Cricket or baseball?

I am writing this on holiday in America, where my wife & I are currently staying in Greenville, South Carolina as guests of Prof. John Carrick and his family. John observed to me that he had noticed that many Americans have difficulty in distinguishing between the objective and the subjective. He attributes this to the failure of the Americans to play cricket, preferring (as they do) baseball instead.

Leaving aside the Professor's analysis of the American pysche and the extent to which it is impacted by sporting preferences, it seems to me that in the Christian life we need to have a healthy grasp of both the objective and the subjective. For example, Romans 5.1 tells us that, being justified by faith, we have peace with God. That is an objective statement of how matters stand for the believing sinner: it does not depend on how he feels about it at all. On the other hand, when urging believers to be anxious for nothing but in everything let our requests be known to God, Paul continues, “...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. While objectively true, it is evident that Paul here refers to the peace and comfort that that will be subjectively experienced by the believer who heeds his exhortations.

Later in this holiday, we expect to be spending time with another theological Professor who is known to be a keen baseball enthusiast. I hope that we will be able to agree that in the Christian life at least, it is not a matter of baseball or cricket – we need both!

Calvin on Psalm 73.25

Writing on Psalm 73.25, John Calvin observed, “If we give the smallest portion of our affections to the creatures, we in so far defraud God of the honour which belongs to him”. Considering this Psalm yesterday we observed that Calvin is surely going too far in making this statement! (And Calvin himself did not – thankfully! – entirely practise what he preached here: when his wife died, he wrote, “I have been bereaved of the best companion of my life” – he evidently had had a happy marriage and had shown his wife some affection!) But Asaph’s words are a salutary reminder to us: if we place our hopes for enduring happiness in circumstances or in other people, we are bound ultimately to be disappointed – witness the all-too-predictable outcome of England’s football World Cup campaign! And indeed, even the most blessed of human relationships will terminate at death. But if God Himself is the Rock of our hearts and our portion forever (v.26), we shall never be disappointed! How satisfied are you with God Himself?

Hope for glory - prepare for anguish!

Hope for glory – prepare for anguish! This is the advice that has been given to England football supporters in connection with the World Cup currently taking place in South Africa. At the time of writing, the latter part of the advice seems all too appropriate – it seems that England’s hopes will end in tears, as they have done for the past 4 decades! But even if, by some remarkable fluke, England sneak through to the final and win, what will be the real value of the “glory” that is achieved? A night of drunken celebration followed by a hangover; a ride through London on an open-top bus, thronged by a euphoric nation; an audience with her majesty the Queen to be awarded an MBE for services to the country! And then what? Soon the memories will fade; soon the thrill of triumph will be superseded by the need to get back to training; and next time, almost certainly, the Cup will be awarded to someone else. How uncertain, then, is this “glory”; and even it is achieved, how ephemeral, how shallow, how ultimately worthless! Contrast this with the privilege of the Christian, to whom God has chosen “to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1.27). Considering this passage in church yesterday, we noted that, in contrast to the “glory” of an England football win, this glory is something both certain for the Christian, and truly glorious! Is this the glory for which you hope?

The Memory of the Just is Blessed

I don't think I will ever *enjoy* taking funerals. However, it is a great privilege to speak at the funeral of a Christian believer, as I did this morning. Mavis Parks had been a member of the congregation at BEFC for most of the church's existence. Included among her papers was the following testimony:

You ask me how I know I’m going to heaven;
You think that I am arrogant and vain
In daring to suggest it, let alone
Be confident; be sure.

I used to think Good Works would get me there;
Or giving cash to “causes great and good”.
I said, “I’m not a sinner, I’m all right;
I’ve not committed murder, thrown a bomb,
Abused, misused or hated anyone.”
And then they told me, “ALL have sinned (come short
Of God’s high standard).” Well, I know that’s true.
So all was hopeless; what was I to do?

And then I heard of Jesus, why He came
From Heaven’s glory to this wicked world.
Yes, then they told me that He came to bear
The punishment for sin, and Calvary
Was not an accident but God’s great plan
To make heaven possible for sinful man.

And when I heard of his great love for me
And how he suffered; then I wept. I came
In deep repentance, sorry for my sins,
And asked for pardon. No one asks in vain.
Now Jesus is the friend who, day by day,
Gives comfort, strength and help upon the way.

And one day Heaven will be full
Of those who claim no merit of their own;
And glorified and honoured there will be
The One who died at Calvary, for me.

Mavis will be missed. But in the light of the coming resurrection, we do not sorrow as others who have no hope! (1 Thessalonians 4.13)

Daylight meeting

Last Wednesday evening we had a visit from John Scott of Daylight Christian Prison Trust to tell us about their prison ministry. It was an informative and stirring meeting. For me, the following things were particularly thought-provoking: (1) The number of genuine conversions taking place among prison congregations: a preacher can realistically expect this to be the result of his preaching. (Why is that too often not the case when preaching to a "free" congregation?); (2) The need for churches to be prepared to adapt and change in order to be welcoming places for ex-convicts who, even if converted, do not find churches easy places; (3) The question of whether or how any in our church should consider having some involvement in this work. Plenty of food for thought and prayer!