One of the things I keep hearing is people’s opinion about worship services. I appreciate the fact that God has made us all different and all have different tastes, but I just wonder with the comments I hear whether perhaps we haven’t taken our eyes of the major purpose for worship and focus too much attention on the minor things.
We all know we come to worship because God is worthy of our worship. Not only is He our Creator God, He is also the One who has redeemed us in Christ from a hopeless way of life to one that is now full of purpose, hope, and surety of eternal salvation. He has given us His Holy Spirit to remind us that we are His children and that He is the deposit guaranteeing our glorious inheritance. Of course, there are more reasons why we worship including God’s daily provision of our needs, but these are all secondary to our wonderful salvation. Having stated the obvious above, the duly appointed leadership of any Christian fellowship have the God-given responsibility to ensure that when the congregation comes to worship they can do just that! Hence, the place of worship, the building, the seating arrangement, the message brought by the preacher, the singing of praises, the music, the data projection, should all be structured to enhance the worship of God by the congregation. The one thing that should not happen is that people are distracted from worshipping our glorious Saviour God. For most Christians, we only have one hour a week, possibly two, where we can come together for worship, so let’s make it a time when God is most glorified and we His people can be properly engaged in worship, having every opportunity in offering the praises that are due to Him. Since space is limited, let me briefly mention four things that are central for worship. First, the gospel needs to be proclaimed. Whoever has been appointed to bring the message must ensure that the congregation’s hearts and minds are directed to the greatest reason for worship, namely, what God the Father has done for us through His Son. This reason alone gives God the Father the greatest delight. So worship services where Christ is barely mentioned, if at all, takes away the core element for Christian worship, more than that, it denies Jesus, the very person which all Scripture is about (Lk 24:44). Second, the music needs to enhance the worship. It should be at a level where it leads the congregation in singing praises to God and not be at a level where the praises can no longer be heard. Third, in today’s technological world, if we use data screens or system that assist the sound, it should be done with some professionalism. There is nothing worse than when the sound is poor or the screen operator has failed to move to the next slide during the singing. Fourth, a more general concern for all, our behaviour and those for whom we are responsible for should not cause others to be distracted from worship. There are also things that the members of the congregation gathered for worship should do. First, pray. Pray that your mindset might be one of worship so that you can focus on what God has done for you in Christ. Pray that your mind may not be one where you are looking for things to critique. Second, don’t allow petty things that occur, to rob you of your opportunity to worship. So what if the preacher doesn’t wear a tie. So what if the musicians were a bit loud (or too soft) during one song – they’re human. So what if the data screen didn’t move on in time. So what if the baby cries occasionally – that is what babies do. So what if someone has taken your usual seat – it’s not your seat to start with. All these things happen on occasions, and yes, they can be annoying, but don’t allow these things to rob God of the worship that is due to Him. Perhaps we need to be reminded on occasions that we don’t come to worship ourselves or each other. Nor is worship about whether we are ‘comfortable’ with everything that happens. Things happen, times change, but our glorious God does not change. Therefore, may it be our prayer that the Lord will be pleased with our worship every Sunday and that His name will be glorified amongst us for He is worthy. JZ.
0 Comments
One of the distinctiveness of ‘reformed’ teaching and preaching is the centrality of Christ, often referred to as being “Christocentric”. We do so for that is the way Scripture presents Him. Scripture records for us that all things made in heaven and on earth were created through Him (Col 1:16; Heb 1:2). Immediately after the fall of mankind into sin, God the Father speaks about the Saviour who would come and crush the serpent’s head, even though the serpent would bruise His heel (Gen 3:15).
Scripture records God’s promise to king David that his seed would be on the throne forever (2 Sam 7:16), an obvious reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus’ ancestry can be traced back to king David, from the house of Judah (Lk 3:31). When Jesus came, He lived among sinful man and performed many wonderful miracles, clearly indicating that He was the Son of God Who came with power. Throughout His earthly life, He did not sin, thus making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sin. However, a Christ who remained dead could never be our Saviour and so Scripture records for us with ample evidence that He rose victoriously from the dead (Lk 24; 1 Cor 15). More than that, Scripture records for us that Jesus ascended (Acts 1) and is now seated (standing) at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 7:55), a place of absolute authority. It is from that exalted position, Jesus continues to reign and rule all things for the glory of the Father and the salvation of the elect. Scripture also teaches that this same Jesus is coming again and will judge the living and the dead and those who have been called by the Father, saved by Christ, quickened to life by the Holy Spirit, will enter into eternal life, all to the glory of the Triune God. But it is not only Scripture that is Christocentric, all of human history is serving the salvation of the elect who have been saved by Christ to the glory of the Father (Phil 2:9-11). Under God’s sovereign rule, everything that happens, all the good things and yes, even the bad, are used by God to draw out the elect, so that they will inherit eternal life in glory, won for them by Christ. So, if we are agreed that Scripture and all of history and any future event is about God’s glory and the salvation of sinners through his Son, surely then as Christians it is incumbent on us to be Christocentric now. Christocentric with all ministries, whether it be the Sunday worship services or the latest mission venture. All must be subject to just one test and that is to glorify Christ. If our ministry or our mission works fail that test, then we can be certain the Holy Spirit is not involved, for that is His primary role (Jn 16:14). Now being Christocentric doesn’t mean that every message or every mission project has to speak specifically about Jesus’ life, birth and resurrection every time. What does need to happen is that there is an unmistakable Christocentric pattern in our ministries. If the value of Jesus life, death and resurrection are never mentioned or seldom spoken about in our ministries, then the time has come to refocus. Finally, being Christocentric in ministries and missions can only occur if Christ is central in our personal lives. When He is, we will increasingly become Christocentric in all we do with the Holy Spirit’s help. JZ. One of the creation ordinances is that God the Creator set one day aside in seven to rest. On that one day, the seventh day, the Sabbath in the Old Testament, He asks the pinnacle of His creation, mankind, to just focus their attention on who He is and to delight in all His goodness to them. They could delight in the beauty and diversity of creation and all that God had made. They could marvel at the heavens above and the billions upon billions of stars and galaxies that He created. They could give thanks for all His provision for them. Even after the fall into sin, God’s desire was that they could show their love and adoration for Him by gathering together for worship at the temple. There, God made provision for them to offer their tithes, various offerings, and give thanks for His redeeming love and bringing them out of exile in Egypt to the Promised Land.
The New Testament Church now meets for worship on the first day of the week, resurrection Sunday, following the pattern of the early church. However, the reason for worship hasn’t really changed. We are also God’s covenant, redeemed people. God’s desire for us is also to set this one day aside when we can delight in our wonderful God for all the things mentioned above. We can also thank Him with our tithes and offerings and indeed our very lives for He has redeemed us from enslavement to sin to a wonderful forgiveness and eternal life through His Son. However, it seems that over the years, Sunday worship and gathering with God’s people has become an inconvenience for so many Christians. Just consider for a moment how many churches, both within our own denomination and beyond, now only meet once on a Sunday. I am also aware that some churches have exchanged the evening service with a prayer and praise time. I can live with that too – not an issue. Oh, that we would spend more time in prayer and praise! Sadly, though, some churches who did go to that model no longer do so, for attendance has dropped right off. Obviously, even prayer and praise evenings have become inconvenient for some. OK, it’s not about going to church twice, for that isn’t even ‘prescribed’ in Scripture. Indeed, going to church is not even a salvation issue perse because some Christians, due to serious illness, cannot come to a public worship service. However, for those who could come, who claim to be active, living Christians, is their non-attendance or at best, irregular attendance, a sign that worship with God’s redeemed people has become somewhat of an inconvenience for them? Personally, I have always found it disappointing when fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who could be at worship, have no good reason for not being there, except that it was inconvenient for them. I cannot help thinking that some of our flimsy excuses must grieve the Holy Spirit within us. I have often been reminded that ‘all of life’ is meant to be one of worship and we should not allow this to become a legalistic or Sunday issue. Agreed. I have even been told that it is unfair of Session to expect people to worship every week and that we should be pleased that they come at all, for the preaching isn’t all that great and the services are boring! Some even have the gall to suggest that because their weeks are so full with work and going here and there, that Sunday is the only day they have left to do ‘their’ thing. Someone even hinted to me that to expect Christians to come to worship on a weekly basis is just ‘old-school’. Really? The Session didn’t stipulate that we put this time aside for worship, but our Almighty, Creator God who has redeemed us and promised forgiveness and eternal life in Christ has stipulated that we worship Him. What a wonderful privilege we can worship with like-minded Christians, enjoy fellowship and encourage one another in the faith as we see the Day drawing nearer. Where would you rather be? I am not very good at mathematics, so I asked Dr Google what percentage of the week one hour of worship is (perhaps two hours when taking into consideration travel and fellowship time afterwards). Dr Google came back with the answer. It's 1.19047619048% (-: One day we will spend eternity in glory with fellow Christians worshipping our Saviour God (Rev 5). Hopefully, it will not become an inconvenience then. JZ. The topic that receives some discussion in our circles from time to time is how “Word and deed” ministries come together. On the one hand, we like to take some pride in the way we have a high view of Scripture, crossing our ‘tees’ and dotting our “i’s” carefully when it comes to doctrine and the teaching of God’s word. It’s an important aspect of any ministry. We all wish to be absolutely faithful to God’s word.
On the other hand, however, and without any disrespect intended, I wonder whether we are all that good with our ‘deed’ ministries. It’s not a question about whether ‘word and deed’ should go together, that’s a given. But are we on occasions reluctant in doing good ‘deeds’ lest we are labelled as ‘works’ driven for our salvation rather than ‘Word’ driven, trusting in Christ alone for our salvation? I was reading the story of Dorcas’ (Tabitha) in Acts 9:36ff again this past week and it struck me that she was a lady known for her “good works and acts of charity”. She wasn’t known as a ‘preacher’ or as a ‘gossip’ or as ‘works’ driven, but as someone who was “full of good works and acts of charity”. It certainly seems from the account in Acts that she was much loved and well respected. When she died, many of the widows who had come to grieve her passing showed the various tunics and other garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them (v39). I find this story interesting for sometimes we consider Word ministries as something particularly ‘spiritual’ and deed ministries as something less. Sometimes ‘good works and acts of charity’ are labelled as totally horizontal with no spiritual value. I think that is very unfortunate, for Scripture recognizes both “Word and deed” as spiritual ministries. The Holy Spirit uses both to be a witness to the world we live in. Hence, ministers of the Word are no more special than the ‘Dorcas’ in our midst who have gifts of sowing and helping people with clothes to wear or some other gift. It’s also worth noting that Dorcas was “full” of good works and acts of charity. So this wasn’t just a Sunday deed or a special event deed where she utilized her gift, but a constant use of her gift. And it is obvious that many widows had been helped by her. Doing good works and acts of charity was a way of life for her. Jesus himself encouraged His hearers to let our light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Mat 5:13). The apostle Paul often speaks about ‘deed’ ministry throughout his letters. In Titus 2:1-10 he speaks much about how we should be a model of good works (v7) so that in everything, they will adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour (v10). Likewise, Peter urges the Christians to keep their conduct honourable – so that they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 1:12). Perhaps it is time for us to think about the spiritual value and encourage those who are full of good works and acts charity in our midst. We all know that good works and acts of charity can be done at any time, but so often things that can be done at any time tend to be done at no time for everybody expects someone to do it and in the finish no one does. The Dorcas’ story ends with her being raised from the dead by the apostle Peter. These ‘good works and acts of charity’ along Peter’s work through the power of the Holy Spirit were designed to bring people to faith in Jesus (v42). So let us also encourage one another in good deeds and acts of mercy and may we be full of them. Let us pray that the Lord will use them to bring many to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. JZ This Sunday is father’s day and we pay a little more attention to our dads whom we still have with us. Thankfully, many of us have great relationships with our dads, a reason for thanks. However, we also live in a world where relationships with fathers are broken. So today, even as we come to worship, father’s day can either be a day of celebration of the Lord’s goodness to us or it is a day with mixed emotion, because the relationship we once enjoyed with our father is now either strained or broken altogether.
There is a little story that has been credited to Jonathan Edwards has been told many times over when he writes to his daughter Lucy, shortly before his death, “Dear Lucy, it seems to me to be the will of God that I must shortly leave you; therefore give my kindest love to my dear wife, and tell her, that the uncommon union, which has so long subsisted between us, has been of such a nature as I trust is spiritual and therefore will continue forever: and I hope she will be supported under so great a trial, and submit cheerfully to the will of God. And as to my children you are now to be left fatherless, which I hope will be an inducement to you all to seek a father who will never fail you.” It seems that Jonathan Edwards had a good handle on what it meant to be a father. He realised the important spiritual role they play, not just with a spouse, but also to their children. In Scripture, fathers are often portrayed as the spiritual head of a household. In today’s culture, although things are somewhat different, it doesn’t absolve fathers of their responsibility for the spiritual welfare of our families, should also weigh heavily on us. This doesn’t mean that mothers do not have a role to play, they do. But generally the onus falls on the father. It’s a rather scary thought, for most fathers are aware of their short comings in this area. I have met fathers who have lamented the fact that they have been dismal failures for not taking their responsibility to teach their children the ways of the Lord more seriously. Too often their emphasis has been on sports or careers while their children’s spiritual welfare was given a back seat. I have also met fathers who have lamented the fact that they were too forceful and over bearing towards their children about the Christian faith and it seems to them that they may have contributed to their children turning away from the Lord. But there are also good stories. On one occasion a father said to me, “I am so thankful that my seven children love the Lord.” Then he immediately added, “There, but for the grace of God go I, and there but for the grace of God go they!” Of course, our children will probably never learn the ways of the Lord if we don’t teach them or show it to them in our living and loving. Yet, when, with the Lord’s blessing, they do grow to love the Lord, we humbly acknowledge it’s all by grace alone. Thankfully, fathers also know that there is forgiveness for their mistakes and short comings from the same source all others are forgiven and that is in Jesus Christ. It’s not an ‘escapism’ for being a ‘slack’ dad as far as spiritual nurturing of their children are concerned, but it does give fathers hope for a new day and a new beginning, also with our children. It’s never too late for fathers to be a good Christian witness to their children, even if they have ‘stuffed-up’ for a season or two. As fathers, we also realise there will come a time when our time will be full of days and we have no more time to influence our children. Jonathan Edwards, acknowledge that earthly fathers do not remain forever, but there is a heavenly Father that never leaves us. And what a great Father He is to have. Not only does He never leave us, He has given His all for our forgiveness and eternal salvation when He gave us His Son. So today, thank the Lord for the fathers He has given us, even with all their short comings. Keep loving them, not only when they give you gifts, but also when they fall short of the dad you would want them to be. In doing so, you may unknowingly cause your father to turn to the Father above who grants forgiveness, renewal and hope for tomorrow. Fathers (and grand fathers), let us not shirk from our responsibility to be the fathers (and grand fathers) God wants us to be. JZ I am sure you have heard the saying, “The devil’s in the fine print” indicating often that contracts all seem to be OK until you read the details in the fine print at the end of the page or even next page. Well, let me remind you that God is in the fine print, not just in Scripture, but also in our lives.
I am sure you have heard it said that Scripture is “His – tory”. In other words, from the Garden of Eden through to the Garden of Paradise, Scripture is all about God working through history to bring about the glory of His Name and the eternal salvation of His people. During my recent time of being unwell I had cause to think about God’s care over us. When you’re not well and struggling to regain your health, you may even wonder at times whether God is even aware of what is happening to you. And before you know it, you become a little anxious and start asking, “Where is God’s healing hand when I need it?” Yes, perhaps some of you are wondering why your Pastor would even admit to these things happening in his mind – well they do. Thankfully, it is great to have a Christian spouse and Christian friends who can remind you at that time of the promises of God’s care for us, especially in Jesus Christ. Since I had some spare time while I was unwell, I listened to a sermon where the speaker reminded me that that God was in the finer details, not only of Scripture, but also of our lives. This preacher was preaching on the book of Esther, and he quoted a verse… “That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and and read to him”(Esther 6:1). Notice the detail. “That night” – it wasn’t the next night or the previous night, but “that night” the king couldn’t sleep. Notice also that the king didn’t ask for queen Esther to come to his side or even perhaps one of the girls that belonged to the harem at the king’s disposal to do a dance for him and help him sleep. He asked for the record of his reign to brought and to be read to him. We would probably think, “How boring”. But when we think about this, and we know the story of how Haman had that very night built some gallows to kill Mordecai the Jew, God had it all worked out already. Not only could the king not sleep, he read about how Mordecai had exposed an assassination plot against the king years earlier and that the king had failed to honour him for it. And how ironic, Haman who went to the king’s court early to arrange Mordecai’s hanging, ends up advising the king how the man the king delights in should be honoured. Haman thought he was to be honoured, but then it turns out that Mordecai was to be honoured! Read the book of Esther – twenty minutes and it’s done – great little book where God’s name is not mentioned – but He’s in the fine print everywhere. It was a good reminder for me when I listened to be mindful that God may not always appear front and center in everything we do and see, but sometimes He is just working in the finer detail of our lives. Doesn’t mean we always see it clearly. Sometimes it takes a few days or even weeks or years to see His hand working in the finer details of life. But rest assured, God is working behind the scenes and we just need to rest in the knowledge that He isn’t asleep. He is so directing history, that not only will Jesus receive all the glory that is due to Him alone (Phil 2:9-11), He will also bring us His children safely to share in that glorious future. Let’s be thankful that He is working in the finer details of our lives, even when it isn’t all that obvious to us. JZ In the past, I occasionally struggled with unrest when things didn’t go the way I hoped for or even planned. Sometimes the changes I would like to see happen would be in another person’s life. Sometimes a work situation was difficult or sometimes a certain character flaw of mine needed to change. As a result, I would awake at two or three in the morning and start thinking about that which was annoying me and it usually robbed me of any more restful sleep. It was not only personally frustrating, but was also having a negative impact on those close to me. Thankfully, over recent years, this has taken a turn for the better.
One of the things that helped me was to stop thinking I had to fix everything, as though I was everyone’s ‘saviour’ but to hand things over to ‘Someone’ who can bring about the change if required. The beauty of giving it to ‘Someone’ else to deal with was that if things didn’t change the way I liked to see it change, I was at rest, for this ‘Someone’ was much wiser than me and I realised that perhaps the change I thought was vital, wasn’t so important after all. Now you may be thinking, “I would love to have ‘Someone’ in my life that would do that for me. Life would be so much “less stressful”. Well the good news is that you don’t have to go to heaven to find such a person, nor do you have to travel over land and sea. That person is beside you, more than that, He is within you. No, I am not speaking about some new mystical self that you have to find deep within yourself through some form of meditation or self mutilation. Rather, I am speaking about knowing God’s Word and Spirit. To know what God’s Word says about the One whose promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ is extremely beneficial. To know the Someone who has promised never to leave us and now dwells within us by His Holy Spirit (Mat 28:18ff), quiets my sometimes restless spirit. To know that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express is a great source of blessing (Romans 8:26-27). To know that we are God’s children in Christ and that nothing can separate us from His love is reason for thankful living (Rom 8:39). To know that we can never fall out of His everlasting arms gives great comfort to my soul during times of trial and hardship (John 10:28-30). To know that Jesus calls on people who are heavy laden to come to Him, and He will give them rest, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light is so refreshing (Mat 11:28ff). To know that the Apostle Peter, after speaking to the elders of the church, encourages the young men to cast their cares on God, reminding them that He cares for them (1 Peter 5:7). To know that the Apostle Paul on several occasions encourages us to make our requests with thanksgiving known to our Lord (Phil 4:6-7; Col 4:2; 1 Thess 5:16-17). To know that the writer to Hebrews says we can enter the throne room of grace with confidence for we have a great high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses is so encouraging (Heb 4:15-16). To know that our Father in heaven longs to answer the prayers of his children quickly is reason for confidence in prayer (Luke 18:8). The Psalmist writes that even if his enemies were lined up against him, or if he was travelling through the valley of the shadow of death, his Lord was with him and there by his right hand to protect him (Psalm 3; 6; 9; 18; 23 and many more). Do you have trouble sleeping? Perhaps it’s time to consider letting it go and giving it to the “Someone” who can take care of it and will make the right decisions in every case. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our best or just sit passively by. But it does mean that “Someone” is working alongside of us and He is able to deal with all obstacles. And while this “Someone” who is working on our behalf never sleeps or slumbers (Psalm 121), we can rest and have peace knowing that all our concerns and cares are in the very best of hands, whether we sleep and or whether we wake. JZ One of the things when dealing with forgiveness is the matter of justice. I am very mindful of the fact that if it were not for God’s mercy towards us, none of us would be forgiven, but all of us would remain under God’s wrath for our sin. Thankfully, God’s mercy and justice met in the person of His Son Jesus Christ and hence we, repenting and believing may be assured of our own forgiveness. Of course this is also true for those that sin against us, and especially so if they are Christians. Ultimate their sin is also paid for through the cross if they repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
However, how do we reconcile that as far as justice ‘here and now’ is concerned? It seems so easy to apologise and to say you’re sorry, and hopefully everyone moves on. But what if you have been terribly wronged by a person who claims to be a Christian? When some very serious sin has occurred, it seems rather cheap to say to someone that they should forgive and move on, because that person’s sin has also been paid for by Christ. I certainly wish to state that if someone genuinely repents and asks for forgiveness, their sins are covered by the broken body and shed blood of Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks about ‘godly sorrow’ that leads to repentance and salvation (2 Cor 7:9-10). However, that doesn’t mean there are not consequences to our actions for the ‘here and now’. For instance, if a Christian is found guilty of ‘putting their hands in the money till’ it would be foolish to place them in charge of the ‘purse’ from then on. In fact, if it is very serious, it would be appropriate that the police are called and they face the consequences of their crime in the courts. It’s not that this person isn’t forgiven, but it is just common sense, prudent, wise, smart, not to put that person in a position where they could easily offend again. We could even take a more serious sin of sexual misconduct, whether it be child abuse, adultery, or some other sexual misconduct. If such a sin is committed by a Christian, then not only do we have a responsibility to notify the authorities, it would be extremely foolish to place such a person in a position where they can offend again. This doesn’t mean there is no forgiveness, it simply means there are consequences to our actions. Justice must not only be seen to have occurred, it must occur. King David was forgiven for his adultery and murder, but the consequences were devastating nonetheless. So where does this leave the victim(s)? In the past I have been involved in cases where pressure has been exerted on the victims to ‘forgive and move on’. On occasions Mat 6:15 or Romans 12:17-19 are quoted as a further encouragement to forgive and even to forget. Well, it is not always a question about whether someone has been forgiven and it’s certainly not a question about forgetting. Ultimately, forgiveness is between the perpetrator and their Lord (2 Sam 12:13). Sometimes our forgiveness of one another is a question of timing. When the offence is serious, it takes time to forgive and even to demand instant forgiveness at a horizontal level may be very unwise. We are emotional human beings for that is the way the Lord has made us, and forgiveness and healing takes time. And just as it takes time to forgive and to heal it may even take a lot longer to move on. What we do need to do is to pray that the Lord will bring forgiveness into our hearts so that healing can take place in the lives that have been broken by sin. JZ I once asked the question, “If you do not hold to the teaching of Scripture, what or who sets your moral and ethical standards?” I would suggest that whatever serves your self-interest is the answer to that question. And that self-interest takes all sorts of different forms. Most often it is about what gives you a financial advantage, but it can also include such things as feeling secure, or what gives the greater pleasure, or even what pleases or feels comfortable.
Now I acknowledge that on the surface it seems quite a simplistic answer, yet in some ways that is what we see happening in our society. We have just had a general election and the results show that the nation is split fairly evenly between two of the major parties. I suggest the reason in part for this is that neither major parties have a moral or ethical compass and hence their differences are minimal. Sure, their economic policies may differ a little, but morally and ethically, there is virtually no difference. For instance, both accuse each other of not being truthful (which ironically is probably true). Neither party will say that ‘same-sex’ marriage is wrong. Neither party knows what to do with the ‘boat’ people. Both parties receive funding for their campaigns from sources with all sorts of strings attached. But this is what happens when political parties have no moral or ethical compass. The determining factor of policy and direction and funding and even new legislation, is not what is in keeping with God’s law, nor what is morally and ethically good for our country, or ‘boat’ people, but what will gain them the most votes and keep them in power with their lucrative salaries and perks. Interestingly, the same moral and ethical compass has in a large part also disappeared from society in general, hence the need for various ‘watchdog’ committees. Now just imagine for a moment if our society acknowledged the moral and ethical values taught in Scripture and strived to uphold them. What a great blessing that would be. For instance, politicians would speak the truth and only introduce legislation that is in keeping with God’s word. Businesses would ensure that they are truthful in their marketing (Col 3:9) and would be careful to ensure their employees are treated equally and with respect, and are paid their wages and entitlements (Rom 4:4; Eph 6:9). Employees would give their best to an employer, doing their work as though serving the Lord Himself (Eph 6:5-8). Families would honour, love and care for each other (Eph 6:1-4). Courting couples would ensure that their behaviour is respectful and would not participate in immorality or awaken love until the proper time (SoS 2:7). Our teenagers would know that orgies and drunken parties are not for them but would rather be filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom 13:13; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3, 18). Crude and course joking would be out and only what builds up would be in! (Eph 4:29). The list is endless! The Psalmist prayed that God’s word would be a lamp to his feet and a light for his path (Psa 119:105 emphasis added). We should do no less, for when we accept God’s word as truth and instructive for daily living, our moral and ethical values will take a turn for the better. We will inevitably become ‘other-people’ centered. We will become unselfish rather than selfish, serving rather than always being served, giving rather than always taking. In fact, we will be obeying God’s law, to not only love Him above all, but also our neighbour as we love ourselves. JZ. This past week has been pretty eventful. “Brexit” has occurred with the British nation deciding to withdraw from the European Union. What the full consequences of that decision means for England and other nations is something that is beyond me to fully comprehend.
We also have seen terrible television footage of another ISIS terrorist attack at a Turkey’s Ataturk airport, the third busiest one in all of Europe. It killed forty-one people and many more were injured. Sadly, many of the leaders of our nations seem to be at a loss what to do except to condemn the attacks. And last but not least, we have had a federal election of which the outcome is not known at the time of this article. But whatever the outcome, our current Prime Minister when pressed on the issue of trustworthiness has said, “Some politicians tell terrible lies,” citing an opposition change on a certain policy. Well, I don’t know about you, but I sometimes look at all this ‘stuff’ that happens in our ‘global economies’ and locally, and I just want to bury my head in the sand and let it all just pass me by. I am even having difficulty watching the news nowadays! Perhaps it’s an ‘age’ related thing. There is nothing new under the sun and although some of these events are not exactly the same, they have happened before and will probably again, so I don’t get all that worked up about any of it anymore. However, having said that, perhaps it is not just an age related thing but a growth in spiritual maturity. We know as Christians that our God never slumbers or sleeps (Psa 121), and that He is working all things for the good of those who love him in order that we may become more Christ-like (Rom 8:28ff). Perhaps it’s the Holy Spirit working in us, reminding us that ‘Brexit’ doesn’t determine our future, nor does ISIS, nor for that matter does a new government, but our Heavenly Father. Something tells me that becoming more Christ-like in this instance means learning to trust in my heavenly Father’s provision and care, even when the nations are shaking (economically) or busy airports are being unfairly targeted, or governments are elected which may not have been our first choice. Scripture reminds us that we need not worry about our life, what we will eat or drink or even what we will wear. Our Father in heaven feeds the birds of the air and He tells us we are more valuable then them. In fact, we cannot even add a single second to our life without our heavenly Father’s will. If our Father in heaven causes the lilies to grow and to be clothed in more beautiful attire than Solomon in his hey day, even though the lily is only there for a day at best, He will most certainly clothe and feed us (Mat 6:25ff). More than that, Jesus has promised that we can never fall out of His hands, nor for that matter the Father’s hands (John 10:28ff cf Psa 31:5, 15). So many people are living lives today that are restless, unsure, full of angst, not just about their own immediate future, but about the world at large with all these things that are happening. As God’s saved people in Jesus Christ, let us not put our heads in the sand and just let the world go by. Rather, of all people, because of God’s Word and Spirit in our lives and our wonderful salvation in Jesus Christ, we have more reason to be at peace and to continue trusting in our faithful God and Saviour. Indeed, let us pray that the Lord may use our restful and peaceful demeanour to comfort those who are anxious and in distress and use this as an opportunity to share our faith with them. JZ. |
Archives
September 2021
Categories |