(written 26th May 2017). Eight years ago, in May 2009, I began undergoing radiotherapy treatment which would change my life, but not in the way that was intended. I had just had a cancer in the left side of my neck removed. To ensure nothing was left of it, the radiotherapy sessions were adopted. For 2 years 6 months since November 2006, I had been a laryngectomy. I am a life-long preacher but no longer with a natural voice! After the very unpleasant sessions I realised I was in considerable pain on the left side of my face, ear, throat and neck. I had not experienced any pain with either cancer. The excellent surgeon and radiotherapy consultants met me for follow up clinics. They bantered with each other as to which of them caused the nerve damage that started this pain. Was my trigeminal nerve ‘cut by the scalpel’ or ‘fried by the radio waves’? I joined in the fun by saying I did not mind who caused it, so long as it could be soon fixed. Eight years on, despite some regrettably short periods with no pain, it remains a challenge for me to persevere with in my life today. Ever since I knew I had cancer I have been ready to die. My right to live for ever with God in heaven was settled as a young teenager, when I admitted I was a sinner ‘Standing In Need’ personally before the holy Creator God. I said a tearful and very sincere sorry to God, and recognised Jesus to be my Saviour and Lord. God the Son is the only secure mediating Saviour. Jesus became my righteousness with God. I have no doubts about it. So, I am ready to face God’s judgement and live the eternal forever life after this short one. What I do not like is struggling to keep going through constant bad pain. I do thank those who so professionally have saved my earthly life twice, and those to whom I have said big ‘THANK YOUs”, yet they have quite inadvertently contributed to (so far) eight years of painful suffering. The collateral damage their treatment caused has changed my life every bit as much – and for a lot longer – than did the cancer in the first place. Which brings us to the question of ‘dying or living with pain?’ Let me be clear that I have no intention of taking my own life. My trust is in my Sovereign God. He always knows best. His timing is perfect. On good days, I have this at the top of my mind and heart. But other days, when the pain is foremost, I question what on earth Heavenly Father God is doing. Why must I stay here? Of course, I know that my Lord Jesus is abolishing pain, sufferings, weeping and depression when He ushers in His Kingdom after this world and all of us ‘worldlings’ have run our planned courses. But that is then. What I am sharing about is now. I have found living with almost constant severe pain a terrible challenge. The NHS supplied pain-killing drugs can deaden its effect, but only by paying the price of a muzzy-muddling head, a steadily-sizzling brain, and a lot of (it seems to me) unnecessary sleeping. The hospital pain clinic have really blessed me with two types of injections into my neck: 1. An ultrasound guided stellate-ganglion block 2. An ultrasound guided lesser occipital nerve block Both given with local anaesthetics and steroids. I have been given an open appointment and every 4-6 months Brenda phones and they see me quickly and efficiently to fend off the breaking through pain. So, I really have a lot to be thankful for. I wish I could be more thankful than I am – especially on bad days. When I think of what my Saviour, the Lord Jesus, went through on the cross for us, and what countless people suffer in war-fallout and natural disasters worldwide, how can I possibly complain? “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, For You are with me;” Psalm 23:4a.

The Master's instructions about everyday life. Colossians 3:18-4:1. Genesis records God planning family life right at the beginning of human history. The mankind He created was male and female (1:27). He commanded them to reproduce. Woman was created as a suitable helper for man (2:18-25). God gave the man and the woman to each other and then He entrusted them with the care of their children. In Exodus 20 two of the Ten Commandments are specifically to do with the family. Both refer to faithfulness within the family: ‘Honour your father and your mother’ (v.12), and: ‘You shall not commit adultery’ (v.14). Many Proverbs are intended to give guidelines to families even in this day and age. For example Proverbs 24:3 speaks of wisdom, understanding and knowledge being blended together to build a home. The New Testament pastoral epistles point to the family home as one of the proving grounds for church leadership. ‘If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?’ (1 Timothy 3:5). If the true church is to be known as ‘the family of God’ then it follows that Christian family life will influence the spiritual resources of any local congregation. As a Christian child you carry before God a responsibility to be the kind of child He wants you to be. The most concise teaching on the respective roles for Christians within their families is found in Colossians 3:18 – 4:1. It will help you to fulfil this role if you recognise that you are a reward from the Lord for your parents (Psalm 127:3); you are a reason for God bringing them together (Genesis 4:1-2); and you are a responsibility they have before God (Ephesians 6:4). Try and see your relationship from their side as well as your own. To honour your parents means that you should respect them. You should listen to what they say and place due weight on their advice. God was not taken by surprise when you turned up in their family. They are given to you as much as you are given to them! To heed your father’s instruction means that you should not be quick to reject what you are told. You should rather receive what you hear and reflect upon it (Proverbs 13:1). Hypocrisy is to be studiously avoided. How often do you hear the phrase, ‘Actions speak louder than words’? In the Bible it is used to discourage double standards, even in children (Proverbs 20:11). God wants your parents to help you to please Him and He wants you to help your parents to please Him. He commands your parents to discipline you and He says that this is an expression of real love (Proverbs 22:15; Hebrews 12:5-11). It is not possible to be a disciple of Jesus Christ without submitting to His discipline. The learning ground for this submission is the home. As your parents looked after you at the beginning of your life, so the Bible teaches that looking after them in their old age is part of your Christian service (Matthew 15:4-6; 1 Timothy 5:8). The phrase: ‘Obey your parents in the Lord,’ is best understood by reading: ‘Obey your parents as part of your Christian responsibility.’ God wants you to serve Him by being a good son or daughter to your parents. What kind of child would you like yours to be? Discussion guide on ‘Living as a Christian Child’ Reading Colossians 3:18-4:1. 1. Since Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 teach the responsibility parents, especially fathers, have before God, how should we children treat our parents? 2. What do you think “honour” means in Exodus 20:12? The Hebrew word includes the thoughts of ‘preferring’, ‘giving weight to’, ‘acknowledge the position of’. These may help you form your understanding of the Bible verse. Define the word, in relation to your attitude to your parents, in one short sentence. 3. Look up these Proverbs and from them form a sentence or small paragraph of advice on how to be a Christian child. Proverbs 13:1; 20:11; 22:15; 24:3; 29:15,17; 30:17. 4. Consider Timothy. What do we learn about his own family upbringing from these verses? 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 4:12; Acts 16:1-3. 5. How was Timothy made ready to serve God? 6. Consider our Lord Jesus. What do we learn from Him that helps us to be Christian children? Luke 2:39-40, 51-52; Matthew 10:37; 15:3-9; John 19:26-27. 7. Does your responsibility as a Christian child change as you grow older? Discuss your answer for each of these stages in life: • Under 16 years old • 16 years plus, but still living in the family home • 16 years plus, living away from home (at university etc.) • married and living close by the parents • married and living far away from the parents • married with children • when one parent has died • when both parents have died.

Issues facing Christians in Sudan today. Tribalism, ethnicity and culture section. by Israel Yohanna Angelo Adeldong. Sudan is the largest country on the African continent, with a large number of tribal groups including the African race and the Asian race (Arabs). Before independence and before Christianity these tribal groups found it very difficult to co-exist. Hostility between the tribes was the order of that period. The slave trade was a hobby and a business of the Arabs. It was a constant threat to Africans. These two factors fuelled hostilities and resulted in a strong spirit of tribalism and ethnicity. All this added to the highest enmity and hostility between the African and the Asian races. The immediate outcome was suspicion, hatred, conflict, and wars. Tribalism is, “loyalty to a tribe (a social division of a people defined in terms of common descent, territory, culture, etc.) or to tribal values”. English Dictionary (Glasgow: HarperCollins) 1995. Ethnicity is, “human group having racial, religious, linguistic and certain other traits in common”. English Dictionary (Glasgow:HarperCollins) 1995. There is a sad chapter in the history of Sudan where we look back to past events carried out by tribal groups against each other. We had stories of tribal or ethnic cleansing narrated by the grand ancestors and transferred from generation to generation. The objective of the cleansing was to uproot, eliminate and bring a permanent end to the hostile tribe – to wipe them out completely. These sad stories have caused long-standing grudges, hatred, and many civil wars between tribes in the various regions of the Sudan. Our history affects our today This experience has resulted in sharp divisions based on ethnicity, tribal groups, religious groups, and racial groups. Some tensions among tribal groups in Sudan today are transmitted from the ancestors into the present generation. People today express their inherited bitterness and anger against the tribal group or groups which fought against and maltreated their own tribe. Care should be taken to understand this background. Reconciliation should be worked out in order to heal the wounds of the past and to help groups forgive each other if tribalism and ethnicity are to be uprooted from the Sudan. (For forgiveness, consider our Lord Jesus’ own words: Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 18:21-35). Reconciliation with God and with our fellow human beings is at the heart of true Christianity, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:11-22. Traditionally tribalism is a product of the search for self-identification and belonging. Every tribe maintains and brings up their children according to the tribal norms and customs accepted and approved by the tribe. Many of the tribes claim their descent from one ancestor or ancestress. Sometimes people within the same tribe would have different identities and they would mistreat each other, for example, Moro from Krwarak versus Moro from Allabu. Moreover Moro from Etogflda would have different identities and mistreat each other, such as, Amchang versus Aynia, Ndria versus Ulba, Wëria versus Lnbua. Sadly, we could cite many more. Tribalism and ethnicity were regarded as a sign of originality and superiority. In too many cases this is still true. Each tribe claims to be the best and above all other tribes. Thus members of the tribe work hard to keep their originality and superiority at the expense of other groups. This is obvious in nepotism and favouritism, practices seen in employment and education in Sudan. Nepotism, “favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence”. English Dictionary (Glasgow: HarperCollins) 1995. Favouritism, “the practice of giving special treatment to a person or group”. English Dictionary (Glasgow: HarperCollins) 1995. When the boss is from a certain tribe, he or she gives posts to his own tribal men in order to gain money for the group he belongs to. When scholarships are offered, close relatives will be first on the list she awards them to. This spirit of nepotism has brought crises, conflicts and confusion among the ethnic groups working in the public sector, in the churches, and in the private sector. Equal rights should be given to all members of the community or group without discrimination. The rights must be based on fulfilling the conditions and regulations set for the post in case of employment, or to meet the entry and graduation qualifications in case of education. Christian intervention in this wrongdoing The reality being experienced today in Sudan calls upon the Christian church to have one mind and one message about relationships between us all as Christians (whatever our ethnicity or tribe). It is important to talk to each other across tribal boundaries because the present situation has gone beyond the political arena. Poisonous problems have entered another level of our ethnic identities and they are threatening our nationhood. While the political situation may have triggered the current mayhem, the ammunition being used by our people against each other in south, west, east, and north is no longer of a political nature. In some parts of the South and the Nuba Mountains the tools of destruction and the driving attitudes are distinctly ethnic and tribal. The current war in the Darfur region is a clear evidence of ethnic cleansing, where the Arabs are fighting the Fur people. The war may be politicised, but the truth is apparent as the Janjaweed forces are mainly supported by and mostly from the Arabs. The Christian church must speak up for all people, not just her own people. The Christian message of one people in Christ, with love and respect for everyone else, is a message for everyone to see and to hear, John 13:34-35; John 14:15; John 15:12-21. Sudan needs this message to influence situations for good In our current situation, after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, (C.P.A.), a group of ethnic communities can feel threatened politically, socially and economically by other communities. The group that feels marginalised may subsequently exert its right to self-determination against another group that is viewed as dominant in the political, economic and social arena. The results of such feelings are too often expressed through members of the marginalised group terrorising members of the dominant group, invading land, raiding cattle, etc. During colonial rule over Sudan and over the forty plus years after independence, the Sudanese people were regrouped based on ethnicity and religion. This has resulted in today’s struggle, promoting competition for power and resources. The disputed dividing line for many conflicts between tribes, (and between the Sudanese government and Sudanese people in the South, the Nuba Mountains, the Blue Nile and the Darfur regions), concerns who owns and controls which God-given resources. To help improve the situation, to minimise conflicts, and to bring tribalism to a commonly understood and acceptable level, the Church should take upon herself the challenge and stand against all types of tribalism and nepotism. (We may think of “acceptable tribalism” as tribalism with a positive outcome for everyone, enriching everyone. It is tribalism under self- control, or for the Christian, under Holy Spirit control). What the Bible says we can do Christians in Sudan need to become a “missionary society” even from the position of seeming weakness that we have, 2 Corinthians 12:10. The New Testament messianic groups chose to see themselves from this viewpoint. And they chose to live accordingly. (See Acts 2:14-24, especially verse 1); Acts 4:8-12; Acts 4:32-35; Acts 5:40-42; Acts 8:26-40; Acts 9:1-28; Acts 10:1-48; Acts 13:1-3; etc.). Within the tribal conflicts of Sudan, the Christians should join hands to develop a new society. The Church should propagate one message—“For God so loved the world”, John 3:16 (italics mine). God so loved the world, not a particular tribe nor a particular family. God’s love is world embracing. Since God’s love is world embracing, so must Christ’s love through me be offered to everyone without distinction, see Luke 6:27-36 (especially verse 32). Let me put Colossians 3:9-15 alongside the situations I have already described. By doing so we will see clearly what we can do – how Christians must live, even within such conflicts. The words in italics are my comments: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” of tribalism, racism, and nepotism “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator”. Every human being is created in the image of God. Thus there is no favouritism or division among the groups. “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”. This is personal responsibility. “Bear with each another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another”. Whatever is a very big meaning word. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful”. In the light of the verses above, our churches must apply this biblical teaching and encourage their members to accept one another. We must unite as One Body of Christ. At the same time we must help unbelievers to join the Christian Church. This will be easier when we are showing a good example of brotherhood and oneness. In the genuine Christian church there is not Nubian and Southerner, Arab and African, Fur and Jaali, Dongolawi and Shaygi, Bagari and Fallati, etc. Each and every person is Christian – living, true disciples of Jesus Christ! There is no distinction between circumcised and uncircumcised, educated and uneducated, rich and poor, man and woman, slave and free; black and white, old and young, etc. Jesus Christ is Lord of all. And Jesus Christ is seen in all being together. Conclusion The Christian church in Sudan should exercise her God-given prophetic role and be the voice of the voiceless, and the vision of the blind. We must protect all Sudanese people against injustice, oppression, exploitation, racism, marginalisation, and nepotism. The spirit of tribalism and racism will only disappear from our societies, our Christian churches and our communities if all of us submit to God and offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him, Romans 12:1-3. Paying the price, we can live as new creations in Christ Jesus, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17. United with Jesus Christ and united in Jesus Christ, together we can change today’s Sudan, (and South Sudan).. Discussion guide Using this chapter and Scriptures quoted: 1. What are the greatest obstacles to reconciliation between people in Sudan today? How does 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:13 speak into the situation? 2. What does the Bible have to say about any person’s (or tribe’s) “superiority” over another? Consider Romans 12:1-5; Philippians 2:1-5; Galatians 5:19-26; 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 3. “The Christian message of one people in Christ, with love and respect for everyone else, is a message for everyone to see and to hear”. Describe how this can be done. Use Scripture and use practical examples. 4. Share what you think “acceptable tribalism, under self-control or Holy Spirit control” might look like in everyday life. Give one example from the work place, another from church life, and a third from home life. Keep Colossians 3:9-15 in mind as you think about this. 5. Since “God so loved the world”, John 3:16, and Jesus’ blood has bought people into His kingdom from “every tribe and language and people and nation”, Revelation 5:9, what should a Christian attitude be to people of a different background to themselves? List at least ten key descriptive words. Use Scriptures if you can. .

(Written 11th January 2018.) I was taken aback midway through 2017 when my local GP said to me, “You really must cut down on the things you are doing”. I had had quite a lot of inner infections and asked him why he thought this was. Dr Stephen said I must remember my age (68yrs. at the time) and know that my body was already weak with chronic conditions including the laryngectomy, chronic breathing disorder (pulmonary obstruction), type two diabetes, night time epilepsy, and historically two total knee replacements, with two more recent prostate obstructions (non-malignant) zapped away by a laser beams – the latest near the end of 2016. Brenda and I took stock of what we were doing, especially me. We believe this was a timely message from the Lord we were given. I had technically retired at 65yrs. but was still very busy with ‘ministry’. To decide which ‘ministries’ to stop and which to keep on going involved making very tough, yet we hope realistic, choices. We felt our help for our Sudanese and South Sudanese Christian colleagues was priority, and I was three quarters of the way through editing our 7th book published in either Khartoum, Sudan, or Juba, South Sudan. (This last one has just been published with 6,500 copies in Juba: “Leadership, Integrity and Nation-building.” It can be read elsewhere on this website, as can all of the books). We decided to keep 1. at least one writing, editing, fund-raising and publishing project for our African friends, annually 2. writing and emailing 6 per year ‘BiMonthly Encouragements’ on subjects relevant to the one hundred or so Christian leaders who receive them in the two countries (plus a few others elsewhere) 3. adding to and updating our website www.colinsalter.net on the last evening every month, so making Christian Bible teaching resources available to many pastors and others in both countries. All three of these projects involve some time, in studying and preparation, presentation on the computer, and regularly keeping in contact with our dear believing friends in Islamic dominated Sudan, and in the varied sufferings of South Sudan. However, in keeping these three serving opportunities AND trying to obey the doctor’s strong advice, some things we have had to lay down and make way for others to do them. 1. Secretary of the Cornwall Speak Easy Club for laryngectomees. We still attend some meetings, but not all. We visit friends made over the last 11 years and pray that our Christian witness allows Jesus Himself to shine through to people. We stopped directly serving some 20 people who were ‘on the list’. 2. Leading a fortnightly (latterly monthly) Homegroup from Redruth Baptist Church. Brenda hosted/led the prayer times while I usually led the Bible discussions/study times. This group is presently stopped, with some folk absorbed into other RBC groups, but not all. This was probably the toughest service for us to finish, especially since we had known and ministered with some of the folk since coming to pastor in Redruth in 1981. The church elders have been very understanding. 3. Periodic preaching, about once per month, at our home church, Illogan Parish. I wanted to assist our Rector as much as he needed, but after two years or so, found speaking – even for 15 to 20 minutes – was taking so much out of me. After homegroup and after preaching I generally had to sleep most of the afternoon, evening, and sometimes into next day. So, on 31st December 2017 I preached what will probably be my last sermon, to a congregation of about 70 people, on the assigned Bible reading of Galatians 4:4-7: God’s two Christmas gifts to us 1. His Son, and 2. The Spirit of His Son. Brenda and I are still getting used to these changes. We are hoping to have a weekly day out to enjoy the beautiful Cornish coast and countryside. And a friend from church is helping with my model railway, which now takes almost half of my study! We hope we can still serve and honour our Lord Jesus in all we do, as Paul urges: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”, Colossians 3:23 New International Version - UK (NIVUK). Please pray for us as God prompts you to do so. Thanks.

Christian theology in a Sudanese context. How God saves His people from their sin. All Christians are agreed that salvation centres around Jesus Christ. Different church groups (denominations) state their beliefs in a variety of ways. Some mean virtually the same thing, while others are quite different concerning how a person is saved. It is a useful study to compare the statements that follow. I have taken them out of complete doctrinal statements in English supplied to me while I was in Khartoum. The paragraph or section numbers refer to their publication that was supplied to me. Any Bible references the church included in relevant paragraphs, I have also included here. The student is advised to read those Scriptures, along with the church statements. I have attempted to define some of the key ‘salvation’ words used in these statements, in chapter 45. The student may wish to refer to these definitions while reading this present chapter. Word meanings are important. (Old-fashioned English words used by the churches in their statements, are included in the definitions of my ‘One-line dictionary’, starting the Appendices at the end of this book. I quote the statements exactly in this chapter, in order to remain faithful to the church originals). I list the churches’ statements simply in alphabetical order. Students should read the following statements asking themselves the basic question: ‘How is a person saved?’ Assemblies of God (selections from an undated statement). “We believe in salvation through faith in Christ, Who died for our sins, was buried and was raised from among the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, and through Whose blood we have redemption. (Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 10:8-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This experience is also known as the New Birth, and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit upon initial faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:5-6; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1)”. Christian Brethren (Note: There is no ‘official’ statement of Brethren beliefs, other than the Bible. These selections are from a typical Brethren statement, undated). Section (e): “Salvation is offered free – Christ paid the price of our redemption on the cross. Salvation is freely given to all who accept by faith what Christ has done on their behalf. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through Christ we have: salvation from sin’s penalty (the wages of sin is death); salvation from sin’s power (sin shall no longer have dominion over you); and salvation from sin’s presence (when Christ returns). The New Birth brings us into God’s family and gives us new life. “You must be born again” (John3:7). The doctrine of Justification is taught especially in Romans, and puts the sinner in a position as though he had never sinned. Sanctification is a process which continues throughout the Christian’s life.By sanctification we are set apart for a holy use”. Section (f): “Christ made atonement for sin when on the cross. He bore our sin and thus became the sin bearer for us”. Episcopal Church of Sudan (Selections from ‘The Thirty Nine Articles’ of the Church of England, A.D. 1571). Try not to be put off by the rather old fashioned English writing style! Think about the concepts being used. Use the word explanations in the next chapter, or in the appendix ‘One-line dictionary’, to help your understanding. From Article 11: “We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine.” From Article 12: “Albeit that good works which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgement; yet they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith”. From Article 14: “Voluntary works, besides, over and above,God’s commandments, which they call works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety”. From Article 16: “Not every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after baptism”. From Article 17: “Predestination to life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) He hath constantly decreed, by His counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom He hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent benefit of God be called according to God’s purpose by His Spirit working in due season: they through grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God’s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity”. Gideon Theological College (Selections from the 1997 – 2002 prospectus). Section (d): “Christ Jesus the Son, is fully God and fully Man. He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life, died an atoning death upon a cross and was bodily resurrected. He has been exalted to God’s right hand and shall bodily return in glory to judge the world. (Hebrews 1; Colossians 1:15-20; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Corinthians 15; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:10-11; Romans 3:21-26)”. Section (f): “Men and women were created in the image of God and without sin. Due to the Fall they all became lost and are unable, because of their now depraved state, to please God. (Genesis 1-3; Romans 5:12; John 3:5)”. Section (h): “Salvation has been made possible by the grace of God in the provision of His Son offered as a sacrifice for sin. Salvation is thus by grace through faith in the shed blood and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:1-18; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)”. Khartoum Christian Centre – Pentecostal (selections from an undated statement). Section 4: “We believe …. The only means of Salvation is by God’s grace through the Lord Jesus Christ, effected by repentance from sin and faith towards God resulting in regeneration by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9)”. Khartoum International Church (Selections from the Statement of Faith in the Constitution, dated 6th February 2001). “We believe in …. the Son, Jesus Christ; His deity, Virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, personal exaltation at God’s right hand, and personal return. (John 1:1; Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:11)”. “We believe in …. salvation by grace through faith in the shed blood and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. (Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8)”. Nile Theological College (Selections from the Doctrinal Basis with general information, December 1999). Section 2: “We acknowledge that Jesus Christ is truly God, and truly human, and He alone is the Saviour of the world”. Section 3: “We believe that humankind is totally lost in sin, and can only be saved through God’s grace. This grace is received and demonstrated by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ”. Section 6: “The College will strive to be faithful to the Church’s tradition, particularly as contained in the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Westminster Confession of Faith”. Orthodox Church (Selections from Timothy Ware, Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia, revised 1997. Note: there is a variety of belief in the various independent branches of the Orthodox Church). Page 20: “The first six Councils A.D. 325-681, were inspired by a very practical purpose: human salvation. Humanity, so the New Testament teaches, is separated from God by sin, and cannot through its own efforts break down the wall of separation, which its sinfulness has created. God has therefore taken the initiative. He has become Man, has been crucified, and has risen again from the dead, thereby delivering humanity from the bondage of sin and death. This is the central message of the Christian faith and it is this message of redemption that the Councils were concerned to safeguard”. Page 21: “St. Paul expressed this message of redemption in terms of sharing. Christ shared our poverty that we might share the riches of his divinity. 2 Corinthians 8:9; John 17:22-23.The Greek Fathers took these and similar texts in their literal sense, and dared to speak of humanity’s ‘deification’ (in Greek, ‘theosis’)”. “Now if this ‘being made god’, this ‘theosis’, is to be possible, Christ the Saviour must be both fully God and fully human. No-one less than God can save humanity; therefore if Christ is to save, He must be God. But only if He is truly human, as we are, can we humans participate in what He has done for us. A bridge is formed between God and humanity by the incarnate Christ Who is divine and human at once”. Page 236: “… In the third place, there is nothing esoteric or extraordinary about the methods which we must follow in order to be deified. If someone asks ‘How can I become god?’ the answer is very simple: go to church, receive the sacraments regularly, pray to God ‘in spirit and in truth’, read the Gospels, follow the commandments”. Page 237-238:“Finally, deification presupposes life in the Church, life in the sacraments. ‘Theosis’ according to the likeness of the Trinity involves a common life, it is only within the fellowship of the Church that this common life of coinherance can be properly realised. Church and sacraments are the means appointed by God whereby we may acquire the sanctifying Spirit and be transformed into the divine likeness”. Page 247: “… Outside the Church there is no salvation, because salvation is the Church”. “The Church is infallible. This again follows from the indissoluble unity between God and His Church. Christ and the Holy Spirit cannot err, and since the Church is Christ’s body, since it is a continued Pentecost, it is therefore infallible”. 1 Timothy 3:15. (Note: for me, this view raises some important questions about salvation. Am I saved from sin to be with God, or to become so like God I am deified myself? Is my salvation dependent on Jesus Christ alone, or on Jesus Christ plus the Church sacraments?) Presbyterian Church of Sudan, (and Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church) (Selections from ‘The Shorter Catechism’ A.D. 1940, which is itself based on the Westminster Confession of A.D. 1643-1646). Note: a catechism is instruction given by a series of questions and answers. Question 29: “How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ? Answer: We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit”. Question 30: “How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ? Answer: The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling”. Question 31: “What is effectual calling? Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embraceJesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel”. Question 32: “What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life? Answer: They that are effectually called do, in this life, partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them”. Q.33: “What is justification? Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone”. Question 34: “What is adoption? Answer: Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of, the sons of God”. Question 35: “What is sanctification? Answer: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness”. Question 36: “What are the benefits which, in this life, do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification? Answer: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification, are assurances of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end”. Question 37: “What benefit do believers receive from Christ at death? Answer: The souls of believers are at death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, still being united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection”. Question 38: “What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection? Answer: At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgement, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity”. Roman Catholic Church (Selections from ‘We Believe’,the Roman Catholic Enquiry Centre, 1980). “Belief is based on Truth and Salvation. The Creed is the most fundamental expression of our faith. (Nicene Creed A.D. 325, revised A.D. 381). It starts not with what we believe but whom we believe in. We believe that Jesus is Lord. The Catholic Church claims the authority to help us understand this belief. The Creed is the result of the Church’s reflection on what we know of Jesus Christ from the Scriptures”. “We believe … in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of One being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven”. “We accept the fact that it is in the nature of God to be forgiving, even though we find it hard to forgive one another. To understand the wonder of God’s forgiveness, we must first realise that there is something serious to be forgiven. Sin has a social as well as a personal dimension. Sin matters to God because we matter to God, being made in His image. Confession is a meeting with Christ wherein we hear Him speak words of forgiveness. Confession has a psychological value. Meeting Christ in confession helps us to become what we are – redeemed and forgiven Christians”. “There are two stages to be considered in deciding the place of religion in life: (1) reading, talking and thinking about it; (2) making a judgement. Jesus calls us to make a decision”. “There are three steps in reaching a decision: (1) a vague inclination – somebody initially arouses our curiosity or attention; (2) thinking about it – various aspects of the life and teachings of Catholicism begin to fit together and require us to make a judgement; (3) an act of faith– faith is not just a rational process, but an act of worship by which we enter into a relationship of love and trust with Christ”. “We are not able to meet Christ in the flesh, but we encounter Him through the Scriptures, the life of the Church, and our brethren”. “At every Mass, the priest asks: ‘Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father’.And we respond: ‘May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His Church’”. “In the Mass the priest says: ‘In memory of His death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup’. Christ’s death and resurrection took place at a definite point in time. But, through the action of the Mass, the veil of time is penetrated and His saving action is applied to those present”. “A prayer for the dead: God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your servants departed, forgiveness of all their sins, that through our pious supplication, they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired; You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen”. Note: for me, this view raises some important questions about salvation. Was Jesus’ sacrifice made once and for all, or is it continually offered by a priest and people in the Mass? Can I gain salvation after my death? Can I myself, or others, effect my salvation through acts of worship, prayers and associated good works? Sudan Interior Church (Selections from the Constitution – doctrine section, undated). Section 3: “Our Lord Jesus Christ is God revealed in the flesh. Being born of the Virgin Mary, He became Man, yet was without sin. (John 1:44; Matthew 1:20-21). (a) His divine power was attested to by His godly miracles, (Matthew 9). (b) His divine love was attested to by His sacrificial and substitutionary death, (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians5:2). (c) His acceptance as our true mediator was attested to by His resurrection in bodily form and His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, (Romans 1:4; Romans 8:34)”. Section 4: “All men are lost sinners, totally unable to do anything towards their salvation. They can be saved only by repentance from sin, personal faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and by regeneration of the Holy Spirit. They cannot be saved by good works. (Romans 3:10; Romans 5:12)”. Section 5: “The evidence of regeneration is the progressive operation of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, producing in the believer a holy life and witness. (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:1-17)”. Sudanese Church of Christ (Selections from the Constitution, undated). Section 3: “We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is God revealed in the flesh. Being born of the Virgin Mary, He became man, yet was without sin. (John 1:44; Matthew 1:20-21). (a) His divine power was attested by His godly miracles, (Matthew 9). (b) His divine love was attested by His sacrificial and substitutionary death, (Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:2).( c) His acceptance as our true Mediator was attested by His resurrection in bodily form and His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, (Romans 1:4; Romans 8:34)”. Section 4: “We believe that all men are lost sinners, totally unable to do anything towards their salvation. They can be saved only by repentance from sin, personal faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and by regeneration of the Holy Spirit. They cannot be saved by good works, (Romans 3:10; Romans 5:12)”. Section 5: “We believe that all who are born again from God, are one in Christ, because they are members of His body and the body of the Church, whose Head is the crucified Jesus, not only the crucified, but also the Resurrected One Who was victorious over death. (Romans 12:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 2:17-19)”. Note: Throughout church history different Christian groups have taught their beliefs, creeds and doctrines by ‘catechesis’ – questions asked and answered by repetition between teacher and students. Perhaps this is still a good method to use in Sudan (and elsewhere) today – especially for people who do not, will not, or cannot read the Bible for themselves? (See ‘Asking and Answering Questions’ – in the Appendices at the back of this book – for one pastor’s idea of a Catechism for his congregation). Thinking it through. (a). Which of the church or college statements best expresses how a person is saved? (b). Explain graciously why you think this one is better than the others.

The Master's instructions about everyday life. (Ephesians 5:25-6:4). There can be no doubt that this is the most important responsibility God will give to any man. He may work in the secular world for fifty hours every week and serve in the church for most of his free time, but he is called by God to be a husband and a father for every hour of every day of every year. Men – when you arrive home from work you have arrived at your most important task! Ephesians 5:25 – 6:4 teaches at least four goals for the Christian family man. To give leadership in the home It was Adam that God held responsible for the rebellion in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:9). Paul says that the man is ‘the head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church’. Our Lord Jesus has never abdicated His role for the church and neither should any Christian man shirk his role in the home. Leadership involves strength and sacrifice. It involves decision-making and maintaining dedication. It involves time, sometimes experimenting with trial and error, and it involves tenderness. To initiate love in the family The love with which God loves the world is the same love that he commands the husband to have for his wife. It goes beyond sexual love, beyond sisterly love, and into spiritual love, which is made possible only through God’s Holy Spirit in your heart and life. Paul gives three comparisons to show just how much a husband should love his partner. He should love ‘as Christ loved the church’. He should love ‘as his own body’. He should love ‘as he loves himself’. God loves us in spite of our faults, in spite of our failures and in spite of our faithlessness. He never walks out on us. He never washes His hands of us. He never wavers in His love for us. He seeks love and He strengthens what love He finds. What a challenging pattern! To look after the family needs The words ‘feeding’ and ‘caring’ are very descriptive of this part of the Christian husband’s responsibility. All the needs of the church are met in Jesus Christ. With God’s help the husband should endeavour to meet the physical, material, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of his family. Of course there is a world of difference usually between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’. It may be that your first job is to teach your family to be more discerning in this matter! To be a living example to the family The Bible’s phrase describing God as ‘our heavenly Father’ puts the onus on any dad to live as an ‘imitator of God’ (Ephesians 5:1). Children should be able to learn what God is like by looking at their father on earth. They can tell the difference between reality and hypocrisy. They get exasperated very quickly if they see you saying one thing but doing another. Notice that training and instruction in the things of the Lord are also part of the Christian father’s work. They should never be left to the pastor or the Sunday School teacher. Their job is to reinforce the teaching already given in the Christian home. Is the time you invest in your family really in proportion to the responsibility God has given you? Other scriptures to read: Proverbs 29:15-17; Colossians 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:4-5; 1 Peter 3:7. Discussion guide on ‘Living as a Christian Husband and Father’ Reading Ephesians 5:25-6:4. 1. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to “imitate God” as Christians. There must be nothing remotely like “sexual immorality”, verse 3. Christians must “find out what pleases the Lord”, verse 10, and “understand the Lord’s will”, verse 17. Verses 18-20 may describe a family at worship. All this leads to the teaching on the Christian family. Why is it important to see the context of this family teaching? What is the secret for having the ability to live the way God wants us to? Verses 1,18,20. 2. How will children judge God when they pray, “Our Father, Who is in heaven…”? 3. How does Galatians 3:28, “in Christ, … there is neither male or female”, comment on the wrong attitudes of some people, who believe men are superior to women (or women are superior to men)? 4. Why do you think it was Adam God called to account for the very first sin, when it was Eve who first took the forbidden fruit? Genesis 3:6, 9-12. 5. Ephesians uses three examples of how a man should love his wife. How would you sum them all up in a short sentence? Ephesians 5: 23,25,28. 6. Why is a child likely to be “exasperated”, “provoked to anger” by his or her father? 6:4. How can the father best overcome this? 7. Whose job is it to teach children the word and the ways of God? Justify your answer from our reading. How do you think it will best be done?

Issues facing Christians in Sudan and South Sudan today. Epilogue. by Arrie Preller For a long time I had a note on my office wall saying: “It is impossible to do God’s work without God’s power.” I believed (and still believe!) those words with all my heart. Yet, I often found myself becoming so busy with the things of God that I had no time left for God Himself! It felt so wrong! Too often I became spiritually dry while doing God’s work. Was my life not supposed to be like a well-watered garden, Isaiah 58:11? I knew I had to change. Yet, I struggled (and still struggle at times) to keep God Himself practically at the top of my priority list. Can you identify with my frustration? Do you want to grab all the opportunities to serve God, but in the end find you have no time to sit at the feet of Jesus? Are you tempted to serve God in your own power? Is it difficult for you to say “no” when a worthy project comes up (even when you know saying “yes” will be at the expense of your family or your personal relationship with God)? What we need, is a constant reminder to keep our focus on God. Don’t concentrate on the things we can do for God, but concentrate on God Himself! Only He can fulfill all our needs and desires. I invite you, reader, to look with me at the Bible for some suggestions on keeping your of focus on God. Why is it important to keep your focus on God? God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He has the whole world and all its people in His hand and He can do with them whatever He wants. He gives life and death as it pleases Him. Our lives belong to God! For that reason we shall be wise to focus on Him, so that we can learn from Him. “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” Ephesians 2:10. There are so many possibilities that we could do for God. But it is wise first to ask Him what He wants us to do! God has some specific tasks in mind for you and me! Jesus serves as a good example of how to focus on God. He said: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work”, John 4:34. He also said in John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent Me”. Jesus could do so many things, yet He chose to do only the activities that the Father wanted Him to do. When we focus on God, He can show us what He wants us to do. It will not make us less busy, but it will make us more productive in our many activities! Everyday we must learn to say to God, with David when he was being hunted, “My times are in your hands”, Psalm 31:15. Start your focus by understanding that God alone can satisfy your spiritual needs “ As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2. The writers of this Psalm knew what it meant to be close to God. They also knew something of how important water is in a hot, dry country. For that reason they used the illustration of a gazelle’s thirst for water to express their intense desire for fellowship with God. At some point in their lives they had met with the living God in a very personal way. It was as if they had experienced the freshness of clean, cool, living waters flowing over their souls. These people knew nothing else would ever again satisfy their spiritual thirst. They could not be deceived to go after other sources promising spiritual refreshment. In other words, their focus was on God, the Refresher of their souls. The taste of God’s goodness made them thirsty for more. Then a time of crisis came. People mocked them. Their circumstances brought doubt to their hearts. What did they do when everything was against them? They focused on God. It was as if they cried out: “Oh, God, We need You! We need You! We need You! You alone can satisfy! Without Your presence in our lives we shall die. We do not need sermons about You, important as they are. We do not need discussions and lectures on who You are. We do not need things to do for You. We need YOU”! Have you ever experienced something of this longing in your own life? Is God such a Reality to You? Do you thirst for His presence in your daily life? Jesus promised to open a fountain flowing with living waters in the hearts of those who come to Him John 4:14. This fountain will do two, apparently contradictory, things. It will satisfy your deepest inner thirst and it will make you thirsty for more of God! This is what focusing on God will do to you! The way to start is to “taste and see that the Lord is good”, see 1 Peter 2:3. Allow God to start a new work in your life right now! As you focus on God, enjoy Him. Meditate on “My soul finds rest in God alone”, Psalm 62:1 and “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water”, Psalm 63:1. Keeping your focus on God means you must keep your focus away from the things of this world There are other forces around us, and even inside us, pulling us away from God. It is a reality that we must face seriously. When we start to focus on the many activities (good and bad) around us we can easily lose our focus on God. We have to choose our focus in our daily lives. Try to think of a suuq (market) with many shiny items and tasty food. The items are displayed in such ways that you cannot help to look and smell their mouth-watering flavours. As you walk through the suuk you have to make choices. Where will you stop and what will you buy? The world we live in can be compared to a big suuk. We must choose where to put our focus. Our focus on God is the foundation on which we must build all our other decisions. Remember the words of 1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever”. Identify the forces that try to steal your focus away from God Satan displays sin in a very tempting way at this imaginary world suuq. He encourages us to “take just one bite” knowing very well that we shall not stop after tasting the sweet, but poisonous, pleasures on sale. The world encourages us to take. If we refuse, people laugh at us or become angry and critical. There is also our old sinful nature. It is drawing us to these temptations as a thirsty horse is drawn by the smell of water. These are the realities of life. We have to constantly stand against temptations from within and without. If we understand the motives of these forces and the results if we were to obey their voices, we will begin to fight against them. Stand against these forces by focusing on God and His strength! In our struggles we often find that we do not have the strength to stand alone. We will find it hard to fight against a certain temptation, for example: pride, impatience, an unforgiving attitude, wrong sexual activity, even overeating to name just a few. At the time of temptation we either turn away from God, saying He will understand that we are only human, or we will turn to God asking for His help to overcome. When turning our focus to God it is important to understand that it is never a shame to acknowledge our own weakness. King Jehoshaphat was faced with enemies that were too strong for him. He did not rely on his strength or his own plans. He focused on God! Listen to his prayer: “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power to face this great army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You”, 2 Chronicles 20:12. In Hebrews 12:1-3 we are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus. Then we will not become weary and faint. Ephesians 6:10 urges us “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power”. We are so weak. But remember, our God is all-powerful! God wants to help us. He has the power to do so too. However, He will only use His power when we allow Him to take total control of our lives. Focusing on God does not mean a quick look in His direction before we continue following our own plans. Focusing on God means that we surrender every single one of our plans to Him. Then we ask Him to guide us and to teach us how to live. Understand there are activities that are not sinful, but they still steal focus away from God There are good activities that after some time may steal our spiritual joy and strength. Accepting all the opportunities we are offered to serve God may not always be the right thing to do. Becoming too busy with God’s things is actually wrong! Beware of becoming so busy with the things of God that you have no time left for the God of all these things! Then there are “time wasters” that we must be aware of and guard against. It is important to make time for relaxing, but we must also understand how easily we can waste hours in too many enjoyable activities. Reading the newspaper, listening to the radio, watching television or talking with friends about politics, are not wrong. But they surely can steal away a lot of our valuable time if we don’t keep them under careful control! Understand that focusing on God is not something that will happen by itself! It needs disciplined action from your side In the world we live in focusing on God is not an easy thing. It does not happen automatically. Good focus takes effort and discipline. Oswald Chambers wrote in his 'Studies in the Sermon on the Mount': “Practice means continually doing that which no one sees or knows but us. Habit is the result of practice – by continually doing a thing it becomes second nature ... We have to learn to form habits according to the dictates of the Spirit. The power and the practice must go together” Take note of his wise words! We have to choose daily how we want to live our own lives. We have to decide what thoughts to allow into our minds. The way to choose the life God intends for us is to constantly focus on God! Practical steps on how you can focus on God in a busy world Never give up developing your focus on God. Even if it sometimes feels as if you are failing, continue to work on it. Do not allow Satan to lie to you by saying you cannot change, or that God is so disappointed in you that He will not really forgive you letting Him down again. Get a workable plan on how you can spend time alone with God. You need that precious time to face all the challenges in the day ahead of you! Try to find a time and a place on a daily basis where you can be alone with God. Be creative if you live in an environment where you are never alone. Go for a walk on your own, and sit in the bush or on the edge of a field. Think of how you can spend some vital time alone with God. Remember what Jesus did: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”, Luke 5:16. Focus on God through praise and worship. As we read “praise portions” in the Bible, or we sing songs of worship and pray prayers of praise, they all help us to appreciate God more. We think about who He is and what He does. Focus on God in the simple things of daily life. Although it is very important to set aside specific time for prayer and Bible reading we must also learn to “see” God out in everyday life. Talk to at least one person about God’s goodness every day. If possible, find a friend with whom you can share your struggles and joys. Make time to pray with him or her regularly. Fill your minds and hearts with God in as many ways as you possibly can. Then you will find new joy, more power and a greater peace. As we focus on Him He rightly receives all glory, honour and power! Discussion guide Using this chapter and Scriptures quoted: 1. In your life and work what takes your focus away from God Himself? Share examples of being busy but not being as productive as you should be for God. 2. What makes you thirsty for God? and what do you find takes that thirst away? Psalm 42. 3. Realise where the world pulls you away from God and decide the best way to fight against it. Review your recent week alongside 1 John 2:15-17, listening to the Holy Spirit’s diagnosis. 4. “Accepting all the opportunities we are offered to serve God may not always be the right thing to do”. Explain why this is true. Consider the importance of discernment and being able to say, “No”! Acts 16:6-10; Acts 21:10-15. 5. “Be still and know that I am God”, Psalm 46:10. Share examples of good practice in your own life – what has worked for you to keep God central. Learning from yourself and from others, make a workable plan for regular “still time” with God. Consider Exodus 14:13-14; 1 Samuel 12:12-16; Nehemiah 8:9-11; Psalm 37:1-7.

Christian theology in a Sudanese context. How God saves His people from their sins. I have chosen the definitions that follow from several given for each word in a current English dictionary. The ‘salvation’ words are listed here in alphabetical order. I also give Bible references, in which the actual word is used in the NIV text. Any of the statements in chapter 44 should be read with these meanings taken where the words are used. I have italicised the word, and my chosen definition, which I believe is the closest dictionary definition to the Bible’s meaning for that word. adoption – to bring a person into a specific relationship. “…we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons” (Romans 8:23); “In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons” (Ephesians 1:5). assurance – freedom from doubt, certainty.. “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22); “ stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12). Assurance can be developed by positive Christian discipleship. atonement – the reconciliation of man with God through the life, sufferings and sacrificial death of Christ. “God presented Him (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement” (Romans3:25); “He had to be made like His brothers that He might make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). calling (effectual calling)– strong, inner urge to follow. “… for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39); “for God’s gift and His call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29); “The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Calling is God’s gracious act in which He invites sinners to accept salvation offered through Jesus Christ. conversion – transformation. “they told how the Gentiles had been converted” (Acts 15:3); “you know the household of Stephanus were the first converts in Achaia” (1 Corinthians 16:15). Conversion is the superintending act of God upon a person’s repentance and faith. damnation – the act or state of being condemned to hell. Not in the NIV, which uses ‘condemnation’. “The judgement followed one sin and brought condemnation” (Romans 5:16); “the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men” (Romans 5:18); and “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). elect – chosen by God to receive salvation. “that God’s purpose in election might stand” (Romans 9:11); “to God’s elect, strangers in the world” (1 Peter 1:1); “be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). faith (saving faith) – trust in God and His actions and promises. “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16); “not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is by faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9); “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Faith is a positive conviction given by the Holy Spirit, to a person who begins believing in the work of God in Jesus Christ. grace – the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification. “saw evidence of the grace of God” (Acts 11:23); “urged them to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43); “for it is by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace is undeserved and unearned. God freely gives it. impute – to attribute or ascribe something (usually dishonest or dishonourable) to a person. (Note: the negative meaning of the word ‘impute’ in English usage today, suggests to me it should not be used if another word can take its place). Not in the NIV, which uses the words ‘credit’ and ‘count against’. “The man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works” (Romans4:6); “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him” (Romans 4:8). justification – the act and process of being accounted or declared righteous, by the attributing of Christ’s merits to the sinner. “He was delivered over to death for our sins, and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25); “one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men” (Romans 5:18); “it is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33). Justification is a legal act of God in which he declares a sinner righteous on the basis of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. new birth – the moment or process of being born again. This phrase is not in the English dictionary. “no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3); “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). pardon – to release from punishment for an offence. “let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). perseverance (of the saints)– persistence in remaining in a state of grace until death. “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” (Hebrews 10:36); “the testing of your faith develops perseverance (which) must finish its work” (James 1:3-4). Perseverance is the continuous operation of God the Holy Spirit upon the human heart, bringing the work once begun to ultimate completion. predestination – the act of God foreordaining every event from eternity. “Those God foreknew He also predestined, those He predestined He also called” (Romans 8:29-30); “He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:5); “in Him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan” (Ephesians 1:11). preservation – keeping safe from danger or harm. “The Lord preserves the faithful” (Psalm31:23); “whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it” (Luke 17:33). redemption – deliverance from sin through the incarnation, sufferings and death of Christ. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7); “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:14); “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). regeneration – the act or process of moral, spiritual or physical renewal or invigoration. (Note: the idea in current English usage, that regeneration of anything is something that we do, or buy, for ourselves, makes it a word we should be very careful of using). The word is not in the NIV, which uses ‘gives birth to’ and ‘born again’ in its place. “the Spirit gives birth to Spirit” (John 3:5-6); “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth” (James 1:18); “You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable” (1 Peter 1:23); “He saved us by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus3:5). Regeneration is the act of God implanting the principle of new life in a person, changing the person’s frame of mind and heart. repentance – a sense of contrition, intensely hating past sins and resolving to make amends. (Note: again, current English usage implies the idea of giving compensation oneself, for wrongdoing. This is not the biblical idea, in which the repentant person knows there is nothing that they can do themselves). Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32); “let us leave the elementary teachings … the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death” (Hebrews 6:1); “if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance” (Hebrews 6:6). Repentance is the change brought about in cooperation with the Holy Spirit in which a person sees themselves as God sees them, and turns from themselves and their sin, and turns to God. righteousness – just and upright. (Note: current English usage often understands ‘righteousness’ as ‘self- righteousness’, righteous in one’s own eyes, not necessarily in the eyes of others. Again, this means that if we use the word, we must carefully define it. Christian righteousness is God-given. “through the obedience of one Man the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19); “Christ died for our sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18). sacrament – an outward sign combined with a prescribed form of words and regarded as conferring some specific grace upon those who receive it. In the Protestant churches the sacraments are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches they are baptism, penance, confirmation, the Eucharist, holy orders, matrimony and the anointing of the sick, (formerly ‘extreme unction’). Sacrament is a church word, not a Bible word. sacrifice – the ritual killing of a person or animal with the intention of pleasing God. “It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 12:21-28); “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7); “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people” (Hebrews 9:27-28). salvation – deliverance by redemption from the power of sin and the penalties following on from it. “My eyes have seen Your Salvation” (Luke 2:30); “Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12); “The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). sanctification – being made holy, free from sin, purified. Jesus prayed to God the Father, “Sanctify them by the truth …For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified” (John 17:17-19); “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:3);“May God Himself sanctify you through and through” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Sanctification is a continuing work of God the Holy Spirit with a person’s willing cooperation, in renewing the whole of their life into the image of Jesus Christ. security (eternal security) – the state of being free from danger, able to be relied on. Not in the NIV which uses the word ‘keep’. “To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Jude 24-25). supererogation – the performance of work in excess of that required or expected. Not a biblical word. Used especially in the Roman Catholic church of merit-earning extra acts of devotion. Finally, as an example of how we can read and understand any statement of faith, notice what happens when I exchange the meanings for the words used in my own church – Khartoum International Church – statement of faith: “We believe in deliverance by redemption from the power and penalty of sin (salvation), by the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification (grace), through trust in God and His actions and promises (faith), in the shed blood and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord”. Thinking it through. (a). Give another Scripture verse (not the ones in this chapter) for every one of the twenty-six ‘salvation word’ definitions given in chapter forty-five above. (b). Explain how the verse you have given helps to define the ‘salvation word’?

Brenda and I have spent 2018 adjusting [1] to life with less of a ‘preaching, leading and teaching’ role – yet surprisingly our days still seem to be just as full! We must be slower at doing what we do do? My ‘laryngectomy lifestyle’ continues much as before. I had only two voicing-valve changes, 2nd May and 5th November. Royal Cornwall Hospital’s policy is not to let a valve go in situ much over six months. In both cases mine had just started to give a few leaking problems when the ‘six months reminder’ notice appeared in my diary. On the bus home, coming from the change, I remember thinking, “These used to be quite a battle to change early on as a laryngectomee. The Speech and Language Therapists, who carry out the procedure, could find it very difficult to keep the fistula open with a puncture dilator, in between when the old valve was removed and the new one placed. I did not enjoy having the insides of my trachea touched inadvertently, making me cough in a body-shaking, head-spinning way. But this last time the whole process lasted just five minutes with no discomfort to speak of. Just a tad of ‘gunge’ was discovered encrusted on the oesophagus (back) side of the valve. Of course this is invisible when the valve is in place, but it can make its presence felt by wedging the speech flap a tiny bit open and therefore enabling fluids to leak into the lungs, causing intense coughing. I must learn to understand that a few more little coughs in a day around meals or drinks may be a sign to email Jane and Frances for an appointment to change my valve. At the back of my mind as I write is an inkling to stockpile my required laryngectomy supplies because of all the kerfuffle around Brexit. My backplates, Heat and Moisture Exchangers (four different types), adhesive removers, foam shields, and the like, all are imported to the UK from manufacture in Sweden. I use one or two backplates, one to four HMEs, one adhesive remover sachet per day, plus occasional foam shields, for the different situations I find myself in. The supplies I have courtesy of our great National Health Service (for which I thank God regularly), will not last more than a month to six weeks. So far I have resisted ordering a load more from my local doctor because our government promises there will be enough – and medical supplies are their priority. Only time will tell! Thoughts of not being able to speak at all with any loss of all these aids, and being much more susceptible to germs etc., are unpleasant. Using them daily makes me consistently grateful for God’s blessing on me in supplying items that I do not take for granted. When I nebulise for 30 minutes or so every morning, with a saline solution to cleanse the inside of my stoma, and then while I spend a further 15-30 minutes cleaning the valve and the skin before applying the adhesive backplate with HME, I try to always count these and other blessings God has given to me. Away from laryngectomy issues, Brenda and I are adjusting to me ‘doing less, as the doctor ordered’. We attend a church homegroup, but do not lead it. We go to church communion services with two different fellowships, but do not preach. (We do occasionally do public Bible readings when asked). We attend Speak Easy Club meetings sometimes, but I’m not the secretary/organiser. I go to local Atos Medical events for updating discussions. Obviously we miss some things we used to do and some people we used to be with quite a lot. But we have quite reasonable health to thank God for – as long as we carefully accept our physical limitations. I have only attended one Redruth RFC home rugby match this year – when “we” were thrashed by the top-of-the-table team from Reading known as ‘the Rams’. A friend whom I married when I was minister of my first church, in Ascot, is an influential follower of the Rams. I did not want to refuse his offer of a free lunch in the clubhouse before the game. My 00guage model railway has expanded to go around my study walls completely, with a twin track. There is a four track terminus station, two other stations, and two independent ovals with goods trains plus sidings. I can have four controlled trains running concurrently. The scenery will be the major item for 2019. Work wise we were able to publish 10,000 copies of a Christian discipleship book in Juba, South Sudan, in the autumn of this year: 5,000 in English and 5,000 in Arabic. You can read and/or download both elsewhere on this website. God has graciously and generously used this book since 1987 when it was first published here in England as “Raising the Standard”. We know of people blessed by God through it in Australia, Jamaica and Zambia, as well as Sudan and more recently South Sudan. This thought spurs us on to keep writing and publishing with whatever time God grants us before as our Father in heaven He calls us home. Both Brenda and I are working on new books for 2019 – Brenda “My Notes on Teaching the New Testament”, the complement to her “Old Testament” also on this website – and mine with the provisional title of “Later Lessons from my Journey with Jesus”! We have published up towards 100,000 books in Sudan or South Sudan. We will really praise God if we can break that ‘goal’ in 2019. Thank you for your interest in reading this. May God grant you peace, faith and love in the present and the future. I welcome your questions. [1] When you adjust to a new situation, you get used to it by changing your behaviour or your ideas

The Master's instructions about everyday life. (Ephesians 5:21-6:4). So where does that last lesson leave the Christian woman in her marriage and with her family? Is she inferior because her husband is the leader? Of course not! The Bible teaches that every individual man and woman is of immense value to God. He sees men and women as equals. Equality does not mean uniformity. It is important for a woman to find and to fulfil her role in the Christian family. From Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4 (the same scripture as the men read!), let’s see four principles that may help you to be the person God wants you to be. Submit to your husband as to the Lord (vv.22-24) The church takes its direction, impetus and discipline from the Lord Jesus Christ. She responds to Him in willing submission. Communication between Christ and the church through prayer, prophecy, preaching and precept, leads to both parties moving forwards together. This communication is two-way. The Christian wife is to take her lead from her husband. She is to do what he says, but not slavishly. As she shares communication with him and shows submission to him, they will be led by Christ to serve him together. Notice that the Bible does not say: ‘Submit only if he loves you as Christ loves the church.’ It says that your responsibility is to submit. Grow in your own spirituality (vv.25-32) Our Lord seeks to present His church ‘radiant’, ‘holy’ and ‘blameless’. Of course that can only happen with willingness on our side. Your husband may seek to encourage spiritual growth in you, but only you can enable success. Even if your husband actually discourages you from following Christ, you can still endeavour to be Christlike in your adversity. Every Christian woman ought to be striving to become ‘without stain or wrinkle’. Pay attention to your spiritual complexion as well as your skin complexion! Get ready for your heavenly Bridegroom. Develop your own spiritual growth, prayer time and Bible study, independent of your husband, but in a close partnership with him. Support your family wholeheartedly (vv.31-33) Verse 31 teaches that two human beings can be one in love and in purpose. Thinking it through a little further this means the husband and wife should communicate with each other, determining a common understanding of circumstances and events. Then they will have unity in disciplining the children. They will speak as one entity to those outside the family, even if it sometimes means saying, ‘I’ll check with my partner first.’ In everything they say and do, whether apart or together, there will be a consolidation of their relationship which will bring pleasure and purpose to them both. Serve willingly in your home for your Lord (v.21) To follow Christ in your home frequently means operating the principle of ‘denying yourself’ in the most mundane of situations. You belong to your Lord, you belong to your family and you belong to yourself. All three must be consulted in deciding where you want to go today and how you want to do a particular thing. A woman is often the most constant factor in her family and so her life can set the tone for the entire family. Teach a life of service by developing the servant spirit as an example in your home. A good marriage is not 50/50 give and take. Try a 200% marriage: you be 100% what God wants you to be and help/allow your partner to be 100% what God wants him to be too. Other scriptures to read: Proverbs 31:10-31; Luke 9:23; Colossians 3:12-14; Galatians 3:28; 1 Peter 3:1-7. Discussion guide on ‘Living as a Christian Wife and Mother Reading Ephesians 5:21-6:4. 1. “A good marriage is not 50/50 give and take”. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Say why? 2. Discuss how a Christian husband and wife are like a lock and a key – of equal value but having different roles in the same task. What good is either without the other? 3. Whatever modern media teaches, God has planned that one man and one woman together equal one family unit. How can one plus one equal one, in Christian marriage? 4. Give practical examples of how you understand the word “submit” in Ephesians 5:22, 24; Colossians 3:18. Show how this does not mean the wife is inferior, nor superior, to her husband. 5. How can a Christian wife grow spiritually in her marriage? Consider 1 Peter 3:1-7 for your answer. 6. Both the Christian husband and the Christian wife are told to “respect” each other, see Ephesians 5:33 and 1 Peter 3:7. The Greek words can be translated, “honour” or “reverential fear”, in the sense that every Christian should give to God. Explain how this attitude of respect for the other partner may work out in practice. Give examples if you can. 7. How does Luke 9:23 impact any Christian wives or husbands? Does it make it easier or more difficult to live as God wants you to live? Why?

Christian theology in a Sudanese context. How God saves His people from their sins. We have already seen there is a large element of mystery about exactly how salvation is experienced. Although the birth of any human baby is something all the family and their friends know about and rejoice in together, the initial conception some nine months before, is something very private between husband and wife. Even they do not know for a month or two that conception has happened. Some couples have to wait for months or even years to conceive their first child. I am honoured to know of three Sudanese children who have been named after me, simply because I was privileged to visit their homes and to pray with the families immediately after their baby’s birth. One baby was a girl, so her name is pronounced ‘Colleen’ rather than ‘Colin’! It is possible to explain the ‘salvation process’ in different ways. But however it is explained, it is important we have a clear understanding of it. Much evangelism in Sudan (as well as in Britain, America, and elsewhere) is spoilt because of a poor understanding of the salvation process. It is not sufficient to get people to raise their hands at the end of a meeting and then to tell them (and our prayer partners) ‘they are all saved’! I believe this does a lot of damage to the overall Christian mission, because it gives people the false understanding that they have become Christians. God may not have done His necessary work within their lives. Some who raised their hands may well be being saved as they respond to God. But damage is done to others, who while sincere, are simply being carried along by the occasion. They may later conclude “I’ve tried being a Christian, and it didn’t work for me”. The truth is that they were never ‘saved’ at all. We must be careful that our methods do not give any who listen a false understanding. Evangelism must be seen as a partnership with God. God is the senior partner. We have a part to play, but unless God the Holy Spirit is at work, our efforts will not result in real conversions. We will look at this issue some more in the following chapter, 47. Here we will mention three good ways of explaining how salvation happens. The first one, (Berkhof), I was taught in Bible College. The second one, (Grudem), I used to teach my students in England and Sudan. The third one, (Reidhead), is my favourite, and I used to teach it especially to my students on ‘evangelism’ courses in England. Louis Berkhof was a professor at Calvin Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, in U.S.A. from A.D. 1906-1944. In his ‘Systematic Theology’, he presents “the Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption”. Berkhof defines the ‘order of salvation’ as “the process by which the work of salvation, wrought in Christ, is subjectively realised in the hearts and lives of sinners”. He aims to describe events in a logical order and in their relationship to one another. Wayne Grudem was a professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, in U.S.A. His ‘Systematic Theology’ also presents “the Doctrine of the Application of Redemption”. Grudem defines his chapters as looking “at the way God applies to our lives” the “fact that Christ died and earned salvation for us”. It is helpful to look carefully at the two sets of chapter headings, and to compare them. They are two of several equally valid explanations of how God enables us to experience salvation. The student should refer to the definitions we have given in chapter 45 to help him or her understand these suggested stages. Berkhof lists: the operation of the Holy Spirit (in general terms); Common Grace (what God does for everyone, not just for the ‘saved’); the Mystical Union (between Christ and believers); Calling in General and External Calling; Regeneration and Effectual Calling; Conversion; Faith; Justification; Sanctification; Perseverance of the Saints. Grudem lists: CommonGrace; Election and Reprobation (the decision of God to pass over those who will not be saved, and to punish them for their sins); the Gospel Call and Effective Calling; Regeneration; Conversion (Faith and Repentance); Justification (Right Legal Standing before God); Adoption (Membership in God’s Family); Sanctification (Growth in Likeness to Christ); Baptism in and filling with the Holy Spirit; The Perseverance of Saints (Remaining a Christian); Death and the Intermediate State; Glorification (Receiving a Resurrection Body); Union with Christ. An initial glance at these lists shows that there is a lot more to salvation than ‘raising your hand’ after a sermon! Paris Reidhead was at one time a linguist and missionary along the Sudan-Ethiopia border. I met him in Washington, D.C., in U.S.A.during A.D. 1991. We spent an enjoyable day talking about, and praying together for, Christians in Sudan. He gave me a copy of his book “Getting Evangelicals Saved”. It was written because he was disturbed by the reducing of the term ‘salvation’ to mean only the forgiveness of sins, or the new birth. Reidhead felt Christians were missing out on appreciating what the Bible calls “such a great salvation”, (Hebrews 2:3). Too many Christians, just like followers of other religions, have a ‘dead faith’ rather than a ‘saving faith’. Reidhead gave the example of: “Sahid, our cook at the mission home in Khartoum. He came to us on Sunday evening to tell us he was starting out with a group of missionaries to drive across the desert about 3,500 miles to Lagos, in Nigeria. Sahid was going to cook for the missionaries, but he was also going to his home. He had left forty-four years earlier on a pilgrimage to Mecca, but now he was going back. “I want to say ‘goodbye’ to you”, he said to me. “I’m leaving”. “You’ve been a devoted man, Sahid”. “Yes, I’ve been to Mecca twice,” he explained. “Have you fasted every Ramadan?” I asked. “Oh yes, every Ramadan. Ever since I was a boy”. That meant for a whole month, from sun-up until sun-down, Sahid never ate, or drank, or swallowed his spittle. “Have you tithed?” “Oh yes.” To the Muslim, tithing is not merely giving ten per cent of what he earns, but each year tithing two percent of all that he possesses. “Have you prayed, Sahid?” “Oh yes! Five times a day”. “Sadid,” I asked, “do you have peace in your heart? Do you know, if you died, that you would go to be with God?” “Oh no! I don’t have that. I can only hope that any good works may be such that, when I die, Mohammed will reach down and take my hand and help me across the abyss, so that I will not have to suffer.” Sahid observed rituals, rites, and taboos. There were things he could and could not do – things he could eat and not eat. He had observed them all. But his was a dead faith. If I had asked,“Is Mohammed living in you?” Sahid would have laughed at me. … Mohammed (died in Medina, A.D. 630 and) was buried”. And if I had asked, “Does God ever reveal to you that you are His?” Sahid would have laughed again. Friends, there are multitudes who name the name of Christ, who are associated with Christian groups, but have accepted only rituals and taboos. They abstain from this and they observe that. They have been baptised and catechised. But they are unaware that salvation is not a system of doctrines, taboos or rituals. They do not know that salvation means having the life of Christin you. “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). They have everything but Christ, and so they have a dead faith”. Reidhead wrote: the meaning of salvation is ‘having the life of Christ in you’. I have used his simpler ‘order of salvation’ in my understanding and my evangelism for 13 years. I present it here, for you to consider. This is how God brings someone out of spiritual death into spiritual life through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not giving mental assent to a set of doctrines. Christ did not send us salvation, He died to become our salvation. (Exodus 15:2; Luke 2:30; Luke 3:6; Luke 19:9; Acts 4:12; Titus 2:11; 1 Peter 1:10-11). Reidhead lists eight chapter headings in defining ‘Conversion’: awakening; conviction; repentance; saving faith; new birth; the witness of the Holy Spirit; temptation and brokenness; victory through Jesus Christ. 1. Awakening is that new sensitivity God the Holy Spirit works in people to cause them to realise their need. It is expressed by feelings of dissatisfaction with life as it is, a growing awareness of an awesome God, the recognition of personal sinfulness, and the beginnings of a search for something more to be experienced. (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10; Luke 3:10, 12, 14; Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30; Ephesians 5:13-14). 2. Conviction means seeing ourselves as God sees us. God the Holy Spirit shows us that we are condemned, and deserving of God’s righteous anger. Sin is essentially anarchy, living in selfish rebellion against God’s rule. Sometimes ignorantly, other times deliberately, we creatures challenge our Creator’s control of our lives. The Holy Spirit proves to us that we are sinners in God’s sight and He encourages us to accept responsibility for our sin. This is expressed in a heavy conscience, depression of mind and heart, an argument going on within oneself over what is right and what is wrong. (Genesis 42:21; Numbers 21:7; 2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51:3-5; Ezra 9:6-7; John 16:8-11; Romans 8:6-8). 3. Repentance means a change of attitude involving a complete turn around. God the Holy Spirit helps us to change our life’s purpose from what it has been to what it ought to be. As the essence of sin is ‘I’m going to do what I want to do’, so the essence of repentance is ‘from today on, I am going to please God’. The result is being absolutely committed to the practice of pleasing God. (Luke 13:5; Acts 5:29-32; Acts 17:30-31; Acts 20:20-21; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11). 4. Saving faith means total personal commitment to the Sovereignty of God. Jesus is objectively ‘Lord’, whether I acknowledge it or not. He is Lord of all! When God the Holy Spirit helps me to commit myself subjectively to Jesus as ‘Lord in my life and all that is around me’, I exercise the gift of saving faith. (Genesis 22:1-19; Romans 4:1-25; Romans 10:10-11; Hebrews 11:1-2). We need to be very careful here. There is a ‘belief’ – even belief in the truth – that does not lead to salvation. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder”, James 2:19. Saving faith is a gift from God to be received and lived upon (Ephesians 2:4-10). 5. The new birth is the crisis of a changed relationship with God. It is effected by God, in the heart of a person who has exercised a heart faith (not just a head faith) in the Lord Jesus. It is something God the Holy Spirit works within a person in response to their exercise of saving faith. That saving faith must be in the finished work, and exalted Person, of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has earned our salvation. We must accept it and act upon it. Three times Jesus said ‘You must be born again’ (John 3:3,5,7). God the Father purposed our new birth. God the Son purchased our new birth. God the Holy Spirit produces new birth within us, as we respond to his workings. Nicodemus showed this change of heart by a change in the motivating principle of his life. (John 3:1-2;John 7:50-52; John 19:38-40). 6. The witness of the Holy Spirit expresses saving faith and new birth. No-one has the right to tell another person that he or she is born of God – you cannot tell your friends that they have just become Christians – this is the job of God the Holy Spirit. It would be a terrible thing if I told someone they were ‘saved’ when they were lost! I may give them a false sense of being right with God! When a person does what God’s word commands, they will be born again. When they are born again, they will have the witness of the Holy Spirit. I listen for people to tell me they have become Christians. The truth of their testimony will become more obvious as the weeks, months and years go by (Romans 8:15-16; 1 Corinthians 2:11; John 20:31; 1 John 5:9-13). 7. Temptation and brokenness together are ongoing evidences of salvation. Temptation is a proposition, presented to the mind and intellect, to satisfy a good appetite in a forbidden way. Sin is a decision of the will to gratify a good appetite in a bad way. Friendship with God is interrupted when a child of God sins. We should come frequently to the Scriptures and allow God to show us what we are like in His eyes. Confession of sin means that we completely agree with God, and that what He sees and what He says are absolutely right. We do not need to be afraid of this, because the blood of Jesus Christ is our continuing provision for forgiveness (Proverbs 6:16-19; John 15:1-4; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Hebrews 12:4-8; 1 John 1:8-9). 8. Victory through Jesus Christ is a practical hope that we have. As long as we live in this life we are going to be subject to temptation. We know this. As long as we live we will be capable of giving in to temptation. We know this too. Our salvation will only be fully complete when we are taken to be with our Saviour Jesus in heaven. This is the sure and certain hope that we have. We put it into practice in our everyday lives. Jesus gives us the daily victory over sin as long as we continually choose His way rather than our own (Matthew 1:21; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 2:1-4; Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Thinking it through. (a). What is the danger for an evangelist who misunderstands, and therefore misrepresents, salvation in his or her evangelism? (b). Grudem lists about seventeen steps in the salvation process. Which ones should you present in gospel preaching? Why? (c). Are there any of Reidhead’s eight steps in the salvation process that you seldom hear preached in gospel sermons? Why do you think this is?

16. New Challenges Ahead (Written 1st October 2019). Perhaps I should not have said how well my laryngectomy voicing valves were working in the January instalment of my biography. This year I have had several battles with the valves – not the changing of them at the hospital, the SLTs do that very well as I’ve said before – but problems making them last. I have had several last around two months, the shortest just 1 month 20 days. My current valve has been in since 5th September, doing OK so far. But when one has had a series of real difficulties one becomes very wary. And to make matters worse the emergency ‘plug’ I carry at all times to stop any liquid leaking into my lungs when the valve ceases working, I have discovered three times now that I cannot make it fit. The angle my valve sits in to my throat, and my stoma opening, between them did not allow ‘the plug to plug in’! I felt a bit sheepish even foolish because I had had lessons on how to do it. And yes, I did suddenly feel a whole lot better when my SLT discovered she couldn’t do it either. It appears that my fistula is migrating a bit (after 12-13 years) a fact we will need to keep note of because it could result in further surgery. It is possible that my weight loss because of diabetes is contributing to this. Brenda and I have noticed how often one hospital department rejoices at results while another picks up the treatment of unintended collateral damage. I am newly prescribed 2ml of Nystatin drops twice per day. My SLT found a Candida fungus (a yeast-type infection) on the food side of my valve, for the first time in 12 years and 10 months! Several of my laryngectomy friends have suffered it from the beginning of their new life with no voice-box. Of course Candida is invisible when the valve is in situ, but makes it’s presence known by propping the valve open very, very slightly, just enough to let droplets of moisture get into lungs causing bone-shaking, head-befuddling and, at times, painful coughing. It can take me good hour to recover from an episode and one never knows when or where it is going to happen. We try to trust God, our loving Father in heaven, through the down times as well as the ups. The challenge of this has been compounded by further cancer scares this time in my bladder and prostate. A six month series of continuous infections led to two cystoscopes. At the first , where samples had been taken, I was told by the surgeon I had malignant cancers in the bladder and they had been unable even to see into the prostate. I was able to watch absolutely fascinated by what they were doing, and seeing parts of my body I had had for 70 years but never viewed before! “Like a battlefield” the surgeon told his team within my hearing, describing my bladder. Bad news. I actually wrote letters to my children and to Brenda, ‘goodbye’ letters, because I did not want to go through all the ongoing trauma of physically invasive treatment. I felt I had had enough of that already with throat and neck cancers and their residual ongoing handicaps. However, four weeks later a letter came from the urology surgeon saying, ‘Good news, the biopsies showed no malignancy, only benign growths’. He went on to say he did not expect to see me again for six months (around Christmas!). Brenda and I were knocked sideways a bit by both of these differing conclusions, as I’m sure you can imagine. This was and is especially true because I still have the aches, pains, infections and other discomforts that took me to the Urology Department to start with. My GP doctor has insisted I remain on an antibiotic permanently until I revisit Urology in six months. So on we go!  Still smiling. (I still have two letters to write, one to each grandson, which I did not send back in early summer. I am praying to know when the time is right for them. I do believe it is important for me to present to them, as best I can, my trust in Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, plus the reasons for it. I urge every grandparent reading this to witness to their descendant family in this way. I plan to leave copies of something similar with my will too). Mid-year Brenda and I decided the current book I am writing should be my last. Making lots of mistakes and being unable to take pressure in my brain! The title evolved in the end to ‘Thoughts from my Journey with Jesus’. God-willing it will be found on this website later this year, probably on November 1st. Here is a preview of the cover: 7,500 copies are being printed in Juba this month. Please join us in praying for safety, accuracy and for the wise distribution later on – across South Sudan and up into Sudan. May be the latter will become easier now some reforms appear (from this distance) to be beginning there? I also plan to stop writing my BiMonthly Encouragements, with the last one being emailed out to 110 folk in Sudan and South Sudan on 10th December 2019. I hope to put it on this website for 1st January 2000. In fact, the monthly updating of our website is the one and only plan we have to continue with our dear Sudanese and South Sudanese friends. Some of these friends have been ‘with us’ since a Pastor’s Conference I taught at Khartoum North Evangelical Church in 1986, pictured top right on the book’s front cover above! Obviously we will still respond to emails and letters (though I have not had one of those from there this century!). Also as God enables us we trust to quietly continue some ongoing private sponsorship of individuals we have known and trusted while ministering together for three decades or so. It is sometimes ‘fun and games’ actually getting money to them , frequently making poor Brenda ‘tear her heart out’, figuratively speaking. The general banking system still doesn’t trust either country – possibly with good reason. Brenda’s ‘My Notes on Teaching the New Testament’ will be at the Juba printer’s during November, God-willing. We plan to print 5,000 copies at least, more as we can afford it. She is no longer leading the ladies’ Fusion group. It has recently become a monthly inter-church ladies’ group for fellowship, sharing, with different people bringing a ‘thought for the day’. Brenda hopes to keep attending with her friends, of course. So, what are the ‘New Challenges Ahead’ mentioned in the heading above, did I hear you thinking? I list some of them, we don’t pretend to know everything that will arise for us: 2020 and beyond · Learning to keep in love with our Lord Jesus Christ more and more · Caring for each other, with an ever-deepening love from God above · Enjoying our extended family, and helping them out where we can · Praying for friends and situations, here and around the world · Pastorally visiting and caring, locally among Christian friends, and with our immediate non-Christian neighbours (we have made our home here for more than 30 years) · Bird-watching and therefore a little walking · 00 gauge model railway building scenery, displaying several scenes · Sorting through our accumulated possessions, and rationalising  · Watching the Rugby World Cup every four years (as Brenda and I are doing presently with ‘2019 RWC Japan’ – come on England!).