SALVATION

At the beach.

“Whether you like it or not God loves you,” is a popular Church sign. I have a long list of Church signs, and this sign has been used twice. How do I know? There are two dates written behind it.

Also from the pulpits we hear again and again about the love of God. But what about the wrath of God and about sin?

At the present time I am reading the book THE LAW: ITS FUNCTIONS AND LIMITS by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. ROMANS, Exposition of  chapter 7:1 – 8:4.

In the book he writes, “They [the puritans] knew that man would not understand salvation unless he understood the nature of sin.”

He writes also, “The biblical doctrine of sin is most unpopular today. There are those who say that the old notion of sin ought to be dismissed, that it has done much harm, that it made people condemn themselves and feel hopeless and pessimistic.”

D. Martyn Lloyd – Jones  continues to say, “Every man who is not a Christian is under the dominion of sin.”

And here D. Martyn Lloyd – Jones once more, “The whole of the biblical teaching concerning salvation is based upon a clear understanding of what sin really is.”

And what does the BIBLE say? The Bible says in Psalm 5:5 (easy to remember), ‘THE ARROGANT CANNOT STAND IN YOUR PRESENCE; YOU HATE ALL WHO DO WRONG.”

FOUNDATION

There is one verse in the Bible I really like. It is a verse I have memorized. I meditate on that verse quite  bit.

That verse came to my mind again when I read in our local paper, The Northland Age, Thursday, December 14, 2017, “The maramataka, or lunar calendar, was being used as a foundation right across the team’s work, …”

You find the verse mentioned at the beginning in First Corinthians 3:11, where it says:

“FOR  NO ONE CAN  LAY ANY FOUNDATION OTHER THAN THE ONE ALREADY LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.”

 

Russell

IN THE NORTH OF NEW ZEALAND: Russell

In 15 to 20 minutes the Paihia / Russell ferry takes you from Paihia to Russell. The straight line is 3 km I was told by the skipper. Before 1844 Russell was called Kororareka.

Not long ago I enjoyed not only the journey on the ferry from Paihia to Russell, but also the tranquillity and beauty of Russell, the quiet seaside village.

CHRISTMAS

HRISTMAS

“WHO CAN ADD TO CHRISTMAS? THE PERFECT MOTIVE IS THAT GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD. THE PERFECT GIFT IS THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS TO BELIEVE IN HIM. THE REWARD OF FAITH IS THAT YOU SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” – Corrie Ten Boom