Monday, June 25, 2007

About Me...


I am Sandeep.B, a medical doctor now working in Kannur, Kerala. By the by, the most remarkable thing I want to share with you from my life, is about the tremendous joy and peace that fills my heart as a result of my encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. Being from a traditional Hindu family, I’d like to say that this is not at all a religious conversion, but it’s a thrilling story of transformation from deep within my heart….
I can guarantee that you, too, can experience the joy and the peace such as you have never experienced before in your entire lifetime, and find the real meaning and purpose of your life, if you also truly repent of your sins from your heart and entrust your life completely into the mighty hands of Jesus Christ, believing that it was for “my” sins that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary.
You may say: “This is something emotional, which ‘weak’ people resort to. Or you may tell me: “I also know God. He understands our weakness. He forgives us. It’s O.K however we live, provided we do no harm to anybody. God has given us this life to enjoy as far as possible. Yet we must love all, do many good deeds to please God…….”
My line of thoughts was also in this direction at one time. But some years ago, I happened to realize that, howsoever I tried to lead a holy life with all my philosophies and ideologies, though I could be extra-decent and loving to all externally, it was all pride and self-centeredness inside. Yea, by the mercy of God, I got a glimpse of my own wretchedness and helplessness in the presence of a holy God on that very Sunday morning of December 19th, 1999.
This burden of sin was not, of course, based on the number of sins I committed, but I realized it to be something inherent in my nature, too heavy for me to cast away. Then I – who till then assumed myself to be a highly spiritual man close to God (!!) – for the first time in my life, lifted my inner eyes in utter helplessness to that God who created you and me, who was actually unknown to me till then.
All these took place in the Room no:14 of St. Thomas Hostel of Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, when I was doing my Second Pre-degree Course there. Suddenly I felt an inner urge to open the Holy Bible on my table (which I had acquired out of curiosity from my ex-room-mate, though I was a traditional Hindu). The 25th to 27th verses of the 36th chapter of the book of Ezekiel were the verses my eyes came to focus on to, which read thus:
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and I will cause you to walk in My statutes and you will be careful to observe all My ordinances”.
The Lord Jesus Christ really spoke these words to my very heart. Having cleansed me and relieved me of all my burdens, He filled my heart literally with heavenly love, joy and peace. You, too, can receive this beautiful, most thrilling and exciting life of a wonderful love-relationship with Jesus, if you just turn away and repent of all your sins and entrust yourself completely into His nail-pierced hands.
You can invite Him into your life right now by praying sincerely like this:“Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for MY sins. I receive You as my Saviour and Lord. Lead and guide my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”
If we take time to surrender our lives completely to Him, He will truly fill our hearts with His divine love through the Holy Spirit. Then our concern in everything we think, say or do is whether this will bring delight to the heart of our loving Lord or not. Whenever we fail to keep the mark, we need to repent radically of having grieved His tender heart....
My dear friend, let me make it clear that I do not follow any religion or its nauseating traditions and corruptions. I have no change of religion, but, in fact, Christ changed me myself. Jesus has founded no religion at all. Yes, real Christianity is not a religion at all, but a way of life – a real day to day love relationship with Jesus Christ!

We can discuss more on this, if you want to, in the coming days…. May God bless you abundantly!
With love and prayers,
Sandeep.


A Purely Personal Letter To You From My Heart


A Purely Personal Letter To You From My Heart

Hello, my dear friend,

The last time I met you, I really wanted to talk to you much. But you were in a rather hurry mood. So I hope I can unburden my heart through this letter.

I always wanted to share with you the tremendous joy and peace that fills my heart, as a result of the contact I happened to have with a particular ‘Person’. But you, though smiling and enthusiastic externally, and joyful with your own pleasures and priorities in this world, apparently lack this sort of divine inner joy, I feel so as often as I think of you.

Yes, you will argue with me a hundred times that I’m otherworldly, that I am in some hallucination, that I’m euphoric……. if I say that this particular ‘Person’ I mentioned earlier is none other than the God Himself who created you and me. Yea, God has begun to relate with me. Of course, you may say: “This is something emotional, which ‘weak’ people resort to. We should be wise and sober so as not to get entrapped in crazy fantasy……”

No, dear, this God is not fantasy. This is truth; believe me. Now you may tell me: “I also know God. He is love. He is kind. He forgives us. He is eternal. He is a power…..” and go on with all your philosophies…… “He understands our weakness. It’s O.K however we live, even if we sin, provided we do no harm to anybody. God has given us this life to enjoy as far as possible. Yet we must love all, do many good deeds to please God…….”

But I want to say to you something quite different from my own personal experience. My line of thoughts was also in this direction at one time. But some years ago, I happened to realize that, howsoever I tried to lead a holy life with all my philosophies and ideologies, though I could be extra-decent and loving to all externally, it was all pride and self-centeredness inside. Yea, by the mercy of God, I got a glimpse of my own wretchedness and helplessness in the presence of a holy God on that very Sunday morning of December 19th, 1999.

This burden of sin was not, of course, based on the number of sins I committed, but I realized it to be something inherent in my nature, too heavy for me to cast away. Then I – who till then assumed myself to be the most spiritual man on earth, close to God (!!) – for the first time in my life, lifted my inner eyes in utter helplessness to that God who created you and me, who was actually unknown to me till then.

All these took place in the Room no:14 of St. Thomas Hostel of Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, when I was doing my Second Pre-degree Course there. Suddenly I felt an inner urge to open the Holy Bible on my table (which I had acquired from my ex-room-mate, though I was a traditional Hindu). The 25th to 27th verses of the 36th chapter of the book of Ezekiel were the verses my eyes came to focus on to, which reads thus:

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and I will cause you to walk in My statutes and you will be careful to observe all My ordinances”.

The Lord Jesus Christ really spoke these words to my very heart. Having cleansed me and relieved me of all my burdens, He filled my heart literally with heavenly love, joy and peace. Indeed,

“Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross, my Saviour made me whole.

My sins were washed away,

And my night was turned to day…..”

Like John Newton, I, too, sing from my heart:

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see…….”

Now dear friend, Jesus has become the Lover of my soul. He is my Saviour, and He is my Lord. He is my King, and He is my Brother and Friend. He is my Shepherd, and above all, He is my Heavenly Bridegroom.

Yes, dear friend, now you can label me anything you like – religious fanatic or lunatic, because ‘blind’ religious men of His day, called even Jesus by such and other worse names, and at last crucified Him; but He resurrected on the third day to give you and me eternal life. You, too, can receive this beautiful life with Jesus, if you just turn away and repent of all your sins and entrust yourself completely into His nail-pierced hands.

THE BIBLE CLEARLY STATES THAT NO RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES, NO GOOD WORKS, NO SACRAMENTS CAN ATONE FOR OUR SINS. THE BIBLE ALONE REVEALS THAT GOD LOVES EACH ONE OF US INFINITELY, AND YET HE CANNOT TOLERATE THE SIN IN US, BECAUSE OF HIS INFINITE HOLINESS. SO HE HIMSELF INCARNATED AS JESUS CHRIST, LIVED A HOLY LIFE AS AN EXAMPLE FOR US, AND DIED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY, SUFFERING THE PUNISHMENT OF EACH ONE OF OUR SINS. THE BIBLE CLEARLY TEACHES US THAT THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ALMIGHTY GOD IS TO SIMPLY REPENT OF OUR SINS FROM THE HEART AND ENTRUST OUR LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST, BELIEVING IN OUR HEART THAT IT WAS FOR “MY” SINS THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN.

Now it’s your chance, my friend….. Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart.

You can invite Him into your life right now by praying like this:

“Lord Jesus, I need You. I want to know You personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for MY sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Lead and guide my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

Finally, my dear friend, let me make it clear that I do not follow any religion or its nauseating traditions and corruptions. I have no change of , religion, but in fact, Christ changed me myself. Jesus has founded no religion at all. Yes, real Christianity is not a religion at all, but a way of life – a real day to day love relationship with Jesus Christ!

If we take time to surrender our lives completely to Him, He will truly fill our hearts with His divine love through the Holy Spirit. Then our concern in everything we think, say or do is whether this will bring delight to the heart of our loving Lord or not. Whenever we fail to keep the mark, we need to repent radically of having grieved His tender heart.

I just want to cling on to Jesus and follow Him all throughout my life. I feel I have unburdened the very burden of my heart, especially for a person like you. We can talk to each other more on this, if you want to, in the coming days….

May God bless you abundantly!

With love and prayers,

Dr. Sandeep.B.

Ithaa Ente Daasan (Malayalam)


CXm Fsâ Zmk³....


""CXm, Fsâ Zmk³; Rm³ Xm§p¶h³; Fsâ DÅw {]tamZn¡p¶ Fsâ XncsªSp¡s¸«h³; Rm³ Fsâ Bßmhns\ Ahsâ ta h¨ncn¡p¶p...'' (sbi.42:1).

\½psS {]nbIÀ¯mhmb tbiphns\¡pdn¨v AhnSp¶v P\n¡p¶Xn\qw 700þHmfw hÀj§Ä¡v ap³]v sbi¿m{]hmNI\neqsS ssZhw FgpXnb ImcyamWv \mw apIfn hmbn¨Xv. ]nXmhmb ssZh¯n\v Xsâ {]nb]p{Xs\¡pdn¨v DÅw Xqd¶v ]dbm\pÅ \nÀ½e km£yw!! slm! kÀthm¶X\mb ssZh¯n\v \s½ Hmtcmcp¯sc¡qdn¨pw C¯c¯n ]dbphm³ Ignªncps¶¦nÂ....!

tbiphns\ ]n³]änb Np¦¡mc\mbncp¶ injy\mb a¯mbn Xsâ Kpcphnsâ PohnX¯n Cu {]hN\w F§s\ \nhr¯nbmbn F¶v Xms\gpXnb kphntij¯nsâ 12þmw A²ymb¯nsâ 15 apX 20 hscbpÅ hmIy§fn at\mlcambn C§s\ hc¨p Im«nbn«p­v:

""tbip AXdnªn«v AhnSw hn«pt]mbn; henb P\¡q«w Ahs\ A\pKan¨p. Ah³ Ahscsbms¡bpw kuJyam¡n. Xs¶ {]kn²\m¡cpsX¶v AhtcmSv BÚm]n¨p. sbi¿m{]hmNI³ apJm´ncw AcpfnsNbvXXv \nhr¯nbmIphm³ Xs¶: "CXm, Rm³ XncsªSq¯ Fsâ Zmk³, Fsâ DÅw {]kmZn¡p¶ Fsâ {]nb³; Rm³ Fsâ Bßmhns\ Ahsâ ta Bhkn¸n¡pw; Ah³ P\XIÄ¡v \ymbhn[n Adnbn¡pw. Ah³ Ieln¡pIbnÃ, \nehnfn¡pIbnÃ; Bcpw sXcphpIfn Ahsâ iÐw tIÄ¡pIbpanÃ. Ah³ \ymbs¯ hnPb¯nse¯n¡p¶Xp hsc NXª HmS HSn¨pIfbpIbnÃ; ]pIbp¶ Xncn sISp¯n¡fbpIbpanÃ. PmXnIÄ Ahsâ \ma¯n {]Xymi hbv¡pw.'

]nXmhmb ssZhw tbiphn {]kmZn¡pIbpw {]tamZn¡pIbpw sNbvXXnsâ H«t\Iw ImcW§fn cs­®w \mw apIfn hmbn¨ hN\`mK¯v ImWp¶p­v. H¶maXmbn, Xsâ ASp¡Â h¶ FÃmhscbpw AhnSp¶v kuJyam¡n. tbiphn\v \½n ]escbpw t]mse ]£t`Zap­mbncp¶nÃ. HcmÄ tbiphnsâ ASp¡Â h¶m Fs´¦nepw \ymb§Ä ]dªp Ahs\ XÅn¡fbp¶h\à \½psS IÀ¯mhv. ""Fsâ ASp¡Â hcp¶hs\ Rm³ Hcp \mfpw XÅn¡fbpIbnÃ'' F¶ \mYsâ hm¡pIÄ \apt¡mtcmcp¯À¡pw F{Xb[nIw {]Xymi ]Icp¶XmW v! (tbml.6:37).

F¶m Xsâ ASp¡Â hcp¶hsc am{Xta tbipIÀ¯mhv XÅn¡fbpIbnsöv ]dªn«pÅq. \mw AhnSps¯ ASp¡te¡v hcp¶nsæn AhnSqt¯¡v \s½ klmbn¡phm³ IgnbpIbnÃ. A¶v C{kmtbenep­mbncp¶ FÃmhtcbpw tbip t]mbn kuJyam¡nbnÃ. F¶m Xsâ Bhiyt_m[w Xncn¨dnª GsXmcpht\bpw IÀ¯mhv kv]Àin¡pI Xs¶ sNbvXp. AhnSp¶v C¶pw amäanÃm¯h\mWv (F{_mbÀ 13:8).

\mw Hcp ]t£ NXª Hcp HmSbpsS AhØbnembncn¡mw. hogvNIÄ, FXnÀ¸pIÄ, km¼¯nI {]XnkÔnIÄ, Häs¸Sp¯epIÄ, sXän²cn¡s¸Sp¶ AhØIÄ....þþ C§s\bpÅ-- temI¯nsâbpw km¯msâbpw PU¯nsâbpw k½À±§Ä \s½ \ncmi \ndª "NXª' HchØbnembncn¡mw sIms­¯n¨ncn¡p¶X v! kmcanÃ; tbip Cu "NXª HmS' Hcn¡epw HSn¨pIfbpIbnÃ... AhnSp¶v "\ymbs¯ hnPbn¯nse¯n¡p¶Xp hsc'þþ AXmbXv, \mw tbiphnsâ ]qÀ®kz`mh¯nse¯p¶Xp hscbpwþþ \½n {]Xymi ssIshSnbpIbnà ! ltÃep¿ !

\mw Hcp]t£ AWbmdmbn ]pIªp I¯q¶ Hcp Xncnsbt¸msebmbncn¡mw. ]cnip²mßmhnsâ Aánbm \mw Pzen¨pI¯Wsa¶p IÀ¯mhv B{Kln¡pt¼mÄ, \mw "N¯Xns\m¡pta Pohn¨ncn¡nepw' F¶ AhØbn ]pIªp I¯pIbmbncn¡pw! Hcp ]t£, \mw \s½¯s¶ Hcp sI«pt]mb Xncnbmbn«mbncn¡mw IcpXp¶Xv. F¶m ]m]s¯¡pdn¨p a\xkm£n¡p¯v DÅnSt¯mfw Hcp ssZhss]Xensâ DÅn ]cnip²mßmhnsâ km¶n²yaps­¶pÅXv \nkvXÀ¡amWv. AtX, \s½¡pdn¨v C\nbpw kvt\l\mY\v Ht«sd {]Xo£bp­v!! tbiphmbn«v Hcn¡epw \s½ sISp¯n¡fbpIbnÃ. adn¨v, ZoÀL£abpÅ AhnSp¶v \s½ Hmtcmtcm kmlNcy§fneqsSbpw ]cnip² Bhnsb ]IÀ¶v IqSpX IqSpX Bfn¡¯p¶ Hcp tXPtÊdnb km£nbm¡phm³ \½n {]hÀ¯n¨psImt­bncn¡p¶p........

\mw tbiphnsâ kz`mh¯nte¡v cq]m´cs¸Sp¶hcmsW¦n \mapw Poh¨ncn¡p¶ Bsc¡pdn¨pw {]Xo£ ssIhnSnÃ. AtX, kvt\lw ""FÃmw {]Xymin¡p¶p'' (1 sImcn. 13:7). ]n·mä¯nembncn¡p¶hsc¡pdn¨pw, IqsS¡qsS ]n·mä¯nte¡v t]mIp¶hsc¡pdn¨pw, kphntijw IqsS¡qsS tI«n«qw IÃpt]mse ITn\lrZbcmbn¯pScp¶hsc¡pdn¨qsaÃmw \½psSbpÅn Poh\pÅ {]Xo£ ImWpw. \t½mSv kzÀ¤Ø ]nXmhv a\ÊenthmSpw ZoÀL£atbmSpw IqSnbmWv CSs]Sp¶sX¶v \mw A\p`hn¨dnbp¶ AfhnÂ, \mw aäpÅhtcmSpw a\Êenhpw ZoÀL£abpw DÅhcmbncn¡pw! (eqt¡mkv 6:36, k¦o. 103:8þ14). A§s\bmIpt¼mgmWv \mw sbi¿m{]hN\¯nse "ssZhw {]kmZn¡p¶ , {]tamZn¡p¶ Zmk\m'bn¯ocp¶Xv. P\§sf hgn\St¯­Xmb alm]ptcmlnXs\¡pdn¨p F{_mbÀ 5:2þ \mw C{]ImcamWv hmbn¡p¶Xv: ""Xm³ _elo\X DÅh\mIbm AdnhnÃm¯htcmSpw hgnsXänt¸mIp¶htcmSpw Ah\v klXm]w ImWn¡phm³ Ignbpw''.

Xsâ ]p{X\n ]nXmhv {]kmZn¨Xnsâ c­masXmcp ImcWw a¯mbn 12:15þ21þ \mw ImWp¶Xv 16þmw hmIy¯nemWv: ""Xs¶ {]kn²\m¡cpsX¶v (Ah³) AhtcmSv BÚm]n¨p''. "Ieln¡m¯, \nehnfn¡m¯, sXcphpIfn iÐw tIĸn¡m¯ Zmks\'¶ sbi¿m{]hN\¯nsâ \nhr¯nbmbncp¶t{X AX v! AsX, ""Adnbs¸SmXncp¶Xns\ kvt\ln¨'' Hcp ssZh]p{X³!!! slm! \½n \n¶pw F{Xtbm hn`n¶³ ! t]cn\pw s]cpabv¡pw ]n¶mse ]mXncmbv¡pw ]mbp¶ C¶s¯ {InkvXob"temI'¯n\v Xosc tNÀ¨bnÃm¯h³ !! ""CXm Fsâ DÅw {]kmZn¡p¶ Fsâ {]nb³....''-- þþssZhw Cu ]p{X\n BËmZn¨Xn Hcp AXnibhpanà Xs¶.

tbip BtcmSpw Ieln¨nÃ. "auVyhpw AÀ°iq\yhpamb, Ielap­m¡p¶ XÀ¡§Ä HgnªpsIm­v, FÃmhtcmSpw ZbbpÅh\pw ]Tn¸n¡m³ IgnhpÅh\pw Xn· kln¡p¶h\pw, FXnÀ¡p¶hsc kuayXtbmsS Xncp¯p¶h\pamb IÀ¯rZmk'sâ amXrI (2 Xnsam.2:23þ26) IÀ¯mhnep]cn aämcnepw \ap¡v ImWm³ IgnbpIbnÃsÃm !

tbip "iЯn\p th­n iÐ'ap­m¡nbnÃ. ]cnip²mßmhnsâ km¶n²yaps­¶v Bscsbms¡tbm (kzbw Xs¶bpw) t_m²ys¸Sp¯m³ iÐtImemleap­m¡p¶ kaImenI "{InkvXobX'bv¡v Bß\ndhnepw im´\mbncp¶ Cu tbip XoÀ¯pw A]cnNnX³ Xs¶ !! DÆv, C¶s¯t¸mse ssas{Imt^mWpw Bw¹n^bdpanÃmXncp¶ A¡me¯v, henb ]pcpjmct¯mSv kwkmcn¨ncp¶ tbiphn\v henb iЯn kwkmcnt¡­nbncp¶p (tbmlv. 7:37). tbip ]nXmhnt\mSv Dd¨ \nehnfntbmSqw I®p\otcmSpw IqsS {]mÀ°\bqw At]£bpw Ign¨ncp¶p Xm\pw (F{_mbÀ 5:7). Xm³ sbcpiteante¡v {]thin¨t¸mÄ Ipªq§Ä BÀ¯phnfn¨p tlmi¶ ]mSnbXv A`n\µn¨h\mWv \½psS IÀ¯mhv. kzÀ¤¯n s]cpshůn³ Cc¨n t]msebpw henb CSnapg¡w t]msebpapÅ kvXqXn tbiphn\v A\yambncp¶nà Xm\pw.

F¶ncp¶m¯s¶bpw sshImcnImthi¯n\v hrYm H¨bnSp¶Xv tbiphn\v tI«ptIÄhn t]mepap­mbncp¶nà !

Xs¶¯s¶ ]ckys¸Sp¯p¶Xn\v ]Icw "kzbw adªncn¡m³' (sbi.45:15) sImXnbv¡p¶ Hcp ssZh]p{X³ ! C§s\bqÅ Zmks\bmWv ]nXmhv Xm§n\nÀ¯p¶Xv, ImcWw Ah\v thsd Xms§m¶panà ! C§s\bpÅ Zmksâ taemWv ]nXmhv Xsâ Bßmhns\ Bhkn¸n¡p¶Xv, AXmbXv ]cnip²mßmhnsâ AXy´ iàn ]Icp¶Xv (a¯mbn 12:18). C§s\bpÅ Zmksâ hm¡pIÄ¡mbn«mWv Zzo]pIÄ (ISensâ adpIcbpÅhÀ) t]mepw Im¯ncn¡p¶Xv (sbi. 42:4).

F¶m C¶v, {]tXyIn¨qw Cu A´yIme¯v , C¯cw Zmk·mÀ F{X ZpÀe`amWv ! {]hmNI\mb Btamkv C§s\ ]dbp¶p: "" "A¸¯n\mbpÅ hni¸Ã, shůn\mbpÅ ZmlhpaÃ; btlmhbpsS hN\§Ä tIÄt¡­Xn\pÅ hni¸v Xs¶, Rm³ tZit¯¡v Abbv¡p¶ Znhk§Ä hcp¶p' F¶v btlmhbmb ssZhw AcpfnsN¿p¶p. A¶v AhÀ kap{Zw apX kap{Zw hscbpw hS¡v apX Ing¡v hscbpw Aebpw; btlmhbpsS hN\w At\zjn¨v A§pan§pw HmSn\S¡pw; In«pIbpanÃ'' (Btamkv 8:11,12).

kvt\l]nXmhnsâ lrZb¯n\v {]kmZw \ÂIp¶, {]tamZw ]Icp¶ ZmkÀ¡mbn AhnSps¯ I®pIÄ kkq£vaw t\m¡ns¡m­ncn¡p¶p.... Bscbpw hn[n¨pXÅmsX, Ghcnepw {]Xymi hbv¡p¶ Zmk³ ! "Adnbs¸SmXncn¡p¶Xns\ kvt\ln'¡pIbpw kzbw adªncn¡m³ sh¼pIbpw sN¿p¶ Zmk³ ! Cu A´y\mfpIfnepw amsämen sImÅp¶ Cu shÃphnfn "tIÄ¡phm³ \ap¡pw sNhnbpÅhcmImw'.........

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Kristheeya Jeevithathinte Maatamillaatha Adithara (Malayalam)


{InkvXobPohnX¯nsâ amäanÃm¯ ASn¯d

tXmÂhnIÄ, FXnÀ¸pIÄ, km¼¯nI {]XnkÔnIÄ, tcmK§Ä, Häs¸Sp¯epIÄ,sXän²cn¡s¸Sp¶ AhØIÄ...........þþ Chsbms¡ t\cnSpt¼mÄ ]e ssZha¡fpw ]Xdnt¸mIp¶p; F¶m Nnetcm ]md t]mse Dd¨p\n¡p¶p. asämcp Xc¯n ]dªm NnecpsS {InkvXobXbv¡p aäpÅhcn \n¶pw hyXykvXambn, hyàamb Hcp ASn¯dbp­v! F´mWv \½psS {InkvXob PohnX¯n\v th­Xmb bYmÀ° ASnØm\w?

1tbml.4:19þ \mw C§s\ hmbn¡p¶p:""BZyw AhnSp¶v \s½ kvt\ln¨p. AXn\m \mapw AhnSps¯ kvt\ln¡p¶p"". hfsc sNdnb Hcp hmIyamsW¦nepw F{X Bgw CXnep­v! {InkvXob PohnXamIp¶ sI«nS¯nsâ ASn¯dbpw apIÄ`mKhpamWv As¸mkvXe³ at\mlcambn Cu sNdnb hN\¯n DÄs¡mÅn¨ncn¡p¶Xv!

AsX, "ssZhw \s½ BZyw kvt\ln¨p'þþ CXpXs¶bmWv \½psS {InkvXobPohnX¯nsâ ASnØm\ambncnt¡­Xv. \mw ""kvt\l¯n thcq¶n ASnbpdbv¡Ww'' F¶mWv ]utemkv As¸mkvXe³ Ft^.3:17þ ]dbp¶Xv. ssZhkvt\l¯n \mw th­{X thcpdbv¡m¯XpsIm­mWv inip¡sft¸mse \mw {]XnIqe§fpsS a²y¯n BSnbpebp¶Xv (Ft^.4:14). \½psS PohnX¯nsâ "thcv' F{Xt¯mfw tbiphnsâ kvt\l¯n Bg¯nend§p¶pthm (AXmbXv \mw F{Xt¯mfw \mYsâ kvt\lw cpNn¨dnbp¶pthm) A{Xt¯mfw am{Xta \ap¡v AhnSps¯ kvt\ln¡phm\pw Bßob ]IzX {]m]n¡phm\pw IgnbpIbpÅp. ASnØm\¯nsâ Bgw A\pkcn¨mbncn¡pw sI«nS¯nsâ Dbchpw!

""BZyw ssZhw \s½ kvt\ln¨p'' F¶p hmbn¡pt¼mÄ, B "BZyw' Ft¸mgmsW¶v \mw Nn´n¨n«pt­m? \mw A\qkcWapÅ Hcp {InkvXob PohnXw \bn¡phm³ XpS§pt¼mgmtWm IÀ¯mhv \s½ kvt\ ln¡phm³ XpS§p¶Xv? AtXm AXv \mw ho­pw P\n¨t¸mgmbncpt¶m? AtXm \mw ]nd¶phoWt¸mtgm? AtXm \mw A½bpsS DZc¯n Dcphmbt¸mtgm? AtXm temIØm]\¯n\p Xs¶bpw aps¼bmtWm???.......... ""Xsâ ap¼msI kvt\l¯n hnip²cpw \njvIf¦cpambncn¡m³ temIØm]\¯n\p ap¼pXs¶ AhnSp¶p \s½ {InkvXphn XncsªSp¯p'' F¶p hN\w kwibteisat\y ]dbq¶p! F{X AZv`pXIcw; AtÃ?

A§s\sb¦n \½psS Fs´¦nepw tbmKyX t\m¡nbn«mtWm tbip IÀ¯mhv \s½ kvt\ln¨Xv? ""\mw ]m]nIÄ Bbncn¡pt¼mįs¶ {InkvXp \ap¡pth­n acn¨Xn\m ssZhw \t½mSpÅ Xsâ kvt\lw {]ZÀin¸n¨ncn¡p¶p'' (tdma.5:8)""\½psS icoc§Ä {InkvXphnsâ icoc¯nsâ Ahbh§fm''sW¶v \mw 1sImcn.6:15þ hmbn¡p¶p. F¶m GsXmchØbnembncp¶ \s½bmWv {InkvXphnsâ AXn]mh\amb icoc¯nsâ `mKam¡n amänbncn¡p¶sX¶v \mw Nn´n¨n«pt­m? tcmK¯m apdn¨pamtä­n hcp¶ Ad¸pfhm¡p¶, ]gp¸v \ndª {hW§tfmSp IqSnb ImepItfm atäm Hcp ]t£ \mw I­n«p­mbncn¡mw. ]m]¯n acn¨hcmbncp¶ \mw (Ft^.2:1) ssZhap³]msI AXnt\¡mÄ timN\obamb ØnXnbnembncp¶p F¶v \½n F{X t]À hnizkn¡pw? A§s\bpÅ \s½bmWv kvt\l\n[nbmb IÀ¯mhv Xsâ tXPÊpÅ icoc¯nsâ Ahbh§fm¡n¯oÀ¯ncn¡p¶Xv!!! slm! \mw F{Xb[nIw AhnSpt¯mSv \µn \ndªhcmbncn¡Ww!

AtX, IqSpX £an¨pIn«nbh³ IqSpX kvt\ln¡pw (eqt¡mkv 7:40þ47). i{Xp¡fmbncp¶ \s½bmWv B ImÂhcn kvt\lw hos­Sp¯sX¶v \mw Xncn¨dnbp¶pt­m? (tdma.5:10) _lp`qcn]£w ssZha¡fpw X§Ä c£n¡s¸Sp¶Xn\p ap³]pÅ X§fpsS bYmÀ° AhØ a\Ênem¡nbn«nÃ, Asæn Ime{ItaW ad¶pt]mIp¶p (2 ]s{Xmkv 1:9). AXpsIm­pXs¶ X§fpsS hos­Sp¸nsâ hnesb¡pdn¨p AhÀ¡v C¶v henb aXn¸nÃ! \ap¡p kzbw tNmZn¡mw: ""sImSpw ]m]nbmbncps¶s¶ h³ tNänÂ\n¶pw Ibän''b B kvt\lw, ""Bcpw klmbambnÃmsX Rm³ ]mcw heªnSpw thfbn AcpatbmsS¶cnIn h¶ Bß\mY³ tbip''hnsâ kvt\lw C¶pw \½psS DÅw \µnbm \ndbv¡p¶pt­m? …..Cu Znhykvt\l¯m \s½ \ndbv¡phm³ \ap¡p IÀ¯mhnt\mSv ]dbmw.....

tbiphnsâ Cu kvt\lw FÃm hyhØIÄ¡pw AXoXamsW¶pw \mw a\Ênem¡nbn«pt­m? ""\nXy kvt\l¯m Rm³ \ns¶ kvt\ln¨ncn¡p¶p; AXpsIm­v BÀ{Zkvt\l¯m Rm³ \ns¶ F¦te¡v ASp¸n¨ncn¡p¶p'' F¶mWv ssZhw sbcaymhneqsS AcpfnsN¿p¶Xv (sbc.31:3). IÀ¯mhn\v \s½{]XnbpÅ kt´mjw ({]kmZw) \½psS Bßobamb AhØb\pkcn¨v hyXymks¸Spw. F¶m AhnSpt¯¡v \t½mSpÅ kvt\lw IqSphmt\m Ipdbphmt\m Ignbm¯h®w AfhnÃm¯Xmbncn¡pw! ]nXmhv Xs¶ kvt\ln¡p¶Xp t]mse tbip \s½ kvt\ln¡p¶p (tbml.15:9). ]nXmhv tbiphns\ kvt\ln¡p¶Xp t]mse \s½bpw kvt\ln¡p¶p (tbml.17:23). F{X at\mlcw; AtÃ?

Cu \ncp]m[nIamb kvt\l¯n thcpd¨ Hcp ssZhss]X ]m]¯n hoWp t]mbmÂvt¸mepw tbiphnsâ kvt\ls¯ kwibn¡pIbnÃ. km¯msâ Ipäs¸Sp¯p¶ Iqc¼pIsf XrWhZvKWn¨v, Ah³ tbiphnsâ kvt\lw \ndª amÀÆnte¡v HmSnbWbpw. vAtX, Xsâ ASp¡te¡v hcp¶ {]nb a¡fn AXy´w kt´mjn¡pIbpw kwKoXt¯msS B\µn¡pIbpw sN¿p¶ Hcp ssZhamWv \ap¡pÅXv! (sk^. 3:17)

Cu \nÊzmÀ°amb kvt\lhpw a\ÊenhpamWv tbiphns\ kzÀ¤knwlmk\w hn«p Cu ]mgva®n \s½t¸msemcp a\pjy\mbn, \t½msSm¸w Pohn¸m³ t{]cn¸n¨Xv. hN\w icocambn¯oÀ¶p AhnSp¶v ""\½psS CSbn ]mÀ¯p'' (tbml.1:14). AsX, bPam\\mbÃ, adn¨v Zmk\mbn tbip \½psS CSbn \½n Hcph\mbn Pohn¨p. F{_mbÀ 4:15 t\m¡pI: ""\ap¡pÅ alm]ptcmlnX³ \½psS _elo\XIfn klXm]w ImWn¡m³ Ignbm¯h\Ã; ]m]w CÃmsX kÀƯnepw \ap¡p Xpey\mbn ]co£nbv¡s¸«h\t{X \ap¡pÅXv''. C¶v \mw ]e hn[¯nepÅ ]co£W§fpsS k½À±w A\p`hn¡pt¼mÄ, AXv ap³t] A\p`hn¨v Pbn¨ tbip\mYsâ lrZbw \t½mSpÅ a\Êenhn\mepw hmÕeymXntcI¯mepw \ndªpIhnbpIbmWv! Cu kvt\lk¼qÀ®X Xncn¨dnbp¶ HcmÄ¡v am{Xta XpSÀ¶pÅ 16þmw hmIyw {]kàamIp¶pÅq: ""AXpsIm­v IcpW e`n¡phm\pw XÕab¯v klmb¯n\pÅ Ir] e`n¡phm\pambn \ap¡v ss[cyt¯msS Ir]mk\¯n\v ASp¯p sNÃmw''(F{_mbÀ 4:16).

tbip \ap¡pth­n sNbvXpX¶sXms¡bpamWv \½psS PohnX¯nsâ CfIm¯ ASn¯d. AXv \mw {Kln¡p¶Xn\\pkcn¨mWv B ASn¯d¡pta AhnSpt¯¡p th­n \aq¡p Pohn¡m³ Ignbp¶Xv! ]et¸mgqw ASnØm\w icnbmImsX t]mIp¶XmWv \½psS PohnXamIp¶ hoSpIÄ {]XnIqe§fpsS a²y¯n BSnbpebm³ ImcWw. AXpsIm­v ""tbip{InkvXp F¶ C«ncn¡p¶ ASnØm\''¯n Du¶ns¡m­v (1 sImcn. 3:11) IÀ¯mhnsâ alXzw hnfnt¨mXp¶ Aw_cNpw_nIfmb tKm]pc§Ä \½psS {InkvXpkZriamb PohnX§Ä sIm­v \ap¡v Cu F®s¸« A´y\mfpIfn ]Wn XoÀ¡mw......

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Through the Depths of Repentance


Through The Depths Of Repentance

“And Peter went out and wept bitterly”. (Luke: 22:62).

What would have led Peter to such a deep repentance, after blatantly denying His dearest Master three times in spite of his zeal in following Him for about three and a half years? Did Peter hear a ‘fiery’ sermon on repentance soon after his denial? No. Or did any of the disciples come and convince him of the seriousness of his sin? No. Then what happened? We read that in the previous verse:

“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a cock crows today, you will deny Me three times”. And Peter went out and wept bitterly”. (Luke 22: 61, 62).

Yes, it was a mere look of our Lord, full of love and compassion, that reminded Peter of His words and caused him to repent with brokenness of heart!

Dear children of God, today why are we unable to repent out of a really contrite heart? Do we realize that the very face of Jesus, full of love and compassion, is now earnestly gazing at us? If so, like Peter remembered the loving words of Jesus on seeing Him, we too will begin to remember the high spiritual standards which the Lord has revealed to us from the Word of God. And we will begin to repent of those moments in which we could not live up to those standards.

Thus it is the love of God poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom.5:5) that makes the written Word of God living and active for us. It is only then that we go deep down into the depths of repentance…… Yes, it is lovingkindness of Jesus, not the voice of threats about judgment, which leads us to repentance (Rom.2:4)!

Today the hearts of many children of god have become so hardened that they confess to God some obvious sins only. But it is clearly mentioned in Hebrews 6:1,2 that repentance from dead works is the first aspect of the foundation for pressing on to spiritual maturity.

What is dead work? Whatever that does not have the life of Christ or the warmth of His love, is a dead work. If our deeds, words, thoughts, attitudes etc. which we usually presume to be godly, do not arise from a pure, undistracted love for Jesus, they are simply dead, and are a part of mere religiosity!

Do we have the habit of frequently coming close to Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Bridegroom, with an attitude of heart which says: “Point out anything You find in me that makes You sad” (Psalm139:24 Living Bible)? Has that which grieves the heart of Jesus become the very grief of our hearts too? If so, He is able to cleanse us by the washing of water with the Word from the ‘spots’ of sin and the ‘wrinkles’ of spiritual staleness and thus keep us afresh with divine glory moment by moment! (Eph.5:26,27; Jn.15:3). Otherwise, when the loving eyes of Jesus gaze at us as we stand at the judgment seat of Christ one day to give an account of our life (Rom.14:12), would we not have to hang our heads in shame? (1 Jn.2:28)

What we read in the Word of God is that even the innermost motives of our heart will be disclosed on that day! (1Cor.4:5). From 1Cor.3:12-15, we understand that those things in our life which have no eternal value (ie. the dead works in our life) will burn like wood, hay and straw in the fire of the Holy Spirit that day. Only those things which the Spirit of God has worked on us and through us, will persist as gold, silver and precious stones after passing through the fire of God! How better it is to cleanse the dead works in our life now itself by the blood of Christ through repentance than to helplessly watch many parts of our life being burnt to ashes on that day!

In the portion of the Scripture we have been dealing with, our life is compared to building (verse 9). Thus building which is our life, is being built upwards each day like a tower. (The tower Jesus mentioned in Luke 14:28, 29 also refers to our Christian life!). If we build with wood, hay and straw at times in between, will the tower not collapse quickly in spite of building with any amount of gold, silver and precious stones? The upward building is impossible without removing the wood, hay and straw; ie. repenting of our own dead works! Is this incomplete repentance the very reason why we could not walk as Jesus walked (1Jn.2:6) in spite of desiring for it?

Let us draw near the very loving and caring presence of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ in simple faith…… Each one of us (including the one who has just been born again) has received varying measures of light on the divine nature of Christ. Which are the unChristlike areas in our life? Let us allow the Lord to judge various areas in our life in the light of His countenance (Psalm 67:1; 89:15)……

Even the apostle Paul says: “….. I do not examine myself ….. the one who examines me is the Lord” (1Cor.4:3,4). We will soon get exhausted if we ourselves try to find out the faults in our life through the ‘microscope’ of our cleverness. Let us surrender ourselves into the mighty hands of our Great Physician, who knows our hearts thoroughly. Let us be filled with His love. Let us see the light of our life in the light of His life (Psalm 36:9)……

Let us ask our Lord Jesus Himself whether our heart’s attitude is full of love and humility towards God and towards every human being (Phil.2:5)………

Are the motives and decisions in each and every matter of our life absolutely for the glory of our Lord? (1Cor.10:31)……….

What is the passionate desire deep down in our hearts? Is it to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His presence, like David sang? (Psalm 27:4)………

Are our emotions softened by the compassion of Jesus, bridled by His wisdom and hallowed by his holiness? ...........

Are our thoughts refined in the fire of the Holy Spirit with the humility and the purity of Jesus? (1Cor.10:5)………..

How much do we sense the gentle voice of our Lord deep within our spirit? (Jn.10:4, 27)…………

Do we have the diligence of Jesus in using our time wisely and in waking up from the bed? (Eph.5:16; 2Pet.1:5; Is.50:4)……….

Do we have the carefulness, wisdom and generosity of our Lord in spending money? ...............

Do our (five) senses go after those which grieve the loving heart of our Lord? …………

Do the expressions of our face herald the mercy, compassion and Spirit-filled gladness of Jesus Christ? (Heb.1:9; Luke 22:60-62)…………

Does the manner in which we do everything reflect the dignity of our King of kings? ………..

Do the patience and forbearance of Jesus characterize us in hearing, listening and caring for others? ………….

Do the fullness of Spirit and Christlike spiritual authority adorn our writings and words? (Matt.7:28, 29) ……………

Do the words that proceed from our mouth edifying, gracious as well as sharp, seasoned with salt and imparting grace to the hearers? (Eph.4:29; Col.4:6; Lk.4:22) ………….

Do we have the sincerity, faithfulness and diligence of Jesus in God’s work, studies as well as occupation? (Jn.17:4; 2 Tim.4:7)…………

In short, do we live in continual fullness of the Spirit fixing our inner eyes on the Lord Jesus? .................

Only deeper repentance can lead us to greater fullness of the Holy Spirit. If we ourselves restrict the height of our spiritual standards, we will have only a superficial repentance. Suppose a high-jump athlete brings down the height which he has to jump over. Then he may be able to satisfy himself by even jumping over a smaller height. He can even be proud that he is far better than many other incompetent athletes. But another zealous athlete practises jumping over greater and greater heights. So is the matter of spirituality. We can compare ourselves with others and fall into spiritual pride; or we

can compare ourselves with the Lord Jesus and tread through the depths of repentance and brokenness of heart.

Let us look towards the spiritual heights of the Scriptures:

“The one who says he abides in Jesus ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (1 Jn. 2:6).

“For sin shall not be master over you for you are not under law, but under grace.” (Rom.6:14).

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16- 18).

If we repent from the depths of our hearts of having grieved the loving heart of our beloved Lord knowingly and unknowingly, He will surely give us back the opportunities when we could have built our lives with ‘gold, silver and precious stones’! (1 Cor.3:12). For it is our same Lord God who said: “Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you” if you “return to the Lord” with a repentance “rending your hearts” (Joel 2:25, 13). He Himself is the Lord who restored the fortunes of Job twofold (Job 42:10). Repeatedly we see in the Word promises to Israel regarding the restoration of their fortunes (Ezek. 36:33-38; Jer.29: 14).

Not only that the Lord does not remember the sins we have repented of and forsaken (Heb.8:12), but also He has prepared for us further opportunities to overcome in the areas we have failed in the past! Paul was not a man who had never committed any mistakes. But take heed what he says at the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). If so, let us praise God for we are not late in rewriting the records of our past failures with stories of glorious victory! We still have the golden opportunity to stand among the 144,000 who “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev.14:4), and be closest to the Lord Jesus for all eternity long as His beloved bride; Hallelujah!

Yes, it is only through real repentance that we can enjoy the real liberty of justification by faith. The Heavenly Father looks at us in Christ as if we have never fallen! And our Heavenly Bridegroom is strong enough to “keep us from stumbling and make us stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy”! (Jude 24).

So henceforth let us deeply repent each day of the subtle areas of unChristlikeness we see in ourselves as we see His glory in the mirror of His Word (2 Cor. 3:18; James 1:23), and thus soar like an eagle into heavenly heights with the Lover of our soul ( Isaiah 40:31; Song. 4:8)………..

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The Ultimate Aim Of Our Life


The Ultimate Aim of Our Life

What would be the ultimate purpose of God for our lives? Beyond over reaching heaven having been forgiven of all sins, beyond having victory over sin and becoming humble and holy, and even beyond being involved in the ministry the earnest desire of God about us?

Although there were millions and millions of angles who would obey Him within no time, what need was there for God to transform the formless and dark earth into a beautiful place and create man and say “It is very good” (Gen1:2,31)? Is it there something unique for man compared to all other creatures? Yes, he was created in God’s own image (Gen.1:27). Isn’t it because of that, dear friends, unlike other creatures, man alone can be in fellowship--sweet communion--with God? And of course, this itself is God’s purpose behind man’s creation! Our God, who Himself is love ( 1Jn 4:8:16), created men and women as His own dear children, with whom He can share His infinite love!

The first day itself after the creation of man, it was in the loving communion with man that God found His rest (Gen. 2:2,3). Just like a mother rests with her newborn babe on her bosom! God’s desire was that man, who is His supreme creation, would know Him personally and deeply and have an intimate love relationship with Him!!

But alas! Man’s connection with God was severed with the son of Adam. Although men of God knew God in varying degrees during the old covenant times, w know that it was only when God Himself incarnated as Man in Jesus Christ that man’s connection with God was restored to its originality. Just like a scientist who invented a machine easily rectifies its defects, God, by becoming Man, stands as the answer to all of man’s questions and problems!

How fascinating and amazing it will be if a man becomes an ant to express his love for ants! Then, how much more astonishing it is that the omnipotent, omniscient God became Man to share His incomparable love with man who is but just dust (Ps.103:14)!!

Jesus Desires our Fellowship

Jesus expresses this intense desire of His to His Father at the end of His days in this world: “Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world” (Jn.17:24). His earnest longing is that each one of us might be in His very presence all the time so as to behold His divine glory! His desire is not something that will take place in heaven alone. Jesus desire that even while being on this earth, we, who are really seated in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 2:6), might be able to behold His divine beauty with the eyes of faith, in intimate communion with Him! What a great and sublime love; isn’t it?

Here is an amazing truth: how much Jesus desires the fellowship with His father, that much He desires the fellowship with each one of us also!! Jesus says: “Just as the father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love” (Jn.15:9). In fact, His desire to have fellowship with each one of us is incomparably greater than our desire to have fellowship with Him! The Word of God also clearly says that God the Father loves each one of us just as much as He loves Jesus (Jn.17:23)!! What a wonder; isn’t it? Just meditate on this: God has as much love towards each one of us as there is between two Persons of the triune God from all eternity!!! If only we had realized this……..

It is because He has loved us with an everlasting love that He has drawn us near Him (Jer.31:3). God’s desire for us is not, that we may be burdened with many statutes of holiness, but that we may diligently obey Him out of deep love for Him. Jesus said: “ If you love Me , you will obey My commandments” (Jn.14: 15). When we begin to love Him wholeheartedly, we will soon realize that “His commandments are not burdensome” (I Jn.5:3).

The Aim of Our Race

We know that those who run a race fix their eyes on their destination. Now, what is the destination which we, who run the race of faith, have to fix our eyes on? Jesus, Who is the author and finisher of our faith, Himself is our sole destination (Heb.12:2). In other words, the ultimate aim of our life is not anything or anyone else, but the very Person of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ !!!

It was not without aim that the apostle Paul ran this race of faith (1Cor.9:26). That was the reason why he could finish his race also (2 Tim. 4:7).

We usually advise students to have a sense of destination or ambition in their studies. But when it comes to the matter of Christian life, do we have this sense of destination and purpose? The Word clearly says that we are “called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1Cor 1:9).

The reason for the lack of sweetness in our Christian life is our failure to realize that tasting the Lord Jesus more and more is the real purpose of our life. Perhaps, it may be some earthly matters which distract our focus. When others behave in a manner we do not like, when things happen contrary to our expectations, we should be able to perceive that these are all signals to go closer to Jesus. Yes, each cross is indeed a ‘shortcut’ to a far deeper and cordial fellowship with Jesus Christ!

Is Victory Over Sin Our Ultimate Aim?

Not only earthly matters, but spiritual mattes also can make our life burdensome if we begin to see them as our ultimate aims. For example, let us consider the matter of victory over sin. Of course, it is God’s unchangeable promise that we can have complete victory over all the sins of which God has given us light (ie. sins in our conscious area) (Rom. 6:14). But if we begin to see victory over sin as the ultimate aim of our lives, we will soon become slaves of our own efforts, and life will be miserable for us.

On the contrary, victory over sin becomes gradually possible for a disciple of Christ who eagerly desires to be in intimate fellowship with Jesus to be in intimate fellowship with Jesus all the time. Because he would have realized that the close fellowship with Jesus is inexpressibly far sweeter for him, compared to the passing pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25). So, in the midst of temptations, instead of leaning on his own strong resolution or will-power, he will flee and find refuge in the inward restful communion with his Beloved (Prov.18:10) Then every temptation would fade out and varnish from his mind!

What do we read in Rom 6:22? “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification and the outcome, eternal life”. Yes, sanctification is only the result of being freed from sin and serving God! But which is the aim to which all these are leading us? Eternal life – that is, knowing God intimately (Jn.17:3)! It was about this eternal life itself that Jesus said: “I came that they (My sheep) might have life, and might have it abundantly” (Jn.10:10). Of course, it is this eternal life – or in other words, a deep love-relationship with Him – that Jesus desires to give us abundantly. But how much is our thirst for this?

We read in Eph.1:4 that it was in order to “be holy and blameless before Him” that we were chosen in Christ Jesus before the very foundation of the world. But the meaning of the word ‘holy’ in the original language is “set apart”. That is, when God asks us to be holy, it is not that we might merely abstain from certain sins, but that we might be absolutely set apart for Him and Him alone! That is what we sing in one song:

“….My heart’s one desire is to be holy,

Set apart for You, Lord.”

It is a clear fact that we read even in the first chapter of the New Testament that Jesus came to this earth not only to save His people from their sins, but also to become “Immanuel” for them (that is, to be with them forever)! (Mtt.1:21, 23).

Even taking up the cross is not our aim. Taking up our daily cross is only a means to follow Jesus (Lk.9:23). The cross is only a stepping-stone to resurrection. Our aim is the resurrection life, ie. the glorious, sweet , loving communion with Jesus Christ. Taking up the cross is, in fact, setting aside all those things which hinder us from being with Jesus. It is for the joy of sweet fellowship with Jesus that we have to endure the cross, just as He endured the cross for the joy of being with the Father (Heb.12:2).

Is Serving God Our Ultimate Aim?

Even though bringing others to Christ and establishing them in Him are very important things which God desires from us, even those matters should not become our ultimate aims. When we invite others to Christ (ie. when we share the gospel) what is our aim? The apostle John says: “What we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1Jn.1:3).

Yes, it is to the sweet, loving fellowship with Jesus which we ourselves have tasted in our lives, that we ought to invite others and establish them in. Therefore, the more intimately we know Christ, the greater our burden will be for others. Then our service for the Lord will be out of exceedingly great joy! Thus our ministry for the Lord and our fellowship with Him will be inseparable. Ministry will not become our aim. These words of Jesus will also be fulfilled in our lives: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also My servant shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him” (Jn.12:26). Yes, only he who follows the Lord can minister to Him from the very heart.

The Purpose Of Our Transformation

2Thess.2:14 says: “And it was for this that He called you by our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What is this glory of Jesus Christ? It is nothing less than the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ Who dwelt among us as “the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). The Word makes it crystal clear that we are “predestined to become conformed to this image” of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Have we ever thought of the reason as to why we need to be “transformed into the same image of Jesus from glory to glory” (2 Cor.3:18)

The plain answer is that it is only through transformation that we can enter into a deeper fellowship with the Lord. When we enter into such a deeper fellowship with the Lord, we will begin to have more of His character and nature. When we have more of His character and nature, Jesus will find it easier to share more of His heart with us, and thus we enter into a still deeper fellowship with Him. In this way, our fellowship with the Lord and our transformation will continue in a cyclical pattern. In eternity, even though we will have absolute knowledge about ourselves (1 Cor.13:12), we will never cease to know more and more of our dear Lord Who is forever far beyond our comprehension! Isn’t this the very reason as to why there will never be even a moment of boredom in heaven for all eternity?!!

Where lies our Joy

The more we know our blessed Lord today, the more will our spiritual joy abound, because “in His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalms 16:11). Jesus earnestly desires that our joy will always be completely in Him and Him alone. That is why when Paul exhorts us to rejoice, he says, “Rejoice IN THE LORD always” (Phil.4:4). If our joy is not in the Person of Jesus Christ, it is impossible to rejoice always. Whatever we glory (boast) in, other than the Lord Jesus, it is totally abominable in the sight of the Lord (Lk.16:15; 1Cor.1:31; Gal.6:14).

On one side, like carnal people it is possible for us to glory in wealth, splendour, dignity, honour, fame, positions, occupation, education, intelligence, eloquence, natural talents, health, beauty, familial heritage, properties, possessions etc. But on the other side there is a greater possibility for us to glory, like soulish Christians, in our church denomination, spiritual leaders, church meetings, doctrines, Bible knowledge, spirituality, spiritual experiences, Christian ministry, sufferings and sacrifices for the sake of Christ etc. Both are as intolerable and abominable to God as “smoke in His nostrils and a fire that burns all the day” (Is.65:5). Truly spiritual people are those who rejoice in Jesus and Jesus alone, ascribing to Him all glory even while testifying the great things He has accomplished in their lives. Yes, our joy has to be hidden in Christ in God (Col.3:3), so that no one or nothing can take it away from us! (Jn.16:22). And may Jesus alone be our destination!

What Jesus Himself Said

Once when one of the scribes asked Jesus what commandment was foremost of all, His reply was very clear: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:28-30). Can it ever be clearer than this that God’s primary desire from us is our wholehearted love for Him!

Only if we love Jesus wholeheartedly, can we truly and completely obey Him and thus enthrone Him as the King in our lives. God being King in us is the real Kingdom of God. The divine nature is His righteousness. Is that not why Jesus said: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Mtt.6:33). If it is so, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness is nothing other than supremely desiring God’s loving Lordship or fellowship above all else!

Will we not take heed to if Jesus Himself says only one thing is necessary in Christian life? But what was that one thing that Jesus told Martha? Yes, that one thing is earnestly listening to the voice of Jesus in loving communion with Him (Lk.10:38, 42).

The apostle Paul also says he does only one thing: “One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”( Phil.3:13,14). What was the aim of his race? The 8th verse tells us that “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” was his sole aim. He is not talking of any intellectual knowledge, but of personally and intimately knowing the Person of Jesus Christ. The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, about which we read in v.14, is also nothing other than the personal knowledge of or intimacy with Jesus Christ.

The singleness of desire sung by David and Asaph was also for none other than God Himself. (Psalms 27:4, 73:25)

The Other Side Of the Coin

We all know that Jesus died for our sins (1 Cor.15:3). But that is only one side of the coin of truth. We read of the other side of the coin in 1 Thess.5:10, “Our Lord Jesus Christ died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” Yes, it was for us to have inseparable, unceasing fellowship with God that Jesus was willing to be separated from His father for three hours on the cross!! How little have we understood the sacred, loving heart of Jesus, Who suffered separation from His Father, crown of thorns, reproach and curse, in order that we may have fellowship with the Father, crown of life, glory and blessing…

Let us draw still closer to this beloved Lord Who is full of lovingkindness, mercy and grace. He says, “The one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37). Let us heartily confess and repent of all our drawbacks and failures and be entirely cleansed by the precious blood, and gently lean on His bosom, eagerly listening to His voice full of love and compassion… and as the song goes, “rest in the arms of His embrace.”

Yes, Jesus Himself is the ultimate aim of our life. May He alone be our heart’s desire. Then, instead of spending each day rather monotonously, we will have our hearts gripped by this sense of destination. Let us learn to do each and every thing in His presence, in loving communion with Him. It is only by the power of His love that we can obey His words.. As we sing in one song:

“Lord, I’ve come to know

The weaknesses that I see in me

Will be stripped away

By the power of Your love.”

If we surrender to Him completely, Jesus will fill us with His pure, divine love, and holding our hands, will cause us to walk in His statutes (Rom 5:5, Ezek 36:27). Thus, as time passes, even if ‘thousands and ten thousands may fall all around us’ (Psalms 91:7), we will be steadily drawing closer and closer to our ‘Destination’…