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.

Have courage to seek the truth

"How much more important it is to get knowledge than gold and to choose wisdom rather than silver!" Proverbs Ch 16v16

It is often said that the South of England is particularly wealthy and affluent. While this may be true in one sense, the Bible regards real wealth in terms of one's "knowledge and acceptance of God." Scripture describes a certain kind of individual who thinks "I am rich and have become wealthy and have need of nothing" while refusing to see that in reality they are actually "poor, miserable, blind and naked." (Rev Ch 3v13)

The story is told about a poor preacher who was travelling on a ship with a large group of wealthy merchants. In the course of their conversation one of the merchants asked the preacher what his business was. He replied, "I suppose you could say that my business is giving people knowledge and information on how to live and find happiness. Such knowledge is invaluable." Several of the merchants ridiculed him; one cried "How do you sell knowledge?" Another joked "I suppose he trades information and guidance for bread and wine"!

Partway through the journey pirates overtook the ship and stripped the passengers of all their goods. Only the preacher who carried no valuables was unaffected.
Finally, when they landed, the preacher began to give talks to the town folk imparting his knowledge on how to live and where to find the happiness only God can bring. These talks created great interest and attracted large audiences from the whole area. He explained that Jesus was actually "The Way, the Truth and the Life" (John ch14v6) and that knowledge and acceptance of this fact would change their lives forever. (St Augustine taught the same thing, often telling people that God has made us for Himself and that our hearts will remain restless and weary until they rest in Him.) Soon the preacher made friends and settled into the community as a respected leader and useful guide. On the other hand the merchants now dressed in rags were unable to find employment. Finally in desperation they called upon the preacher for help and asked him to use his influence to get them jobs. This he graciously did, and after he had found work for them all, the merchants realised the truth – that having knowledge of God and the understanding this brought about how to live, was indeed of greater value than mere material possessions.

Today, many people have fallen into the trap of regarding wealth in terms of material possessions. They feel they are better off than previous generations and of course in one sense they are. The reality however, is that in the way that really counts, many people are poorer and are spiritually poverty stricken and starving. Society is richer in material things but it has also lost something and that "something" is quite profound. We see the symptoms of this loss every day in how unhappy and discontented people have become; how selfish and greedy and awkward! What has been lost is the knowledge of God and the understanding this brings about how to be happy, content and at peace in one's soul. Scripture describes such people as ones who spoil and destroy their lives through a lack of this knowledge. (Hosea Ch4v6). They may be well educated enough to know how to put a man on the moon, but they lack Godly knowledge on how to live with themselves and their fellow man on earth!

Our society is broken because many people no longer know the basic laws of God which were designed to bring happiness and order to their lives and that of their families. They haven't the least knowledge or understanding of the meaning of life and what we are here for. They haven't any idea of where to look for guidance, hope and strength when life gets tough and they lack the perception that they are accountable to a Holy God for all their thoughts, words and actions.

Gaining a knowledge of God and learning about (and obeying) the laws He has given us, answers all these profound questions and would bring instant relief. Unfortunately, however to attain this Godly knowledge and help there is one big obstacle individuals often have to overcome-- family and friends!

I have encountered numerous individuals who have indeed sensed that turning to Jesus Christ and gaining knowledge of Him would help them at the depths of their being. They have sensed that Christ is indeed "The Way, the Truth and the Life". But bizarrely the moment they start exploring these spiritual matters they face ridicule, often from those who claim to love them most, namely family and friends! "Oh you're not going to church again are you, you went last month"? "Oh you‘re not reading the Bible again, that's two days in a row. It's such a waste of your time." What about kind words such as "Well, if it makes you happy I am pleased for you"? It's as though those around them don't want that person to find answers. They are lost themselves and have the attitude "let's all sit in this empty confusion together." And so it can take courage for individuals to seek knowledge of God and not let others put them off finding the answers to life.

This is the moral behind one of the most peculiar stories I have ever come across. It is a story from Ethiopia used to teach people to have the courage of their convictions and not be put off by the lies of those around them.

Once upon a time a man was taking his prize lamb to market. Three thieves plotted to steal this lamb in a unique way, simply by telling lies about it! As the man was walking along with the lamb over his shoulders, the first thief approached him and asked "Why are you carrying that dog on your shoulders?" The man laughed and replied "This is not a dog, it's my prize lamb which I am taking to market." Some time later the second thief approached him and said "What a fine looking dog you have, where are you taking it?" Puzzled the man took the lamb off his shoulders, looked at it carefully and said "It's a lamb and I am taking it to market." Shortly before he reached the market the third thief met the man and said "Sir I don't think they will allow you to take your dog into the market." Completely confused, the man took the lamb off his shoulders, left it on the ground and walked away in disgust. "I was convinced this was a lamb but if three other people say it's a dog then it must be a dog."

So likewise, there are many who are rightly convinced that the answer to life's problems, lies with knowing Christ, but they will also require the courage of their convictions to complete this learning because there are those who would try to deter them. The key to happiness is knowing God. Knowing how to live in a right relationship with God and being at peace with Him is real wealth and treasure and what really matters. Others may say differently, but a lamb is always a lamb no matter what others may say and God continues to be God no matter how others may deny Him!

The real purpose of your life

The most highly organised and complex object in the known universe is the human brain!  Containing about one hundred billion special cells called neurons which can send and receive electrochemical signals; the brain is an incredible communication network handling about one hundred million messages EVERY second. This staggering ability highlights the fact that the worlds most advanced computer is hopelessly primitive when compared to its living counterpart.

The brain does everything we would like our computers to do!  It carries out innumerable tasks at the same time as it controls and monitors every function of the body.  Many of these tasks are done automatically, without any direction or decision making from outside, even when apparently “sleeping”.  It can repair and renew itself, and when one part is damaged another part can take over.  Most amazing of all, the brain is conscious – it is aware of its own existence.  As well as recalling the past in amazing detail, it can imagine and project itself into the future.  It is capable of astonishing creativity in the visual arts, in music and in literature and  it cherishes abstract concepts  such as beauty, love, loyalty and forgiveness.

It is little wonder King David wrote in Psalm 139 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful.  You created my inner most being.”  He also commented in Psalm 14, “It is a fool who thinks in his heart, ‘there is no God.”  Today, some people loudly proclaim their belief that all this complexity occurred by chance. They proclaim that we are but animals and nothing more.  But the Bible teaches the complete opposite – it tells us that far from being an animal, the human spirit has been created in the image of God and the purpose of our existence is to develop a deep personal relationship with our Designer God.  Our goal in life is to get to know God, and it is only then that we can achieve our full potential. You are profoundly important to God, so important that He sent His Son to die for you.  You are not an animal!

Many years ago a certain man went through a forest seeking any bird of interest he might find.  He caught a young eagle, brought it home and put it among his ducks and chicken.  He gave it chicken food to eat, even though it was the king of birds.  As it grew, its wing span eventually measured 15 feet!  After three years a naturalist came to see this now famous eagle.  The naturalist stated that an eagle was always an eagle, and had the spirit of an eagle.  The owner strongly disagreed and said he had trained it for three years to be a chicken.  The process had gone on so long it was no longer an eagle.  The two men agreed to experiment with the bird.  The owner firmly believed it was now a chicken and would never fly, while the naturalist believed that the eagle would always remain an eagle at heart. 

The first experiment was a failure!  The naturalist picked up the eagle and held it to the sky.  Instead of flying off, the bird turned this way and that and then looking down saw the chickens eating their food – down he jumped!  In the second experiment the eagle was taken to the top of a nearby house.  Yet again the eagle, seeing the chickens feeding jumped down and fed with them.  In the final experiment the eagle was taken away from the town altogether, to the foot of a high mountain.  The sun was rising and every crag was glistening in the joy of  a  beautiful morning.  The naturalist picked up the eagle and let it observe the surroundings.  As the eagle saw the sun rise and the  beauty of the mountain, it suddenly began to tremble as though new life were coming into it.  It was as though scales fell from its eyes and it suddenly realised for the very first time – “I am not a chicken after all – I have been deceived, no wonder I haven’t been happy.”

The eagle then stretched out its wings and with a screech of eagle joy it soared up into the heavens never to return!

Some people would have you believe you are but an animal and an accident of nature.  They would have you believe that there is no God who cares for you and no God who loves you.  They would have you believe you are here for a brief moment in time only to face endless extinction, and that life is meaningless.  Those who would have you believe these thngs are deceiving you – you are not an animal, but indeed have the potential to become a child of God! Your inner spirit has been specially created to experience God! Fail to recognise this and you will never find rest and peace in your heart, just as the eagle was never really happy being a chicken!