The Educational Affairs Committee of Grand Lodge has published an evangelistic
leaflet entitled 'Know Surrender' as part of our programme of Christian outreach.
Two versions are available, one using the New International Version of the bible
and one using the King James Authorised Version of the bible (in my opinion
the better one).
Click
here to return to The Orange Chronicle
KNOW SURRENDER
Know Surrender
As a worldwide organisation, the Orange Institution is committed to civil
and religious liberty. Foundational to its
origins is the conviction that only through the Lord Jesus Christ can we find
a right relationship with God... with
His Word, the Bible, as the only yardstick for the conduct of daily living.
'No surrender' to anything less may be our battle cry, but behind the marches
and
banners... the sashes and the drums lies an essential call to surrender... a
call to which each one of us must respond...
Seek Help
King William III, Prince of Orange and his army came ashore at Carrickfergus
in 1690 to lead Protestant forces to victory against the Jacobites at the famous
Battle of the Boyne. Today however, our 'battles' are quite different...
... our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12
But victory can be ours in the struggles of everyday living...
Who is it that overcomes the world?
Only he who believes that Jesus is the
Son of God.
1 John 5:5
Yet to know this, and the peace of God in the midst of unemployment, broken
relationships, ill health and bereavement, we must first find peace WITH God.
And the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way...
...I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father
except through me.
John 14:6
Admit Defeat
With its roots in the Reformation, the Orange Order is unashamedly Protestant,
and as such there is no place for hostility towards the Roman Catholic Church
or other Faiths. The actions of the few rather than the many may have brought
accusations of bigotry and sectarianism, but as God looks at our lives we'd
have to admit that each one of us is far from perfect...
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not
in us.
1 John 1:8
And one day, even the best of us will be called to give an account...
...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment...
Hebrews 9:27
Thankfully God has provided a 'way of escape'.
Only through living a perfect life was His Son, Christ Jesus, 'good enough'
to pay the price for all our wrongdoing...
Receive Mercy
Over the years there have been many examples of Orangemen showing great courage
in the face of adversity. But the greatest act of selfless love took place 2000
years ago on the barren hillside known as Calvary.The Lord Jesus Christ, God
in the form of man, gave His life on a wooden cross... taking the punishment
that we deserve...
...God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us...
2 Corinthians 5:21
Yet the 'benefits' of this are not thrust upon us automatically. To 'get
right' with God we must be ready, with His help, to turn away from all we know
to be wrong...
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die
to sins and live for righteousness...
1 Peter 2:24
...and in seeking forgiveness... and asking the risen Christ Jesus into our
lives to become our Saviour and Lord, we're given a completely new beginning...
...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new
has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Know Surrender
Loyalty to the Crown and governing authorities is a vital principle embodied
within the creed of Orangeism. Yet above all is the loyalty and commitment which
the Lord Jesus asks from all who would be His true followers... real sacrificial
surrender...
...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross
daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me will save it.
Luke 9:23-24
Of course, the Lord Jesus is no man's debtor and to all who are ready to
accept this challenge He promises true freedom and fulfilment...
...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36
...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
Make Peace
Peace processes and political initiatives have their place, but the greatest
need of each one of us is to know peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ...
so we can say...
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the
barrier, the dividing wall of hostility...
Ephesians 2:14
We're then in the best possible position to make peace with others...
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against
one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you... Let the peace of Christ rule
in your hearts...
Colossians 3:13 & 15
The Orange Order has a proud and colourful history, yet the essence of true
Christianity is not found in traditions, ordinances or ceremonies, but in the
Lord Jesus Christ...
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
...whoever does not believe stands condemned already...
John 3:18
Therefore, NOW is the right time to Know Surrender!
For more information or help, please contact:
To:
Box 316
368 Cregagh Road,
BELFAST BT6 9EY
;
Published by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
If you would like copies of this leaflet please contact Grand
Lodge advising the number of copies required. These will be supplied free
of charge though if anyone wishes to make a donation they may do so to assist
this work.
Bible quotes are taken from the New International Version, however a small
number of copies are available in the King James Version. If you would prefer
this translation please advise us accordingly.
Click here to return
to The Orange Chronicle