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EDITORIAL
C a d ot
h isia life i so a a s is a pa ado . Ba es i Ch ist a e aled at seei g the appa e t o t adi io s i the Bi le. As lo g as o e eai s a a e, he/she is p o e to e o fused seei g the te sio s of the “ iptu e to e stu li g lo ks fo thei faith. Is God all lo e ath? Is He al a s e iful o does He pu ish the u epe ta t si e ?
We ha e toda tea he s of the do t i es spe ialized i e o i g the di i e pa ado . Thei sele i e tea hi g puts elie e s of-the- ala e. As a elie e g o s i o edie e to God s o d, o e of the ha a te isi s de eloped i a pe so is the disi guishi g a ilit . I the ea s past, Bi le-tea he s talked ou
u h a out dis e i g the ill of God fo ou li es. B
hoi e, p efe e e a d p io it . This is he e
What did God tell
hi h the
ost of us see
to go
ea to g.
e to do?
Wh should I do this? “hould I ait o Hi ? Would God e pleased if I go ahead ith this pla ? What should I do? You g elie e s a d ou selo s ote ask this uesio i the ou se of thei li es t ou led jou e . No dou t, the elie e i God. His p o ises a e ou tless. But ho do these p o ises ope ate? P o ises a e ade a aila le to God s people i a o da e ith His ill. We ha e a u health e phasis of sa i g that God is faithful i keepi g up His p o ises. We fail to a s e the othe half of the t uth. To ho is He faithful i keepi g His p o ises? Whe ould He fulill it? All the s iptu al p o ises a e ade o diio al a if. This is a t uth that o e of us a e e de . All these lessi gs ill o e upo our God. Deut. : .
ou a d a o pa
ou if ou o e the Lord
CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
We as Ch e es a e of dife e God a d o it
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isia s a e atu all i li ed to go ou prefere e s . Ha i g p efe ot o g. P efe e es a e o e s hea t s desi es too. The thi edge e is that e a e ot to e d o ed i ou p efe e es ut delight i His “o e eig po e . Follo i g this, the Wo d ad o ishes us to ou a s to Hi Ps. : , .
O a si ple da -to-da life s situaio , ost of us see to fail i this ate . Ou p efe e es do i ate. What is fo e ost is ou efe e e poi t to God hi h is o e -looked. Pe haps, it is o e of the easo s h ost of us a e fou d to e o pletel out of step ith the ill of God. Se ses - Co trolled Pro ises? The e is othi g i he e tl e il i the p o ises of God. But God has outed the to His hild e th ough ha els of o edie e. Whe e e so eo e t ies to sho t- i uit the lessi gs p o ised God, the tu out to e a a e i stead of a oo . The pro ise fulill e t oif i the Bi le is all a out the pe fe t i i g that God had pla ed. I the full ess of i e, God se t His “o Gal. : . The p o ise of God to A aha as: I ill less ou…. Fu the to that, God s p o ise e tailed A aha s o l hei as Isaa . Ho e e , God s efe e e a d i i g as o e -looked A aha . It tu ed out to e a ase of “a ah s p efe e e of ha i g a hei th ough Haga . Yes, the p o ise as fulilled a d Isaa as o . B the , Haga a d Ish ael too had sha ed the lessi g. Too ote , e as elie e s jeopa dize God s pu poses a d ig o e the uli ate lessi gs He has i sto e fo us. The lesso he e is: The e is a pla e of e e isi g ou ills. But a e the alig ed to the so e eig ill of God? He e o es the te sio . What is God s ill fo life? What should I do a out it? “hould I do othi g o ot? This is the pa ado . Ma a i es, e e good elie i g souls ha e e ed i o e a o the othe . We a e o t olled i e fa to , u ge , opi io of othe people, pee p essu e, p o ise-e phasizi g p ea he s et ., I the Ch isia o ld, the e phasis toda is Prosperit . The Old Testa e t tea hi g as all a out p ospe it of la d, ou iful ha est, fe ilit of o – fo a ki d a d a i als. The la d lo i g ith ilk a d ho e … as the uli ate ea thl lessi g. It as the ea thl di e sio of lessi g that God p o ised His people. It as the dispe saio of Co e a t a d La -keepi g fo eshado i g the p ophe fulill e t oi e.
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Whe Ch ist a e, He taught a out the i po ta e of sa i g o e s soul agai st the i hes of the o ld. What good ill it e for a a if he gai s the hole orld, et forfeits his soul? Or, hat a a a gi e i e ha ge for his soul? For the “o of Ma is goi g to o e i his Father s glor ith his a gels, a d the he ill re ard ea h perso a ordi g to hat he has do e. Mat. : , . The e is a pa adig shit i the Ne Testa e t tea hi g. F o a ea thl poi t of ie , the fo us is o shited to ete it . Ou p efe e e is take o e God s i pe ai e – His efe e e. Jesus e phasis o seeki g God a d His ki gdo e plai s this fu the . He e is also a e a ple of ou Lo d s p a e that sought to seek the uli ate ill of His Fathe : Not ill, ut ours e do e. This is so ele a t to us du i g this “easo of Le t. I othe o ds, it is as if e a e sa i g: Lord, it is ot priorit a ore, ot just prefere es. With refere e to ou alo e, I shall li e a d a t upo ! O e of the est e a ples that e a thi k o is the state e t ade Ma , the othe of Jesus to the se a ts at the eddi g at Ca a. “he said: Do hate er He tells ou. Joh : . A pe fe t poi t of efe e e i isis. I a su e so u h of ou hea t-a he o failu es ould ha e ee th a ted if o l e had ou efe e e poi t set i ight pe spe i e. The autho to the He e s sa s it lea l : Let us i our e es o Jesus, the author a d perfe ter of our faith… He .
: .
God is so ereig . He is i o trol of our li es , is a a solute t uth of the “ iptu e. It is, i the sa e a e uall t ue that God does ot i te fe e ith ou efe i g o p efe i g! The gospel e e o pels a o e to o e to Ch ist. It p o ides a ope i itaio . I othe o ds, a p o isio of God efe ed Ch ist. We ight p efe to ig o e o a ept. It has got to do ith o e s f ee- ill. Jesus hi self did ot tr to o ert the t o thie es o the ross; he aited u il o e of the tur ed to hi - Dietri h Bo heofer What a pa ado ! - Joshua Dha a ala
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STANDARDS OF MORALITY
W
e a e li i g i i es he godl people a e puzzled seei g
the g o i g deia e a d ute dis ega d ith hi h the a al a dest o s the o al e hi h God had put ithi hi . Ma akes his o life s de isio s. Whe asked upo hat he ases his de isio s, he a sa that his de isio s a e i si i e o i pulsi e I do ased o feeli gs o i u sta es. I othe o ds, he ight a s e : thi gs as I see it or as it pleases e. Mo e a d o e people fall a p e i o de to e o e i i s of i u sta es. God e e a ted a to e a i i of i u sta es. I stead, He eated hi to ha e o t ol o e e e thi g i the o ld Ge . : .
What are our life’s de isio s? As lo g as this is ot dei ed,
a s o je i e of life is sho t-li ed.
What is the poi t of refere e to all our de isio s? If a a ho e e ises asi elief i God ould p o a l e a le to sa that u h of his life s de isio s a e ei g supe atu all guided. I othe o ds, he is a elie e i God ho depe ds o Hi to di e t his de isio s. What are our
oral prefere es?
To this uesio , ost people ight sa that the ha e o spe ii p efe e es. Most of the just take i as life o es to the . Fo e a ple, Is it ight to heat a pe so i a usi ess? People, k o too ell that it is o g. But the ill jusif sa i g that the e as o othe a – si e the had to su i e i his o ld of o peiio . The efo e, e ha e li ed i a o ld of elai e o alit – i.e., o alit is eithe ad o good tha the othe . Not a had e e othe ed to thi k o o side if the e as a thi g as a solute o alit . We ust al a s e og ize that a solute o alit is al a s God a d – e i al , a d elai e o alit is a a d – ho izo tal .
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A lassi e a ple of a solute o alit i the Old Testa e t as he Joseph ade a state e t to Poipha s ife: Ho the ould I do su h a i ked thi g a d si agai st God Ge . : . Joseph s o al de isio , efe e e a d p efe e e e e ased e i all – to the a solute sta da ds of God. Life just happe ed to Joseph as e e io ed. People ight sa , Just gra the opportu it . Hu a logi is so u i g that it ight sa : Well Joseph, ou ha e ee treated so adl . You feel lo el . Here is so eo e ho is oferi g herself to ou. There are less risks. Are t ou lo gi g for so e ki d of lo e, if ot lust? Here is this. Go for it. Forget our pai a d orr . You g lood that ou are. Your od is ago izi g a d ra es to e released of its stress. Is t ot this o i g our a ! We a e just talki g he e a out i i s of i u sta es. Those ho fall to i u sta es a e go e ed the . Joseph o the othe ha d, ose a o e i u sta es a d ade a o al p efe e e - God Hi self. To the ou g a alled Joseph, it as a setled issue. He efe ed hi self to the a solute sta da d God had set fo hi self. Too a Ch isia s a e ague a d a iguous a out hat is ight a d o g. We te d to hea ost people sa : What is ro g? This is he e the ajo it t a els. Most people a e happ setli g do fo a elai e life-st le. Fo God s people K o i g God ea s A solute Certai l . Those ho do His ill a e people ith ha a te of A solute O edie e. Whe God is ot the efe e e poi t a o e i ou li es – e sile e ou o s ie e hi h is the o al i di ato that God had i - uilt ithi a . The efo e, e e o e defe si e of ou a io s. We aio alize a d e e e o e deia t. It is e esse ial that f o the e egi i g of ou o it e t to God, the e i al di e sio of a solute e tai t a d a solute o edie e ust e e e ised. This ea s o edie e i s alle thi gs. We ust a efull at h out agai st iolai g God s pate fo ou life. I the o ld a ou d us e o e a oss ith dife e t elief s ste . Thei elief s ste alte thei a of eha io . Fo e a ple, a a ith a o otheisi elief theisi ) has e tai o al elief a d eha io ode, although u h of hat
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e ai s is disto ted ithout the light of the t ue gospel. But i a pol theisi elief— he e o e s elief is too a o odai e – the o al ode is too o t usi e o ef a to . I a atheisi elief is he e the fool sa s that the e is o God a d the do i ked thi gs. These a e the ii g e a ple of o al ollapse of a ki d. What God taught, e diso e ed a d e elled. No so iologists a d ps hologists a e t i g to tea h the sa e p i iple ith dife e t olo , ut ithout efe e e to God. “o iologists sa that ou so iet is si k— o all si k. Mo e a d o e people a e tu i g out to e ps hologi al e ks. Wh ? God s a solute o al sta da ds ha e ee tho oughl iolated a . Ho a a o e de sta da ds of God?
the o se ue es of doi g a a
ith the a solute
o al
Ma lai s to ha e aste o e the u i e se. The e e t e s of the i st io i a eated a s ie ist had stu ed the o ld. But a e ai s o all a k upt. “o eho the k o ledge of God does ot appeal to the . The Bi le sa s that it does ot ake se se to a al a , ho e e i tellige t he a e. The a ithout the “pirit does ot a ept the thi gs that o e fro the “pirit of God, for the are foolish ess to hi , a d he a ot u dersta d the , eause the are spirituall dis er ed. Cor. : - J.D. **While we travel to other states to train and equip pastors and evangelist in rural work, we also reach out to smaller churches and pastors in Tamil Nadu. There is a need to carry medical help, equipment like LCD projector, literature, clothing etc.,. Pray with us as we plan to buy a sturdy four wheeler to meet this need. ** There seems to be some undue delay in executing our proposed project through a Joint-venture in a place called Kallikuppam (about 20 kms from Chennai). We are considering the future work of developing a centre for training rural pastors in this place. Kindly remember this concern your prayers.
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PURITY IN THOUGHT “urel I ha e ee a si er fro irth, si ful fro the i e other o ei ed e. “urel ou desire truth i the i er parts, ou tea h e isdo i the i ost pla e. Create i e a pure heart, O God, a d re e a steadfast spirit ithi e Ps. : - , .
H
e e is a hea t s of a a ho fou d his pla e to the hea t of God. Mo al pu it is a su je t ot talked a out u h these da s. It e a asses people. Ch isia s see to ha e adapted ell to the sudde o al li ate. The e is a all- ou d o al de a . Add essi g su h a issue puts people i t ou le. O e ight e te ed, oral poli e! Agai st all the e pla aio that so iet gi es to o al de ade e, hat does the Bi le sa ? The o e t e e ou te the God of the Bi le, the o e thi g hi h st ikes us lea l is His ha a te . We dis o e God s o al at i utes. He is ighteous, pu e a d hol .
Da id t ies to e plai plai l the state of hu a hea t a d i d. “urel , I ha e ee a si er fro irth…. Wh ? Natu all , hat o es to i d is hat is ot pu e, ut i pu e thoughts! Though, I a ot ade that a . It is ha d fo e to di e t thoughts o God, His good ess, lo e a d so o . M a ilit to go o i that di e io posii el had ee stu ped. No , fo ages, this ge ei utaio had take pla e. The apostle Paul puts it this a : Whe I a t to do good, e il is right there ith e ‘o . : . Is t the e a o sta t st uggle fo all of us? What do e do ith this? Well, so e eligious elief s ste a put us th ough Yoga, Pe a e, fasi g or editaio . What is God s dire i e fro
His Word?
O e the La of God: ‘o a s eauifull deals ith hat goes o ith a elie e s i d a d od . Fo a u elie e , his i d is a ped, da ke ed – the efo e he i dulges i doi g all ki ds of i ked thi gs.
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“o I tell ou this, a d i sist o it i the Lord, that ou ust o lo ger li e as the Ge iles do, i the fuilit of their thi ki g. The are darke ed i their u dersta di g a d separated fro the life of God e ause of the ig ora e that is i the due to the harde i g of their hearts. Ha i g lost all se sii it , the ha e gi e the sel es o er to se sualit so as to i dulge i e er ki d of i purit … Eph. : - . Ki dl ote the u de li ed o ds o ph ases. The i st the se o d ph ase heart a d the thi d, ill.
o d de otes the
i d,
Fo a elie e , it is a dife e t life altogethe . Paul sa s, For i i er ei g, I delight i God s la . ‘o . : . Ba k i Old Testa e t i es, Da id k e this a d ote: I delight to do ou ill, O Lo d Ps. : . Let us o lea l u de sta d a d disi guish that this is ot a e e e tal asse t. Toda , the so alled elie e s possess a i telle tual faith – ithout a re e al i thei i ds ‘o . : . ‘e e al of i d a ot happe ithout o s ious ill-full su e de i g of ou odies as a li i g sa ii e. Paul alls the od of a elie e as a i stru e t of righteous ess - su e de ed to God solel fo the pu pose of e e ui g the la of ighteous ess. B this, e ust lea l u de sta d that this o t o-ie s ste of od to the orld; i d to Christ. It is a ute a su dit to Bi li al tea hi g. “adl , a good Bi le s hola s, a d hu hes ith sou d Bi li al do t i e fail he e. Fo e a ple, o side a hu h he e a pasto tea hes fo ot less tha i utes e e “u da , o du ts eekl Bi le-studies taki g the o g egaio th ough a egula , s ste ai tea hi g. Yet, o e a i d su h a hu h aili g, si k, eak a d allo i g i si . The i a t, i to ious life of a elie e is la gel a se t. Wh is this? We ust ot e led i to a isu de sta di g he eadi g ‘o a s hapte . Paul is just e plai i g the o sta t tussle ithi a elie e et ee ho he thi ks a d te ds to a t. It is fu the e plai ed Paul i othe passages like ‘o a s : a d Galaia s : . He e Paul uses the te s passio s a d desi es. He sa s that those ho elo g to Ch ist Jesus ha e ru iied their si ful passio s a d desires. We ust lea l u de sta d that this ot a do t i e of g a e! What a shit f o Paul s tea hi g o sal aio /jusii aio o Ephesia s . He e he uses o ds
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su h as, g a e , sa ed, faith, ot ou sel es, o o ks, git of God, o oasi g et ., This is a out the p ofou d tea hi g a out the so e eig g a e of God sho to a u dese i g si e . Passages su h as ‘o a s a d a d Galaia s talk a out elie e s Respo se a d Respo si ilit . The a e like the opposite poles of the ag ei ield. O e a ot o k ithout the othe . The e is othi g su h as the g a e of God ope ai g i espe i e of hate e the o du t of the elie e a e. G a e of God is ot so ethi g like a auto-pilot ode s it hed o o e a elie e is sa ed . If o e is supposed to thi k if the Cal i ists a e led too fa i to this, the e a e a ious ki ds of supe lai e g a etea he s a o g ha is ai i les ho ha e o gl ee tea hi g the do t i e of g a e. God s u e ited fa o is ade to lose its la o thei u due e phasis o the g a e of God. He e is a uote Diet i h Bo heofe : Cheap gra e is the g a e e esto o ou sel es. Cheap g a e is the p ea hi g of fo gi e ess ithout e ui i g epe ta e, apis ithout hu h dis ipli e, Co u io ithout o fessio .... Cheap g a e is g a e ithout dis ipleship, g a e ithout the oss, g a e ithout Jesus Ch ist, li i g a d i a ate. Piia l so, hu hes a d de o i aio s ha e la gel e ed i this tea hi g of e phasizi g o e o e the othe . Without a dou t, the pla of sal aio egi s ith God a d e e ith a . Whe God had hose people e e efo e the eaio of the o ld Eph. : , e te d to ea i ou u de sta di g that God k e uite ell all those ho ould espo d to his hoosi g. Does God all people to Hi self as though the e e o ots? A idst t o spi its ope ai g the t o atu es, o l those ho espo d to God s g a e a e g ated i to the fa il of God. If so e of the ra hes ha e ee roke of, a d ou, though a ild oli e shoot, ha e ee grated i a o g the others, a d o share i the ourishi g sap fro the oli e root, do ot oast o er those ra hes. If ou do, o sider this: You do ot support the root, ut the root supports ou. Bra hes ere roke of so that I ould e grated i . Gra ted. But the ere roke of eause of u elief, a d ou sta d faith. Co sider therefore the ki d ess a d ster ess of God: “ter ess to those ho fell, ut ki d ess to ou, pro ided that ou o i ue i his ki d ess. ‘o . : - .
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Pasto s a d Bi le-tea he s ust e ho est a d ust ot e o e o upt ith de o i aio al thi ki g. The plai tea hi gs of the s iptu e ust e ought out as that of the fa ets of a ge . If the od of a elie e is ightl su dued ot a ihilated , a d the passio s su e de ed to Ch ist s o t ol, the i d that is e e ed total t a sfo aio ill e jo the ell- ei g of the spi itual a ! - J.D.
WHAT NAKED-EYES DON’T SEE! An average Christian seldom knows or understands about what happens in the spiritual realm. Like atmospheric pressures, there are spiritual forces in the atmosphere. Yes, there are layers or levels of atmospheric forces. In the more rightful spiritual sense, even Paul describes about his “spiritual trip” to the third heaven ( 2 Cor. 12:2). Isn’t this stage he calls as the paradise (v.3)? Now about the Devil, the “super-angel” as called before His fall, also has access to places or people that human mind cannot imagine. The Bible describes Satan as going to the very presence of God and the angels (Job.1:6;2:1). Prof. N.H. Snaith summarizes his role by saying: “He is God’s inspector -of man- on earth and man’s adversary in heaven. It appears that he gives closest attention to human virtue and vice and he is the supreme cynic of the heavenly court. God’s affectionate praise of His servants calls forth the devil’s ugly question (Ps.149:4). Too often, when a person suffers due to the “destructive forces of the atmosphere”, it is interpreted as the result of suffering due to personal sinfulness. Christians, let alone other people, universally stumbled over the inadequacy of human horizons for a proper understanding of the problem of suffering.
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INFORM OR INSPIRE?
If da
ou a e a elie e i Ch ist, ou k o th ough a ious a s. O e of the p i o u i ates to us is th ough the Wo ite do a autho s ho e e i
that God speaks to His people a sou es th ough hi h God d of God. We ha e ou Bi le tospired God.
Belie e s all a oss the u i e se tesif to the fa t that God speaks to thei situaio lea l e ough f o His Wo d. Whe the e e st i ke ith fea , the ith ou! B e pe ie e, e e e ou aged His p o ise: Fear ot, for I a God s people ha e o e to k o His u faili g p o ises. Whe God s people go th ough e ea e e t a d so o , the ha e fou d o fo t. Fo His o d de la ed: He is the Father of all o forts Cor. : . A d so goes e dlessl , the p o ises of God. His o d p o ides di e io s e eed The word of God has a i ou li es. God s o d gi es us hope, transforming effect. o fo t a d hee . A idst disillusio The apostle Paul calls e t, God s o d i gs ou age this as the a d o ide e. The po e of God s dunamis’ Gk - which o d is that it a ele ate a et hed might well mean as a f o the i la a d set his foot i o a solid o k. dynamite!
The o d of God has a t a sfo i g efe t. The apostle Paul alls this as the du a is Gk - hi h ight ell ea as d a ite! If this e t ue, h the the e a e people ho do ot take the o d of God se iousl ? Fo a of the , the Bi le is o side ed to e just a pie e of lite atu e o a te t- ook. The e ei e so e i fo aio a out spi itual ate s th ough eadi g. Yes, Bi le o tai s histo , geog aph , poet , lo e so g, poliial t easo , o a e, philosoph , so e fa ts that e ight all as adult lite atu e – sa , sodo , fo i aio , adulte a d so o . I hea d a out a ii ho ead the “ iptu e ith his si ful e es a d said that the Bi le is full of e e ts that
CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
a e i de e t. That pe so had failed to ead o te ts i the Bi le ith the ight i te t.
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For so many nominal Christians, it is just a habit of
reading the Bible, because it The poi t I a t i g to ake is this: With hat was customary for them to do i te t do e ead the “ iptu e? Fo so a such a duty. They knew the o i al Ch isia s, it is just a ha it of eadi g Bible as it informed them. the Bi le, e ause it as usto a fo the to Perhaps they read it daily. do su h a dut . The k e the Bi le as it i fo ed the . Pe haps the ead it dail . Memorized it. Quoted Me o ized it. Quoted s iptu es. P a ed e escriptures. Prayed everyday. da . Ne e theless, the e as so ethi g Nevertheless, there was issi g out i thei li es. Wh ? To the , the something missing out in their Bi le is just a te t- ook. The had e e pe lives. Why? ited the Wo d to pe et ate th ough thei li es. As o e eads it, he o she ust e a a e the Hol “pi it aids i thei stud . This is h e all the Wo d of God as i spi ed the Hol “pi it. O e a ead the Bi le a u e of i es, ithout ei g tou hed its essage. Jesus Christ li ed i the idst of his e e ies. At the e d all his dis iples deserted hi . O the Cross he as uterl alo e, surrou ded e ildoers a d o kers. For this ause he had o e, to ri g pea e to the e e ies of God. “o the Chrisia , too, elo gs ot i the se lusio of a loistered life ut i the thi k of foes. There is his o issio , his ork. 'The ki gdo is to e i the idst of our e e ies. A d he ho ill ot sufer this does ot a t to e of the Ki gdo of Christ; he a ts to e a o g frie ds, to sit a o g roses a d lilies, ot ith the ad people ut the de out people. O ou lasphe ers a d etra ers of Christ! If Christ had do e hat ou are doi g ho ould e er ha e ee spared' Luther . Mahat a Ga dhi ead the Bi le ith a e tai de oio . D . ‘adhak ish a ead it athe philosophi all . No e of the e e pe ited the “pi it i spi ed o d t a sfo the . It e el i fo ed the . We a k o of a people – ell ead a d i fo ed of the do t i es of the Bi le. The a e a le to talk o the so ial aspe ts of the gospel. Othe s a e e pe t p opo e ts i the ield of theologi al dis ou se. But he it o es to i te -pe so al elaio ship ith
CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
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Ch ist as thei Lo d a d a ould stu le.
aste o of the e pe ie e of ei g o
of the “pi it,
No dou t, su h e a d o e e e fas i ated the i t i atel o e thought pate all so ohe e tl et so o siste tl ite do the e tu ies ago he the e e e less ii g fa iliies o ate ials a aila le. “o e people, o dou t, ea h out to ead the s iptu es, ut ith a losed i d. Thei i ds a e eiled sa s the Wo d of God Co . : . It is o l he the Hol “pi it e o es the eil f o the i ds, ill the e a le to ead a d u de sta d the Wo d of God as i te ded Hi . It is o l the the Wo d of God e o es i spi ed. – as God Hi self speaki g to us. The a ithout the “pirit does ot a ept the thi gs that o e fro the “pirit of God, for the are foolish ess to hi , a d he a ot u dersta d the , e ause the are spirituall dis er ed. Cor. : - J.D. Frie ds a d part ers ho are pro pted God to share i the eeds of the ork a do so through their free- ill olu tar gits. The oferi gs a e uilized for: .
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CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
VOL 9 I““UE 4
WHITHER GRACE? Ia
hat I a
the gra e of God
Cor.
:
G
a e is o e of the ost isu de stood a d a used do t i es of the “ iptu e. The o d g a e has e o e just a o o e e da usage. To the e ui , Ho a e ou? Pat o es the epl , Oh, the g a e of God, I a i e! We si pl it i g a e to ou o e ie t ode. Most of us ha e e e take a efo ts to i d out hat is i sto e fo us i g a e. To the e u de sta di g of Who a I? or I a hat I a , g a e lead us to a spe ial le el of k o ledge a d e pe ie e. It e ui es g eat hu ilit , k o ledge of God a d self to ake a o fessio like Paul. As e a d o e , e lo g to seek app o al f o ou fello ei gs. I o de to i d a epta e of e , e go to a le gth to eje t the a s of God. Deep ithi that desi e fo app o al, si a d self lu ks i the souls of e e a a d o a .
“Every believer, if not watchful, gets caught in between one of the lies of the devil”
The de il is a lia a d he is apa le of sa i g, You shall e like God, o e a d late , Where is our God? E e elie e , if ot at hful, gets aught i et ee o e of the lies of the de il. It is e ause of this easo e i d all p ete se, p ide, h po is a d self- o eit e e a o g God s people. People ho follo the o ks of the lesh follo the a of the de il. F o as the Bi le sa s, e e ges all u lea thoughts a d ha its that a e si ful. We a t to e good a d appea ho o a le i the sight of the pe se of a good eputaio efo e the e es of God. The de il is a fault-i de a d God a epts us, e shall e a God. It is he the ilest si gi e ess a d si gs: A azi g
lesh,
o ld at the e -
a a use . Agai st all the lies of the de il, he le to sa like Paul: I a hat I a the g a e of e ho t ul epe ts egi s to e jo God s fo gra e… that sa ed a ret h like e…I as o e
CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
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lost, ut o fou d, as li d, ut o I see! We a
he k out a eas i ou o
Gra e to e gra ious
li es to k o if g a e is at o k o
ot.
Gra e to e press true lo e of God
Gra e to u dersta d the purposes of God Gra e to sufer
Gra e to gi e sa rii iall
Gra e to it ess
Gra e ot just to li e ut die!
- J.D.
MOMENTARY SPIRITUAL MYSTERIES Can anyone prove scientifically the sudden cause that makes the hair in our bodies straighten up for a while? Have you been through a situation when you have felt the “burden” in your soul or when the “touch of the Lord “ was so real that you had gooseflesh/goose pimples? Were there occasions when a sudden burst of the duct from your eyes made the tears just pour out? Or were there times when all other parameters of the organs in our body were in perfect harmony – but then, it was a lighter exhilarating moment when we knew that we were too excited for words when the “Great Someone” had simply filled the otherwise empty vessel in us? These are “momentary” experiences that every child of God who walks closely with Christ may experience from time to time. But this is not at all the foundation for our faith and conduct. The simple, child-like faith of obedience in our daily living is far more commendable than the awe-inspiriting spiritually elated moments.
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TURNING BURDENS POSITIVE
C u h of
h isia o u it , a d la ge, had e o e isolated, i se sii e a d ig o a t. Wh do I sa this? It is e ause e ha e aised a selfe te ed ge e aio hi h is i te ested i Me -is . I go to hu h o l to eet ps hologi al o e oio al eeds. But agai , ho spi itual eeds a e et is a uesio i o de .
Jesus Ch ist, ou Lo d a d Maste sa people, as sheep ithout shepherd. He e e stopped e p essi g His s path alo e. It is ite of Hi that He e t a out doi g good… ‘eligio of Ch ist is ot just a “u da usi ess – a ouple of hou s o sisi g of a so- alled o ship. Th ee h s, a ui k ite -do , ead -out o fessio ost hu hes do t e e ha e these! , a se o hi h o ks as a ui k da t of t a uilize shot i ou a s a d its efe t e ai s litle o less fo a hou ! The Chu h is o e o e ed a out ai tai i g he o pa aphe alia. A d that is to e ei e o e-plus-o e ofe i g, a le gth a ou e e t hi h has e dless list of a es ho ele ate i thda s o eddi g a i e sa ies. Else he e, i ou hu hes, e o ship supposedl ! ith tesi ou hea ts ith jo . But I o de ealit , the pi tu e looks eal g i ship?
i
e se ou sel es fo a th ee-hou hea e l o ies of God s doi gs! P aise a d o ship ill if the all ha e just a a esthei efe t? Fo i . What else do e a hie e o a “u da o-
B sa i g these, hat are our real o er s? Do e ha e lo el people sii g i the pe s? Ho ithout e arrassi g the ?
do
e ide if /re og ize
The e a e people ith d ug-a use a d al oholi p o le s People ho a e dese ted, di o ed, sepa ated Kids g o i g i u health , i se u e ho es
CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
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You g people thi k the hu h is ot the pla e fo the Those ho lost thei jo s Pa e ts ith spe ial hild e Aged pa e ts let ithout hild e s a e Those u a le to o e th ough the pai of t agi death of lo ed o es Te
i all –ill paie ts
The list is e dless…. What is the poi t i la i g the a d sa i g, - God s displeasu e had o e o the ? Whe e ould I e toda if Jesus did t lo e e, if He did t a e? Where do e egi ? If e do ot ha e the ha it of egi i g What is the point in blaming a thi g ith ou k ees, I suggest, that them and saying, - God’s e gi e a ple i e ill the a t of k eeli gdispleasure had come on them? do takes o e . I agi e, hat ould happe
e t?
Where would I be today if Jesus didn’t love me, if He didn’t care?
God takes o e the pla s. He puts His u de i ou. He aised up a Moses, a Joshua, a Joseph, a Nehe iah, a Da iel. The e e those ho e e uted God s pla . The list is e dless he e o e to the Ne Testa e t. God had ee o ki g this a th ough His Chu h, aisi g up a e a d o e i the last e tu ies. His o k ould go o u il Ch ist etu s! Are ou read to e e ute the pla of God? A d To those ho a e a g , hu i g, a d dep essed - He e is so ethi g to thi k a out. A e ou goi g to keep o aski g, Wh , Ho , o I stead, let
e suggest, ou
a please t
If o l !
a d ask: What?
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It ould e just ete to i g so e light i g the da k ess, ight? If ou ha e the ha those f ie ds ho ha e t a sfo ed thei ad a tage, despai i to delight. The e o e d eadful tha ou s.
he e the e is da k ess. No poi t u sit of u si g ou isfo tu e, thi k of isfo tu e i to a i a le, ad e sit i to e like ou o e. The t eaded paths
Are ou goi g to allo i self-pit ? If ou fail to e o e p odu i e fo God s sake a soo fa e the isk of othe ata ks. You ill e o aio . Mo e oes, o e hea t-a hes ight follo the sto of ou f ie d, a olleague o a elai e. she t a e sed. To those, the hall- a k as si pl the , ho did the e e ge as i to s?
d fo His people, ou too, ill e sus epi le to si s o ta io . You ight p o a l e all Thi k of the u p oads he/ othi g ut hopeless ess. But
What as their se ret? Nothi g so e a ka le, i the se se, that the did ot ight it out. It as just that the fou d the a out. Do t ight it out he ou a t. Just i d a a out! FINDING A WAY Look fo like- i ded people. Those ho a talk, u de sta d o gi e i e. Make su e if the a e t ust o th . Take i e to o i if ou a o ide ith those people.
Meet pe iodi all . “e d
ails o talk o e the pho e.
‘ea h out to othe s ho ha e si ila e pe ie es like ou. If fo so e dei ite easo s, he ou a ot o ship i ou hu h fo a hile – fo s all g oups of ou ki d a d o ship togethe u il ou joi the ai st ea . P a o e issues. Go to the Wo d of God as it ould di e t ou thoughts a d a io s. If the e is si to e dealt
ith, seek God s help. si issues-
o e pu li a d
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se ious i atu e ust e add essed to a a ou ta ilit g oup efo e seeki g God s g a e a d fo gi e ess . Be ho est a d do ot
Let go of of the
ule fa ts.
ask a d d op ou gua d! Fa e fa ts.
Ne e gi e up. It o ks! Ma e at this poi t, ou feel o e hel ed o li ts o p o le s so o ple . Is the e a thi g too i possi le ith the Al ight God ho ou o ship a d ado e? NEEDING PEOPLE TO EXECUTING PLAN Nothi g u h a e a hie ed u less people o e togethe ith a pu pose. This is e a tl hat e i d i the life of Nehe iah. He had the isio . He p a ed a out it, ept a d fasted. He ade all the pio ee i g stud a d su e . He had the ki g s app o al, p o isio a d p ote io . But u il the i e he people allied a ou d hi fo a o o ause to epai a d e uild, othi g eall happe ed. It as he Nehe iah halle ged his o as t a slated i to a issio .
people to A ise A d Build, his isio
“o also, it ests ith us toda ! God a ts e pe ts. Not just u de - ea e s, ut u de -sha e s. Are ou that ‘esour e perso - Pla ute God s uildi g progra ?
er, Ar hite t
ho ould e trusted to e e-
God is i te ested i uildi g people – ho a e alled as Li i g “to es, a d Ch ist is efe ed to as the Co e -sto e, upo ho e aise up e a d o e fo His Ki gdo . Ho Do ot
ould ou egi ? Whe ? ite it of, just
alli g this a pie e of good idea!
God a ts ou to a t! - J.D.
CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
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CHHATTISGARH MISSION
K
a ke is a s all to k s est of ‘aipu . Pasto Joh Jagat had pla ted th ee hu hes he e. Th ee ea s ago he I i st isited hi , he had o ga ized a se i a fo a out pasto s. O e late e e i g, he took e to a a a t plot of la d a d asked e to p a o e that pla e. He ought the la d ith o t i uio s f o poo elie e s. The e as ot u h o e o i g i to p o eed ith the hu h o st u io . Just the , I e ei ed f o a lose elai e of i e a su of ‘s. , /-. The pe so o e ed i sisted that I uilize the o e fo o pe so al eeds as I do ot ea o e o keep a thi g fo u ge t e ui e e ts. I pleaded ith the do o that the sa e o e a e gited to Joh s hu h fu d. The e ega the o k of diggi g a o e- ell. I isited hi a ea a d a half late . The uildi g a e up to the oof-le el. Belie e s o ked as la o e s to edu e o st u io osts. Agai , a lose ki of i e se t e a othe ‘s. , /- hi h as a sale p o eeds f o the fa il p ope t i d ou, su h o t i uio s do ot o e e e ote ! . But he e e it did, e had al a s ha eled the to the hu h pla i g/ uildi g o k a oss the ou t o eei g the eeds of poo elie e s o hostels i O issa o else he e. The se o d i stall e t e t to P . Joh s o k agai . M ife a d I had the jo of o shippi g ith the o g egaio hi h is alled as th ANUG‘AG P‘A‘THANA MANDALI o Fe , . The uildi g is al ost o pleted. We had o du ted th ee da s of o e io Fe . - . The hu h is i eed of ‘s. lakhs to o plete the elie e s a d a good u e of outh.
o k. The e a e a out
‘eade s of CT“ i te ested i aki g o t i uio s spe iall fo this o k a o ta t P . Joh Jagat o ile. o o ta t e fo o e details. Those of us ho ha e good health, i e a d o e a uilize all of the to the e te sio of God s ki gdo . If ou a e kee i isii g Ka ke o othe
CHRI“TIAN THOUGHT “ERIE“
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issio ields he e e o k i pa t e ship, please ask fo details. Poo elie e s i this hu h a e ui e so e of thei asi eeds to e et- “a ees, lothi g, ats, et ., Please p a … - Joshua Dha a ala Mo ile: +
PLEASE PRAY
Kindly remember as this ministry requires committed volunteers to share challenging experiences in the work field. Volunteers are trained to bear witness for Christ among their own peers in the IT and other professional circles. There is an openness to meet the challenges of bringing people to Christ in both the urban and rural context. Young men and women who would devote and plan their time and availability are welcome to contact us. Kindly remember as we are looking for gifted translators/content editors for CTS magazine in vernacular languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya and Hindi. Kindly remember Lenten Convention in Coimbatore Kindly remember the Pastor’s seminar in Chitradurga Dt in Karnataka Kindly remember Weekly Bible Study Fellowship and Ministry Meetings Kindly remember for church meetings in and around Chennai
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LOOKING UNTO JESUS Therefore, si e e are surrou ded su h a great loud of it esses, let us thro of e er thi g that hi ders a d the si that so easil e ta gles, a d let us ru ith perse era e the ra e arked out for us He . :
M
o e Ch isia s a e fou d to e i a plafo fo he e o ei i g a d u de sta di g of the Bi le as the autho it of God si pl appea to a a solute i possi ilit . Popula eligious ie s, sig s, e ha i g e e ts, se saio al sto ies e el at a t su h g oups of people.
“ou d Bi li al tea hi g appeals o l to those ho a e spi ituall posiio ed the sel es i the plafo of faith a d o edie e. It is hu a te de to e api ated othe people athe tha God Hi self. E e he e, e ha e ho at a t us – e i e t e a d o e . The o ld ado es the . The a e a o plished do to s, s ie ists, states e , usi ia s, spo ts pe so aliies et ., The a e the he oes of so e so t – o side ed g eat o e t ao di a . The efo e, it is atu al that othe s t to e ulate, i itate o follo the . “u h e a d o e eed ot to e he oes of faith. The Bi le lists the a es of su h he oes. Ho e e , s iptu es do ot e ou age us to follo the . The a e si pl the odels of faith. I othe o ds, the a e the loud of it esses {He . : ). The Bi le tells us to Fi ou e es o Jesus ho is the autho a d pe fe te of ou faith. E e he e people ho at a t us a e e pe fe t ou faith. No p ea he , Bi le-tea he , pasto o a se a t of God a take this pla e.
ith e t ao di a
i tue
It is hu a that e a e at a ted the i tues of godl e a d te d to i ou e es o the . Ad i i g the is ot si . App e iai g thei a o plish e ts fo Ch ist s sake is good i deed. But e e ai g the is idolat . All th ough the histo of the Chu h, e ha e had o asio s he e e e kept i the pla e of
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Ch ist. This as the esult of he esies that sp a g up ithi the Chu h. E e toda e keep efo e us supe -spi itual odels i stead of Jesus Ch ist. Me a d o e ho a e odels of faith a halle ge ou faith. O l Ch ist a egi a d pe fe t ou faith. - J.D.
WORSHIP AT WHAT COST? We need to be able to reach the level of understanding in matters regarding Christian conduct in worship. Worship in the first place entails two entities – the object and subject. First, the Object of worship is God Himself. Second, the worshipper is the subject. If the subject is not subjected to the orderliness in worship, then it is not worship at all. The Fourth and the Fifth chapters of Revelation describes the patters of worship in Heaven. One of the foremost truths we need to recognize in worship is the laying down of our “crowns” (4:10). The twenty four elders are seen by John as falling down before the throne and worshipped God. I have constantly appealed to our brethren in free or Pentecostal churches to get this worship element in right perspective. In the same count, I must fearlessly decry against the dullness of worship in the established churches. Worship is a matter tobe reckoned with spirit and truth. Also in Chapter 5:8, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb and sang a new song. Self-abasement before a holy God is rightly portrayed throughout the scripture. All of the prophets of the Old Testament including Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah have all had to fall down when they had the vision of God. Their strength waned and they could not even stand. If this is the pattern found throughout the scripture, why are my brethren everywhere shout aimlessly during worship? Most of them stand and worship, and seldom kneel down. Again, Why do many believers confuse worship with celebration? The people of Israel had special days meant for festivals. Yes, David danced during a festival when the ark of the covenant was brought into the city. But don ‘t we also know those things which David
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talks about - “ holy trembling,” “being silent” or of “being still” before a Holy God with true reverence for Him? During my recent visit, my pastor friend in Chhattisgarh took his congregation to a crescendo – when loud shrieks and hysteric noises could be heard from among the congregation. The interpretation is that the “Spirit” is descending on them. Everyone knocks at each other, jostling, pushing and pulling! As Paul asks: “Brethren, what is this? Everything must be done in a fitting and orderly way ( 1 Cor.14:40). In worship, being silent is not sin . Of course, it is sin to be dull and dreary! Loudness and a good joyful noise is scriptural. But aimless screaming during worship amounts to blasphemy! All the Churches of Christ must watch out against this folly .
LET US MOVE BEYOND
Dr. Stanley Jones says that the Church is a wonderful institution – a place of worship and spiritual cultivation. But we need to go far beyond – to Christ. Many people connect themselves to a church, a Bible-study group and fail to get through to Christ. )f you are one of those who is observing certain Christian principles – you might end up being religious and ritualistic. But if you turn to the Person of Christ, there you would find friendship, warmth, fellowship and relationship
DFC Website We site o k has sta ted a d s itl o i g fo a d. Please he k out— htp://dis iples-fo h ist. ee l . o /i de .ht l . Wat h out fo this spa e!