mankind today is for the transformation of the human heart.

Scripture teaches that we should regularly take stock of our lives and ask ourselves where we personally stand in this spiritual conflict. Who are we really following? Who really has our heart? Are we part of the solution to the mess this world is in, or are we part of the problem? Have we been taken captive by the evils of selfishness and greed, indifference and spiritual neglect, or have we been set free from such vices by loyally following the Captain of our Salvation? If Christ were to return tomorrow would He say “well done good and faithful servant” or would He have to say “depart from Me for I never really knew you.”?

The Biblical test revealing which side a person is on is very simple. “Jesus said ‘You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind…and you are to love your neighbour as yourself’.” (Matthew Ch22vs37, 38). In God’s sight, those who have repented of their sins and are actively striving to obey Christ’s words is what distinguishes a Christian from a non Christian and is the deciding factor revealing which side of the conflict a person is on.

Scripture declares that it is simply not enough for an individual to believe in God and regard themselves as being a “good person” just because they haven’t “robbed a bank or murdered someone,” (a phrase I often hear). In stead what is required is active commitment to the Lord’s way, right down to the very deepest level of our being. In 1st Corinthians Ch6v20 St Paul reminds us; “we have been bought at a Price, therefore glorify God in your body and your spirit”. This “Price” was Jesus enduring the Cross on our behalf, for our sins. What has been done for us was most profound; it was “no small thing” and is deserving of nothing less than full and complete commitment and devotion.

In Luke Ch 14 vs15-24 Jesus told a parable about those who made excuses as to why they wouldn’t follow Him. It is sobering teaching which has relevance for our materialistic age. It is a reminder that in this conflict “a careless attitude costs souls”. He said “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many…but they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said ‘I have bought a piece of land; I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ Another said ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen and I am going to try them. I ask that you have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have just got married so I cannot come.’ …When the servants reported these excuses to their Master, He became angry… and said ‘none of those people who were invited shall taste of My supper.’ ”

I am often staggered by the kind of excuses people give as to why they don’t fully and actively follow the Lord. “Oh I am too tied up with my job to have time for spiritual matters.” (But they find time to go to the gym). “Oh I haven’t time to read the Lord’s Book.” (But they find time to read their daily newspaper). “Oh I have lots of family commitments.” (But they find time to go out for morning coffee and socialise with their friends). The teaching of this parable comes to mind when I hear these things and I often wonder how they will react on that Day when they are confronted with the true reality of the Cross and all that was done for them. In 2nd Corinthians Ch9v15 it is called “an Indescribable Gift”. They are treating God’s Gift of Himself as though it were nothing, whereas in reality it is absolutely everything and beyond compare as the following touching story shows.

Many years ago a young Christian lady became terminally ill. As her illness progressed she drew great comfort from the promise in Isaiah Ch 53v5 which says “He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” One day a friend commented “You are suffering a lot of pain at the moment.” “Yes” she answered “but” pointing to her hand, “there is no nail there. He had the nails; I have the peace”. Laying her hand on her brow, “there are no thorns here. He had the thorns but I have the peace”, and touching her side she added, “there is no spear there. He had the spear; I have the peace”.

Scripture teaches that a titanic spiritual battle is raging between good and evil for the hearts and souls of men and women. Salvation and deliverance has been won at the Cross, which demands and challenges individuals to decide which side of this conflict they are on. The Price paid was so great that there is no middle ground. There are no excuses. In Matthew Ch12v30 Jesus stated “he who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” If people are not actively in the Lord’s camp, then in God’s sight they are placing themselves in the camp of the enemy.

In 1st Peter Ch5vs8, 9 it warns “Be sober and vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist him by being steadfast in the faith.” Some time ago a man who was giving a lecture about the Bible concluded his talk by affirming that he wasn’t afraid of the devil. A devout Christian in the audience responded by commenting, “That is hardly the point. The real question surely is this; ‘is the devil frightened of you and your faithfulness to the Saviour?’” What a challenging question! Are the powers of darkness frightened of our love and devotion to the Lord? Are they terrified by our gratitude to the Saviour, our prayer life and our faithfulness in reading the Word of God? Are they fearful of our loyal attendance at God’s House Sunday by Sunday whatever the weather? Can they see that we are firmly in the camp of the Redeemed? Or, on the other hand, do they see us as unmotivated, spiritually indifferent and full of excuses? Do they regard us as collaborators with evil and no threat at all to the darkness they are trying to bring upon the world?

In 2nd TimothyCh2vs3-4 it urges “You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ…that you may please the One Who enlisted you as a soldier.” Let us regularly reaffirm our allegiance to the Saviour and firmly resolve to love and obey Him in all our ways. May we do this with heartfelt gratitude, so that whether He comes or calls, He will say “Well done good and faithful servant.”

The benefits and blessings of being a Christian

Not long ago I came across an amusing story about a family of campers. As soon as they arrived at a particular holiday park, the whole family baled out of their two cars. The teenagers in the family immediately set to work unloading equipment and started putting up the tents. While they did this the younger girls and their mother sorted through the cooking utensils and set up the camping stove. Every member of the family was enthusiastically engaged in some particular task and they all worked together as a well coordinated team. Soon everything was set up. One holiday maker observing this was so impressed by their team work and enthusiasm that he went over to their dad to congratulate him. “Thank you” replied the father “but it’s quite simple really. I have a system to motivate them all. No one is allowed to go to the toilet block until the camp is set up!”

The reason for their enthusiasm was motivation. Their dad had found something which encouraged them to work quickly and efficiently to set up camp. If he hadn’t managed to find an incentive then they would have been apathetic about the work involved and probably taken hours to get it done.

Likewise, regarding spiritual matters, the Bible teaches that there are great motivating reasons and incentives why we should enthusiastically follow the Lord rather than be indifferent and apathetic. From Genesis through to Revelation, Scripture teaches that great blessings are reserved for the faithful, just as great punishment is reserved for the disobedient. Countless verses refer to these blessings or punishment.

Regarding blessings, for example, it states in Psalm 103v2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits…” in Galatians Ch6v9 it adds, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart”; in Ephesians Ch6vs6-8 it says “Do the will of God from the heart…knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord”; and in 1st Corinthians Ch 15 v58 it urges “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

When referring to future punishment, the following is a selection; Hebrews Ch2vs1-3 states “We must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest we should drift away…for how shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation?”; Hebrews Ch10v31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.”; 2nd Corinthians Ch5v11 “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men to repent.”; Luke Ch12v5 “I will tell you Whom you should fear. Fear Him, Who after He has killed has power to cast into hell; yes I say to you fear Him!”; Revelation Ch6vs 15-17, “…and people will hide themselves and say to the mountains and rocks, ‘fall on us and hide us from Him Who sits on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb for the great Day of His Judgment has come and who is able to stand?’ ”

God is the source of all true joy and the spiritual blessings and benefits which He gives to those who have repented of their sins and are now following Him are priceless.

Firstly, they have the joyful knowledge that their sins are really forgiven and therefore they have no reason to fear the Second Coming of Christ or the Day of Judgment. It wonderfully promises in Romans Ch 8v1”There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” In Hebrews Ch7v25 it adds “He saves to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.” And in 1st John Ch1v7-9 it says “The Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin…if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (See also Isaiah ch1v 18, John Ch3v16-17, Luke Ch7v47, John Ch8v11. Hebrews Ch8v12 and Psalm 51). They have the gift of everlasting life and have no reason to fear physical death. (Romans Ch6v23).

Many years ago there was a certain man who was deeply troubled by his conscience. His mind was in turmoil and so being unable to find any peace he decided to go for a long walk in the country. After a while he sat down beside a garden hedge. As he sat there, he overheard a conversation between two women in the garden which changed his life. The women were discussing a sermon which one of them had recently heard. One of them said, “I will never forget the thing which the minister said. It gave me such hope and encouragement.” “What was that?” the other woman eagerly inquired. “The world says that you make your own bed, and so you must lie in it, but One greater than the world said ‘take up thy bed and walk, thy sins are forgiven.’ ” When the distressed man heard those wondrous words, his despair instantly changed to one of hope. He turned to Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, felt his guilt taken away and experienced the joyful knowledge that his sins had truly been forgiven.

Secondly, they have the joy of His Fellowship and Companionship. In Matthew Ch28v20 Jesus promised “Behold I Am with you always, even to the end of the age” and in Hebrews Ch13v5 it adds “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Those who are faithful in following the Lord are promised the gift of His continual Presence and Companionship throughout this present life and beyond. It is a relationship and partnership which begins the moment a person truly turns to the Lord and it continues forever. It is friendship with a Divine Being Who is closer to them than any created being ever can be; One Who loves and cares for them more than anyone else does, and Who shares all their experiences more than anyone else can do. He is their ever-present personal Friend and Companion. And what a comfort this brings. It means an individual Christian is never really alone. They may have been abandoned by their family, or forgotten by their fellow men, but the Lord Himself will never desert them. This sense of Divine Fellowship puts an end to the “cosmic loneliness” and emptiness non Christians often feel deep down in their being.

To illustrate the powerful beauty of this truth the Rev John McNeill tells of a boyhood experience he had,
which comforted him throughout the rest of his life. He wrote “I remember one Saturday night it was nearly midnight when I started to tramp six or seven miles down through the lonely glens to get home. The road had a bad name, it was supposedly haunted and terrible things had happened there. This particular night was very black, and two miles outside our little village the road gets even blacker. I was just entering this dark defile when about 100 yards ahead, in the densest of the darkness, there suddenly rang out a strong cheery voice, ‘Is that you Johnny? I have come to meet you.’ It was my father, the bravest man I ever knew. Together we walked through the densest darkness, but I wasn’t afraid of anything because I was not alone. Many a time since then, I have reflected on that experience when things have been getting black and gloomy about me. Then I sense a Voice greater than any earthly parent cry ‘Fear not for I Am with thee’ and I think to myself ‘Yea even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because Thou art with me.’ “The comfort which the Lord’s Companionship brings as a Christian treads the journey of life is indescribable.

Thirdly, they have the promise of God’s help and strength to overcome whatever problems and temptations lie ahead. Repeatedly, Scripture states that the power of Christ changes and transforms lives. Those who follow the Lord are promised supernatural strength to obey His will, resist temptation and to overcome whatever problems they may face. In John Ch1v12 it promises “to as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become children of God,” in 1st Corinthians Ch 10v13 it adds “God is faithful Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to resist,” and in 2nd Peter Ch2v9 it says “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation.”

Many years ago the pioneer missionary Ludwig Nommensen was granted permission to live among the Batak tribe. For two years he studied the customs and traditions which ruled their lives and finally he was invited to meet their chief. The chief asked him to explain in what ways the Christian religion differed from that of the traditions of the Batak. After the missionary explained the Ten Commandments the chief commented “We too have laws which say we must not steal, nor take our neighbours wife, nor bear false witness.” Ludwig then replied profoundly “The difference is my Saviour Jesus also gives us the power to keep His laws.” The chief was startled and asked “Can you teach my people that?” Ludwig said “No I cannot, but God Himself will give them this power if they ask for it and listen to His Word.” The missionary was permitted to stay for a further six months during which time he focused on one main issue- the power of God to the believer. At the end of that time he met the chief again. The chief said “You may stay. Your law is better than ours. Ours tells us what we ought to do. Your God says ‘Come, I will walk with you and give you strength to do the good thing.’ “

The Living God is a God of power, and those who sincerely seek to follow Him are promised His power and strength to deal with whatever they face in life. Whether it be temptation, ill health, affliction, persecution or whatever, the Lord’s power is available so a Christian can overcome evil rather than be overcome by it. When St Paul was enduring severe affliction the Lord reassured him by saying “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2nd Corinthians Ch12v9) and in Philippians Ch4v13 St Paul wrote “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (See also 2ndCorinthians Ch9v8). The greater the need and more awesome the problem; the greater the power and strength supplied. In Christ “we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.” (Romans Ch8v37).

These are just some of the many motivating reasons and incentives why we should enthusiastically follow the Lord; as it exhorts us in Deuteronomy Ch30v20 “love the Lord and obey His voice, cling to Him, because He is your life…”

God changes lives

Many decades ago an atheistic lecturer who was touring the country addressed a group of miners and their families. Towards the end of his speech he said "I tell you Jesus Christ is just a myth", and went on to ridicule the Bible and the existence of God. When he had finished speaking a rough looking miner stood up and said "I'm only a workingman. I don't know what you mean by the word 'myth'. But I challenge you to explain how I have been changed by Someone you say doesn't exist. Three years ago I had a miserable home. I neglected my wife and children. I cursed and swore. I drank all my wages. Then someone came along and told me of the love of God and of deliverance from the shackles of sin by turning to Jesus. Now all is different! I am a changed man. We have a happy home. I feel better in every way. A new power has taken possession of me since Christ came into my life. Explain that!"

Jesus changes lives! The greatest need for humanity is the transformation of the human heart and this is precisely what the message of the Gospel does. It such a powerful, beautiful and awesome message it transforms individuals from the inside and makes them a new kind of person. (Romans Ch1v16). They are different and happy from "within" and are born all over again as a brand new creature. (JohnCh3v3).

Once there was a man who owned a clock which was of great sentimental value. One day the clock stopped and no matter what he tried he couldn't get it to go again. He tried heavier weights but that didn't work. Later he tried putting on a new clock face, but that didn't work either. He even tried new hands, but that made no difference. His young son who was watching him with interest finally said, "Daddy, I think the poor old clock needs a new inside." That is exactly what Scripture teaches about human beings. The Bible states we need a "new inside" with our hearts being changed in character by the transforming power of God. We need to become a new creation. (2nd Corinthians Ch5v17).

Many people want to be different "on the inside". They don't particularly like themselves; their selfishness, their shallowness, their bitterness and so on. They don't particularly like their feelings of insecurity, their worries and anxieties. Again, they don't like the emptiness they feel and the nagging sense that they are missing something really important about life which others have found. These people are spiritually starving and are consciously or unconsciously yearning for something supernatural to change them.

Jesus Christ came to offer this New Life and Scripture lists numerous supernatural experiences they can expect to have; Times of ecstatic joy and peace, an overwhelming sense of being loved, an awesome sense of God's daily Companionship and Presence, a feeling of God's infinite Holiness, abundant power to do good and resist temptation, spiritual and emotional healing, pardon and forgiveness, freedom from a guilty conscience, daily answered prayer with a real sense that ones prayers are being heard, guidance in everyday affairs, the miraculous changing of ones character and attitudes, a purpose and meaning to ones life, contentment and satisfaction, Divine intervention in times of crisis, supernatural strength to reach one's full potential, and so the list goes on.

This is the New Life which is on offer; as Jesus promised in John Ch 10v10 "I have come that they may have life and that they may have it in its fullest abundance." We can experience all these supernatural things; God is only too willing to grant them, but first on our part there must be true repentance and complete obedience. We must truly repent of the things we have done wrong in the past and commit ourselves to fully obeying His commandments from now on and in the future. These "twin keys" unlock the door to experiencing Jesus in our lives.

Scripture could not be plainer. It teaches that God is a Holy God. He is a God Who hates sin and cannot
look upon evil. In Hebrews Ch 12v14 it states "Without holiness, no one will see the Lord", so if a person wants to experience God in their lives then they must repent of their sins and fully start to obey Him. There is no other way. There is no alternative. God will only have fellowship and contact with those who are walking in obedience to His will. If we want God to be close to us then we must draw close to Him." (James Ch4v8).

Sadly this is the hurdle where many people stumble. Yes, they want to experience God and yes, they want His Blessing of Fellowship, but their desire is simply not great enough for them to abandon their sinful ways and follow Him. They wonder why God seems so remote and they wonder why He doesn't hear their prayers but the fault lies with them, in not wanting Him with all their heart. While they cling to their sins they are unworthy of His Companionship.

The famous statue of Jesus in Brazil teaches this profound truth. The face of Christ is so turned that one can only see His face and experience His gaze when one is kneeling and looking up. To experience the Divine in our lives, we must first get down on our knees in repentance and then start looking up in daily obedience.

One of the most famous religious paintings of all time is entitled "Christ the Light of the World" by Holman Hunt. It portrays Jesus in a garden at midnight, holding a lantern in His left hand. With His right hand He is knocking at a massive door. When the painting was first unveiled a critic noticed what he thought was a fault. This massive entrance was missing a door handle. When asked about this matter, Hunt explained that the door symbolised the human heart which could be only opened from the inside. He had deliberately omitted any door handle so as to teach that Christ will only come into our hearts, if we ourselves open the door. His presence in our lives is conditional upon our decision. As it states in Revelation Ch3 v20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock....if anyone opens the door I will come in."

Jesus said "He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me...and I will love him, and reveal Myself to him". (John Ch14v21). If we really want Jesus to reveal Himself to us and really want the New Life He is offering, then we will abandon our sins and open our hearts to Him. The moment we let Him in, we will be changed forever "from within" and become a brand new creation in Christ.

The need to be forgiving

Jesus said “If you forgive people their sins, then your Heavenly Father will also forgive you your sins. But if you do not forgive people their sins then neither will your Father forgive you your sins.” Matthew Ch6 vs 14-15.

If “sheer greed” is the number one underlying reason why there is so much selfish behaviour in our society today, then a close second is surely people’s “unforgiving spirit”. It is very noticeable how often we hear of people committing actions simply because they want to get their own back at others, or of people who demand their rights, no matter who gets harmed. It is easy to see that many people  today harbour a resentful spirit within them. The crime of road rage is just one example of this.

So why can’t people be more tolerant towards the faults of others? Why can’t they be more forbearing and more forgiving? Clearly one reason is because they never think about all the bad things they themselves have done which in turn means they don’t realise how much they themselves need forgiveness from God. If only individuals reflected more on their own faults rather than the faults of others, then they would be more forgiving and less spiteful.

The following story was written by a 17 year old called Brian Moore, just two months before he was killed in a car accident. It is a profound story and a timely reminder of  just how much we are personally in need of God’s forgiveness. As we read this, resentment at the faults of others should melt away as it brings to mind  our own personal need for forgiveness.

‘Before I fully awoke I found myself in a room. One wall was covered with small card index files like the ones you used to see in libraries. As I drew near to the wall of files the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I have liked”. I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realise that I recognised every name. Suddenly I knew where I was. This lifeless room with all its files was the catalogue system of my life on earth! Here were written and recorded the actions of my every moment, big and small. A sense of curiosity and horror stirred within me.

I began opening the files at random. Some brought joy and sweet memories, while others brought a sense of shame. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I have betrayed”. The titles ranged from the mundane to the weird. “Books I have read”, “Lies I have told”, “Comfort I have given”, “Jokes I have laughed at”, “Things I have done in anger”, “Things I have muttered under my breath at my parents”. I was over whelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived and the exactness of the details recorded. There were millions of cards. When I pulled out the file marked “TV shows I have watched” I realised that after two or three yards I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it ashamed; not so much by the quality of the shows, but more by the vast time I knew that I had wasted.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt ashamed that such a moment had been recorded. Leaning my forehead against a wall, letting out a sigh, I suddenly noticed files marked “People I have shared the Gospel with” and “Times I have gone to Bible study”. Both handles were brighter than those around them, newer, almost unused. I pulled out the first one and found the file less than three inches long. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

Then the tears came. I began to weep. I felt so ashamed of my life. The overwhelming shame of it all swept over me like a flood and the worst of it all was that I had always considered myself a “good person”, never having done much wrong. I was appalled.

Suddenly I thought “no one must ever see this room”. In a frenzy I pulled out a file and tried to tear up the cards. To my horror, each card was as strong as steel. Defeated and helpless I sat down in a corner of the room. After a few moments I heard footsteps; someone was coming. The door opened and I saw Him. “Oh no! Not Him, not here. Anyone but Jesus.” He went over to the files and began to read them. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned to me, held out His pierced hands and said “All this I suffered for you on the Cross, what have you done for Me in your life?” I didn’t have an answer.’

In 2nd Corinthians Ch5 vs 9-11 St Paul wrote “let us make it our aim to be well pleasing to the Lord because we must all appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ to give an account of the things we have done. Knowing the terror of the Lord we plead with people to repent”.

Scripture teaches that the forgiveness of our own sins is conditional upon  us forgiving those who have sinned against us. The more we recognise our own personal faults, the more forgiving and forbearing we will be towards the faults and failings of others.

This was the motive behind the famous example of forgiveness set by the North American Indian Chief called Maskepetoon. As Christian missionaries were opening up the Wild West, this Indian Chief became a devout Christian. As he learnt more about the teachings of the “Everywhere Spirit” and the personal standards of conduct this Spirit required, he was humbled by his own sins and the kind of life he had previously led. On one particular evening the missionaries gave a talk about the Crucifixion. They explained that while hanging on the Cross, Jesus had prayed for His enemies saying “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Maskepetoon was profoundly moved by this. He realised that if Jesus, Who was sinless, prayed for those who had crucified Him, then how much more so, as a sinful man seeking forgiveness, should he be willing to forgive others who had harmed him.

The account states that the very next day, after hearing this teaching, the Indian Chief was approached by another tribe of Indians, among whom was a former friend who had murdered his son. When the two tribes were within a hundred yards of each other, the Chief spotted the murderer and drawing his tomahawk rode up until they were face to face. What happened next is one of the most amazing examples of forgiveness to come out of this period of Indian history. With his voice full of emotion Maskepetoon said to the man “You deserve to die. I sent my son along with you as a trusted companion, but you betrayed my trust and killed him. You have done me and my tribe the greatest injury possible. But for what I heard from the missionary last night I would have buried this tomahawk in your head. The missionary told us that if expected the Great Spirit to forgive us, we must forgive even the greatest wrong.” With deep emotion he continued, “As\I hope the Great Spirit will forgive me all my sins, I forgive you.” With that the Indian Chief broke down in tears and quietly rode away.

Maskepetoon was like a bright light shining in a dark place. He had refused to repay evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, and left vengeance and judgement in the Hands of God Himself. He took to heart the great message of Christianity that we are to love those who hate us and pray for those who do us harm. Jesus said that we are “to forgive from the heart”. (Matthew Ch 18v35). When this is done it truly puts an end to escalating violence and hostility. For many years afterwards Maskepetoon continued to live a devoted Christian life. He preached a spirit of forgiveness to others and by his personal example managed to influence many of his own tribe to turn from killing their enemies.

Reflecting on our personal need for forgiveness will inspire us to be forgiving towards the wrongs of others. Let us remember that we are all sinners needing the grace and mercy of Almighty God and that “Judgement will be without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” (James Ch 2v 13).