charis

GREAT GRACE— AND A GREAT SAVIOUR!

(July 28, 2025) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share…

As most of you know we like relaxing by watching old movies… especially these days as I (Robert) can’t do much as a result of that very bad fall I had early this month (Thanks to the many friends who are praying for me.. and Maureen, my first-aid specialist ‘nurse!’).

Yes, just to please me Maureen still lets me suggest watching old John Wayne movies! (and yes, she enjoys them too!). And yes, since I was a kid the Duke has been ‘my hero’… even beyond Batman, Flash Gordon, Cagney and Bogart.

Discovery
But… better still, and more meaningful, both Maureen and I at a very young age, five or six, discovered the greatest ‘hero’— Jesus Christ! And recently in my taking it easy to recover, we discovered the brilliant Rosemary Siemens singing those precious old hymns that so many Christians and churches don’t sing or even know these days! And what a precious gentle voice and her mastery of integrated violin playing. We’ve been so blessed!

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LET CHRIST TAKE OVER— EMBRACE GOD’S AMAZING GRACE!

(July 20, 2025) Dr Richard Winter challenges…

Most people I have met realise being known as just a ‘good person’ is not good enough! After all, how does one measure goodness? Is my measurement a universal measurement? Can I apply my measurement to every human being?

The Bible’s measurement of human beings tells us that the human condition is broken and sinful and we can’t do or say enough good things to overcome our broken condition. Therefore we need a Saviour— Jesus Christ!

God’s Amazing Grace
But here’s the good news— God offers us forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross when He died for our sins. That act of kindness and mercy is God’s grace.

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THE NEED TO FORGIVE – AND FORGET!

(January 21, 2024) Robert McQuillan shares sincerely…

Don’t know about you, but in my early Sunday school days one the first things I was encouraged to memorise was The Lord’s Prayer.

In The Debt Trap Dr Richard Winter writes about Jesus teaching this prayer in Matthew 6:9-11, and  particularly highlights verses 14-15: ‘For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.’ He makes it very clear that not forgiving leads to being trapped by the emotional and spiritual debt of non-forgiveness.

I highly recommend you read Dr Richard’s article… especially if, like myself and others, you intend moving ahead in 2024 free from restraints that so easily waylay, a major one being not forgiving others who have offended us!

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WORDS OF LIFE (#G5) AMAZING GRACE – CHARIS (Part 1)

(August 29, 2017) Dr Jim McClure noted theologian, continues his series on selected Greek words… 

‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.’

These are familiar and well-loved words from the hymn written by John Newton.  What else did Newton say about grace in that hymn?  He wrote,

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.  …
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.’

A transforming life-changing experience
Newton knew what he was talking about.  As a young man he was the ruthless and brutal captain of a slave ship.  But one night he discovered the reality of God, experienced his grace and was transformed from a cruel slave-ship captain into a preacher of the good news about Jesus Christ. Grace had made a dynamic impact on his life.

I believe that Newton understood something about the grace of God that we today largely fail to grasp.  We are confused about the meanings of the words love, mercy and grace in relation to the gospel.  We tend to think they all mean the same basic thing; but love leads to our acceptance by God,  mercy leads to our forgiveness by God, and grace, I believe, leads to a life-changing experience through God. (more…)

GRACE MISREPRESENTED!

Jim McClure(February 24, 2017) Dr Jim McClure, highly esteemed theologian, expounds a present danger…

A few years ago I wrote a book which I titled Grace Revisited. The reason behind my research on this subject and the writing of the book was the inadequate understanding that was prevalent concerning this most important word in the Christian faith.

The distinguished 16th century theologian, John Calvin, helpfully made clear varying aspects of grace, such as, Common Grace, Justifying Grace, Sanctifying Grace, Election Grace, Irresistible Grace, Unconditional Grace and Irrevocable Grace. (more…)