Author: Forthright

Jon serves the East Kilbride congregation in Glasgow, Scotland, as an elder and teacher. He is on the leadership team of the British Bible School.

Always be ready

We don’t realise the impact to the Roman world of the fall of Jerusalem, particularly on Jews and Christians.

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NIV)

“The day of the Lord” is often thought of today as the end of the world, when Jesus will come in judgement and take his people home. Although there is an application to be made for us, throughout scripture this expression was not used to indicate the end of the world. Throughout the Old Testament we find this expression used when God was coming in judgement on a nation. Continue reading “Always be ready”

Hosanna to the son of David!

There is significance in so much that happened as Jesus made his entrance into Jerusalem.

“The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:6-9 CSB)

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the Sunday before his crucifixion, he did so as a victor to the proclaim of the people. Continue reading “Hosanna to the son of David!”

Ignoring the evidence

Would one more sign really convince us?

“Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.’” (Matthew 12:38 NIV)

On the surface, the request of the Jewish leaders made sense. They had been observing Jesus and hearing his teaching. If he really were from God then he should be able to prove it. Continue reading “Ignoring the evidence”

To judge or not to judge…

Christians aren’t to judge, I was told, they are to love.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1 NIV)

How many times do we hear this verse quoted to us? Usually this happens when we have pointed out what someone is doing that doesn’t align with God’s word. Continue reading “To judge or not to judge…”

Disagreeing as a Christian

We are not out to win people to what we want but to win people to serve and be faithful to Jesus.

Although Christians don’t want to be known for causing fights and conflicts, at times such are inevitable. Paul wrote to the Romans that Christians are to “Live in harmony with one another … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:16, 18 NIV). And most Christians get that. But we also realise, as Paul stated, there are times we may be doing all we can to live at peace but others are determined that there will be no peace – “as far as it depends on you”. Continue reading “Disagreeing as a Christian”

The importance of Jesus’ resurrection

Because of Jesus’ resurrection we have hope.

What will happen after we die? That is a question that people struggle with. Sadly, it is also a question Christians often struggle with. Despite the assurances we have in scripture, many are still anxious about what happens when we die and what will happen after death. If only someone would come back and tell us what it is like, we often hear.

Yet someone did! He left us the information that we need to know about what happens when we die. Continue reading “The importance of Jesus’ resurrection”