You are not what the world defines you!

 

Our fundamental belief is that we are God’s special creation, but it is always ignored by people, especially by those who call themselves sophisticated, bringing a hierarchy defining who people are and who they should be under a religious division. The present problem is not that one religion is superior to the other but maintaining brotherhood, equality and unity within a religion has come to a point of impossibility. Under this ideology of hierarchy people operate and violate the rights of each other. Hatred, discrimination, racism will continue to thrive till they are stuck in such belief system.

I am not sure how one can reconcile the thought defined in Hindu scriptures where people’s identity is based on their birth. For example, in the birth-based caste system in Hinduism it says people get birth in different wombs according to their deeds in past lives. To state my case, allow me to quote few texts from the Hindu scriptures:

Chandogya Upanishad 5/10/7 "Now, people here whose behavior is pleasant can expect to enter a pleasant womb, like Brahmin, the Ksatriya, or the Vaisya caste. But people of foul behavior can expect to enter a foul womb, like that of a dog, a pig, or an Untouchable caste/Chandala".

Apastamba Dharma Shastra 1.1.1.4-5 "There are four classes: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra among these, each preceding class is superior by birth to each subsequent. Those who are not Shudras and are not guilty of evil deeds may undergo initiation, undertake vedic study.".

Manusmriti 1.98 "The very birth of the Brāhmaṇa is the eternal incarnation of Virtue; for he is born for the sake of Virtue; and this leads to the state of Brahman.".

Medhātithi is one of the oldest and most famous commentators on the Manusmṛti, more commonly known as the Laws of Manu writes "The very genesis i.e. irrespective of his qualities, his mere birth, the mere Brāhmaṇa caste.".

Mahabharata 13.27 Yudhisthira asks question about how persons ̣from the three lower castes can attain the same status as Brahmins. Bhishma answers "Brahmin status is unobtainable for these castes in same birth. Only through innumerable births they can hope to be born as Brahmin.”.

When humans blindly choose or fail to realize such contradictions in religious scriptures which promote divisions and deprive people of their basic rights then it is time to decide between actual truth and form of truth. The Bible says, we are God’s masterpiece, a unique creation in the entire universe. The classifications and oppressions of humans dictated few people on how to operate in a particular way are not different in their own physical bodily form. However, people are still embracing contradiction and discarding the truth deliberately. Please don’t forget each person living on this earth is God’s unique creation. The only division the Bible records is stated in the first book of Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.” Now can you see it? It has so much clarity, equality, and divinity. The world cannot oppress you or redefine you under any bracket. You are wonderful and His special creation.

Today fanatics are against this Jesus because He boldly summarized the whole teaching into two broader commandments i.e., to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one another as ourselves. You can call someone as brother and sister but the ones who imposed such classification can never do this, therefore Christ is always rejected. You can know more about Him and stay transformed. You can choose to read the Bible in your language.

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Easter- A transformational History!

 

Resurrection is the not a common terminology which is applied casually in our day-to-day life. This word cannot be understood by any field of science because it is beyond human knowledge and comprehension. This word 'resurrection' is brought in today by the world of technology in movies for pure entertainment purpose.  But other than that, it is very difficult to find any true characters in religion who were any close to saving mankind from their sins. There are stories of war, crusades, lust, sexuality, building kingdom and many more but never a God rising from the dead. In the mystic religion you will find there are many fictitious characters, stories and incidents tagged as mythology may seem to be fascinating but never a God who sacrificed Himself for mankind.

Jesus was not an ordinary human as He performed miracles, extraordinary healings and raising two people from death. History celebrates exuberantly on the resurrection of this man from the grave after three days as He promised and that is what Easter is all about.

The people and the Romans wanted to prove and show Jesus to be a criminal by crucifying Him between two notorious criminals. Kindly stay with the reading as I point out to you the most significant conversations that was exchanged between the three on the cross.

Criminal no 1 on the Cross:

The first criminal who was unapologetic even in his pain hurled abuse at Jesus. Luke 23:39 records what this criminal said, “Then of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: Aren’t you the messiah? Save yourself and us!” This is true for many who are suffering and struggling or caught in a mess due to their own wrong doings. People want a Saviour, a God to just save them from their mess and that’s all they expect. C S Lewis the brilliant writer states this, “we regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies, but he hopes he’ll never use it.”. This criminal knew who Jesus was. He knew Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, but never intended to use the opportunity to repent. Charles Spurgeon puts this beautifully, “Many choose to perish forever rather than trust God.”. Many people including Christians today know Jesus very well and yet are not willing to make an honest decision to follow His lordship.

 

Criminal no 2 on the Cross:

This criminal also knew that Jesus was the Messiah who can forgive the sins of the people and he also had a good understanding of God’s Justice. His response to the other criminal was this, Luke 23:41 “We are punished justly because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”. The greatest testimony about Jesus from the criminal is indeed historical. I think the revelation he had was just amazing. The criminal was dying too with Jesus yet believed in His resurrection. Later we come to know that even the other disciples were skeptical to some extent about His resurrection, but this criminal had the best conviction that if he believes Jesus then death is not the end, and he will live. Luke 23: 42 he says this, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” I believe this gesture shows that the criminal already accepted Jesus’ lordship and engaged in sharing Christ’s Mission on the cross which is heard by the crowd and recorded by the writers.

Jesus’ response to the criminal was historical and the fulfilment of all the prophecies recorded in the Bible. Luke 23:43 “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”. Many of us to a larger extent fit any one of the two category of criminals, but if we are willing to be remorseful and accept His Lordship, I guarantee life would never be the same again. Even before His crucifixion while He was with the people, He claimed, “because I live you will live too.”.  You are going to live in eternity (heaven) with Him, only if you believe and accept His lordship. Would you choose to know Him more?

 

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Death that changed history!

 

More than one third of the world population is going to soon observe Good Friday. A day which celebrates the event of a sinless, spotless and a holy man who offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the entire mankind. He surrendered himself to the hands of weak, mortal, humans who fabricated false allegations to get rid of him because He had a large crowd following him at that time, healing their various sickness and raising people from the dead and calling himself the Messiah.

This event is having been debated to find discrepancies by Scholars, historians, and scientists, later only to conclude that his resurrection is an undeniable fact in entire human history. Every single detail is recorded by four prominent gospel writers who wrote within 50 to 60 years of Jesus' resurrection and ascension. The Bible was the earliest book where the writers who witnessed and recorded within next 90 AD. This is the unique BOOK and all-time highest seller in entire human history because this was written by 40 authors over a period of 1,500 years from three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa and yet, absolutely with no contradiction in terms of events, prophecies, places and persons. I wish you could read once and find the perspective of the true meaning of life from a sinless man in human history.

The events of his crucifixion and the purpose of his sacrifice is also found in Rig Veda and several other books. 

Speaking of this Savior and God incarnate, the sages call Him Purusha shubham (blameless and Holy person), Balwaan raja gaurang shweta vastrakam (sovereign king in a holy person robed in white) Yeesh putra (Son of God ), Kumari garbha sambhavam (one who is born of a virgin), and Satya Varatha Paraayanam (one who is the sustainer of the path of truth).

Rigveda, the first scripture, also presents Christ without mentioning His name, but referring to Him as the Word who is God. The Bible refers to it this way, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 CSB 

The Supreme Leader who is the cause and governor of all creation who to protect and save sinful mankind, Himself appeared upon the earth wrapped in a body that is Holy and without sin. (Rigveda 10.125). Rigveda also refers to the Suffering and Death of Christ who underwent immeasurable physical and mental pain when he was crucified. The Hindu scriptures highlight his physical suffering. Some of these statements seem to refer to Christ because there was no god or goddess who bore such suffering on behalf of sinners. Here are few excerpts:

>The crown of thorns was placed on his head: “The sacrificial victim is to be crowned with a crown made of thorny vines” (Rigveda 10.90.7, 15). This happened and is recorded in John 19:2 in the Bible.

>His clothes were divided among those who offered him. “After death, His clothes are to be divided among the offerors” (Ithareya Brahmanam). This happened and is recorded in John 19:23 in the Bible.

>The person tied to a wooden cross: “His hands and legs are to be bound to a yoopa (a wooden pole) causing blood shed” (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, 3.9.28). This talks about his crucifixion recorded in this Mark 15:21-41 in the Bible. 

>While the victim was at his greatest agony on the cross, he was given a herbal drink which had an intoxicating effect: “Before death, He should be given a drink of somarasa” [an intoxicating herbal juice] (Yajur Veda 31). Jesus was offered a bitter drink at the cross. This was recorded in the Bible by the following gospel writers (Matthew 27:48, Mark 15:36, and John 19:29)

>Though the victim was hung on the wooden cross, none of his bones were broken: “None of His bones be broken” (Ithareya Brahmanam 2.6). (Recorded in John 19:23 in the Bible.)

Bible records “without shedding the blood, there is no remission for sin.” Hebrew 9:15. That must be the blood of the Holy one. God is our creator. He is our King. When we were perishing, He came to save us by offering even his own body on our behalf. (Maha Brahmanam 4.15 & Sama veda, part 2, Thandiya Maha Brahmanam  in Hindu scriptures) 

Jesus’ death on the cross is not just the historical happening witnessed and recorded in Bible but a message that invites us to accept his sacrifice and experience forgiveness from all sins and guilt. You don't have to struggle and find ways to have your sins forgiven. He has already done it and He is alive. You just need to accept the forgiveness and initiate a fellowship with Him through prayer and reading the Bible to experience a safe destiny. Your destiny rests on Him.

 

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Convincing Lies!

 

We are bombarded with distorted truth and half-truth almost every day. The media world, social platforms and art world are constantly communicating lies that looks so close to the truth but not true. The popularized claims and messages are just fooling people into believing the lies. The captions, slogans, and taglines which promote lies are unimaginably attractive today. It looks like a perfect philosophy of life. Let me name a few lies the world says:

•Your value is based on your accomplishments. 

• Your spouse must complete you and make you happy. 

• If your spouse no longer makes you happy, it’s okay to leave and find someone who does. 

• You deserve to be happy at all costs. 

• If it feels good, do it.

• Waiting to have sex until after you’re married is not practical.

• Success is measured by how much money you make. 

• Your life is your own. Do what makes you happy. 

• The more money you have, the happier you will be. 

• The prettier you are, the happier you will be. 

The problem today is that there are many religious scriptures and cultures that are self-contradictory and harmful yet has become the way of life for many, sadly. If gods have done it, then it is an approval. Many have fallen for the above mentioned lies and have become slaves to various addictions and destroyed their lives. People are chasing fleeting pleasures and sin which have made their condition worse and hearts restless. The lies can look promising and satisfying but in reality, it leaves a huge vacuum in the human heart. Your soul needs to find the truth to find the Saviour who can forgive all your wrong doings and make you a sane human.

The Bible tells us that “the whole world is under the control of the evil one”. We seem to be splitting hairs here. But when we consider the power of the enemy and the pull of world systems, they are almost one and the same. Right now, the world systems are being heavily influenced by the Evil One. But here’s the hope. Jesus said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world”. As long as we live in the world, we will feel its pull. But God assures us we have what it takes to “overcome the world”. What the world tells us changes from one season to the next. What is wrong one day may be right the next. What is despicable one day may be embraced the next. But God’s truth never changes. We have the power of the Spirit of the living God abiding in us and faith in the Saviour who works through us. He wants to transform you and prepare you for eternity. Eternal life is not a myth, story, or a joke. We just don’t make it naturally. Believe in Jesus stay transformed here and forever till we meet our Saviour.  

 

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Detoxify!

If you are unfamiliar with the word ‘detoxification’ allow me to explain the same. To understand detoxification, we need to be aware about toxins.

Toxins are substances that can be harmful to the body, especially in high amounts. They can be found in the environment, food, and even within the body itself. Toxins can have a negative impact on the body in various ways, such as damaging cells, disrupting hormones, and interfering with normal bodily functions. It's important to be aware of potential sources of toxins and take steps to minimize exposure, as well as supporting the body's natural detoxification processes through healthy lifestyle habits like those mentioned in the previous paragraph. To detoxify our bodies health experts, recommend the following:

To keep oneself Hydrated: To eat a healthy diet.

To exercise regularly.

To get enough sleep.

To reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.

To avoid processed foods and sugar.

Maybe some of us do follow these healthy tips to be physically fit, but have you thought about detoxifying your soul? Do you realize we struggle with restlessness, stress, brokenness each day? Unfortunately, voluntarily, or involuntarily we pollute our souls with negative things. How can we remove these toxins from our souls? Some religions, cultures, rituals traditions, contexts provide solutions. I give below few examples:

Vasistha Dharmasutra 27:14 states, “when a man subsists one day each on cow’s urine cowdung, milk, curd, and ghee for five days, he is purified by these five products of the cow."

Agni Purana 267.4 “Bathing with a cow dung would be conferring fortune. Bathing with Cow’s urine would destroy the sins.”

One Doctor from Haryana Dr Manoj Mittal stated that one should eat cow dung to purify mind, body, and soul. (Refer link)

Sometimes such practices can be detrimental for health, yet we choose to believe in them. I think it is absolutely one’s choice to do so. Practice of these rituals can cause damage to human body, and it should be carefully thought through. People who lead an immoral life in the normal sense of the word, believe a dip each day in the Ganges will purify the soul. Unfortunately, such ideology forces them to continue with their sinful life and believe the water has purified them. Do you see a disconnection? For example, a news article states that Ganga is the second most polluted river in the world. The government is doing its best to constantly clean it. We are most often caught up with rituals, traditions and practices that continue for ages and replicate hoping it will have an effect.

In real sense, true transformation is the change of heart. You need an external source who is higher and holier than mere mankind. More importantly, one who has been resurrected from death (which is the ultimate test of humanity) and has the power to forgive and transform us. Soul is not a physical organ, and the external factors cannot have an impact on it. In this season where people meditate on Jesus’s trail, His crucifixion and resurrection which is called Easter Sunday, His Sacrifice has an impact. Jesus died for our sins, and He has the power to forgive our sins. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he (Jesus) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We are saved by faith and not by our works. Our works can satisfy us but we can still live with all toxins. Your soul needs to be detoxified. Would you approach Him in faith?

  

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Reference :

Dr Manoj 

Ganges

Women of significance!

International women’s day was celebrated around the world on 8th March to acknowledge womanhood and shower them with love and respect for who they are. The Bible with the best explanation of man’s creation portrays man and woman as coheirs and equally responsible towards building of the family, ruling the created universe, and be part of God’s mission. In the Bible, the first book Genesis states, “So God created man in his own image: he created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

When God created male and female, He did not mean to glorify men and demean women, as if helper somehow meant lesser. Sarah E. Fisher in her website explains, “And so God created woman to be an ezer to man. But this word, translated as helper, is not about making brunch and darning a man’s socks. This word means an ally or rescuer, someone who comes running when the people cry out for help. An ezer drops everything to save those in need… An ezer is a hero.”.

God created humans — men and women together — as the pinnacle of all creation, crafting both in His very image. He created them with distinct and complementary attributes, inclinations, and gifts that make them indispensable to one another and to His plan for filling the earth with His glory.

Today, it may look as though women around the world are fighting for identity because they have low self-esteem and suffer from inferiority complex, which is not true. Women all through the ages are victims of oppression and abuse of many kinds, yet they stand tall today for who they are. 8^th March is not the only day where they need to get recognition but every single day. They need to be intentionally respected and loved.

With all sincerity, I am still struggling to comprehend why women in some religious scriptures are looked down and specific commands are contradictory to the constitution, human dignity and abuse. Let me quote few examples from different scriptures as given below:

Sura 4:34 it says Husbands may hit their wives even if the husbands only suspect highhandedness of their wives.

Sura 4:129 “A husbands may simply get rid of one of his undesirable wives.”

Manusmiriti 9:94  it states “A man thirty years old shall marry a charming maiden twelve years old; or one twenty four years old, a damsel eight years old; in the event of his duties suffering, he may do it sooner.”

Mahabharata 13.44.14 “A person of thirty years of age should wed a girl of ten years of age called nagnika. Or, a person of one and twenty years of age should wed a girl of seven years of age.”

Manusmiriti 8:299 states, “The wife, the son, the slave, the servant and the uterine brother shall be beaten with a rope or a split bamboo, when they have committed a fault.”

Manusmriti 9:18 “Giving education to lower caste is like loving a poisonous snake”

I intended to bring to your attention the various discrepancies in religion to logically analyze the truth so that we do not fall for the hatred and conceit. Religion can be so man-made because in most cases it is not about God at all. A true God is the creator of the universe and will only seek human dignity whether it is male or female. Jesus was the true embodiment of love who summarized his whole teaching to love God with true expression and allow the same love to overflow to one another. Can we acknowledge the presence of women who are surrounding us- our mothers, our sisters, our wives our daughters and make them feel special?  Wishing  all women to excel in dignity and significance.  

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Dare to cross the fence!

 

Human beings like animal kingdom operated within set boundaries which are familiar and comfortable. With animals it’s usually physical boundaries like area or space, but with humans it’s a matter of the soul. Animals guard their territory diligently without allowing any other animal to invade its space. Similarly, we humans also have a territory or space where our soul needs to be kept safe from the infiltration of the enemy, our sins. Crossing the fence can look adventurous but risky all the time. Today, in the pretext of exploration and adventure many have crossed the fence and have lost their way back to safety.

From childhood our parents introduced small dos and don’ts which served as a protective fence. Now we realize when we got into some problem because we either tried to cross those fences or found ourselves on the wrong side of the line, by our choice.  When we grow older, we take the liberty to cross most of the fences believing we have the liberty and capacity to return to safety whenever we wish. I am here referring to the bad and sinful side.  Unfortunately, it is not that easy to cross the boundaries to violate the moral framework and return when we want to. Sin is so alluring that it ensnares us, harms, and destroys our soul permanently.

God has created natural barriers which serve as a fence to keep us from doing anything wrong. Before committing any evil, we find some obstruction to stay away from it. But because of our sinful nature and the seed of evil in us, it compels us to cross any barriers and walk over the fence to experience what our heart longs for and acquire what our eyes crave for. It’s mostly for the sinful things that we long to achieve. To do good is not only intentional but it needs the help of God who abstained Himself from all sins and counted Himself holy and pure.

Religious laws do not necessarily serve as an effective fence because of the vast ambiguity and contradiction within themselves, unless someone who is worth worshipping has left an example that can be replicated. Remarkable moral speeches given by many became gods for us. If it is one man in human history whose teachings were not only captivating but also full of truth as His resurrection proved that He was not just a mere man. He was God of the universe Jesus Christ. He led a pure and holy life irrespective of His physical body. He challenged religious leaders of those time including the Roman leaders by asking, “which of you can convict me of sin?” They could only raise false allegations against Him, but not beyond that, because He was God incarnate and claimed to, He is the truth and way of life.  You can trust Him implicitly. He will help you live a pure and holy life, not to be a hermit but one who could put his/her hope on Him for the forgiveness of all sins and receive the assurance to spend eternity with God. You can accept Him as the Saviour of your life. He promises to transform you and always help you.

  

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