Christian Faith Perspectives

I have always accepted the reality of a threefold God, (The Latin word Trinas means three each or threefold). But for Christians this trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit can be puzzling.

I am reminded of the Sunday School and Church which was our home for family worship and fellowship. It was an Anglican Church with the name, Holy Trinity. Other churches are often named after saints… like St. Paul or St. John.

However, I would like to reflect for a moment on the HOLY SPIRIT… a person in the Godhead who can easily be misunderstood. Not just theologically but also, how we experience Him in our lives.

Firstly, the Holy Spirit is a distinct person… yes, in perfect harmony with the Father and the Son but in himself separate. The Bible tells us that Jesus was sent by the Father but that he was also sent by the Holy Spirit, (Is. 48:16).

Secondly, the Holy Spirit is an active person who empowers, reveals and guides. The ministry of Jesus was a continual demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power. It did not rely on any human might or power, (Zech. 4:6, Acts 10:38).

So, like the personal relationship we enjoy with the Father and His Son Jesus, we can also have it with the Holy Spirit. He wants to be our companion and also wants us to experience his power!

Ref. John 7:38-39, John 16:7 NIV.

What is it about the Crucifixion which causes it to be the essential element of faith, the indispensable principle of Christianity? The Apostle Paul said he only wanted to know Jesus Christ and him crucified… he would not boast of anything else.

The Cross is the turning point where a person finishes one life and begins another. The Bible tells the story of a venomous snake which was poisoning the Israelites as they travelled in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. God’s antidote method was to get Moses to make a bronze replica of the snake and put it on a pole. Anyone bitten by one of the snakes only had to look at the bronze snake and they were saved from death.

Jesus himself referred to this incident saying that he would be lifted up just like the bronze snake. Those who believe on him and see him as God’s remedy for our sin will have eternal life.

The Christian life is not complicated, nor do we have to read a mountain of books to understand it. Simply accept that we all have sinned and forfeited life. God’s remedy is simple… LOOK and LIVE. That moment we believe we begin a new life in Christ.

Ref. Nu. 21:8-9; John 3:14-15; 1 Cor. 2:2. NIV.

There is a certain romance about steam travel, and some of us would remember those steam train journeys. Numbered carriages waiting for you to board with the engine at the front venting steam with pistons at the ready! One such train was the ‘Spirit of Progress’ which travelled between Melbourne and Albury. The engine was streamlined with blue and yellow livery as were the carriages and lounge car at the end. A train fitted out with beautiful timber and leather upholstery, not to mention the classic dining car… luxury travel complete!

The departure bell would ring, then with incredible smoothness the train would gradually start to move, quickly picking up speed. This steam train could reach speeds in excess of 130 km/per hr.

Those long-distance train trips provide a progressive vista of passing scenery, and we feel the exhilaration of travel. I see a parallel here with our Christian lives which are not meant to be static, but which also cause us to experience progress.

This does not mean we have to be constantly jet setting around the world and enjoying ocean cruises, nice as that might be. The important aspect is to be moving forward in God’s plan.

God’s will is to keep our relationship with Jesus developing. Our progress should of course include personal enjoyment and a variety of different experiences. But through it all God is at work changing us and conforming us into the likeness of his Son.

Ref. Rom. 8:29 NIV.

What is an optimistic person? One who expects the best possible outcome. The origin of this often-used word comes from the Latin optimus meaning best. The pessimist on the other hand sees a future which is clouded with difficulties.

The Bible tells the story about two optimists… their names were Caleb and Joshua. The went into the promised land of Canaan to check it out with ten others. The others were pessimists and could only think about the fortified cities they saw and the powerful inhabitants. There report to Moses was totally negative and as a result they didn’t get what God had promised them.

Caleb and Joshua on the other hand saw the potential of the land and that it could be easily possessed. Their focus was firmly on the possibilities, not the problems. Pessimists doubt and do nothing, while the optimists say… “we can certainly do it”.

As we live our Christian lives, we can either be an optimist or a pessimist. Doing God’s will does not give us immunity from problems, but a positive attitude will overcome them.

Ref. Num. 13:30, Phil.4:13. NIV.

New Year celebrations come and go, one-year ends, another begins and we all have that anticipation of a new beginning. The cycle and harmony of the seasons are all part of life too, and the passing of each year is part of that process… it is normal.

As each new year starts the annual cycle of Birthdays begins, everyone becomes a year older, and some will be celebrating special milestones in their lives… anniversaries and those centennial Birthdays! Some will be growing up and leaving childhood behind as adolescence merges into adulthood.

There are regular changes that take place in our lives, some are gradual and barely noticeable. Then there are other new beginnings which can be quite rapid like buying and selling a house, starting a new job or even a new relationship.

As a Christian, our life is no different to anyone else; we all go through the same emotions of starting something new. It may be something quite exciting that we look forward to, on the other hand, it may be a new experience which fills us with anxiety. There is an element of nervousness with any new experience…. the difference is how we deal with it.

Contemplating any new beginning will naturally give us some nervousness. There is that certain fear of the unknown and also, the fact that we are moving out of our comfort zone. To have the Lord Jesus involved puts him in control… so trust and begin!

Ref. Psalm 34:4, 1 Peter 5:7. NIV.

As we pause in this interval between Christmas Day and New Years Eve it is for many of us a time for relaxation. Present giving and carols are over; some are in full holiday mode. It’s a time for recharging the batteries so to speak… a time to reflect.

It’s amazing how Bible verses we know so well can suddenly light up with deeper meaning. For me it was this one…”therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Is. 7:14 NIV)

Of course, this verse is all about Christmas, but there was something in this verse that spoke to me afresh. It was just that one word… Immanuel! What was it saying? Of course, we know it means that God is with us… immanu (with us) and El (God).

Yet, there was a meaning here which I hadn’t fully grasped. Yes, he is the Son of God, and our Saviour. But he is God, and existed with the Father before the world began… he is the I AM.

The wonderful, incredible reality is this… Jesus as God! is with us. The presence of God in OT times could only be known through the Temple worship but now He comes to us personally. We are now human temples and where His Spirit takes up residence.

May we know Jesus in the full reality of who he is… GOD WITH US!

Describing faith as a hike may seem strange, but faith was never meant to be a cakewalk. Living a life of faith as a Christian can be compared to hiking those mountain trails. It requires commitment to keep going., for the trail will have its challenges. But there will be many wonderful experiences if we persevere.

The Australian State of Tasmania offers some spectacular trails for hikers. I have just been reading about one called The Frenchman’s Cap Trail which is a multiday hike of 46km. It is located in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park in the central southwest region of Tasmania. It includes – “Buttongrass plains, lush rain forest, alpine lakes and rugged tors with views from coast to plateau” Ref. https://slowerhiking.com >frenchmans-cap-tasmania>

As I think about the Christian life, I’m reminded that it is similar to walking a trail. There are times of difficulty when the terrain is hard. Like a hiker, we need backup supplies to keep going for the trail can be long. Fitness is required too, as there will be times of testing on the trail of life. But our hike of faith will be rewarded.

Then there are the National Park Rangers that do so much work in maintaining trails. Their work is invaluable and includes directional signs, provision of huts and campsites. The trail is also kept safe and the environment protected.

As we end another year and celebrate the birth of Jesus, it’s reassuring to know that the trail of life is already prepared. With a new year beginning we simply keep going on the hike of faith.