“A whole new generations of Christians have come up believing that it is possible to accept Christ without forsaking the world.” -A. W. Tozer

“Let my people go!” This is the heart cry of God. God is concerned with our deliverance; ever since the “Fall of Man.” The Old Testament’s story of the Israelites and the New Testament’s story of you (and me) are redemptive stories running throughout the bible. Some gloss over the bondage; others weep over sin and wonder “who can redeem me from this body of sin?” We must say, “Thanks to Jesus Christ!”

Romans 7:24-25 (MSG)-“O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. “

This bondage is not a trivial issue since it will end up putting us in the grave. There is not any way in which we can save ourselves. It is not by our good works and pious living. From “A to Z,” it is an act of God and only He alone can deliver us!

Psalms 3:8 (NIV)- “From the Lord comes deliverance…. “

DELIVERANCE BY RESCUE

The Old Testament is a shadow of the reality in Christ. In the book of Exodus, the bondage that is depicted in Egypt is mostly physical, but it was also depriving the Israelites the freedom of worshipping the true God. This deliverance was a rescue operation engineered and executed by the mighty hand of God. There is not any parallel event in history for which a rescue of this magnitude and magnificence took place. It was against a despondent ruler who thought of himself as god. Pharaoh was not willing to release the people.

He changed his mind several times and received an even more rigorous hand of God. Still, Pharaoh did not repentant or even acknowledge the need to submit and obey to the true God. This is the problem with many of us. We see miracles. We experience the mighty hand of God. Yet, still we refuse and reject the Author of Life. Just like Pharaoh and the Egyptians, we only have it in our minds to use and abuse others for our own good and gratification. The result will end up the same for us as it did for Pharaoh and the Egyptians. They were blind and could not see the Living God or the Promised Land. They kept on hardening their hearts. “Who is this God?” This was the basis behind their attitudes and activities.

Hebrews 4:5- …”but in this other text he says, "They’ll never be able to sit down and rest."

DELEVERANCE THROUGH SACRIFICE

The sacrifices in the Old Testament are only a shadow of the eternal Sacrifice of God’s only Son- Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 9:12- “He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, instead using his own blood as the price to set us free once and for all.“

The perfect sacrifice for all time was with the righteous blood of Jesus. He can cleanse our conscience that tries to binds us to the ways of “Egypt” (sin).

DELIVERANCE THROUGH BELIEF

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)- "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."

Jesus promise of deliverance is through the atoning sacrifice. His sacrifice is accepted by God and in turn God offers us His rest. Through a personal invitation to believe in the Person of Jesus Christ- God is offering this rest.

Hebrews 4:2 (MSG)- “We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn’t do them a bit of good because they didn’t receive the promises with faith.”

Many, including Moses, did not enter the Promised Land due to unbelief. God instructed Moses to strike the rock once in order to receive water in the desert. But, Moses struck the rock twice. This showed his unbelief before the eyes of the Israelites. The basic requirement of God is faith in God and in His work. God was requiring faith from each Israelite. It did not matter if they were Moses (or someone other man in bondage), God simply wanted faith from each individual. Christ had to die only once and to not believe in Him is indeed a serious offense.

DELIVERANCE THROUGH OBEDIENCE

God has rescued many people that never entered the Promised Land because of their disobedience. Many all died in the desert. Their rebellion was out of control. Their murmurings and cravings for the pleasures of Egypt kept them from receiving the Promised Land. Only Caleb and Joshua showed a different Spirit.

Hebrews 4:6- “So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. “

Hebrews 4:11- “So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.“

So the crust of all is- that we must walk right up to Him and receive the promises of God through faith in Christ alone!

Hebrews 4:16 (MSG)- “So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”

Today, if you feel that you are hearing His voice; grab it right away in faith and obey the voice of God. The most dangerous six words are “ I do not have time now!”

DELIVERANCE AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY

Hebrews 4:10- “God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God.”

There is a promise that goes beyond this life. We will rest with Him in eternity. This rest and freedom is beyond all comparisons that our mortal minds could ever conceive. I am looking forward for that! There will not be anymore physical abuse, and no more tormenting of my spirit. We will be truly free. What a privilege to rest in the bosom of our Abba Father!

Mark 3:13-15- “He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him. They climbed together. He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word and give them authority to banish demons.”

It is God who chooses His people. He chose us before the foundations of the world- with a purpose. He delivered us with a direction and destiny in His mind. He alone has an exclusive claim on our life. At the “end of the day,” His plan and purpose is all that matters. God is in an endeavor to reconcile the whole world to Him and we are His special envoys born to complete this cosmic plan. This plan originated in God and was orchestrated through the sacrificial sending out of His Son. Christ came to a hostile world to accomplish what is close to God’s heart.

He has not chosen us to sit pretty in a public stadium. Our primary purpose is not decorating a chair or commanding respect in a denominational decoration. We are His special envoys to proclaim His life saving message that chases Satan out of the chest of all who are kept in darkness.

Jesus was the first missionary to planet earth. Mark says that “He climbed a mountain.” Surely, He climbed Mount Golgotha and He is inviting us to climb with Him. We must be carrying our cross as well in order to fulfill His plan. Those who climbed, He designated them. He anointed them and empowered them as well. He has a three fold plan:

• Present- We must be available to Jesus.
• Proclaim- We have to “live out” His Message and proclaim it to others.
• Power- His power is not for our status or selfish ends, but it is to help the “needy.”

The “churches” in our times are slowly drifting to a three point ABC agenda of:

• Attendance
• Building
• Cash

The “mega-churches” are paving the area for comfortable parking. They will entertain and enthrall the multitudes with perfected music and amusements. They build stadiums and seats to satisfy all. Now many are saying, no problem, if you are finding it inconvenient to have fellowship due to other pre-occupations; you can watch us in your bedroom through your television or internet. We have the money to buy it all.

This is the corporate thinking of the conglomerate world: big “numbers,” big buildings, big cash. This does not have anything to do with the business for which Jesus came.

The cosmic vision of God was incarnated in Jesus during the virgin birth. Christ was helpless and vulnerable. Jesus entered the realm of the world as a tiny baby. He entered all the complexities of this sinful world, through an “unplanned” pregnancy of a teenaged girl. He did not have anything “comfortable and big” to offer except that He carried all the mountainous inequities and intrusions of all who had lived and were yet to live.

We need to wake up and wonder what we are making out of “God’s plan.” The Great Command and the Great Commission have reduced to a “Club” to entertain and engage people. The so-called “Christian activities” do not have Christ or His Kingdom or His Glory in them.

The “Babel thinking” of security and prominence has replaced our biblical foundations. “Let us reach heaven on our own” and make a name for us and “let us build it so that we will not be scattered.” This predominates the evil mind of the sinful man.

Can God truly be presiding, where you only preside and decide? You run your agenda in the veneer of God’s name. The vision and mission you propagate are pure hallucinations of a subtle mind for name and fame. The projects you run are for power and position.

We have lost direction. We need to repent and return to this revelation that Job received -after all his mind blowing and heart breaking sufferings.

Job 42:1 -2- “Job answered GOD: "I’m convinced: You can do anything and

everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans. “

We must let go of our own purposes of comfort and “big” projects. We can choose to align with God’s purpose and be blessed. Let us do it right away! God has “sent out” Jesus, so that we could be “seated” with Him. Now Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. He is sending us out to a broken and needy world that is perishing!

Isaiah 6:8- “And then I heard the voice of the Master: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" I spoke up, "I’ll go. Send me!"

1 Thes. 1:5- “When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you…”

Jeremiah 10:23-24- “I know, GOD, that mere mortals can’t run their own lives, That men and women don’t have what it takes to take charge of life. So correct us, GOD, as you see best. Don’t lose your temper. That would be the end of us.“

Convictions are strong beliefs on which we will not hesitate to act even if a high price has to be paid. People have walked into gallows because of their convictions. Convictions demand commitment. Commitment can cause revolutions and radical changes in individuals and the world. Whether it has been men of God or men of this world who initiated changes; all of these men were men of deep convictions. They were willing to act, react and sacrifice all they had for what they believed in.

TRUE

Now the question is: are all of these convictions based on truth? When our convictions are based on a myth or a mirage, they will ruin us and those who follow them. Many young and vibrant lives were ruined and made havoc throughout history due to the convictions that were followed and were later proven to be wrong. There was not any truth in all what they believed and broadcasted. Meanwhile the damage was already done!

However, it was difficult (and at times it seemed almost impossible) to turn these men to see the truth. In order to see the truth one has to look through the eyes of God. Jesus gave us the face of God and His face has eyes that are filled with deep rooted humility and dependency on God.

Christ proclaimed and proved that He is the TRUTH and apart from Him there cannot be any TRUTH! While convictions based on our experience and expectations can bind us, it is the Word of God (when it is rightly understood) that can liberate us. If our convictions are based on nothing but the truth, Jesus’ transforming power is in action in our lives!

TWISTED

Saul of Tar shish who later became Paul is an example of strong convictions. He persecuted the Church with enormous zeal and enthusiasm until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Proverbs 19:2- “Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste.”

Jesus spent a considerable amount of time with the disciples to unravel the truth. Still some of the disciples missed the truth while showing incomparable zeal. For example, Thomas’ reaction to Jesus statement regarding Lazarus’s death is an eye opener.

John 11:13-16- “Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap. Then Jesus became explicit: "Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him." That’s when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, "Come along. We might as well die with him."

Thomas understood the whole conversation in a negative way. Yet, Jesus had a desire to rise up Lazarus. Convictions can be so many poles apart; as far apart as life and death.

Convictions that are based on partial truth and petty obedience can ruin us. King Saul who refused to destroy the pagans, paid the price by loosing his position as king.

TEST

Now we are called on to search the truth and find out where the bases of our convictions lie. The Berea’s were nobler than the Thessalonians, since they searched the Scriptures to find out if what Paul proclaimed as the Truth was in the Bible.

Act 17:11-“They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica. The Jews received Paul’s message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said. “

Another way of knowing truth is by allowing God to search our hearts and

expose our wrong motives and evil desires.

Psalms 139:23-24- “Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for

yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong– then guide me on the road to

eternal life. “

THROW OURSELVES

The crust of the whole thing is to know the truth and when we know it we must throw ourselves into it. All of our convictions have to be based on eternal truth. Jesus is the TRUTH. Apart from Christ, there can not be any truth. Everything must be viewed through the eyes of Jesus; whose eyes are streaked with tears. Every activity is hiding in the shadow of the sacrificial cross.

Biblical convictions will only hold value before the King and the Kingdom of God. The enormous energy and enthusiasm that is expended apart from Jesus will be addressed as follows by Jesus on our “Damascus Journey”:

Act 9:5- “He said, "Who are you, Master?" "I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down.”

Hunting and hurting the One who gave His life for us is an unimaginable thing! It was haunting Paul and he was known as the “Great Apostle.” In Paul’s own eyes, his past experiences of “hunting and hurting Christ” made him inferior to God’s people.

Lord, give us convictions of steel that are based on Scriptural truth. Allow them be viewed through the eyes of the Master. Let us keep eternity in mind. After all, we are looking for the King and the Kingdom. The rest will vanish like a vapor. Investigate our lives. Test our thoughts. Now guide us to the “Golden City” that is kept in store for those who hold Your convictions.

The ABC’s of trials are a difficult thing to comprehend; when we are puzzled and panicky. Yet, these are some good thoughts for our consideration.

James 1:2- “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. “

1 Peter 1:7- “Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. “

The ABC’s are as follows:

• Allowed

God has allowed this in all wisdom either to qualify us or to purify us!

Job 23:10- "But he knows where I am and what I’ve done. He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I’ll pass the test with honors.

• Best Plan

He knows what is best for our life!

Jeremiah 29:11- “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out–plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “

• Control

Despite what our circumstances tell us or how we feel at the moment, He is still in the “control room” of the universe!

2 Peter 2:9- “So God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials…”

Why this? Why me? How long? Lord, I thought that I was your “special child?” How can bear this? These questions are endless and God hides or keeps silent. He does this in order to stretch our faith to the limits- beyond the elastic limits. Still only God and God alone can sustain us in the mist of our hour of testing. ‘If we seek His face, He promises that He will give “the peace that passes all understanding.”

Philippians 4:6-7- “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

“It matters little what form of prayer we adopt or how many words we use, what matters is the faith which lays hold on God and touches the heart of the father who knows us long before we came to Him.- Dietrich Bonhoeffer.”

Isaiah 53:5- “But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him–our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.”

Rev. 22:2 …”The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations.”

Man is a dizzy sick fly staying half alive on the broken doom of the globe. He has chosen to fly away from the abode; the bosom of God-the Garden of Eden. Now man is homesick. The wings are cut and he is unable to enter his Home on his own. Here on earth, man is trying to fly around the fire- before annihilation in hellfire. He is unable to find home due and “perform” well due to rebellion and bondage.

There are only two sicknesses in the world. One is homesickness and the other is performance sickness

HOME SICKNESS

Man became sick the moment that he walked away from God- his Home. He walked away from Abba Father’s love, protection and provision. He used his freedom to destroy himself. He will remain restless until he returns and finds rest in the bosom of the Father.

After many years of wandering and squandering, the prodigal son came to his senses and returned to his father’s “riches.” This is good news. The doors are always open. The Father is holding His breath and waiting in great anticipation. He loves to see His son(s) returning. He is ready to jubilate and reinstate him as his beloved son. The past is forgiven and forgotten. Once again he is at Home- healed and healthy.

PERFORMANCE SICKNESS

Eve performed in rebellion. Cain could not perform in faith. Sinful sons of men attempted to perform at the “Tower of Babel.” They were apart from God and end up in frustration and futility.

Usually when we talk about performance, we are reminded of tasks. Solomon did many tasks and in all his wisdom; he concluded that all of them were in vain. He was involved in all the alluring appetites and pioneering projects of the fallen man. He ended up in performance sickness. He could not and did not find satisfaction and fulfillment in any of them.

Jesus entered the complexities of all human performances. He proved once and for all that what is done in accordance with the moral laws and the mandate of the “man of sorrows” is the only true performance that pays. Jesus performed the supreme sacrifice to reconcile relations. God sent out His beloved begotten son to perform His truth. His sending, suffering and sacrifices is the only things that can heal us and make us whole.

All performances apart from God’s plan and purpose can make us sick. All self serving and evil desires will drive us to diminishing returns.

By His stripes we are healed. He has opened the way to the heart of God. Jesus entered Heaven itself inviting us to the Father’s House. It has many rooms.

John 14:2- “There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?”

But, before we enter those rooms in glory; we have to make room for Him in our heart. Remember, Christ did not have a room to even be born in- when He was here on earth.

Isaiah 54:2-3- "Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities.“

When must find our way back to believing that His supreme performance on behalf of this wretched humanity, enables us to perform willingly and joyfully the Supreme task assigned to us. This brings both personal and national healing.

Finally, we are at Home. There is not anything like “Home Sweet Home.” Honey, I am home! We fall at the feet of the One who died for us and sing His praises for a million years and more…

John 8:32 (MSG)- “Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the

truth will free you."

We live in a noisy world. “Religion” and “spirituality” has aggravated it further. The power and perfection of technology is being used to entertain and enthrall the audiences. Language and music is taken to its limits to communicate and commemorate. Many attractive churches and meetings worship in a manner that is like a warship exploding missiles and machine guns. Performing artists feel great joy for such accomplishments. These sound performers and thrillers somehow give an impression that the pitch of their sound sets the people free. Dear friends, it is not the sound, but the sincerity in which one lives the truth that will set them free.

Jesus made the truth clear to the confused Samaritan woman that there did not have to be dilemma regarding the “where and when” of worship. Christ is more concerned with the essence of our worship.

John 4:23 (MSG)-“But the time is coming–it has, in fact, come–when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. “

On the last day of the noisy celebrations of the Feast of the Tabernacle, Jesus had to speak in a loud voice.

John 7:37 (MSG)- “On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”

Christ had to shout above the voices and noises of the final day celebrations. He sounded the sound truth that was buried and covered over with “dilly dally religion.”

God could have shouted the truth just like in Mount Sinai. The noise was so horrifying that the Israelites requested to God that He should speak to Moses alone. They wanted to hear the words of God indirectly from Moses. Now when we look at Mount Zion, we can hear the sweet voice of the “man of the sorrows;” so soothing and satisfying to set us free.

The truth hurts before it heals. But, invariably it liberates us to sing the song of Moses (a “deliverance song” in Deut. 32) and the “victory song” of the Lamb.

Rev. 7:10 (GNB)- “They called out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!"

Let our heart’s sing a melodious song as the angels in Heaven sing their song of rejoicing and the singing birds and rushing rivulets dance to the rhythm of the whispering wind on earth. The “man of sorrows” now sings with us!

“When Christ calls a man He bids him come and die.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Jesus said only two things. The first thing that He spoke is to come. Come to me and be transformed. Secondly, He said to go. Go into the entire world and live this transformed life to effect transformation in other lives. This is just a nutshell of the Master’s call and commission. On two separate occasions, Peter received the call, “Follow me.” It was the first words and also the last words Jesus spoke to His disciple.

Mark 1:17- “Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishermen of people!"

John 21:22- “Jesus said to him, "If it is my will for him to remain until I come, how does that concern you? You must keep following me!"

Let us briefly look at His call and reflect. (The command to go can be examined in another article).

COME & SEE

Any call needs to be clarified. The calling of a person to follow Christ needs a deep introduction and understanding of the Person of Christ. Any testimony of Jesus has some limitation to it; as you can see in John 1:45-46.

John 1:45- “Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, "We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!"

John 1:46- “Nathanael said, "Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding." But Philip said, "Come, see for yourself."

Philip invariably said he was found. That is his joy and privilege, but to explain whom he has found was a difficult proposition. At best what any body could say is exactly what Philip said in John 1:45. He said that he found:

• The Person Moses wrote in the law.
• The Person the prophets proclaimed.
• The Person who is the son of Joseph.
• The Person who is here with us in Nazareth.

This was not a good enough answer to inspire Nathaniel to follow Jesus. So, Nathaniel exclaimed, “Can any good come from Nazareth?” Philip answered “Come and experience.” So, Nathaniel directs his queries to Jesus. He needed more truth to be unraveled in order to follow Jesus. Jesus cheered his innocent and inquisitive spirit. Jesus proved that His answer of “come and see”
is more than a location or vocation. It is His divine standing with the Father.

This “come and see” is a proclamation of great dimension. He would say to all: “Yes indeed, I embody the Law and the Prophets. I became the Son of Man- Joseph’s son and I live in Nazareth. But, I am seated with my Father in Heaven and you will see the angels of God ascending and descending.”

Jacob experienced the ladder from Heaven while he was in Bethel. It was the Living Presence of the Divine Son on planet earth with him. This uncompromising conviction is needed for anyone and everyone to take up the cross and follow the foot steps of the Galilean. These footprints can never be obliterated from the cosmic history and it’s the same footsteps we have the privilege of walking today.

COME & PAY

Invariably, His call is a call to die. It is true that there are different kinds of dying, but the essence of discipleship is contained in these words:

Luke 9:23-24- “And he said to them all, "If you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow me. For if you want to save your own life, you will lose t, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.“

Once, someone made a quick decision to follow Jesus. Jesus cautioned him. Another man had other priorities. In this situation, Jesus took the time and the trouble to correct him.

It is not about “location or a vocation” and living a cozy and comfortable life. It is about paying a price and having a priority from the beginning of our walk with God until the end. Our relationships and recreations need to be sidelined and subordinated to the King and His Kingdom. We are called to His service.

Luke 9:57-60-“As they went on their way, a man said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest." He said to another man, “Follow me." But that man said, “Sir, first let me go back and bury my father."

Jesus answered, "Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God."

“Come and see” will eventually morph into “come and pay” with your life. There is not any other way in which we can follow Jesus. Not one of us should be carried away by the “cheap flight mentality” of a free ticket to Heaven at Christ’s expenditure.

The revelation and the reality is that Jesus is the Son of God. We follow Him in order to die to ourselves, this world and the evil desires of the flesh. This is the quintessence of following Jesus.

May God give us wisdom to know this mystery and give us courage to carry the cross and follow in the footprints of the “man of sorrows” who controls the universe with a whisper and a wind. He is the Lamb and the Lion. He has the final say on human destiny!

Rom. 1:14 (MSG)- “Everyone I meet–it matters little whether they’re mannered or rude, smart or simple–deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation.“

We are increasingly living in a world that is drifting southward to more rights and privileges with less and less of responsibilities. This is creating a pandemonium in the economy, ecosystem, and spread of epidemic. The statesmen, supervisors, legislators and laborers all absolve the entrusted responsibilities and leave the world in misery. The question that we must ask ourselves is: Am I responsible for what I think, speak and do?

INSIDE THE GARDEN

God assigned work and responsibilities inside the Garden of Eden to the first couple. “God took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order” (Gen. 2:15 in MSG). It is none other than God who assigned this unique accountability to man to protect, preserve, watch and ward the dwellings of the planet earth in the Garden of God.

OUTSIDE THE GARDEN

Our irresponsible behavior pushed us outside the garden. Then afterwards we hear utterances such as Cain murmured, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Pilot washed his hands and said, ”I am innocent of this blood” and delivered Jesus to be crucified.

This world is walking away and washing the hand on God off on their God given responsibilities.

Rom. 14:8 (MSG) makes it amply clear: “It’s God we are answerable to–all the way from life to death and everything in between–not each other.”

The person who thinks of his own rights and privileges thinks that God is under obligation to watch over him in spite of his reckless acts. Cain prayed and God obliged by putting his mark of protection and security on Cain. God remains accountable and cares (even when we are disobedient and rebellious) and do not have any consideration for God or His moral laws. The story of Cain reminds us that God gives rain and sunshine even to the wicked.

IS GOD UNDER OBLIGATION

Job challenged God to act in accordance with his righteous living.

Job 7:11 (GNB)- “No! I can’t be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak. “

The Potter is at His wheel to make one vessel that honors and another to dishonor. Job woke up to realize this truth in Job 42:2(MSG)-“I know, LORD, that you are all-powerful; that you can do everything you want.“

Job 42:3 (MSG) –“You ask how I dare question your wisdom when I am so very ignorant. I talked about things I did not understand, about marvels too great for me to know. “

INSIGHT TO LIVE

It is a tragedy that each one of us sees the responsibility of others (including God), but we forget our own. We think that we have only rights and privileges.

The chosen of God –Apostles and Prophets- never ever gave any second thoughts for proclaiming the truth even at the risk of their lives. They understood their assigned responsibilities and blazed all the way. They paid the price. They felt a God appointed obligation to the Jews and Gentiles; to the unschooled and the scholar.

As individuals, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God on that day of reckoning. We will have to give an account of our obligations to the One who knows every thing. This is an inevitable and hard reality.

Any sin or violation of moral code is against a Holy God. It is a slap on God’s face, but it also affects other humans, animals and even the plant world to which we have an obligation.

James makes it clear in James 5:16- “So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. “

Confession, forgiveness, caring and sharing are all God given responsibilities that bring a little bit of His Kingdom right here on earth before we “go over there!”

“I am not forbidden to have my own thoughts about other person, to realize his shortcomings but only to the extent that it offers an occasion for forgiveness and unconditional love as Jesus proves me.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Satan whispered to the first lady in the Garden of Eden, “Did God deprived you of some knowledge? You could become like God!” A spirit of envy and competition is the root that caused the rebellion that resulted in fall of the first couple. Wise Solomon wrote in Eccl 4:4(MSG)- “Then I observed all the work and ambition motivated by envy. What a waste. Smoke. And spitting into the wind.”

WHY NOT COMPLEMENT ONE ANOTHER?

Satan has sowed the seed of envy and we are reaping it in jealousy, competition, comparison leading to rivalry, hatred, revenge and even murder. This negative trend is the cause of most of the family discord, tribal wars and terrorist outfits.

We live in a cold competitive world. There is a spirit of competition in our vocation, academics and even in sports and games. This takes ugly turns to such proportions. It signals to us that it is a fearful thing to complement anyone at any time.

We must realize that we have a gift and a call to respond in submission to one another. Then, we can complement one another in the body of Christ in order to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. Yet, if we step into someone else’s gift and call by walking in our competition nature, there will continue to be discord.

WAY MODELLED BY JESUS

In order to have acceptance, appreciation, agape love and considering others better than ourselves, we need a deep humility that is rooted in Christ. Jesus showed us an example of this incredibly humbling process. As we read about the amazing story of Jesus in action, adrenalin is pumped into our souls. He never competed with anybody, but completed the task that He was assigned in spite of tears and blood shed. “It is finished” is the land mark of victory stamped forever in the cosmic history.

WE REAP WHAT WE SOW

I am a miser in encouraging and appreciating others; so I, also, receive less cheering. What we sow that we reap. We live in a world that returns what we give. Most of the time, we receive a lesser quantity of that which we give. The sustainable character development and unity in community is through mutual respect, acceptance and encouragement.

WALKS ALONGSIDE

2 Cor. 1:4 (MSG)- “He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. “

God comforts us in our most difficult times. We should comfort others with the same comfort by which He comforted us. The comfort that we have received is our tool in encouraging others as they pass through difficult situations that are similar to ours.

WORDS & MORE

The book of Proverbs is about practical wisdom. A timely word is deeply appreciated.

Prov. 25:11- “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry…”

We all need words of encouragement, but we need more than words. Truly loving one another is not a matter of words only, but also in deed.

1 John 3:18 GNB)- “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. “

WALK TOGETHER

The Christian life is not meant to be a lonely walk like the other Eastern religions. God singles out some people to walk with Him so they can equip others to fulfill His great plans from the front line of the battle.

WITNESSES FROM GRAND STANDS

The Church and the Kingdom is a community of God’s people cheering us from the grand-stands as we run the race of faith.

There are many who have made unbelievable sacrifices and rendered unusual services for God and His Kingdom. They are indeed a massive “cloud of witnesses” that should inspire, applaud and appreciate us in our wilderness wanderings. Yet, Christ carries us on His shoulders when we can’t walk. Many have refused to be released from the pressures of persecution as they hope for a better resurrection.

• Are we inspiring others?
• Are we accepting and applauding others?
• Do we have any words to speak (or works to do) that will cheer someone on despite our busy schedules?
• Will we cry with others?
• Do we find joy in others happiness and accomplishments?
• Will we forgive others who have wronged us and unconditionally love them?

That is our call. Dear Lord, give us grace to do it increasingly as the Day is drawing near!

Paul uses this chapter in order to speak to believers about prayer, being one among others and finishing the work of Christ.

Colossians 1:2-5- “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

- In order to be devoted to prayer, we must make it a major part of our life. We do this by being like Christ who withdrew from others in order to pray.

- We can be “watchful” by paying attention to other’s prayer requests.

- We can be “thankful” by remembering how the Lord has answered our prayers.

A. Witnessing and Partnering with Others:

Colossians 4:5-6- “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

- Christ wants us to learn to pray for others.

- Christ also wants us to learn to share Christ “clearly” with others.

B. One Among Them:

Colossians 4:7-9- “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.”

- Onesimus was a slave to Philemon and was sent home to his people. He was not a “slave” anymore, but a “faithful and dear brother” in the Lord now.

- He was one among the Colossians and they needed him.

Colossians 4:12- “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”

- Do not cut yourself off from others. They need people who are “one of them” so that they can come to Christ. We need to be Onesimus and Epaphras to others, so we can bring others to Christ and pray for them to “mature” in Christ as well.

- Our responsibility is two fold. We must evangelize and disciple (like Paul who called Onesimus his “spiritual son” and Epaphras who pushed his people to mature).

C. Complete the Work:

Colossians 4:17- “Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."

- We all have something to do for God and must complete the work that He has assigned us!