Are you a mature Christian?

“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all (aspects) into Him who is the head, (even) Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

Summarize in a Word: Growth to Maturity

Key Principle: Truth and Love is inseparable for Christian Growth

Key Application: We must be brave to confront at the same time be loving

Main point of the Passage: The Scripture says that the result of Christ calling us out from sin is to demonstrate Love and Speaking the truth. It is the mark of Christian Maturity.

Illustration: Lack of Maturity in Indian Churches

Exhortation: Make sure to season your speech with love.

          Everybody wants to get matured. God wants us to get matured too, no longer to be childish in Christian walk. The results of Christ calling us out from sins and giving gifts to His Church is for maturity. One may ask what maturity looks like. And this passage answers us that the characteristic of a mature Christian is speaking the truth in love under the lordship of Christ.

Indeed, there are few things which are difficult to practice in our Christian life than to speak the truth boldly (without compromise), and to love. It is not easy either in Church or at work-place. However, these are the very virtues Christ possess in the most hostile environment to the point of dying for the hostile sinner.

There is no Christian growth without truth and love going hand in hand. I have seen over the years in Churches of India that Truth without love drives away people from Church, and Love without truth does not transform the Church. Thus there is no growth and no maturity.

We who are born again of the Spirit are to grow up like Christ, following the Master practicing truth and love irrespective of circumstances even if it cost us our lives. Are you a mature disciple of Christ? Do you speak the truth in love? We often confront people saying, “I want to tell you this in love. . . ” Next time before you say, ask yourself, “Am I really seasoning with love?” As one pastor says (Wiersbe), “Truth without love is brutality; Love without truth is hypocrisy.”

Image Scripture: Prayer of David (cf. Psalm 51)

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Chiseling – A very personal story

[I wrote this story on September 22, 2017, Friday (12:44 AM) and still affirm that it is true even now]

The Rabbi of Nazareth had surely seen me when I was wandering under the fig tree. A year later, I was fishing all night for a living, when the Master of the Lake Gennesaret showed up and I followed Him.

The Lord of Mount Olivet attracted me to go to Jerusalem. So, one fine day I came to the Traveller of Jerusalem asking for the reputed Journey. The Man of Nowhere gave me a plank of wood with a well-drawn shape of a Cross and directed me to the wilderness.

The Carpenter of Galilee showed up in the wilderness and has been chiseling out the edges of the wood. After the chiseling will be the painting by the Painter of Lilies. And when I reach Jerusalem, I shall present it to the Master of the Mansion, who will say, "Well Done! Come and share your Master's happiness."

It has been many years in the wilderness. The shape of the Cross is seen, but more to be chiseled out still. The journey and work are on. The more it is chiseled the lighter it becomes, and the more progressive the journey is.

Some Pilgrims thought my Cross is on painting because they have seen it from far. You know, even a curve look straight from far.

Unpardonable Sin: Can All Sin be Forgiven?

“Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.” Matthew 12:31 

Summarize in a Word: Rejection

Key Principle: Deliberate Rejection of the Work of the Spirit is doomed to Eternal Hell.

Key Application: Let us be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.

Main point of the Passage: Unpardonable Sin is committed when one deliberately reject the work of the Spirit or the testimony of the Spirit concerning Christ. The one who commits this sin has reached to the point of no return thus sealing himself doom to eternal hell.

Illustration: Judas Iscariot apostasy

Exhortation: Be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit

Have you got trouble with unpardonable sin? Many people do because Jesus talks about the impossibility of forgiveness of this sin. In other words, those who commit this sin seal themselves to eternal doom. By the way, there is no comfort in sinning at all. Each of our sins we know of should trouble us enough into confession and repentance for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Image Scripture: Omnipresent (Psalm 139)

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Alang thuak (The Irang River)

Luangkak khou luangbam alang dui,                       (8)     a

Thingpui, taodai, siniangpung rui,                            (8)     a

Thing mangna luang siauh siauh bam e.                  (8)     x

Nrim rai rai mei Alang dui paeng thang,                 (9)     b

Thaochui bam ndiak rih rih mei mphuai bang,       (9)     b

Alang phai siniang tausiam rak khou.                      (9)     x

Nring rui rui ramkhuan khatse chu mak ge,            (10)   c

Duithu khatni duithuat khuan na dithe,                   (10)   c

Hou nikhang kum e nzianmei nun guai ta.              (10)   x

Talam rui sam na bam kajaeng gaihakna,                 (11)   d

Neiriu gaimei khou kasukaeng kalapna,                  (11)   d

Dui ru, mphuai ru, taodai lap khou sam bam e.      (11)   x

Saengmei mphuaibang guaini neilahakna bam gei,         (12)   e

Nchuzaeng mei puan alu ri rih bam mei khou tei-           (12)   e

Kanuk chui hak na bam rianra mei nai mak na.               (12)   x

Ai Mphuai kum, Talam kumna neila zaengai thaini,        (13)   f

Nrou mak na tanbau thai ni Alang dui kumnani,             (13)   f

Ringpou tuang bansiam ta zauhna meizaeng gai hak e.  (13)   x

Grace-life

“… join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” – 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Summarize in a Word: Grace-life

Key Principle: We demonstrate God’s Grace deeper when we live for the One who died for us

Illustration: My friend stood strong against a mob attack

Exhortation: Be a witness of Christ wherever you live.

Sponsor Issue: Contributed by Pastor Daril Gona, MBC, Mumbai

Every breadth that humans take proves that our creator is gracious. But God’s grace towards His elects is way grandeur; in Christ, He gives them eternal life when they deserve eternal death.

By the grace of God, we are saved. As we are infinitely incapable of saving ourselves from our sins (Eph2:1), God sent His beloved Son to save us (Matt1:21). Christ is the channel for God’s grace. This grace in Christ was granted for us in eternity. Which means you and I could repent and believe in Jesus because God in eternity sealed our salvation in Christ. When we truly understand how sinful we are, we start understanding God’s grace. 

God saved us and called us to a holy life. We are saved to serve God, to be His witnesses in all circumstances. Everyone can profess Christian faith in the church, but only a true disciple of Jesus can profess his faith in the midst of sufferings.

I was personally encouraged by my friend’s faith when he stood strong in persecution with the power of God. When a mob attacked him for being a believer, he could have denied but he didn’t. He prayed to the Father “Lord, this life is yours, let your will be done”. God who empowered us to be saved will also empower us to suffer for the gospel.

Are you living for the one who died for you? Living for self is a sin as we ought to live for God. The more we understand the grace of God, the more we would want to please God. Be a witness of Christ wherever you live.

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Thanks for the time of Reflection,

R. Solomon

(This issue is contributed by my Friend, Daril Gona, Pastor, Mumbai Bible Church, Mumbai, He is an alumnus of Pastoral Training Seminary, Goa (2018). Please pray for his ministry and for him to get a godly wife soon! cf. Proverbs 19:14; 18:22)

Image Scripture: Isaiah 35:8-10

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Professions

You look for money,

I look for people;

You are paid for your job,

My work drained all I’ve got.

You work for money,

I work to serve;

You would work for higher pay,

I would pay to do my work.

You are Professional,

I am Apostle Paul.

Does Heaven shut its Door to You?

“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.” – Daniel 10:13 [NASB]

Summarize in a Word: Spiritual Warfare

Key Principle: God’s Grace is Greater than Satan’s Scheme

Key Application: Have courage in the Grace of God.

Main point of the Passage: Despite Satan’s influences upon the earth, God’s grace sustains the universe through the active working of His angels.

Illustration: Daniel’s Prayer

Exhortation: Keep waiting on God. Be of good courage!

This passage reveals the reality of on-going spiritual warfare which we do not notice. Despite Satan’s influences upon the earth, God’s grace sustains the universe through the active working of His angels. Christians are with angels in this battle, and non-Christians are under the influence of the demonic force (Eph. 2:2)