The wonder of it all

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, 

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 

(1 Tim 1:15)

Sometimes I ask myself, why am I a Christian? Why was I born into a Christian family? Why do I go to church every sunday? Why am I a Christian when there are so many people in this world who either hate God or want nothing to do with Him?

Now, while I would almost like the answer to these questions to be complicated, its rather simple. God has chosen me; that's why I'm a Christian.  Before the foundation of the world; before He had even created Adam and Eve, God decided that I would be one of His covenant children. "Just as He chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world..." (Eph 1:4a)

I never cease to be amazed by this. God chose me, not because He knew I would have faith or any other good quality of disposition, but so that I "should be holy and blameless before Him." (Eph 1:4b) It is so wonderful to think then, that out of the millions and billions of people in this world, God has chosen me to salvation through Jesus Christ. He could have chosen many others, but He chose me, and not because I am any better, for I can say with Paul "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1 Tim 1:15)


Christ came into this world to save sinners. And we are ALL sinners; yet through Christ we may be washed clean of sin. We are born again into a new life, a life with Christ as our master, rather than a life ruled by Satan. And all we have to do to receive this is believe: believe on Jesus Christ and be saved. "For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " (John 3:16)

Now when you consider the wealth of wonder in that God has chosen you, out of the millions in this world, to be His child, your only response should be thankfulness. Humbled by the fact that He has chosen you, you seek to offer your life as a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him.

So that's why I go to church, and that's why I call myself a Christian? Because God has called me to be His child. God did, not me.

"Those whom He predestined He also called; and those whom He called these He also justified; and those whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Rom 8:30)

Such is the wonder of it all.

Peacefulness

Do you ever get those times when you feel as though you can feel God's presence beside you? Well it was like that for me tonight. I know this can sound surreal, or just something from my own imagination; but I think its not. It's a feeling that you get, a feeling of total peacefulness where you are at peace with yourself, peace with God and peace with your neighbour. Now I don't mean to say that I'm perfect because I'm totally at peace with everyone and everything, however, I do believe that God grants me peace, and in that peace I am able to find myself closer to Him.

It's hard to describe, and I only really once have truly felt it before. That was when I was about 12 yrs old, kneeling beside my bed as I said my night-time prayer, and for some reason, which I cannot understand, it felt as though God was there present with me in my bedroom as I prayed. And I'll never forget it, for it was such a wonderful feeling; a feeling that I felt again tonight.

Coming home after a night of ice-skating with friends, I just sat outside for a few moments to think. To let my mind wonder. It's quite amazing when you realise the things you are aware of when you just open your mind.

There is no wind. There's a full moon. The crickets sing their evening song. My dogs lay at my feet, warm soft, and absolutely adorable. But what is more amazing, is when I lay down on my back; there are no clouds in the sky, only stars that shine so bright. And it is just so peaceful. It's such a beautiful feeling.

Now I could talk on and on about my feelings, but faith is not just what I feel at one present time. But its the surety and the knowledge of being Christ filled that brings me this peacefulness.

I think of the verses in Philippians 4 where Paul says: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 


That is such a comforting passage; for my feelings are nothing - it is God who works that peace in me. And although I cannot understand it, I praise God that He has given me a heart to know true peace through Jesus Christ.

Love your neighbour as yourself (2)

Although love is of God, it still requires action from our side - that was the theme of the second speech at the camp. Love in Action.

The love that God wants us to extend to our neighbour comes from our new life in CHRIST (Col 3:1,2). We are to set our minds on the things above, not on the things of this earth. In so doing we are to be clothed with the garments of the 'new man'. These 'clothes' are what show us to be different from those who do not believe in Christ, and they are ultimately characterised by love.

Love is built on two pillars: patience and kindness. "Love suffers long and is kind;" (1 Corinthians 13:4a). Patience is defined as being willing and able to respond positively to a negative situation, and kindness acts to maximise a positive situation. Being motivated by Christ and His work on the cross, we are able to show true love.

Another characteristic of love is "bearing with one another and forgiving one another" (Colossians 3:13). In other words we cannot be showing true love to some one if we are not able to overcome a grudge we hold against them. If we choose not to forgive someone who has hurt us, no matter how deeply, we are basically putting ourselves under their control, and not allowing ourselves to be free to let God work renewal in our lives. Unless we dwell on the miracle of grace in our lives through Christ, we will not be able to forgive one another, and hence show true love. If we are filled with Christ's love; if we truly understand the depth of our own forgiveness through Him, then it will be easier to forgive one another. It is then that you are able to receive inner peace and the ability to freely give love.

As new men and women in Christ, we are required to wear new clothes bearing the fruit of the Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control (Galatians 5:22). But "above all these things [we must] put on love, which is the bond of perfection." (Colossians 3:14) Love is the belt that holds all the clothes together. Without love we cannot truly wear kindness and forgiveness. In all this we must remember that this is only possible when we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly; when we desire to live closer to God; when we 'constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them'.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17)

So, what clothes are you wearing?

Love your neighbour as yourself (1)

I just came home from the most amazingly beautiful camp ever! It was a week were I could enjoy fellowship with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Some people had come from Queensland, others Tasmania, a couple from Canada, and the rest of us from Perth. It was a great opportunity to make new friends and deepen friendships already made. But above all the camp was wonderful because it allowed us all to grow together in our love for God and our love for our neighbour.

The theme of the camp was 'Love your neighbour as yourself' and I just wish to share some of the valuable lessons I've learned through the various speeches that we heard over the duration of the week (but not all in one blogpost).

The first speech was titled: 'Love as a commitment', which really dealt with understanding 'what is true love?' The world has many definitions of love which are usually centred around feelings of desire, romance, appreciation and protectiveness, and while these are attributes of love are true and worthwhile, they miss the mark of true love. And why? Because true love can only stem through the One who has shown this love to us in the first place. God, in sending His only begotten Son into this world to die on a cross for our sins, has shown true love. For 'God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8). That is God's amazing love with which He loves us.

Now we who have received this true love from God have been called to be 'imitators of Christ'. 'Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma' (Ephesians 5:1,2). This act of imitating Christ is not something that we can do of and in ourselves, rather, 'having been renewed in the spirit of your mind' (Eph 4:23), God will work this through us. Imitating Christ is not something we need to do for Him. It is for this reason too, that we cannot say: 'it's just me and my nature, I can't do it. I just can't love my neighbour and do good to him, to show love to him.' For love is more that just a feeling. Love is a command of Christ. Love is a commitment.

Another command we have received from Christ is to abide in His love. And by abiding in Christ's love, by clinging to His love, then we are able to show true love to our neighbour. It's like imagining your life as a tall drinking glass. If that glass is filled with the love of Christ, if you live your entire being for Christ, then there is no room for Satan to work. And if you are Christ filled, then you will seek to do the things that He commands, namely, you will show love to your neighbour. However, if Christ does not fill your life, and the glass is only half full, then there is much more room for Satan. And Satan will take advantage of that room, he will fill your life will other selfish and deceitful things rather than true love for your neighbour. So the more you allow Christ to fill your life, the more you abide in Him, the more you will show love to your neighbour.

There are three characteristics of true love as a commitment: it is unconditional, self-denail, and total. Love is of God. And its a wonderful privilege to be called to bear His love!