What’s on your present list this Christmas?

It was some years ago that one of my students alerted me to the fact of what some people spend on presents at Christmas. She was telling me what her mother had promised to buy her for Christmas, not in terms of tens of pounds but in hundreds. I commented about how wealthy her mother must be to afford to spend such large amounts on her, only to be told that her mother would borrow the money in order to fund such generosity. It got me thinking. Is this how we measure a parent’s love for their child? Is the quality of a child’s Christmas judged in terms of the value of the presents they receive?

 

However, this is not a rant at the commercialism and exploitation that is so often a key feature of Christmas. What I find most upsetting is that in the dazzle of the Christmas lights and the fervour of Christmas shopping we have lost sight of what the festival is supposed to be all about. Christmas is supposed to be about Christ! It would be easy to dismiss the point because we don’t actually know what time of year Jesus Christ was born. But there is sufficient historical evidence to know that He was born and He did live in Israel. Indeed, we wouldn’t have a year 2015 if it wasn’t for His coming – the way in which we calculate the year is determined from the point at which men have assessed He was born.

 

Whether we look at our presents this Christmas and calculate how much people have spent on us or not, have we ever stopped to think of the present God gave to human kind some 2000 years ago? One thing is sure, we can measure God’s love by the value of what He gave – ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son’.[1] But it was not just that God gave His Son to be born, or to live a good life. He gave His Son that He might die upon a Roman cross and suffer untold agony and grief. Why? The Bible puts it this way: ‘But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us’.[2] The death of the Lord Jesus was for us – you and me! In reality, Jesus died that we might have forgiveness and cleansing from our sin and its defilement. He died to bear the penalty for our sin and provide a means of reconciliation to God. The Bible says He, Jesus, ‘was delivered for our offences’,[3] and that we can be ‘reconciled to God by the death of his Son’.[4]  

 

Perhaps this Christmas we might think about that verse from the Bible: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given’.[5] God gave us His Son. What have we given to God in return? Have we given Him our life, or have we ignored that most costly gift, or, worse still, thrown it back in His face?

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[1] John chapter 3 verse 16

[2] Romans chapter 5 verse 8

[3] Romans chapter 4 verse 25

[4] Romans chapter 5 verse 10

[5] Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6

Seen it all?

‘With nigh on 30 years in the police service . . . you think you've seen it all until you learn of yesterday's events’. These are the words of Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson of Police Scotland speaking at a news conference after the tragic death of a sixteen-year-old youngster stabbed to death in an Aberdeen school. One relatively simple act by another sixteen-year-old male has devastated a family, mentally scarred a school, its children and staff, and shocked a community.

Some may remember that not too long ago a supply teacher in a Yorkshire school was stabbed by a student. He survived the attack whereas the teenager in Scotland did not. However, do these recurring tragedies make us think or, like so much shocking news that is beamed into our homes, are they news today and forgotten tomorrow? It is easy to become hardened. Indeed, the words of Chief Superintendent Watson suggest that possibility to be real. It is a way that such professionals cope with the awful consequences of people’s actions, the mess that they often have to ‘clear up’. For the rest of us, are we becoming case-hardened and rather cynical?

The concern of every Christian is that we are becoming de-sensitized to sin. We are beginning to accept things that we know to be wrong. Our conscience tells us. The law may even confirm the fact, but, because having to face the penalty of law-breaking is unlikely, we accept the situation. That is until something as shocking as yesterday’s incident in a Scottish school makes us think. But does the horror of such a crime taking place in what is perceived to be a safe and caring environment cause us all to appraise our behaviour?

If we think that any of our actions, however seemingly trivial, go unnoticed then we are deceiving ourselves. The law may not always bring us to book but nothing escapes the eye of God and, ultimately, the Bible says, ‘be sure your sin will find you out’.[1] Equally, we may come to ‘see things differently’ and accept what we once regarded as wrong. We may become hardened and not be shocked by things that would once have scandalised the country. However, the Bible makes it clear that God and His standards do not change and are not compromised: ‘For I am the LORD, I change not’.[2]

One young man’s actions have blighted a family, a school, and a community. Too often we all fail to think seriously about the consequences of our actions. One day we will be called to account. We will stand before God and be called to account for every aspect of our lives. I’m just glad that I will be able to point to the Lord Jesus Christ and, through faith in Him, be able to say that He bore my sin and guilt when He died on the cross of Calvary. What about you?

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[1] Numbers 32 verse 23

[2] Malachi 3 verse 6

Longest Serving Monarch

Picture taken from: http://6m2k14.global2.vic.edu.au/2014/06/09/queens-birthday-public-holiday-isnt-it/

Today, the 9^th September 2015, is the day the Queen becomes the longest serving monarch in British history. She has served the country for over sixty years, a fixture in the midst of a period of rapid and bewildering change. Prime Ministers have come and gone. Other world leaders have come and gone. Only the Queen has remained as the head of state in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. All should readily admit the tremendous achievement, especially for someone who will soon be ninety years of age!

However, the Queen’s reign and the stability that has offered to the nation amidst the tide of change is only figurative. Only one can truly be classified as unchanging, and that is God. He states, ‘I am the Lord, I change not’. Mal. 3. 7. The Queen has seen many different aspects of change in her long reign, changing attitudes being one of them. Things that were once frowned upon are now viewed as acceptable and normal. Indeed, for some, those who question the validity of such behaviour would be classified as bigots. Sadly, those who welcome the changing attitudes to immorality and other aspects of behaviour fail to remember the unchanging God to whom we will all answer in a coming day.

God does not change. His attitude to sin is the same today as it was sixty or 600 years ago. His standards have not altered. Whatever successive governments may legalise and attitudes of society accept does not change or affect a holy God. Sin is still a failure to do what God wants us to do!

Against that background of the unchanging holiness of God, there is another aspect of God’s character that is unchanging – His love for guilty sinners! Although God hates sin, He loves the sinner and wants to provide a way of salvation for all. Through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, He has done just that. Jesus bore God’s judgement upon sin. If we are prepared to accept that truth, turn away from our sin and make Him our Saviour, we can be saved. If you want a relationship with God, and forgiveness for your sin, here is the answer.

Everything changes, except God. The positive aspect of that fact is that once truly saved from sin you can never be lost. God will not go back upon His promises!

Inadequate

http://www.chad.co.uk/news/health/kirkby-gp-practice-put-into-special-measures-1-7362191

‘A Kirkby GP surgery has been placed into special measures following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They found the quality of care at Kirkby Community Primary Care Centre to be inadequate following an inspection carried out in May 2015’.  This story was featured in the Ashfield Chad, July 2015. According to that story, over 5000 people are registered with the Centre and rely upon it for their health care when needed. I would be surprised if some of the patients are not worried by the Commission’s findings, concerned as to whether their treatment there has been sufficiently thorough. I hope that these fears can be alleviated quickly and the concerns of the Commission addressed.

 

The situation made me think. We all need to have confidence in the key services that we rely upon, whether that is doctors, hospitals, police or fire service. All of these services have an impact upon the quality of our lives. We need to know that such services are there, can be relied upon to deal with our case effectively, and enable some return to normality once that service has been used. Failure in any one may even put our life in danger. We depend upon them.

 

In my experience, albeit mainly of the health care aspect, the service and the treatment have been excellent and I would commend the staff at my GP surgery, and the local hospitals where I have been treated. But I am aware that people make mistakes. They get things wrong! Diagnosing illness is not only difficult but prescribing the right course of treatment can be harder. With something so vital, the patient wants certainty, both in terms of what is wrong as well as what needs to be done to put it right.

 

I wonder what we are placing our faith in when it comes to the matter of our eternal destiny. In the matter of our physical health, we would spare no effort or expense to keep our health and be assured that we will not die young. Sadly, many people give no thought to what lies beyond death, and have made no preparation. Some people have given it thought. They attend church; they give to charity; they are caring and generous people. They are pinning their hopes on the things that they do! If there was a ‘care commission’ that had oversight of efforts for heaven, its word for such activity would be ‘inadequate’.

 

The Bible says that all our best efforts will never be good enough for God. But isn’t that unfair? No. In medical terms, the Bible presents us with the diagnosis – we are sinners who are on our way to a lost eternity. But, thankfully, God has provided a cure for the problem of sin. In the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can have our sins forgiven, the guilt of those sins lifted, and the assurance of a home in heaven. Why? The Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for my sin when He died upon the cross. When I trusted Him I found forgiveness and cleansing! What about you?

 

Politicians tell lies!

‘My point is if you are suggesting that every MP who has never quite told the truth or indeed told a brazen lie - including ministers, including Cabinet ministers, including prime ministers - we would clear out the House of Commons very fast, I would suggest’.[1] These are the words of Sir Malcolm Bruce defending his fellow MP and ex-Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael. He went on to say: ‘The SNP . . . were "judging people by standards that they do not apply to themselves"’.¹

 

The more cynical observer would probably say that Malcolm Bruce is absolutely right but is telling us nothing new. Most of us were aware of politicians who say one thing and do another. In many surveys, politicians were up amongst the top of those who were trusted least! However, the sad thing is that lying is both taken for granted and, for some, expected! What, then, do we think of God’s commandment ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness’?[2] God tells us that lying is wrong. It is sin – falling short of what God expects of everyone! It’s a simple thing but one that has BIG consequences!

But there is another important point in the story featured on the BBC website. It is easy to point the finger at others. It is easy to find faults and failings, even in those in public office. It is easy to follow that up with suggestions of what penalties they should face for those failures – resign, be sacked, be fined, be imprisoned, etc. The question that needs to be asked is: ‘What would happen if we applied the same standards to ourselves?’ The Bible says ‘Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things’.[3] The reality is that we all sin. We all fail to do what God expects – we fall short of His standards. That sin or failure carries a penalty – separated from God forever, punished for our sin!

The good news is that God has provided a way by which we can escape the penalty we deserve. We can be forgiven! How? Some 2000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died on a Roman cross outside of Jerusalem. Though He was perfect – He had never sinned or failed – He died. In that death, He bore God’s punishment upon my sin and, in so doing, brought forgiveness to me and many more Christians. Those who confess their sin to God in prayer and put their faith in Christ can know that forgiveness too. Rather than judge others, let us accept what we are before God, confess our sin and guilt and seek His peace in forgiveness. Will you?

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[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32881672

[2] Exodus chapter 20 verse 16.

[3] Romans chapter 2 verse 1

Election 2015

‘Mr Clegg said the results were "immeasurably more crushing" than he had feared . . . saying it had been "simply heartbreaking”’.[1]

 

Whatever your politics, there is something rather sad about the whole concept of rejection. Whilst some will say that such is the price of politics, and that is right, to suffer defeat is a hard thing to take, whether as a Liberal Democrat or a Labour politician. It means that your political message has been rejected. It may mean that you as a person or a leader have been rejected. That is tough however much some may feel it is deserved.

 

I thought of another rejection – one far more intense and far bitterer than that experienced by any politician in recent days. The event took place in Jerusalem some 2000 years ago. The Roman Governor paraded a man before the people and said, ‘Behold the man!’[2] It was not that the people were unfamiliar with Jesus Christ. They had seen him heal the sick, deliver those who were demon possessed, and even raise the dead to life again. Not many days previous they had greeted His arrival in Jerusalem with shouts of ‘Hosanna’. Now, the cry was a cry of hatred: ‘Away with him, crucify him’.[3] The Bible tells us that Jesus was ‘despised and rejected of men . . . and we hid as it were our faces from him’.[4] God’s Son was taken and crucified upon a Roman cross.

 

Why? There is a two-fold answer. Jesus Christ was there because mankind put him there. It was men who hated him, and hounded him to that cross. As he exposed their sin and guilt, so they rejected him and had him killed. The cross of Jesus Christ reminds us all that we are sinners – we have failed to live as God wants us to live. What I found very honest in the recent events was the words of Ed Miliband. He said, ‘I take absolute and total responsibility for the result and our defeat’.[5] The question we all have to ask is whether we are prepared to take responsibility for our failure and sin before God.

The second reason that Jesus Christ was upon that cross outside Jerusalem was because He chose to be there. The remarkable message of the Christian gospel is that ‘Christ died for our sins’.[6] As one who has taken Jesus Christ as my Saviour I can say that He was there for me, and He bore the punishment of God for my sin and my guilt. He bore the consequences of what I did wrong. Can you say that? Jesus Christ was rejected by men that I might not be rejected by God. Is he your Saviour?

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[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32633462

[2] John chapter 19 verse 5

[3] John chapter 19 verse 15

[4] Isaiah chapter 53 verse 3

[5] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32633388

[6] 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 3

Funerals

Picture taken from: http://mentalfloss.com

 

What prompted this blog was the fact that I have attended two funerals in two days and I have another to attend in a fortnight’s time. But coupled with that personal situation was the story on the BBC News website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31518899. The story stated: ‘The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says that in the first six weeks of 2015, just over 82,000 deaths were registered, which is 23% higher than the average from the previous five years’. The story becomes a little more startling when we realize that this is more than one death per minute for every day of those six weeks!

There is a double sadness in these statistics. For some the death of a loved one will have cast a significant shadow across their lives. They will be in mourning, trying to come to terms with the fact that someone close is no longer there. There is the enormous cost of funerals to be borne – someone has to pay! However, for me the sadness is not knowing whether that loved one is in heaven or hell. The Bible reminds us that ‘it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement’.[1] Death is not the end. It is a door of entrance into one of two destinations given us in the Bible.

 

There are many people that think that everyone goes to heaven when they die. Others think that ‘good’ people go to heaven, although what the definition of ‘good’ may be is difficult to determine. But can we be sure? Is it just a matter of what I think? Does God really put our life into some enormous scale or balance to assess whether the ‘good’ outweighs the ‘bad’? Where can we find an answer to the question of where we will spend eternity – the life beyond this one?

 

We come back to the only authoritative source of truth – the Bible, which is the word of God. One of the best loved verses in the Bible tells us that ‘whosoever believeth in him [Jesus Christ, God’s Son] should not perish, but have everlasting life [a home in heaven]’.[2] As children we used to sing a simple song which had the line: ‘whosoever that means me!’ The best example of that truth is the thief that died on the cross at the side of the Lord Jesus. Not a ‘good’ man! Yet, to him the Lord said, ‘Today shalt thou be with me in paradise’.[3] What made that assurance possible? The thief admitted his guilt – his sin – and believed that Jesus Christ was able to save him. Do you? If death was to put its hand upon you, what then?

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[1] Hebrews 9. 27

[2] John 3. 16.

[3] Luke 23. 43.

Be Prepared

Only 340-350 days left until Christmas! I wonder whether you have been out in the January sales snapping up the bargains as part of your preparations for Christmas 2015. Somehow I doubt it. Apart from the pressure upon the family budget, few, if any of us, are that well organized to be prepared so far in advance. Although we complain annually about the rush to get everything ready for Christmas, we never really start planning for it until the last minute.  

The strange thing is we do make preparations which are well in advance. Most of us will try and sort out the summer holiday between November and January, even though we may not be going until July or August of the following year. All of us will have made some preparation for illness, if only by registering with a doctor. Some of us will have made preparation for our retirement, however far away that may seem at the present. In some way or other we all appreciate the need to ‘be prepared’ – the former motto of the scouting organization.

 

On this basis, I ask the question, ‘Are you prepared?’ The Bible gives us the statement ‘Prepare to meet thy God’. Hence, are we prepared?

 

We may have made all sorts of resolutions as we entered 2015. We may have been sincere and committed to make those resolutions work. I wonder how many we have been able to keep for any length of time. How often we fail to live up to our own targets, never mind live up to God’s standards! The only way we can meet God is to be as perfect and holy as He is – not as a one-off, should that be possible, but consistently and for all of our life! To see the obvious, that we cannot hope to achieve that standard, is the starting point that God wants us to come to. If we are serious about being prepared to meet God, we need to start by seeing ourselves as God sees us! 

If we are sinners, those who have failed to live as God would have us, how can we prepare to meet God? The tremendous news is that God has already prepared a way for us to meet Him on His terms. Some 2000 years ago Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died upon a Roman cross outside the city wall of Jerusalem. On that Roman cross, Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for your sin and mine! His death can be the means of bringing new life to us – eternal life, the life of God. We have a choice. We can put things off, prepare in our own way, or ignore the issue altogether. Alternatively, we can come to God and confess that we are sinners needing His salvation and trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. 

Are you prepared?