Politics

Is the Bible interested in politics?

For sure – the history of Israel is so much about political establishment and demise. The book of Daniel is almost all about politics in Babylon and beyond.

The involvement of Jesus or rather the non involvement, in the politics of His day is outstanding considering the circumstances of that time. The last book of the Bible is like the writings ofDaniel – almost all about the conflicts of world powers.

Please notice this preface to the last book of the Bible (Revelation):

“To Him who loved us and loosed us from our sins (His priority) in His blood (by sacrifice, not by poltical power), and made us a kingdom (apart from the kingdoms of this world) of priests to His God and Father (unselfish function in the spiritual realm), to HIM be the glory (the honour of a monarch), and the dominion (when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of God and His Christ) unto the ages of the ages. Amen”          Revelation 1.

This preface statement sets the purpose of the book and the agenda of God for eternity.- the final political triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me put it another way like Acts 15:

‘God calling out of the nations a people (washed, sanctified, justified) for a priestly function now, but in His own future time, these same people raised up under one king (of the house of David), are to rule and intercede over the whole earth.’

Thus the Christian has this very high calling, to represent as an ambassador   God’s exalted king. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Earthly politics and politicians are so fickle. We as disciples of the one true Lord, are to represent the enduring King – the eternal one who became dead and now lives forevermore.

My involvement in present politics??  Just like the Master, my priority should be rescuing people from sin and Satan,  reconciling the lost to God. (2 Corinthians 5)

It is an interesting study, to review the life of Christ relative to the Roman oppressors, the religious zealots and the Jewish leadership of His day. He like the Maccabees could have  pursued political freedom, but to the disappointment of His followers, He chose victory by the path of sacrifice.

‘Take up the cross and follow Me’ is not the language of a political warrior. It is the language of an obedient servant, doing the Father’s will.

John McKee

The Book of books

The Bible

The Bible comes to you as a gift. Take time to read it often.

Much of it is history— God making the earth and people. It gives details of God relating to people and nations. Some of it is God’s rules for the

Israelite nation.

In the centre is the songbook that speaks much about the experiences of the songwriters along with praise to God Almighty. Often we can relate to this.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are records of the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The accounts should be read and reread. By these we learn much about who Jesus is and what He has done.

The letters written by Peter, Paul, John etc are the explanations about Jesus  and what His followers should believe and do. The Lord promised the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles to teach us truth.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth” John 16:13

Some Bible verses stand out as golden gems

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”     John 14.6

The New Testament provides abundant instructions on what it means to ‘follow Jesus as Lord.’ - e.g. ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”

One of the themes that runs through the Bible is the recurring evidence that all of humanity is inclined to do wrong and by this offend God. Along with this is the theme of God seeking the wandering people and making it possible for all to be forgiven. The teachings of the Lord Jesus are bright with the hope of eternal life in heaven for those who believe in Him.

To understand how God relates to us today, carefully read twice the letter to the Romans.

Recommendation:  Read the history of Genesis (much of which is distressing)

Then read the Gospel of John (God revealed in His Son Jesus Christ).

Clue to enjoying the Bible  -  Before you read, ask “LORD help me to

understand today”  and as you hear His voice to you, remember the words of Mary -”Whatever He say to you, do it!”

Bibles are available to those who do not have one

johnmckee@internode.on.net

God's promise

Our Great High Priest

Our Great High Priest

The Lord , our Great High Priest and what we have in Him.

Hebrews 4:14, 2:17  7:25   8:6    10:19

In these verses we find what we have in our Priest and what He alone can do.

Life’s greatest joy is to respond to God’s love in praise and worship

Life’s greatest privilege is to walk with God

Life’s greatest opportunity is to serve God.

Life’s greatest comfort is to trust God.

For this to be maintained, we must have the priestly work  (take it for ourselves) of the great High Priest. His work means that we can immediately be restored to fellowship with God, and it makes us fit for worship and praise. It brings us to God and it means that we can be comforted  and restored if we fail. Whenever we are tempted we cannot resist in our own strength, but if we have a genuine heart and desire to overcome it, we can lift up our hearts in faith to our Priest and He will give us grace and strength to overcome. When we have a problem, any problem we can take it to the Lord in prayer. There is not a problem He cannot meet if we fix our eyes and heart on Him, We must in every circumstance come with full assurance of faith and with a willing, humble and genuine heart.

When we are right with God, obedience is done gladly, but when cold in heart it will be a duty. People are not prepared or able to let guilt go. We must confess our sin immediately ( and not save it up till the end of the day) and let all guilt go immediately.

When we pray or worship we are standing in the throne room of heaven and the mighty God of the great universe bends to hear us, weak and frail that we are. If we are to continue in growth and joy, we must find our everything in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must get our eyes fixed on God and look at His glory and love  so as to worship and praise Him.

James McKee

Riches

The very real danger of riches.

Many parts of the Bible refer to the  dangers of riches - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Gospels, teachings of Paul and James. It has often been  said that being rich is not a sin, but wanting to be rich is a sin.

I ask you to read though the Gospel records and note the discipleship teaching of the Master. He knows best: for example

"How hardly shall those who have riches enter into the kingdom of God"

Our western culture pushes us very hard to be rich and independent of God. My Lord said:

"Verily I say to you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall nowise enter into it."      Mark 10

again 

"Blessed are you who are poor"     Luke 6.20

How can this be?   because He who was rich, became poor!   2 Corinthians 8

JRM

Signs and miacles

The Sign

The Pharisees came  to Jesus seeking a sign. He responded:

“Why does this generation seek a sign?  Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Why?  - because of their unbelief?

-      Because of His hidden purpose of dying as a sacrifice?

I rather think it is because the ‘word of God’ had been consolidated and made available. He Himself referred to the Torah, the Psalms and the Prophets as His source of authority.

“Moses wrote of me”  Deuteronomy 18

“ David’s son”   Psalm 110

“”Numbered with the transgressors” Isaiah 53

Many miracles and signs were done, and John the baptizer was referred to this as the as proof of His mission.  His primary goal in serving the people was by teaching, to bring the people to God in harmony with the Old Testament scriptures (to repent and believe the gospel).  He sure did bring new teaching to the ears of the disciples, but as a matter of convincing them of His authority, He directed them to the Old Testament scriptures.

So today, in situations of illiteracy and ignorance, God may choose to use signs and miracles, but where the Bible is so readily available, the revealed truth is the issue. For example in India, miracles are often the means to bring people to Christ. In the Middle East, dreams are sometimes God’s initial point of contact. In the west, where Bibles are so abundant, God is speaking through His word (Old Testament and New Testament).

Hence my purpose, to direct people to the Lord Jesus Christ via the Bible.

If you do not have a Bible, please send me an email and I will endeavour to send you one.

johnmckee@internode.on.net