News

29-Jul-2022

Dear Brethren.

While attending Ambassador College (Bricket Wood) in the late 60s, the Church administration requested that I apply for a UK driver's licence. Before taking my driver's test, I was given excellent driving instruction from a qualified instructor (a church member) on what to expect when going on the road with a nominated government driving inspector - hopefully to qualify as a competent driver in accordance with UK standards. One aspect our church instructor emphasized over and over was road safety driving procedures. One in particular remained lodged in my mind, and that involved what drivers recognise as the "blind spot." This is especially important while changing lanes or other driving manoeuvres. To contend with the blind spot, it was recommended you quickly glance over your right shoulder (for those who drive on the left side of theroad) to see if there are any vehicles you are unable to see when using your motor car mirrors. I was assured that the inspector would ask me to change lanes, and then check if I followed this instruction. Numerous collisions happen when this particular safety procedure is disregarded or ignored.

What all of us, not only drivers, should be much more concerned about are spiritual blind spots. Often, we don't see ourselves and our faults the way God does. Each year before the Passover God's begotten children are commanded to carefully and meticulously examine themselves, lest we take the symbols in an unworthy manner. Sometimes they are areas in our lives that you and I just cannot see. These are the blind spots that are difficult to identify and remove – where and why we may be spiritually defective. And unfortunately, there are times we even find it difficult to admit the problems we can see!

King David understood the principle and admitted before God that he could not see some of his faults. Psalm 19:12: "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret (hidden, concealed) faults." A clear admission from a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). He proved what he said was true when he stole another man's wife and made her pregnant. Then he arranged to have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. Incredibly, David did not see how wrong he was until Nathan the prophet brought him to his senses (II Samuel 11-12). Would you agree that David had some serious blind spots in his character? In the past I have found myself judging David rather harshly, without looking at my own spiritual blind spots!

How should we respond?

· Ask God in prayer to show us our blind spots. In Psalm 139: 23-24 David wrote: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." He was asking God to reveal aspects of his character he could not detect or see.

· The Bible is sharper than a two-edged sword, and able to penetrate into the "soul and spirit…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4: 12 - 13). Nothing is hidden from God, and He is the only One who has the ability to reveal those hidden and innermost attitudes – ones we are so quick to justify and defend! Bible study will help us identify these innermost attitudes.

· If you see something wrong, then admit it. If you and I are prone to justify our faults, then what's the point of looking for them in the first place!

· Be very careful to judge others when we may have the same faults. Take a look at Romans 2:1 "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." There is  the classic example of God sending Nathan the prophet to David after his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah her husband. After relating the example of the poor man's pet lamb, David was so outraged that he suggested such a man should be put to death. It turned out that David was the man Nathan was referring to (II Samuel 12:1-7)! What an absolute shock to David. Christ stressed the same principle in Matthew 7:2. And we are familiar with how David responded to his particular blind spot (Psalm 51: 1-4).

· Christ called out the religious leaders of His day, and referred to them as "blind guides" (Matthew 23:16). They could not see their own self-righteous behaviour, even though their mistakes were obvious. Fortunately we have access to God's Holy Spirit to help us uncover those blind spots and remove them. If we ask our Heavenly Father for help in seeing our "secret" sins, He will respond with love and concern.

Brethren, please continue to pray for one another, especially as we see ominous warning signs on the horizon. Our next major church activity is the Feast of Tabernacles, and the adversary will strive to prevent us from meeting together in accordance with God's command. Again, an area we request your intense prayers. Remember that the fervent prayer of a righteous person will, indeed, avail much!

I want you to know that your presence in the Church means a lot to Elize and me. Thank you for your loyalty to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to each other.

Please keep up your spiritual pilgrimage towards the Kingdom of God. That's the only worthwhile goal left in this life.

With brotherly love and respect.

ANDRE VAN BELKUM
Pastor