In its basic teaching the Christian faith is fundamental and exclusive, and those fundamental truths are found not in abstract moral statements but in a person - Jesus Christ. He himself said: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me". - John 14: 6
But Christian teaching for daily living is very practical and balanced, and while its core teaching is inviolate - truth never changes - Jesus Christ is not inflexible or arbitrary, but sympathetic and understanding.
This is not the image, of course, that many would wish to project. For example: you can almost guarantee that in 19 out of 20 novels, where an evangelical pastor is mentioned, whether as a minor or major character in the story, he will be shown as a hypocrite, or an unbending killjoy unable to show any emotion other than scorn and anger.
If he is moderate and a bit apathetic then he is unbearably dull, if he is enthusiastic for Jesus he will be shown as a hell fire preacher condemning even mild legitimate pleasures as sinful - these are completely false and mischievous caricatures. Many of the most caring, patient and loving men and women have been and are evangelical pastors, they often pray for and never give up loving people who the world has long since turned its back on.
Such men and women are not perfect of course, and many of them are well aware of that, but they do not make excuses for themselves as many people like to do.
However, if you are looking for the perfect pastor (shepherd), there certainly is one and his name is Jesus; in John’s gospel Jesus says -
"I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" - John 10: 11
Jesus is loving, kind and understanding, he attended a wedding feast, he enjoyed close and happy fellowship with a humble family, he loved children, he had compassion for the outcasts of society, he loved them as human beings and he ate and drank in their homes; but he did not sin, because sin spoils everything, and he came to show us all a better life style.
In John’s gospel we read -
"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" - John 3: 17
Have you turned your life over to him asking him to forgive the past and strengthen you for the future, if not do it now? Put your trust in this promise of Jesus -
"If anyone loves me, he will obey the teaching. My father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him" - John 14: 23
Both the Father and the Son will come to you by the Holy Spirit, for there is one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit and where one is the others are too.
The Christian life, even in this turbulent world is a wonderful life, but to know that you must experience it. Your life will take a new direction and the greatest of your problems - sin - will be solved eternally. But I must not deceive you, the Christian life is a constant challenge, the Apostle Paul writes -
I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate says the Lord and I will receive you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God - 2Corinthians 6: 16 to 7: 1
May you turn your back for a moment to all other distractions, and there are many, and seek God in prayer.
Gordon Guillermo Burgess
The Pastor Church Of The Good Shepherd
San Juan De Alicante
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The Pastor Church Of The Good Shepherd
San Juan De Alicante
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