Sin is serious!..

You might be wondering how on earth is this picture related to the topic 'sin' ?!; even I don't know how it makes sense; but I must somehow grab hold of a picture every time I post an article which is quite a task really!! when I am run out of pictures, I take the easy path of downloading the stuff from the Internet. Since 'sin' is an 'abstract' (a noun as well as a verb) concept; it is not a person or a thing to be shown; so I preferred to show a 'Modern Art' picture. And therefore, do not read too much into it.

To address the issue like 'sin', one needs to know what 'sin' exactly is. People may well have thousand and one opinions about it. Are those opinions trust worthy? May be some of them truly are!!But at the end of the day, they just remain as 'opinions' which may not prove anything substantially. We tend to turn to a 'Dictionary'; every time we come across a new word; as we know that is the perfect source. For me the 'source' is important. Where is it coming from is a very basic question one needs to look for. For me the 'Bible' is the ultimate source and a believer's map, in this world of confusion and chaos. So, let us listen to what the Bible says on 'sin'.

'Sin' means to think and act against the God's law; to break God's commandments. Everyone who sins breaks the law (1 John 3:4). When we fail to meet God's standard of holiness, we sin. To break a single commandment means breaking all His commandments (James 2:10). It is like pelting a stone at glass; it is only a single stone but the whole glass is damaged and the cracks are an unavoidable sight. There are sins of commission and sins of omission. Consciously committing an act against God's law is sin, at the same time, consciously omitting God's law is also a sin. Just a bad thought is as criminal as an act in God's sight ( Matt 5:28; Mark 7: 20, 21 & 22). The more we sin; the more guilty we are; the guilt piles. Give me a break, one might yell!! but that's a fact. You know it for yourself, why asking somebody else for it? 'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) and therefore you are inexcusable on man! (Rom 2:1). Having read this, can you still say that you are perfect, and 'sinless'?! if you can, as I said earlier; I don't know how to respond for my mind is blank; my heart aches and my mouth is dumb- stuck!!

Sin is serious!...

What is this thing called 'sin'? why am I unable to react as I ought to? Why do I loose my self control time and again? Why do I get angry? Why am I frustrated? Why am I enslaved to bad when I actually know what good is? How many times questions like these have flooded your mind? I don't know about your predicament, but the more I look into myself the more I discover evil nature within me. I know something is seriously wrong within me. Besides that I am unable to get myself out from this pathetic situation. I am unable to stop myself from sinning and to make matters even worse, my guilt is piling up every time I commit sin. Oh! what a wretched man that I am; who can save me from this body of death? (Rom 7: 24). No one else but Jesus Christ alone! These words echo through my head and heart; as they did in the Apostle Paul's.

By the way, are you convinced that this world is full of sin and you are a part of it? Do you think that something is terribly wrong with the human race? I cannot and do not have to argue with those who think that this world is getting better and better and human race is inherently good. I think they are simply denying the fact. We know that world is not a better place to live but what about your heart? Is it a better place? What a tragedy it is if you live in a terrible place in addition to having a terrible heart. We must be convinced if such a thing called 'sin' exists before we address this issue. If it does, we must look into what exactly this is and how we can protect ourselves from it. If anyone thinks, it doesn't, I don't know how to respond, my mind is blank, my heart aches and my mouth is dumb- stuck!! I shall write what 'sin' is in my next post God willing..

Sin is serious!..

This was the book published by the 'Grace Publications' , which was a simplified version of Ralph Venning's 'A Treatise on Sin'; first published in 1669. This simplified version was prepared by John Appleby and Peter King. I must tell that they have done an excellent job and it is my plan to publish my thoughts on this subject for a few up coming days, as I also seriously think that 'Sin is Serious'!

I have a Friend in Scotland whose name is 'Donald Morrison'. He is an evangelist and it is his lifetime passion and full time job to evangelise the unconverted. I think he's been doing it for the last 10 years or so, hey Donald! correct me if I am wrong. I also had the privilege to meet him and share the Gospel to the folk in the streets of London for which I am thankful to God. I remember him telling me an incident when he was preaching at a street corner that an elderly lady came up to him and complained to him that his preaching was completely rubbish and had no base. The reason for that was he was simply inviting sinners to come to Christ. She was deeply offended as she would have thought people were inherently good and nice.

People might be good and nice but it doesn't mean that people are sinless. We constantly here people say 'nobody is perfect' which is a very popular expression. But people never bothered that it is the 'sinfulness' within them is the root-cause for their 'imperfect lives'. And God demands nothing less than an absolute perfection just like He is perfect beyond our imagination. Does it make any sense when somebody calls you a sinner or does it hurt you or does it sound awful? If it makes sense you are on the right path and you have a hope in Christ alone. We shall further discuss how and why 'sin' entered into the world and destroyed our lives. It is highly important to understand before we value the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Are you running away from God?

Running is one of the best exercises 'Doctors' advice to keep folk to be fit. Nowadays, people are completely taken over by 'fitness mania'; which is good in a sense, but people do it just to prolong their lives not that they can have eternal bliss, which is a shame really!! The problem is, being physically healthy doesn't mean that one is spiritually the same. Too much running can damage your knees as well, they say. By all means, one needs to be fit but that is not the end.

As I was reading Psalm 139, the King David pointed me to God with a deep sense of urgency that no one can get away from His presence. Where can we possibly hide ourselves from God's presence? He is omnipresent. You go into the skies; may be to the utter most part of the universe; even there you cannot ignore His presence; you take a deep plunge into the sea; even there you cannot help but praise God down below the sea. If you have wings, as it were, to fly to the further most part of the world, even there you cannot get away from God. At last, David acknowledges that he cannot flee from His presence (Psalm 139:7). God looks at us, He looks at our hearts, our intentions (good & bad), He knows our life history. He even even knows us even before we were formed in our mother's womb which means even before our parents met, Ah! this is staggering, how can God know even before I was a tiny speck in my mother's womb? How foolish, then, it is run away from Him when we can actually meet up with Him? Are you not tired that you've been keep hiding yourself and your sins from God?

My advice to you is that you better don't run away from God; but face up with the reality instead of ignoring it as if it doesn't exist. And the reality is that we are sinners; 'sin' is dangerous; unless we kill 'sin', sin kills us. Now run and run and run; you may say to me 'this guy is crazy, having said not to run, why is he now telling that one should run? this is rubbish..' But my friend, I am telling you to run to 'Christ' for 'forgiveness' for He says 'Come unto me ye heavy laiden, I will give you rest', the eternal bliss..... in Him. So, Are you running?

When life spills blood ...

I left off writing at the 'Unsafe world' we live in in my previous post. History tells that when 'Vivekananda'; a prominent Indian philosopher , went to 'Chicago' to address a huge gathering, he, apparently, started with words like 'my brothers and sisters...', an expression, then, alien to 'Americans', which was followed by a huge round of applause. It was many years ago, but the repercussions of the applause is still heard to day, when lectures are given on India's 'incredible culture'. Our History books picture our country as a nation which posses amazing heritage and culture. Sometimes, it makes me sick to listening to the stereo types and I say to myself ' not exactly you see..'. Honestly, I don't undermine my culture and traditions but there are some hard questions one needs to face before we clap ceaselessly. Is this the nation which conceived the so called despicable 'Caste System'? Is this the nation which practiced customs like 'burring a widow alive (satisahagamana)'? Is this the nation which practiced 'child marriages'? Is this the nation which killed innocent Christians?

My mind blows up when I look at my country as a secular state. In certain states with in the country, endless killings take place on regular basis, just in the name of religion. Many poor, helpless, tribal Christians are being killed entirely for wrong reasons. What has 'secularism' offered to the victims? Nothing but promised more killings upon the failure to compromise and if one chooses to follow a religion of his choice. It is still a mystery for me when I think of a murderer, I say to myself 'how can a man kill another?'; when he too feels the pain; when he too has the same 'red' blood; when he too dies? How can the murderer bear the pain of 'guilt'? and that too when he does it multiple times. But the Bible condemn; not just killings; even a bad thought is just as bad as killing someone and it leaves no space for psychological nor emotional comfort unless one is forgiven by Christ.

Talking about the so called 'national integrity'; it is washed out and 'unity in diversity' is a myth. How on earth, can you expect one to love his country when his countrymen kill him and molest his sister? How can anyone expect to applause the great culture; when 'innocent lives' are being lost? How can you be ever loyal to your country? But, for the Christian, it is a different story altogether. He submits to his higher authority in spite of persecution, not because he likes that naturally but because the Lord tells. By being submissive to the Lord, he is submissive to the nation. Christians have always been the best citizens where ever they lived down through the centuries. Are you a good citizen?

When life spills blood..

My country boasts of its 'Unity in Diversity' and we were brainwashed, of course for good reasons, about the so called 'National Integrity' right from our elementary schooling. Even the 'Pledge' starts with 'My brothers and sisters of India...', our national anthem; penned by the world acclaimed poet 'Sir Rabindranath Tagore'; gives you a picture of a united India. The very term 'Sub- Continent' explains how varied we are as we have everything to constitute a continent. Our nation was built on the very foundation of 'National Unification' which drove the 'British' away from the land. 'Unity' was such an inspiration to fight against even the impregnable enemy. But I feel both bewilderment and frustration, as we as a country, have not been able to get our basics right even after the sixty years of Independence.

In these sixty years of journey, we have made politics a 'mockery', and the 'Constitution' is a tool for exploitation; rule has no meaning, and it is executed to the fullest degree when a big man has to do something with it. To unfold a newspaper is a terrifying feeling only to find out that some folk died somewhere. Accidents are a common sight and killing is an easy choice,Panic and fear grip everywhere. This will only take me to inevitable conclusion that we live in a unsafe world. Look what we done to ourselves. Even if God gives a million years to be changed, we won't. I shall continue to write for a few up coming days on this subject. To be continued....

I know not how to play 'Piano'.

'Rhythm' has always been an inexplicable and intergal part of music even from the earliest days of human history. Each culture is proud of their own genre of music. If 'Scottish Pipes' have their charm; 'Sitar' and 'Tabla' have their own too. And endless types of drums find their roots in Africa.

Even in rurual Andhra pradhesh, the 'Drum' has earned a distinct recognition for its simplicity of accebility and playability. It requires no professionalism to play it. Its roots traces back to many generations down through the centuries. When there were no modern gadgets to produce 'rhythm', people opted for it. If a drum has to be made, there needs to have been a killing of a goat taken place. Having soaked the skin for several days, it is dried out, before it is scrwed down to be expanded. No wonder, it is associated with the 'outcastes', as the 'bloodshed' is inevitable!! Who is more audacious as well as adamant than a 'Dalit' to be involved with the humiliating act of killing an animal to make a drum just to tap his foot?!!He made the drum centuries ago to find solace and comfort to forget all the pain he had to carry in and outside of his life. He brought back smile on those whose lives were filled with tragic stories of exploitation and victimisation.

When the 'Missionaries' shared them the Gospel, they also encouraged them to worship the Lord indigenously which made the 'drum' to be the integral part of the worhsip services in the villages. When one is unaware of the intricacies of modern or classical music; will it not be good enough to sing praises unto the Lord, when the drum does its duty?