Word from The WORD

Friday, September 30, 2011

I do not know the Man

We all at times in our lives find ourselves in situations when people ignore us or deny association with us, don’t we? People might not want to associate with us, because we aren’t popular and some because we don’t have anything unique to offer or because we are not handsome or beautiful or smart and some because we do not satisfy them. And there are also times when people might ignore us to avoid attracting trouble which might come their way because of associating with us. Whatever may be the reason, being ignored or denied association is hurtful. It is even more hurtful when it is through our closest of friends and family and colleagues. Some even end up as loners people ignore them and some even go to the extent of ending their lives due to depression.

Jesus was denied by those whom He called friends and by the closest of them who even promised that they would not, “Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.” Matthew 26:35 (ESV)”

It were not only His disciples and Peter who denied Him, we too deny Jesus in our everyday affairs by our walk, talk and thought. A fresh and closer look at Peter’s denial of Jesus would not only enlighten us on this issue, but would also point out to areas in our lives where we deny Jesus and would help us to analyse and align ourselves to God.

Some might argue that denial or disassociation is a personality trait. That is, you cannot expect a timid person to associate with someone who is in trouble because of fears of himself being put to trouble. But here, it is Peter, the Point-blank is the one who denies Jesus. The very first disciple who confessed that he will not deny; who even resort to violence to defend Jesus! Many a times we too take up fanatic approaches to defend Christ and Christianity and all the way actually denying His and its essence and purpose; where our defence itself becomes the denial.

And when Christ and the Scripture and other Christians confront us, we might not only resign ourselves from the act of defending but might also go into our own shells, as with the case of Peter and would refuse active participation. I would urge the readers to read the passage Matthew 26:69-75 and Mark 14:66-72 and Luke 22:54-62 and John 18:15-18; 25-27 before going further. A careful reading, observation and interpretation of these passages bring in various perspectives to the denial of Christ in our lives and in our societies, helping us to understand our position.

1. Denying the Allegiance

“But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”” Matthew 26:70 (ESV)

In this context denying knowledge is denying allegiance – allegiance to Christianity, the faith system and the religion. It is to say “I am not a Christian”. Not willing to divulge to others that you are a Christian – at the workplace or at the neighbourhood. Because such divulgence would demand us to act like a Christian, at least in ways the society thinks of a good Christian – one with good moral behaviour, integrity, etc. If you are not willing to divulge to others that you are a Christian, then you need to check your life – for your priorities and preferences.

The most dangerous condition is when a Christian adorns dual identity – denying the world among Christians and denying Christ and Christian values & ethics among non-Christians and in pluralistic setups. That is, living a hypocritical life. C.S. Lewis in his ‘The Screwtape Letters’ beautifully portrays the life of such a person – “….he can be induced to live, as I have known many human lives, for quite long periods, two parallel lives; he will not only appear to be, but actually be, a different man in each of the circle he frequents….. He can be taught to enjoy kneeling beside the grocer on Sunday just because he remembers that the grocer could not possibly understand the urbane and mocking world which he inhabited on Saturday evening; and contrariwise, to enjoy the bawdy and blasphemy over the coffee with those admirable friends all the more because he is aware of a ‘deeper’, ‘spiritual’ world within him which they cannot understand…. Thus, while being permanently treacherous to at least two sets of people, he will feel, instead of shame, a continual undercurrent of self-satisfaction.”

2. Denying the Person

“And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”” Matthew 26:72 (ESV)

Here denying knowledge is denying the person of Jesus Christ and the exclusivity of the gospel. Why am I saying this? Because the servant girl and the people pointing out to Peter’s association only with Jesus and no one else. He was caught up in a position either to claim or disclaim his association with Jesus. How many times are we caught in such a situation! What is our response?

3. Denying the Influence

“After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.” Matthew 26:73-74 (ESV)

Denying the person of Jesus Christ and His influence on your character and behaviour. Being part of the Christian system either because one is born into it or because of being benefitted out of it - like studying in a Christian institution, would have its influence on the person. And it doesn’t go unnoticed.

When I am appreciated for my good moral behaviour or gifting or etiquette do I acknowledge Christ and Christian influence?

Looking at it from a different point of view - does my behaviour exhibit Christian character? Am I claiming Christ just by words and not by my works?

“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:61-62 (ESV)

Every time we deny Jesus, we need to remember that He is looking at us. May we be sensitive to His look and let His eyes pierce our heart and produce repentance and let His Spirit revive us! The Spirit who turned this denying Peter into testifying Peter, can change us too.

“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.Acts 2:14 (ESV) This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Acts 2:32 (ESV)

This post is not a deep study on this subject, but I have just opened up the issue of owning or disowning Christ in our lives. May the Lord help us to analyse these areas of our life and help us to be His witnesses through our words and works.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The divine talent search

Many feel that God has not given them any talents or anything good at all, while some comparing themselves with others feel that they do not possess the ability the other person has and many not understanding the divine purpose of their talents, use it to promote only themselves and their livelihood. Jesus in the ‘Parable of the Talents’ beautifully lays forth the principles behind this.

1. “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.” Matthew 25:14 (ESV)

“Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” Matthew 25:19 (ESV)

Primarily, we need to understand that all what we posses is not ours but they have been entrusted to us by God – skills, wealth, intelligence, family, job, ministry, opportunities, etc. We are not owners but caretakers. When this truth dawns upon us we understand our RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY.

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12 (ESV). Jesus said, “…….on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” Matthew 12:36 (ESV)

This realization makes us to be accountable to God in all that He has entrusted us - possessions, positions, people and pen & pulpits. We will neither misuse nor underuse or abuse these.

2. “To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” Matthew 25:15 (ESV)

God gives to ALL. He is not a man to be partial. In His giving He demonstrates IMPARTIALITY. But when we feel that we are not as capable as the other person, we need to come to terms that God has given us according to our ABILITY. So all that we possess is not to compete, but to complement. When we understand this principle, we will not undermine anyone but will appreciate their uniqueness. If we have trouble in fulfilling our roles, we need to prayerfully analyse our ability – He has enabled me, but for WHAT?

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14)

When we realize that our abilities are God’s enablement, we would be humble, as we also realize our wretchedness and His grace that made us worthy.

3. “He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.” Matthew 25:16-18 (ESV)

The Master after entrusting the money never gives a job description. So, how are we to figure out what we are supposed to do? Some might say that it just takes common sense to know & fulfil our roles. Infanticide, divorce, pornography, apartheid, casteism, etc. are all results of common sense! To the one who rightly used the Master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant…” (Matt 25: 21a, 23a); but to the one who misused, “You wicked and lazy servant…” (Matt 25:26a)

What motivates our actions to be be good or wicked and us to be faithful or lazy? Knowledge of the Lord and applying His characters in our lives.

“But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.” Matthew 25:26-27 (ESV)

It is not only about knowing God, but living a Christian life where all our thoughts and actions reflect Christ and are motivated by the truths of the Bible.

So, if we need to know what we are supposed to do with all that God has entrusted us, we need to know Him more & more and practice His Word daily. DIVINITY inspired PRACTICALITY.

4. “But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.” Matthew 25:18 (ESV)

Like this servant we too have hidden so many of all that God had entrusted to us. For some of us , it is our own personal talents that we have hid and for some it is of those who are entrusted to us.

The servant said, “so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’” Matthew 25:25 (ESV) Ignorance causes fear. Ignorance of God and His ways. Paul says to Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)

Let us fling all fears and flame the gift that God has given us!

We might be hiding the gift of another person, may be our subordinate or our own children or spouse, fearing that they might do better than us or they might be applauded or preferred over us. Let us come out all such fears too understanding our secure identity in Christ.

The consequence of concealing is costly. “So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:28-29 (ESV) If we are trying to hide our gifts or concealing those of others we need to beware – we will lose all that we possess.

And when we put it all to use, we will be given more. UTILISATION is the key to EXPANSION.

5. “Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” Matthew 25:19 (ESV)

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

Though proper utilisation bestows appreciation, here the Bible does not talk about the earthly, but the heavenly; not the temporal, but the eternal.

Many a times we fail to exercise or act or minister either because of no appreciation or because of only depreciation. At all such times we need to understand that we are not supposed to seek appreciation from men but from God. And it is a long time of waiting!

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.” Revelation 22:12 (ESV)

Let us serve wholeheartedly (putting everything and everyone to use) not for the perishing popularity or pleasure, but for the eternal enjoyment looking forward to “enter into the joy of our Master”. Finally, as we properly utilize all that God has given us there awaits appreciation that lasts for ETERNITY!

Understanding our responsibility and proving our accountability to God who shows no impartiality and realising the utility of the ability, let our practicality be inspired and motivated not by carnality or popularity but by divinity, being assured of the reward that lasts for eternity.