Why Believe ?

Singing songs such as ‘Lord of all hopefulness’; ‘I am a new creation’; ‘I’m building a people of power’ and 'Go tell it on the mountains', among several others this morning, we looked at …

Apologetics! Nothing whatsoever to do with being sorry – but it does mean that we are called upon to “defend our faith”! This Lent we are looking at the fact that we are called upon to be witnesses for Christ and indeed how we are to do that.

Our first loyalty must be to Christ – He must have our allegiance and so we thought about honour and holiness; “honour Christ as holy” (1 Peter 3:15). Jesus is worthy of respect, worship and esteem – so we too must be holy – separate from evil, showing that we and our behaviour are different; we must therefore be in the world and not of it; and have a personal relationship with Jesus. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

We examined the coins in our pockets – and found inscribed F.D. – fidei defensor – defender of the faith – which is a daily reminder to us of what we are to do; to stand up for Christ and to give an account of the hope that is within us. We also reminded ourselves that we only serve, but that it is only God who makes us and other people grow. We thought about being “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9), for since Christ came, ministered, died and rose again for each one of us, we are all special – indeed “royal”.

We thought about being prepared – knowing the scriptures, through each other and worship, and spoke about the challenge that brings courage, humility and love.

Lastly we looked at ‘Why’ through one of the best known verses in the Bible.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son; that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

If Love could ever be measured, then God’s love could not be greater for He gave his only Son – He came and He acted on our behalf; .He could not love any more than that – and the object of his love? – The world – Us – You and Me.

That’s why.

Deacon Olivia