Thoughts at Christmas

Many apologies for not posting - I took on rather a lot of crafting for Christmas - but my New Year's resolution is already made, to pay more attention to my blogs. In the mean time, here are some thoughts I got from a dear friend a few years ago.

A Special Invitation to a Christmas Party

You are cordially invited to A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!
Guest of Honour: Jesus Christ
Date: Every day. Traditionally December 25th, but he's always around, so the date is flexible...
Time: Whenever you're ready (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)
Place: In your heart... He'll meet you there (You'll hear him knock)

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone... (He says you wouldn't be able to afford it anyway... It cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!)

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls 'Living Water,' followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! (Bring your family and friends)

R.S.V.P. Very Important!
He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at His table. Also He's keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the 'Lamb's Book of Life.'

Party being given by His kids (that's us!). Hope to see you there!

How Did That Get Pubished?

Here, for your amusement, are some examples from an article in Writing Magazine, December 2009. Howlers and blunders that should never have made it into print. Presumably to spare their blushes, the quotes are not attributed by author or book.

'The old man opened his eyes metaphorically.'

'Don's eyelids fell shut with a silent thud.'

'Penny was a rain cloud. Lightning flashed over her office desk as she rained all over her paperwork. As Ross drew closer, he could make out her features, hidden within the swirling cumulonumbus. Obviously, he had come on a bad day.'

'Embarrassment is something I can feel in my flesh, like a handful of sun-warmed mud clapped on my head... The embarrassment had turned runny. It was horrifying my scalp along a spreading frontier.'

'My face drew back from my skull as if I were vomiting and tears ran from my eyes like blood from gashes. I was sad -'

'Tom looked up and saw the deep blackness that was space. "It's like looking into a mirror, Roger," he breathed in awe. "Only there isn't any other side - no reflection."'

'I was wondering if we could find some cloud of dust to anchor to ...'

But of all the awful description, here is my favourite. All you writers out there, take note:

'The things were odd, weird, grotesque. There was something horribly uncustomary and unwonted about them. They were completely unfamiliar. Their appearance was outlandish and extraordinary. There was something quite phenomenal about them. They were supernormal; they were unparalleled; they were unexampled. The shape of the aliens was singular in every sense. They were curious, odd, queer, peculiar and fantastic, and yet when every adjective had been used on them, when every preternatural epithet had been applied to their aberrant and freakish appearance, when everything that could be said about such eccentric, exceptional, anomalous creatures had been said, they still remained indescribable in any concrete terms.'
Yes, but what did they look like?

Blinded by the Light 19 Elitism - The Solution

Firstly, my apologies for the delay in posting the last part on Elitism. So much has been happening that I completely forgot about it (see my other blog, The Grey Lady of Oystermouth). There is another topic - The Need to See, and the conclusion to the whole series to come, so I promise to post those more often. Here is the solution for Elitism.

The Bible teaches us that all Christians have the Spirit.

For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body ... and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Cor.12:13)

Indeed, it is the Spirit which lives in us which makes us Christians.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you, and if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Rom.8:9)

The problem is that so many Christians do not know the overwhelming power of the Spirit manifest in their lives, and when they experience it, they feel as if they never had the Spirit before. Michael Green quotes from the Catholic writer Fr. Killian McDonnell, O.S.B.:

Hence, many prefer to use other expressions to describe what is happening in the charismatic renewal. Among other alternatives which have been proposed are: "release of the Spirit", "renewal of the sacraments of initiation", "actualisation of gifts already received in potentiality", and "a manifestation of baptism, whereby the hidden grace given in baptism breaks through into conscious experience". These are all ways of saying that the power of the Holy Spirit, given in Christian initiation, but hitherto unexperienced, becomes a matter of personal conscious experience.
(I Believe in the Holy Spirit, Michael Green, pp.176-7)

We should not be satisfied with a low level of spirituality, and should encourage all to allow God to release them into deeper experiences. We must ensure that Christian initiation is the full New Testament concept, including "the water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). But let us not divide the church and accuse others of not being Christians because they are not experiencing the fullness of what God has for them.

Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Cor.4:6b-7)

In the same way, Christians with different worship styles or dress codes must look beyond the superficial and welcome one another as brothers in Christ.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Cor.10:12)

When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour ... But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honoured in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:8-11)

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap
Further posts to come in this series:
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Writing Down The Bones Review

As promised in my previous post, here is my review of a great book for writers - Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, published in 1986 by Shambhala Publications Inc.

In the foreword, Judith Guest sums up the book really well: "In this collection of sane and clear-hearted observations on writing, along with its solid, practical tips, there is a vitality that sings and an honesty that makes me want to cry. This is the way writing feels when it is good. What a challenge to make it feel that good all the time!"

There are many books about the technical aspects of writing - how to create characters, how to construct a plot, etc. But this book is about the creative instinct itself, about setting yourself free to create, observing things around you, practicing by writing, writing, writing.

I have never sat down to write without having a purpose in mind, something planned. Natalie says to write for a set amount of time every day, and just keep writing until the time is up, even if you start by writing "I don't know what to write" over and over. Eventually you will move onto something else, anything else. Describe how you feel, where you are sitting, the sun shining through the window, anything which comes into your head. It's all practice.

She recommends getting a notebook and writing in it like this every day until it is full. Once it is full, sit down and read the whole book as if it were a great novel. She says you will surprise yourself, and learn more about yourself. Mark any really good parts which you can use in future in your planned writing.

I haven't yet got to writing every day, but I have tried out this unplanned writing, and it is a strange feeling for someone who likes to always be in control. I'll let you know how it goes, but I recommend you try it. As a recommendation, I can't say better than the final words of the forward: "It would be wonderfully efficient and clever for us writers to have to learn our lessons only once; failing that, a copy of Writing Down the Bones on a table nearby could save a lot of grief. It could even save your life. A fine poet and prose writer, Natalie Goldberg has found a new voice. It is simply the best aid and comfort around today."

Writing Down The Bones

For all you writers out there, can I recommend a book? Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg, published 1986, is about the creativity side of writing. It looks at what it means to be a writer, and how to develop yourself, rather than just techniques for creating characters and plots. I will be reviewing the book in depth once I have finished it, but here is a sample:

Use Loneliness
Writing can be very lonely. Who’s going to read it, who cares about it? A student asked me, “Do you write for yourself or do you write for an audience?” Think of sharing your need to talk with someone else when you write. Reach out of the deep chasm of loneliness and express yourself to another human being. “This is how it was for me when I lived in the Midwest.” Write so they understand. Art is communication. Taste the bitterness of isolation, and from that place feel a kinship and compassion for all people who have been alone. Then in your writing lead yourself out of it by thinking of someone and wanting to express your life to him. Reach out in your writing to another lonely soul.

Blinded by the Light 18 Elitism - The Trap

There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who are saved and those who are not. This may seem a very obvious thing to say, but there is creeping into the church the idea that, to paraphrase George Orwell, "All Christians are equal, but some are more equal than others."

In some places people are frowned upon because they do not dress smartly to go to church. In others they are laughed at because they wear a suit and tie and everyone else is in jeans. In more formal churches, laughter or applause is considered inappropriate and disrespectful, and many are unhappy about demonstrative worship. On the other hand, those churches where people are demonstrative can be concerned about members who do not wave their hands or dance, but prefer to be quiet before God.

There is also elitism between congregations over these and other things. This is most marked in the area of the Holy Spirit. The charismatic movement has brought a reawakening of the life of the Spirit flowing in the lives of Christians and through their congregations. Faith has been deepened and become more dynamic. Theology is no longer theoretical. People believe that we can claim God's promises today, and are realising that receiving Christ includes receiving the Spirit and his power in order to come into the full riches of God's kingdom living.

Unfortunately this has resulted in an elitism between what are seen as the 'haves' and the 'have nots'.

Claiming to be superior and to have arrived, they are often cruelly condemning in their attitude to others and refuse to take advice from anyone who is not of their own type of spirituality. This often springs not from any particularly vicious spiritual pride, but from false teaching to which they have been introduced on the subject of initiation, seeing it as necessarily a two-stage affair; other Christians may have reached stage one, but they have, through a 'baptism in the Holy Spirit' attained ipso facto to stage two - a mountain ridge from which they are unable to descend whatever they do (for they are Spirit-filled folk; they have arrived), a mountain ridge which relieves them of any further necessity to go on climbing.
(I Believe In The Holy Spirit, Michael Green, p.264)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth

Further posts to come in this series:
Elitism: The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Notes on a Personal God

I have been reading an amazing book, called Finding Faith, A Self-Discovery Guide For Your Spiritual Quest by Brian D McLaren. It is an reasoned discussion of how to find faith. He looks at Faith, Knowledge and Doubt, and discusses atheism, theism, and good faith and bad faith. It is ideal for those looking for answers to spiritual questions as well as those who think they have already found their answers but want a reasoned faith or to be able to reason it to others. As a sample, here is his explanation of a personal God, hope you find it helpful:


Many people resist the idea of a personal God, and with good reason. When they think of a person, they think of rather quaint but silly images – such as God as a Santa-esque old man with a long white beard ... or as an immature tyrant prone to throwing temper tantrums ... or as a forgetful manager who needs constant reminders (via prayer) lest he forget important details in his universe ... or as an absentminded professor who naively started this experiment called the universe which since has gone more than slightly out of control.

Our problem in this regard is probably a matter of words – perhaps confusing “personal” with “human”. To illustrate, think of the following items: gravity, helium, water, coal, a fern, a frog, a parrot, a golden retriever, a chimpanzee, a human being. The first three bring us from energy to matter, from gas to solid, and from invisible to visible. When we get to the fern, we move from nonliving to living. From fern to frog, we cross the boundary to animate. I don't know any frogs very well, but with my limited exposure, they seem to have a little, but not much, in the way of personality. Parrots have more, and golden retrievers and chimpanzees more still ... and human beings, more still. Now, with each step up the ladder, we didn't lose the qualities of the previous steps; rather, we added more capabilities, more depth ... while we subtracted previous limitations, going from energy to matter to form to solidity to plant life to animal life to warm-blooded life to mammalian life to primate life to human life.

Let's imagine we inserted a million rungs in our ladder after human beings, each rung suggesting more developed, less limited beings, with personalities as far beyond our own as ours are beyond a bullfrog's – not less developed with each ascending rung, but more. And we could insert another million, and another, and we'd be getting some idea of the way in which we can speak of God being personal.

So, we're not saying that God is personal to the same small degree and with the same limitations we are. Rather, we're saying that God is personal not in a way less than us, but more. And we're saying that the fact that we share this quality called personality means that there is a bridge, a connecting point, a common language, a medium of communication. It means that both we and God come equipped with a telephone or modem so we can interface. Obviously, one party's potentials dwarf the other party's, but nevertheless, connectivity is possible. That's a pretty wonderful thought.

Blinded by the Light 17 Elitism - The Truth

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal.3:26-28)

There is a great diversity in Christianity: different styles of worship, formal and less formal services, different emphases on the gifts and equipping of the Holy Spirit. In this we should rejoice. God does not require us all to fit into one mould. The famous passage in 1 Cor.12 reminds us that the body has many parts which all function differently and are all essential. We are all given the opportunity to find the place which God has for us: the congregation where we feel most comfortable and the work within that congregation that he wants us to fulfil.

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution

Further posts to come in this series:
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 16 Superstition - The Solution

It is good to show respect for our place of worship, and to show respect for God in the way we dress and act. But since we can do nothing to make God love us any more than he does already, these things must not be given special merit. We have already seen that God looks on our hearts, not on the outward appearance (1 Sam.16:7). Love and tolerance in the beginning can help visitors come to know God and his love for them through you. As they and other new Christians grow in relationship with him they will desire to behave and dress more appropriately.

Those rituals and observances which help to focus our minds on God or help us in our obedience or our worship must not be elevated to the position of somehow essential to our salvation. Here we stray once again into legalism. We become upset and guilty if a ritual is omitted or disrupted. For example, a daily quiet time is a discipline which can be a great blessing to us, and one we should do our best to follow. The problem comes when we are unavoidably unable to have our quiet time one day, or for several days, and feel guilty or insecure in our standing before God. Or when we become harsh with children or others who disrupt us for good reason, because we feel the day is spoiled without it.

Many of us are not even aware of the whole range of superstitions which have grown up in our own lives or in our congregations. The next time you are faced with something which seems inappropriate or disrespectful to God, stop and ask yourself, in the light of God's unconditional love and care for his people, if it really matters.

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap

Further posts to come in this series:
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 15 Superstition - The Trap

We condemn those who worship idols, and sacred places, yet we have constructed a whole set of rules about what we should wear and what we should do when we meet together. We are superstitious about our church buildings as 'The Lord's House'. God no longer needs a house, since he dwells in our hearts (1 Cor.3:16).

There are many unwritten rules about dress and behaviour, which the visitor or new Christian can cross unknowingly. Criticism and disapproval can put someone off and drive them away. The important thing is that they come to church to learn the gospel and worship God, not how they dress. Young children can be unwelcome in services because they can be noisy and disruptive. This precludes their parents as well, thus preventing more people from coming to God.

Such superstitious behaviour has caused problems, for example, with those who come seeking Christ from unsavoury backgrounds. The tramp, the drug addict, the hooligan with no manners, are all turned away by our disapproval of their 'inappropriate' dress and behaviour in meetings. Jackie Pullinger, when she began to convert the drug addicts in Hong Kong, found them unwelcome in the local Christian churches, and was forced to start a church of her own - something she was against doing. And closer to home, those working with Teen Challenge in our own streets, find great difficulty in finding churches who will welcome the young people they reach.

The Sabbath day was ordained for man to rest, not as the special day on which to worship God. We are supposed to "pray continually" (1 Thes.5:17), not just on Sundays.

There is nothing wrong in the wearing of a cross or sign of the fish, except when it is attributed with special powers to make the wearer feel safe or comforted. Being superstitious about this jewellery is akin to idol worship.

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth

Further posts to come in this series:
Superstition: The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 14 Superstition - The Truth

The early Christians met together in the temple courts and in their homes (Acts 2:46-47). They held on to the promise that wherever two or three are gathered, Jesus would be there (Matt.18:20). They did not need to have a special building in which to meet. They had no special ceremonies apart from baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Col.2:16-17)

In the centuries since then, Christians have built their own places of worship, into which has gone much loving care, as a token of their love for God. Rituals have developed with the intention of glorifying God and assisting us to worship him. We like to have pictures and items with Christian symbols to remind and encourage us, and in those countries where Christians are not persecuted, are proud to wear a cross or other symbol as a sign to others of our faith.

But all these things are only embellishments, and are not an essential part of our relationship with God. They remind, inspire, assist us, but we must not become dependent upon them.

Should we behave differently in certain places? Or should we be "in Christ' at all times and in all places?" (Gal.2:20). Are certain places, times or objects endowed with special spiritual powers? Or can we be used by God and in touch with God anywhere? Cannot God see us everywhere and whatever we do?

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Further posts to come in this series:
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 13 Scripture Twisting - The Solution

It is vital that we use sound principles in our attempts to understand the Bible.

• Look at each scripture, not only in the context of the immediate surrounding verses, but of the book from which it comes, and the teaching of the Bible as a whole. For example, James 2:14-26 appears to teach salvation by works. However, this does not fit with the rest of the New Testament, which clearly teaches "not by works, so that no-one can boast" (Eph.2:9). In the past it was suggested that James and Paul disagreed with one another, and that the book of James should not even be in the Bible! However, a closer reading of the passage shows that James is asking "Can such faith save him?" As shown earlier, James is saying that the works are produced by the kind of faith which saves.

• Consider whether this is a piece of advice for a specific situation or time, or whether it can be applied in a wider context and is still relevant today. For example, Paul's advice to slaves and masters (Eph.6:5-9, Col.3:22-4:1). Such teaching does not condone slavery, but was given by God as practical ways of dealing with the realities of the day.

• Consider the original audience for the scripture. Sometimes we have to view scripture through the culture of its time, for example the passage in 1 Cor.11:5-6 about women covering their hair and not shaving their heads. In the culture of the time, uncovered hair was a sign of loose morals in a woman, and a woman's head was shaved because she had either been publicly disgraced or was in rebellion against her husband. These things do not apply today in our culture, although the underlying ideas about modesty and marriage do.

We need to be familiar with scripture and the truths of the gospel which it teaches. This will enable us to be alert to teaching which is suspect, and to be able to check out anything which does not ring true.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim.2:15)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap
Further posts to come in this series:
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 12 Scripture Twisting - The Trap

[Paul's] letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. (2 Peter 2:16-17 RSV)

The scriptures can be twisted in many ways. The cults do it deliberately in order to use the authority of the Bible to reinforce their claims. But even Christians can fall into the trap of misunderstanding or reading things into the scriptures that are not really there. Many errors have crept into the church in the past because of this. For example, it took Luther to make a stand before the teaching of grace was finally accepted, even though it seems plain to us today.

By ignoring context and picking up bits of scripture, it is possible to prove almost anything from the Bible. For example, “There is no God.” (Ps.14:1).

Here are just a few of the ways in which scripture can be twisted:

1. Ignoring context

This is especially dangerous in the practice of opening the Bible at random and lighting on a verse for guidance, but it can also appear to support teaching which is incorrect. For example:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matt.18:21-22).

This verse has been used to prevent people from speaking out when they are being hurt or misused by other Christians, or even their leaders. They are accused of having an unforgiving spirit and made to feel guilty because they can't or won't forgive.

Looking at the context of this passage, the chapter begins with the disciples' question, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” and ends with the parable of the unforgiving servant. Because of his unforgiveness, the king “handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.” The final verse contains Jesus' warning, “So shall my heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother, from your heart.”

Peter is searching for a formula for how to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, but once again, as in so many places in scripture, Jesus points our that God's standards are beyond our reach. It is not a question of how many times we forgive, but the kind of forgiveness. He who cannot forgive from the heart will find himself handed over to the torturers.

Such forgivemess is beyond us, in truth. It is only when we realise our inadequacy that we can turn to the source of our righteousness for the strength to obey. Our only hope is in God's mercy. The emphasis is on integrity, purity of heart, rather than covering up.

It is also interesting to note that in Luke 17:3 we are told “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents forgive him.” Is this saying that our forgiveness should be conditional? Does God forgive those who do not repent? Let us at least say that releasing someone from our vengeance does not mean that we should trust them or associate with them again or associate with them again, certainly does not mean that we should keep quiet about sin.

2. Putting together separate scriptures which do not belong.

For example: 1 Cor.15:31 "I die daily" and Matt.16:24 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.'"

These verses are used on the subject of self-denial. They are used to say that we must do away with every thought for ourselves and shoulder the burdens of what God wants us to do. This can lead away from grace and back to works.

1 Cor.15:31 is in the context of a discussion on the resurrection, not self-denial. Having established the truth of the resurrection, Paul asks "why do we endanger ourselves every hour?", and he ends the chapter with the exhortation "stand firm. Let nothing move you." Paul is saying that because of his confidence in being raised from the dead he feels free to put his life at risk for the sake of the gospel.

In Matt.16:24 the cross we must take up is the cross of Christ.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it... Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt.16:25,26)

There is no service or sacrifice we can give that will merit us anything in seeking salvation. Self-denial, if you want to call it that, is denying that there is anything that we ourselves can do to merit eternal life, and looking to Christ.

Not only do these verses not teach what they are being used for, but they are not about the same subject.

Illustrating points 1 & 2 together is the amusing story of the lady who opened her Bible at random for guidance and came upon the verse "And Judas went out and hanged himself." (Matt.27:5). Finding this unhelpful she tried again, and found "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37). Such are the dangers of ignoring context and putting together scriptures which do not belong!

3. Misquotation

Especially when we quote from memory, it is easy to be inaccurate. A classic misquotation is "Money is the root of all evil." The actual verse says "For the love of money..." (1 Tim.6:10). This is not as harmless as you might think. It would make quite a sermon on the value of poverty, particularly if the object was to persuade you to give up all your evil money to the speaker's church or pet cause!

4. Selective attention to scripture

Choosing the parts that fit our way of thinking without reference to the whole message. This is very similar to ignoring context, but on a wider scale. Whole theologies can be built on a range of scriptures which sound very plausible when you are listening to the sermon, but do not check out with the wider message of the books from which they come, or indeed with the Bible as a whole.

For example I once heard a well-respected Christian leader quote "All these people were still living by faith when they died" (Heb 11:13), and use to teach that if we do not test our faith every day we could find we were saved yesterday but not today. The verse continues "They did not receive the things promised, they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance." The writer to the Hebrews is saying that they trusted God, even though they had not seen their salvation. That is why they were still living by faith, not for fear of losing their salvation.

This is a technique known as proof-texting, which is forming an opinion in your own mind and then looking for a scripture to back up what you have already decided. This is very dangerous and cultic thinking. The correct approach is to come to scripture with an open mind, research all that it has to say on the subject, and then reason out what the message is, even if we do not like the answer.

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth
Further posts to come in this series:
Scripture Twisting: The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 11 Scripture Twisting - The Truth

As a Christian the Bible means a lot to me. It has been my companion for years. I have learned that its words are God's Word, its commands his will, its perspective on life the only true one. Of course, it has puzzled me with its enigmas and the depth of its insight. I am often frustrated by what I believe God is demanding of me through the words on its pages. it encourages me, but it breaks me. It thrills me and it frightens me.

“But one thing it does not do: it does not come to me in such a way that I can pick and choose what to hold as true or false. As a Christian I find myself under its authority.” (Scripture Twisting by James W. Sire, p.10)

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim.3:16-17)

Jesus told his followers to search the scriptures, and this is a key element in the life of a Christian. Within their pages is the word of God and the truths of the gospel. But the Bible is not like an instruction manual, with everything set out plainly in logical order. We must be careful in the way we interpret what we read.

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap, The Solution
Further posts to come in this series:
Scripture Twisting: The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 10 Answers to Everything - The Solution

Since the Christian faith is about relationships rather than dogma, there are bound to be areas which are not clear-cut. It takes maturity in our faith to accept the fact that there are many things we do not understand.

Immature faith is like the child who continually says “Why?” The child may ask “Why is the sky blue?”, and we know that there is a scientific explanation, but it is far beyond the ability of the child to understand, perhaps beyond our ability too. Yet we cannot accept that we may be in the same position regarding the things we do not understand on a spiritual level.

Part of our faith in God is that he can be trusted, even when we don't understand. It is only necessary that we know him. We all have to work on our own relationship with him, which will differ in some respects because we are different people with different needs.

It is worth quoting Hudson Taylor again here: “We do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.” This trust is vital in guiding our lives according to his will.

I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. (2 Tim.1:12)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,The Trap
Further posts to come in this series:
Answers to Everything: The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

The Flight of the Kestrel

I read the latest Writing Magazine, and an article in there suggested sharing your writing on your blog. This is something I haven't done really, up to now. My blog header says it will be about my interests, but my fiction writing has not yet featured. So here we are.

I am writing a science fiction series called The Flight of the Kestrel. The Kestrel is a PACT ship with a crew of 11. The Planetary Alliance for Cooperation and Trade was set up between Earth and the other planets they made contact with. As part of the cooperation, these ships, all named after birds of prey because they are fast and deadly, were set up to be a kind of inter-planetary police force. They deal with incidents that need a fast response and sort out whose jurisdiction they come under afterwards.

The idea began because I used to love watching Star Trek, Blakes Seven, and Babylon 5, and used to make up stories for them. I knew there was no way I could contribute to them, so I had to make up my own ship to give the adventures to. They say there's a book in everyone, so there you are. I am learning writing technique as I go along, and although these novels will probably never see the light of day, I am getting great pleasure from the process.

I had written three stories when I looked back and realised that they are all too long for short stories and not long enough for novels (about 15,000 to 20,000 words). Then I realised that stories two and three could be combined, and story one referred to a previous incident, which could be written and combined with story one. Because of my growing writing skills, this new story is much better written than the originals, so the others all have to be re-drafted - which authors need to do anyway, no one writes a perfect book first time, they go through many drafts.

On the way, my characters are getting more defined and more complex, and this is a new challenge which I am relishing. So I will be posting updates now and then in the hope someone would be interested. The current status is as follows: The new story is Kestrel 1 part 1, and the old first story is Kestrel 1 part 2. Combined, this Kestrel 1 is called Intruders. I am in the middle of re-drafting part 2. The second novel is called Adept, and will combine the old second and third stories.

I already have some ideas for further stories, but I think I have enough to do for now. I have also started looking at competitions, as I have a few other stories which are the right length, and could be worked up to be worth sending off. I have just discovered the existence of 'flash fiction', which is very short stories, and I even have one which I wondered what I could do with, as it's so short. I might even consider poetry competitions, as I have written one or two recently, which quite surprised myself. So watch this space for this new topic, as well as the ongoing ones. Any encouragement and suggestions would be gratefully received.

Good Friday

I just wanted to remind you that today is Good Friday. Good, not because we get time off work and hopefully a chocolate Easter egg, but because it's Easter, and because of what that means.

Good Friday is good for us, because it wasn't good for Jesus. Today, over two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was tortured and crucified, when he had done nothing wrong. But he was punished for our wrong-doings, so that we would not be punished ourselves. God set a high standard, and then provided the way for us to meet it. And all we have to do is ask, and it is a free gift.

I'm not apologising for preaching - someone has to tell you. If you want to be right with God, you need to accept the free gift from Jesus, and ask him to be Lord of your life. And then Easter will be really important, and today will be really GOOD Friday!

To those at the time, who didn't understand what was going on, this was a really bad day. The man they had set their hopes on, had been executed, and it looked as if it was all over. But then Sunday came, and he rose from the dead. So, as I heard someone preach once, if your life is down, and it feels like that Friday, remember - Sunday's coming!

Easter blessings,
love,
Ann Marie.

Blinded by the Light 9 Answers to Everything - The Trap

One of the attractions of many cults is that they offer an answer to everything – every question you may have about God and his purposes, and where you fit in. A precise interpretation for every passage in the Bible, even the irrelevant ones. A complete set of beliefs covering every eventuality. It can be a comforting thought to have no uncertainty, to know exactly what to believe about everything. Unfortunately, many of the answers are wrong.

Which is it better to have, no answer or any answer? The cults would seem to prefer the latter, and come up with all sorts of contortions to explain every tiny point. The comfort of knowing there is always an answer can become the restriction of always checking our what you think you believe with the 'party line'. You can lose the ability to think for yourself.

If you look for a rigidly defined set of beliefs you are heading back to the law, and will soon find them a straightjacket rather than a comfort.

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth,
Further posts to come in this series:
Answers to Everything: The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 8 Answers to Everything - The Truth

As Christians we seek to live our lives according to the word of God. When we search the scriptures we find that there are some topics on which the Bible is very clear and some on which we can make decisions based on Biblical principles. However, we also find that on some topics the Bible is either unclear or totally silent.

The same is true of direct spiritual guidance and answers to prayer. Sometimes we know with startling clarity, sometimes we are guessing, and sometimes there are no answers at all. And often, guidance and understanding are hardest to find when we need them most. These are difficult issues which we all have to face.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when perfection comes, the imperfect dsappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then shall I know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Cor.13:9,10,12)

The truth is that God is sovereign, and does not reveal all of his plan to us.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa.55:8-9)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Further posts to come in this series:
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 7 Magic Formulas - The Solution

If you have a piece of equipment which is old and doesn't work properly, you try to repair it. But if it is new and doesn't work properly, you send it back to the manufacturer. Jesus is “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb.12:2). If there is something wrong with your faith, send it back to him who gave it to you and let him put it right. The same verse says “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus”.

I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able... (“ Tim.1:12)

There are many reasons why God may not appear to respond to us. Sometimes we are simply too impatient. Sometimes we are not open minded enough to see that the answer may not be in the form we expected. Sometimes God knows better than we do what we need. Perhaps what we need is patience or trust!

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. (Rom.9:14-16)

That wonderful lady, Corrie Ten Boom, expressed our need to trust God and his plans for us, in this poem:

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me

I do not choose the colours, He worketh steadily.

Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,

Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why,

The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver's hand,

As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

If you really want a magic formula to improve your relationship with God, try this one:

Let the word of God dwell in you richly... (Col.3:16)

The scriptures will make plain to you what is to many people a mystery. They cannot see how anyone can have the power to be obedient to God's commands, to walk in his ways, and to be acceptable in his sight. The mystery is a secret no longer:

...God has chosen to make known... the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col.1:27)

Because we have Christ in us, we no longer have to rely on our own strength. Paul told the Ephesians that God has:

“...made us alive with Christ...”

“...seated us with him in the heavenly realms...”

and prayed that they would be enlightened to understand “...his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Eph.2:5,6; 1:19)

And Peter wrote that

“His divine power has given everything we need for life and godliness...” (2 Pet.1:3)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap
Further posts to come in this series:
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 6 Magic Formulas - The Trap

1. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives... Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. (James 4:3,8)

It is true that sometimes prayers are not answered and blessings not received because there is something wrong in our lives, which needs to be put right. But this can get twisted into a continual searching for the key to unlock the door into the Father's presence. All sorts of strange things are unearthed to be repented of or broken in our lives in order to release the blessings we seek.

Satan will take advantage of this an remind you of things long dealt with, and try to convince you that they are still a problem. This can cause guilt and condemnation in lives where there should be none: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom.8:1)

There is also a danger which comes from such teaching as thre Word—Faith movement, which suggests that the power of our faith brings about the things we pray for. This means that if we do not receive what we pray for, then we do not have enough faith. This is devastating to those who pray earnestly and sincerely, and do not receive,. Hudson Taylor once said, “We do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.”

2. When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt.6:6)

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn't we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only bby prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29)

It is also true that sometimes in scripture specific instructions are given as to what should be done in a particular situation. But this too can get twisted, and the belief grows up that there is only one right way to do anything spiritual, and if this is not followed then it will not be effective.

God wants you to be honest in your relationship with him, sincere in your desires, and humbly willing to be used for his purposes. He has promised to “give you the desires of your heart” (Ps.37:4). And he has spoken out against ritual observances and empty words.

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. (1 Tim.1:6,7)

Previous posts in this series:

Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth
Further posts to come in this series:
Magic Formulas: The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 5 Magic Formulas - The Truth

Having dealt with Legalism, we now turn to Magic Formulas. First, the truth:

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Rom.8:32)

One of the hardest things in Christian life is reconciling our desires with what God wants for our lives. He knows us, he knows what is best for us, and he has a part for us to play in his plan. We know what we want. We learn very quickly in our Christian life to pray and ask God for his blessings, but we also need to learn to wait on his time and accept his will.

There is no 'magic' way to move God. He is sovereign and cannot be coerced or persuaded. If our appeals to him directly appear to receive no response, there is no other way. The only exception to this is when there is something wrong in our lives which has affected our standing before God, and this needs to be put right. This is no magic formula, just a re-establishing of our relationship on the right footing.

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Further posts to come in this series:
Magic Formulas: The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 4 Legalism - The Solution

We have already quoted James' comment about the word of God being a mirror (James 1:23-25). We need to go back continuously to looking in that mirror. We need to remind ourselves who we are and where we stand in Christ, so that we will not forget. Paul urged the Galatians:

It is for freedom then that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal.5:1)

Paul qualified, if anyone did, for worthiness by the works he did. He described himself as "a Hebrew of Hebrews" and "as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." (Philip.3:3,5) And yet, once he discovered grace, he realised that it was all worthless.

I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ. (Philip.3:8-9)

James talked about faith and deeds, but put them in the right perspective:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? (James 2:14)

The kind of faith which saves, is the kind that produces the deeds. In other words, the things you do are the result of your faith, not the cause of it. We should remember that "God looks on the heart" (1 Sam.16:7). He does not need us to prove anything to him.

If we are bound up in "doing the right things", it is not the things we do that need to change, but our attitude. We need to understand with out hearts and not just our heads. For example:

• We have "every spiritual blessing in Christ"
• We are "holy and blameless in his sight"
• We are "adopted as his sons"
• We have "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us"
• The Holy Spirit is "a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.

(Eph.1:3-14)
There is an old saying: "There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more, and there is nothing you can do that will make God love you any less." Try reading, Ephesians, Galatians, and Romans chapters 6, 7 & 8. Then act on that!

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap
Further posts to come in this series:
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 3 Legalism - The Trap

Legalism is the disease that paralyses Christians who fall short of living in the reality of the new life.

The theory is wonderful, but the practicalities of daily living can be something else. You want to be the best you can be for God. You want to make a difference where you live, where you work, where you are. You really want to know the presence of the kingdom coming out of your life that makes a difference to the people around you. You want to move into the fullness of what God has called you to.

But so often you feel powerless, impotent, ineffective, weak. Faced with the cycle of failure and uphill struggling, you apply the wrong medicine very, very often: I'll try harder. I'll pray more. I'll go to prayer group. I'll get involved. I'll understand the Bible. I'll get more serious about me and God. I'll do more things.

"What happened to all you joy?" (Gal.4:15). This scripture applies to you when legalism is getting a grip on your life. Your joy disappears. Anyone who adds anything to the pure gospel of Jesus Christ actually takes away from it, and when we try to add our own efforts we end up losing what we had. Eternal life is a gift, and it is an insult to the giver to attempt to pay for it.

You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Gal.5:4)

Falling from grace is returning to a system of religious observance to keep God happy. It comes into all our lives. It is subtle, and it catches you unawares.

Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you know so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?... Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?... Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,... so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal.3:2, 3, 5, 13, 14).

It was not just the Galatians who fell into this trap. There is probably not a Christian on earth who has not at some time found themselves "now trying to attain your goal by human effort."

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Legalism: The Truth
Further posts to come in this series:
Legalism: The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light 2 Legalism - The Trap

Legalism is the disease that paralyses Christians who fall short of living in the reality of the new life.

The theory is wonderful, but the practicalities of daily living can be something else. You want to be the best you can be for God. You want to make a difference where you live, where you work, where you are. You really want to know that presence of the kingdom coming out of your life that makes a difference to the people around you. You want to move into the fullness of what God has called you to.

But so often you feel powerless, impotent, ineffective, weak. Faced with the cycle of failure and uphill struggling, you apply the wrong medicine very, very often: I'll try harder. I'll pray more. I'll go to prayer group. I'll get involved. I'll understand the Bible. I'll get serious about me and God. I'll do more things.

"What has happened to all your joy?" (Gal.4:15). This scripture applies to you when legalism is getting a grip in your life. Your joy disappears. Anyone who adds anything to the pure gospel of Jesus Christ actually takes away from it, and when we try to add our own efforts we end up losing what we had. Eternal life is a gift, and it is an insult to the giver to attempt to pay for it.

You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Gal.5:4)

Falling from grace is returning to a system of religious observance to keep God happy. It comes into all our lives. It is subtle, and it catches you unawares.

Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you now so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?... Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?... Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,... so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal.3:2, 3, 5, 13, 14).

It was not just the Galatians who fell into this trap. There is probably not a Christian on earth who has not at some time found themselves "now trying to attain your goal by human effort."

Blinded by the Light 2 Legalism - The Truth

Legalism - The Truth

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast. (Eph. 2:8)

We need to realise that there is absolutely nothing we can do to save ourselves. If God had not freely given us salvation, we would have been forever lost. We grasp hold of salvation simply by believing that it is possible, and by accepting the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.

God puts no conditions on this. He does not require a certain form of behaviour or level of good works before he justifies us. We come as we are, good or bad. The important thing is that we come, and believe.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. (Col. 2:13-15)

Having been saved, we can take no credit. God did it without reference and without response from us. We were not even consulted when the plan was formulated, and Jesus came to die for us. God's love overflowed to us when we were far away and he did what was necessary to bring us back.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. (Col. 1:21-22)

God, the Almighty Eternal God, declares all those who have believed to be completely and absolutely righteous in his sight. God is willing to say, over each one of us, however hard we've tried, that we are righteous in his sight now and for ever, whatever the future holds.

Previous posts in this series:
Introduction
Further posts to come in this series:
Legalism: The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

Blinded by the Light - 1

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

These are uplifting, glorious words. We are so grateful, as Christians, to be in that position. We look with pity on those people in the cults who are deluded. No matter how sincere their desire to serve God, they have been deceived by false doctrines. Christians believe, quite rightly, that we are in the light and those people in the cults are in the dark.

Unfortunately, the security we feel in being in the light can make us complacent and blind to the fact that Christians are prey to many of the same errors which are found in the cults. If we do not study the scriptures and nurture our relationship with God, we too can find ourselves confused, misled, and wandering away from the truth. Let me give you another, more sobering scripture:

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things. (Romans 2:1)

The message of salvation is clear, there can be no mistake. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. We cannot merit anything by our own efforts, but must lean on the grace of God, which gives us what we do not deserve, and saves us from what we do deserve. This does not make sense to the logical human mind.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death. (Prov.14:12)

We need to change our perspective, and look at things from God's point of view, before we can understand. But even after we have accepted it, the "old man" keeps intruding and we can easily loose sight of it again.

James tells us that the word of God is like a mirror that shows us who we really are and where we stand. We were saved because we looked into that mirror, saw the truth, and acted on that truth. Yet as soon as we go away from the mirror, we forget what we look like. We forget that we were reconciled to God through the efforts of Jesus, not our own. We look for things to do to put us right with God, or make our Christian lives more effective.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:23-25)

We have grasped the perfect law that gives freedom, and we need to hold on to it and enjoy its blessings. But for every truth there is a trap, a subtle distortion of truth into which we can fall. Unless we are aware of these and are on our guard, we can find that we are losing that joy and peace which we knew when we were first saved. Satan is cunning. We are watching for wickedness and evil traps, so he works in subtle ways. Little by little, when we do not realise, he will lead us away and rob us.

The Psalmist pleaded with God: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation" (Ps.51:12), and the Lord condemned the church in Ephesus: "You have forsaken your first love" (Rev.2:4). I am sure that they did not callously and deliberately turn their backs on God. Indeed, they are praised in the preceding verses. But somewhere along the way, they forgot.

In the following sections we will look at some of the traps into which we can fall. Each of these is a distortion of the truth, so we will look at the truth, the trap, and the solution to the problem. It is my prayer that you will be able to recognise where you may have been deceived, and may be helped back to the truth of the "perfect law that gives freedom."

Further posts to come in this series:
Legalism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Magic Formulas: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Answers to Everything: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Scripture Twisting: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Superstition: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Elitism: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
The Need to See: The Truth, The Trap, The Solution
Conclusion

A Happy Marriage

Today is my 35th wedding anniversary. I have taken a week off work and we are spending some extra time together. When I look back over our married life, I don't see plain sailing and all wine and roses. So what keeps a marriage going for 35 years?

When we married, it really was 'until death do you part'. We were committed to making it work. 'For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.' It seems to me that too many people think that love is like in the movies, and they walk off into the sunset, happy ever after. Life has not been smooth. We have had many hard times, and many times when we have fallen out. But we have found that when all the trappings are taken away, underneath it all we really love each other, and more importantly we believe our love is something worth fighting for.

And sometimes it has been a fight. Sometimes a fight between ourselves, but more often a fight against the world and troubles it brings. We have had unemployment and ill health, and we are now both disabled to some extent. But our relationship has risen above it. Love isn't static. Once you find it, you need to learn and grow all the time. People change as time passes, and your love needs to change along with it.

In our case, having a strong faith that we share has been a major factor. For the past 22 years we have been Christians, and God has blessed us. Through prayer He is a strength to us both. When no one understands how you feel, there is One who does. We pray for each other and we can pray together over our family and our challenges.

I don't apologise for the soppy stuff. The attitude of many today seems to be that couples stay together until it gets rocky, or they fall out. If what you have is real, it's worth fighting for.