Sir,
In his letter of 19th December Mr Alistair McBay states his altruistic approach to life. He has “tried to behave decently towards all people” (by the way, we hope that this includes evangelical Christians!).
It is a philosophy shared by many and is in many senses a good one; however if it goes no further in the last analysis it is wholly inadequate.
The question for Mr McBay (and for us all) is whether we have succeeded in our efforts at doing good? Have we kept the royal law according to Scripture, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour at thyself” (James 2:8)?
I can say with complete confidence that every one of us has failed in this duty for, as the Bible says, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We have neither loved God nor our fellow men as we ought to have done.
Man is indeed in a poor way for we are guilty before God and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
We deserve to be punished by God in hell for our sins but in His unfathomable love He has provided a Saviour for us! The Son of God Jesus Christ is the one Person in the history of this world who has shown perfect love to God and man. He gave His life a ransom for many that we poor sinners might have eternal life in heaven.
Our great need is to repent of our sins and trust in Christ for salvation. Then, unlike Mr McBay in his present sad state, we will not only have everything to live for but everything to die for too.
Rev. David Blunt
Free Church (Continuing) Manse
17 Knockline
Isle of North Uist
Repent of sin
27 December 2014