Opening THE Book 9 with Rev John K-S

8th February 2019
as published by St Andrew's Church in the Gorleston Community Magazine

Rev John Kinchin-Smith
Assistant Minister, St Andrew’s Church

Last month I asked the question: “If we cannot do things right however hard we try, if we struggle to keep our (New Year) resolutions, if we continue to have bad thoughts and do bad things and hurt ourselves and other people – then what hope for the world? Must we continue to fight wars, destroy our beautiful planet, suffer from disease and crime and poverty and all the pain and injustices of the world?”
 
The Bible teaches that all our bad actions and their consequences (war, hunger, poverty, crime, misery, and fear) spring from our selfish attitudes and desires. The Bible calls this “SIN” and says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans chapter 6 verse 23)
 
When God gave his Law to the people of Israel through Moses, he said “See, I am setting before you this day life and death. Now choose life!” In the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 28 we can read the wonderful blessings that will come from obeying God and following his Laws and also the terrible consequences from disobedience. “But” you may say “that’s so unfair! If we can’t keep God’s laws, if it’s not possible to obey perfectly and live perfect lives, why should we have to suffer the consequences?”
 
Well, if you are a loving parent, you make rules to protect your child, for example “keep fingers away from electric sockets”. The last thing in the world you want is for your child to break those rules and suffer the consequences. God’s just like that – but a perfect loving parent who truly knows what will bless us and what will hurt us. He longs only that we find happiness and blessing
 
Suppose, therefore, knowing that human beings are never going to be able to obey perfectly and live perfect lives, God decides to take the consequences upon himself so as to spare the children he loves? And, as we know, those consequences are pretty awful to say the least. The most awful consequence is death itself which the Bible calls “the last great enemy”. Well, that’s exactly what God did! That’s exactly what happened when Jesus died on the cross. Yes, he died for you! Isn’t that awesome? More next month...
 

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