Christian Faith Perspectives

Have you ever walked along an ocean beach, exploring a rocky coastline. The waves crash and surge over rock platforms, as you see cliffs and fascinating rock formations at every turn. A strong wind is blowing off the sea, and salty spray strikes your face. As you walk over rock pools and seaweed you round a corner and discover a cave carved out by the endless pounding of the waves. The tide is out, so you walk inside, curious to investigate. The sound of waves and wind goes quiet, and somehow you feel safe in this coastal hideaway.

It reminds me of walking into a large city cathedral entering through large thick wooden doors. Outside are the sounds of a city, but as you enter, all is suddenly quiet and peaceful, a place of retreat within a vaulted structure of stone.

In the Bible Jesus is often likened to a rock, one on whom we can depend for security and protection. Our heavenly Father has provided his Son as a rock in whom we can find a place of refuge. There is a famous Hymn written by Fanny J Crosby (1890) which has the following chorus: –
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
That shadows a dry thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of his love,
And covers me there with his hand,
And covers me there with his hand.
Its inspiration comes from an incident recorded in Exodus 33: 21-23 where God wants to encourage Moses that his presence would be with him and the people he was leading. He shows him a rock which is nearby, and which has an opening or cleft. God places Moses there and covers him with his hand to prevent him seeing the face of God, yet still able to see his glorious presence pass by.

God our Heavenly Father wants us to see that there is a special rock he has placed close to each one of us. Of course, that ‘ROCK’ is none other than Jesus Christ. There is a space in that rock where we can stand and whilst we may not see God, his hand will still be there revealing himself to us through his Son!

We buy a potted plant from our local nursery, a native species or maybe an exotic plant; and often all we see is green growth, no flowers! Then, something wonderful occurs; a flower unique to that species begins to emerge, displaying all that amazing character of its imbedded DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

‘In the centre of every plant cell, from algae to orchids- and in the centre of every animal cell, from jelly fish to you and me- there’s a copy of the organism’s genetic material. This DNA carries a complete blueprint of the organism. It’s what transfers characteristics from one generation to the next’ Ref. earthsky.

I find it most reassuring to know that as a Christian, God has passed on to us the nature of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ. When we took that step of faith in receiving Jesus, we became a new creation. Everyone that has experienced this spiritual rebirth knows they are not the same; an inner change has occurred!

Sometimes we see the Christian conversion experience as just dealing with the power and consequences of sin. Indeed, our Saviour did just that, when taking our fallen nature to the cross; he destroyed sin’s potency and consequence in our lives.

But God doesn’t leave a job half finished! God doesn’t just take sin out of our lives and leave it at that. No! he replaces it with righteousness. A vibrant and dynamic change takes place in the human spirit. There is now a spiritual seed of life operating within us, it is a seed that has God’s nature… like a spiritual DNA.

Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:9. NIV.

We live in a world of business; companies are formed, and partnerships are created. Some succeed and some don’t; companies go bankrupt, but others are successful. Of course, you can start up a business by yourself, but there is something particularly exciting about a partnership. It is where two people share an idea, sharing their capital and sharing their particular expertise. One may run the sales, marketing side of the business; whilst the other might handle production. But a partnership is happening, a business adventure has begun!

In living our lives there can be a lack of partnership with Jesus. We can exist as Christians in a perfunctory sort of way; there is no enthusiasm, no joie de vivre! Having a joyful relationship with Christ is important for personal fulfilment.

The secret is to discover that the Lord wants us to be his friends; if you like, we can be like business partners, sharing life together. To make this clear to his disciples Jesus said they were FRIENDS! not servants. A servant does not know the more confidential aspects of his master’s business. Ref. John 15:15 NIV.

To be a FRIEND of the Lord Jesus Christ is a special relationship. It is one where he sees us as an associate, taking us into his confidence to reveal his Father’s Kingdom business. When we team up with him amazing things will happen!

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There’s nothing more restrictive than being put in a box! You can’t move for a start, and your freedom and individuality has seemingly been taken away. In life it is important to not allow others to determine who you are or what you should be. Society and people in general are quick to stereotype us; we must conform, fit in, to be what they think we should be. Then we realize, I’m not being myself, I’m living a life according to what others expect me to be… BREAK FREE!

Putting this in a Christian context, have we put God and his Son in a box. We go to church, say a prayer and leave it at that, or maybe a brief daily reading of the Bible. But we have put confines around God, just to suit our own priorities. The result is this, He cannot release us into our true freedom and potential.

We need to let God move in our lives; this is why he has called us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. The Greek word koinonia, gives the idea of being in partnership with him, we are an associate, a companion of Jesus.

This fellowship with Christ is so much more than just a relationship. It is meant to be a dynamic unity where Jesus lifts us out of a life of mediocrity. The last thing he would want for us, is to feel boxed in, unable to flex our individuality.
He has exciting plans for our individual lives, a future which is uniquely us!

Ref. Jer. 29:11, 1 Cor. 1:9. NIV.

Are you in the pursuit of knowledge? Have you emersed yourself in the world of academia? The reward at the end of those periods of intensive study is a Graduation. That Degree or Diploma is now your proof that you are qualified in a specific field and enables you to commence work in your chosen profession.

Our qualifications and training in different areas of study are important and become the doorway into so many different careers. We find personal fulfilment in our own lives and at the same time serving the generation in which we are living.

No matter what area of work we are involved in, the wisdom and knowledge of God is also available, to enhance and further improve our abilities. It gives us the potential to be better at what we do, be it Teacher, Doctor, Engineer, Tradesmen or whatever.

It does depend on your degree of conviction about Jesus Christ! I have discovered, that the more deeply we believe God’s fulness dwells in Him; our faith to receive His ability increases.

If you believe He can, He will… He is an unlimited resource!

Ref. John 14:8-11, Col. 2:2-3, James 1:5 NIV.

Everyone likes a present. There is something special about gifts we receive from other people. It touches our emotions reminding us that we are special and loved. God wants to give us gifts too!

But there are some gifts we sometimes take for granted. The most precious gift is the gift of life, we are all alive, living on planet earth, what a precious gift is that! Then we have a soul mate, a partner, husband, wife… that is extra special is it not?
Then there is family and friends, all gifts in their own way. Even our vocational skills are gifts to be appreciated and valued.

From a Christian viewpoint, our most important gift is the Gift of Salvation… to be forgiven and made righteous in God’s sight. Then God says he has another gift to give, the Gift of the Holy Spirit. This in turn opens the door to a variety of specific spiritual gifts which Jesus wants to give by his Spirit that dwells within us.

It is encouraging to remember that our Lord ascended into heaven that he might give us personal gifts. Sometimes we have GIFTS that need to be activated; like a new item of clothing that sits in the cupboard with tags still attached… but never worn.

Ref. Eph. 4:8, 1 Cor. 12:4-11.

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God has a throne in Heaven, it is real and majestic. God is seated there in all His Holiness and Power. The Lord Jesus Christ is also there, seated at the right hand of his Father… HE IS THE WAY!

As believers we are seated there too! When Jesus ascended into heaven after dying in our place, he positionally took us with him!
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ” Ephesians 2:6 NIV.

Now it is wonderful to be seated there, but we are there for a reason. This means we can share the same relationship that he has with God. Remember those words the Lord spoke after his resurrection from the dead, “I AM RETURNING TO MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER, TO MY GOD AND YOUR GOD.” John 20:17 NIV.

As Christians it is important to remind ourselves that we are in constant fellowship with God our heavenly Father, it is a constant, it does not change! This also means our access to God in prayer remains the same too; we are constantly in HIS PRESENCE!

Rev. 3:21, 4:2-3 NIV.

Lightning is a fascinating spectacle to watch. It releases powerful energy, heating the air around it to a temperature five times hotter than the surface of the sun. This heat causes the air to rapidly expand resulting in the shock wave we hear as thunder.

Powerful as lightning is, the spiritual energy that flows from God is supernatural. It is beyond scientific understanding and can transcend the laws of nature. God is a spirit and the spiritual energy that flows from him is all powerful and creative.

Personally, I think it is reasonable for us to expect and experience the supernatural in our Christian lives. Jesus told his disciples that they would receive POWER when the Holy Spirit came on them. The Greek word is ‘dunamis’ meaning the enabling force or power to do things. The Holy Spirit is not an empty religious term, it is God’s living presence in our lives…. the Spirit of Christ!

The Lord Jesus Christ moved in the supernatural dimension of the Holy Spirit in his earthly ministry, and he gives us the same Spirit for the same purpose. Charismatic and Pentecostal type churches acknowledge the gifts and empowering of the Holy Spirit. But in the past, there have also been powerful movements of God’s Spirit such as the Great Welsh Revival of 1904.

There are no limits on God’s Spirit and the supernatural.

Ref. Joel 2:28-29, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8. NIV.

We live in a time when great emphasis is placed on keeping fit. Gyms are busy with men and women getting serious about body building, some even have personal trainers. Their goal is to have a strong body which will assist them in enjoying a healthy life. To be physically fit through exercise is commendable. It helps to keep the body functioning properly. Healthy blood circulation is a plus and is valuable for keeping our mental faculties in good shape.

The emotional and spiritual side of our life needs to be kept healthy too! Various therapies are available, and there are also books and videos available to give personal help. But as with physical exercise, responsibility rests with the individual.

But if we are to be strengthened by God, it does not rely on self-denial or other practices to experience his help. All that we need is a willingness to let God’s hand take hold of us! So often we put the emphasis on us taking hold of God! Why not reverse the situation and see that GOD WANTS TO TAKE HOLD OF US!! We don’t have to put ourselves through some sort of spiritual ‘gymnastics’ to get stronger…. stop, and let God takeover!

The Bible has many references to God giving strength to those who trust him. He comes at the point of need, stands at our side and empowers us. When God tells us to be strong, it is not just a word of encouragement, he actually IMPARTS strength to us!

God has always been willing to strengthen us. Before the time of Christ his enabling has helped men and women, and now today nothing has changed. Christ will give strength to anyone one who asks! There is a powerful passage of Scripture in Isaiah which is about receiving strength from God. It is a great stimulus for faith!

Ref. Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV.

Sometimes the solution is simple; it’s all about the plug! The desk lamp had stopped working… of course it must be the globe! So off to the shop to buy a new globe. How strange, the lamp still wouldn’t work?? Could the problem be something to do with all those cables and switches behind my computer? Sure enough, the light plug had become detached… problem solved!

I recall listening to a computer help programme, where people would call in with their problems. There was a technical answer, but I always remember the basic advice… check the plugs!

In our Christian lives, there can be times when the ‘light has gone out’. The pathway is hard to see, our mind is not focused, and those moments of inspiration have seemingly vanished.

It’s all about remaining or staying connected to Jesus, so his grace (power) can keep flowing in our lives. It doesn’t matter how big or complicated the problems of life may be, Jesus is the answer! Don’t give up, talk it over with the best problem solver there is! The method is simple… just press the plug back!! His light will shine, enabling you to see the correct pathway ahead.