What are we still missing?

Every single day, moves us closer to meeting our Lord God. Soon we will all face the King of kings to give an account of our lives and account of our obedience to the Great Commission. God is not intimidating us when He is talking about the Judgement day. But It is fair enough to understand on our part that when we are entrusted with resources, privileges and responsibilities, we are required to be accountable too. R.G. Lee coined this short Caption, “Pay-Day – Someday”. We cannot escape giving account of ourselves. The Bible says in Romans 14:12 “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Times such as this are difficult and unpredictable for all of us. Every believer including many Pastors and leaders who are contemplating to irk a living in this period of time are struggling to find an answer from God. Most of us struggle to handle the silence from Him. We get disoriented when things do not happen just the way we expected and prayed about. This was the case of disciples too. After Jesus was resurrected, He was appearing to the disciples and many others in His terms. He was no more present with them physically as He used to be with the disciples in the short time of His ministry. This was raising lots of apprehensions among the disciples and the silence disturbed them.

We find the incident where Simon Peter said “I am going fishing” in (John 21:8-14), immediately other disciples also consented to accompany him and said, “We are coming with you.”. The Bible records they caught no fish nevertheless as you follow the story, you will notice the disciples encountered Jesus and the miracle happened. These were the same disciples who followed Jesus leaving their livelihood, profession and families (Mat 4:19-22 Mark 1:20). Peter at one point on behalf of the other disciples remarked, “See we have left everything and followed you.”. Matthew 19:27. Do you realize, these were the same disciples who were revolutionaries and never again contemplated for their survival but went to the remotest part of the nation with the Gospel and died as a martyr?

Jesus remarked, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.”. There is a misunderstanding we have developed that we save our lives by our own capacities probably because the varied catastrophes are hitting the human race and it raises too many questions in the minds of the people. Christ is in full control over you. Do not panic nor be intimated.

He never became powerless, but maybe we are struggling to trust Him because our resources are running out. God’s work can still effectively grow devoid of finances or for that matter any resources. We have been given a mandate and most disappointingly it is not carried out by every Christian believer.

During crisis our focus on Christ's mandate, the Great Commission and Great Commandment is becoming optional or abandoned by many. For believers maintaining spiritual schedule by itself is a proud moment and a satisfying factor. Sadly, it’s not true. Your salvation isn’t complete till you share the Good news, the Gospel to the Non-believers. If you are still struggling to share your testimony and lead someone to Christ, then probably you are missing out on your responsibility. Do not confuse your Church engagements and activities as mission work. Go and Preach the Gospel! There are no alternatives.

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Incomplete deliverence!

God is not a vending machine to cater you with ATM (any time money) or provide you with whatever you want at your convenience. Most of the time we take God for granted because we think God is gracious, compassionate, ever loving and merciful, He is therefore obliged to come at your aid, even when you are not at the right state of heart. 

You cannot receive anything from a selfish stand point, where you willfully indulge in what is not right in the sight of God and yet expect Him to keep helping you.  Unless and until you make a prayer like David determining in your heart to keep yourself away from willful sinning, you cannot expect His complete providence while you are in a mess or in a serious problem.  Psalms 19:13 Don’t you think the prayer of David is so meaningful in this context? "Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion.".

Temporary repentance will invite God to help you only temporarily. Rehoboam son of Solomon who was spoiled by the influence of power sought God's help only during desperate situation God did help but it was not a complete help. The Bible says “When the Lord saw that they had humbled themselves, the Lord’s message came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them but will grant them a little deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. 2 Chronicles 12:7 CSB Shishak was the king of Egypt who came to invade Jerusalem. Just a few verse later it talks about Rehoboam's rebellious state, "Rehoboam did what was evil, because he did not determine in his heart to seek the Lord.". 2 Chronicles 12:14 CSB. Mark the phrase 'little deliverance' this is conditioned to the state of heart.

John Ortberg in his book soul keeping quotes beautifully, "Sometimes we ask for forgiveness, but we know full well we will go back to the same sin tomorrow. We don’t really want forgiveness; we just want to get out of trouble. He says it would be better to pray like this: “Dear God, I sinned yesterday, I sinned again today, and I’m planning to go out and do the same sin tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” It may not quite reflect the maturity of “Thy will be done,” but it is better to be an honest mess before God than a dishonest “saint.”. 

How true of our miserable state? Could we make a serious decision to keep our internal state of matters at the best? Mind, you would have continuous challenges and trouble in this world because Jesus promised it that way (John 16:33) but at the same time we have hope because He claimed "I have conquered the world". In a way it is a refining process, that renews and transforms us to be like Him. But most importantly determine in your heart to set things right and the Lord will take care of all the other challenges that tries to immerse you. His intervention will bring the divine peace. 

God is always prepared to help you in fact in Isaiah 30:18 NASB it says "Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him",  provided your decision to live right and follow Him matters to you and to God.

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False sense of satisfaction!

It is vital to revisit the purpose and mission of God in our lives and check where we are in the journey. It is usually assumed that it lies with the first part of the first commandment alone in the Bible where Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”. Mark 12:30. And then all our efforts goes toward the same by meeting the spiritual schedule by using and emphasizing the commonly used term “more”, more reading of the Bible, more praying, more tarrying for the Holy Spirit and more of knowing Him. The word “more” in most cases confines to private faith with God alone. Sadly, the second part of the Great commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, remains as a philosophy to preach to others and creating a Christian identity.

An article on Church discipline by “IX Marks” pens down the role and definition of Christian beautifully and it goes like this, “A Christian is someone who wears the name of God on earth, who declares His gospel, and who is united to His people. In essence, the Christian is an ambassador, someone whose identity and work meld together. Everything that an ambassador is, says, and does represents his or her king. So, it is with Christian and Christ.”.

The existence of social media (technical revolution) to a larger extent has marred the Christian identity gravely. At times, I regret the commonly used WhatsApp which is often used as a trash can where people tend to post all that they receive to others by means of forwarding to another Christian friend. I have quite often addressed this issue in my earlier blogs. In another terms it gives Christians a strong sense of satisfaction of inspiring other Christian as they keep forwarding things to one another. But all along, people rarely take serious initiative to connect to the Non-Christian world. Many do not have a message customized for Non-Christian world at all. Christians calling and imploring (begging) each other to join their meetings. 

Take any Christian WhatsApp group, it will be flooded with invitation links, preaching clips and Christian YouTube links, but for heavens sake who needs it? Don't we feel the urgency to write and customize video clips that can be sent to any common citizen or Non-Christian crowds? Unlike the early Christians you will notice most of the so called Christians and leaders today are limiting themselves and flocking with Christians friends bragging about who they are or want to see their meetings have a considerable number. Either they are too timed and lack boldness to reach out to the outside world, or they are interested to only focus on drawing the attention of another Christian/leaders to make their living better. Can we please give some thought to this?

Jesus said He Came to call sinners for repentance, not the righteous (Luke 5:32), but we never seem to get the message. Jesus did not come to earth to impress religious leaders. He came to mingle with people who were considered the most vile of sinners. In fact, for this He was severely criticized by the religious leaders of His day. He replied, “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. And then makes this fascinating statement less understood by Christians today which says, ‘But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:12-13). It is high time we make adjustments in our approaches and ensure that we reach out to the world out there and the same time equip those who are with us to take up the divine call and fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ.

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Is Salvation a one time grand event?

"Being a Christian does not mean we’re any better than unbelievers. We are still just as sick as anyone — we just have found the doctor. Remember, Christianity is not about morality. It’s about grace.”.

It is great to narrate the salvation experience and inspire others and draw them close to Jesus. For some it can be decade before and for some two or three years ago, based on when they received Christ. But the story does not end there, after the experience we are expected to keep growing in His love and absorb His image and display to the world. In the book of Romans, Paul reminds us once again of the salvation, but this time in Romans 12:11 Paul says “Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”.

Paul is cautioning all of us to wake up from sleep, because for the simple reason that we do not become complacent and think salvation as one-time grand event and not conscious enough today about how we are keeping ourselves holy and displaying Christ to others. For the ones who has lost the savor of the grand experience it is time to know that the salvation is nearer yet again than you first believed.

Paul to the Philippians in (2:12) NIV says “..as you have always obeyed… continue to work out your salvation in fear and trembling.”. Salvation does not stop after the first great event, we ought to continue in working out the salvation and keeping it lively and fresh. In (2:13) of Philippians it says “For it is God who works in you...”. It is a journey where we are assured that God is working too in us to get our salvation completed. Now let me make a point here, if you held on to only verse 12 you will be Armenian and if you held on to verse 13 alone you will be Calvinist and if you held on to both then you will be Christian.  

Christians should be distinct from the world in how we live. Sanctification can be painfully slow. What we speak of is not perfection but a new power, a new purpose, and a new direction. We have a mantle to carry on. Our Savior has worked a mighty change in us.  Ask God to help us live more boldly and be the salt of the earth, and shine more brightly. May the distance to salvation be nearer and closer to us always. Continue to work out your salvation in fear and trembling.

      

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Fighting the deception- Great men of God and small men of God

Present day Churches and Ministries' have classified the servants of God based on popularity, familiarity and power. As clothes of Jesus were divided among the people by casting lot (Matthew 27:35) today the glory of God is forcefully divided among common people. This stolen glory has elevated some to think they have descended from heaven and are angels. A quote so aptly puts the intention - "In the Christian world, leaders are in danger of using their callings as a cover-up for self-actualization or “wish fulfillment”. In those places, our dreams become our rights; our popularity determines our success; our needs can become our necessities; and our celebrity is interpreted like it’s an anointing,” Saxton.

If you notice, the Bible records a little summary of Jesus' intention while he narrated the parable of tax collector. "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else:" (Luke 18:9 CSB). We know in the parable, who was accepted at the end. Actually, the whole Bible focuses its attention on the ones who are humble at heart, despised and insignificant. It is the people today, who exalt some on the throne and make them God and lower others to a doormat. Paul questions in his book to Romans this way, "So why do you condemn another believer ? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." (Romans 14:10 NLT). These are some of the ethical issues that Church and His children need to fight against. And mind, we all will have to stand before the Judgement seat. All glory belongs to Him alone while it is said, “I will not give my glory to another.” (Isaiah 48:11 CSB).

People of God and people in the ministry, do not rob the glory of God. Remember Barnabas and Paul when they were treated as God after they healed a man who never walked (Acts 18:9), they immediately responded and reacted. In fact, the Bible records, "The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting:" (Acts 14:14 CSB). How many are willing to deny for themselves the royal treatment and advocate for the ones who do the ministry in difficult areas and are surviving with much difficulty? 

Jesus when talking about John puts this so beautifully- "I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28 CSB. Though John was counted so special but even the least will be greater in the kingdom of God.

Today, it is so sad to see how even certain ministries and preachers are given extra importance over some who do a great ministry. They impact people yet are not accepted and supported because they do not hold a high status. Stop displaying partiality, drawing importance one over another. Sometimes these ordinary people are making a significant impact through their ministries.

These are some hard truths no one dares to address. James in his book articulates it blatantly, especially when he points out how we treat someone who is rich and someone who is from a low status. "haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" James 2:4 CSB.

Find out the ones who are making the best opportunity to impact the people with the gospel and extend your support rather than giving all your resources to the one who is already obscenely rich always strategizing to attract more support. Let me make a point here. Some are given a false hope that they can fulfill the Great commission by solely supporting financially. This is not true at all. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:16 "For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach  — and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16 CSB). Each one of us are responsible to preach the gospel and make disciples. Join hands and be a partner with whichever ministry or individuals who stand to fulfill this mandate.

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What is your message for Non Christians?

In recent times YouTube channels, Vimeo, social media, Podcasts and many other platforms are filled with Christian messages for Christians. There is no dearth of Christian messages to hear from your favorite platform based on your choice. I have debated on this topic in my previous posts. Every day, thousands and thousands of new videos, posts are put up by people from all over the world. We are blessed with innumerable Christian messages and Christian resources but we need to ask some serious questions before we are too excited about this fact.

In all that we hear and actively involved, how has all this impacted us? What are the outcomes? The ready answers are, that people are growing spiritually, they are getting close to the Lord. But is that all there is to it? People forget that there are two sides of Holiness for example James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”. Keeping pure and holy definitely yes, but then reaching out by your acts of kindness and gospel is not made obsolete just because we are incapacitated in many ways.

Let me draw your attention to the book of Corinthians. The apostle Paul founded the Church in Corinth. A few years after leaving the Church the apostle Paul heard some disturbing reports about the Corinthians Church. They were full of pride excusing sexual immorality. Spiritual gifts were being used improperly, and there was a huge misunderstanding of key Christian doctrines. Therefore, he poses this pertinent question on the ways the gifts of the Holy Spirit were used. 1 Corinthians 14:14, “what is the outcome then?”.

Generally, the final outcome of individuals and Churches in most cases is to obtain the spiritual gifts, example the gift of prophecy, or speaking tongues etc. and keep growing in the Lord. But here Paul makes it very clear that exercising spiritual gifts per se is not the final outcome or an end goal in itself. If you carefully read in I Corinthians 14:12 he says, “So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of Church.”. The early Church was more active in creating an impact in the lives of each other, edifying one another, stimulating one another, exhorting one another. The gifts of the Holy Spirit did not operate in isolation. We are by all means to use our gifting to draw people closer to God and to the mission Christ has given to us.

Now, how are we impacting the Non-Christian world? How are all the spiritual gifts, great worship, persistent prayer translated in taking the mission to the outside world? Let us be reminded as the Bible uses Christians to these metaphors, “You are the salt of the earth”, (Mat 5:13) “You are the light of the world” (Matt 5:14) “you are the fragrance” (2 Cor 2:15). Have we forgotten that there is a mission given to us, other than to preach Gospel and attract people to Christ? Then why are so many people today unable to reach out to the Non-Christians irrespective of all their spiritual gifts? Do you see the chasm? Let us not forget that each one of us are responsible to edify Christians and remind them of Christ's mandate; the Great Commission and simultaneously spend a considerable part of our time to reach out and connect to the Non-Christian friends.

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Are you also going to leave?

Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” John 6:67 NLT

I was wondering how could people leave the most expected person in history they had an opportunity to see, the Messiah who was predicted thousands of years ago by the prophets. The same Jesus came in flesh, dwelt among the people and did so many miracles like never before, yet people chose not to follow Him after a point of time, and the Bible says, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.". John 6:66 KJV.

If you observe most of the people in the Bible came to Jesus when they realized He could heal them from all their sickness,  provide them with good food, and most importantly had a wrong view that Jesus is going to overthrow the Roman empire and form His own government. When their assumptions were not becoming a reality, people walked with Jesus no more. For some, when their needs were met, they failed to come back like in the case of ten lepers being healed by Jesus but only one returned to thank him (Luke 17:17). Some thought Jesus can be used to solve the property issue among the brothers and when Jesus hit back saying 'who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?' I am sure they might have been disappointed too.

Don't you think such reasons are so real even today? People come for all of their personal reasons, basically they want to be made happy, in their language blessed with good money, to live in abundance materialistically, all their suffering to disappear immediately, sickness to go away immediately and want to live long on this earth. And yes, they don't want their illusion about who they are to fade. Most of us want to be good Christians without being reminded about the responsibilities in the mission. Some are willing to throw some offering and expect you to go happy. Is it all about Christ and His Mission?

In addition to this I have listed some reasons why Christians are not revolutionary and why they are like a season:

> They are simply born in Christian family and become part of the system.

> Being a Christian is just a compliance to meet Christian schedule which makes them happy.

> For some, the parents and others whom they respect were not able to model an exemplary life and in some cases their lives have not challenged them to be an effective witness. 

> Visiting God when there is a need and for personal blessings.

> Many come for healing, once it is taken care they are gone. (Like in the case of 10 lepers, 9 left)

> Church going is only a ritual.

If you heard this let me remind you once again, "For our forefather Church was a commitment, for our father Church was an inheritance, for us Church is a compliance, for our children Church is a nuisance." We all want our situation to change - Receive healing, get a new job, persecution to end, lockdown to be lifted. We all forget, God does not take these sufferings away, He transforms them. Even Jesus wanted the cup of suffering (the cross) to be removed, but God used it to transform the world. Many are used to visit God for being blessed, with wrong connotation.

In your journey to lead people some will just come with so much of excitement, some with great commitment, some with dedication to serve along with you, soon to realize all of their excitement has disappeared and they are done with you. Today with modern social platform people have a better way of showing their response. Some would ignore your message and some would never read it nor respond. We have an option to follow and unfollow based on our convenience and we use the same to follow Christ.

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