**SAMPLE**
VIEWS FROM DOWN UNDER(C)1996

BY

PASTOR PHILIP S WEEKS

1. Pastor's Comment:

"In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." John 16: 33b. Christians are not immune to troubles. If we were, Jesus would not have taught us this precious truth. We will have difficult times, and not because of ancestral curses or other superstitions. In I Peter 1 and other places throughout the Bible, we are taught that trials refine us and teach us God's faithfulness in every situation.

Jesus told us to be of good cheer, despite the testings. He has overcome the world. And since we are in Him, so can we. Our joy is not dependent on our circumstances, though they can be a blessing from God.

Our true home and delight is in Jesus, whom the world can't give and can't take away. In either case, in good times or bad, may our hearts be set on Him, and we shall have every reason to be of good cheer.

2. Pastor's Comment:

Feeling unworthy of God's love is a normal part of our Christian walk. In fact, Scripture tells us to "remember the pit from which we've been dug". Such remembering keeps us humble before our God and each other.

At the same time, we are not to allow such feelings to overwhelm us, but instead take such feelings to the Lord, in order to be reassured of our unchangeable Sonship by the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to confess our sins and unworthiness, looking to our Faithful Heavenly Father to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

In other words, if our feelings tend to make us despair, then we need to counter that with faith in our God who sent His only begotten Son to die for us. Like the old picture of a train, faith is our engine, facts are our fuel, and feelings are to be the wagons that follow, to His Glory and Praise.

3. Pastor's Comment:

Admitting we're wrong, asking others for their forgiveness and asking for their prayers so it won't happen again is never easy. It is especially hard for parents and those in authority. We wrongly fear those in our care will lose respect for us. In fact, such admissions can actually promote both love and respect.

At least in part, James exhorts us to confess to one another, not to expose our every failure to the world, but privately to put things right with those we have wronged. Then our damaged relationships, too, can be healed. (James 5: 16)

If we don't admit our mistakes, far from appearing strong, we show our own weakness, our inability to trust the Lord in trying to make amends. Worse still, we risk causing others to stumble, giving place for roots of bitterness to spring up and thereby defile many. May the Lord help us in this hard but important task of faith, and in forgiving those who ask of us, too.

4. Pastor's Comment:

Romans 13:8-10 stresses our debt of love we owe to every Christian. Love does no wrong to one's neighbour, not in thought, word or deed. Love is patient and kind. This attitude and atmosphere of love is to pervade every gathering together of the Lord's people, whether in ones and twos, in our families or in church.

Not loving God and each other as we should causes many divisions to occur and remain. O, for the sweetness of love's oneness amongst us to abound and increase! "How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity!" "All men shall know you are my disciples if you have love for one another".

May our loving heavenly Father grant us grace to drop our pride, our grudges, our gossip and whatever else hinders His love from spreading through us toward one another.

(Feel free to use any of the above if you find them useful for your in-house publications.)

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