Category Archives: Culture

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.

Standard
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.

Standard
Arts, Christianity, Culture

John’s Gospel: Chapter 6

NO ROOM FOR DOUBT

A narrative on John 6:32-40

THERE are two kinds of doubt. One is related to more basic beliefs: Is God really as they say he is? The other is more concerned with our standing before God: I’m not sure if he’ll have me.

The former was the kind which Thomas experienced (20:24-29), the latter is dealt with in this passage. There is nothing equivocal about Jesus’ assurances: Spiritual hunger and thirst are satisfied (v 35); all who trust God are never rejected by him (v 37); and, he will hold firmly those who trust him and include them in the final resurrection (vv 39,40).

Jesus does not say that eternal life is assured so long as we keep the rules. He says that it is assured come what may. This may seem to encourage “easy believism”, which treats faith in Christ’s death and resurrection as an insurance policy that has little bearing on daily life.

However, true believing (trusting, “feeding”) is a whole-person activity which results in personal growth and transformation. It cannot be undertaken without a commitment to the lifestyle which is the outworking of salvation in daily life. Someone who has truly encountered God can never be the same again – although they may be far from perfect.

The assurance here is especially for those who have grown weary in well-doing, or who are conscious of having failed (yet again) in the Christian life. Doubt added to tiredness or guilt is a recipe for spiritual depression, and Jesus offers an alternative: keep feeding on him, because he is always there to sustain us.

Standard