Death, Taxes and Eternity

There is a famous saying that many of us have come accustomed to and is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”  Well, I would like to add one more thing, “Eternal life.”

First, concerning death, one doesn’t need to say much about that for the ratio is still 100%.  Death has been on this planet since the fall of man (Gen 3), and Genesis 5 has the reoccurring refrain, “and then he died…and then he died.” One day, our name will appear in the obituaries. That’s not life, but death! Continue reading →

“Preserved so that we can persevere”

Most ‘reformed’ Christians are fairly good when it comes to quoting the doctrines of grace. Sometimes we refer to them by the acronym T.U.L.I.P.  The one I wish to highlight is the “P” which stands for “Perseverance of the Saints” or “Preservation of the Saints.”

It is a wonder truth that Scripture teaches and when understood correctly is reason for comfort and great joy.  We understand and believe Scripture to teach that God the Father who has called us in Christ before the foundations of the earth were set in place (Eph 1:4), will keep us in the faith until He brings us safely into His eternal presence. Continue reading →

“He has Risen”
One of the things my parents kept telling me to do when I was young, was to say “Good morning” to them or my siblings when I first got up out of bed and stumbled into the dining or living area.  And woe to us if we didn’t say ‘Good morning’, then we would be soon told.  Thankfully, my parents were somewhat more lenient if we were not feeling well.
However, there was always one day a year when there was an exception to the rule.  And that day was Easter Sunday morning. It was then that the tables were turned and those who had been awake for a while and had gathered their thoughts, would be expected to say to anyone who came stumbling into the dining or living area, “He has Risen” and then we were expected to respond, “He has risen indeed.” Continue reading →

“The suffering Father, Son & Holy Spirit”

This coming week we remember especially the death of our Saviour Jesus Christ.  One of the things that is important to remember about this occasion is the planning of the Triune God to bring this about, and again, first and foremost for His glory and the salvation of sinners, also for His greater glory.  Our Lord’s death on the cross was not the Father’s Plan “B” after Plan “A” failed with Adam and Eve.  It was always the Father’s plan to send His Son into this world to redeem sinners.  Several passages of Scripture remind us of this.

For instance, Ephesians 1:4, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight…”  2 Timothy 1:8-10, “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Continue reading →

Meditation:

Many years ago an elderly gentlemen asked me whether I had ever heard of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, question and answer one.  To his surprise, I told him that I didn’t have a clue.  He then graciously proceeded to tell me, and just in case you don’t know or have forgotten, allow me to refresh your memory.

Q: What is the chief end of man?  A: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.”   Of course this is nothing less than what Scripture encourages us to do. Note Psalms 34:3; 63:3; 69:30; 86:12;  Romans 15:6, 9; and many others (cf Rev 16:9)).

It may surprise you to learn that this single question and answer has had the greatest impact on my life.  More than my initial education at primary and secondary level.  More than five years of theological study and even more than twenty years of ministry. Continue reading →

“Church membership”

One of the things that Church Councils (Sessions) need to do from time to time is look at their membership. It often occurs when there is a “Change of the guard” or when a new telephone directory needs to be reproduced.   When discussing these things, it is surprising how people decide their Church membership. Over the years, I have heard many reasons why some have joined or are moving on to a different fellowship. Let me share a few with you.

One elderly widow informed me once that she left the fellowship and joined the Jehovah Witnesses, for they had a lovely craft group that met on a weekly basis.   Obviously her loneliness and isolation as a widow had impacted her decision.

Some parents determine their Church membership on whether their teenage children have friends and feel involved and connected to the fellowship. Some families have determined their church membership purely on whether there are programs tailored towards felt needs. Continue reading →

“Our attitude and behaviour”

There have been occasions during my Christian ministry where I have been saddened by people’s attitudes and behaviour during times of loss, illness or some other suffering. Thankfully, there have been many occasions when I have been comforted and encouraged in my Christian walk as people have dealt with suffering in their lives in a God glorifying way. They may not have realized they were comforting and encouraging me at the time, but they were, simply by their attitude towards God and their behaviour and prayers.

Unfortunately, some Christians think that the struggles and suffering they experience in their Christian lives is only for their personal sanctification. Of course it is true that God does send us trials and sufferings to test, encourage and purify us, but there is also an added dimension that we sometimes fail to remember. The way we deal with those sufferings and afflictions and our attitude in the midst of them as well as our prayers can be of great comfort to fellow Christians. Continue reading →

Meditation: “Keeping number One, number One”.  

How does a Christian prevent complacency concerning their Christian walk from sneaking into their lives?  It’s a continual danger for in some ways it isn’t all that difficult being a Christian in our society.  We are so blessed, for as Christians we enjoy freedom to worship, attend Bible studies, run our church activities, and we do not need to fear persecution.  Added to that, we have all the necessities of life, shelter, clothing, food, the ability to travel, and most of us even have Facebook accounts.  So at that level it’s relatively easy to be a Christian.

Yet, at another level, all these ‘freedoms,’ as well as having our perceived needs met, make it much easier for complacency to set in.  By and large, we live in a society where many people do not have a ‘felt-need’ for God in their lives, much less a Saviour.   And if we’re not disciplined in our daily walk with the Lord, doing daily devotions, Scripture reading, spending time in prayer, fellowshipping with the saints and the like, then we may soon feel that we don’t need God either. Continue reading →

Meditation: “Post-Christians in a post-modern world”

This past week I was sent me an email which had the term “post-Christian” included.  The writer was conveying some thoughts from a third party about a funeral service where they thought the gospel challenge was missing for ‘post-Christians.’

I must say I had never come across this term before so I was wondering what was meant by it.  When I enquired a little further, it soon became apparent that this term wasn’t referring to someone with a post-millennium position, but to someone who had previously professed their faith in Jesus Christ, yet now no longer seems to do so.   My heart goes out to those who are concerned about loved ones who have either never professed or seemed to have walked away from the Christian faith.

Some Christians suggest that those who have walked away from the faith never possessed true faith.  Although we need to ensure as best we can that a profession of faith is truly genuine, it is too simplistic to suggest that they didn’t profess their faith genuinely at the time.   I have known people who have experienced a personal tragedy or serious illness that has caused them to question God’s love for a season in their lives and then after many years, through the gracious work of the Holy Spirit, to be brought back to repentance and again profess a genuine love for the Lord. Continue reading →

Meditation “Come over and help us”

It has always interested me how Abraham “went, as the Lord had told him” (Gen 12:4).   I guess if the Creator of the universe taps you on the shoulder and says you should go with him to a new place, it wouldn’t be wise to disobey.  Jonah disobeyed God’s instruction and got swallowed by a huge fish!  The nation of Israel disobeyed on numerous occasions and ended up in exile!  On the positive side, there were also a number of fishermen who dropped everything to follow Jesus when He called them to “follow Him.”

This brings me to a skype call I received from a rather frustrated elder in a distant vacant congregation.  This elder’s frustration was centered around the calling process of ministers.  In more recent years it has been the practice of vacant churches (because they wish to be courteous), to ring a minister to see whether he would consider a call if one were to be extended to him.   This particular elder’s frustration was that some ministers say they are “not interested – don’t bother trying” before a call is extended.

Of course, there can be good reasons why a minister might reply in this fashion.   When we were at College we were told to be mindful of the family when shifting to a new congregation.  The minister usually settles the quickest, followed by the children and the wife takes the longest. Continue reading →