Religion/ culture

 

I have been interacting for some years with many religions and cultures.

My conclusion:

Most religions are characterised by manipulation of the human desire to worship a higher power. The minds and lives of multitudes are oppressed beyond sensible reasoning. Sadly , both the oppressor and the oppressed end up in the ditch.

            Culture is largely the product of religion. The food eaten, the clothes worn, the expressions of happiness or grief, the celebrations, the political governance etc are intertwined with the adopted or imposed belief system.

            Most people of the world have no choice but to conform. Those who have promoted freedom of choice are losing it, as the other religions and cultures use that opportunity to impose their oppression on the free!

Where is the answer to the problem?

It is helpful to review history,

      to evaluate present reality,

         and genuinely seek verifiable truth.

 

Nature points to one very powerful, intelligent creator GOD.

   The Christian Bible insists on the same.

 

History points to this same God revealing Himself to humanity.

    Much of this is recorded in the historical documents of the Bible.

 

Humanity has never been the same since Jesus Christ was born.

       The records of Bible witnesses reveal a very special man who announced freedom from oppression and the way to reconnect with the LORD God.  Many have over the centuries believed in Him. Multitudes have rejected Him or the millions who have never heard the truth about Him.

 

Since then religious oppression has intensified in many forms, usually with an emphasis that diminishes the significance of who Jesus was and is (Son of God), and what He achieved by His death and resurrection.(complete salvation )

    The light breaking through at the reformation brought light, liberty, life and love to many. The changes to society then flowed from an available, open Holy Bible.

 

So where are we today?

We are assailed by those asserting the Bible is corrupted, those who deny it historical accuracy, those who reject its moral values, those who deny others access to the Bible and Christians who regard it as out of date or too hard to understand. It is evident there is a sinister spirit seeking to crush the knowledge of Christ.

It remains the most hated book, yet the most sought after book in the world.!

 

So are all religions equal? -  NO, not at all

Is all culture harmless?   -  NO not all

 

Can we know truth ?  -  YES

Is the Holy Bible trustworthy ?  - YES

 

If you don’t have a Bible – send me a message. I have spares to give away.

If you have never read the Bible, begin today. Connect the history of Genesis with the presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. You will be blessed. Light will shine, truth will set you free, love will call you to a higher plane and new life will connect you with the LORD God forever!

-         But beware, Jesus promised his followers there would be persecution.

Making a difference

 

How can you affect the elections ?

Well you may choose to vote  - yes

Better, you may take time to pray  - yes please

You can waste time criticising people and parties

But there are positive ways to effect change!:

    Teach children the Word of God. Soon they will be teenagers and then adults voting.  Most get their morals and sense of discernment from screens – TV, Smartphones, Cinemas  etc.  Movies have been designed to manipulate the minds of the masses – with great success.

Teaching our families Bible truths is vital. But beyond that, teaching children in schools is a brilliant opportunity to teach good morals, teach wisdom, teach God’s laws and best of all lead them to Christ.

In many churches Religious Instruction in schools is considered a ‘non-event’. How sad to miss the way of the Master who stopped the crowd to bless the children and commanded Peter to “feed My Lambs”. Any preacher/paster who is too big to teach the children is unworthy of honour.

    At election time the people need tools to discern moral failure in leaders (it does matter), to discern moral questions (like gay marriage and abortion). To discern righteousness as an important social value.  To have compassion like Christ Jesus.  To be concerned for national issues as God sees it (Immigration and defence).

    Where are the teachers who are willing to sharpen the consciences of the people young and old, on real, relevant issues  as guided by the Word of God – the Holy Bible?

     Who will stand in the public square to make known God’s ways, God’s values  for our confused society??

    At election time, the would be politicians are ready for conversation. – go and ask them the important questions! Not about the money they promise. Ask them to be transparent about their own character and purpose. Avoid letting the media convince you of good or bad.

    The days were that good character was paramount. National interest was more important than personal benefit. And we can push back against the selfish priorities of modern politics.

    The last two years of teaching citizenship, it caused me to search the constitution, learn about laws and promote values. Beyond some disappointments I discovered so much of it  that is Bible based and we do well to highlight this. E.g. “rule of law” came from Moses teachings.  Compassion for migrants came from OT and NT etc.

 

So  let’s pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Citizenship

 

I have been teaching English and citizenship to migrants for many years. To help peoples who have come from disaster experiences has been a privilege. Christian compassion says “welcome”.

        However one thing is missing – God

In a church context I have explained a little of the Christian faith, but in a State School context I felt very restrained about discussing religion. After interacting with migrants of many kinds, the common problem appears: -- what is the valid reference point for living – as one student said “we don’t know all the laws!”.

  Some come with different religious laws, others think ‘freedom’ means ‘do as they please’. The Government pushes the idea of democracy – ‘the will of the people for the people’, and eventually the biggest families dominate.

This mishmash of cultures and religions results in confusion and disorder e.g. gang bullying, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, illegal business, marital breakup, financial corruption, mental health disorders etc.

    So what am I suggesting? One starting point!

-Explanation and implementation of the first line of the citizenship pledge:

      “From this time forward, under God”……..

The promise to be loyal to Australia is helpful but which Australians set the example? The rich? The bludgers? the gay? the corrupt, the racist, the workers, inconsistent politicians? religious hypocrites .....................................................?

   The two words “under God” are the vital key. So what does it mean?

“All persons in Australia are finally accountable to God”

-To be aware of our creator God, and that He will judge all people by Jeus Christ.(Bible- Romans 2:16)

This is the great restrainer to domestic violence, youth crime, drunkenness, corporate crime, political corruption etc.

“Under God” was evident at the Kings coronation ceremony.

 All need to fear God, and serve others as the Lord Jesus Christ has served us. His standards and mercy brings order and cohesion. Ignorance of this is destroying Australia.

God has and will have the final say, so it is my duty, to make God known and to seek to bring people into a living relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ the Lord .

I may have failed, but the Bible, the word of God to all humanity is able to bring light and life and love. So we distribute Bibles and Bible plaques freely to all who choose to receive them.

Election

 

Who will win the Election?

In a democracy, the elected people are a reflection of the social and spiritual state of the society.

The better question is :- “What am I doing to lift the moral, social and spiritual condition of society?” There are plenty of sideline critics contributing so little.

 

What is it that guides the young people when choosing a candidate? – usually “Me-ism” – because many have been reared to get anything they want, so they vote for the one who will promise to give them what they want. So what are parents and teachers doing to counter the disease of ‘Me- ism’?

It is an important part of my RI lessons at school to teach that Jesus Christ was against greed. I give out priority prisms – Jesus first, others next, myself last.

 

What guides adults when voting? For most people it is the TV screen. Sadly, in most homes the biggest and most devoted object is the big TV screen. Once it was a large family Bible. And so the candidates  with the best propaganda usually win. The glossy presentation of half truths, unkeepable promises, smooth words along with uncalled for accusations, seek to appeal to the fallen sensibilities of the voters.

I choose to talk to the would be politicians and ask about their moral position, financial accountability, social standards and Christian foundations.

So the question persists:- “what am I contributing to the moral, social and spiritual fibre of the community?  Living for self? Setting a bad moral example? Doing business dishonestly? Cheating the system? Playing church?

 

Those who have read the book “The Book that made your world” will realise that much of our western society is based on the Bible. So besides contending for good on a humanistic level we need to proclaim loud and clear the truth of the Bible.

The Lord countered the focus on ‘today-ism’ with the eternal realities. He said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY WORD will never pass away.” “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven”  (Matthew 6)

 What abundant opportunities we have to declare HIS word to a lost world. In that alone can true values be found for voting, for living life, for relationship with the living God.

Midst a chaotic world, we need to remember ‘God is still on the throne’ and will bring all to account. History records how often God can turn political events right around by one person totally committed to Himself eg Daniel

Are you, am I??

Despair or hope

 

We seldom hear from those who are really suffering. So let Jeremiah speak up for them:

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

‘The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.

Great is Thy faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each day.

I will say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore I will hope in Him.”

The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him.’

So what is the best thing I can do for the many migrants moving into this city? I teach them English, show friendship, help with citizenship as a matter of Christian compassion. Their stories of suffering are extreme. Ultimately I want them to find security, safety and fulfillment in knowing the LORD God of Jeremiah! He, in His faithfulness has brought me through tough times and I delight to say to Him:  ‘Great is Your faithfulness”

JRM

Watchman what of the night?

 

Watching the news from the Bible.

It has happened before and it is happening again.

Bible reading: - Luke 21 from the lips of the Lord Jesus.

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that the time of it’s destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills…………… until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end.”

And so it happened a the Lord said – AD  70, Jerusalem was destroyed including the temple. Then, for about 2000 years the land has been overrun by Gentiles. Now listen to the next prophecy of the Lord:

“And there will be strange events in the sky – signs in the sun, moon and stars. And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. The courage of many will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth. The stability of the very heavens will be broken up.

Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory.

When you see these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up for your salvation is near.”   (Luke 21 NLT)

 

And so it did happen, just as the Lord prophesied.

    And so it is beginning to happen, just as the Lord prophesied.

-        ‘Be alert-

-        “Pray that if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man”

When studying prophecy, I suggest you start with the teaching of the Lord Jesus, then connect the Old Testament , then the teachings of Paul and the other Apostles and lastly Revelation. The ‘Believers Bible Commentary’ is very useful to know which prophecies have been fulfilled and which are yet future.

JRM

The path of life

 

As I have just passed 70 years of pilgrimage, it seems appropriate to reflect on the past and consider the future!

One Bible verse that has hung in our bedroom for many, many years, reads

“Trust in the Lord… He faileth not

And forsaketh not His saints”

I have proved it to be true, or rather the Lord has been true to His promise. In the winding road of life, He has not failed. In the unknown of tomorrow we have a certain hope. We are His possession by the blood of Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

In my meditation this morning I was given this verse.

“”He will bring me to His heavenly Kingdom. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen”  2 Timothy 4:18

In times like these

 

Hope in the world of uncertainty

Life for many has changed. The covid pandemic has changed government focus, changed liberties we never thought would change – like travel. The thinking of society has changed from fear to frustration.

In Australia we are fortunate to have less infections and deaths, but the lockdowns to achieve this are frustrating many.

For the present generation, this is all new. So what are the answers to our situation?  History can teach us much.    3,500 years ago, Moses, as the mouthpiece of God taught the value of quarantining.    2000 years ago Jesus taught the value of trusting God each day for what we need (not want).   1950 years ago, Paul showed by example that the things of this life are very temporary and living for the next life is more important.

So where are we today?  - surrendering to media manipulation – fear?  - losing hope that our dreams will fail?   - Blaming others for not handling the situation well?      -    It has all happened before!

 

God has a plan.  His priority plan is for people to turn from sin and self, to trust in Him through Jesus Christ the Lord.

He also has plans for powerful people.  – To learn how helpless they are in the presence of this almost invisible little virus.- helpless to control it, helpless financially, helpless socially, helpless internationally, helpless mentally!

He also has plans for the nations. Alliances seemed so strong, military might so powerful, economies so promising. Soon the alliances will be based on the rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord. The man of sin will unite unbelieving people.

But to His own, scattered throughout the nations, there is only one solution, one King, one Lord who is Jesus Christ. He was once pierced when crucified. He now sees with grief the rebellion of humanity. He soon will appear to judge all evil and the evil one. Until that day, we can expect the LORD  God to allow tribulations so that people  might repent and believe the Gospel

Even so come Lord Jesus

A good question

 

A new question from the children:

What’s the difference between Catholic, Anglican and Christian?

Very simply – Christian was the name given to all the  followers of Jesus Christ, about 2000 years ago. Catholic (Roman Catholic) became a large church organisation when the Emperor Constantine tried to unite Christians under his rule,  and has continued for 1700 years. About 500 years ago, the king of England decided to break away from the Catholic church and is now called the Anglican church.

‘Christian’ today often represents people who want to believe and live by the Bible without so many church traditions that have developed over the centuries. Catholic is a very organised religion with the Pope as head and a large arrangement of sacraments and rituals for acceptance with God.

Anglican often continues with many of the Catholic rituals, but is usually distinguished as protestant in doctrine. That means acceptance with God is based on faith in Jesus Christ as being sufficient .

The many other churches have many and varied differences in doctrine and practices, but generally believe the fundamental belief in Jesus as the Son of God, once crucified for our sins and raised from death , now exalted at God’s right hand in heaven.

Religion can and will change, but Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever. Trust HIM.

Tragedy!

Reviewing history

If you like nightmares, read history!  The history of mankind seems to be one long narrative of tragedy and suffering. The last 150 years is perhaps one of the worst records of human trauma, and there seems to be no end to disasters in sight.

Thinking people ask why?

Historians ask ‘why don’t we learn from history?’

Religious people ask ‘ where is God in all this?’

Forecasters ask ‘Is the world getting better or worse?’

Young people say ‘What’s the point of living?’

And so hopelessness sets in.

Is there an answer?  At school we are studying Genesis. In these pages we are finding the fundamental causes.- Listening to the wrong voice!  Blaming others instead of accepting responsibility , envy that ends in murder, rejection of God and His ways – finally ending in global disaster!   Well nothing much is new today!

Next blog – there is an answer!

John McKee

Failure of freedom

Freedom is the liberty to choose. I write in the context of Australia where freedom is a favourite word. I often ask migrants what they like most about Australia – the answer is always the same  - ‘freedom’.

Indeed it is a privilege to have freedom, but why do we have so many laws and regulations and legislation to make society function? It is because of a root problem – the problem is the natural tendency to choose wrong and this leads to disorder and destruction. It is in the fallen nature of humans to choose wrong! (Wrong? Who says it is wrong to be greedy? Who sets the moral standards about lying? Who determines that oppressing others is wrong?)  Following self driven evolution, progressing by survival of the fittest does not help. Humans without a compass are little more than sophisticated animals.  And so it is that Governments without God, seek to establish laws and rules to control human unpredictability.

But bring into the picture a Creator who has moral values and the situation changes. When our conscience is active and God is recognized, laws become less relevant. Add to this the Christian’s companion – the Holy Spirit, and the laws become unnecessary. (as the NT teaches ‘Love does no wrong to anyone, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law’! Romans 13.10 )

Why then do we have the increasing regulation of society?? Because so many are without God and without hope in this world.

John McKee

Danger

Truth or traditions

The Lord Jesus Christ said:

"This people honours Me with their lips

     but their heart is far from Me.

   In vain do they worship Me,

     teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

Mark 7:6

JRM

Beginnings - purpose

Where did we come from?

Does it matter??  Yes it is important  - this gives us identity, purpose and hope – or it should.

If this world came into existence as an accidental explosion , developing over billions of years without the influence of any intelligence or design, how has it arrived at such a finely tuned earth. Scientists acknowledge how finely tuned earth is for life to exist. The amount of gravity, the composition of the atmosphere, the heat from the sun are all just right. The complexity of the DNA that controls all living things is astounding. The DNA checking mechanisms that prevents mutations is brilliant. Some scientists state ‘total entropy always increases and the process is irreversible.’ (Wikipedia) What is ‘entropy?’ – the measure of disorder (Wikipedia)

What am I saying? It is much easier to believe that the present world was designed, created and maintained in functioning order.

Consider a human, smarter than a computer, creative in so many ways, relational , more than a chemical collection,  etc.  Could it be that we are the result of random accidents and endless evolutions. This gives no sense of purpose other than to survive and no hope beyond animalistic sensual satisfaction.

The option

Is there someone out there who has a purpose for humanity? Is there a future worth striving for?  Is the universe improving or is it in a state of entropy (demise) from a well ordered beginning?

The Bible as a compass is unashamed to present God as that someone who designed, who created and who maintains the world in which we live. He planned humans to be like himself – intelligent, relational, creative, etc.  Most of all He intended humans to connect with Him. This is the sad record of Bible history – humanity so often chooses to be independent of this spirit being (God )  who was the architect  of it all. Yet the same historical record, tells of God interacting with many individuals through the many years.

Jesus Christ confirmed our origin “He who created them from the beginning made them male and female.” ( Matthew 19.4)

Peter confirmed God as a living , reliable creator – “let those who suffer according to God’s will, entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”  (1Peter 4.19) Notice in this is consolation, purpose and hope.

Paul's letter to the Romans begins with a very sad outline of ‘entropy’  - humanity rejecting the creator and descending into idolatry, immorality and eventually death.

Praise God that He has interrupted the course of human history by sending His Son on a rescue mission.

By HIM _The Lord Jesus Christ – all can be reconciled to God!

Try reading the Bible as a history book  - you may be surprised how much it makes sense!

John McKee

Idols or God

A helpful response:

“We also are men of like passions with you and proclaim the good tidings that you should turn from these vain things (idols) , to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. Who in generations gone by suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. And yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you from heaven rain and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

Acts 14

This response has some significant detail. I focus on just two.

God has chosen to let the “nations walk in their own ways”. This explains much of the Old Testament history – God was knowable, but humanity chose their own ways without God. This concurs with the teaching in Romans 1 – ‘They chose not to know God , so God gave them up..................’. History is full of  times when God interrupts the course of human rebellion, calling people to repent eg Nineveh, but the sad response prevails  :- “every man does that which is right in his own eyes”

The second point is that God did give them witness of Himself. He, unlike the idols, is invisible. Yet His power, His handiwork, His wisdom and His kindness can still be seen. This response by Paul, alludes to the ‘fine tuning ‘ of the earth. God designed the seasons and sends the rain to sustain and cheer humanity. Many other things point to the greatness of God eg DNA code, but rain remains a reminder of the kindness God.

Thus the call goes out – “turn from vain things to the Living God.”

The present influence of the great tomorrow

A common thread

Moses, Jesus and Paul – the teachings of these three historical persons has left immense change on the world. An overview of their lives and teachings point to this common thread. The reference point is God in heaven and the ultimate focus is life beyond death.

The teachings through Moses are still with us today (howbeit, being rejected by many). For him to communicate the word of the Lord was not easy nor rewarding at the time, but one wrote of him:

“He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward God would give him.................." Hebrews 11.26

The Lord Jesus began His teaching ministry with a call to “repent for the kingdom of heaven was near”. His teaching related to living and dying in the light of the ‘judgement of the last day’. He seemed to be counter cultural with His call to ‘store your treasures in heaven’. His prayer that  ‘God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ showed that the reference point of His teachings was heaven, not earth. He ended His ministry with this prayer “Father I want these whom you have given  to be with me , so they can see my glory......” John 17

Paul likewise lived in the light of the day when we all stand before Christ to be judged. Paul’s teachings were very relevant to the world conditions then and now. As history records, his teachings were culture transforming. Yet the motive and focus of his life was to know Christ, to be like Him in His death and resurrection. The final hope was to be with Christ which he described as “ far better”.Philippians 1

In a time of short sighted humanism, may God give us an eternal perspective on all we do.

"For what is your life ? It is but a vapour that appears for a little time and the vanishes away."

Are you ready for the day of resurection, when all will be raised to face the verdict of the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Lord?

John McKee

Learning from history

The days of Israel’s  fall and recovery from Babylon

The narrative of Israel’s fall due to their sin, in particular the sin of idolatry, is very sad indeed. In the story is the evidence of God’s divine judgement. Also woven into the history are glimpses of divine grace e.g. the preservation of Daniel and his friends. Some might have been tempted to ask  “where was God”, during the destruction of the city, the temple , the nation. That question was also asked of the holocaust!

The very terms of the restoration of Judah and Benjamin to Jerusalem was evidence of the sovereign grace of God. He alone can change the king’s heart.

The story of the recovery of the city, the land, the temple is quite thrilling. God moves in and through a remnant to restore the honour of His name among the nations. I recommend you read it again.

As I come to the end of my meditations, I have found it quite heartbreaking to read of the repeated failure of the people who returned to Jerusalem. Idolatry seemed to have been purged from the nation, but commitment and enthusiasm toward the Lord God seriously failed. God sent Ezra, Nehemiah and other prophets up to Malachi, to revive the devotion of the people, but circumstances, distractions and half-heartedness so often extinguished the flame of commitment.

It is so like the word of the Lord to the church at Ephesus.

“You have left your first love” (Revelation 2)

I observe that Nehemiah instituted a written covenant of commitment (Nehemiah 9,10), but even that failed.

The lesson I learn from my recent weeks of reading this part of God’s story, is found in the words of Jude:

“Keep yourselves in the love of God”

Or as Paul wrote:

“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3)

May it be so for all my readers around the world.  Whatever your circumstances, remember that God loves you and by His Holy Spirit wants you to enjoy His nearness every day. Be encouraged by reading Malachi   Chapter 3.16-18.

John McKee