“‘But I’m Innocent'”

When I entered one of the dental centres here in Kaitaia, it did not take me long to see the big letters “BUT I’M INNOCENT”  on the front cover of a magazine.

Guess, what came to my mind? Romans 3:19 came to my mind, where it says:

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” – Romans 3:19 Authorized (King James) Version

I know that I am guilty before God.

In the first three chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans we read that the entire human race is surrounded by the insurmountable wall of universal guilt.

We have offended God and therefore we  are under condemnation. All must plead guilty.

The magazine mentioned above is called “NORTH & SOUTH” and “BUT I’M INNOCENT” is all about “New Zealand’s shameful record of wrong imprisonment – and why it could happen to you.” (December 2010)

We have substituted Social Work for Evangelism.

For a long time I have been thinking that we have substituted Social work for Evangelism.

I am very concerned.

Reading the NZ Baptist, (magazine) I am finding out that others are also concerned.

I am quoting from one letter to the editor (NZ Baptist, magazine of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, Vol. 127  No. 1 February 2011):

“Many of our churches have largely substituted social work for evangelism when the two should go hand in hand, if you look at Jesus’ministry.”

The writer of the letter is concerned about the decline in attendance at Baptist churches. For the fifth year in a row there has been a decline.

He says that one reason for the decline is that “we are not doing enough effective evangelism.”

I used to work with a missionary society called WEC International in Thailand.

WEC International objectives, UNCHANGED SINCE THE BEGINNING (#1  1913):

1. To evangelise the remaining unevangelised (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:6-11 etc).

2. To plant local churches.

3. To train and send out personnel. 

One subject taught at the Bible School I attended was called PERSONAL EVANGELISM.

Today I had a conversation with two girls from Germany. Let me tell you that they listened to what I had to say.

PS: “Your donation will help print the next issue.”  Or “YES, I would like to financially support…” I think you are familiar with requests like that?

That is not the WEC way of doing things!

HE RECOGNISED ME AGAIN!

Eventually we were all sitting at the table (Lynn Mall – Auckland) and consuming our lunch meal. I was alone, but he was with his family.  I did not recognise him, but he recognised me from KAIKOHE, where we lived for more than 20 years proclaiming the GOOD NEWS of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. (United Maori Mission)

LIFELINE Auckland, Market Road

People are ringing LIFELINE, because they are having issues with relationships and they are feeling lonely.

That’s what the pamphlet says called: “In the Darkness – 24 Hours – The Light is Just a Phone call away – 24 hours.”

What is the best way to help people with RELATIONSHIP ISSUES? What is the best way to help people who feel lonely?

They must be told that they not only can have , but that they must  have a relationship with the Living God!! The Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.

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I have been told that LIFELINE Auckland is not based on the BIBLE, the Word of the Living God.