Harvest Times for Your Family by Gospel Literature Service

EDITORIAL

God with Us T

he greatest miracle that ever occurred on earth is God taking the likeness of sinful man and dwelling among them. No other event was heralded like this in the whole Bible. It was foretold by prophets, announced by angels, witnessed by humans and experienced by many. While the wise men were privileged to have received the message, the shepherds; men from lower classes too were triumphantly informed of the Birth. This indicates that the message of the birth of the Lord Jesus was relevant to all human beings. Pointing to the splendor of the angelic announcements to the shepherds, R C Sproul says, “The plains of Bethlehem became the theater for one of the most spectacular sound-and-light shows in human history”. They, responding to the annunciation, went and saw the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a trough. There, their eyes beheld the wonder of wonders, the salvation of God. In the present world scenario where anything is made a commercial commodity the birth of the Lord Jesus also is seen only as a matter for making a few extra bucks. This is the season for more commercial activities, commotions and casualties, anywhere. In this melee, the significance of the birth of the Lord Jesus is forgotten. The apt response to this wondrous act of God, sending His one and only Son would be to relate with Him, for which He came, and reflect His life through one's own life. Most importantly, Jesus Christ must be born in one's heart. This brings us

into a relationship with God. Paul tells the Colossians, “Christ in you the hope of glory” (1.27). One should open his life and heart to the Lord and receive Him as His personal Lord and Savior that He may make Him his dwelling. Only unto such shall the incarnation, God taking flesh on Himself, make any sense.

noted, is essential to the church's walk in the 21st century. Presently God demonstrates His love showing His life and love through His children in the world. In order to make it possible God is molding their life. This is done by the work of Spirit in their life through the Word of God. Its efficacy largely depends on ones' acquiescence to the Spirit's work. When by the Spirit Then, those who have surrendered one grows from 'glory to glory' he their lives to Jesus Christ should live becomes a fit instrument in the such lives as to draw the world to hands of God to communicate His Christ. Their lives become the love to others around. God is gospel to those who don't believe. looking for people to make this This is termed as Incarnational possible. When the world is once Evangelism. This is the dire need of again remembering the birth of the the world today. Just as God by Son of God, ignorantly or otherwise, limiting Himself in human flesh anybody serious about Christ must accomplished the redemption of see that he reflects the life of Christ. humanity and demonstrated in the most descriptive and dramatic way Many have trod this path and have His love which He always had for left behind examples for us. The human kind, God's children must ultimate example is Christ Himself. manifest the same to others through He manifested and glorified the their own lives. This love shall make Father in the world (Jn. 1.18; 17. 4); them identify with others. Is not Paul became all things to all men to this the effective way for evangelism save some (1 Cor. 9. 22). Also think even now- to identify oneself with of the lives of David Livingstone, others and thus become a channel John Paton, Sadhu Sunder Singh and for communicating Christ to others! many others down through history. As one has rightly stated, 'We state A worthy response to the birth of and commend the faith only in so the Lord Jesus Christ is to examine far as we go out and put ourselves to what degree one reflects Christ. with loving sympathy inside the doubts of the doubters, questions of As the Saviour was cloaked in the questioners, and the loneliness humility and lowliness when 'He extended Himself on the straw', in of those who have lost the way'. This is significant as the cry now in the cattle's feeding trough, we too, the nation is for a 'Gandhi' who can must show in flesh and blood the same qualities of Christ. This is the emancipate people from the mire challenge of the incarnation to all they are wallowing in. those who follow Christ. Incarnational evangelism or entering into other people's worlds Thomson B Thomas with Christ likeness, John Stott Guest Editor Harvest Times for Your Family December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12 3

DOCTRINAL

A Meditation on Incarnation: He Emptied Himself - Thampi Mattackal

et this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:511 NKJV) C.S. Lewis, an Oxford professor, said, of all the miracles that God 4

ever performed, the greatest one is the miracles of incarnation. Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and with his deep theological mind tries to explain the inexplicable mystery of God becoming a man in these verses. This is probably the greatest Christological passage in the New Testament. This is known as the 'Hymn of Christ' and is believed to be sung at Lord's Supper by the early Christians. The literary style that Paul used is similar to the song of the suffering servant of the Lord in the Book of Isaiah 53.

the Greek word 'morphe' and the word 'likeness' or 'appearance' is translated from the Greek word 'schema'. These two words have two different meanings and are usedas contrasts in this passage. The word 'morphe' (form) is used to establish the deity of Christ. It refers to the internal essential abiding nature and quality which cannot change. It is equal to say that in essence Jesus Christ existed as God. We do not read Christ was 'the form of God' (morphe Theoi, instead 'in the form of God' (en morphe Theo). The sphere in which he existed Jesus Christ who, being in the was God. On the other hand, in form of God (V.6) made in the referring to the humanity of likeness of men (V.7) is the Christ, Paul writes "was made in miracle of incarnation. Paul's the 'likeness' (schema) of usage of the phrases 'form of God' men"V.7. The NIV versionreads and 'likeness of men' is very "being made in human likeness". crucial to understand incarnation. The word 'form' is translated from Schema refers to the external

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features which are subject to change.

advantage of. “The pre-existing Son regarded equality with God not as excusing Him from the task J.B. Lightfoot explains that of (redemptive) suffering and morphe refers to nature, quality death, but actually as uniquely and essence, but schema, refers to qualifying Him for the vocation". the external and therefore may (Wright) This is the first step of change. Our Lord's preexistent His humiliation. 'form' came to be equated with his metaphysical status within the In incarnation, Jesus Christ emptied Himself or He made Godhead."A person's appearance Himself nothing. This is what {schema} may change but never his essential being (morphae). For theologians call 'kenosis'. The question is what did Jesus empty example, I can say that I am a human being. That is my essential out? He never emptied His deity. Even when He died, He did not nature (morphe). But my empty His deity. That is the appearances (schema)will reason why inspite of dying, He change. There was a time that I was an embryo, then a baby, then conquered death. a young man, then an adult man. In order to understand the Even though my appearance doctrine of kenosis, we need to changed during the course of time, my essential nature remains look at Jesus 'taking the form of servant'. He emptied Himself by the same that is a human being. taking the form of a servant, who When we apply the idea implied has no right and being born like here to the incarnation of Jesus any other human being. John Christ, it is true that the deity of Calvin said, "This emptying is Jesus Christ is an essential nature applicable exclusively to His of Christ that did not change, humanity". He illustrated by when He incarnated. Jesus Christ saying that 'man is mortal'. Here has always been, and always the word 'Man' refers to man in continues to be God. From the his entirety, yet man's mortality is beginning in essence, He is God ascribed to the body only, not to and He is in Himself God. The pre- the spirit. “Not that He exchanged incarnate Christ clothed Himself the form of God for the with divine splendor and majesty. form of a slave, but He manifested This is the glory that Jesus Christ the form of God in the form of a alluded to in Jn.17:5, that 'The slave" as F.F. Bruce has said. That glory I had with you before the is what made our salvation world began.'In incarnation He is achievable. His emptying is not being found in appearance in the only giving up something, but also likeness of man Christ being in putting on something. He emptied the form of God, thought it not Himself by taking the form of a robbery to be equal with God. He servant and being made in human did not regard his divine equality likeness. with God as something to be used for his own advantage. The usage The text does not tell of what He 'consider it robbery' is an emptied Himself. That we have to idiomatic expression which deduce from the life and work of means to regard something as Jesus Christ and also from other luck or good fortune and to take portions of the Scriptures.

He emptied His heavenly glory. Jesus Christ on the night before His crucifixion prayed “And now Father, glory thou me in thine own presence in the glory which I had with thee before the world existed.” (Jn.17:4) One who was the object of the worship of angels and seraphim willingly descended into the realm where He was despised and rejected and a man of sorrow acquainted with grief. He concealed His heavenly glory in the flesh and lay aside from the view of man. In incarnation Jesus Christ eclipsed his divine form in order that he might come in human flesh. He revealed a glimpse of that glory on the Mount of Transfiguration.

He emptied His independent exercise of His deity. The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are an inter-Trinitarian relationship and always work in perfect harmony. In incarnation when Son condescended to take the form of a man, he always acted in obedience of the will of the Father. He emptied his prerogative of the use of his deity. "Though he were a son he learned obedience by the things he suffered (Heb 5:8). He said, "l do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me" (Jn .5:30; 14:24).

He emptied His riches. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2Cor.8:9) He borrowed everything; a place to be born, a

Harvest Times for Your Family December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12

FEATURE ARTICLE

The Virgin Birth of Christ – Rajan Thomas

he moment man fell into sin, in His great love, God promised to redeem them. We read the prophetical promise in the Bible “And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman and between thy seed and her seed (Jesus Christ) (Gen.3:15). The promise of the 'seed of the woman' was fulfilled by the birth of Christ through Mary, the woman. So Jesus was titled 'Seed of the woman'.

statement of the relationship of Jesus Christ to Joseph and Mary. While the genealogy establishes that Joseph is the legal father of Jesus, Mathew emphasizes that Mary is the biological parent “of whom” Jesus was born”. None who had the birth in the world was born as 'seed of the woman, but only Jesus Christ; all others both great and small was born as 'seed of both man and woman'. This distinctiveness makes the birth of Jesus Christ unique and special.

knowledge. This act of 'overshadowing' (episkiazo in Greek) means to 'throw a shadow upon' and occurred at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt.17:5 and Mark 9:7). The act was beyond logic and a truth to simply believe. The event was just a process of “The Word (God) was made flesh” (John 1:14), the unique truth of incarnation.

He was born a 'Holy thing'

God specially formed a zygote ('Holy thing' in the terminology of Luke in 1: 35) and implanted it in He was born by Divine act. the womb of Mary as we read in Heb. 10:5 “a body hast thou For the eternal God to incarnate prepared me”. William MacDonald as a human being and live in this comments on this verse as world as a perfect human being, a “Dissatisfied with the former divine act was necessary. sacrifices, God prepared a human Remember the angelic body for His Son which was an confirmation on the virgin birth “To whom the italicized words “of integral part of His human life “For with God nothing shall be whom” refer? Joseph as father? and nature. This of course, refers impossible". Lk.1:37 Mary as mother? Both Joseph and to the unfathomable wonder of Mary as parents? It is possible for To Mary's dismayed and fearful the Incarnation when the eternal response, the angel answered and Word became flesh so that as the English words “of whom' to said to her, “The Holy Ghost shall Man, he might die for men” mean any of these. However, come on you, and the power of behind the English words 'of (William MacDonald, Believers the Highest shall overshadow whom' stands the Greek relative Bible Commentary, Hebrews) you: therefore also that holy thing pronoun 'es'. The feminine Therefore, even though Jesus which shall be born of you shall gender of the relative pronoun Christ became a perfect man, it points specifically to Mary as the be called the Son of God”. (Luke does not imply that some of one from whom Jesus Christ was 1:34-35) Mary's characteristics were born. The genealogy regularly It was the work of God the Holy transferred from her body into emphasizes the male who fathers Spirit that overshadowed her; a His. It is also worthwhile to note a child, but here “Meticulous perfect divine act which can't be on scientific grounds that even Mathew” delivers a precise explained with human though Jesus Christ was born When Mathew presented the genealogy of Christ it was recorded “……Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ”. (Mathew 1:16) Michael J. Wilkins, the New Testament Greek scholar comments on this verse as follows:

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from the womb of Mary, there is no mixing of blood or even any other characteristics of Mary. A natural question might arise whether the blood of a mother can mix with the unborn baby's blood. Embryological studies and findings answer this question. The placenta acts as a wall between the blood of mother and the fetus. It absorbs all the elements necessary for the growth of the baby such as vitamins, oxygen, water, etc. from the mother and transfers it to the blood of baby, but not vice versa. The placenta also transfers back all wastages from the embryonic body of the baby such as carbon dioxide, water, urea, etc. to the mother's excretory system. Therefore Mary's characteristics did not transfer to Christ and he was not genetically related to her. Similarly Christ's characteristics did not get transferred to Mary. This means that she remained a human being in all respects. God just chose her womb to become a safe place for Jesus' pre-natal body to grow. The Gospel writers were extremely careful in their choice of words in describing the virgin birth of Christ. Dr. Luke, a physician by profession tells us that: The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary “a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary” (Luke 1:27) in order to announce the divine birth. The usage 'a virgin espoused to man' is worth special notice and analysis. The root word in Greek used for 'virgin' is 'parthenon' to specify a woman has had no physical relationship with a man.

Matthew writes “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” Mathew 1: 18. And he confirmed in verse 22 & 23 that it was a divine act of God as foretold through Isaiah the prophet. The usages of 'espoused' and 'before they came together' in verse 18 deserve special attention in the context of Jewish social customs of engagement, marriage, etc. Every Jewish bride had to be a 'chaste virgin' when presented to the husband on the day of marriage. Read 2 Corinthians 11: 2:2 and see how Paul symbolically presented the relationship of Christ and His Church based on the Jewish marriage custom. “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” This kind of phenomena of birth by a virgin is called parthenogenesis. This is common among some species of invertebrate animals. In this process, ovum develops without fertilization just by any sort of stimulation. Artificial parthenogenesis has been successfully experimented in certain higher animals including mammals but not in man. The virgin birth of Christ has nothing to do with the natural phenomena; it was a divine act. Virgin birth: The only way to have a sinless Saviour. Inherited or original sin had its beginning with Adam and passed on, unbroken, to all generations.

The virgin birth of Christ ensured that this legacy of sin did not get transferred to the human self of Jesus. All human beings descended from the first man, Adam with the nature of sin as we read in Romans 3:23 except Jesus Christ. That's why the angel said to Mary that the child going to be born will be 'holy'. (Luke 1: 3435) By such a divine act of God, the virgin birth made possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person. As He was the eternal God incarnated down into this world through such a special birth, while the human nature remained in Him as a truly human nature, the perfect divine nature too remained in Him as a truly divine nature. This is normally known as hypostatic union, simply meaning the union of Christ's human and divine natures in one being. Hence, the humanity of Jesus Christ was not inherited from Mary, but a unique humanity which God prepared for Him with every human characteristic but without sin. That's why we read about Him in Hebrews 4:15 that “…we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” The divine nature in Him did not allow Him to sin even though in His perfect humanity He was tempted. In His perfect humanity, He became weary, slept and ate and drank, whereas in His perfect deity, He did wonders and miracles. In His perfect humanity, He prayed to the Father in heaven, but as a perfect deity, He

Harvest Times for Your Family December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12

DEVOTIONAL

Commitment: its Demands and Rewards – Koshy Mathew

f any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk.9:23). These are the words spoken by our Savior along the roadside in the region of Caesarea-Philippi somewhere around 32 AD. He was challenging His followers to make a complete commitment. The amazing thing is that His message, although delivered almost 2 millennia ago, has never been more relevant than it is today in our materialistic, egocentric, selfindulgent society. Notice how the Lord addresses His appeal-“If any man”. This call for complete commitment is not for some select group of 'special' believers; it is applicable to all. There are no two paths of Christian service –one for 'fulltime' servants who are called to sacrifice everything and devote themselves fully, and another for 'regular' believers who can settle down into a life of half-hearted commitment and just be 'ordinary Christians' . This may be what we observe around us, and sadly may be what we accept as 'normal' but it is never envisioned in the Scripture, and never countenanced in the teaching of the Lord. He only outlined one pattern for service, that of absolute selfless 8

surrender! The Lord's teaching also reinforces that not only is this truth applicable to all, it's also available to all. Many saints feel a sense of inadequacy and inferiority when it comes to Christian service. Others seem to have much gifts and clear direction. They seemed to be used by God, but you feel small and weak. You fear that there is nothing you can do. Take courage. The Lord clearly says that this call to service applies to everyone: “If any man”. He can take you just as you are, and, if you are faithful to His call, He can mould you and use you in ways only He can plan. He doesn't ask first for our capabilities, He asks for our commitment- complete and without reservation. Before He controls our hands or feet, he wants to claim our hearts! Commitment is a Choice Commitments will never just 'happens in a believer's life. The Lord challenges His hearers to exercise their will: “If any man will come after Me.” The force of this expression is same as the subsequent verses. “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.”

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Christian service begins with a choice, an exercise of will, and a dogged determination to pursue a path of obedience. What have you set your heart on? What are you determined to achieve in life? What really matters to you? Paul said in Philippians 1, “For to me to live is Christ.” How would you/ I finish that sentence? For to me to live is……what? Sadly many of us drawn into the lifestyle of this age, where the purpose of life is all too often watered down to the pursuit of career goals, the accumulation of material possessions, or the acceptance of society's admiration or fame. It is in the midst of a society steeped in these godless values that we need to hear our Savior's call as never before, “If any man will come after Me,” and renew our determination to heed His cry and go after Him. Commitment offers Comfort. “Come after Me” is the comforting part in His call. He will never allow us to pass through something which He has not experienced. Coming under His Yoke and moving with Him is a delightful experience.

PROPHECY

Daniel's Seventy Weeks – Part 2: The Start and the Scope – Johnny Varghese

n Part 1, we saw an introduction to the Seventy Weeks Prophecy of Daniel. In this article, we consider the scope and the start of the seventy weeks.

The Scope Daniel 9:24 reads as follows: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation [atonement] for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.” From this verse, we learn the following about this prophecy: 1. The Duration: Seventy weeks, 1 that is, 490 years.

Ruins of the king’s palace at Shushan (Susa), the capital of the Persian Empire

2. Atonement3 for iniquity:

This was accomplished when the 2. The Concerned People: “Thy Lord Jesus died on the cross and people”, that is, “Daniel’s people”, made peace (Colossians 1:20). that is, the nation of Israel. Israel benefitting from this work is 3. The Concerned Location: “Thy yet in the future (described in holy city”, Jerusalem. Zechariah 13) What must be accomplished in 3. Bringing in of everlasting these seventy weeks? righteousness: 1. The finishing of transgression/ As seen in #1, this is yet in the Making an end of sins: future. This has been described in detail by other prophetic passages From the time of the kings till such as Isaiah 2, Jeremiah 23, today, the people of Israel have Ezekiel 40, Micah 4, Zechariah 14, been in sin. In terms of moral etc. conduct, there is virtually no difference between Jews and the 4. Sealing up of the vision and rest of the world. God’s will was prophecy: that as His people, they would be 2 different from others . Fulfill all that has been written.

5. Anointing of the most holy: The words “most holy” could refer to the most holy person or the most holy place. Since the Lord Jesus is the most holy person who was anointed before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20), we conclude that these words must refer to the most holy place, which for Daniel would have been the Temple in Jerusalem. In Daniel’s time, the temple lay in ruins. Today, a mosque is located at the spot. It is also worth noting that the word for most holy, in its other occurrences without an accompanying noun, refers to a holy place (for example, “sanctuary” in Leviticus 4:6), not a holy person. It is evident from the above that the

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Shushan (Susa), the capital of the THE UNIQUENESS OF CHRIST Persian Empire

Our next task is to convert this date into a Gregorian (modern) one. Nisan is the first month of the When did this happen? To Jewish religious calendar, in which determine this, we must first Passover is celebrated, and it identify the Persian emperor who always occurs during March/April. 6 spoke to Nehemiah . The following Since the Jewish months start at are the steps:the new moon, we must ask: When 1. This emperor ruled for at least 32 was the new moon in March/April years (Nehemiah 13:6). 445 BC? Answer: 7.09 am, 13th 8 March . Thus the 1st of Nisan was 2. Ezra and Nehemiah were 14th March. Therefore, Nehemiah’s together in Israel (Nehemiah meeting with the king, and thus the 8:1). But the Bible records that start of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks, Ezra came to Israel in the reign of occurred on the 14th of March, Artaxerxes who ruled after 445 BC. Darius Hystaspes (Ezra 6:1, 7:1). This means that the Artaxerxes of Summary: Artaxerxes Longimanus Nehemiah 2:1-9 ruled after Daniel’s Seventy Weeks concern seventy weeks are not over yet. Darius Hystaspes. the restoration of Israel – a 490 The Start year period that began in 445 BC 3. Artaxerxes Longimanus but is yet to finish! The explanation Verse 25 of Daniel 9 reads: The Jew Jeshua returned in 537 for this will have to wait for the Know therefore and understand, BC (the time of Cyrus’ edict subsequent parts in this series. that from the going forth of the allowing the Jews to return 1 In the previous article, we saw that a “week” commandment to restore and to home) and became high priest in consists of seven years of 360 days each. build Jerusalem unto the Messiah Jerusalem (Ezra 2:2, Haggai 1:1). 2 See Deuteronomy 14:2, 26:18. God has a the Prince shall be seven weeks, and similar desire for us in the church today. His grandson Eliashib (Nehemiah threescore and two weeks: the street 3 The Hebrew word kaphar rendered 12:10) was high priest when “reconciliation” in Daniel 9:24 is more shall be built again, and the wall, Nehemiah reached Jerusalem commonly translated “atonement”. The root even in troublous times. meaning is to cover, in this case, to provide (Nehemiah 3:1). Thus the time a covering for sin. interval from Cyrus’ decree of The seventy weeks thus begin at 4 Note that Cyrus’ Edict of 537 BC (Ezra 1:1-4) 537 BC to Artaxerxes’ decree the “going forth of the called for the return of the Jewish captives and the rebuilding of the Temple. It did not should be two to three commandment to restore and call for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. generations. rebuild Jerusalem”. When the angel 5 Here we have an illustration of God using met Daniel in 538 BC, Jerusalem His people in high places for good. The only Persian Emperor who was in ruins and such a 6 The Bible names this emperor “Artaxerxes”, satisfies these conditions is but this by itself is insufficient as there were commandment had not yet been 4 several emperors called Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes Longimanus. He ruled given . However, the book of 7 7 Actually, a usurper called Artabanus seized from July 465 BC to 423 BC. We Nehemiah contains such a the Persian throne in July, 465 BC and Artaxerxes was able to secure his position command. Nehemiah heard from a therefore understand that only in February, 464 BC. Nehemiah seems Nehemiah would have met the king visitor from Jerusalem that the to have been a loyal courtier of Artaxerxes – captives who had returned to Judah during Nisan 445 BC (the twentieth he seems to count his lord’s reign from July 465 BC itself, because he mentions year of Longimanus’ reign). were in great difficulty; Jerusalem “Chisleu” (November/December) occurring Nehemiah does not mention the day was in ruins and the city walls were before “Nisan” (March/April) in a given year of the month, so the standard of the king’s reign. (compare Nehemiah 1:1 not yet rebuilt. Nehemiah was with Nehemiah 2:1) Jewish reckoning would be to start moved with concern and 8 In his book The Coming Prince, Bible the period of seventy weeks from approached the Persian emperor scholar and Chief of the Criminal the first of the month, since the Investigation department at Scotland Yard, whom he served. Nehemiah Sir Robert Anderson (1841-1918) quotes the Mishna prescribes 1st Nisan, the obtained permission from the Royal Astronomer at Greenwich to this effect. emperor to rebuild Jerusalem5 (see New Year, as the day from which to record important epochs. The Nehemiah 1 and 2). seventy weeks thus begin on the 1st Johnny Varghese is an IIT alumnus and lives Ruins of the king’s palace at in Thane. of Nisan, 445 BC. 10 Harvest Times for Your Family

December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12

FAMILY

Importance of Family and Marriage in God's Plan

– John Kurian

-VIII

sexual tension, and thus it is helpful in the prevention of sexual immorality.

n this article, we continue with a study of the Biblical purposes of Marriage. The next one to be considered is preventing sexual sins of immorality and maintaining purity in life as taught in 1 Cor.7:1-9. “Nevertheless to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”(1 Cor.7:2)

“But if they cannot contain themselves, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.” (1 Cor. 7: 9) In this passage Paul urged married couples to have sexual relations with one another because of the prevalence of temptations to satisfy sexual desire inappropriately. A healthy sex life between a husband and wife is a normal and natural release of

Another purpose of marriage is displaying divine love. Marriage was instituted as an earthly symbol of the spiritual relation between God and man- the Love between Christ and his church. In Eph.5:2225 we read “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” “This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (verse 32). It is taught here that the wife's submission to the husband should correspond with the submission of the church to Christ and husband's love for his wife with Christ's love for the church.

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God's purpose for marriage is to model Christ's relationship with the church. While marriage is the sacred and lifelong union of a man and a woman giving themselves to each other in love and trust, it signifies the mystery of the union between Christ and His bride, the Church.

families in the society. The family is, founded upon marriage and children born in to families are brought up in an atmosphere of love and protection. This would give the children a sense of security. As they grow up with parents and siblings they learn to love, respect and help one another. A family gives us our identity and background, and a sense of belonging. Within our family we learn to relate to one another in love and share our daily experiences. The family is there to support us, stand with us, and pray for us. The family is there when we fall, to protect, support and comfort us in times of hardship. The correction and discipline needed in life are learned first in the family. The family is an opportunity to grow in virtues, such as love, generosity, patience and forgiveness.

In v.32, marriage is spoken of as a mystery. In the Bible, the term 'mystery' does not mean something obscure or cannot be understood. It is used to speak of a truth hidden in the Old Testament and is now revealed. When God instituted marriage in the beginning, He planned it to be a picture of the relationship that would come about between Christ and the Church in a future day. Though this was not known to people in the olden days it is revealed in this New Testament age. Therefore we conclude that God already had Christ and the church in mind when He instituted God designed families so that marriage for mankind in the children can be brought up in the beginning. fear of God to live a life pleasing to Him. In Deut. 6, God told Israel to We understand from Scriptures love Him and obey His that providing a forum for commandments and teach their successfully raising the children is also a purpose of God in marriage. children also to do the same. This is God's desire even today and He is (Eph.6:1-4) looking for families where His Marriage is given that children may heart's desire can be fulfilled. be born and brought up in security and love, that home and family life Personal sanctification can be considered as one of the purposes may be strengthened, and that of marriage (when viewed from a society may continue to multiply practical view point) though no and stand upon firm foundations. specific Bible passage mentions Family is the training ground for this as one of the purposes. children. Their character is moulded primarily within the four It is clearly taught in the Scriptures walls of their home. They receive that God's primary goal for His values from their parents. What people is for them to be conformed they see and hear at home to the image of Christ. He therefore influences them and helps them to uses difficulties and challenges to shape their personality. refine our character and strengthen The family is the basic unit of society. The quality of the society would depend on the quality of the 12

our faith. God wants to use our marriage also to help shape us into the image of His Son.

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Entering into an intimate relationship with another person of the Adamic race with the same fallen and sinful nature that we have, puts us in a situation where we have to face character issues that we could possibly never confront elsewhere. Here we are required to make a lifetime commitment of providing emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy and care for another. That would bring out our real nature of selfishness. This is an area where we need to work out our salvation facing the issue honestly and seeking God's grace for victory. We can use marriage– to grow in our service, obedience, character, pursuit, and love of God. Let me conclude with a quotation from the writings of M. Fairchild “I believe God designed marriage as an instrument to make us more like Christ. In his book, Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas asks this question, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" Is it possible that there is something much more profound in the heart of God than to simply make us happy? Can we lay down our own ambitions to love and serve our spouse? Through marriage, we can learn about unconditional love, respectful honor, how to forgive and be forgiven. We can see our shortcomings and grow from that insight. We can develop a servant's heart, and draw closer to God. As a result, true soul happiness can be discovered, and this, I believe is one of God's ultimate desires and purposes for designing the covenant of marriage.”

John Kurian is an evangelist, Bible teacher and preacher based in Kerala.

COUNSELING

Wife the CEO – BBCouple

t was a family picture from an Indian village! A dhoti-clad, thirty-something man standing in front of a hut, carrying a two year boy in his hand. Two daughters aged between 5 and 10, standing on his side. In front of him, at his feet was his wife sitting in a monkey-position, staring at the camera. This family photo shows the real 'value' of women in our society. They are often considered lower than the cows grazing around the huts! The evil and criminal dowry system prevalent is a classic example for this case. Being part of a society that is largely patriarchal in nature, the thought of women being 'lesser in value' is a given. The 'wife' is considered to be a 'useful' tool in many ways to serve husband, his family, children and animals. With increased urbanization, the 'price tag' on women has taken a subtle turn. Boys are now increasingly choosing to marry a 'professional' (nurse, doctor, engineer, teacher etc) than the 'person' – Professional girls are hot! The whole concept is to use her job as a source of additional

income! A 'modern woman' is supposed to be a part of the corporate rat race making 'guestappearances' at her home in between her busy schedules and always dressed in French labels and perfumes. She has to speak English fluently, be confident in her dealings with male counterparts and 'open' (the definition of 'openness' is uncertain and mostly a moving target!) in her outlook. She should be thin like one of the Bollywood starlets (even an actress like Aishwarya Rai was not spared by our Press for violating this cardinal expectation). Such women have some value in our Society! Their husbands carry them around as if he owns an imported 'pup' (high maintenance pups)! A few weeks ago, we met a distressed woman who is mentally wrecked with the demands of her high-flying husband. Her husband wanted her to join VLCC to lose weight, learn driving and swimming. She started doing all three. Now he has a new set of expectations – style her hair like an actress and join an organisation for work. He also wanted her to behave like his female colleagues

and join them for a drink! At one point, he yelled at her and said, “You are ugly!” Fact of the matter is that she is a well educated and reasonably good looking woman. She quit her job for their children and is extremely devoted to the well being of their home. But her husband is blind in his definition of 'value of a house wife'! The 'value' of a wife cannot depend on any of the factors mentioned above. Look at the first wife in history. She derived her value from the fact that she bore the image of 1 God and performed the work entrusted to her by God2 – not on the basis of how many flights she took a week! The primary task of the woman was to be the 'help 3 meet' of her husband – that word does not indicate any less value than her husband as the same word is used to describe God Almighty in 4 connection with His help to man . She should submissively5 extend help to her husband, who in turn should be submissive to his role of 6 leadership in the family. While the above sketch is the original design of marriage and thus the sure-fire formula for a successful family life, a woman of this nature is sneered

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at in the modern world as a mere 'house wife'! A 'house wife' has loosely come to refer to someone who is 'uneducated', 'incapable', 'unemployable', 'good for nothing' and the equivalent to a servant. This misconception stems from the fact that the world measures the 'value' of any activity in terms of economic output such as GDP (Gross Domestic Products). The work of a 'House wife' is nowhere included in these measurements and hence they are considered 'worthless'! No wonder, many a 'house wife feels depressed having left to do this 'worthless job' all their lives while their 'worthy spouses' climb the corporate ladder. Reality is just the opposite! Family 7 is the first 'Institution' on earth and to that extend there is no single Corporation that can claim the legacy of a 'Family' founded by God. As per the divine design, a wife's primary area of operation is her 8 'Home.' Just because there are not any credible tool to measure the 'economic output' of a wife's works at home, it cannot be construed as a mere 'waste'. If it is actually measured, we strongly suspect it to surpass the national GDP. Just imagine the various departments of this institution handled (often single handed) by a house wife. She gets her hands wet with variety of management disciplines on a day to day basis which are generally folded under a seasoned CEO of an Organisation with several specialists supporting him. Look at some of them that 'Wife the CEO' handles like a breeze: l Relationship Management – with Husband, Children, Neighbours, relatives, friends etc. (Ask child's Birthday to the husband and you will know how great a Relationship Manager he is!) 14

Vendor Management– various suppliers such as Grocery, Vegetable suppliers, Postal, Telecom, servants etc are well decided and managed. She often changes suppliers depending upon the 'market opportunities' to maximise profit for the homebudget which a husband will have no knowledge about! Factory output Management – the amount of food supply created in the factory of kitchen is just mind boggling. On top of it, the 'clients' (husbands, children and mother-in-laws specifically) that she caters to are often so demanding that the house wives have developed their own TQM (Total Quality Management) and Six sigma principles which can give a run for the money of modern Corporations! Housekeeping Department – Only someone from a Hospitality Industry would understand the importance of this department and the cost attached to it in the Industry. It is taken for granted when performed by a 'lonely woman' on a daily basis with all love for the individuals who are the recipients of it and mostly without even a word of appreciation!

mother that introduces 'God' to her children. l

Health Department – She is the primary physician of the family. She keeps a track of Children's number of teeth fallen, time taken for the new tooth to come up, weight gain or loss, records of sicknesses that had happened in the past etc.. She also is the Psychologist of the home. She could easily 'sense' (have you heard of the 'sixth sense' of a woman?) when any of the family member is hurting. Ask the husband and he will have no clue!

Risk Management – Any Organisation worth its name will have to manage their internal and external risks and the Compliance Officers who are fed with 'fat pays' handle this department. It is mostly the house wives who keep the vigil at the 'risks' at the Institution of marriage; the risks of wrong people in the lives of their children, the risks of wasting time, the risks of husband's work-holism, so on and so forth.

In effect, she is the CEO (Husbands supposed to be the Executive Chairmen; alas some of them wouldn't get up from their Chairs in front of the TV!) multi-tasking efficiently for the growth of the institution called 'Family'! Men, Education Department – The amount of money charged by the better know the worth of your so called Educational Institutions 'house wife' and be proud of them! House wives, here we salute you – such as 'Euro Kids' (By the by, take a\ bow! 'Kid' is an animal term – Are parents the cash-cows?!) or the References: mushrooming coaching centres, 1 Genesis 1:27 can be used to assess the amount 2 Genesis 1:28-30 3 Genesis 2:18 of 'economic output' from the 4 Psalms 54:4 education granted by a 'house 5 Colossians 3:18 wife' to her children from their 6 Ephesians 5:23 7 Genesis 2:22 formative years. Much more 8 Titus 2:4, 5 than secular education, she grant them the 'character' which is BBCouple works among families and can be contacted at bbcouple@yahoo.com 'priceless'! It is mostly the

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Commitment: its Demands and Rewards Salvation is an event but service is a process. It is a process of coming under the yoke and learning from the master. “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mat.11:28-30). “Come …I will give you rest”; this rest is available to all those who are in Christ. It is the salvation rest, given to those who kept their trust in Him. 'Take my yoke…. ye shall find rest' is obtained by those who commit their life in His service and learning from Him. Learning from an experienced person, under His Yoke is a wonderful and exciting way of finding comfort to our soul.

Being a disciple of His would require complete, total surrender, a willingness to renounce everything of my own self interest, and turn my back on everything of meaning or purpose in life apart from Christ. What a standard! We need to allow this truth to penetrate our hearts. This is the only path that leads to fruitfulness, purpose, and joy in Christian living. What has my Christian service cost me? What price am I willing to pay to serve Christ? Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; he opted to suffer affliction with the people of God and esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; he paid a great price to follow Christ. Committed Christian service will always have a cost.

Commitment has a Cost.

Commitment takes Consistency.

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross.” The symbol of the cross in Roman society evoked powerful, emotional reactions. Words of the Lord must have jolted His hearers that day. The graphic picture of cross was horrifying. A man “taking up his cross” meant only one thing: for that man, life as it had been was over. He is going out to die. The sudden, jolting reaction this image would provoke was no accident. It was exactly what the Lord intended to communicate.

“Let him…….take up his cross daily” A man in Roman society would only ever “take up his cross” once. He was going out to die! What then could the Lord have meant when He stressed that those who would come after Him must take up their cross daily? It would appear that the Lord understood the weakness of our hearts. He knew that the fervor and commitment of a moment, however well intentioned our ambition might be, would inevitably falter and flicker as time passed and

Please note that our email id has been changed from glsindia@vsnl.com to info@glsindia.com

contd. from Page No 8

circumstances crowded in. While the call to commitment is complete and unequivocal, there is a need for it to be renewed every day. Paul is an interesting example of this in Philippians 3. He looks back to the point of his conversion and stresses that “what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ”. A clear decision! A moment of crisis! A turning point in his life! But he goes on to say, “Yea, doubtless and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” What had been true of him on an ongoing basis in the present? How is this with me? Every day the Lord calls me anew to deny myself, heed His call, and follow Him.

Commitment offers Crown We have a hope our Lord will come and reward us. Paul expected to get crown of rejoicing 1 Thess 2:19; Phi. 4:1. There are five crowns mentioned in the scripture. 1Cor.9:26; Rev.2:10; Jam.1:12; 1Pet.5:4; 2Tim.4:8. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing." 2 Tim4:7-8. A good fight, finished the course and kept the faith. Now reward is waiting. Koshy Mathew is an itinerant Bible Teacher based in Mumbai.

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(Republished from The Balance of Truth, September 1959)

– Christina Durham

eekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not. . . but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places thou goest.” Jer.: 45.5

seeming folly as the purchase of immovable property in a land which was doomed, by his own prophecies, to fall into the hand of the conqueror. Jer: 32.15-28. Baruch could not be blamed for “Having food and raiment, let us foreseeing a new and liberated be therewith content.” 1 Tim. 6.8. kingdom of Israel, in which he, as “Seek ye first the kingdom of God well as Jeremiah would find an and His righteousness, and all inheritance and name. But there these things shall be added unto was enough in the recent turn of you.” Matt. 6.33 events to cloud that vision with unbelief, and that unbelief found Baruch was hardly to be blamed expression in Baruch's outcry. for the sudden wave of self-pity that forced him to cry out: “Woe is The Lord's answer was as me now, for the Lord hath added searching in its rebuke as it was grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my tender in its assurance. “Seekest sighing and I find no rest.” He had thou great things for thyself?” Was self-aggrandisement and self stood valiantly for the Lord and His interests; he had been faithful determination the motive behind Baruch's faithfulness? As ever, the even in the face of hostility. Probably he could not state in so faithfulness of God compelled His many words what it was that had servant to first search his own heart and motives, and then inspired that faith. It may have tenderly assured him that at least been a reflection of the prophet's his daily sustenance would be own unclouded assurance that he provided for. “Thy life will I give would one day possess his unto thee for a prey in all places inheritance,--an assurance that wither thou goest.” compelled him to such an act of 16

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The Lord's rebuke to His disciples was along the same lines. In His incomparable unfolding of the great principles of Christian living, He says in effect: “If you want to serve God, your eye and aim must be single. You can not have one eye on earthly gain and the other on God's interests. The two are as incompatible as water and fire, or as difficult of dual navigation as are two vessels set on contrary courses.” This is the common interpretation but the Lord's exhortation goes even further. The heart set on God should be automatically free from all anxiety, if our acceptance of His Fatherhood is sincere. Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things, and will as surely make provisions, as for the light-hearted, care-free birds of the air, or even for the wild flowers who have no ability either to seek their nourishment, or to add to their beauty, or to resist destruction. Their “faith” is something implicit in their

aforetime.” (Dan: 6.10) There was no attempt at subterfuge or secrecy or change. The Kingdom of God and His righteousness had first place in his life and thoughts, and the outcome was not his care or responsibility. He left that to God, and God honoured his abandonment of faith, by results that astonished the king, as utterly as they vindicated the servant of the Lord.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6.33 existence. In other words they never even question the source of provision or protection. They take it for granted. And the Father expects the same abandonment of trust from those who are committed to His interests; no thought even for the necessities of food and raiment; accepting without question or doubt their Father's promise regarding the certainty of provision for their every need. Daniel is an outstanding example of this attitude of single-eyed faith. Of him it might be truly said: He loved not his life unto death. From the first introduction as a captive youth of the house of Israel, we know him as one utterly committed to the Lord and his interests. The commandments of the Lord were more than food to him, more than the disfavor of his captors. (Dan: 1.8) Later, though destined by the king to be chief ruler over the whole realm, his singleness of eye for the glory of God, and the part

he was called upon to play towards the fulfillment of His purposes for Israel, resulted in a holy disregard of all that cut across the pattern of his spiritual life and communion with God. The land of promise, the city of God, the promises given to his fathers; all those things that were bound up with the interests and purposes of God in His people, were more to Daniel than his prestige, or even than the threat of death that hung over him, because of the jealousy of those who had felt they had more right to rule than had this stranger. In fact we do not read that the alternative of obedience and disobedience ever occurred to him. He was doing what he knew to be the will of God, and what was acceptable in his sight, and he went right on doing it. “He went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did

How different was the history of Jonah! His first care was his own reputation, and the second his personal comfort or otherwise. Prophet or no, he was not willing to be identified with the interests of God, and God had to touch his life on those very points on which he was holding back. Are there not many times when we feel that God in holding back with regards to the fulfillment of His promises? But do we not often have reason to question a lack on our part in the fulfillment of the contingency on which those promises are hinged? Have we done our part? Are we so committed to the interests of God that there is no going back? Do we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness with an absolute singleness of eye and aim. Are the motives of our service free from self-seeking? If so, as God is God, and His promises are truth, the rest will follow, -- in His own time and way. Nor in limited measure either, but “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Eph: 3.20., “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil: 4.19 The late Christina Durham was the cofounder of GLS. She was an avid writer and poet.

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WWJDWhat Would Jesus Do? -

Tabbsum Roy Paes

“Daddy! Can you please give me 500 rupees from my next month's pocket money?”, Rechal asked her father hesitantly. “Hmm…” Daddy responded lowering his glasses on his nose and staring at Rechal. “Where has your pocket money for this month gone?” He asked firmly. “I … I …I spent that on a treat to my friends for getting first prize in the singing competition.” Rechal mumbled. “What???” Daddy asked in harsh tone. “What do you need 500 rupees for now?” “I need that for church offerings.” Rechal said meekly. Daddy was shocked to know that Rechal had spent her pocket money and even church offering. He was really annoyed. He announced that Rechal would have to assist Mummy in every household chore to earn her church offerings and there would be no pocket money for the rest of the month for her. She has behaved very unwisely. Needless to say, Rechal was too busy for rest of the month. Did she learn her lesson? Oh no! She began to steal from the tithe and 18

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offerings. She would put half of the offering and tithe and keep the rest of it quietly. She believed that God doesn't need money. One day, Mrs. Glory asked her to play the role of poor widow who offered her two mites from Mark chapter 12:41-44. “Look at the love she had for God.” Mrs. Glory said smiling. “She sacrificed all she had for God. Jesus was pleased with her. Though it is not mentioned here, do I need to say that God would have returned her in double fold?” Mrs. Glory asked her pupils. “God loves a cheerful giver” states 2 Corinthians 9:7. Isn't it, then, one of our life's

purpose to please God?”

pressure on his daughter.

Mrs. Glory's thought provoking questions were enough to keep Rechal awake at night. It stirred all the logic she had as an excuse for holding God's share.

He decided not to handle it in anger and chose to study about Christian Giving during their family bible study. He read Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your Daddy has not been at peace crops.” He further quoted since he discovered that Luke 6:38 “Give and it will be Rechal spent the offering on given to you. A good measure, her friends. He wanted to pressed down, shaken together teach her what the Bible says and running over, will be about giving. Little did he know poured into your lap. For with that Rechal was stealing from the measure you use, it will be her tithe and offerings. He measured to you.” always taught her to keep God's share separate as soon Rechal quietly listened to as she received her monthly Daddy and before prayer, she pocket money. He was worried confessed that she had been about the growing peer stealing from the offering.

The Virgin Birth of Christ

Rechal prayed and asked for forgiveness from the Lord. She had learnt another lesson from her mistake and resolved never to repeat it. Dear Children, What do you think about tithe and offerings to the Lord? Are you a cheerful giver?

Tabbsum Roy Paes is a writer and lives in Gurgaon.

contd. from Page No 7

us towards practical sins? The answer is “Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins”. Blood of any other human being born and brought up of human parents is inherently sinful and it cannot wash away Thus, only Jesus was born in this the sins of another human being. world 'without sin'. Normally However, religious, good, god foes find more faults than friends. fearing, prophetic or Jesus during His public ministry philosophical a person may be, put across a question to His foes, his blood too is stained with “Which of you convicts me of original sin. sin?” (John 8:46). None stood up Thus, it became necessary for God to point a finger or bring an to make a provision for all men allegation against Jesus. lost in sin as He loved us. Thus He was born as the Savior of the perfect God became a perfect the world man and the virgin birth was the What can wash away the intrinsic mode that God chose in order to sin within you and me that lead heard prayers and received worship. And He died in His perfect humanity, but rose again on the third day in His perfect deity. What a hypostatic union was Christ when He was in this world!

Daddy quietly listened to her confession and asked her to think about what Jesus would do? Daddy lovingly forgave her and told her not to repeat her mistake. Mummy also forgave Rechal.

have a sinless person born in this world, with unique blood without any stain of sin. The Bible confirms that “And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. And the blood that Jesus shed was without blemish”. (1 Pet.1:19)Thus, His blood was shed on Calvary and He became the only mediator between God and man. It is only through His stainless blood that salvation from eternal punishment is possible. He was born as the Savior of the world.

Rajan Thomas is a Bible Teacher from Bahrain.

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EXPLORERS

Should we fit in or stand out? “

– Cynthia John “You're so fussy!” Prisha said, pouting. She and her gang of four friends wanted to skip school and go for a movie. Only Kavya refused to come.

be back long before school is over. You'll go back home as usual after school. So what's the problem? Be a good friend,” Reena said.

My mom has told me not to go anywhere without her permission,” she said.

Kavya looked around at the faces watching her. She could see anger, surprise, irritation and impatience. “Look. I'm just not comfortable with the idea. Why

“But your mom won't know. We'll 20

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don't you leave me alone?” she asked. Prisha stood up and dusted her skirt. “You're a coward, that's what you are. Can't do a small thing for friends! Don't be a part of our gang if you can't be a good friend.” With that, she and the other girls

got up and walked off. Kavya's lip trembled as she held back her tears. She had been with this gang of friends for so many months, and now they were rejecting her for a small thing! Just then, Ranoo, a quiet girl in the class, came into the room. “What's wrong?” she asked, noticing Kavya's sad face. Kavya hesitated, then told her what had happened. Ranoo looked at her sympathetically. “I know you must be feeling bad that your friends are rejecting you. But I still think you did what was right. Having good character is about doing what is right even when your mother is not watching. You made the right choice.” Kavya looked up. “I thought I did. But see what happened! I have lost my friends.” “I'm sure they'll come back. If they really are good friends, they'll come back to you. If they don't, it means they don't understand your value, and don't respect your feelings. Maybe they are not such a great gang, after all. God will give you better friends,” Ranoo said.

than that gang – you!” Ranoo smiled. It was her turn to feel shy. She loved having Kavya as a friend too!

replied: 'We must obey God rather than human beings!' ” Acts 5:29

Choosing your friends

It's hard to decide which friends are 'bad' and which are 'good' It's not always easy to fit in with because everyone has positive what others want. But we do try and negative qualities. God does hard. We wear clothes and hair want us to love everyone, as He styles that others accept, use did. Yet, we can make out which language that others do, and try friends are good for us by seeing to win their approval. But is that the influence they have on us. If really what we should be trying to some friends are encouraging you do? Romans 12:2 says, “Do not to do things that are wrong, or conform to the pattern of this unacceptable to God, give a world, but be transformed by the thought to why it's happening. It renewing of your mind. Then you is more important to please God will be able to test and approve than to hang out with kids who what God's will is – his good, are fun. If your friends are helping pleasing and perfect will.” Most you do the right thing, and make kids and teens want to keep up good choices, you can be sure God with the trends and habits of will provide you with joy and others, but this verse tells us to blessings because of your do the exact opposite. We need to obedience. Think about these focus instead on pleasing God, verses: even if it means going against “Do not be misled: 'Bad company what everyone wants to do. corrupts good character.' ” 1 Corinthians 5:33 Of course, that's not easy! We are

Fitting in with friends

likely to win the disapproval of others when we do something different. If you refuse to cheat in a test, lie to a teacher, make a decision because you want to Kavya did not feel convinced but obey your mom, or give priority she nodded. In the coming days, to spending time with God, you her friends continued to avoid might find others making fun of her, and she felt hurt and you or scolding you. But, as a unhappy. Ranoo spoke to her now Christian, it's up to you to stick to and then. Two days, later Ranoo obeying God. In the end, your called her to play badminton. She character will stand out. Choose joined her and found that it was a to 'stand out' instead of 'fit in.' lot of fun. The two started playing Ask God for help and grace to together regularly, and soon they do it. were firm friends. Do you have the guts to say what “Ranoo, you were right,” Kavya Peter did in the following verse? said shyly, one week later. “God “Peter and the other apostles has given me a far better friend

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20

Be a light Remember that God wants us to be lights in the world. By doing what is right and being a loving, kind person, we are shining like lights. It's something to be proud of, not ashamed of. Even if others make fun of you, or reject you, you can feel happy and contented, knowing that you are being a light! Cynthia John is the author of 89 books, mostly for Children's Bible Schools, Holiday Bible School and Sunday School.

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CHALLENGERS

spirit â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jaimon K. Sam

returned with a burden free heart. All the burden of his sins has been taken away.

ow often am I to forgive my brother?

Forgiveness is the most beautiful word a human can ever hope to 22

hear. The paralyzed man was brought to Jesus. Jesus told him 'Son your sins are forgiven you'. Jesus' words not only enabled the man to rise and walk but he

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Think of a person who carries a debt which he is not able to repay however hard he tried. What would be the condition of that person? He would be always weighed down with the burden of his debt. Then he hears the news that all his debts are written off! He is no more required to pay back that huge sum! What a relief he enjoys! What peace of mind! This is what exactly Jesus did for us. Our Lord's heart is so touched by our condition that He forgave and cancelled our debts. Now the same kind of attitude He expects from each one of us. There are bound to be offences as

far as our human nature is concerned. A brother may wrong another brother. His behavior may not be becoming to a believer. What ought to be the attitude of the wronged brother? What does the Bible teach about our interpersonal issues? Firstly, forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you (Eph 4.32; Col 3.13). We are commanded to forgive each other because God in Christ forgave us. We have experienced God's benevolence. If we have the true experience of being forgiven and pardoned of our sins, we cannot but forgive one another. It is the natural response of one who is truly forgiven. The standard of our forgiving is as God forgave us. Our forgiveness should be in direct proportion to the amount we have been forgiven. It is a question how far we practice this principle. Apostle Peter too had a limit. He asked, Up to seven times? The rabbis taught for the same offence a person can be forgiven two or at the most three times. Peter doubled it. What did our Lord reply? “… if each of you, from his heart, …forgive his brother…”. If we forgive heartily (with all his heart), there wouldn't arise the question how often shall I forgive my brother? Moreover it is enjoined as the character of the new man. Such a forgiving attitude is the very nature of a born-again person. Secondly, God forgives our debts and answers our prayer as we forgive our debtors (Mt.6.12). We fail in our duty toward God in

various matters. We need those failures to be forgiven by the Lord. We do pray for that. But the Scripture clearly suggests that this is one prayer request that is answered on condition. As you forgive you will be forgiven (Luke 6.37). If we do not forgive each other so the Father will forgive us (Mt. 6.15). The teaching of the Scripture is quite clear. We as believers ought to forgive one another. But we, as Peter, set a limit. Or we publically say that we forgive, but never forget. In answer to Peter's question the Lord told the parable of the Two Debtors. The first one, who was unable to pay back his debt even if he works his entire life, was forgiven mercifully by his master. That same servant, when he met one of his debtors, could not show the same mercy and compassion. Is this not the same unforgiving spirit we are filled with today? Don't you think many of our arguments and divisions could have been avoided had we possessed the compassionate and forgiving heart of our Lord? It is a hazardous thing to live with an unforgiving spirit. It hurts the unforgiving person more than the one who committed the wrong. 'The world's worst prison, says Wiersebe, is the prison of an unforgiving heart'. We keep a limit to which we are willing to go or set a condition which one has to fulfill then we will do the rest. Hear what Apostle Paul says to the courtiers of Corinth. 'Instead of going to

courts, why don't you rather accept wrong? Why don't you rather let yourselves be defrauded?' Where is such a forgiving and willing- to- bear- wrong - attitude among God's people today? We want to keep the scores level. If we are wronged or restrained in some matter, we wait for an opportunity to strike back. How far we are from the Lord's ideal! Fearing Joseph's retaliation after the death of their father for their evil deeds against him, his brothers approached Joseph with request. Joseph's words are relevant today. “Don't be afraid” (Gen.50.19, 21) twice he assured them. Then as further assurance to his troubled brothers, he promised, 'I will provide for you and your little ones'. Well, it seems Joseph is someone who knew the NT teaching of the Lord, “forgive and you will be forgiven”. According to the Tyndale Bible Dictionary, forgiveness or pardon, involves restoration of broken relationships; ceasing to feel resentment for wrongs and offenses. How many relationships would have remained strong if we had the heart to say, 'I forgive you'? Not just in our assemblies alone, even in our family lives. Let us not forget the words of our Blessed Saviour as He was being treated unjustly, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”.

Jaimon K. Sam teaches in North India Bible Institute, Rajasthan.

Harvest Times for Your Family December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12

HER CORNER

Adornment of a

Godly Woman

– Sangeeta Jariwala

od the loving Creator and Redeemer has given a woman who fears and desires to please the Lord through her life a precious jewel to adorn with. About this adornment the Word of God says, 24

“Let it be the hidden man of the heart … Even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” 1 Peter 3: 4. This may sound like disdain toward modern trends. But the Word of God has eternal

Harvest Times for Your Family December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12

relevance. The most important truth we need to notice here is that this ornament is greatly prized of God. Peter says about this adornment that it “is in the sight of God of

great price”. What a blessing and privilege it is if God Himself commends something in our personal lives in this manner! Isn't this the best thing we can ever desire in our lives?

3. She was hospitable. (Genesis 18:6) Through her meekness and co-operation with regard to the birth of Isaac, she became an instrument for the Lord's promise to be fulfilled.

Sarah's outward beauty was so stunning that even at the age of 65 years, Pharaoh coveted to have her in his palace (Genesis 12 :14-15). If it were the outer beauty that pleased the Pharaoh it was her inner beauty that pleased God. It was of a great price in the sight of God. Her inner beauty and conduct was so pleasing to God because of which we see it mentioned in 1 Peter 3:6.

4. Sarah's care for her household is clearly seen in her outspokenness to cast out Hagar. The Lord accepted it and attested to the same in spite of protests from Abraham. Here we see the character of Proverbs 31:27 in her. It says, “…She looketh well to the ways of her household…”

In the passage the Lord presents Sarah as an example for all women desiring to live godly lives. How true is Proverbs 31:30 seen enacted in her life: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised”. Sarah's 'meek and quiet spirit' was evident in her relationship to her husband. She fulfilled her obedience towards God by obeying and being in subjection to her husband. Though Sarah was of a meek and a quiet spirit, which was evident in obeying and honoring her husband, the Lord's Word also reveals to us her behavior and character-so that we may be her daughters. Notice the following truths about her in the Scripture. 1. She was a holy woman. (1 Peter 3:5) 2. She respected her husband. (1 Peter 3:6)

get side-tracked. We learn from the Word of God what our Lord desires of us as godly women. Let us be encouraged to follow our Good Shepherd along the narrow way, where time and again our shepherd restores our soul, leads us to green pastures, cool waters and to safe places when we feel tired and weary on our journey to the Father's kingdom.

When we trust the Lord, we will seek to obey Him and if we have a desire to obey and please Him, His promise of John 14:26 assures us. It says, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father As we read in 1 Peter 3:1-2, the will send in my name, he shall conduct and behavior of a wife is teach you all things, and bring all of such importance that it can things to your remembrance, even win her unbelieving whatsoever I have said unto you. husband's heart for the Lord. This promise is for us. The Holy What a magnetic power the Lord Spirit Himself will teach us and has granted in a woman's make us to walk in the paths of behavior to fulfill His purpose and righteousness for His name's sake. good pleasure through her! Finally, we see that there is a Not only in 1 Peter 3 but also in reward and a crown kept for us Ephesians 5 and many other parts with the Lord. (Rev 22:12 “And, of the Scripture we see the behold, I come quickly; and my importance of subjection which is reward is with me, to give every obedience to the Lord. man according as his work shall be.” Prov.31:31 “Give her of the Perhaps, Lord Jesus saw this fruit of her hands; and let her own hidden character, this hidden works praise her in the gates.” beauty in Mary too, when He commended her in Luke 10:39, 42- Mary sitting quietly and meekly at the Master's Feet. Many a times, we find it so difficult to adjust with surroundings, seeing the situations in this modern, liberal world around us and sometimes even in the house of God. These things sometimes confuse and tempt us to do the same things. But let us not lose our focus and

“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all”. (Prov. 31:29) Would we not covet this commendation from the Lord? May the good Lord help us to be such worthy daughters, who would bring glory to our Father in heaven. Sangeeta Jariwala is a house wife based in Roorkee.

Harvest Times for Your Family December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12

A Meditation on Incarnation: 'He Emptied Himself' house to sleep, a boat to preach, an animal to ride, a tomb to be buried in. The Son of Man had no place to lay his head in the world that he created.

contd. from Page No 5

Son (moral perfection and sinlesness), yet learned obedience by the things He suffered; And being made perfect (He was tested and proved as perfect for the official He emptied His relation to the task), He became the author of In incarnation. His human nature eternal salvation". Only a sinless Law. was real like any other human one can do the work of salvation. As God and law giver, He need not being. “He had to be made like his So only the incarnated Christ can “ subject himself to law. But He to brothers in every way" (Heb.2:17). do the work of salvation. was born under the law in the The only difference is that he was likeness of sinful man (not as without sin (Heb.4:15). 2 Cor.5:21 He felt all feeling of humanity. He sinful man, but likeness), so that read, "God who made him who was hungry, thirsty, sorrow and the righteous requirements of the has no sin to be sin (not sinner) finally He died. He felt everything law might be fully met in (not by) for us". His body remains sinless, except sin (Heb.4:15). us. While He was in heaven he but sin- bearing body (lsa53:12; never felt the burden of sin and GaI.3:13). God put all our sins on In incarnation, He being found in appearance as a man. It seems guilt. his sinless body and punished him at the cross. Even at the cross that it is a repeat of V.7. In V.7 is His incarnation is for the purpose His humanity from the view of his body remains sinless. Peter of carrying the sin of the world. said in 1Pet.3:18 "For Christ died God. From that point deity took God made Him who had no sin to the form of a man. The 'word' for sin (not as a sinner) once for be sin for us. He was counted with became 'flesh' and dwelt among all, the righteous for the the transgressors. Most of the us. In V.8, Jesus’ humanity unrighteous". Messianic psalms describe the described from the view is point burden of carrying the sin of the Jesus bearing our sin and at the of men. When they looked at Him, people. For example, PS.69:5 “O same time sinless is a difficult He was outwardly appeared God,thou knowest my foolishness, concept to understand, unless we (Schema) just like one of them. and my sins are not hidden from understand that His death was They were right in recognizing his thee". He bore the sins of many substitutionary atoning. On the Humanity but they were wrong in (Isa 53:11). This is not His own cross He was our substitute and recognizing His sinless humanity sin, but the sin of the world that the substitution is not identity. As and His deity. He carried. Since He was sinless substitute, He was the object of The purpose of the incarnation is and holy, He felt the burden of sin divine wrath in our place, while to die on the cross to redeem the more than a sinner feels the still the beloved Son and the sinners. This is the greatest truth burden of sin. If Jesus Christ sinless man. He was made sin, of Christianity. The eternal God emptied all these, how can He while sinlessly perfect and took the form of a man and died still be God? The answer is as Son accepted. He was the object of of God He laid aside all these God's punishment as He stood in to save the sinners, so that who so things not with reference to His our place as a sin bearer, while in ever believes on Jesus Christ will divine nature but with reference Himself the Son of His love. There not perish but have everlasting to His human nature, while He is a clear distinction between the life. voluntarily took upon Himself personal perfection and for His and in which He suffered all these official duty as a redeemer. Thampi Mattackal is a Bible teacher indignities. He was the from USA. Heb.5:8 reads, "Though He was manifestation of the form of God 26 Harvest Times for Your Family

in the appearance of man. The expression "emptied himself" describes the manner in which Christ emptied. His action was free, voluntary and a deliberate one.

December 2013/Volume 10 Issue 12