The 'Bridge to Nowhere'

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FREE CHURCH MANSESTATION ROAD

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April 2015 Dear Friends,

We recently rented a cottage in Lewis for a week’s family holiday. Fara, our four year old granddaughter, said: ‘We didn’t go to ‘LEGOLAND’ we went to LEWISLAND’! Not that Lewis is without its impressive ‘brick’ buildings such as Lews Castle or the ancient Lewisian Gneiss ‘bricked’ Dun Carloway, a broch of considerable size and architecture, next to an equally impressive reconstructed village of stone Black Houses with thatched roofs. But there was one fairly impressive structure called the Garry Bridge, which sadly did not fulfil its builder’s hopes and is commonly known as ‘The Bridge to Nowhere’! It does go somewhere but the builder’s honourable intention was to connect Tolsta with Sgiogarstaigh (effectively the Butt of Lewis) but due to local difficulties the road from the bridge was never made suitable for transport. The builder, Lord Leverhulme, owned Lewis (1918-1923) and, among other schemes, was trying to make the island’s infrastructure better and create employment. Sadly, while his intentions are to be applauded, he has been referred to as ‘The Unfortunate Leverhulme’ due to projects like the Garry Bridge falling flat.

When we were in Broxburn last weekend we worshipped in Livingston Free Church, where the minister, Rev Nigel Anderson, spoke about those who are building a ‘road to nowhere’. He was, of course, speaking metaphorically about people who mistakenly believe that by who they are and what they do (their person and work) they will be permitted to enter heaven. The Bible, however, is, thankfully, very clear on this matter. We can be left in no doubt that there is only one Way (Acts 9: 2, etc.) and one ‘Bridge’ (Person and work) by which to enter heaven—the Lord Jesus Christ who is The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. (John 14: 6.)

‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3: 23) leaving a great chasm between sinful man and a holy God that can only be ‘bridged’ by the perfect atoning sacrifice and justifying resurrection of Jesus. God’s plan of salvation has in no sense ‘fallen flat’ or failed due to unforeseen circumstances. God purposely sent His Son to die in our place. Jesus, God’s Son, has bridged the gulf that separates us from God. Therefore we can have a personal relationship with God and receive forgiveness for our sin. Not that it is enough to know these facts; we must act upon them: ‘if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame”… [the] Lord…richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”’ (Rom. 10: 9-13.)

Trust yourself to God’s eternal plan fulfilled in Jesus—the only Way to God and the only Bridge to heaven.

Yours sincerely,

Sandy Sutherland (Rev).

APRIL COMMUNIONSaturday, 25 April, in the hall at 7.30 pm.

Speaker: Rev Alec Stewart (Maryburgh and Killearnan).Sunday, 26 April, at 11. 30 am & 6.00 pm.

Speaker: Rev Calum MacMillan (Rosskeen).

There will be Tea and Testimony in the hall on the Sunday evening.