'Mere Christianity'

I'm reading a book by C.S. Lewis called 'Mere Christianity'. It is one of my 'must read every year books'. In this book Lewis reminds me about so many of the fundatmentals of my faith -those that I take for granted. One of those things is Christ himself and in particular the work He came to do. Throughout the book Lewis brings up those questions that people who are not christians often use as reasons why they shouldn't/can't believe in God. He refers to Christs claim to forgive sin. It is quite reasonable when someone hurts you for you to forgive them, if they take something without permission it is reasonable for them to say sorry and you say 'forget about it' and you do. But for someone to say I forgive all your sin, without getting permission from the ones you had hurt is not reasonable. Charlie hurt Mary then Mary is the only one who should forgive for she has been hurt. But Jesus forgave wrongdoing as though he was the one to whom the offence was committed. At this point you have to come to some conclusion either Jesus was a lunatic or he was God. You can't even get away with saying he was a 'great moral teacher' because he said he could forgive sin and only God could do that as ultimatey it is God's laws that have been broken - hate, murder, adultery - and whose love is wounded with every sin.

On being sent

'As the Father has sent Me, I also send you' (John 20:21). The idea of being sent is an important one. A representative is sent on behalf of her company, an ambassador is sent on behalf of his country. Those who are sent have authority but only as they represent the sender. A police officer's authority is different when she is in uniform on duty to when she is out of uniform and off duty. The setting of conditions and the giving of abilities to carry out and enforce the task is not the responsibilty of the sent but of the Sender. We as Christians have been enpowered, and our power comes from the one that sent us. Our authority as Christians comes from being the 'sent' we represent Christ, but only as long as we function in His authority.

Thankful Thursday No 4

I've been going through one of those reflective, melancholic periods. A time when I just want to tell God everything, to unburden myself. So much is going on in the world and I don't know about you but the anxiety is almost tangible. I understand how frustrated Solomon must have felt when you look at the way things are, some things just aren't fair - there are things I will definately want to ask the Lord about when I see Him, but until then I'll just trust Him. I heard today that someone who I must admit I didn't know very well but who was part of a wide circle of church friends growing up in the UK, died of cancer. She must be have been in her late thirties, my heart goes out to her husband and I feel sad. I am reminded of my own mortality and that everyday is not a right but a blessing.

On this Thankful Thursday I thank God for the blessing of life And I thank God that this life with all its problems and issues is not the be all and end all or else we would be men most miserable. Possibly this is what Solomon missed, But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1Cor 2:9(NKJ)

I thank God for people who love me and go out of the way to show me, with a phone call or a gift, with a email forward.

Remember! Pray one for another. We need it

Thanks to Iris By Grace Alone for the Thankful Thursday Inspiration.