The Nosedive of Conclusions!

Chocolates make you smarter, therefore, I should eat lots of chocolate every day – We find this statement in Matt Fujimoto’ article. He explains our habit of jumping to conclusions as: Though the statement looks convincing, yet it is not completely true. Arguments are not just about making true statements but about connecting statements to each other or inferences. Similarly in our day-to-day life there are many things that are so close to facts yet don’t make sense when applied in our personal life. 

Theories of cognitive therapy claim that “we are what we think we are”. When a person is jumping to conclusions, they are drawing negative conclusions with little or no evidence. Researchers suggest this type of error in thinking is common, but it can come with considerable costs. In one study, researchers found that people who often jump to conclusions are also susceptible to other cognitive distortions. They were more likely to make decisions based on limited information and are overconfident in their choices.

There are cases where our instincts trigger us to jump to conclusions and judgements based on our realities and personal intuitions.  Yes, the realities of life are real, the problems we face are real, the challenges we encounter are daunting & unchanging, but the conclusions don’t have to be negative. I agree there are cases which are simple and straightforward. When we attract a particular problem and we become the reason for it then the outcome of it is unchangeable. On other hand we have situations which consume us to the point we find ourselves sinking. It may look as though there are no alternatives but to be submerged and lose ground, yet the outcome doesn’t have to be based on our assumptions and conclusions. 

I am not telling to build an irrational hope over the toxic situations created and then expect a positive result. That may be quite difficult unless you again want to use unfair means to get away from the situation unscathed. The Bible also clearly states, “whatever a man sows,  he reaps.” But I am referring to a situation you are battling with and based on all the realities your situation is looking grim. I challenge you not to jump to conclusions. The outcome can be different if you look to the Savior for help. The Bible states, "For in Him (Christ Jesus) we live and move and exist." It signifies that our very being and existence are dependent on God. Therefore, your hope doesn’t have to be based on what and how you foresee things. Let me emphasize that we cannot see reality beyond each day. Your estimations are limited. I entreat you to learn more about Jesus who can give you hope and endurance through such seasons in your life. The easiest thing is to connect with Him and speak to Him where you are. Confess your shortcomings, failures, crisis and ask for help. This is not a Christian religious mantra, but the truth that Jesus is the source of life. Therefore, do not jump to conclusions but trust on His sovereignty for divine outcome. 

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Knowing the Saviour 

THE FOUR

When People assume wrong about you!

Worried about people’s opinion about you? Don’t worry! You are not the only one. Many will share their story of being misunderstood and framed based on people’s opinion. Reality is that you can't control what other people think about you. Sometimes no matter what you do to prove their opinion about you to be false they will continue to think the same. It hurts when you know that you are misunderstood and wrongly estimated. It is not always possible to keep clarifying. Therefore, don’t waste your energy doing that if you are on the right track.  You are not here to correct every rumor or reintroduce yourself to every person who never took the effort to understand you in the first place.

You are a unique creation of God created by Him wondrously. There are people who will never know a paragraph of your story. Most of the time we are worried about other’s misunderstandings and misconceptions about us and stress ourselves. We strive to live up to people's expectations. You don’t have to do so. Your chapter of life is entirely different from others; your roadmap of life is based on what God intended it to be. You are concerned when people assume wrongly about you, but have you ever thought about what God thinks about you.

One of the authors of the Bible, Apostle Paul, boldly​ states these ​words before the council and jury when he was falsely accused, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day”.  I am referring to a God who is full of love and compassion, a holy God. Further Paul adds this, “I always strive to have a clear conscience towards God and Men.”. When you live with a good conscience before a true living God, you will inevitably live with a clear conscience, also towards men. Jesus surpasses human standard. He was not only powerful to heal the sick, the lame and the blind, but also raised people from the dead. He resurrected from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus  Christ from the dead is the ultimate event in human history. His life is worth studying. He did not just talk about ethics and good morals but set standards of living in holiness and purity.

Psalmist David in his writings in the Bible states, “The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from your instruction.”. Sometimes you may not be just wrongly assumed but ridiculed too. Do not spend your energy defending or planning your response. Study Jesus’ instruction for it is the way of life. The Bible which is usually named as “Holy Bible” captures what God appraises about you. He says you are loved immensely. He poured His love while you were yet a sinner. His opinion about you changes everything.  When you live faithfully before God the savior, all opinions about you will not only be changed but it won’t matter anymore.

 

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THE FOUR

Some Hearts Bleed Silently!

 

People are hurting and in pain. It cannot be emphasized enough. The world is full of damaged people preoccupied in their own turmoil, grappling with uncertainties of the future. They walk around with a smile to impress people but silently carry a gangrenous gash deep within. There is a need to reach out to such people with tenderness which will eventually reveal the invisible walls, the tragic stories and the overwhelming emotion they feel when they encounter kindness.

They hide their emotional fractures, bury their hopes and camouflage their scars. True love exposes these frailties. Hearts bleed silently and loving them just as they are without trying to fix their problems will make a world of difference. Your commitment to walk with them in this painful journey will build their hope in life one inch at a time.  In the book of Proverbs 18:24 it states, “…there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.”. In this world of brokenness people want a friend who can understand them, listen to them and walk with them. When they find the warmth in your company, they start listening to you and putting their faith in God whom they don’t see. 

Jesus describes true love as "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.". The greatest sacrifice in human history is alluded to Jesus alone who went through the excruciating pain and suffering on the cross. He laid down His life proving He is the best friend one could ever have. Pain and suffering did not spare even God, but it is this same God, Jesus who gives us hope in these trying circumstances. When one makes a choice to surrender and accept Christ as His savior there is hope. He works through the pain even though it is humanly impossible. 

I like the story of Scott Saul where he refers to a story about his daughter’s fractured hand. The doctor advised to fix her hand is to allow her to go through the painful medical process to heal which is not possible otherwise. We are in a fallen and broken world. Christ is the sovereign God who is here to save you, bless you and make you the heir of His kingdom. Life takes you through a painful process, but there is hope for sure. Would you reach out to Jesus and talk about your crisis? He is the way the truth and the life and there is no mediator beside Christ. Reach out to Him alone for your life transformation story. 

 

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If God is good why do bad things happen?

Knowing the Saviour 

THE FOUR

Use and Throw!

Use and throw is a phrase we use for things, but sadly it is also synonymous for people. This consumer age has groomed people to think selfishly. Hence, using people for our advantage and getting rid of them once we have received the benefit, is common. People do this so they don’t have to be committed to them in the future. Are you a victim of such treatment? Are you disappointed and discouraged of feeling used?

If you are someone who uses and throws away people repeatedly, you need to stop it. If you are in the habit, you perceive people as disposable and worthless. You fail to see that they are precious in the sight of their Creator, hence, they need to be treasured and preserved. So, what does it mean to throw people away? It's when someone says, or does, or condones, or writes something we don’t like, that becomes our instigator. When we start throwing people away, we start throwing away the divine. We remove the Prince of Peace and Mercy from our lives and instead enthrone an idol of bitterness and hatred – an idol that is much harder to serve than our Lord of forgiveness. 

It’s easy to keep tab of the negativity but do we keep tab of the goodness shown to us. Man’s self-centeredness always wants to go the way the person plans. People define offense based on how they perceive and cut people from their lives accordingly. Loving people and respecting people are mostly prejudiced in our culture. We walk around our past baggage called grudges, which needlessly weigh us down. We feed and nurture these grudges because of our pride and refuse to let go of them. The Bible admonishes us to lay down those weights that slow down our run in faith. Jesus and His followers were able to lay aside the weight of grudges to pursue and share the hope within them.

When Jesus framed the greatest commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and then to love others as ourselves, He did not frame any condition. Loving one another is as equal to loving God. In the book of John in the Bible the author states this, "If you can't love your brother whom you can see, how can you love God whom you have not seen?" Love people unconditionally because they are the image of God. 

 

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THE FOUR

When Your Imaginary Life Starts Fading!

 

 We all love to imagine our dream life of enjoying it to the fullest, succeed to the top, accomplish what we long for, and smooth sail through our dreams to see it fulfilled in real life. If only life could be this easy! When we were children and dependent on parents, decision making was not much of a deal. But when you come of age, adulthood demands a certain amount of serious life changing decision making, like selecting a course, professional career, or choosing a life partner. When expectations contradict the outcomes then disappointment sets in.

Life sees uncertain like a vagabond trying to survive with a little comfort. Let me quote the first two paragraph of the poem “Vagabond” by Robert L Stevenson. A simple expectancy for a serene dream life. 

Give to me the life I love,

  Let the lave go by me,

Give the jolly heaven above

  And the byway night me.

Bed in the bush with stars to see,

  Bread I dip in the river --

There's the life for a man like me,

  There's the life for ever.

 

Let the blow fall soon or late,

  Let what will be o'er me;

Give the face of earth around

  And the road before me.

Wealth I seek not, hope nor love,

  Nor a friend to know me;

All I seek, the heaven above

  And the road below me….

Who hasn’t felt the pressure or anxiety of not realizing their dreams? As human beings, our power of imagination is astonishing. The seed of a great dream can be born from a simple idea. However, the dreams and desires we harbor have a significant emotional impact. One day we may feel optimistic and confident, but the next, those dreams can vanish, turning our emotions into anguish. The curious thing is that, in some way, we all leave some dreams unfulfilled. Even the most successful people in the world do not actualize all their illusions. Does it means to just accept the reality and go with the flow where it takes? Or is there a hope to still find our expectations realized? 

How do we face and navigate through real life? Now comes the hard question. We all believe in God’s purpose in human life however vaguely we may understand its importance. We accept our present condition which looks like it is dependent on our fate, status, power of influence, power of money and how best we put our efforts as our reality. We usually put all our trust in our best efforts, influence and then cascade down to accepting what is available to us as the last option. We don’t have to be at the mercy of  residual options. If  you believe God who has brought you to existence you would know that He has also promised an abundant life. Jesus stated, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” He refers to abiding in the love of Christ the Savior. If you want your joy to be full, you should know who is Jesus  the resurrected Savior in the entire human history. Jesus promised “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” You have been promised an abundant life. You can inherit it if you truly know Him better and accept Him as the Savior of your life from all your sinful nature. There is remission and forgiveness of sins in His name.

We all want our dream life but as the good loving parents deciding the best even when we are not in our complete senses. That is our God, who has already planned the best for you if you seek Him and listen to Him. You can talk to Him from where you are and read the Bible to find all the answers in life. This is not a feel-good religious advice but to experience God navigating you towards an abundant promising life, grounded in Christ Jesus. 

 

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THE FOUR

Love without compelling!

 

There is a story in the Bible where a rich young man feels sad and Jesus didn’t try to make it better. The young man approaches Jesus to know if he can be part of eternal life, i.e. life after death. He affirms to Jesus that he is careful in observing the laws and commandments of Torah from his childhood.  The Torah is the name for the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses. It is central text in Judaism, considered the foundational law and teachings of the Jewish religion. Jesus addresses the core of the young man’s existence by asking him to sell all his possession and give it to the poor and follow Him. 

Bible excerpt Luke 18:22-24 [22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!]

Jesus says to forsake all and follow. The man gets very sad. Jesus sees he is sad. Jesus lets him walk away. Jesus never tried to convince him, persuade him nor apply force in any form. He allowed him to walk away. I think this was also the best example of the demonstration of His love. Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him and therefore Christianity never forces anyone to follow or convert to Christianity. Christianity is a religion of Love which follows the teachings of Christ also modelled in the form of charitable activities to reach out to the poor and the vulnerable with the acts of love. Sadly, people use deception and manipulation labelling Christians as one who allure and convert people which is purely a false allegation in all sense.  

The Bible among all scriptures in the world states, “God is Love”. It is true of all the demonstration of love Jesus showed. He reached out to the lepers of his time who were considered as outcast. No one dared to reach out, forget about touching them. But in several instances Jesus touches them, they were cleansed and healed completely. So often the Bible writers observed Jesus’s extreme love of mankind and stated, “Jesus moved in his compassion” and reached out to people in need. 

An apostle of Jesus called Paul was an ardent persecutor of Christians. When he encountered Jesus, he was not only transformed but also started preaching about Jesus in all corners of Rome and in most parts of Asia. In his letters he states, “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles..”. The greatest demonstration of Jesus when crucified with all the false allegation never defended Himself even once. Christ predicted His own death and resurrection which was proved a true moment in Human history. His death on the cross was important because He died for the propitiation of man’s sins and today the sin of the mankind is forgiven by believing in Jesus, repentance of sins and accepting Him as one’s Savior. 

Religion uses persuasion and force, anti-conversion laws to protect its existence but Christ demonstrated love and gives complete freedom to accept Him or reject Him. However, the Bible is clear that whoever believes in Him and follows Him will have abundant life here on this earth and assured of eternal life. The Bible verse that assures this is, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

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THE FOUR

Before you freak out!

 

Questions to ask your “Freaking” Self

Does worry provide you with limitless options?

Does the future hold you ransom by not letting you do the right thing now?

Can a disaster be an opportunity to seize than to resist?

It’s good to ponder on the questions above.

Anger makes you feel you are in the right, but regret does the opposite. They generally amplify your feelings of right and wrong. Therefore, taking decisions when you are overcome by these emotions is a big NO. Always use facts to verify. Anger and frustration are an offshoot of disappointment. The emotions by themselves are not bad and we can use them for a greater purpose.

Problems are integral to our existence, how we address them is the game changer. Problems can appear daunting and impossible to overcome. Emotions rule in these moments. But we can mentally “step outside and above it.”. Yes, there are problems to be solved. Yes, you need to act. But the chaos is happening externally, and you are still in the driver’s seat, internally.  You are in the control of the moment; the moment is not in control of you.

Worse case scenarios flash in our minds but with hard work and perseverance we could overcome most of our problems, if not all. However, we can do this only with the help of our Maker and Creator – God. Each of us were created uniquely but do we ever look up to Him or talk to Him? In the pantheistic worldview everything poses as God, try various options, give up and blame the universe for what we are going through. 

We hear people say, “Thanks to the universe” or “The universe has given me…”. If you thank and praise the universe, what you are really doing is pretending that the universe is God. No God is God, the creator of the universe and all in it.  It’s no different from thanking a morning coffee for getting us through the day. It is more than the universe. God sent His son. Jesus died for you and me. The Bible states “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 Bible). The hope is in this living God who has rose from the dead. He chose to live in our heart provided we are willing to throw away the trash in our hearts and accept Him as the savior and Lord of our life. Jesus is our hope, a God who rose people from dead and Himself rose from the dead, is willing to hear us and come to our aid provided we don’t use Him as option.

 

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THE FOUR

Learning to trust is a choice we make!

 

We live in a world filled with anxiety, regret and brokenness. In such a case trust usually makes no sense, direction becomes clueless, and purpose shattered. Most of the people are victim of grief, despair and conclude life is unfair. The challenge of poverty further adds to the despair, shattering all dreams of hope and life. 

Poverty is a law of entropy. What do I mean by this statement? The Law of entropy also known as the second law of thermodynamics states that in an isolated system, the total entropy ( a measure of disorder or randomness) will either increase or remain constant, but it will never decrease over time. This means that a system will spontaneously tend towards a state of greater disorder unless external energy is applied. The intensity of every broken situation seems to increase. It is when man questions life and the purpose of life. 

The purpose of life is to restore things from its original intention. God made man a social creature. God gave man work, God had a fellowship with man, God gave man dominion over the earth. What is the significance of these things? God intended for each of these to add to our fulfilment in life, but all of these (especially man’s fellowship with God) were adversely affected by man’s fall into sin and the resulting curse upon the earth as Bible records in its first book of the Bible called Genesis, chapter 3. All brokenness, poverty, regrets, pain, and suffering are the result of sin directly or indirectly.  People mix up God with life. Just because life is not fair doesn’t mean God is not fair, God is not life, but life without God is unfair. 

In our humanistic culture, people pursue many things, thinking that in them they will find meaning. Some of these pursuits include business success, wealth, good relationships, sex, entertainment, and doing good to others. People have testified that while they achieved their goals of wealth, relationships and pleasure, there was still a deep void inside, a feeling of emptiness that nothing seemed to fill. Trusting God is the last resort for people. Even if they do trust, it’s only on people, time, things or promises made by someone. 

Trusting God doesn’t come naturally. It is a choice we make. You can trust Jesus because of His credibility of who He is. He invited all those who are heavy laden. He said,  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”. The “rest” Christ provided is not comfort or instant happiness but helping us in our point of need. He understands your struggle and expects you to draw to Him. He never cast away anyone who comes to Him, but then we must make a choice to trust Him. The Bible says, “Submit to God, and you will have peace, then things will go well for you.”. I pray that all will go well with you. 

 

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THE FOUR

Trusting God when uncertainty hits the roof!

 

I am remembered of the days when living every single moment in uncertainty was a never-ending saga of anticipation and apprehension. Anxiety swirled like a whirlwind with unanswered questions like what was I supposed to do next? And how would everything work out? Though during such times there was food on my table and roof over my head, yet the fear of tomorrow was daunting. It was in these trying circumstances, feeling completely out of control, that I finally surrendered.

Dear friends, if this seems like your life story be encouraged that you don’t go unnoticed by God who created you, more specifically who created you in His image. The core of Christianity is a God who lived, died and rose again, which affirms the fact that He is a God who is alive. This is the boast of Christian faith. He stared at death and had victory over it. He totally understands what you are going through. Crisis is a time that not only helps you find new meaning to life and decode the philosophy of it but also finding God. I don’t refer to the religious rituals as they become decoys and blame it on karma.

Times of crisis makes us hold on to those which we really need to let go off in life. Our urge to control the outcome trumps the fact that we need to surrender to God. So, we end up questioning Him and believe He has forgotten us. The mistake we make is equating God to religion. Religion is a set of creeds filled with systems, rituals, do’s and don’ts where people try to observe everything. We get so absorbed by them that we fail to establish a relationship with God and drift away. Our uncertainties seem to linger on. Your uncertainty is part of God’s plan to save you from your wretchedness and help you find the truth of life and eternity.

The greatest purpose of man is to know God and have fellowship with Him. Personalized God never works. Gods cannot be personalized. Either one God or no God. When referring to Jesus Bible states this, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.” Referring to Jesus who was God incarnated came in human form but never was like one of us. He was different, holy and immaculate. All that He said and predicted including His own death and resurrection came to pass. But sadly, people have categorized Jesus as a Christian god and rejected salvation altogether.

You can try to know Him more from where you are. Enough of trying your personalized religion. I am introducing you to Jesus who rose from dead and who lives. He promised to live in your heart, where the real temple is. You are not alone in your journey. Times will not change your situation but surrendering your life to know Him more, have fellowship with Him and follow Him will alter your capacity to deal with your problems differently. He is there to transform your condition and walk with you. Set aside your religious bias and try to know who Jesus is, you will find His story fascinating and your life enriching.

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THE FOUR

The reality of Real and Reel life!

The honeymoon period is when he or she is carried away with things, seem to be unbothered and living life to the fullest? The excitement of life and the matter of life keeps oscillating between reality and illusion. Many people live in an imaginary life, and I would like to call it “Reel” life. The art world especially movies are not always the true depiction of reality which we all are aware of, yet we love reel life, because it is enchanting, charming and transcends us into another world. 

In simple terms, real life is the world we live in every day, with its problems. One of the best real life examples is actors’ and actresses’ lives outside of their films and online shows. Reel Life is a deceptive portrayal of one’s life online, in movies, or on T.V. shows and is widely different from real life. While T.V. and movies were the primary sources of onscreen entertainment, social media redefined reel life for not just celebrities but also ordinary people. We often associate reel life with a perfect life — perfect situations, ideal relationships, wealth, health, travel, appearance, flawless beauty, you name it. It is natural for people to imitate what they see on screen.

Today, inappropriate words have inundated TV dramas and movies normalizing it. It has become a fashion to use expletives. The culture, ethics, ideologies have shifted enormously, and reel life has promoted it widely. The philosophy of existentialism, ‘live for today’ has seeped in people’s mind much through media and art industry. Addressing the truth and facts of life has become an illusion. The Bible states, “for the fashion of this world passeth away.”.  The passing fashion and pleasure derived passes so quickly like shifting shadows. Jesus claimed, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’ And that means there is an expiry even in the earth for human life. The Bible narrated a perfect and logical argument of the creation story. Jesus who incarnated in flesh and blood lived human, died human but resurrected as God. He claimed that He is preparing eternity for all who acknowledge the Savior and experiences forgiveness of sins by inviting Him into his/her life. 

Our message therefore as Dr John Frame stated, ‘our message to the world must emphasize that God is real, and that He will not be trifled with. He is the almighty, majestic Lord of heaven and earth, and demands our most passionate love and obedience.’.  Jesus is real. He has proved and claimed so much that none who lived in human history could imagine. If His resurrection is historical, His return, as Bible claims, is also true and going to be historical. Today, you can know Him and experience the true love of Christ to find meaning and purpose in your life. Do you want to make a decision? 

 

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THE FOUR

When Power is measured by Love!

Narratives of power, conquest, victory, accomplishmens, achievements, ownerships are celebrated. The unmatching event of Good Friday is widely observed and commemorated all over the world different from these narratives. Religion rarely points to god, because it limits to rituals and customized religious practices. The atonement of sin in religious settings underscores certain practices like holy dip in a river, giving to charity, visiting shrines etc. 

Here the story of Christ Jesus is stunning yet exudes humility and extravagant demonstration of love. Jesus showed immense power by the act of love. He was compassionate enough to touch and heal the lepers, reached out to social outcast, healed the sick, lame, blind and every kind of stubborn illnesses. All of this is measured by His act of Love. Even today, prayers are changing lives and bringing extraordinary miracles. Atonement for sin is made easy because of his sacrifice on the cross of calvary. Anyone who believes in Him and confesses His sin, receives forgiveness, freedom from all guilt and a hope to live with freedom.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, typically observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. In 2025, it falls on April 18. The day is marked by solemn rituals, fasting, and prayer in churches worldwide, reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice, which Christians believe atoned for humanity’s sins.

The term “Good” might seem paradoxical given the event’s gravity, but it has historical and theological roots. One explanation traces it to an older English usage of “good” meaning holy or pious, as in “Good Tide” for Christmas. Thus, Good Friday signifies a holy day. Theologically, many Christians view it as “good” because Jesus’ death is believed to have fulfilled a divine plan for salvation, paving the way for resurrection and eternal life—celebrated on Easter. For example, John 3:16 in the Bible, underscores this sacrifice as an act of divine love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Not all traditions use the term “Good.” In German, it’s Karfreitag (Sorrowful Friday), and in some Eastern Orthodox churches, it’s called Great and Holy Friday, emphasizing mourning over triumph. Regardless, the day’s significance lies in its role within the Easter narrative, balancing sorrow with the anticipation of redemption. 

The truth is that Jesus is not only documented in the eye-witness testimony compiled in the New Testament, but He is mentioned as a historical person by several non-Christian sources within 150 years of His life. From those sources, we can learn 10 things about Jesus without even opening a Bible out of which few I brought it for your reference. I am referring this from an article written by Alisa Childers on “The Historical Facts About Jesus From Non-Christian Sources”:

He was known to be wise and virtuous. 

This fact was reported by Jewish Historian Josephus, who was born around AD 37. In his Antiquities of the Jews, he reports: “At this time there was a wise man named Jesus. His conduct was good, and [he] was known to be virtuous.”

He was known to perform miracles. 

Celsus was a  2nd-century Greek philosopher and a fierce opponent of Christianity. In what is known to be the first comprehensive intellectual attack on Christianity, he tried to resolve why Jesus was able to perform miracles. The story is wild—but the main point is that by trying to explain away the miracles of Jesus, he is inadvertently affirming that they happened:

“Jesus, on account of his poverty, was hired out to go to Egypt. While there he acquired certain powers which Egyptians pride themselves on possessing. He returned home highly elated at possessing these powers, and on the strength of them gave himself out to be a god.”

He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. 

​This fact comes to us from one of the most trusted historians of the ancient world. Cornelius Tacitus was born in AD56 and served as a respected senator and proconsul of Asia under Emperor Vespasian. He wrote a history of the first century Roman Empire, which many historians consider to be the “pinnacle of Roman historical writing.” He notes:

“Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus.”

Josephus confirmed: Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die.

He had many Jewish and Gentile disciples.

Josephus wrote: “And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon discipleship.”

He lived during the time of Tiberius Caesar. Julius Africanus also reported that another ancient historian, Phlegon, confirmed the darkness at the time of Jesus’s death and that Jesus was alive “in the time of” Tiberius Caesar:

“Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth.”

His disciples believed that He rose from the dead.

In his commentary regarding the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ death, Josephus recorded: “[Jesus’ disciples] reported that He had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion; and that he was alive….”. Bible records He appeared to more than 500 people in different occasion.

His disciples believed He was God, and they met regularly to worship Him.

Pliny the Younger lived from AD 61-113 and was an influential lawyer and magistrate of ancient Rome. In a letter to Emperor Trajan he wrote: “They [Christians] were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up.”

His disciples were willing to suffer and die for their beliefs. 

The persecution and suffering of early Christians was recorded by Suetonius, the official secretary of the Roman Emperor Hadrian around AD 121. He documented that they were expelled from Rome in AD 49 by Claudius: “Because the Jews at Rome caused constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus (Christ), he expelled them from Rome.”

Today, you have the greatest opportunity to find the truth and life and most importantly the remission of sins. All that it needs is an open mind to read the Bible and find the truth and compare with history this greatest event that has the power to transform your life and usher in a life of hope and confidence. 

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Don’t Play It Safe!

 

‘Play it safe’ ideology is used to assess the risk and protect oneself from danger or undesired circumstances. However, the decisions based on this ideology can point more towards self-centered decisions. We often forget we are interdependent and exist in a community which is divided by ethnicity, race, religion, status, power, color, etc. Those factors that concerns us becomes our priority and the ‘us’ usually includes, self, family, relatives and to some extent friends. Unfortunately, today, even the “us” has been affected because of selfishness and greed for money.

There is an incident in the Bible where a lawyer meets Jesus with a question about eternal life and its qualifier. We  notice in the conversation that Jesus summarizes all the laws into two greatest commandments which said, to love God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and then to love his neighbor as himself. Immediately the lawyer shoots another question asking, “who is my neighbor”? In response to this lawyerly attempt at self-justification. Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan, I want you to follow the parable: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite ( A Levite is a person who is a descendant of the Tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Bible, meaning they are considered to have a special religious role within Judaism, primarily serving as assistants to the priests in the Temple), when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan (the Samaritans are a religious group of people who practice Samaritanism, a faith similar to Judaism. They are primarily based in Israel), as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’”

After Jesus narrated the parable to the Lawyer Jesus asked, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” to which the lawyer said, “He who showed mercy on him.”. Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.’. When it comes to the matter of compassion, kindness and showing mercy, playing it safe is detestable to God. This Samaritan went out of the way to help someone who is battling for life. He spent his money, time and energy to take care of someone suffering. He did not play safe.  In the book of Proverbs written by king Solomon found in the Bible he points out a moral and ethical standard about an important issue. He says, ‘Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? Well, I am not referring to always look to do something serious. There are many who are suffering and battling with issues of life that are leading to frustration and despondency. In many cases though we know it, we want to walk like strangers forgetting God is noticing our heart and the intent of it.  The. Bible says, ‘He weighs our heart’. We may play it safe, but it is displeasing to the Lord God. The love and kindness is a matter of heart that needs the Savior to transform our heart and make someone who is not just a good person but one who is not playing it safe.

 

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THE FOUR