Do you believe in God?
Tomorrow I shall be taking my 80th funeral service at Manchester Crematorium. Most of my funerals have beeen arranged through a friend who is a funeral director in Manchester. Over the past few years that I have provided this service I have felt privileged. It has been a privilege to enter the houses of strangers and discover that though they do not attend church they have a sort of faith.
I have seen hard bitten young men crying copious tears as they carry their father's coffin into church. The largest congregations have been when the deceased has many friends through drinking regularly in local pubs. People one would normally be uncertain of give comfort to their friends in their grieving. Huge young men of 20 stones or more have cried bucketfuls of tears at some of the funerals. Most have no religion at all and feel uncomfortable when I talk about God and Jesus.
The deceased at tomorrow's funeral was described by his sister as an atheist. But the service will not change because of this. He might not have believed in God but God certainly cares for him just as he does for me. In the past some IRA members have refused to recognise the court of law that has tried them for serious crime. Often the judge's response was "but this court recognises you." Tomorrow a man will be remembered and prayed for despite the fact he did not believe in God. He was loved by God no less and no more than God cares for me. Therefore I shall pray for him at the service.
The love of God does not differentiate between believers and atheists. It sees no merit in a Christian above that of an atheist or agnostic. We are all equal in God's sight and there is nothing anyone can do to change this. This is why none of us can work our way to heaven. There is no first or second class travel between here and the celestial city. It may be that some people cannot understand how believers gain no advantage over the rest of the world. Yet this sort of thinking must be dispelled if we are to see true equality in life. We may win prizes for the work we have achieved but the love we receive is never more that that shown to anyone else.
To all those on the outside of church life I say, "God loves you as if there was only one of you to love!" You may not have found him but God knows you as well as he knows anyone. He w2aits for you to respond and "come home." Through his agents like me He speaks to you and invites you to get to know Him on a personal level. You have the choice to come forward or remain where you are. If you stay then nothing will happen but if you commit yourself a new life of great joy is about to happen.
When you have grown tired of all that is supposed to give happiness and realise that nothing endures ultimately you can still opt for God. Now, where else can you get this sort of guarantee?
I have seen hard bitten young men crying copious tears as they carry their father's coffin into church. The largest congregations have been when the deceased has many friends through drinking regularly in local pubs. People one would normally be uncertain of give comfort to their friends in their grieving. Huge young men of 20 stones or more have cried bucketfuls of tears at some of the funerals. Most have no religion at all and feel uncomfortable when I talk about God and Jesus.
The deceased at tomorrow's funeral was described by his sister as an atheist. But the service will not change because of this. He might not have believed in God but God certainly cares for him just as he does for me. In the past some IRA members have refused to recognise the court of law that has tried them for serious crime. Often the judge's response was "but this court recognises you." Tomorrow a man will be remembered and prayed for despite the fact he did not believe in God. He was loved by God no less and no more than God cares for me. Therefore I shall pray for him at the service.
The love of God does not differentiate between believers and atheists. It sees no merit in a Christian above that of an atheist or agnostic. We are all equal in God's sight and there is nothing anyone can do to change this. This is why none of us can work our way to heaven. There is no first or second class travel between here and the celestial city. It may be that some people cannot understand how believers gain no advantage over the rest of the world. Yet this sort of thinking must be dispelled if we are to see true equality in life. We may win prizes for the work we have achieved but the love we receive is never more that that shown to anyone else.
To all those on the outside of church life I say, "God loves you as if there was only one of you to love!" You may not have found him but God knows you as well as he knows anyone. He w2aits for you to respond and "come home." Through his agents like me He speaks to you and invites you to get to know Him on a personal level. You have the choice to come forward or remain where you are. If you stay then nothing will happen but if you commit yourself a new life of great joy is about to happen.
When you have grown tired of all that is supposed to give happiness and realise that nothing endures ultimately you can still opt for God. Now, where else can you get this sort of guarantee?
posted by Keith Alexander at Tuesday, May 30, 2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home