Who do you think you are?

Picture taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007t575

This is the name given to a television series that helps celebrities trace something of their family history. To make each programme someone has quite a bit of research to do. There is the compilation of the family tree, usually taken back into the early part of the 19^th Century. Some of the history of certain individuals within that ancestry map is also researched to provide material of interest for the celebrity as well as the programme. Whilst it can make fascinating viewing and give an insight to the background of different celebrities it also raises the question for each one of us – who do we think we are?

What might be lurking in the dark recesses of our family history? Is there someone, perhaps a “black sheep” of the family, who might be discovered and their criminal activities exposed? Perhaps there are traces of immoral activity that might provide a link between us and some famous person of Victorian England! Clearly, for the programme to be made there is the assumption that we all have some interest in where we are from and who our ancestors were.

It may surprise many to know that the Bible has something to say about the whole matter of ancestry. A verse in Romans chapter 5 tells us, ‘as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned’. As we are all aware of the aging process and that this process underlines our mortality, it confirms our link with our first parents, Adam and Eve. In Adam’s disobedience (sin), we were made sinners. As sinners, we are all destined to die. The Bible says, ‘the wages of sin is death’. As a consequence of the so-called theory of evolution many would mock at the Biblical account of Adam and Eve, we all still face death. Why?

While the Bible explains the reason – sin – it also gives humanity hope. It tells of God’s provision of a Saviour to save us from death – particularly spiritual death, or separation from God forever. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, bore God’s penalty upon sin that you and I might go free, be forgiven, cleansed, and made fit for God’s presence in heaven. In the death of Jesus Christ and His subsequent resurrection there is hope for every man and woman! We might be in the family of Adam by natural birth. We can become part of the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ. What about you?

An innocent snap?

Picture taken from http://www.firsttabletpc.com/category/computer-tablet

“A stolen tablet computer has taken a picture of a man police wish to speak to in connection with its theft. The Samsung device was taken from a house in Winterbourne Close in Lewes, East Sussex, last month, police said. It was linked to the owner's Google account and when he checked it, a picture of a man reclining in bed popped up”. This partly amusing story appeared on the BBC News website. Although the idea that a house has been broken into and property stolen is far from amusing, the fact that the new “owner” has been photographed in his own home is funny. He clearly didn’t realize the power of modern communications gadgets!

If the new owner was the person who stole the tablet computer he could be in for a nasty surprise. If the new owner was someone who unwisely bought the tablet computer then he is going to lose the money he paid. But there is a more important aspect to this story. How much of what we do is being recorded? That innocent snap on the tablet computer has now been displayed to millions through a news web site. Perhaps there are things that we thought that no one had seen which are actually recorded somewhere on CCTV records.

The story reminded me of a very important but often neglected verse in the Bible: “be sure your sin will find you out”. Many of us do things wrong. In the so-called “big picture” they may not be that serious but, overall, we carry on, thinking that no one has noticed. Ever driven at more than 70 mph on the motorway? Ever broken God’s law by knowingly telling a lie? There is a commonly held view that if no one is hurt then it doesn’t really matter. The Bible tells us that it does matter and that God is keeping an account. Everything that others may not hear and see is recorded by God. One day we could be held to account by God. The verdict is obvious: guilty!

The good news is that God has provided a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. In His Son, God provided someone who was willing to take my place and die in my stead. He was willing to bear the punishment for my sin that I might go free. What about you? Is Jesus Christ your Saviour, or, in the day of judgement, will your sin find you out?

 

The Heir to the Throne

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

The birth of the Queen’s first great-grandchild has certainly caused widespread interest. Apart from the press camped outside the hospital awaiting the news of the birth, there has certainly been numerous messages circulated around social media. We might not know the name of the new Prince of Cambridge but he is already a high profile figure – third in line to the throne!

 

I suppose that it is befitting for a Prince to be born in a private hospital, to live in a royal palace, and to be a high profile public figure from birth. Christians will certainly pray for the new Prince, as they have prayed for his father and mother, grandfather, and great-grandmother.

 

In thinking about these events I was drawn to another birth around 2000 years ago. The wise men came to enquire, ‘Where is he that is born king of the Jews?’ This was not a royal Prince but the God-promised Messiah and King of the nation. It would seem rather strange in 2013. We would just follow the media frenzy to find where any royal baby was born. If not, go to the royal palace. Where was Jesus to be found when he was born? In a manger, probably in the corner of a field rather than the ‘cosy’ stable of the Christmas story! Where did the wise men find Him? Was it in the palace? He spent his early life in a simple house in the care of a carpenter. Was He welcomed? Matthew, in his gospel, tells us that Herod killed all the young children in Bethlehem in his rage as he tried to hunt down and kill the baby Jesus. Did this child grow into a man and ascend the throne of the nation? We are told that Pilate, the Roman Governor, wrote the superscription that was fastened over the cross where the man died, ‘This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’.

 

This was not the result of an uprising of the people. No one overthrew this king. This was not the consequence of a Roman crackdown either. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died at Calvary because He was hated and despised. What is surprising is that He was hated even though He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised the dead! The Lord Jesus Christ’s death shows us human sin and guilt – we crucified a sinless man. But that same death demonstrates God’s love for you and me – the Bible says, ‘Christ died for our sins’. That was something that only Christ could do.

 

What is crucial here is whether you have made that death apply to you. Can you say, ‘Christ died for me’? Will you bear the punishment for your sin and guilt or has Christ borne it for you? Is He your Saviour, or merely a figure in history?

What price do we put on a life?

Picture taken from the BBC News website

In Bury, Lancashire, the funeral has taken place of Fusilier Lee Rigby. This was not the funeral of another soldier killed in a foreign land whilst serving his country. This was the result of a horrific attack upon the streets of London, as the soldier returned to the barracks in Woolwich. The large crowd around the church where the service took place is an indication of the sympathy felt for the family, and the outrage at the people who could commit such an atrocity.

 

For some there may be the genuine question about “religion” that motivates people to kill. Whether it is so-called Muslims who murder Christians, or so-called Christians who murder Muslims, there is nothing that can be used to justify such actions. The Bible says, “Thou shalt not kill”. This was one of God’s direct commandments.  Many Christians refused to take up arms in the Second World War because of their faith.  But shouldn’t we rather be concerned that 551 homicides (including murder, manslaughter, and infanticide) were reported in the year ending December 2012? Is this particular case a reminder that we are beginning to think that life is cheap?

 

The Bible reminds us of God’s valuation on life. The words of Jesus Christ are clear: “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” You cannot put a price on a life! Your life and your eternal destiny are of the utmost importance. God gave His own Son to die on a Roman cross to provide your salvation from sin. He was prepared to sacrifice all that He had for you – that is the price he puts on your life and your soul! You are infinitely precious to God. What is your response? Will you trust Him with your life, or will you reject Him?

‘I spy with my little eye . . .’

Who is watching and listening? Whether it be GCHQ or other organizations intent on maintaining national security, it has been interesting to watch and read the stories of covert surveillance. It seems our emails, our text messages, our tweets, and other modes of electronic communication are all a lot more open than perhaps we have thought. Perhaps that is a frightening thought. How much of what we say and do is private anymore? How much of our daily life is being observed by CCTV?

Some might argue that in the interests of the safety of us all that is a small price to pay. If we are law-abiding citizens, what have we to fear? Others, concerned about civil liberties, might argue that this observation is obtrusive and unnecessary.

All this made me think of a verse from the Bible: ‘Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do’. There is a surveillance system far more sophisticated than anything that man has invented. God is watching and recording our lives. He is taking stock of what we say and what we do. What might escape the observation of men and women will not escape the eye of God. One day we will be held to account! That is frightening!

However, there is an opportunity to remove that burden of guilt. What we have done can be forgiven and its stain removed. God is able and willing to forgive us our sin and guilt. Sit down and count up what a mass of things we each need to be forgiven for. Yet, through the death of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we can find forgiveness. If we are prepared to accept that He died for our sin, my sin to make it personal, then we can be forgiven. Either we bear the consequences of our own deeds, or we accept Christ as our sin-bearer. What is your choice?

Guilty



http://www.itv.com/news/wales/topic/mold-crown-court/

The jury in Mold Crown Court has arrived at a unanimous verdict in the case of the abduction and murder of a five-year-old girl April Jones. They have found the defendant guilty, and all now await the sentencing of the man responsible.

 

As we were on holiday in South Wales at the time, we can remember the prolonged searches that were features on the news at the time. As the hours and days passed, so hope began to fade that the little girl would be found alive. Indeed, her body has never been found and the precise manner of her death remains unknown.

The untimely death of a child, particularly in this manner, is something that challenges us all. We can’t imagine the heartache of a parent whose child is taken. We can’t really appreciate what it means to maintain hope and yet find it dashed when someone is charged with that child’s murder. Neither can we begin to understand what motivates a person to take a life, especially the life of such a young child. How do we explain it?

Atheists may question the existence of God when, as they see it, He fails to intervene and prevent such senseless killing. However, this avoids the really searching question – what is it in the human character that causes us to be capable of such dreadful acts? God says of man’s heart – your heart and mine – that it is “deceitful . . . and desperately wicked”. What is alarming is that the potential is in us all! We are sinners. History demonstrates that sad conclusion.

But what of this God of love? The real display of God’s love was seen in the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. As the Father watched the cruel treatment meted out by humans upon His Son when He was crucified some 200 years ago, He did not intervene. Indeed, the Bible tells us that God made to meet “upon him the iniquity of us all”. In order that we might be forgiven the Lord Jesus Christ died at Calvary. Could we forgive the person who murdered our child? Yet God is prepared to forgive us in spite of our sin and guilt provided we acknowledge our guilt and turn to Him in faith.

A “humbling and sobering experience”

Image taken from http://www.independent.co.uk/

These were the words of the former Liberal Democrat MP, Chris Huhne. As he was released from prison today, he repeated his apology. Although he has only served a quarter of his sentence, it would seem that the former MP has learnt quite a lot during his time away. Humility may be a part of the lesson.

A dictionary definition of humility is: “having or showing a sense of lowliness or inferiority, modest”. We are all aware of those who fit the opposite definition. It is easy to tell people of your good points. Everybody likes praise, and some people like to sing their own praises! There are plenty of people who have a high opinion of themselves. The really hard thing is to admit you were wrong. As the song lyrics say, “sorry seems to be the hardest word”.

The Bible says quite a lot about humility. James wrote, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up”. What does this mean? One of the things that we need to do is to admit that God is right and we are wrong. When God’s word, the Bible, says that we are sinners – those that have done wrong – how do we react? Do we protest? Do we try and argue our case as “good people”? Remember, God can look past the outer show that we put on for others! God looks right into our heart. He knows us better than anyone. He knows us for what we are! Plenty of people may look at me and think that I’m a healthy individual without knowing what’s going on inside.

Am I prepared to be humble? Will I admit that I’m a sinner before God? This is the first step to blessing. But, having admitted that I’m a sinner, am I sorry for what I’ve done? Will I turn my back upon my old life and place faith in Christ to forgive me my sin? These are the key questions in life. It would be good if we didn’t need to go to prison to learn humility in the presence of a holy God!