Sexually morality . ( Romans 1 v 18 )

 Just recently the Anglican church ruling body met to discuss and vote on the clergy being able to bless same sex relationships, the vote was carried.This is so sad and will cause a great division world wide within the Anglican community. Following this vote a letter was published in a national newspaper by a former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord  Carey '',What has taken place will be out of step with the book that has influenced our Church more than anyone else; the Bible. There is no doubt in my mind that the General Synod has taken a step away from the foundational roots of the scriptures'. To the charge that we who oppose the vote by the Anglican Church Synod,that we do not represent the God of love.We reply in the words of John Stott that God's love is a holy love,and his love will not accept that which He declares is sinful.He will not compromise on that,nor should any  Christian . In my last blog on this subject,I mention the Bishop who said to a young minister,'go look at the NT'.It is strange that he stipulated only the NT, it shows where he stands in relation to the whole of   scripture.Let us see what the OT and  NT,says about homosexuality ,in Leviticus 18 v 22,it is called an abomination. We can point to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah,of course they  committed other sins CP Lev18, but it is homosexuality that is  highlighted there. Lets move to the NT,to Romans 1 v 26-27,were it is described as shameful lustful,unnatural,indecent,perversion.'.There are practicing homosexuals who called themselves  Christians,they are not ,in 1 Corinthians 6 v 9 we are told clearly,'they will not inherit the kingdom of God'.

Sexual morality. ( Romans 1 v 18ff ) 1

 We live in a moral universe ,but we live in a fallen world,where the morals of this world run contrary to the morals of God's kingdom. Those within the kingdom of God are expected  to live by the morality of  God's kingdom.In  so called western societies ,things have gradually changed,things that were once  seen as wrong are now seen as being right.Those things that used to be unacceptable  are now applauded,and celebrated,they have parades where they openly declare their sexuality as being normal. The media continually supports this and those who hold contrary views are not given a voice. The advertisement world also are likewise pushing seculars world views of sexual relationships. So where does that leave us within the kingdom of God?,and how should we act in this situation?.A certain Bishop who appears to favour  going along with the world view of sexuality, and has pushed for the church to bless same sex relationships,  when questioned as to the wrongness of his views he replied  go and read the NT. Before we go into that, I wonder why he said  just  the NT?, the OT surely is as valid as the NT. CP 2 Timothy 3 v16.next time we will consider this further.

He is!. ( Psalm 46)

Sometimes I think that the world is like a troubled sea,so much unrest,one thing after another,that's not counting ones personal difficulties ,and trials.Se here is what God say's,in Nahum 1 v 7 ,'The Lord is good ,a refuge in times of trouble,He cares for those who trust in Him'.The first thing it tells us that God is a good .I have experienced the goodness of God all through my life.He has always been there for me,in times of sadness,in difficult times,all the time.I could mention many things to confirm that.Money was very short,in fact often we had none,yet we prayed.One day a there was  a knock at our  door,when we opened it there was a man with a basket load of shopping,he said someone had asked him to deliver that.Next we have God mentioned as a refuge in times of trouble.It was the time of the Mau Mau troubles in Kenya, often African Christians were targeted,one day a Christian was faced with a Mau Mau pointing a pistol  at his head.A  verse of scripture came inti his head,'The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe'.(Proverbs18 v10),so he immediately shouted out .' Jesus ,Tower',four times he did this,and four times his attacker fired his pistol and didn't hit him.'Last but not least,'He cares for those who trust in Him'.let us remember there is one who is looking after us,His name is Jesus.

He is watching. (Psalm 10 )

 I heard someone say as regards  ,'Stalin, Hitler, and the like they thought that God was not watching them. In Psalm 10 v 11, we read,The wicked think,''God isn't watching us!,He has closed His eyes and won't even see what we do.With the result that they do not see what punishment is awaiting them, and punishment will await them,that is certain.This does not just apply to the most wicked of people,it applies to all who like them live as if there is no God, who do not feel that they are accountable to a holy God.We are told that after death there is judgement, Hebrews 9 v 27, that includes every person who has chosen to live without Christ. They may not have given  God a thought ,they did it their way, that's become the funeral hymn of the non- Christian.People think that God will not hold them to account, but He will, it will become crystal clear on that day,as judgement is passed.There will be no ambiguity on judgement day,in Scottish courts,a verdict of 'not proven' can be reached ,and the person can go free,not so on Judgement day that will not happen.The very one who could have been your Saviour, the one you ignored, never give Him a thought ,will be your judge.

But I am weak.( Psalm 27 v 1

 What about tomorrow? ,I feel so weak,and God spoke and said,''As your days,so shall your strength be'' (Deut 33 v 25). In Psalm 68 v 35 we are told,'The God of Israel, He is the one who gives strength and power to His people'.If we are Christians let us remember without Christ we can do nothing ( John 15 v 6 ). How did Samson kill a young lion?, how did he do all those great feats that are recorded,was it because he was mister universe? ,no,we read,' The Spirit of the Lord came upon him ( Judges 14 v 6) Did  the apostle Paul accomplish all that he did because  of his upbringing, no he declared,'I can do all things through Christ,which strengtheneth me( Philippians 4 v 13)   Consider his words,''when I am weak ,then am I strong'' ( 2 Corinthians 12 v 12). We  humans, yes even those who are Christians are inclined to boast of what they have accomplished, and take the glory instead of giving God the glory.To enable us or to prevent us doing this God weakens us,with Paul it was a thorn in the flesh, with Gideon, God reduced his army to a pittance,to fight against a vast army,why?,so that they could not boast and say,'My own strength has saved me'.( Judges 7 v 2 )

If I gained the world.( Mark 8 v 36)

 There  is an incident recorded in three of the synoptic  gospels,(Mt  19 v 16-26,Mk,  10 v17- 31 and Lk,18 v18 -27 ) It is about a rich young ruler, who wanted to know from Jesus how could he could obtain eternal life. The law is mentioned , Christ tells him to keep the commandments.Which ones? Jesus mentions six,the last being,' You shall love your neighbour as yourself' ( Leviticus 19 v 18),These words are a summing up of our attitude towards others. Let us also remember that we cannot be saved by keeping the law,(  Gal 3 v10 ff) as we will see. The young man said that he kept the commandments mentioned,so Jesus put Him to the test, and told him,to sell his possessions and to give to the poor,and come follow Him.Sad to say the love of His money won the day and he went away sad for he owned  much property.Anna Olander wrote a hymn called,'If I gained the world ,but lost the Saviour'.

                                                'O what emptiness !-without the Saviour

                                                 Mid the sins and sorrows here below!

                                                 And eternity, how dark without Him!

                                                 Only night and tears and endless woe!

                                                 What ,tho' I might live without the Saviour,

                                                  When I come to die , how would it be?

                                                  O to face the valley's gloom without Him!

                                                  And without Him  all eternity'.

Armchair General ( Matthew 19 v 21 )

 I am reading an interesting book,called 'The Armchair General', written by James Buckley,it takes the reader back to the 2nd world war,and highlights the  decisions that those in power had to make.For instance  Churchills decision to fight on,the author attempts to show what may have happened if he had decided not to fight on,and negotiated with Hitler. So the question is what would you have done if you were in Churchills place?,it is very intriguing, a bit of fun.Of course every day we make decisions, some people try to avoid making decisions,but even that is a decision,the fact is we cannot escape making decisions.A lot of decisions are not very important,others have a measure of importance,then others are very important.The whole subject is as I have said  all very intriguing,as I look back on my life,I suppose I can highlight some of the main decisions in my life, getting married,having children, learning to drive,going to Bible college ,coming to England as a minister,then working as a support worker with the mentally  ill.They are all important decisions,but by far the most important decision in my life,is when I trusted Jesus as my Saviour. That decision has had such consequences for me spiritually,morally, eternally,all bound up in the person of Jesus.You cannot go wrong when you put your trust in Jesus,it is a gain,gain ,gain decision.

                                                   'Blessed assurance Jesus is mine'