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Earlier this year the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, warned that we needed to be spiritually strong as Christians to retain our country’s Christian heritage in the face of other competing religious expressions, especially Islam. It was a salutary and necessary warning, ignored though it appears to have been by others in focusing their criticisms on his remarks about no-go areas. Such a warning, though, also applies to the increasing influence of the European Union on our nation. Blessed as we are to be citizens of the United Kingdom we cannot hide the fact that we have fallen far from the position we once occupied spiritually. The reason lies in this. The gospel is no longer widely known, yet alone believed, in our country. While writing about this gospel of the grace of God the apostle Paul declares that, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). He follows that with four key questions dealing with the necessary prerequisites before a person can call upon the name of the Lord. They must believe, they must hear in order to believe, there must be a preacher for them to hear, and the preacher must be sent by God. There are still such preachers in our land and the gospel is being regularly proclaimed in a number of churches. Exactly how many, though, it would be difficult to say. There are efforts to take the gospel from some of those churches to people in their locality. There are, too, petitions to the appropriate bodies concerning important spiritual and moral issues, as well as letters of protest against legislation and activities that are contrary to the Word of God. Spiritual work is being done, yet there appears little general impact on the nation as a whole. The greater part of our population appears completely ignorant of what that gospel is about, or else fails to see the relevance it has for them personally. They can’t be said to have rejected it if they have not yet heard it, and we should be asking ourselves the question asked and answered by the apostle. How, in our 21st century society, will they hear? One obvious place to start is in the churches generally. Some never hear the truth as it is in Jesus even in their places of worship, because there are men in the Christian ministry, not sent by God, who do not preach what God Himself has revealed in the inspired Scriptures. They may not even believe that the Scriptures are divinely inspired, nor do they appear to be guided by the foundational doctrinal statements on which their particular denominations are supposed to rest. How will people outside the churches hear if those inside who are supposed to preach what is true are confusing and misleading their present hearers? A tremendous responsibility rests, therefore, upon the leaders of the denominations who are meant to be ordaining or recognising as ministers only those who are truly called of God. What hope is there for improvement in the ministry as a whole if, among those who carry that responsibility of leadership, there are those who have no saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus? We hear much talk among them of the common search for truth. Christians, though, are not searching for the truth. The Truth has found them. We don’t have to go looking for the Lord Jesus. He came to seek and to save us, and it is the truth about Him we must preach. Too often people with our convictions are dismissed as obscurantist, bigots, or fundamentalist extremists, a danger to social cohesion, and we need to be careful that our words and actions are in keeping with our message. Despite any failings we may have, though, love demands that we must speak the truth God has revealed. We have, of course, to be sensitive to where people are in their lives when we are speaking to them, but we should always be pointing them in an appropriate way to the One who alone can bring them to God. What more, then, can be done so that people hear this vital gospel truth? How can we gain access to the great number of people still unreached? At one time the answer was found in open air preaching, and this is still suitable in some areas when wisely carried out. Evangelistic crusades have flourished at times. Personal witness by individuals Christians is vital and basic Bible study courses touch outside the churches, but a contemporary answer is through the media, primarily TV and radio, but also the daily and weekly press. That said though, people like ourselves are usually at a disadvantage in gaining access to such opportunities except at the local level. This turns attention again to those in the higher echelons of the denominations and well-known personalities who profess to be Christians. They have access that is denied to the likes of us. Religious matters are frequently dealt with in the media. The BBC airs a daily service and has done so for many years. There are discussions on spiritual and moral issues of the day. Other programmes deal with religious, even specifically Christian, themes. Opportunity to speak or write is given to those regarded as representative of the Christian faith, but so often it is not a biblical message that is communicated. If only those who have that opportunity were on fire for the gospel and filled with the Spirit it would surely have a profound effect. What is so difficult for these leaders about declaring that all mankind is affected by sin and we need to get right with God? Why should they not declare that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and that we have good cause to fear Him when we live in disregard of His law? Why can they not be as blunt as John in his gospel when he records that those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus are under God’s condemnation? What stops them from warning people, as our Lord Jesus did, about the terrible fate awaiting those who ignore God’s love? What holds them back from declaring that the Lord in His love for sinners has provided the only remedy for our sinful state by His death on the cross, that He has truly risen from the dead, and God now commands everyone everywhere to repent and to put their trust in Him, the only Saviour? They have a great opportunity with Good Friday and Easter drawing near. This is the great challenge for those who occupy positions of Christian leadership. If they spoke and continued to speak with one voice, with the clarity and simplicity of Scripture and in the power of the Holy Spirit, what might be the effect for good? Of course, it would produce a negative reaction from those who reject God’s truth. Gospel preachers always face that reality. As it is, however, a confused and watered down form of Christianity is so often presented to the general public. It offends no one but believers, and does no good for others. Today, moderation in all things except the condemnation of extremists is the politically correct approach. Exclusive claims are frowned on, yet Christians must make such claims in proclaiming the gospel, though not to curtail the freedom of others to express their religious convictions. We have nothing to fear from these if we are faithful to the truth that has been committed to us. Our reliance is not on religious intolerance backed by the force of law, but on the power of God as the Holy Spirit uses His Word to achieve His purposes. Only that can bring real and lasting conversions that will stand the test of the judgement day. Our countrymen and women need to hear the biblical gospel of the grace of God preached and witnessed to with apostolic zeal. Christian standards of behaviour need to be clearly upheld whatever the world may say. It is in this that we see the genuine apostolic succession, the outward expression of a love for the Lord and a concern for His glory that will face fearlessly every rival for human loyalty. Our country’s spiritual heritage comes from those raised up by God in the past who were determined that people should hear the truth about Jesus whatever the cost. We owe so much to their faithfulness in carrying out their mission. How will people hear today? It will only be through those who have the faith and the courage to be similarly faithful. Pray that God in His mercy will give us more such witnesses and soon. |
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