Go along to get along!

 

As humans we are so interconnected and interdependent that our need and want to be recognized, accepted and identified are highly compelling. We are all aware that it is merely not possible to exist and operate in isolation. Therefore, the fear of being ignored or rejected or becoming redundant is a nightmare. In order to overcome the fear of rejection, we go along to get along in order to be recognized and accepted.  

“The religion of today is ‘get-along-ism’. We are ok to give in, even if that means requiring compromises of values and ethics, for the sake of not wanting to be left out.  After all, today, who cares about values and ethics. The need to be accepted starts very early. While we were young we all were part of some group to exercise a sense of security and belongingness. I was watching a documentary called “Inside the World’s Toughest Prison”  where the presenter, Raphael Rowe volunteers to go behind bars to understand life out there. In one correctional center in South Africa nearly all convicts belong to dangerous gangs, known for lethal stabbings. They tattoo themselves with a particular number in order to exercise power for identity. The new comers are forced to go along to get along to survive.

The challenges of this ideology ‘get-along-ism’ is that people become prisoners of someone’s thoughts, values and expectations. Quickly they lose their self and become programmed to a mob decision. What shapes their personality is the redefined values of the crowd and expectations of the age. Influences are powerful. And if the belief system and values of the ones with whom people get along are distorted, then it becomes a dangerous mix.

Most of the crimes and evil are the result of influences. It can be any group. With whom we get along seriously matters. Sometimes we advise our children on being careful about this but overlook our personal association and compromises that deteriorates our values and morals. The Man Jesus who lived on the face of the earth between 4 B.C to 32 A.D, irrespective of the innumerable miracles and healings He performed, even raising dead people alive, was rejected and thrown out, primarily by the religious leaders of that time. They pushed Him to the point of being crucified because He did not choose to get along with them. His resurrection from death is a historical moment. But sadly it did not fascinate the religious leaders because He was different. People were pathetically blinded by their arrogance.

Jesus set moral standards and moral framework that guaranteed any person to reach God and to experience forgiveness of sins and be transformed to a new person. His ideology was not based on hatred, factions or establishing a kingdom, but was based on love, mercy and compassion. At any time when you refuse to compromise with the moral standards you may feel rejected and dejected. Don’t lose heart. We have a Savior Jesus who promises His abode in us when we decide to follow Him. He promises to never leave us and to shower with His favor on us. You may be battling with serious challenges. Reach out to Him and ask Him to help you find favour and abundant life on earth and spend eternal life with Him forever.

 

You can follow us on Twitter

A True Father’s Love!

 

As people throughout the world celebrate Father’s day, my heart goes out to those, who lost their fathers during the pandemic season. Life has always remained unpredictable and especially during the pandemic times it was even more difficult to sustain life. And as surviving family members are grappling to sustain themselves, I pray and wish they find necessary support and blessing from above, to move forward. 

There are Fathers, who are very active in the lives of their children. They take special interest in all the affairs of their children displaying hope, confidence and love to them. It is so important that a child receives love and support from both the parents all the time. There are many fathers who are not very active in the lives of the children but are just there. Probably they have their own struggle to make ends meet. Work life is so hectic, demanding and tiring, and at the same time less rewarding. And Fathers face the brunt of it. In spite of all challenges, there are fathers who invest in the lives of their children and display a good role model to the children. Such children are truly able to exhibit their best potential to excel academically and in their career.

There is also another category of fathers who are abusive and irresponsible. We read in news of fathers abusing their own children physically, sexually, emotionally and verbally. Some children are really struggling to make it and are forced to live a miserable life. Its not a surprise in today’s world if a Father sells his own daughter. The world we live in is the effect of gross evil as we are born with a sinful nature. People try their best to live a holy life through self-discipline, rituals, meditation, putting on external enhancements as a religious mandate hoping these will have an effect on them.  But people don’t realise it just doesn’t work that way. It is time we find the True Father and experience His love in our lives.

Jesus, God incarnated has left a true standard of a Father in all sense.  The Bible records the God of the Bible as “One God, and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”. Further the words of Jesus as recorded in the scriptures says, “…You have one father, who is in heaven.”. This God truly proved that He is the Father. He is the only person in history who claimed to be God lived a holy life and kept himself from marrying. He proved that it would be illegitimate for a father to marry His own daughter who is God’s creation. And it would be an incest and a gross immorality.

Would you acknowledge Him as your Father? He is willing to accept you and keep you safe in His hands from all evil and secure you for eternal abode, the heaven. Maybe there are many who are blessed to have a great fathers compared to many who don’t experience the same. But let me remind you, we all have our Heavenly Father alive; His resurrection has proved it. He promises that you are in His hands and no one would be able to snatch you out of His hand. The Bible says, we have received the spirit of adoption by whom we call Him, “Abba Father”.  You can call Him as father and ask Him in your words to come into your heart and fill your heart with peace, happiness and purpose. I guarantee, you will experience a transformation.

 

You can follow us on Twitter

Consensual Sex!

 

The topic maybe a taboo, but I hope this blog would help you find enough reason to support the core issue. The subject on morality has become an ambiguous standard today, especially when compared in different countries and among varied religions and people groups. Since right and wrong has become a matter of preferences for many, people find enough reason to justify the wrongs and defy that which is right. Moral framework (the matter of right and wrong) more fits into a framework called Moral relativism which asserts that morality is not based on any absolute standard, rather ethical “truths” depend on variables such as the situation, culture, one’s feelings, etc.

The danger of Moral relativism explained above provides a way out and escape  from the crime committed in many cases. There are many ways one uses to hide any crime. When it is about rape, the whole case can be watered down if one of the victims proves it to be consensual (mutually agreed). There are countless episodes on the OTT platforms streaming objectionable content supporting this view. When it is comes to sex, consensual sex is not a crime unless it turns out to be a serious matter, but when the same principle is applied to other crimes like theft, murder, extortion, etc. consensus act is seen as a serious matter.

When it comes to personal gratification we permit and approve consensual sex. But at the same time if we were to apply the same for our children or our family members indulging in the same act based on consensus, we wouldn’t take it lightly. Why are the standards so volatile?

To make my point, I give below three standards to be considered, then decide which one will be least taken into consideration? 1. The law implication  2. Societal norms,  3. God’s Law. Usually the third factor can hardly be taken into consideration because of its ambiguity on moral law and sin. And of those reasons there are many stories of gods which are sensual and ungodly. Their lifestyle cannot be replicated at all. Some of the stories out there are a matter of grave concern. The Bible for that matter is loud and clear about sin because Jesus lived an absolute holy life and preached about sin, repentance from sin,  conscience, judgement and eternal life.

The fact is we are created and designed with a moral law and a conscience in our hearts, and we all instinctively know when we have been wronged or when we have wronged others. We act as though we expect others to recognize this as well. Even as children we knew the difference between “fair” and “unfair.” It takes bad philosophy to convince us that we are wrong and that moral relativism is true. Consensual act can be accepted by many standards but you would still stand guilty in the judgement of God. The Bible talks clearly about moral framework. Jesus was a perfect standard of holiness. And He has the power to forgive us from all unrighteousness.

The Bible says, “If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”.  We can escape the law but we all have to face judgement and  be judged based on the moral framework written in the scriptures. Do you want freedom from your sin and all that weighs you down? Recognize your mistakes and confess all your wrongdoings. Approach Jesus whose sacrifice on the cross can makes all of us clean, pure and holy.  Sin is not acceptable just because it was consensual.

 

You can follow us on Twitter

Lonely Hearts Beware!

  

I have designed this article for those who are weary with activities, tired of life and uncertain about the future unfolding. Probably, you are under heavy stress as your hope has ended in disappointments. You were clueless as to how to respond or react. We all go through these lonely phases at some point of time. People around, encourage us by saying it happens and this will also pass with time. Not really! The solution to the problem is not found in space or time. Our dejection and loneliness are the result of the void in our souls and we mistake it with commodities and experiences.

On the other hand there are the rich who can afford all they can in life and experience no dejections or disappointments. But one thing both these categories of people face is loneliness. To combat loneliness, both end up giving in to their temptations and flirt with mistakes for temporary relief and self-pleasure. They find intermediary solutions and most of the time people tend to manage it with wrong sinful experiences. Yet with many substitutes available, none have the capacity to provide us with meaningful solutions, like  online gambling, surfing explicit content (pornography) looks like effective mental relaxers from worry and to ease the disappointment and loneliness. However, the effects and outcomes of the same can leave a person to live in continuous regret. It results in people living in isolation, guilt and pain most of the time.

While in loneliness, Indulging in self-pleasure is another means of distraction which looks satisfying, but never really giving the solution to real-time problems. Never forget such habits have the same potent effect as drug addiction. Some of the traits can be loss of gaining pleasure from common things in life, compulsive behaviour, loss of motivation, loss of energy, depression, etc. It’s a serious problem.

There is a repercussion of indulging in all sorts of behaviour which the Bible calls it sin and it states, “for the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  We all eventually die, but this death is different. As someone said, Some die in 20’s but are buried at 60’s and 70’s. They live like zombies devoid of conscience and real feelings. Loneliness is one of the main impact Their behaviour and action have an impact on their families and on their children causing pain that refuse to go away. 

Let us not forget we are promised to be supernaturally aided, provided we build a right relationship with our Creator. Jesus who has Himself conquered death through His resurrection is the greatest solution provider. And we don't necessarily find the aid from the Saviour through our religious rites and rituals.

We can just can reach Him by faith because He has promised by saying this,  “Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”.  Whether you are guilty with sin or aching with pain you have a hope and an answer. He is more than enough to eliminate your loneliness when you invite Him into your heart. You have a choice to follow Jesus the Savior, the person - not a religion or religious institution. Tell Him what you are going through in a prayer. You will find an answer. You can follow the link given in twitter to know more.

 You can follow us on Twitter