ORLANDO

Repent or die? Changer de comportement ou mourir?

A wide variety of opinions concerning the horrible Orlando shooting will be expressed and aired in the coming days. It might range from, “This is God’s judgement upon the abominable gay lifestyle”, to “Here we have a clear confirmation of the intolerance caused by the teachings of Islam.” And others would say that this incident is just a further proof that religion itself is at the root of all calamity and strife on earth.

What is the truth? How should Christians view these all too frequent massacres? Is God in this and if in which sense?

Let’s be clear, the living and holy God who used the evil idol worshipping Babylonians to punish his disobedient people of Israel can use the evil Islamic ISIS to punish the wicked and immoral Western world.

Indeed, the gay lifestyle is part of this immorality and an abomination in God’s eyes, but be careful of what we say and let’s be brutally honest with ourselves. God also hates racism, abuse of foreigners, all kinds of idolatry (like greed!)… And most subtle of all, pride! Keep this in mind and let us humble ourselves before Him.

It’s not a time to judge others, but a time for repentance!

Jesus Himself (in Luke 13) clearly taught us how to interpret disasters and criminal events like these in Orlando or the Bataclan shootings. All these tragic criminal actions are indeed warnings of God’s coming judgement, but it is a warning to all of us. It’s a call to repentance to each and every one of us! We still have time to heed his call! There is still an opportunity to trust Jesus for salvation. God in his mercy has spared us, not to judge others but to bear the fruits of holiness and obedience to his glory! 

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ” 

1En ce temps-là, quelques personnes vinrent raconter à Jésus comment Pilate avait fait tuer des Galiléens au moment où ils offraient des sacrifices à Dieu. 2Jésus leur répondit : « Pensez-vous que si ces Galiléens ont été ainsi massacrés, cela signifie qu'ils étaient de plus grands pécheurs que tous les autres Galiléens ? 3Non, vous dis-je ; mais si vous ne changez pas de comportement, vous mourrez tous comme eux. 4Et ces dix-huit personnes que la tour de Siloé a écrasées en s'écroulant, pensez-vous qu'elles étaient plus coupables que tous les autres habitants de Jérusalem ? 5Non, vous dis-je ; mais si vous ne changez pas de comportement, vous mourrez tous comme eux. »

6Puis Jésus leur dit cette parabole : « Un homme avait un figuier planté dans sa vigne. Il vint y chercher des figues, mais n'en trouva pas. 7Il dit alors au vigneron : “Regarde : depuis trois ans je viens chercher des figues sur ce figuier et je n'en trouve pas. Coupe-le donc ! Pourquoi occupe-t-il du terrain inutilement ? ” 8Mais le vigneron lui répondit : “Maître, laisse-le cette année encore ; je vais creuser la terre tout autour et j'y mettrai du fumier. 9Ainsi, il donnera peut-être des figues l'année prochaine ; sinon, tu le feras couper.” »

MUHAMMAD ALI

- BOXING AND GOOD WORKS?

The world is mourning one of its "greatest". Muhammad Ali, famous as well as notorious for his extraordinary boxing skills and political statements (he was opposed to America's involvement in Vietnam) has died.

Ali did a lot of good things. He used his notoriety for charity work, helping raise millions of dollars for food and medical relief around the world. In 1998, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

His good works should be appreciated by all, but what disturbs me intensely, is the following said by Lonnie Ali :

"Muhammad feels that everything he did prior to now was to prepare him for where he is now in life. He is very much more a spiritual being. He is very aware of his time here on Earth. And he has sort of planned the rest of his life to do things so that he is assured a place in heaven." 

This is the typical thinking of Ali as a Muslim. Islam is a man made religion based on the principle of human achievement. (unfortunately many so called Christians think along the same lines.)

Let's be clear, according to God's work, doing good things can never guarantee us a place in heaven. Salvation and eternal reward can only be found by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for our sins on the cross! Indeed, as Christians we need to do good works, not as a way to earn grace and acceptance with God, but as a way to thank God for His grace in Jesus.

“8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)

8 Car c'est par la grâce de Dieu que vous avez été sauvés, au moyen de la foi. Ce salut ne vient pas de vous, il est un don de Dieu ; 9 il n'est pas le résultat de vos efforts, et ainsi personne ne peut se vanter. 10 En effet, c'est Dieu qui nous a formés ; il nous a créés, dans notre union avec Jésus-Christ, pour que nous menions une vie riche en actions bonnes, celles qu'il a préparées d'avance afin que nous les pratiquions.

SEXUAL MINORITIES?

- Are there such people and what should we say to them?

Claiming to be part of a minority carries a suggestion of being oppressed, marginalised, rejected and even seriously threatened. The struggles of minority groups (races) in the USA like Afro Americans and Hispanics are continuously kept in our eyesight by the media. (I myself as a white Afrikaner living in Africa am by the way also part of a minority ethnic group!) The serious plight of religious minorities for example in the Middle East is also well known. 

What concerns me is that the term “minority” as in “sexual minority” has become in some circles a preferred way of referring to the LGBT community for obvious reasons. And one might have some sympathy or at least some understanding of that if those speaking in this way do not know our Saviour. Non Christians, ignorant of the Creator’s values and will might be excused for thinking that their ways of living out their sexual desires are justified and is only different in the sense that it is practised by a minority in comparison to the majority heterosexual people. 

Appalling however is the fact that some Christians have recently adopted the concept of "sexual minorities," despite the fact that the benign, given biological condition of race is very different from unnatural sexual desires to do what God clearly forbids in his Word.* One is also tempted to wonder where the boundaries of this broad categorisation would eventually be drawn? Who would qualify being called part of a sexual minority group and thus be entitled to unqualified acceptance and protection? Paedophiles, necrophiles? And what about those who are practising incest or bestiality? Aren’t all “minorities” supposed to be treated equally? 

No, there is not such a category as "sexual minorities" and the Bible has nothing to say about them, there are however sexually broken people (and all of us are in some way or other part of this group, because all of us are born sinners) and for these the Gospel promises forgiveness, redemption and renewal! The duty of the church (and yes she has failed in many ways) is to proclaim the Gospel of deliverance in love and patience (not treating them in harsh ways) to all sinners whether perceived “minority sinners” (such as the LGBT community?) or “majority sinners” (the rest) who are just as broken because of the destroying power of sin and Satan.

*Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon referring to a former employee of Wheaton College

#STOP ISLAM

After yet another massacre by radical Islamic terrorists (in Belguim) calls are heard for the banning or destroying of Islam. #Stop Islam How? By war, laws...? I don't know how these people think. All I know is that this is not the way Christians should think. Jesus made it clear that we are not supposed to propagate His Kingdom by the sword, but by the preaching (and living) of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus took on Himself our sins, paid the punishment (by his death on the cross) so that everyone who believes in Him would receive eternal life.

We can only show this way to people when we love them, and therefore Christians, while we condemn all terrorism and violence should love all Muslims. (even members of ISIS) That was in fact the clear message of our Lord Jesus Himself. "Love your enemies!"

"...but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;" (Matthew 5:44)

La France pleure...

[Sept attaques, les pires que la France aient jamais connues, ont secoué la capitale Paris vendredi 13 novembre.]

La France pleure ses morts, et nous pleurons avec elle. 

La France et les Français ne sont plus en sécurité, mon devoir est de vous le dire. ( Vous ferez bien d'y prêter attention)

"France réveilles toi et ouvre les yeux !!! Mes amis, soumettez-vous à Jésus et rendez-lui gloire ! Tournez-vous vers le Seigneur, maintenant qu'il se laisse trouver. Faites appel à lui, maintenant qu'il est près de vous. Ne comptez pas sur les gens ou les politiciens influents : ils ne sont que des hommes, ils sont impuissants à sauver." Mais le salut que Jésus apporte subsistera toujours.

Mes sincères condoléances aux familles des victimes. Quel tristesse!

HAJJ - opportunity for senseless death!

The tragedy in Saudi Arabia hitting the headlines worldwide is not something new. There has been a historical pattern of senseless death and pain connected to the hajj - the great yearly Muslim pilgrimage to Islam's holy places.

2006: 364 pilgrims die in a crush at foot of Jamarat Bridge in Mina

1997: 340 pilgrims are killed when fire fuelled by high winds sweeps through Mina's tent city

1994: 270 pilgrims die in a stampede during the stoning ritual

1990: 1,426 pilgrims, mainly Asian, die in a stampede in an overcrowded tunnel leading to holy sites

1987: 402 people die when security forces break up an anti-US demonstration by Iranian pilgrims *

At the root of this all is the deceiving power of the devil which blinds people's minds to ignore the glorious facts of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. By taking our sins upon Himself and becoming a sinner in our place at the cross (Isaiah 53:5,6; 2 Corinthians 5:21), Jesus for once and all conquered Satan, death and hell! We need no stoning of the devil nor any kind of ritual to share in this victory. We only need to believe in the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:19) ... also those who are still enslaved by false religions and cults.

May my Muslim friends find truth and consolation in Jesus the One who invites all sinners to Him. (Matthew 11:28)

*Facts provided by the BBC

AYLAN KURDI

- has a message for Muslims and Christians

The image that shocked the world. The body of the toddler Aylan Kurdi washed ashore, face stuck in the sand, before being cradled in the hands of a police officer, has become a symbol of the plight of thousands of refugees trying to start a new life in Europe. His brother, Galip, and their mother, Rehen, also drowned. They were Kurdish Syrians fleeing the violence and destruction in their doomed homeland.

Much is being said about the unwillingness of at least some Europeans to take in the great and unprecedented waves of refugees. Very little is said about the reasons why these (mostly) Muslim people have decided to leave their Muslim homelands in the first place and the refusal of the richest Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia to give shelter to these unfortunate people in distress.

The Muslim world (as acknowledged by a Muslim himself) appears broken, economically, politically and morally and thus unable to take care of its own people, unable to solve its conflicts. The powerful Saudi Arabia (stocked with US arms) can persecute women drivers but stand with folded arms, incapable or unwilling to take on ISIS. Why? Perhaps it’s because they share the same violent faith, Islam the falsely labelled religion of peace, but in fact the religion of destruction and death!

My our Muslim friends consider their ways and beliefs and turn to the real Prince of Peace, Jesus our Lord! May true Christians (of whom there are not many in Europe) help them finding Him by showing compassion in these dark days!

THE DEFEATED FOE

- and the US SUPREME COURT.

Last week by any standards was a momentous if not disastrous one. A week of satanic attacks one might venture to say. What come immediately to one’s mind are the jihadist attacks in France, Tunisia, Kuwait and Somalia with its tragic loss of life. It’s indeed not difficult to see the devil and his lies acting through Islamic fanatics like ISIS or other similar groups. However the most far reaching and abhorrent move of the destroyer of souls was not accomplished by bullets or bombs but by a deceitful decision reached by a court. The US Supreme Court has ruled that same sex marriage is a legal right, a decision Pres. Obama hailed as a “victory for America.” No, Mr. President it was rather a victory for the devil and his accomplices in their ongoing attacks on the God given institution of marriage and thereby on God Himself.

But let me hasten to say that this victory though deplorable is an illusion. God and His Kingdom and decrees can never be defeated. These actions of Satan, whether by hateful Muslim jihadists or ungodly western activists are only the last convulsive agonies of a defeated foe. We look forward with anticipation to the coming of our Redeemer-King, Jesus Christ who will finally end al opposition to God’s rule and throw his enemies into the pool of fire. May God in the meantime grant us grace to stay true to Him even it means ridicule, oppression and persecution! Now is the time to stand firm, to pray and to reach out with love to the deceived masses with the glorious Gospel of God’s grace and forgiveness!

JOY IN THE CAVE

Listen to the joyful worship of Egyptian Christians in the Cave Church! My heart was touched!

Click CAVE CHURCH!

I so wish that many Muslims my also find this joy in Jesus Christ!

The Gospel of Satan

Who are the agents of Satan? Muslim radicals, apartheid stalwarts, Neo Nazi's, terrorists of all kinds and flavours? You might be in for a surprise! Read what AW Pink says:

Satan is the arch-counterfeiter. As we have seen, the Devil is now busy at work in the same field in which the Lord sowed the good seed. He is seeking to prevent the growth of the wheat by another plant, the tares, which closely resembles the wheat in appearance. In a word, by a process of imitation he is aiming to neutralize the Word of Christ. Therefore, as Christ has a Gospel, Satan has a gospel too; the latter being a clever counterfeit of the former. So closely does the gospel of Satan resemble that which it parodies, multitudes of the unsaved are deceived by it.

It is to this gospel of Satan the apostle refers when he says to the Galatians "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ" (1:6,7). This false gospel was being heralded even in the days of the apostle, and a most awful curse was called down upon those who preached it. The apostle continues, "But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." By the help of God we shall now endeavor to expound, or rather, expose, false gospel. 

The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war, but aims at peace and unity. It seeks not to set the mother against her daughter nor the father against his son, but fosters the fraternal, spirit whereby the human race is regarded as one great "brotherhood". It does not seek to drag down the natural man, but to improve and uplift him. It advocates education and cultivation and appeals to "the best that is within us". It aims to make this world such a congenial and comfortable habitat that Christ's absence from it will not be felt and God will not be needed. It endeavors to occupy man so much with this world that he has no time or inclination to think of the world to come. It propagates the principles of self-sacrifice, charity and benevolence, and teaches us to live for the good of others, and to be kind to all. It appeals strongly to the carnal mind and is popular with the masses, because it ignores the solemn facts that by nature man is a fallen creature, alienated from the life of God, and dead in trespasses and sins, and that his only hope lies in being born again. 

In contradistinction to the Gospel of Christ, the gospel of Satan teaches salvation by works. It inculcates justification before God on the ground of human merits. Its sacramental phrase is "Be good and do good"; but it fails to recognize that in the flesh there dwelleth no good thing. It announces salvation by character, which reverses the order of God's Word—character by, as the fruit of, salvation. Its various ramifications and organizations are manifold. Temperance, Reform movements, "Christian Socialist Leagues", ethical culture societies, "Peace Congresses" are all employed (perhaps unconsciously) in proclaiming this gospel of Satan—salvation by works. The pledge-card is substituted for Christ; social purity for individual regeneration, and politics and philosophy for doctrine and godliness. The cultivation of the old man is considered more practical" than the creation of a new man in Christ Jesus; whilst universal peace is looked for apart from the interposition and return of the Prince of Peace. 

The apostles of Satan are not saloon-keepers and white slave traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers. Thousands of those who occupy our modern pulpits are no longer engaged in presenting the fundamentals of the Christian Faith, but have turned aside from the Truth and have given heed unto fables. Instead of magnifying the enormity of sin and setting forth its eternal consequences, they minimize it by declaring that sin is merely ignorance or the absence of good. Instead of warning their hearers to "flee from the wrath to come" they make God a liar by declaring that He is too loving and merciful to send any of His own creatures to eternal torment. 

Instead of declaring that "without shedding of blood is no remission", they merely hold up Christ as the great Exemplar and exhort their followers to "follow in His step". Of them it must be said, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10:3). Their message may sound very plausible and their appear very praiseworthy, yet we read of them, "for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves (imitating) into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore It is no great thing (not to be wondered at) if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15). 

In addition to the fact that today hundreds of churches are without a leader who faithfully declares the whole counsel of God and presents His way of salvation, we also have to face the additional fact that the majority of people in these churches are very unlikely to learn the Truth for themselves. The family altar, where a portion of God's Word was wont to be read daily is now, even in the homes of nominal Christians, largely a thing of the past. The Bible is not expounded in the pulpit and it is not read in the pew. The demands of this rushing age are so numerous that the multitudes have little time and still less inclination to make preparation for their meeting with God. Hence the majority who are too indolent to search for themselves are left at the mercy of those whom they pay to search for them; many of which betray their trust by studying and expounding economic and social problems rather than the Oracles of God . . . . 

And now, my reader, where do you stand? Are you in the way which "seemeth right", but which ends in death? Or are you in the Narrow Way which leadeth unto life? Have you truly forsaken the Broad Road that leadeth to death? Has the love of Christ created in your heart a hatred and horror of all that is displeasing to Him? Are, you desirous that He should "reign over" (Luke 19:14) you? Are you relying wholly on His righteousness and blood for your acceptance with God? . . . . 

A yet more specious form of Satan's gospel is to move preachers to present the atoning sacrifice of Christ and then tell their hearers that all God requires from them is to "believe" In His Son. Thereby thousands of impenitent souls are deluded into thinking that they have been saved. But Christ said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). To "repent" is to hate sin, to sorrow over, to turn from it. It is the result of the Spirit's making the heart contrite before God. None except a broken heart can savingly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Again; thousands are deceived Into supposing that they have "accepted Christ" as their "personal Saviour", who have not first received Him as their LORD. The Son of God did not come here to save people in their sins, but "from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). To be saved from sins, is to be saved from ignoring and despising the authority of God, it is to abandon the course of self-will and self-pleasing, It Is to "forsake our way" (Isa. 55:7). It is to surrender to God's authority, to yield to His dominion, to give ourselves over to be ruled by Him. The one who has never taken Christ's "yoke" upon him, who is not truly and diligently seeking to please Him in all the details of his life, and yet supposes that he is "resting on the Finished Work of Christ" is deluded by the Devil. 

In the seventh chapter of Matthew there are two scriptures which give us approximate results of Christ's Gospel and Satan's counterfeit. First, in verses 13 and 14, "Enter ye In at the strait gate. For, wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it." Second, in verses 22 and 23, "Many will say to Me In that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied (preached) in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out demons, and in Thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." Yes, my reader, it is possible to work in the name of Christ, and even to preach in His name, and though the world knows us, and the Church knows us, yet to be unknown to the Lord! How necessary it is then to find out where we really are; to examine ourselves to see whether we be in the faith; to measure ourselves by the Word of God and see if we are being deceived by our subtle Enemy; to find out whether we are building our house upon the sand, or whether it is erected on the Rock which is Christ Jesus. May the Holy Spirit search our hearts, break our wills, slay our enmity against God, work in us a deep and true repentance, and direct our gaze to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

RHODES AND ROBBERT

- two events to take notice of.

Two events have happened simultaneously in South Africa. Events that may prove very significant if not troublesome...

The statue of colonialist Cecil John Rhodes were removed from its place in front of the University of Cape town, after unruly student protests even involving the use of human excrement (nowadays seemingly one of the favourite weapons of the new kind of liberation fighters!) The senate of the university went out of their way to be political correct and please these hooligans but still doors were broken... (to be paid for by working South African taxpayers I suppose)

On the same day the notorious aged dictator of Zimbabwe received a more than warm welcome from the corrupt South African president, Jacob Zuma. (Zuma undoubtedly welcomed the shift of limelight to the Mugabe visit and Rhodes toppling, helping people to forget about his own Nkandla scandal.)

I have some understanding and sympathy for the removal of a man like Rhodes from public. He was largely responsible for the colonisation of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in a treacherous way. And he was by the way also no friend of my tribe, the Afrikaners. Rhodes was a sworn enemy of Afrikaner independence and instigator of the notorious Jameson debacle in the ZAR. What is disgusting however is the lack of historical knowledge and balanced debate on the side of contemporary student activists. There is no protest from their side to the visit of the despot and murderer Mugabe. He wrecked his country’s once prosperous economy by taking white owned farms by force. (with the consequence that Zimbabweans had to flee in their thousands to South Africa for survival.) And yes I could even understand that brainwashed students would not feel much for farmers (some of them are not academically so advanced as to know where food comes from), but what is shocking is their conspicuous short memories when it comes to very recent African history. Have they forgotten that Mugabe is a mass murderer guilty of genocide? Have they never heard about the Gukurahundi, the slaughtering of 20 000 civilian Matabeles by the North-Korean-trained Fifth Brigade?

It is these showings of  lack of discernment and basic knowledge that worries me. Would it make any sense to try and debate with these uninformed students about interpreting history, the place of symbols and meaningful coexistence in a multicultural society like Southern Africa?

EGYPTIAN MARTYRS

- their testimony has not been in vain!

The Bible Society of Egypt has responded in a remarkable way to the cruel killing of Egyptian Christians by ISIS in Libya.  (Who can forget those brave orange clad young men?)They produced a tract with Bible verses! This is true Christian "revenge" of spreading the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus.

On the front this moving poem is found...

Two rows of men walked the shore
of the sea,
On a day when the world’s tears
would run free,
One a row of assassins, who
thought they did right,
The other of innocents, true sons
of the light,
One holding knives in hands held
high,
The other with hands empty,
defenseless and tied,
One row of slits to conceal glaringdead
eyes,
The other with living eyes raised
to the skies,
One row stood steady, pall-bearers
of death,
The other knelt ready, welcoming
heaven’s breath,
One row spewed wretched,
contemptible threats,
The other spread God-given peace
and rest.
A Question...
Who fears the other?
The row in orange, watching
paradise open?
Or the row in black, with minds
evil and broken?

FREEDOM AND PARADISE ARE ONLY FOUND IN JESUS THE TRUE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!

To read in Arabic, click on EGYPT

Testimony of a worker at the Bible Society :

“I am encouraged” she said, “because now I know that what we have been taught in history books about Egyptian Christians being martyred for their faith is not just history but that there are Christians today who are brave enough to face death rather than deny their Lord! When I saw these young men praying as they were being prepared for execution and then many of them shouting “O Lord Jesus” as their throats were being slit, I realized that the Gospel message can still help us to hold on to the promises of God even when facing death!”

IN PRAISE OF CRIMINALS

Jackie Selebi was convicted of corruption by a South African court. The friend of a drug trafficker. On the other hand, he was a renowned so called "freedom fighter" against apartheid. He has just been buried from the Moreletta DRC (NG Kerk) in Pretoria.

In a lavish overspending of words he is being praised as a role model for the youth of the corrupt new South Africa. What is the message the youth should take from this criminal's life? Corruption is OK as long as you are a member of a "liberation" movement? It's no surprise that moral values in South Africa have become as rare as rhinos... 

Read for yourself...  click SELEBI FUNERAL

South Africa has become a morally blind and dark country as never before... And the darkness is not caused only by ESKOM's incompetence...

Minister Dipuo Peters  :

"Through Comrade Jackie the SA Youth Congress (Sayco) was part of all the forums of the ANC... planning the demise of apartheid,.."  "I'm standing here to represent the youth who took the baton [from Selebi]."  (NEWS24)

Yes, we can see that the youth of South Africa took the corruption baton from Selebi ... we see it in the demise of municipal services, the corruption of the metro police, the culture of stone throwing and tyre burning.....

CHARLIE HEBDO

- reading between the lines!

The world and especially the western world is in a state of shock and anger about the deadly attack on the office of the French satirical magazine CHARLIE HEBDO. The perpetrators are thought to be radical Islamists and this is probably the case. Let's be clear - all acts of terrorism and murder should be condemned regardless of the source.

But, yes there is a BUT. Not all people who are raising their voices in condemnation now are aware that this magazine is a blasphemous magazine, which not only trampled on the feelings of Muslims, BUT also ridiculed our precious Saviour Jesus Christ in the most filthy way thinkable. We as Christians do not take revenge in the way some radical Muslims do because we are urged by the Bible to leave all revenge in the hands of the Almighty God himself! However, it is a fact that God does punish some sins even now here on earth, like in the case of king Herod who was devoured by worms. (Acts 12) It is also well known that God had used pagan nations to punish the disobedience and idolatry of His people Israel in Old Testament times.

Yes, the killings were caused by Muslim radicals, but we should be careful not to be shortsighted! There is a living God who will fight for his own honour and glory! He is not our playmate...but a consuming fire according to the letter to the Hebrews.

Ne vous y tromper pas : on ne se moque pas de Dieu. Dieu est un feu qui détruit. L’homme se récoltera ce qu’il aura semé! (Galates, Hébreux)

I condemn Muslim radicals, but I also condemn all blasphemy!  Charlie Hebdo is the main cause of its own destruction, digging a hole for itself! "L’homme qui creuse une fosse risque d’y tomber." - Proverbes

(vir kommentaar in AFRIKAANS, kliek op CHARLIE)

WHERE IS THE GOD OF LOVE?

- Immanuel is the clear and final answer!

Where is the God of love? Numerous people have been asking this question, most of them not arriving at a satisfying answer. This question (sometimes rather an accusation) is fueled by countless experiences – the trenches of World War I, the death camps of World War II ... Auschwitz, Buchenwald... images of horror throughout history... and the past year has made its own contribution to violence, sorrow, mystery, disaster and injustice... Syria, ISIS, Ebola, Ukraine, Air Malaysia, Air Asia, Gaza, the tragic massacre in Peshawar, just to name a few. But it is not only about things in far away or violent places, it is everywhere... sin, broken marriages, abused children, poverty, illness, death... And you are wrestling with this in your heart, “Where is the God of love?” WHERE IS HE? DOES HE SEE, HEAR, UNDERSTAND? DOES HE CARE?

Fortunately we don’t have to look at philosophers, extremists, agnostics or atheists for an answer!

The final and comprehensive answer had been given to us, long ago in the incarnation of Jesus. The Son of God became flesh, human! Listen to the Gospel of Matthew.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." (NIV)

By becoming flesh in Jesus, God Himself came to us, to be with us in this world of misery and sin. It is the ultimate expression of divine love. God made Himself weak, so to speak to enter our world and our very existence! God is not a far away onlooker, very closely involved.

Jesus, becoming human was a historical act with enormous and far reaching consequences. Who could fathom the depth and realise the value of this self sacrificing love of God through Jesus? The apostle Paul, in encouraging Christians to care for one another describes the love of God through Christ in this way in Philippians 2 : “5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!” (NIV)

So once again, where is the God of love? Well, just look at Jesus… He is the love of God in substance and action…

See the God of love as the baby Jesus, weak and dependent as all other infants is placed in a manger.

See the God of love as Jesus, the sinless Son of God, stands in a queue next to sinners of all kinds waiting to be baptized by John in the river Jordan. 

See the God of love as Jesus calls the corrupt and greedy Zacchaeus from the fig tree and saves him from sin to become a man with a new vision for his life. (Luke 19)

See the God of love when Jesus addresses the sobbing sinful woman at His feet with the words, "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48) 

See the God of love at the grave of Lazarus when Jesus weeps for his friend. (John 11) 

See the God of love on the hill Golgotha where Jesus is hanging between heaven and earth on the cross, bleeding, mocked, despised, rejected, becoming a curse for us so that we can be blessed. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (Galatians 3:14) Oh, friends, the cross as the ultimate consequence of Jesus being Immanuel (God with us) is the irrefutable proof of God’s love for people like us in this broken world! 

But His love didn’t end there… 

See the God of love when Jesus after His resurrection calms the fears of His disciples, "Peace be with you!" (John 20:26) 

See the God of love when Jesus (at the end of the Gospel of Matthew) encourages His disciples (and followers through all ages) with the command and promise, “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28 NIV) He is still with us! With every believer…

God’s love doesn’t mean that we as His children are not going to experience rejection, persecution, trials, illness or death, but that He will be with us during our journey on earth, leading us faithfully into His everlasting Kingdom!

See the God of love as Christian witnesses, missionaries and martyrs through the ages continue to display this love in the most horrible situations. We have recently seen the examples of Pierre Korkie who was murdered by the hands of al-Qaeda militants in Yemen and the Groenewalds killed by the Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan!

God is with us! He stands with us as broken people in a broken world. His love is a nearby love. His love endures forever!

Therefore we will see and realise the love of God perfectly and finally when Jesus comes again to make everything new! Only then will injustice, miseries, disasters and sorrows come to an end!

Jesus Himself is the evidence, even more the very embodiment of God’s love! And the precious truth is that nothing can separate the child of God from this love! The confidence and trust of Paul should be part of every Christian’s belief and confession, “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8 NIV) 

Are you still looking for the God of love? You don’t need to go far. God’s love is Jesus Himself, given to us. Remember again, Jesus is – GOD WITH US. And when you bow before Him and put your trust in Him, you will find, He is “GOD WITH ME” in all circumstances, even unto death!

THE BIG QUESTION

The big question, my friend is not, “Where is the God of love?”, the puzzling question is, “Why have you rejected the God of love in Jesus until now?” I hope this is not true of you… and if it is, well, today is still an opportunity to accept the love of God...

PESHAWAR AND PETER

- the rebuke received by the apostle teaches us something about the difference between the Gospel of Jesus and Islam.

[Condolences to all who are affected by the tragedy of Peshawar]

Friends in grief and sorrow, please consider: All over the world...Pakistan, Australia, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya...the list goes on and on... The culprits : Taliban, ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab... the common source and cause is obvious, radical Islam! But radical Islam is still Islam and rooted in the teachings of Mohammed. The horror of the tragic school killings in Peshawar (and please don’t forget the killing of 80 people at a church not so long ago) by the Taliban is now fresh in the mind. Some other facts are not so fresh in the mind :

There is little doubt that many Afghans who initially joined the Taliban movement were educated in madrassas (religious schools) in Pakistan.

Pakistan was also one of only three countries, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which recognised the Taliban when they were in power in Afghanistan from the mid-1990s until 2001.

It was also the last country to break diplomatic ties with the Taliban.

Although Pakistan has in recent years adopted a harder line against Taliban militants carrying out attacks on its soil, new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - who was elected in May - has said talking to the militants is one of his priorities. (BBC)

Muslims worldwide and Pakistan itself (as a Muslim country) has a lot to answer for! I know, not all Muslims are radicals, but Islam in itself is a radical violent religion! It is a religion that has been propagated by the sword from the very beginning. Jihad is part of Islam! And at this very point the contrast with the teaching and conduct of Jesus Christ becomes very clear. When the apostle Peter tried to defend Jesus during his arrest in the garden by drawing his sword and cutting off the ear of Malchus, Jesus rebuked him : “Put your sword away!” (John 18:10,11) The kingdom of Jesus Christ was never to be promoted through violence! Jesus Himself went to the cross like a Lamb!

Yes, I know about the Crusades, about the Spanish Inquisition and many other deplorable acts of violence done in the name of Christianity. But these were done in clear disobedience to Christ’s teachings. He taught us to turn the other cheek and even love our enemies!

ALL PEOPLE, MUSLIMS AS WELL ARE IN NEED OF THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION!

Muslims are by the way not my (or our) enemies. We see them as people in need of the liberating gospel (Good News) of Jesus! (just as all other people) The cruelty of Peshawar underlines this need in a shocking way! Please friends, consider the teaching of the Gospel (Injil)! Islam leads to destruction, here and now, but also to all eternity!

FORGIVENESS NOT REVENGE

The Christian message (Gospel) is a clear alternative for revenge and bitterness. It is about hope en full forgiveness through Jesus... yes, even forgiveness for Taliban terrorists who repent and accept Him as Saviour!

Dear people of Pakistan, may you find strength in this time of sorrow. May you see the love of God showed by our Lord Jesus Christ! He invites you, NOW!

JESUS ACCORDING TO BORG

- man made, irrelevant for the sinner and powerless in the face of death.

[The tragic death of Pierre Korkie should remind us of the reality of eternity and that only the resurrection of Jesus can give us hope in times like these! Condolences to his family!]

Marcus Borg is an ultra liberal scholar whose understanding of Jesus fits in well with the so called Progressive Christianity. Unfortunately it is not Christianity at all but a worldly minded extortion of it, denying the basic tenets and beliefs of the apostolic Christian faith of all ages. Borg’s Jesus is to such an extent different from the Biblical One that I would call him “Jesus Borg” to differentiate between him and Jesus Christ, the true Son of God and the conqueror of sin, devil, death and hell!

Jesus Borg is a human invention, tailored by those who don’t understand the desperate plight of the unredeemed sinner. The followers of Jesus Borg are idealists, maybe very honest, but foolish enough to think about man as inherently good and capable of turning this world into a better place. It’s nothing else than natural man made religion of the self!

The incompatible differences between Jesus Borg and Jesus Christ are most clear on the issues of the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross and the inheritance waiting for Gods children in eternity. Borg’s views on these issues are clearly contrary to the New Testament. Let’s have a look :

THE PURPOSE OF THE DEATH OF JESUS

According to Borg, the death of Jesus was not an atonement for our sins.

“...Holy Week is not the story of Jesus dying for the sins of the world, as if this was his and God’s purpose for his life. Rather, it is the story of Jesus’ passion for God and the kingdom of God, his challenge to the combination of religious and political authority that ruled his world, and his vindication by God.”

“...Jesus’ death was a sacrifice – but not a sacrifice required by God as payment for sin. Rather, he was willing to sacrifice his life because of his passion for God and the kingdom of God. In this sense of sacrifice, three Christian martyrs of the 20th century sacrificed their lives because of their passion for a different kind of world: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Germany, Martin Luther King, Jr., in this country, and Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador. Sacrifice, yes; substitutionary payment, no.”

What does the New Testament say about the meaning of Christ’s death?

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (Lamb has a sacrificial meaning, going back to the Passover lamb)

Romans 4:25 He (Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to youas of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 

and even the last book in the New Testament, Revelation confirms it :

Revelation 1:5,6 ...To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS! Numerous other references could be added. Its clear, the death of Jesus on the cross as payment and sacrifice for our sins stand central in the New Testament.

ETERNAL INHERITANCE

What  does Borg say about our eternal inheritance?

The view adopted by Borg, according to himself “leads to a focus on seeking to transform the world by following Jesus and standing for what he was passionate about. Its political issues are the systemic issues of greater economic justice, less dependence on military power for our security, and human rights. A more economically just and peaceful world. Its passion is political transformation as well as personal transformation.”

Borg and his followers try to create heaven on earth. Of course Christians should make a difference in this world, acting like salt and light, but Jesus made it clear that his kingdom is not from this world. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)

The New Testament emphasises that God’s children are mere pilgrims, aliens and strangers in this world. 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1) Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11)

The New Testament encourages followers of Jesus to look out for the Second coming of Christ and the creation of the new heavens and a new earth as our eternal destiny. There is a living hope after death. We will receive new bodies and live forever in the presence of God and the Lamb! This world with its sorrow, injustice and misery is not our final destination! This is the hope that has sustained the Christian martyrs since New Testament times until now!

Philippians 3:20,21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

2 Peter 3:13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 

THE BIBLE TEACHES : Saved from sin believers will receive an eternal inheritance! This our real hope in a world of INJUSTICE! Don't expect this world ever to become a just society! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrew 9:15)

Borg’s view of Jesus and his message is not an interesting or debatable option, it is a disastrous deformation of the truth. It contradicts God’s Word. It deserves NO place in a Bible obedient church! Unfortunately these ideas have taken root even here in Africa…

PHILAE - FROM NAMIBIA

- Does visiting a comet make sense?

Yes, science is part of our obligation to fulfil our God given mandate to rule the creation on God’s behalf and to His glory! May our eyes be opened to see this glory! 

“The heavens declare the glory of God…” Psalm 19:1

The fullness of God’s glory however is only visible in Jesus Christ!

John 1:14 And the Word (Jesus) became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. 

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared (explained) him.

Whishing all involved good luck from remote Namibia!

MYLES MUNROE

- MILES AWAY FROM TRUTH?

The apostle Paul is very clear about what constitutes the Gospel (the Good News)*.

"Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,

by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Myles Munroe differed from this. (Click on Munroe's "gospel")

Munroe not only clashed with Paul, but with Jesus Himself who clearly taught that His whole purpose of coming was the cross in order to save sinners from their sins that they might inherit an eternal kingdom! While on earth we already honour and love our King... and can be sure of suffering for His name! We endure this with joy, because our present afflictions can't be compared with the glory to be revealed! (Romans 8:18ff)

PROSPERITY "GOSPEL"

The health and wealth preachers do not preach the gospel about the redemption from sin through the merits of Christ, but a diluted message which connects with the sinful man's ambitions to obtain greatness for himself. It is not a cross message aimed at the glory of God but rather a tower of Babel motivational talk, helping man to become great!

"Born in one of the poorest suburbs in the Bahamas, Munroe rose to prominence as a preacher, motivational speaker, consultant and leadership mentor with a multi-million business empire."

Yes, maybe a successful businessman, but has he ever preached the Gospel?

*Greek - euaggelion ; Afrikaans - evangelie

BUSHMEN WHO BELIEVE

- God’s people at Tsintsabis

The Bushmen (San) are the original inhabitants of Southern Africa. Despised en persecuted by many these skilful hunter gatherers were driven from most of their previous land by a variety of enemies. Their greatest enemy today is most likely the widespread abuse of alcohol which contributes to their misery. However the powerful gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has reached them as well and has made a wonderful impact on many lives.

We as the Dutch Reformed Church (NGK) of Tsumeb are involved with Bushmen Christians from the Wildevy congregation in Tsintsabis north of Tsumeb. For me as pastor of NGK Tsumeb, this involvement has something of a personal flavour, because my father , then a missionary of the Dorothea Mission (based in South Africa) played a significant pioneering role to bring the Word of God to these people. He preached on many farms to Bushman (Hei-ǀǀom) labourers and enjoyed much cooperation from Afrikaner as well as German farmers. It was deeply encouraging to meet some of these early converts after a period of 40 years since I have come to minister in Tsumeb in 2010! In 1973 he and Rev. Ferdie Weich saw a breakthrough for the gospel in the then remote area of Tsumkwe where the Zȗ-ǀhoasi Bushmen still lived far away from civilisation. A Church was then for the first time established amongst them and is still existing today. (click on BOESMANS TOT BEKERING)

At Tsintsabis we have the privilege to work together with Rev. Josef Gevers the first indigenous pastor of this congregation. The Lord has opened a door for us to help and encourage them in different ways.

[Josef Gevers next to his pulpit. The words in the Nama language are : Elob ge a ǀnam and in Afrikaans : God is liefde (God is love)]