Author: Noel Williams

Welcome to my new blog–Jamaican Gazette. My name is Noel Williams. I am a former Law Enforcement Officer and hobbyist food photographer. I use this blog to report trending news in Jamaica. My main focus are: Politics, culture, crime, Dancehall and Reggae.

Should Christians get involved in politics?

There is a growing number of people in the USA; Christians included who have made it evident that they want nothing to do with politics. In fact, many of these people get so exercised about corruption in the political system that they have declined to vote.

But, despite the widespread corruption in our political system, everyone who is eligible, should at least exercise their right to vote. Taking a hands-off approach will not help to make the system better. We live in a democratic society. The people who run the show are not self-appointed. We the people elected them to represent us. Therefore, the onus is on us to choose the right people to run our affairs.

Of course, Christians should get involved in politics and even seek elected offices. But it must be for good reasons. Many Religious organisations flirt with politics; because they want their selfish agendas brought to the fore. For example, evangelicals are lining up behind a particular nominee for president who has made an extensive list of innuendos, toxic rhetoric and critical commentary against women and the most marginalised minorities. Still yet, these Christians are willing to sell their souls to the devil in exchange for this person, who might even be an atheist.

As much as I’m eager to support a reputable Christian for elected office, I would shudder if that person attempts to push a theocratic agenda. There has to be a distinct line between politics and your religion. Our country is too diverse to have politicians pushing hot button issues that do not serve the interest of the country at large.

How much have you grown as a Christian?

Before you start to measure your Christian growth, it’s important to understand that the Christian journey is like running a 10K marathon. It is gruelling, and you are likely to stumble many times. But that’s OK. Your goal is to conquer the journey. The Bible tells us that, “The one who conquers, I (Jesus) will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also have overcome and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

But, unlike the temporal marathons, everybody starts with the same advantage, and there is no preparation time. The day you gave your heart to the Lord, that’s when your journey begins. And it is not an annual or four years event. It is continuous.

Still, despite the rough and tumble. There are cool things about running a Christian marathon. For example, everybody is allowed to bring all their baggage along with them. And the more ground you cover, the easier the race gets. Temporal marathons get harder as you run the course, and runners avoid excess weight.

Now, as you navigate your course, you will come upon different baggage stations with labels unique to the baggage you carry. God strategically marked each Baggage station according to His Commandments. And all the stations are mistake proof.

So, my friends, it is reasonable to agree that how much we grow as Christians are directly proportional to the baggage we shed permanently. Everyone has baggage, even if you do not want to admit it. The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Jesus is our High Priest

Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know that we have a real impartial High Priest in heaven, who is acting on our behalf? He pleads our cases equally, to the Father. And nobody has to worry that He might sell you out.

Jesus is our High Priest and defender, and although sometimes it seems He is not listening; the truth is, He is working hard to declare your case null and void and to redeem you of your trespasses.

So, my friends, though your valleys are deep and wide, and your hills and mountains are steep and rocky hang tight. Rest assured that our High Priest is doing the right thing for everyone.

Fill my cup Lord

When I was a child, my mother would drag my brother and me with her to Church three times per week. Sunday night service was fun. Liked to listen to people testify about what God did for them. And I could not get enough of the songs they sang. One of my favourites from back then is: “Fill my cup Lord.” It was known as the altar call song. People would run to the altar to get their spiritual cups fill. I did not understand much of what was going on then.

Years later when I gave my heart to the Lord, I realise that it did not matter how saved you think you are; there is a time when you feel empty. You cannot put your finger on the reason. But you know there is a sense of emptiness within. And the fire you once had in your belly suddenly lose its fury. So, you start to look for answers, but nothing seems to help.

That is when you run to the altar and ask God to fill your cup.

 

 

Do you love your neighbour​ as yourself?

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself” is a command from God. But most Christians struggle to obey it, and rightly so. How can we give up our prejudices and love our neighbour as we love ourselves? Humans are naturally programmed to favour self, family and friends over everybody else. Even Jesus had a disciple who the Bible referred to as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Still, despite our prejudices, and our history. Everyone can be compassionate and helpful to people of different race, culture or class. And I firmly believe that’s the message Jesus intended to get across when He told the parable of The Good Samaritan (Read Luke 10:25-37).

So, my friends, it is time for a new mindset and a new way of thinking.

Don’t wait until the ark door is close before you surrender. I am sure none of you wants to hear the following words when you appeared before Jesus:

41 “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes, and you did not clothe me, I was ill and in prison, and you did not look after me.”

44 ‘They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or ill or in prison, and did not help you?”

45 ‘He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

46 ‘Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:41-46).