We will see Him

Hi Blogger , Although a Christian's salvation is purely a work of God it does feel to us that we have to be in control of 'believing in Jesus'. But how God saves us truly mystifies us: He saves believers against their our own will (for we will never willingly follow Him), but not in such a way that He violates our free will. Almost like saving a toddler from crawling into a busy motorway to get his toy without grabbing him... Just listen to how God balances his power and our free will according to Maurice Roberts: "God saves no man to his harm. And God saves none against his will. Grace makes the sinner willing. It is a secret exercise of omnipotence on the hidden man of the heart coaxing and alluring him to salvation and glory by Christ. It is always effectual but it is never brute strength.” John 1:12,13: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of th...

Hi Blogger , A concern many people have when thinking about God's power is this: What about my free will? Can God override my free will? That seems like an abuse of power... A question worth asking is this: Is my will, under any circumstances ever 'free'? Advertisers know that they can bend and form our 'free' wills with clever marketing. Parents knows best how to manipulate a free will. Heck, even lovers do, as you submit your free will to the desires of the other... Perhaps the real test is this: If I am going to submit my free will to something or someone, is that person worthy of my freedom? More directly, will I be more free in submitting my will to God? JAMES 1:25: " But the man who looks intently 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." Lord Jesus Christ, as we look at your law of love for you and each oth...

Hi Blogger , God is in control of everything but we are still responsible for our choices: Acts 2:23: This [Jesus Christ] was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you , with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. But God does not allow our bad decisions to continue to ruin his world. With Christ's resurrection he starts to undo the effects of our sin and will eventually restore everything through Him. Father God, thank you for using even the evil we do to fulfil your purposes. We hate our sin and want to flee from it - thank you for steering all of creation to that place where sin won't wreck havoc on our lives anymore. Amen Rev. Kruger de Kock London You are receiving these emails because you have visited or supported Canada Water Church or Surrey Doc...

Hi Blogger , One of the very vocal religious groups in the UK are that of the Atheist. They used to be a very literate, tolerant, clear-headed and engaging group. But over the last couple of years Richard Dawkins became their chief spokesman. In many ways he sounds like the Terry Jones of atheism, even having to answer his own tribe who says: "I’m an atheist, but I wish to dissociate myself from your shrill, strident, intemperate, intolerant, ranting language". Under his 'leadership' it seems that atheism is in danger of contradicting itself. (A friend of mine even got banned from Dawkins website after asking a thoughtful question. So much for being an 'oasis of clear thinking'.) Instead, Christianity have a self-correcting mechanism right at it's core. It's called 'grace'. "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....

Hi Blogger , What place does the Christian church have in society? I recently came across two possibilities: 1. In the Government's Pocket: In a recent speech to Church of England Bishops Lady Warsi, the minister without portfolio and a Muslim said that Britain needs a government that "understands faith". She added that faith communities "are at the heart of society already and key to its future." In a big turn-around from the previous government she said "this government will be on your side." 2. Completely Silent: The National Secular Society's principle is that "secular government is the only way of ensuring that every citizen is treated equally." True christianity is supposed to steer clear of both: Jesus Christ and his followers were known for the radical way in which they not only treated the weak and the marginalised people in society "equally" but with profound respect. One example of this is the way...

Hi Blogger , Before the pope's recent visit to the UK the British press celebrated the fact that so few people are interested in religion these days. They were quite shocked when really big crowds turned out for the events. A society without some kind of faith is impossible. Even the idea that we can function without faith is a faith of some kind... Perhaps the right question to ask is: if faithlessness is impossible, what sort of faith should exist in our societies? For me the answer lies in the way people of one faith treats those outside of their faith community. Looking at Jesus Christ we see that he not only taught his followers to pray for their enemies but he also did it himself, even in his darkest hour. "When they came to the place called the Skull, there they (the Roman soldiers) crucified him, along with the criminals–one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ...

Hi Blogger , Alastair Campbell famously said that the UK's New Labour party "don't do God". It seems as if the current government looks more favourably on religion. What kind of religion should influence the 'big society'? I would say one that is for real, especially concerning it's main claim: life after death. Jesus said he is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) and then he died... If that is where it all ended we would have been right to push Christianity out of society. But he didn't. In fact, he not only appeared to his core group of disciples after his resurrection but also to a group of more that 500 people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6). Paul, the man claiming this had to be pretty sure of it. It could easily be verified by his sceptical listeners in the city if Corinth. Lord Jesus, please help me to understand that you are for real - that your claim of life after death is true. As I believe this, help me to l...

Hi Blogger , David Cameron recently said his christian faith: "...grows hotter and colder by moments." I'm sure this rings true for most of us, even those of us that believe in something else. Jesus Christ once called his disciples, the people that followed him and witnessed his miracles those of 'little faith' (Luke 12). You might think this was enough reason for him to turn back on any of his promises to them. Instead, he pushed through dying for them on the cross, giving them every reason to believe that he really is who he said he is. We might raise the bar for belief in him too high - as a start, all that is needed is to doubt your doubts and start to consider his claims. Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise. A...