From the May-August 2010 Issue
The News From Northern Ireland
Tom McKendry
Three years on in my work for EMF and certain things have become increasingly clear. One such matter relates to the ever deepening frustration being felt by the people of God. Such frustration is due, for the most part, to a prevailing apathy among people to eternal issues. This frustration is certainly justified, since judgement is before all who remain impenitent and Christless. But it must surely be admitted that at least some of this frustration is the result of an unwillingness on the part of a significant number of God’s people to see things as they really are. I use the word unwilling rather than unable, simply because what has become of society in general is clear to be seen. This unwillingness to see things as they really are is evident by a readiness to assume too much.
It is still generally assumed that people have a basic knowledge of the Bible. This is patently not so. The days when children were sent to Sunday school and society had a reasonable moral conscience have long since gone. This is not some high moral ground judgement on my part upon anyone; it is simply an appeal to come to terms with the plain fact that much that is assumed is far removed from the reality of where we are spiritually and morally.
Assuming I am right, let me press my point just a little further, and appeal for a root and branch overhaul of thinking concerning the worldly men and women whose lives and living concern us. Let it be remembered that unregenerate men and women have no native relish for God, His law or righteousness. Common grace, in its many forms, at times may create a God-consciousness in society in general, but must never be allowed to be confused with saving grace that creates a true love for Christ and a desire to pursue godliness. In Northern Ireland common grace is everywhere to be seen, but the God-consciousness that it produced in the past is scarcely to be found anywhere – a testimony to the increasing hardness of the human heart in our otherwise sophisticated age. Indeed, just recently, as the results of the earthquake in Haiti have been presented, the cry, “How can a God of love allow such a thing?” is once again raising objection and reasoning God out of existence.
This is where we are. And it is here we should recognise the starting point for Christian work and witness. Let us assume no more that we are working where God is known, for such an assumption will only lead to further frustration and failure. We are on “Ground Zero” spiritually, but with the knowledge that, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5), we can have full assurance that our labour shall never be in vain.
By the time this article appears we here in Northern Ireland will have had our first EMF Conference of 2010. Jan Hábl was to have been with us on deputation, but due to his recent illness this has not been possible. Instead, Martin Leech kindly volunteered to attend and speak at the Conference. Pastor Steven Curry, one of the Northern Ireland Council members preached and the Rev. Ken Patterson interviewed Martin about his life and work for EMF. Our next missionary on deputation will be José de Segovia (Spain), who is due from 17th–28th May.