Guest blog: Steve Levy

Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong – but please hear what I’m saying.

The issue is not progress of knowledge but object of faith.

The purpose of the book, ‘Bible Overview’, is to show that there is only one way to God and there has only ever been one way – through faith in Jesus Christ.

Those who trust have a God who saves them through Christ.  They look for eternal life through him.  He saves from sin and death and brings them to himself – all through Jesus.

Catching the Number 5 Bus at 2:11 (…almost got me to church on time)

“How far is too far?” is a question that arises in various contexts, for example: relationships, behaviour as Christians, evangelism etc. But how often do we consider that question in terms of where we live in relation to where our church community is? Say I live in place ‘x’ and am looking for a church. What is the greatest distance I should be prepared to travel? How far is too far?

Called to Be

A few days ago, Jonny Raine and I ended up in Bridgend, specifically Bryntirion. Jonny had picked up some information about a day conference on ‘The Call’. So off we trotted down the M4 heading WESTwards.

Now I use the word conference rather generously, as when we arrived, there were 6 of us…and 4 of them we’re speaking at the ‘conference’. This was most definitely an intimate gig. But it was great to be there and learn from 4 experienced pastors. We kicked off with a session on the theology of the call, and then moved onto a week in the life of a pastor. After lunch we looked at things they don’t tell you in Bible College and my first year of ministry surprisingly led by a guy who’s just completed his first year of ministry. It was a good day with plenty of opportunity to discuss and ask questions. A shame more didn’t turn up. I was encouraged by the guy who had just completed his first year of ministry and is seeking to reach out to the local community he’s in. He was rightly excited about it.

While we chatted about the difficulties faced in Christian ministry, there was a comment ‘what often keeps me going is a reassurance that I’m called to this work’. This got me thinking about what is our motivation for doing anything. If that’s what keeps some pastor’s going, then what keeps Steve working down at spar going? Surely something bigger than reassurance of our situation we’re called into keeps us going?

It’s the gospel keeps us going in the face of difficulties. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith keeps us pressing on. There are many aspects of the gospel that keep us going; here are just a few tasty ones:

Knowing that the gospel has saved me, free of charge, all by grace. And so too, it can save others, and it’s so powerful it can even save the hardest nutcase in the east end.

Knowing that our great high priest has gone before us into heaven. So we can freely and boldly approach a holy God and never be turned away.

Knowing that I’m seen as pure and righteousness because I’m clothed in Jesus’ purity and righteousness, all because of him.

Knowing that God remembers my sins no more, they’re totally forgotten.

Knowing that the message of the gospel is true and is relevant for everyone whether they think that or not.

Knowing that one day I’ll be home with Jesus in heaven and all the struggles I faced in here on planet earth will be nothing compared to the glory that’s coming. It’ll all be worth it.

The gospel is so rich and so deep and yet we so often want to be driven by anything else. But whatever our situation is, whether we’re pastoring a church, or beeping through items on the checkout in spar, it’s the gospel that should keeps us going, shape our actions and our attitudes and its Jesus we need to fix our eyes on. We’re called to be gospel driven people.

By Dave Walker