What is it to be like a Christian?

[Contributor: L. R.]

(in less than 500 words; to be exact, 443 words)

The Christian life is centered on the believer’s faith in Jesus Christ. It is an act of trust in Him. The Christian life is meant to be lived by faith. It is through faith that we enter the Christian life, and it is by faith that we live it out. When we begin the Christian life by coming to Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, we begin to experience the goodness and providence of God in all things. As we grow in our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit works within us, and we begin to see how our lives have been changed because of Him.

However, being a Christian comes with its challenges (costs). We are often hated and persecuted for our faith. Many believers face insults, humiliation, discrimination, arrest, beatings, torture, burning, or even death for their beliefs. This is happening all around the world. Only Christians with deep faith can endure such suffering. As I write, this persecution is ongoing in India too.

Despite these hardships, being a Christian makes us blessed. There is abundant life in Christ. As Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If we believe in Him, we have eternal life in His name. If we remain in Him, He remains in us. By believing in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that even if we die one day, we will rise again and be with Him in the Kingdom He has prepared for all believers.

Being a Christian means fully believing in Christ, placing all our faith in Him, and committing our entire lives to Him. In return, He blesses our lives. He is our God and also a faithful friend who listens to us and never leaves us, whether in times of need, despair, or trouble.

The life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of goodness. He lived selflessly, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and taught us to love one another. Ultimately, He died on the cross for the sins of humanity to give us the gift of eternal life. His ministry and sacrifice exemplify God’s goodness toward mankind. After all, the term “gospel” means “good news.” We are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ, doing good deeds as He did, showing love, compassion, and kindness to others, especially in times of difficulty.

As we follow Jesus, we are not just followers but also participants in the good news He brings. This means living out our faith in practical ways and sharing His love with the world, just as He demonstrated for us.

The Gospel Outline

            A few years ago, I was asked to present the Gospel in five minutes. As I began to write an outline for it, I realized it had become too exhaustive for a five-minute presentation. However, I continued working on it so that I could use it for a sermon someday.

The Gospel Outline

1.     God Created Man with Purpose (Everything has a purpose; failure leads to a dustbin[1])

a.     Creation, Image (Gen 1:27), Purpose – to glorify Him (Isaiah 43:7, Rom 1:21), for good (Gen 1:31), to enjoy God’s presence (Gen 1 and 3).

b.    Man’s withness (illust. of lovers, the elderly; also Gen 2:18). Illust. of Markers and Trashes (Rom 3:12).

2.     Man Rebels Against God (God meant everything for good, but (bad news) man chooses to rebel)

a.     Not worshiping, not giving glory, not withness (glory – Rom 1:21, Rom 3:12). Not reproducing good (though to be fruitful and made in God's image).

b.    Cosmic treason (God’s standard, man’s filthy rags), universal – Rom 3:10; infancy – Ps 51:5; personal – failing to do and not doing (Rom 1:21, Heb 9:27, Rom 14:12).

3.     Verdict: Hell

a.     The seriousness of sin (God’s standard) (Deut. 29:20; 32:22), Man’s fallenness (Illust. of 30% pass mark, good can’t outweigh bad, sin for sin) (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23; Exo. 20:5; Ezekiel 18:20; Rom 6:23; Rom 2:16).

b.    The reality of Hell (absence of God’s favor; exile) (Ps 9:17; Isaiah 14:9; Matt 23:33), eternality – justice, fire, and punishment (inexpressible agony, pains, suffering, and sorrow) (Mark 9:45, 48).

4.     Way of Escape

a.     The desperate condition of man (Eph 2:1, Rom 5:10, Rom 8:8, Eccl 8:11, John 8:21).

b.    Only Jesus as Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

5.     Justice and Love Demonstrated in Jesus

a.     Man must die (sin for sin – justice) (Gen 2:17; Gen 3:15, 3:21; Rom 6:23; Heb 9:22; Lev 17:11).

b.    The God-Man, Jesus, must die (sin is against God; sin is exhausted in Christ; resurrection). because only He, being both God and man, can fully satisfy the penalty for sin (love-relatedness) (John 3:16-18; Gal 3:13; Heb 10:8-10; 1 John 4:10; Mark 2:7).

6.     Trusting in Jesus

a.     For believers only, and willful damnation for those who reject (John 3:16-18; Eph 2:8-9; John 8:24).

b.    Trusting in and as the only solution (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

c.     Growing in knowledge of Him (through the Bible, church, of His life and teachings) (John 15:6; Col 3:16; 1 John 2:19).

d.    Repentance and following, (Luke 13:3; 2 Pet 3:9, Acts 8:22; 26:20; 17:30; Luke 5:32).

Conclusion: Isaiah 55:6-7; 2 Cor 6:2; Rom 10:9-10

---

[1] A marker pen is made to write; when it does not function anymore, we throw it in a dustbin. Similarly, when we are not fulfilling our purpose to glorify God in God’s way, God has the right to throw us in the trash bin to be burned up.

Obedience through Punishment

“And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.”

– Leviticus 26:18

Exposition:

        We love to hear that God is love, and we often hesitate to talk about the wrath of God. Sure, it looks good to attract people because of love than to drive them by fear. However, the Scripture says that God is also an angry God and He has often punished us to bring back to Him. In Leviticus 26, God assured the Israelites of prosperous blessings should they continue to obey Him. He also warned them of punishment should they choose to turn away from Him.

        Verse 18 reveals that God’s punishment is not merely a consequence of disobedience, but it is for us to obey God knowing that the way of disobedience is hard and painful. No matter how stubborn we may be, God is not backing off. If the Israelites would not turn away from their sins even after a season of punishment, God warned them that He will punish them seven times more. It is to make them realize that only the path of obedience pleases the Lord to bless them.

        The wrath of God is virtuous like the love of God or the justice of God. God’s wrath is unleashed upon the unjust that everyone may fear Him. However, God never punishes us to the degree that we deserve; for none can bear the full punishment of God, only Jesus can, and He bore the wrath of God in the cross. He satisfied the wrath of God which was to be upon the sinners who put their trust in Him for their Salvation. Whosoever repent for their sins and trust in the Lord will receive eternal life. God commands everyone to repent of their sins to be saved from the wrath to come.

Personal Reflection:

·       Is there any unrepentant sin in my life that I should deal with now before it is too late?

Personal Commitment:

·       I must consider the trials of life and the chastisement of God as joy knowing that God chastens whom He loves.

Prayer:

Lord, forbid me to be stubborn like the Israelites of the Wilderness. Show me my sin by the convicting work of Your Spirit, and then empower me to yield my life to His control, Amen!

Not to be Popular

 “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.”

– John 6:15

John 6 is about bread offered by Jesus Christ. When He offered the physical bread, many wanted him to be a king; He refused and walked away. Then He offered the spiritual bread, which is Himself; they refused and walked away. In verse 15, they wanted Jesus to be king after seeing His miracle of feeding about five thousand people. In fact, the narrative says that they'd force Him to be a king. Jesus wasn’t interested and ran away.

The true King of the Universe refused to be a king! And how many of us want to be a king, president, CEO, officers, and any position of leadership? Or to ask more accurately, “How many of us want to be popular?” Well, position and popularity in themselves are neither bad nor to be rejected bluntly. It just means that the mission (job, work) is more important than any position, popularity, or reputation. A position is given to fulfill a specific role. Popularity comes from being good at what one does.

Jesus was focused on His mission. He came into the world to die like a criminal, not to be crowned as king. We are criminals before God, we have violated all His laws. Jesus died for us, that we the real criminals may live as princes and princesses in the kingdom to come. In fact, at His crucifixion, He was crowned king again, but not in admiration, but in mockery – a crown of thorn. Jesus is the true King and the only King. He reigns in the heart of Christians now. He sustains and rules the universe invisibly. He will come back to earth again, and the whole world will confess (and rightly so) that He is King; because on that day, He comes not to die for sinners, but to judge sinners (unbelievers).

Sometimes, we are tempted to wish God to raise up famous pastors who are popular as Justin Bieber or Cristiano Ronaldo. And we would like to volunteer if a call is made. We thought that if they were popular as them, wouldn’t they be influencing much for the cause of the Kingdom? Actually, God doesn’t call pastors to be popular. If it were so, I’m sure, pastors would be the most popular people in the world. As a pastor, I am glad that the sorts of Bieber and Ronaldo are very popular to remind pastors that our calling is not to be popular, and we will never be popular as them. 

Our calling as a pastor is not to build a name or a kingdom for ourselves. Let Alexander do that. Let Justin Bieber be the crush of everyone. Let Ronaldo have his CR7 brands. And let Obama have million Twitter followers. Our job and mission is similar to our Lord Jesus Christ – to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God, which is offensive to the world in that we can become so unpopular to the point of persecution. Having said that, I admit, "It's difficult!" Therefore, in God, seeking, both for mercy and obedience! Amen!

Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldEditEdit in GingerEdit in Ginger×

Image Scripture - John 5:24

 A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldEditEdit in GingerEdit in Ginger×

Can Human Live with (Serve) God?

"But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.”” — Joshua 24:19

Exposition:

        Christian life is not an easy road. It is difficult, nay, impossible to become even a Christian. It is God who made us Christians, and it is God who helps us live our Christian life. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were distinctly called the people of God. In the New Testament, Christians are the people of God, comprising both Jews and Gentiles. This verse clearly demonstrates the impossibility of pleasing God in our strength.

        Joshua was a towering leader of the Israelites and was about to die soon. He wanted to leave a legacy of a life lived for God. His last influence he wanted to impart them was to “be jealous for God.” He gathered all the tribes of Israel and preached a powerful sermon—on how God chose them, delivered them, fought for them, and made them prosper—and exhorted them to serve God faithfully. In a climactic and dramatic way, he declared that he and his family chose to serve God, and gave an unmistakably persuasive choice to serve either idols or God.

        The exuberant response from them was to follow Joshua in following God. Joshua had to explain what it means to become the people of a holy, jealous, and consuming God. The word "cannot" is not a prohibition. Joshua was not even discouraging them. Rather, he wanted them to be for real. Like any euphoric crowd, there were lots of unconverted, unknowledgeable, and swayed people. They will not be able to serve God just because they had expressed their desire. 

        The desire to serve and the ability to serve are not the same things. They should turn away from idols. They would have to repent of their sins and live a holy life. They should fear God and be devoted to Him alone. And they were not able to do so, and therefore God took them into exile a thousand years later. Indeed, it is difficult to follow God, because sin is deceitfully sweet and temporarily satisfying.

        Furthermore, Joshua, being a man of God, anointed by God, knew that the ability to serve God comes from God. It was God who chose them in the beginning, and it was God who was leading them, and it is only God who will lead them to the destination. Even with God's leading, they rebelled and went astray, and many had died of plagues, serpents, and wars. Without God's help, it is impossible (unable) to live a God-pleasing life.

        This is also true for us who are Christians now. God made us alive while we were dead in sin (Eph.2:1). It is God who has enabled us to become Christians (John 1:12). It is God who empowers us to live a Christian life (Phil. 2:13; Gal.2:20). We cannot do anything without God. We aren't even Christians without God. Do you think you are a Christian because you are doing what the rest of the Christians seem to be doing? Are you thinking you can serve God when you are settled or retired with a fat salary; or are you planning to? I fear that you are like the crowd of Israelites. Would you ask God, "O God, am I even saved? Save me. Make me a Christian. Make me live a life that pleases You!"

        Whosoever believes that Jesus died for his sins and rose from the dead to save him, and turns away from a sinful life, and pursues to live a righteous life is a Christian. It takes faith in Jesus to be saved. It takes faith in Jesus to please God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb.11:6). Would you put your trust in Christ for salvation, assurance, and to live a Christian life?

Personal Reflection:

• Have I been living like I own my life when actually Christ has owned me?
• Have I always thanked God for whatever God-pleasing things I have done, and asked God’s forgiveness for all my shameful ways?

Personal Commitment:

• To renounce all idols, so as to have a clear conscience before God and man.

Prayer:

        Thank You, Lord, for Your great Salvation. Thank You for making me a Christian. Help me to pursue a life that pleases You, a holy, jealous and, consuming God. Increase in me a fear of You, Amen!

Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldEditEdit in GingerEdit in Ginger×

Are you truly Saved?

"Your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance."

– 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Exposition:

        Are you truly saved? If we believe the gospel, we are saved. Most of us with Christian parents growing up in a Christian community know what John 3:16 is, which is a very clear gospel message. We can recite it by heart and even profess to believe it, but are we saved? If you ask around, the answer will be mostly "No" or "I don't know." In this verse, we see Paul explaining how Thessalonians are truly saved.

        Salvation is the work of God. The preacher only proclaims the gospel, but the faith in the gospel (the kind of faith that saves us) is wrought unto us only by the Holy Spirit. Gospel is necessary for us to be saved, but we need more than the gospel, we need the work of the Spirit. That's why though many know and believe John 3:16 they are not saved. If salvation comes merely by hearing the gospel, almost everyone would have been saved by now because almost everyone has heard the gospel. That's why we see in the gospel narratives that most of the hearers even of our Lord Jesus Christ were not saved. Oh! How we depend on the Holy Spirit for the gospel to bring salvation.

        When you hear a sermon and when you read the Bible, are you convicted of your sins? Do you tremble before God and ask for forgiveness? Do you see your need for an advocate, Jesus, to save you? Do you cling to Him? Do you find deliverance in Him? Those are the works of the Holy Spirit. Then, you can say the gospel comes not only in word, but also in power. Paul thanked God because he had seen this true work of God in Thessalonians.

Personal Reflection:

• When was the last time I trembled while reading the word of God?
• As a preacher, do my sermons tickle people's ear or make them uncomfortable with their sinful disposition?

Personal Commitment:

• To beg for the work of the Holy Spirit in the reading and teaching of God's word.

Prayer:

O God, for the work of Your Spirit I pray, even as I read this devotional writing. Make me fear You and empower me by Your Spirit to live a resolved holy life, Amen!

Christology and Preachers

Christology is the study of the person and the work of Jesus Christ. For Christians what could be more befitting than to study Christ? Christ is the cornerstone of Christianity. Paul wanted to preach nothing else but Christ (1Cor 1:23; 2:2; 2Cor 4:5; Phil 1:18). We can never understand enough about Christ because He is beyond comprehension for a finite man. However, what He reveals in the Scripture is more than enough for our salvation and the whole of our life and ministry. Therefore, the more we search Him in the Scripture, the more we know Him. He is the good master Shepherd; preachers must follow Him to be true under-shepherds.

The preaching ministry is the ministry of the Word. The Person and Work of Christ are the central themes in the Bible. There are numerous ways addressed or named to the God of the Bible in the Bible. A deeper understanding of the eternal existence of Christ by discovering Christ in the Old Testament will surely bring greater confidence in the Word (both the OT and the NT). Which in turn will make the preaching more effective for building up the congregation through the word of God.

Salvation has come unto man only in Christ. A deeper understanding of the Person and Work of Christ will surely make preacher passionate to present the gospel in every preaching. The preaching of the gospel will convict the heart of the sinners and the self-righteous to come to Christ. Moreover, the preaching of the gospel will exalt Christ for who He is and what He has done. Worship will be more genuine. The congregation would grow to a godly living through repentance.

Christians are called out from worldly living to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. A deeper understanding of Christology will ultimately result in knowing how to be more Christ-like. Preaching will focus for the perfecting of the saints to the likeness of Christ. Thus it will help the preacher and the congregation to live maturely.

Preaching ministry will have no fruit if the word of God is not preached with a shepherding spirit to the congregation. A deeper understanding of Christology will enable preacher to have the compassion of Christ, and the boldness of Christ both to guide and protect the congregation from going astray. A wrong view of Christ would be confronted. False teaching would be warned. Low-view of Christ would be challenged. And the congregation will learn to contend for the truth against all heresies.

There are lots of important doctrines in the Bible regarding certain things. I believe a right understanding of Christology will enable preachers to understand the other major doctrines of the Bible too. Preaching ministry will be protected from convoluted teaching. Thus, preaching would be accurate, and clear enough to be understoodby the congregation.

Christ is the only perfect man ever lived. Perfect life can be attained only by imitating Him. There is no other way for humans than to imitate Him to live a meaningful, joyful, and complete life. A deeper understanding of Him will enable the preacher to imitate Him. Only then the preaching ministry will be more effective in shepherding people to imitate Christ as the highest goal of their life.

A deeper understanding of Christology will enable the preacher to live under the yoke of Christ and would be reflected in the preaching and the congregation. His love for humankind, His prayer to God, His submission to the Father, His love for the Church, and His faithfulness towards His promises. His mercy, love, grace, peace, and joy will be experienced in the preaching ministry.

Moreover, this world is full of suffering and injustice. Christ gives hope for every Christian to live on. A deeper understanding of Him would enable preachers to preach the hope we have in Christ to trust Him for what He promised both for the present and the future to come. The promises of Christ and the power of Christ would be evident in the preaching ministry for the hope of Christian life.

Are All Sins Equal?

Are All Sins Equal? (In 1000 words)

The simple answer is Yes and No. We can consider it in three headings:

I.                  CONSEQUENCE OF SIN

1.     Potential of Sins: The end result of all sins is the same – eternal separation from God, and eternal damnation (Rom 6:23). The solution for all sins is also only through one Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:23). Before God, all sins are an abomination. Small or big sins (humanly speaking), all sins make us miss the standard of God’s holiness (Rom 3:23). Sin is anything that falls short of the glory of God. Only one sin can cost you eternal damnation. The Bible says in James 2:10, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” In fact, sin is not primarily about committing or omitting by an individual; rather sin is already enslaving us for we are a sinner by nature, from our conception (Eph 2:1-3; Ps 51:5). Therefore, no matter how much or how less we think we do, we are all guilty before God; and the fitting place is the lake of fire because of the demand of God’s holiness. Everyone is a sinner since before we know what is right and wrong. Sin entered the world through Adam, and all died and will die because of sin (Rom 5:12; 1Cor 15:22). This alone, also known as “original sin” is serious enough to condemn us to hell. We sin because we are sinful at the core of our nature. Whatever we do is sinful-though not necessarily as sinful as a sinner can be-unless God regenerates our dead soul. God will not allow any sin to go unpunished. Are All Sins Equal? YES. Serious Enough For God’s Wrath.

2.     Actual Judgment of Sins: Some sins are worse than the others. The Bible says clearly in many passages that there is a degree of sins, and so the judgments too. (Luke 7: 41-47; 12: 47-48). There are greater sins (Eze. 8:6 , 13, 15). The Mosaic laws differentiate intentional and unintentional sins (Lev 4:2, 13, 22, 27). Jesus in his teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven and the Law declares judgment concerning the degree of commitment (Matthew 5:19).  Moreover, Jesus says in John 19: 11, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” Matthew 11:20-24 also gives enough evidence about the degree of Judgment. Even the Believers Judgment of 1Cor 3:12-15 implies the degree of judgment. And still Hebrews 10:26-29 talks about the worst punishments. Are All Sins Equal? NO. As a man sows, so shall he reap!

II.               SOLUTION FOR SINS

God is not only a righteous and just God but also a merciful and gracious God. God will not just send anyone to hell because of the original sin. He provides salvation in Jesus. People go to hell on their choices. (John 3:16-18; 8:21, 24). Moreover, Galatians 6: 7 says “whatever a man sows that he will also reap.”

1.     Pardonable: Jesus’ blood suffices for the forgiveness of all sins (Heb 10:10; 2: 17; Rom 3:25; 1John 2:2; 4:10) The Condition is to believe in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 3: 8, 16). If one knows Christ (is saved), his sins are no longer counted. Big sins or small sins do not matter. He has become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21)

2.     Unpardonable Sin: Sins are not equal. It matters what sin you commit. There is a sin that leads to death, which should not be asked for forgiveness (1John 5:16). Hebrews 6:4-6 talks about the impossibility of repentance towards God for Salvation. More so, Christ talks about the unpardonable sin in Matt.12: 31-32 “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the [age] to come.” We understand this in the light of John 3:17-18; Heb 10: 26-29; Matthew 7:21-23. No matter how you feel, no matter how much good work (including Christian work) you do, no matter whatsoever, if you reject Christ constantly, you die in your sin.

III.           POSITION OF A SINNER

1.     Redeemed Sinner: All the sins of believers are justified in the Cross (Heb 10: 14; 1John 1:9). There is nothing that he can do to lose his salvation (Rom 8:31-39). No sin has any effect on his eternal position. Moreover, a believer is free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). However, sin matters in the earthly life. Believers sin (1John1:8) and therefore, God chastises His children (Hebrews 12:3-11). And that too, in God’s sovereignty, all things work out together for good (Romans 8:28). And one day he shall be free from the practice and presence of sin (Romans 8:29-30).

2.     Unregenerate Sinner: He has no forgiveness of sins both in earth and eternity (John 3:17-18). Sin reigns over him. He is bondage to sin (John 8:48). Death reigns over him physically and spiritually; earthly and eternally. (Rom 5: 12-14). Moreover, God has no obligation to do good for sinners (Proverbs 28:9). Non-believers live in guilt and finally go to the eternal lake of fire.

The effect and consequence of sin are different for a believer (redeemed sinner) and a non-believer (unregenerate sinner). Sins Are Not Equal.

CONCLUSION: Sins in the sight of God are all the same. It demands His holiness against it – damnation and eternal separation. There is no small sin that God will look over it and let you be in heaven. However, God punishes and will punish sin according to the degree of sin. Jesus provides the only Salvation for the forgiveness of sins. He who believes is saved and He who does not believe (reject) dies in his sin (which is the eternal torment). A believer is freed from sin and a  non-believer is a slave of sin. The Effect And Consequence Of Sin Are Not The Same.

The Zeal of the Pioneering Missionaries In India

Years ago I was given 7 thick books to read and write a review for each book within a week. It was a tough assignment that every seminarian must not be surprised by. They were about Indian Church History. As I read them, I admired the zeal of the pioneering missionaries for winning souls for Christ and the sovereign work of God throughout history. This post is a reproduction of the reflection I had taken then– the evangelistic zeal of the earliest missionaries to India, which we ought to imitate for the spread of the gospel and to fulfil (obey) the Great commissions more effectively.

Three areas we need to imitate:

Firstly, their passion for the spread of the gospel irrespective of their sound or erroneous doctrine. Jesus was the greatest missionary. He was so passionate that He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Before his earthly ministry was over He commissioned that all believers must spread the gospel in one way or the other way (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, all of us must be passionate to spread the gospel. The earliest missionaries to India were very passionate. Francis Xavier would visit the sick, travel to many places to spread the gospel. He would even go along the street calling for people. Menezes based on his belief that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ (which of course is false) would do anything to bring the Malabar under the Papacy. William Carey came all the way from England, despite the denials and rejection of him by his church to preach the gospel to India. He was not highly educated but was never intimidated.

Secondly, their compassion for the lost soul enduring hardships and sacrificing their lives. Ziegenbalg and his friend had to endure the bad relationship they had with the captain of the ship even before they reach India. William Carey, despite his poverty and England’s forbidding of missionaries, risked his life to enter India. Christian mission is never an easy way (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). They not only endured suffering but also had suffered in seeing their loved ones suffered. Carey’s wife and daughter died in India. What a heartbreak that must be! Carey did not turn back. He continued to work – harder and more fruitful.

Our Lord Jesus Himself says that we must count the cost of following Him (Luke 14:25-33). It is to put God’s way before anything. These people of history endured suffering and hardship. The reason they did what they did is because they were compassionate for the lost souls. Jesus wept out of compassion in Bethany (John 11:35). Scripture tells us many times about Jesus’ compassion for people (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 20:34, etc.) We ought to do things because of our compassion. It is said that Carey would weep and weep for the lost sinners in his prayer. He helped abolish Sati. He established an institution to educate the people of India. Other missionaries gave away even their small salaries for the poor Christian. Why is our evangelism fruitless? Could it be because we have no compassion for the lost souls?

Thirdly, their reliance and confidence they have in God to fulfil (obey) the Great Commission. The reason and motivation for our evangelism is because God is interested in saving people (John 3:16-17; 1Timothy2:3-4). In fact, Jesus said that His sheepfold comprises all tongues, nations, and tribes. He predestined that the elect would be saved through the hearing of the gospel (Romans 10:17). Thus we do evangelism not because we have clever ideas or anything but that we trust God. No amount of hearing the gospel will save anybody; no amount of wise argument will convert anyone to Christ; no amount of gifts to poor people will lead them to Christ; if the Holy Spirit does not work (cf. John 3:8). We must rely on the Holy Spirit of God.

However, Jesus promised His disciples that He would be with them throughout the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:20). For us that is true – we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have the Bible, the word of God which is living and active, converting the soul (Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 19:7). Thus we do evangelism knowing the power of God and His faithfulness (1Corinthians1:18). We cannot do God’s work without trusting God’s faithfulness. We cannot have confidence in our ideas or anything except in His word. That’s what the earliest missionaries to India did. They rely on God and trust God. They were confident in God. William Carey said, “Expect Great Things from God, and Attempt Great Things for God.’ History has given the verdict that William Carey indeed expected great things from God and attempted great things for God.

Carey came to India from a group of people who did not believe much in evangelism. Carey because of his reliance and confidence in God came to India despite the British government’s disapproval. He lived in India by faith without much help or no help at all from England for his survival. He worked in a factory. Then he tutored himself in languages. He became a professor. He established institutions. He translated the Bible into many Indian languages. He did that because he relied on God and had confidence in the power of the Word of God. Are you trusting God? Are you convinced that “… in it (the gospel) is the power unto Salvation” (Rom 1:16-17)?

Let us learn from church history and imitate them. Paul told us to imitate others who are worthy of imitation (1Corinthians11:1). We do not need to imitate them in all areas (and rightly so) but we must imitate their passion for the spread of the gospel, their compassion for the lost sinners, and their reliance and confidence in God of Salvation. Amen!