As we grow through the various
phases in life, we absorb a set of socially acceptable behaviours and adapt to
a lifestyle that protects our image in our families, societies, workplace, and
marketplace. We are good and dignified if the situations are favourable and
turn hostile when things are not as we expected. If we observe, we are not who
we are in our religious places. Our modesty and gentleness in these places are
far from who we truly are, at least for a little time we are there. People are
constantly swinging like a pendulum between their old self and the best new
image. I hear people saying I was once very bad and wicked to the core, but now
I am different. If you must ask them what brought about the change they talk
about their religious duties and obligations, visit to the religious places,
regular fasting, special dietary measures, following their favourite religious
gurus, and meditating. Their outward form changes for the best, however,
honestly speaking the outward form has a little impact on the issue of our
heart and who we really are as a person.
Jesus when leading people
towards a true repentance stated, "out of the heart come evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies,
slander. These are are the things that defile a person..." The
old self is attached to the state of our heart, and it cannot be changed by
what we wear and what we eat, regardless of how elegant we look to the outside
world. Transformation of the heart is a serious business that needs a Saviour to
cleanse us from our unrighteous deeds. Unfortunately, righteous deeds,
gentleness and goodness has become like the best costumes that we chose to wear
for special occasions. Once we are back home, we swing back to our ugly old
self. Bible assertively states that, 'therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has
come". True transformation takes place when one is in Christ.
This is not about the religion. It does not say ‘if you are a Christian’ (the
name given by people who were the disciple of Christ), it says, 'if you are in
Christ' which indicates a relationship. Any religion implicates duties and
obligation. Talking about Christianity Wintery Knight states, "Christianity
is a religion where the founder prioritized self-sacrificial obedience above
pleasure and fulfilment.". Jesus was humble to the core and yet a
victorious, resurrected Saviour.
We read of horrendous
incidents in Manipur, India which are heart wrenching. Hundreds (the minimum
number to quote) churches were burnt, hundreds and more killed, and more than 6,000
Christian houses were attacked. Girls were publicly paraded and raped.
Religious bigots, Political division, Tribal reservations all had their
share. Most think they are protecting their religion. People who might
have lived with a nice image are now operating from their old self. Political
games continue as poor people are ravaged to shame and death. A very hard truth
indeed.
If your religion makes you
harder, colder, more resentful, more vengeful, more prideful, more condemning,
it is leading you towards death, not life. It is turning you to stone. It is
bringing you into a more insidious form of bondage making you a captive. Unable
to love one another is not a political problem. Caste, racial issues, and the
vilest incidents are identified with gods and goddess in scriptures. And it
influences the followers to be impacted by it. If your heart is transformed,
you don't have to be swinging between your old self and new You, like a
pendulum. You stay steady as a rock. Making a decision to follow Christ,
transforms you as a person and allows you to live in harmony, love one another
and maintain perfect peace. You don't have to try it, you become the embodiment
of the true love.
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