Category Archives: Christianity

Arts, Christianity, Culture

Tough guy weighs up the risks

OLD TESTAMENT

A narrative on Ezekiel 2,3 –

FROM John Wayne to other characters like James Bond, the tough guy who wins through is a familiar figure of fiction. We need heroes like that, even if they are make-believe. We all face challenges, and we need the inspiration to overcome them.

Ezekiel is among the Old Testament prophets and belongs in the Babylonian exile. It is known that Jeremiah worked in Jerusalem at the same time (between 597 and 573 BC) and his message is similar to that of Ezekiel’s in places.

Ezekiel is the biblical tough guy more than the strong man Samson (Judges 13-16). Ezekiel is the dogged, never-say-die guardian of truth who sticks to his spiritual guns. Samson was like a grunting Sumai wrestler performing tricks, but whose personal and spiritual life was a mess.

It seems from this passage that Ezekiel was temperamentally independent, not easily swayed by others. But he still needed to be prepared for his assignment. He is warned that it will be hard, that he will face opposition, and that he will be ostracised (2:4-6; 3:4-9). Ezekiel must count the cost.

And so do we. We will know of many people offering themselves for neither a sinecure nor an ego trip. That is often rewarding, but it will also be tough. People called to witness in the secular world through ordinary jobs, for instance, find it no less demanding. Ethical issues can be fudged easily when we do not wish to rock the boat. We should count the cost from the beginning.

Ezekiel is given God’s word to sustain him in a vision and finds it “sweet”. (So did John, but it turned his stomach because God’s word is hard as well as nourishing; Revelation 10:9,10). Tough guys need the correct diet. We will not survive the battle without God’s sustenance; giving time to his word can be as enjoyable and is certainly as essential as a good meal.

(Podcast ends)

MODEL SHEPHERD

Later, in Ezekiel (34:11-31), we come across what can only be paraphrased as the Model Shepherd. This is the Old Testament root of the familiar teaching of Jesus in John 10: “I am the good shepherd”. It tells us both about God and life.

In biblical times, sheep grazed on open hillsides and wandered over large distances. Flocks could get split up, and mixed with others. Rounding them up was not easy. Judah has been scattered, so God promises to “round them up” and bring them home to Jerusalem from Babylon.

This is a promise for people who belong to God in any age but who drift from him. He organises a rescue mission to bring us back to himself. He may use our conscience, other people or circumstances. Thank him for his love and patience; but mourn that it is ever necessary.

Notice, too, that punishment is reserved for those who led the sheep astray (v 16). Jesus also warned us of the peril of being the cause of other people’s spiritual divergences, whether by word or by example (Luke 17:1,2).

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Arts, Christianity, Culture

Claiming prophecy doesn’t make it true

OLD TESTAMENT

A narrative on 1 Kings 13 –

THE opinion polls suggest that people in the West are highly sceptical about the truthfulness of politicians and journalists. Yet, at the same time, they believe what they see and hear to the extent that even if an alleged scandal is subsequently found to be false, belief in its truth remains.

Christians can be as gullible as anyone else. Rumours about leaders or organisations are seized on and circulated with vigour and often persist for years despite regular denials.

Anyone hearing anything about anyone ought perhaps, as a spiritual discipline, read this chapter of the Bible before passing the information on. It is a tragic story of a well-meaning, earnest believer who is duped by an apparently well-meaning and earnest believer, and as a result loses his life.

The tragedy is greater because the first prophet correctly heard God’s word, and boldly confronted Jeroboam. He was brave, obedient and faithful. But then he failed to discern the lie (v 18) from the old man who was also a genuine prophet at times. Like most people, however, the older man was not above misusing his gifts.

Today, millions of messages flash around the earth at the speed of light. There was never a time when discernment was more needed. If the prophet could be deceived by just one message, we could be deceived by hundreds. The moral of the tale is that we are to listen carefully to those who suggest that God may have changed his mind. He never has, but evil – as we so frequently see and witness – is often disguised as deception.

Prophecy, or any alleged “word” from God is to be tested not only by leaders (1 Corinthians 14:29) but also by Scripture. It should be taken so seriously that it is never believed until it has been checked; and should never be removed from its original context. Scripture will certainly give you the answer.

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Arts, Christianity, Culture

Romans 8: A cast-iron guarantee

NEW TESTAMENT

– A narrative on Romans 8

THERE is nothing more crippling than uncertainty. Did I lock up? Will she turn up? Will I be late? Throughout Romans Paul seems to have a sub-agenda. He wants to deepen his readers’ assurance that because of the death and resurrection of Jesus they have no need to worry about the future.

Chapter 8 begins on a stronger note than the chapters before it. We have peace with God (5:1) despite the persistent struggles (chapters 6-7), and therefore we are safe for eternity (8:1). The death sentence has been lifted; we have been pronounced “not guilty”; we cannot be retried and the case against us cannot be re-opened.

God has ensured that his lawful and just requirements concerning our past have been met fully by what Christ has done. We are free (vv 3,4). Our human frailty may cause us to doubt it, so Paul goes on to explain that despite appearances to the contrary we are now under new management (v 9).

Therefore, we are the heirs – the rightful possessors – of the riches of God’s kingdom (v 17) and no one can rob us of them (vv 38,39). So we are obliged to live up to our new status (v 12a; Paul is so anxious to stress the death of the old nature that he doesn’t complete this sentence until chapter 12!).

One evidence of our new standing before God is how we turn to him in prayer, as to a caring parent who can help, guide and support (8:15). If we don’t always feel this, one way to become more aware of our heavenly Father’s care is simply to relate to him as if it were true, to take it on trust. We will then discover that it is true as we see him at work in and through the daily struggles we bring to him.

(Podcast ends)

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

THE letter to the Romans is unique among Paul’s writings. It is a theological treatise, and not at all a trouble-shooting letter. It is not a summary of all his beliefs, however; there’s not much on the church, the divinity of Christ or the second coming. Instead, Romans focuses on the atonement, telling us how sinful people can be reconciled to God through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.

Paul explains this is terms familiar to first-century Jews, but which Christians today find difficult. Yet Romans can lay claim to being the most effective mailshot in history. Paul sent it to introduce himself and his message; it has transformed people’s lives, churches and societies ever since.

Readers’ will not find the letter particularly easy. However, you will likely discover enriching but humbling truths to illuminate your faith in a fresh way. Whilst the Letter to the Romans shows that all people have fallen short of God’s standards it challenges us to receive the benefits of Christ’s death through faith. Through Christ alone comes our salvation and an assurance of being absolved of our sins through His death. That’s the central message from Romans given to Christians.

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