“I WISH YOU WERE HERE…NOT OUT THERE…!”

Let’s read Genesis 2:7, 8; Genesis 3: 22-24; Luke 15: 17-24 & Romans 8:14-17 in tandem

“...the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed”

……man sinned (Genesis 3)

“...the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.  After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life”

“When he (younger son) came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory”

God’s original plan for man was to keep him in the custom-made garden which He himself had planted. A garden full of good, pleasant and satisfying things. And most of all, a garden where God himself was ever-present to have fellowship with man.  The same God had to eventually banish man out of the garden as a direct result of his disobedience & Sin.

The way to the tree of life was blocked by a flaming sword flashing back and forth. Man’s “knowledge of good and evil” is nothing but knowing what is right and what is wrong through self understanding / self-righteousness. Man cannot reach to the tree of life (eternal life through God’s sonship) unless and until he chooses to die to his self-will, self-understanding and self-righteousness by letting the flaming sword (Word of God and the Spirit of God) pierce through him/her.

Our heavenly father awaits our homecoming, just as an earthly father would wait for his son/daughter to return. He wishes you to be with him at home (fellowship the Him) and not away from Him (fellowship with the world).

Man’s knowledge of good and evil does not allow him to logically understand the concept of dying to self-will and living to God’s will. But, those who are led by the Spirit (and not just by the intellect) are the children of God…!

Jesus Christ is the only Way, through which you and I can reach the tree of life. Jesus Christ is the only Truth, by which you and I are set free from all bondages (including the bondage of the “knowledge of good and evil”). Jesus Christ is the only Life, which is real and eternal. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

What is your current Spiritual address? At home with your Heavenly Father - living in righteousness, peace and Joy or Out there serving the deceiver (Satan) – dying in sin, shame and hopelessness….??

We work blunders while He works wonders…!

Let’s read Exodus 3:11, 12 & 16, 17(NIV); Matthew 11:28-30(MSG); Philippians 1:21(NIV) & Romans 6:23 (NIV)

“…Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”……“Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

“….to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”

“….the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

Did you ever wonder what our primary calling is as Christians? Simply to REST. Yes, sounds controversial, but true. Some ideas if left unexplained or even explained in part result in being blasphemous, hence let me explain. The original Hebrew word for “rest” used above (Matthew 11:28-30) is “NUACH”, which means “to guide or lead another into a place or state of rest”. This does not mean a place or state of being lazy or sluggish and “do nothing” but a place or state of total reliance on His all-sufficient grace.

Moses thought for a moment that God was asking him to do the mammoth task of bringing the Israelites out of Egypt all by his own human strength and might. But God clarified Moses’ misunderstanding instantly by saying “I will be with you (Moses)….. I have watched over you (Israel) and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 

And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt”. Moses eventually testified of God’s faithfulness thus – “…The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:30 & 31). God asked Moses to partner with Him but as it is the case ALWAYS – God did it all by Himself but used Moses to exercise His grace, to perform unbelievable miracles and to glorify His name.

The opposite of “rest” is to “work”. And the opposite of “gift” or “inheritance” is “wages”. One does close-to-nothing when it comes to accepting a gift or inheritance. But one needs to work in order to receive wages.

If you feel like you are working unbearably hard (burdened with a heavy yoke) in your walk with God then you are most likely all by yourself trying to bear the yoke all alone on the wrong way, the way of Sin(not following His commands correctly) which leads to death.

Which is easy? To accept His “gifts”, “inheritance” and “total-support” freely and “rest”? Or to work on our own for a pay-cheque of death??

Let us take the example of Moses or even better the example of Jesus in letting God our Heavenly Father take full control of our lives and “rest” in His blessed assurance and unfailing hope for Him to live in and through us for His eternal glory…!

HE provides, HE clothes & HE shelters – through CHRIST…!

Let’s read Deuteronomy 31:6(NLT), Psalm 91:2-4(NLT) & Isaiah 61:10a (NIV) in tandem

“…be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

 “This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust Him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection”

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness…….”

Strength and Courage are attributes of the brave. Fear and Panic are symptoms of the cowardly. If left alone in unpredictable circumstances, even lion cubs fear and panic. Who goes ahead of us determines our level of strength, confidence & courage. On whom we rely for safety & security determines our sustenance & hope.

A child’s hope of tomorrow’s provision and protection remains in the trust he has on his parents. A responsible father/mother takes whatever measures he/she can to protect their children and provide for their needs. Similarly, our Heavenly Father protects and provides for us, who are His children.

There are 3 basic requirements which everyone in any part of this world would need – food, clothing & shelter. Similarly and much more importantly even in the spiritual realm there are 3 basic requirements – Life giving Word (food), God’s spot-less righteousness (clothing), Spiritual refuge/fortress (shelter). Our Heavenly Father has provided us with these and much more through His son Jesus Christ.

1.      Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us – John 1:14

2.      Jesus Christ is the Righteousness of God given to us(all who believe) through faith - Romans 3:22

3.      Jesus Christ is our Lord, whose name is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe - Proverbs 18:10

Are you receiving His daily bread (nourishment through the Word)?

Are you clothed in His ever-glowing robe of righteousness?

Are you eternally secure under the shelter of His wings, standing firm on His rock-solid promises and dwelling safe in the unshakeable name of Christ?

HOPE in Christ’s glory – a shock absorber…!

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:12-19 (NIV)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Throughout the Bible there is no mention of God ever being in a state of “shock” or “surprise”. Why? Because He is omniscient (read Job 37:16). Similarly, Jesus Christ the Son of God was never “startled” or “shocked”. He knew the end from the beginning; hence He endured patiently & submissively.

In the above scripture portion the Apostle Peter is encouraging us to imitate God especially in our reaction to circumstances of “unexpected” suffering. As sons & daughters of God in & through Christ, testing and suffering should never be strange to us. On the contrary, we are to rejoice in the righteous suffering with the hope of Christ’s future glory.

In saying this, Peter mentioned two distinctive types of suffering – a sinner’s suffering & a Christian’s suffering. Knowingly or unknowingly a sinner suffers constantly with perils of the soul such as unclear conscience, unforgiveness, guilt, fear of punishment etc. Whereas, a Christian suffers (unlawfully) as a result of or in the process of bearing the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (read Galatians 5:22-23).

Everyone knows what suffering is (to one degree or another). Let us ask ourselves these 2 questions:

1.      What kind of a suffering/testing/fiery ordeal am I going through?  A sinner’s suffering or a Christian’s suffering?

2.      What is my reaction to my suffering/testing/fiery ordeal? JOY through the Hope of Christ? Or SORROW/SHOCK & SURPRISE, because of hopelessness, guilt & fear?

Rest in the eternal Love of God and know that in all things He works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)

I ONCE WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE…!

Let’s read Luke 18:35-43(NKJV), Hebrews 11:6(NKJV), Proverbs 8:17 & Matthew 5:8 in tandem

Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,  saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”

“I love those who love me, 

and those who seek me find me”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for

they will see God”

There are three noticeable things about the blind man from the first scripture portion above (Luke 18:35-43). He was blind; He was on the roadside; He was begging. He was on the roadside (unable to follow Jesus) because of his blindness. He was begging (unable to earn his living) also because of his blindness.

Just as physical blindness in this physical world can make you confined and dependent, spiritual blindness can also cause similar consequences. Firstly, a spiritually blind person can never follow Jesus – he/she is always on the “roadside”, carried away by the worries of this world (read Matthew 6:31-34).  Secondly, he/she is dependent on others (not on God) for his existence. In other words, he/she is totally dependent on man’s limited mercy and not on God’s unlimited & ever new mercy.

How would you know if you are spiritually blind?? If you say “Yes” to any of the questions below, it is highly likely that you are spiritually blind..!

1.      Do you feel like you are confined (imprisoned) to any of the man-made limitations? (Examples: ritualistic/religious practices, denominational exclusivity, family traditions, regional/caste-based exclusivity). With all their attractive and convincing gimmicks, these roadside street-hawkers stray you away from following Jesus.

2.      Do you feel like you are dependent (partly or solely) on men for your spiritual nourishment and survival? Depending on bible-teachers, pastors & preachers without reading the Word of God yourself and without letting the Holy Spirit God speak to you personally can at the most make you know “about God” and not “know God” as a real & loving Father.

How to overcome spiritual blindness??

Once you identify the area/areas in which you are spiritually blind, simply do what the blind beggar did –

a.       Cry out loud (pray with a pure heart) for God’s mercy & grace.

b.      Receive your spiritual sight (wisdom & understanding) through faith.

c.       Leave the “roadside” to follow Jesus with wide opened eyes & outstretched arms glorifying God.

d.      Diligently seek Him and be His witness among others.

Don’t let praises PUFF you up or accusations SNUFF you down..!

Let’s read Matthew 3:16, 17; 4:1, 2 & Matthew 12:22-28

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

“….they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.  All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David? But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons that this fellow drives out demons.” 

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?  And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

God is the ONLY one who is truly worthy of all honour and praise (Psalm 145:3) because he is GREAT. His greatness is beyond the boundaries of our understanding. However, there is a counterfeit “greatness” that the world tries to bestow on its men - “great actor”, “great sportsperson”, “great leader” etc. Most often, this so called “greatness” bestowed by the world makes a mockery of the priceless Grace of God by highlighting only the self-strength and self-ability of a man or a woman who may seem to have achieved something through their hard work & perseverance alone. The labourer deserves his wages (1 Timothy 5:18). It is OK to accept the recognition & encouragement ONLY for God’s glory, but it is never OK to accept the counterfeit “greatness” that the world has to offer.

The world also has a lawless “punishment” to offer. It mocks, slanders, reviles or even crucifies those who are dedicated to please God and God alone.

A true child of God never lets the counterfeit “greatness” to puff him/her up with pride or never lets the lawless “punishment” to snuff his/her confidence down – both are equally harmful if yeilded to.

JESUS CHRIST is a perfect example for us to follow when we find ourselves at the receiving end of both “praise” and “slander”.

There are 2 scripture portions above.The first scripture portion (Matthew 3:16, 17; 4:1, 2) explains how God the Father Himself expressed His pleasure in His Son. Did Jesus puff up with pride by this heavenly re-assurance? – Absolutely NOT. What did he do instead? – “..He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry….”  What a great example..!

John the Baptist said this about Jesus – “…the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit…” (Mark 1:7, 8) Did Jesus puff up with pride by this “genuine praise” by another man? – Absolutely NOT.

The second scripture portion (Matthew 12:22-28) talks about the height of Phariseean “slander” & “false accusation”. The Pharisees addressed Jesus, the Son of God as “Beelzebul”. The Prince of Peace was falsely accused of being the Prince of Devils. Did Jesus let this very offensive “blasphemy” to snuff His confidence and authority down? - Absolutely NOT. Instead He was firm enough to boldly present the truth to those self-righteous, spiritually-blind Pharisees.

Let us follow the example of Jesus in being humble and in having the right attitude to handle both “praise” and “accusation” - ALWAYS….!

CROSS CREDITS…!

Let’s read Colossians 1:19, 20; Romans 5:8; Mark 8:34; Galatians 2:20; Romans 3:23, 24

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making PEACE through his blood, shed on the cross”

 “But God demonstrates his own LOVE for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

Jesus said: “Whoever wants to be my DISCIPLE must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The LIFE I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

“..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 and all are JUSTIFIED freely by his GRACE through the REDEMPTION that came by Christ Jesus”

The CROSS is a symbol of humility, pain, torment, sacrifice and death. Christ’s suffering on His cross was no different. He experienced a very shameful, un-lawful, humiliating and painful death. Yet it was the heavenly father’s will to cause this and make the life of Jesus an offering (price paid) for sin (read Isaiah 53:10).

A gift is received freely by the recipient but the giver of the gift MUST pay a price to buy that gift. Jesus Christ paid an eternally applicable redemptive price to reconcile you and me to our Heavenly Father. Jesus’ expiration (sacrifice & death) was for our inspiration (life & hope). His debit was for our credit. Some of the timely & timeless credits we have the privilege of receiving freely through the cross of Christ are as follows:

1. PEACE
2. LOVE
3. LIFE
4. GRACE
5. REDEMPTION
6. JUSTIFICATION
7. DISCIPLESHIP

These are ACTUAL, SPIRITUALLY-TANGIBLE, AWE-INSPIRING, REAL gifts or credits from God through Christ.

A gift card/greeting card loaded with well-wishes and greetings does not equate to any GIFT. It just reflects the well-wisher’s thought and prayer. Similarly, the Bible as a whole is a greeting card from God to you and to me which reveals unto us His well-intentioned, eternally-giving, Fatherly heart and mind.

Just knowing about the existence and the availability of these divine free gifts/credits (without them being a reality in your life) only means that you know God as your well-wisher but not as a just & faithful Father. One who not only WISHES well for His children but also FULFILLS all His promises (for real).

Our Heavenly Father’s credits/gifts are free-for-all through Christ. Does it then mean that we can sit-back, relax and JUST enjoy these gifts irresponsibly? Absolutely NOT.  “For Christ’s love compels us,because we are convinced that one died for all,and therefore all died.And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again”

(2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Receive the “CROSS CREDITS” of Christ through your FAITH and by His GRACE. Carry your cross and be a delightful disciple…!!

His Blood - ON YOU or IN YOU…?

Let’s read Matthew 27:22-26(NKJV); Hebrews 9:13, 14(NIV); John 6:53(NIV) in tandem

Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified”

The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

“Blood” that runs in your body and mine in simple terms is a sustainer of life and a cleanser. It is this very blood that is currently sustaining the functionality of your eyes, hence enabling you to read this page. Dysfunctional blood or the absence of blood leads to certain death. “..the life of any creature is in its blood...” (Leviticus 17:11).

The blood that is splashed on a murderer after brutally puncturing his victim bears witness to the crime committed. This is why the Lord said to Cain after he murdered his brother Abel – “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.  Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand…” (Genesis 4:10, 11).The people who were directly responsible for Jesus’ legal murder (crucifixion) said - “His blood is on us and on our children”. Pilate washed his hands in front of the multitude and professed to be free from the unjust and unlawful decree (to have Jesus scourged & deliver Him to be crucified) that proceeded from his mouth. Although he did this symbolically, his sin remained within him, his heart remained unwashed and his conscience remained uncleansed. Because, ONLY the ever-cleansing, life-giving BLOOD OF JESUS alone can “..cleanse us from all unrighteousness..” (read 1 John 1:6-10).

Although you and I are not directly involved in killing Jesus, we constantly crucify Him and subject Him to public disgrace (read Hebrews 6:6) through our unrighteousness, sin and transgression which originate from our wicked and deceitful heart that has no cure (Jeremiah 17:9) other than the BLOOD OF JESUS which circulates through our spiritual being keeping us Holy and acceptable in the sight of God.

Do a personal, spiritual check now – is His Blood ON you or IN you….??

Revere the ASSURER…Resist the ACCUSER…!

Let’s read Revelation 12:9, 10; John 14:25-27(MSG); Ephesians 4:30(MSG) & James 4:7 in tandem

The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The assurance & support of a mother after her little one falls & sustains a painful knee bruise while playing in the park. A doctor’s re-assurance to his ailing patient. An “ASSURANCE” is always comforting and encouraging. But, an “ACCUSATION” on the contrary can be very bitter and depressing.

Satan’s very first interaction with a human was filled with untruth & false accusation. He misinterpreted the very command given by the almighty God to Adam & Eve and even portrayed God as a liar..! (read Genesis 3:1-5). Since then, throughout the history of mankind, Satan has always been accusing men and women before God day & night.

He accused Job of hypocrisy (read Job 2:1-6). He spoke through the Pharisees and falsely accused Jesus the very Son of God, calling Him the “prince of demons” (read Matthew 12:24). He constantly accuses you and me trying to remind us of our shortcomings in an exaggerated manner so as to make us feel depressed/ dejected and hopeless. Do you ever hear somebody whispering statements such as these in your ear “You are good for nothing”; “You are too insignificant for God”…etc? That is definitely the voice of the ACCUSER – Satan. Resist him straight away and he WILL flee from you.

But, thank God for the ASSURER – THE HOLY SPIRIT! Unlike Satan, the Holy Spirit God always lovingly assures us of RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, JOY, & HOPE. Satan accuses and condemns whereas the Holy Spirit God corrects & comforts the diligent through the Word of God and also empowers the humble through the Grace of God!

Learn to revere this precious gift of God – the Holy Spirit. Never ever take Him for granted..!

The “rich-in-Love” yet “not-very-obvious” FRUIT of the Spirit…!

Let’s read Galatians 5:19-25; 1 Corinthians 13:13; John 1:11-13

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”

The acts of the flesh are very obvious – it virtually takes no time to point a finger out at someone caught yielding to the desires of the flesh. One look at a smoker puffing out smoke sends an obvious signal to the people around that the smoker has yielded to the fleshly desire of smoking, although it is known to be hazardous to health.  One look at a drunken husband, verbally and physically abusing his wife sends an obvious signal to the people around that the husband has yielded to the fleshly desire of unrighteous anger, rage and violence.

The opposite of “The acts of the flesh” is not “The acts of the Spirit”. To negate man’s filthy-rags-like righteousness, God imparted and imputed unto us Christ’s righteousness. And this heavenly righteousness is analogically referred to as the “FRUIT of the Spirit”. Many Christians incorrectly refer to this as the “FRUITS” of the Spirit. It is a singular kind of FRUIT and not multiple types of FRUITS. However, a fruit contains many parts in it – pulp, core, skin, seed, stalk etc. Similarly, the FRUIT of the Spirit constitutes the following - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The pulp of the Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE…..!!  

While the acts of the flesh are obvious, the Fruit of the Spirit is not obvious. Only those with a humble heart focused on God and a mind with an eternal perspective can praise the Fruit-giver for the marvellous and appreciable Fruit which is one-of-a-kind.

The Fruit of the Spirit was first revealed in and through Jesus Christ. Even today, only a remnant of the masses   of people believes in Him because the Fruit of the Spirit is not “obvious”.

If you have truly received the Fruit-giver as your personal Lord, then you will not seek the obvious but the unknown/unfathomable yet spiritually tangible FRUIT of the Spirit….!

Loving the EXPERIENCE or Experiencing the LOVE…!!

Let’s read Proverbs 14:12; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 4:7, 8 & Psalm 34:8 in tandem

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.

“I love travelling”, “I love watching movies”, “I love playing cricket”, “I love KFC”…etc

All these statements (used very commonly in day-to-day living) refer to “love” being limited to an “experience”. However, “Love” in God’s dictionary has a greater and richer meaning than what the world has limited it to.

“Love” in God’s point of view is a person. And hence, “Love” has a personality. What is the personality of “Love”? -  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

In short “Love” always gives, “Love” always forgives, “Love” is always sacrificial in nature. True “Love” is never ever self-seeking. God Himself is this amazing “Love”. God’s identity is defined by His personality called “Love”, and that personality is revealed to us through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:8-11).

You and I only have one life on this earth. And hence, only one chance and only one choice. Either the created world or the creator Himself. Love towards the world is expectant in nature (not sacrificial). Loving the world means to “love” just the “experiences” that it has to offer. The passing pleasures (lovable experiences) of this world will one day vanish away in a flash. But whoever rests in the Love of God will live forever…!!

Our love for God is not a self-generated love. We love because he first Loved us (1 John 4:19). We sacrifice (Romans 12:1) because he sacrificed it all for us first (Philippians 2:6-8).

Loving an “experience” lasts only till that experience itself lasts. Experiencing the “Love” lasts forever, because God and His “Love” are eternal.

One who has truly tasted the Lord will surely yearn to rest in His Love always..!

POOR in spirit, RICH in Christ..!

Let’s read Proverbs 28:6(NIV); Matthew 5:3(NIV); Luke 4:18, 19(NIV) & Matthew 19:23, 24(NIV) in tandem

“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

Jesus read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah - “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

The WORLD says this - The “poor” (in prosperity/status) are always ignored and unwanted. It is always a loss to befriend the poorest of the poor. But the “rich” (in prosperity/status) are always sought after and wanted. Everyone wants to befriend the richest of the rich..! Hence, always seek to be “rich”.

The WORD says this - The “rich” (proud/disobedient) are always ignored and unwanted. It is always a loss to befriend the richest of the rich. But the “poor” (humble/obedient) are always sought after and wanted. God wants to befriend the poorest of the poor..! Hence, always seek to be “poor”.

The world’s perspective of the rich vs. the poor is different to the Word’s perspective of the two. The richness that Jesus mentioned above is the richness of “PRIDE”. God looks at men as either proud (rich) or humble (poor). Jesus the anointed (Christ) was sent to proclaim the Gospel (good news) of freedom, salvation and eternal blessing ONLY to the poor (humble) in spirit.

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

(Mark 2:17). The Bible says that ALL are sick in SIN (Romans 3:23). And ONLY those who acknowledge their sickness (sin) shall be treated by the doctor of doctors – Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9).

The rich (in flesh with pride) will continue to remain in SIN and emptiness. The poor (in spirit with humility) will continue to remain in GRACE and fullness ONLY through Christ (Colossians 2:10).

Are you too proud of yourself; too self-reliant and too “rich” to ignore the Love of Christ or Are you humble enough to fit through the eye of a needle and embrace the “richest” Love of Christ??