BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views
compiled by Frank McClelland for the
Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
251st Edition – July 13, 2025
ROBUST CHRISTIANITY
Christianity was born for endurance; not an exotic, but a hardy plant, braved by the keen wind; not languid, nor childish, nor cowardly. It walks with a strong step and erect frame; it is kindly, but firm; it is gentle but honest; it is calm, but not facile; obliging, but not imbecile; decided, but not churlish.
It does not fear to speak the stern word of condemnation against error, nor raise its voice against surrounding evils, under the pretext it is not of this world; it does not shrink from giving honest reproof lest it come under the charge of displaying an unchristian spirit.
It calls sin sin, in whomsoever it is found, and would rather risk the accusation of being actuated by a bad spirit than not to discharge an explicit duty.
Let us not misjudge strong words used in honest controversy. Out of the heat, a viper may come forth; but we shake it off and feel no harm. The religion of both Old and New Testaments is marked by fervent testimonies against evil.
To speak smooth things may be sentimentalism, but it is not Christianity ….It is a betrayal of truth and righteousness.
I know that charity covers a multitude of sins; but it does not call evil good, because a good man has done it; it does not excuse inconsistencies, because the inconsistent brother has a high name and a fervent spirit;
Crookedness and worldliness are still crookedness, though exhibited in one who seems to have reached no common height of attainment. [Horatius Bonar, 1818-1889].
THE LAZY TEKOITE NOBLES
Christianity is a doctrinal religion, but it is also an eminently practical one. Paul’s epistles start with doctrine and finish with the practical application. If your doctrine does not translate into solid Christian practice, then there is a problem with your doctrine.
In Nehemiah chapter 3 we read a list of Jewish families who worked tirelessly at the rebuilding of Jerusalem walls. Of one of those families we are told, “Next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord” [Nehemiah 3:5].
Jerusalem was in a miserable state. Nehemiah was in the Persian palace in Shushan when he got the sad report from his brother Hanani that the walls were broken down and the gates burned with fire. There were Jews in the city but they got used to walking over the rubble and would not lift a stone to restore the city.
Nehemiah was greatly concerned and crossed 800 miles of desert to the beleaguered city. He did not need to bother because he had a good job in the Persian palace, but Nehemiah’s heart was in the Lord’s work.
He came to Jerusalem, assessed the enormity of the problem and encouraged the people with the words, “Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem” [Neh. 2:17]. The result was that despite the opposition they were able to say, “so we built the wall” [4:6].
Most of the ordinary people played their part in building the wall but the Tekoite nobles discouraged their people by not setting an example for them. Fortunately, most of the people “Had a mind to work” [4:6].
The fundamental church has a great task ahead. There is the need for evangelism to reach the lost. There is the need for edification to build up believers and education for all ages that we may raise up a godly generation that knows the Lord.
Let us ask ourselves, are we indolent nobles who are “good for nothing” [Matthew 5:15] or are we enthusiastic, industrious, workers in the cause of Christ? Christian, is there some specific task you are doing for the Lord? Be like Paul on the road to Damascus, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? You will be surprised what you can do for the Lord with His help.
“My son, go work today in My vineyard”
[Matthew 21:28].
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“If I defend the whole Christian faith at every point, but not defend it at the point where it is presently being attacked, then I am a traitor and a coward” [Martin Luther]
