Christ

Saints

Posted on by Shannon

It is a surprise to some people that Christians are often called saints in the Bible. The word doesn’t refer to exemplary people of the past who’ve been given sainthood by religious people. Such a notion was popular in the middle ages, a time when entire church buildings were designed to hold reliquaries (ornamental containers with physical remains of a saint inside, such as bits of hair, etc.). In the Scriptures, all Christians are saints.

The word means holy one, or one who has been made holy by God. In the Greek text, saint and holy come from the same word. One is a noun and the other an adverb. The verb form is sanctify. So what is the Bible telling us? Those who obey the gospel are made holy before God. Colossians 12 says that God qualified us to receive the inheritance of the saints. We don’t become saints by heroism or martyrdom; God makes us saints through Jesus Christ. Continue reading →

Free

Posted on by Shannon

Joan of Arcs houseJim McGuiggan* (author and member of the church) tells the story of the small French village of Domremy. In 1429, Charles VII gave this village exemption from taxes. Think of it – no property taxes!! West of the town, in Paris, historical ledgers are kept which record taxes paid by towns and villages dotted all over the country. In Domremy’s case you can look up 1429 and you’ll find written across the whole page in red ink: “FREE, BECAUSE OF THE MAID.” The maid was Joan of Arc. She had requested tax freedom for her home town because she felt taxes exploited her villagers. (How true!). Her wish was honored for 350 years, but then taxes resumed after the French revolution. The town still exists today(population 155), including Joan of Arc’s house.

“Across the lives of all those who have become identified with the Christ is written in blood: ‘Free, because of THE MAN.’” Continue reading →

The Friends Greet You

Posted on by Shannon

im1.shutterfly.comFriendship is a precious thing. It’s rare in life to have close friends for any great length of time. But in Christ it is different.

At the end of John’s 3rd letter he said, “The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.” (3 John 14). Why did John put it this way? Why didn’t he call these Christians brethren, or saints, as others did? He was trying to make a point that the church needed. Three men are mentioned by name in this little book: Gaius, Demetrius and Diotrephes. Gaius was commended by John because he helped faithful, traveling Christian preachers financially, and provided hospitality; Demetrius was likely one of them. Diotrephes was a church leader who loved to be prominent, and refused to help said traveling brothers, even to the point of denying them fellowship. Who do you think proved to be a friend to Christians? Continue reading →

Duty

Posted on by Shannon

This month one hundred years ago, Europe slid into war with Germany. On August 12 the British declared war and that brought Canada into the conflict. Suddenly every city and town in the country was busy drumming up men to go and fight. People stepped forward by the thousands. They thought the war would only last a few months and everybody would come home. Little did they know it would take four agonizing years, then six more in WW2. But they went willingly; they felt it was their duty. Continue reading →

On Bad Days, Remember Who You Are

Posted on by Shannon

In our busy lives our relationship with God often becomes dull in our minds, especially when we experience stress and hardship. We look at others and think they are happier, healthier and have more fun. But God wants us to know we have a very special relationship with Him that we should value, and find great encouragement. Continue reading →