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March 2021 PAGES 66 ` 20/-
LENT
A SEASON OF RENEWAL
There's a ghost in most churches – the Holy Ghost (as the Spirit of God was
named in the King James Version of the Bible). On the other hand, there have
also been various divisions and controversies in the Church owing to different
interpretations of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit of Jesus examines the doctrine from a more balanced and impartial
perspective in accordance with the Scriptures. Some noteworthy chapters of the
book are as follows:
Ÿ Spirit of Truth
Ÿ Jesus on the Holy Spirit
Ÿ Praying in the Spirit
Ÿ Signs and Wonders
Available at the online Christian Store
https://www.christianstore.in/spirit-of-jesus.html
on Amazon
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08WPPF5D8?ref=myi_title_dp
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Vol. 50 / No. 3
AIM Annual Subscription for
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A monthly publication of EFI Publication Trust
Editorial
Rev. Vijayesh Lal .....................................04 A Biblical analysis of excuses given on
sexual sins
Rev. Dr. Duke Jeyaraj ..............................35
Christian Leadership and Moral Failure
Rev. Dr. Vinay Samuel .............................07 Christ Lives in Me
Rev. Dr. Samuel Richmond Saxena ..........39
Farmers and their tractors
Dr. Shantanu Dutta..................................11 The Samaritan Woman: Special in every
way
A Vile Sinner Repents Mrs. Sonia Daniel ....................................42
Rev. Dr. David Mende ..............................14
The Lord’s Servant Ravi Zacharias
In the sight of God Rev. Kuruvilla Chandy ..............................45
Rev. Sanjiv Ailawadi ................................19
Speaking in Tongues
Dependent girls growing into Rev. Richard Masih ..................................49
empowered women
Mrs. Aashima Samuel ..............................23 Choosing Life: India's Proposed
Abortions Laws Fail to Protect Women
Time to get crazy and the Unborn Child
Rev. Kuruvilla Chandy .............................24 Ms. Anushree Bernard ......................................53
Empowering Dalits through the Gospel Prayer
Rev. Moses Parmar .................................30 ..............................................................62
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Please Note: No article in AIM should be reproduced /translated without Editor’s written permission.
Editor’s Note: Each Author is responsible for the point of view presented,
which does not necessarily represent the view of Evangelical Fellowship of India.
3◄March 2021/AIM
Editorial
Rev. Vijayesh Lal
Be sure you know the conditions of could not have the land, his queen,
your flocks, give careful attention to Jezebel, takes matters into her hand,
your herds; for riches do not endure implicates Naboth in a false case of
forever, and a crown is not secure for blasphemy with the help of her
all generations. – Proverbs 27:34- cronies, has him stoned to death, and
35 makes way for her husband to take
possession of the land. Injustice in
Whoever sows injustice reaps this case, followed false worship as
calamity, and the rod they wield in the king and queen operated out of a
fury will be broken. (Proverbs 22:8) different world view than was
expected from them as people
The Bible mentions a king by the responsible for the flock of Yahweh.
name of Ahab who through injustice
took the land (vineyard) of a man, a One can read the whole account of
farmer, called Naboth. The king who this abuse of power in 1 Kings
already had enough property wanted Chapter 21. A point to be noted here
this vineyard to turn it into a is that even when the owner of the
vegetable garden. Naboth, who vineyard was dead, the land should
viewed it as a land of promise from have gone to his descendants, his
God, a land that God gave to his family, but instead the king takes
ancestors, and something that cannot control of it by force.
be sold according to Mosaic law,
refuses to give it to the king who The story does not end there for God
viewed land merely as a notices. And he sends Elijah, who in
transferrable commodity. obedience to God, risks his own life
in confronting and denouncing the
When the king grew sad because he king. Eventually both Ahab and his
4◄March 2021/AIM
wife pay the price and not only they Supreme Court questioned the
but their family too, as Ahab's son government for passing these laws
dies without a successor. without consultation. The
government responded with a 45-
The people in authority in their thirst page affidavit stating that these laws
for more, with the aid of their were shaped after two decades of
cronies, slandered an innocent man intense deliberations and
and killed him to take over his consultations with stakeholders.
property. The powerless at the mercy Right to Information applications
of the whims of the powerful and the asking for information about these
system. Or so it seems, till God consultations have resulted in
intervenes. The story is a reminder officials claiming that they did not
that the abuse of power always hurts. have a record of the consultations
Sin always hurts. and a second response that says that
since the matter is sub-judice, “it
The farmers in India have been may not be feasible at this moment to
protesting for more than six months provide information,”. Earlier a RTI
now and have been camped at the filed by NDTV also got the same
border of Delhi for over three response from the chief public
m o n t h s . Ta l k s b e t w e e n t h e information officer, saying that the
government and the leaders of the government “does not hold any
farmer unions have reached no record in this matter”.
conclusion and the movement is now
spreading to villages and towns via The way of handling the protests in
Mahapanchayats and large the media and particularly in the
meetings. The farmers have social media has also raised many
announced that they will campaign questions. There were attempts to
against the ruling party in states that link the protests with Khalistani
are due for elections. Balbir Singh separatists at the outset itself. Efforts
Rajewal of the Bharatiya Kisan were ostensibly made to make it a
Union told a joint press conference, Hindu vs Sikh issue and hence to
“We will tell people about Modi give it a communal colour. The
government's attitude towards unfortunate event on the Red Fort on
farmers.” the Republic Day, which the farmer
unions also condemned, was
The farmers are not the only ones to apparently used by certain media
complain about the attitude of the houses to give the whole protest an
government. On 11th January 2021, anti-national tag.
the Chief Justice of India told the
A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l : “ We a r e Journalists, activists were arrested,
extremely disappointed with the way some under sedition laws, and the
Centre is dealing with this.” The ministry of external affairs had to get
5◄March 2021/AIM
involved on social media to combat from a social media and PR point of
the international attention that the view, but it will produce no solution.
protests were receiving. Water, That would only come by humbly
electricity and internet were cut off gaining the trust of the farmers
from protest sites as the through their representatives, by
administration turned them into dialogue and by coming to their side
areas that resembled fortresses by in empathy. That would be just and
digging roads, constructing, that would bring peace.
barricading and laying nails on the
ground. And yet the crowds swelled The Church must realise its
at the protest sites. All of this, prophetic role and responsibility and
unfortunately, has served only to actively engage in the promotion of
increase the gap between the peace and justice, even though such
government and the farmer unions an engagement be costly. We are
and has produced no solution. called to engage with the poor and
the marginalized but also with those
According to reports an average in positions of power and authority.
farmer's family survives on an We are called to apply God's Word to
income of only around 6400 Rupees every area of our lives - from our
per month. Nearly 3,00,000 farmers homes to our institutions and to
have committed suicide between social justice.
1995 – 2015 according to data from
NCRB and even today, on an At the same time, we must remember
average, around 20 farmers commit to pray for peace in the country, for
suicide daily as per report from wisdom and empathy for the
Down to Earth. As a nation, we seem government and for the protestors
to have failed our farmers. Even that their concerns and their voice
during the protest in the last three would be heard. We must pray that
months, more than 200 farmers have the matter would be resolved by
lost their lives camping at the border dialogue amicably and peacefully
of Delhi. and that those who wish to turn this
into a communal struggle for their
The farm sector in India is in need of political or organizational gains
reforms and there may be no denying would be exposed and not succeed.
this. But the way those reforms have
to be brought in is via consultation “True peace is not merely the
and building trust. The government absence of tension: it is the presence
must make sure that the voice of the of justice.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
stakeholders is not stifled and is
listened to. Branding farmers
Khalistani and slandering them as
anti-national may be convenient Rev. Vijayesh Lal
6◄March 2021/AIM
Christian Leadership
and Moral Failure
Reflections on the Ravi Zachariah
Story by Rev. Dr. Vinay Samuel
Introduction:- In the past two Evangelical marketing industry in
months I have noticed on increasing the United States puffs up
number of articles, comments, intelligent, creative and excellent
discussions on the Ravi Zachariah communicators of the gospel,
scandal in magazines and, social especially if they have exotic origins
media platforms. In his blog a well and are photogenic. It inflates
respected North American people beyond recognition and
evangelical scholar John Stack deflates and discards them just as
house suggested that Ravi Zachariah quickly when scandals emerge.
(RZ) attempts to inflate his academic
qualifications and status may reflect My reflections express how I as an
Ravi's Indian background of Indian Christian pastor attempted to
spiritual “Gurus”. India has given a process this international story with
significant number of 'spiritual' a subtext that challenges all Indian
gurus to the west. Academics have Christian leaders especially those
rarely considered Indian Gurus as who have ministered internationally.
intellectual leaders. Ravi did Called and Anointed by God to
present himself as an intellectual serve him.
leader and was acknowledged as Although I had very little interaction
such by his followers and admirers, with RZ and did not know him
one even going so far as to call him a personally I have thanked God for
contemporary C.S Lewis. The Ravi's clear and powerful ministry of
7◄March 2021/AIM
proclaiming and defending the chastised him, but like he used David
gospel of Christ. The Lord used him for his purposes, the fruits of Ravi's
to touch many lives all over the ministry will stand, and I wish to
world. The calling and anointing of acknowledge that many people
RZ by God was obvious to me and experienced God's grace and
many of my colleagues. His received God's knowledge through
ministry did not appear or sound fake him. RZ was unable to resist
or counterfeit. When the stories temptation in one or two areas of his
about his academic credential life and allowed himself to slip
exaggeration and sexual immorality scandalously.
began to surface I began to have
questions about his calling and I believe the Spirit of God wrestled
anointing. with him in the areas of his
weakness. He died before his
The Bible reminded me forcefully Church or the Christian community
that the gifts and calling of God will was able to discipline and restore
not be recalled by him (Romans him. RZ may not have persevered in
11:25). As believers we are sealed holy living but the Lord who called
with the Spirit; as those called to be and anointed him would have
evangelists, pastors and teachers we persevered with him. Our
are gifted and anointed by the Holy sanctification depends on the
Spirit and there is no suggestion in perseverance of God's Spirit more
scripture that God withdraws gifts he than our own obedience, who can
bestows or his anointing. King ascend the hill of the Lord except by
David was called and anointed and God's grace and patience?
fell into grievous sin with a willful
disregard of God's moral standards. Evangelical Leadership Culture:
God raised a Prophet to challenge strengths and weaknesses
him. He was chastised by God and The second area of my reflection
restored. King Saul was also concerns the change in evangelical
anointed, failed morally, chastised culture in its attitude to leaders.
but was not restored. Much has been written about the
I do not know if the Lord raised a “celebrity culture” that pervades
prophetic voice to call RZ to some parts of evangelicalism. We are
accountability and whether the Lord also reminded of the great man/great
8◄March 2021/AIM
leader culture that dominates our leadership culture and even
political and religious cultures today. unintentionally making character of
In politics or religion “Big” leaders the leader secondary to his/her
attract unquestioned loyalty and ability to produce impressive
support from many people. outcomes in mission and
evangelism.
I believe the change began when
evangelicals focused on outcomes of The idea of empowerment by the
evangelistic and mission activity and Spirit focused on empowered to
neglected the focus on character and achieve spectacular spiritual impact
holy living of our leaders. Leaders demonstrating THE POWER OF
began to be assessed particularly for THE SPIRIT in healing, prophecy,
their evangelistic and mission prosperity and church growth. The
success. 54 years ago, when I came power of the spirit to convict God's
to Christ evangelicalism was about people of sin, to cleanse, restore and
evangelistic crusades, personal renew their spiritual life was not
evangelism and about holy living. stressed enough. Increasingly a
Keswick conventions, Holiness leaders' ministry skills and impact
meetings were as important as appeared to confirm the power of the
evangelistic campaigns. A.W Tozer, spirit and spiritual anointing and the
Isobel Kuhn, Borden of Yale was my leader's spiritual maturity reflecting
spiritual diet. I was not judged humility and integrity was rarely
primarily by numbers brought to highlighted.
Christ, churches planted, miraculous
experiences and demonstrations of If a leader can preach what thrills us,
spiritual power. deliver what we want in numbers
attending meetings, bring in the
Then management experts who finances to fuel growth and impact,
were Christians moved into his/herlifestyle is not the object of
evangelicalism and were allowed to scrutiny. On the contrary any hint of
shape it to focus on strategy, criticism is loudly pushed back.
outcomes, numbers, impact etc.
For the past thirty years I am
I acknowledge that all those were involved in equipping senior leaders
needed but they should not have for the global church. Most come
taken the central place, and shaped from evangelical churches,
9◄March 2021/AIM
denominations and mission attempts to suggest that his failures
organizations experiencing had something to do with his Indian
significant growth. All face the background are unfounded.
same challenge of supporting American evangelical culture has
pastors and Christian leaders to live vast resources and seeks to influence
holy and humble lives. the church globally. This is one area I
trust we will resist its weakness. In
The RZ scandal reminds us that we India we need to enable the building
need to restore holiness of life to the of accountability mechanisms to
center of the culture of evangelical support Christian leadership, so it
leadership. conforms more to biblical teaching
Conclusion than to a market shaped world.
The turn to judge Christian
leadership primarily through their
ability to achieve growth in numbers
and budgets developed in North
America. It dominates evangelical
leadership culture there. It is not
present to any such degree among
evangelicals in the United Kingdom
or Europe. An evangelical scholar Rev. Dr. Vinay Samuel
from South Africa suggests that it is is a Pastor and founder and past
spreading in Africa particularly after director of the Oxford Centre for
the rise of Trumpism and its Mission Studies and The founder of
the Oxford Centre for Religion and
connection to American Public Life both based in Oxford UK.
evangelicals. RZ was a product of He lives and ministers in Bangalore,
American evangelicalism and India and Oxford, UK.
10◄March 2021/AIMFarmers
and their
Tractors……
Dr. Shantanu Dutta
For many months now, farmers have trends. While they are in many ways
been protesting at Delhi's border, a continuation of past attempts to
demanding the withdrawal of India's reform the agricultural marketing
recently passed farm bills. Although system and open agricultural trade to
led by farmers from Punjab and the private sector, they have come at
Haryana, the issues raised concerns a time when the farm sector is
of farmers across the country. The suffering the twin blows of a slowing
government's seeming reluctance to economy and the Covid pandemic.
engage them, even though protests These have led to a fall in demand for
have been going on for three months agricultural commodities, not least
in several states, has aggravated the because of restrictions that have hurt
situation. While farmer incomes the hospitality industry and catering
have been worsening since 2011-12, for weddings and social gatherings.
their condition has worsened in With nearly 60 percent of the Indian
recent years, leading to a build-up of population depending on agriculture
anger. Their income decline is partly for their livelihoods, the growing
a result of an overall fall in demand farmer seems to have created
in India's economy, which has concern in the government.
pressured farm-gate prices. It is also
a result of rising input prices and Some ministers have tried to allay
other costs of cultivation. The farmers' fears about the new laws
Centre's farm reforms should be seen while also dismissing their concerns.
in the context of these long-term Some of the party leaders have called
11◄March 2021/AIMthe farmers "misguided" and "anti- existent laws. Admittedly, there's
national," a label often given to those also regulations and ordinances that
who criticize government policies. inconvenience my life. Yet, in the
Many opposition party leaders, midst of this pandemic, many
activists and even some allies of the Christians are wondering if we are
ruling party have called the laws living in such a time that may require
anti-farmer and expressed support us to be faithful to God at the
for those protesting. What should expense of obeying the law — we are
Christians do if they wish to express living in a time where Christians are
their solidarity or should they even ? examining the subject of civil
disobedience.
The current pandemic of COVID-19
has forced many Christians out of We need to carefully have a heart-
their armchairs to consider the real- check. There are times when as
life implications of how to be a Christians we need to disobey our
Christian and a citizen. This is not a governing authorities (see Acts
bad thing. It is easy to lose sight of 5:29). But it is only when they
the fact that on the whole, it was require us to be disobedient to God
relatively easy for us to be a — when the only way we can obey
Christian and a law-abiding citizen them is to be unfaithful to God. For
of any faith till not-so-distant times. the Christian, civil disobedience
But now, we are being pushed a little does not arise out of patriotic flag
beyond our comfort zone, and many waving on Republic Day while
Christians are struggling to know holding the Constitution; as in the
how to self-consciously live out Netflix offering…. Flt Lt Gunjan
God's command: "Let every person Mehta's dad points out …. The Air
be subject to the governing Force does not need people who can
authorities" (Romans 13:1). shout "Bharat Mata ki Jai" but those
who know how to fly planes and fly
When I say it is easy to be a Christian them well…. it does not arise out of
and a citizen, I do not mean that our anti-government sentiment or
government is perfect. Tragically, I political leanings; it does not arise
do not think everyone is treated because we are inconvenienced by
fairly under the rule of law. the law or draconian measures; it
Additionally, I am suspicious that does not arise out of some macho
there's legislation that violates the sense of being able to stick it to the
Constitution or creates loopholes to man.
12◄March 2021/AIMFor the Christian, the only
motivation for civil disobedience is a
deep biblical conviction that
obedience to man would be
disobedience to God. And when an
informed conscience demands such
disobedience, we must also receive
the consequences counting our loss
to be our gain: "When they had
Dr. Shantanu Dutta
called in the apostles, they beat them
a former Air Force Doctor serves as
and charged them not to speak in the
Senior Specialist, Thought
name of Jesus and let them go. Then
Leadership Initiatives, International
they left the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted Justice Mission. He is a member of
worthy to suffer dishonour for the the Theological Research and
name" (Acts 5:40-41…. Communications Institute(TRACI).
Dr Shantanu Dutta can be reached
So, what is your way to express at shantanud@gmail.com
solidarity with the farmers ?
Opportunity for ministry:
Evangelist and Pastor needed.
Masihi Mandli (Christian Church) Dehradun, one of the oldest
Pentecostal churches in North India is praying and looking for at least
2 experienced Ministers/Pastorsaged between 25 to 40 years to work
with its panel of ministers.
Essential Qualifications: a minimum BTh or B.D Degree
(Theology)under ATA/Senate recognition and having guidance to
serve God, through church.
Desirable Qualifications: A person who plays musical instrument
and is a worship leader.
Persons with relevant qualifications can send their application and
CVon the email given below. The shortlisted candidates will be
intimated.
13◄March 2021/AIMA Vile Sinner Repents
Rev. Dr. David Mende
Introduction all of the Bible. It is recorded in Luke
23:39-43.
When I was in my teens, I used to
think that I can surrender my life to We can learn three lessons from this
Christ when I become old. Many passage.
people presume that they can enjoy
the pleasures of the world and then 1. It's Foolish to Reject Christ (Lk.
repent of their sins on their deathbed. 23:39).
As a result, they harden their hearts.
The soldiers deliberately hanged
Many people waste their lives by
Jesus between two criminals to
living for themselves. Some die a
humiliate him. This is probably an
sudden death without ever
illusion to Isaiah 53:12, which says
surrendering their lives to Christ.
that the servant of the Lord is
Even if they live longer, most of
numbered with the transgressors.
them are unable to repent of their
Some say that these criminals may
sins because their hearts are
be revolutionaries who wanted to
hardened. Their hearts don't respond
overthrow the Roman government.
to the Spirit's work anymore.
The term "hanged" means crucified
In this article, we are going to
(cf. Acts 5:30; 10:39; Gal. 3:13; also
meditate on the last-minute salvation
Deut. 21:22–23). Interestingly, the
of a criminal. But note that this is the
phrase "railed at" is in the imperfect
only recorded deathbed salvation in
tense in Greek, which suggests that
14◄March 2021/AIMthe first criminal kept blaspheming. sinned and fall short of the glory of
The question, "Are you not the God" (Rom. 3:23). Some people
Christ?" in Greek presupposes "yes" harden their hearts all their life and
for an answer. This criminal spoke reject the life-giver, Jesus Christ.
sarcastically as he joined the
Romans and the Jewish leaders in It's foolish to reject Christ.
mocking Jesus. Like the men who
2. We Can Be Saved through
were holding Jesus in custody
Repentance and Faith in Christ
(22:65), this criminal railed
(Lk. 23:40-42).
(blasphēmeo)̄ at Jesus.
As in 5:1-11, Luke focuses on one
Generally, the crucified criminals
person present in a group. In verse
cursed their persecutors. I guess that
42, the criminal's words are a
after hurling abuses at the Roman
petition as well as a confession of
soldiers, the criminal now targeted
faith. Interestingly, Mark 15:32b
Christ and vented out his frustration
says that "Those who were crucified
on him. This criminal didn't believe
with him also reviled him" (cf. Mt.
that Jesus is the Messiah. Even
27:44). Luke alone mentions that
today, some people disbelieve Jesus
this criminal trusts Jesus (cf. Mt.
and thus blaspheme his holy name.
27:41–44; Mark 15:31–32).
Some harden their hearts and
Probably, Jesus' calm attitude on the
eventually, they perish.
cross and the intercession for his
We may not be as sinful as this persecutors (v. 34) caused this
hardcore criminal was, but even after criminal to repent. Also, the
getting saved, we want God to act on punishment on the cross probably
our own terms. We rebel against made him desperate to receive
God. As Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The salvation. Some don't surrender their
heart is deceitful above all things, life to Christ until they are pushed
and desperately sick; who can against the wall.
understand it?" Our hearts are still
In verse 40, the second criminal
deceitful. As Isaiah prophesies, "All
rebukes the other one for not fearing
we like sheep have gone astray; we
God. The first criminal forgot that "It
have turned—every one—to his own
is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
way; and the LORD has laid on him
of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). God
the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6).
is love, but he is also the God of
Apostle Paul rightly says, "all have
wrath. We must fear God.
15◄March 2021/AIMThe second criminal realizes that This criminal had great faith. He
Jesus has done "nothing wrong" (v. didn't say, "if" but "when you come
41). Like the other marginalized in your kingdom" (v. 42). Jesus was
people mentioned in Luke's Gospel hanging on the cross helplessly.
(cf. 7:1-10, 36-50; 8:43-48; 19:1- Many people were mocking Christ.
10), the second criminal has an But the second criminal believed
amazing insight into the identity of that Jesus will come back into his
Christ. Like Peter (5:8), the second kingdom.
criminal realizes his own sinfulness
and Christ's holiness. In verse 42, the word "said" is in the
imperfect tense in Greek. In other
The criminal goes on to say, "Jesus, words, the second criminal kept
remember me when you come into saying, "Jesus, remember me when
your kingdom" (v. 42). He addresses you come into your kingdom." Just
the Lord as "Jesus" which means as this criminal confessed his
"Savior." In Luke's Gospel, when sinfulness, we too must daily confess
people seek restoration, they address our sins before the Lord. Listen to
the Lord as "Jesus" (17:13; 18:38). the psalmist's confession in Psalm
The criminal asks Jesus to remember 32:5: I acknowledged my sin to you,
him. We often ask a person in and I did not cover my iniquity; I
authority to "remember" us; in other said, "I will confess my
words, to help us (cf. Gen. 40:14, 23; transgressions to the LORD," and
1 Sam. 25:31). So, he was you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
desperately seeking Jesus' help.
This criminal sinned greatly against
Interestingly, this criminal is the first God and man. But he repented of his
person to recognize that Jesus' cruel sins. Let's see how the Lord responds
death is not in contradiction with his to this criminal's plea.
role as the Savior. He also
recognized that cross would be 3. Salvation Is a Free and Gracious
followed by glory (cf. Acts 5:30-31). Gift from God (Lk. 23:43).
The second criminal was no better
Here, "said" is in the aorist tense in
than the other one. The only
Greek. That is Jesus said these words
difference is that this criminal
once and for all. It caused the Lord a
realized his sinfulness and confessed
lot of pain to utter these great words
it. Only God's grace can transform
of assurance. Jesus was in
our sinful hearts.
excruciating pain as he said these
16◄March 2021/AIMwords. Along with that, he carried Paradise. Three days later, his
the unbearable weight of our sins on resurrected body and spirit would be
the cross. reunited. But this criminal would be
with Jesus on that same day. Paradise
"Truly" indicates that the following is all about being with Jesus! Heaven
words are emphatic. Jesus' promise is heaven not because of the streets
is certain. He will not go back on it! of gold or the angels or the great
Jesus immediately ("today"; cf. saints of God. Heaven is where Jesus
2:11; 4:21; 5:26; 19:5, 9) grants is. Yes, eternal life is to know the
salvation to this criminal. Here, triune God (Jn 17:3). Think about
"Paradise" is a Persian word. this: This crucified criminal would
Originally, it referred to a garden or be with the sinless Son of God! One
park. day, this criminal would have a place
It is a synonym for heaven or the new when God's kingdom would fully
creation. It is the dwelling place of come!
God and the eternal home of those
who are saved (cf. 2 Cor. 12:3; Rev. This story teaches that salvation is by
2:7). faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9). It also
shows that it's never too late to
Interestingly, the Septuagint (the surrender our lives to Christ. This
Greek translation of the Old criminal had a literal deathbed
Testament) uses the same Greek conversion. No one is beyond God's
word (paradeisos) to refer to the saving grace. We must keep
Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:8-9 (cf. interceding for the salvation of our
Isa. 51:3). By referring to Paradise, loved ones.
Jesus is probably talking about
restoring the personal and intimate However, as I mentioned at the
relationship that humans had with beginning of this article, we must not
God in the Garden of Eden before the inordinately delay our salvation. The
fall. The criminal wanted to more you delay your salvation, the
experience salvation sometime in more your heart will be hardened.
the future. But Jesus gave him more Remember that this is the only last-
than he asked for (cf. Eph. 3:20). Our minute salvation recorded in the
Lord graciously granted salvation on Bible. As J. C. Ryle wrote, "One thief
that same day. on the cross was saved, that none
should despair; but only one, that
Jesus' body would be buried in a none should presume."
tomb, but his spirit would go to
17◄March 2021/AIMChrist changed the destiny of the The dying thief rejoiced to see,
second criminal. In the afternoon, That fountain in his day.
the criminal was hanging on a cross. And there may I, though vile as he,
In the next few hours, the second Wash all my sins away.
criminal was with Christ in Paradise. In many ways, we are as vile as that
Apostle Paul writes that the moment criminal. Though we don't deserve
we die, we will be in the presence of God's grace, we received it. Though
the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). The criminal's we couldn't earn our salvation, the
circumstances didn't change even Lord saved us. Let's be eternally
after Christ promised that he will be grateful to him!
in Paradise. He was still hanging on
the cross. Jesus doesn't always take P.S. This article is adapted from Dr.
away all our sufferings on this earth. David Mende's up-coming book,
But he promises something better. The Seven Sayings of the Savior,
Praise God for giving us the free and which is due for release in mid-
gracious gift of salvation! March. You may contact him for
copies of this book.
Conclusion
The main message I want to
highlight in this article is: Be
eternally grateful to the Lord for
granting you the free and gracious
gift of salvation. Let's thank the
Lord each day for the great salvation
he has granted us. Let's serve him
diligently and joyfully. Let's cling to
him even during tough times. Rev. Dr. David Mende
is the pastor-teacher at El-Shaddai
William Cowper wrote a well- Assembly of God Church
(elshaddaiag.in) in Hyderabad. He also
known hymn which goes like this: serves as an adjunct faculty member at
Southern Asia Bible College (SABC) in
There is a fountain filled with Bangalore, Hyderabad Institute of
blood, Theology and Apologetics (HITHA) in
Drawn from Immanuel's veins. Hyderabad, and SUM Bible College &
And sinners plunged beneath that Theological Seminary in California,
USA. He can be reached at +91
flood 9 8 4 8 0 0 4 0 9 4 a n d
Lose all their guilty stains. davemende@gmail.com.
18◄March 2021/AIMIn the sight of
God
For what is highly esteemed among men is an
abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15)
Rev. Sanjiv Ailawadi
Twice in Revelations, John said happens. The fact that mankind will
mankind did not repent. Both not repent is a reminder that we need
(9.20,21 and 16.9,11) were after to be rightly located ourselves in our
devastating global environmental hearts. I believe we are to re-
damage, mighty oceanic consider some critical areas, one of
turbulences, meteorite disasters, which is the question of success.
extensive locust swarms and terrible
death plagues. They did not repent of What is success? My wife and I are
the works of their hands, in our 40th year of marriage. People
worshipping demons, greed for congratulate us on being
economic gain, murders, sorceries, successfully married.
sexual immorality, or their thefts.
Repentance is born out of an inner But the opposite is also true. When I
conviction of our hearts. External asked a man if he was married a few
circumstances lead to some change, years back, he told me that he was
but lasting change comes from the successfully divorced! Shana
movement of the Holy Spirit. Lebowitz in an article in Business
Insider, redefines divorce as 'to have
Against billions (a third of the world) successfully matured into
dying as prophesied in these outgrowing the need for marriage'.
passages, Covid in comparison is a
fleeting puff of air, a mere 2.5 Success in our world usually refers
million dead, just 0.03%! For the to bank balances, status, property,
worshipping community therefore, children being financially secure,
Covid serves as a definite foretaste happily married. By that yardstick,
of things to come, whenever that you could be a hardworking honest
19◄March 2021/AIMindividual or a corrupt criminal yet personally read and re-read because
have the same benchmark. these are filled with so much wisdom
and challenge. He gave away much
We define success by the way we of his earnings and lived simply.
achieve what we have valued. If we
value people, we will define success His wife remarried after he died, and
on those terms. Have we helped she made an interesting statement.
people, have we good strong She said Aiden loved God, but her
relationships with people, are we present husband loved her. Their six
known as people who are children had the same story. Their
compassionate? father's goal was so caught up in
doing wonderful things out there,
If we value status and position, we that he was barely present for his
will define success on those terms. family.
Have we made it to the top spot in
our careers, are we famous and well What are our goals in life? Are these
known? people based or are material? If
people based, the thermometer of
Are these mutually exclusive? Can our success will be our family's
we succeed in terms of both value emotional health. If material, the
systems? If our focus is entirely on thermometer of our success will be
care and having loving strong our current economic worth.
relationships, we will have to junk
the career option at some point. We All of us live by a script. This script
can only be married to our career or is written in partly by the world we
to our spouse. It's either time with are born into but added on by us as
our kids, or time gazing at a screen in life goes on. The narratives most
endless plane journeys on a quest to often found around us are (adapted
further our wonderful career. from Walter Brueggemann's
writings):
Our value systems determine our
goals. The goals we live towards will Ÿ Comfort: our scripts are comfort
be known by the legacy we leave based looking for the least way to
behind. What do people remember get the most investment for
us for, what is that which we have ourselves
left with others? Aiden Wilson Ÿ Science: everything can be fixed
Tozer was born into a very poor or made right, eventually science
family. He was self-taught, never will have the answer to
attended school or university. But he everything
became a great speaker, a great Ÿ Material: we live in a culture of
writer, and a great leader. He wrote consumption whether it is
sixty books, many of which I have consumption of sex, or
20◄March 2021/AIMconsumption of material goods. was in the days of Noah, so it will be
Ÿ Hostile: we are an increasingly also in the days of the Son of Man:
hostile people who fight fiercely 27 They ate, they drank, they
to protect our own. We legitimise married wives, they were given in
violence to get our own way. marriage, until the day that Noah
entered the ark, and the flood came
While this narrative promises us and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise
happiness, it has failed to make us a as it was also in the days of Lot: They
people who care, love, and are ate, they drank, they bought, they
compassionate. sold, they planted, they built.
George Ritzer wrote Basically, Jesus said: there was the
(McDonaldization, 1993): 'When absence of critical reflection.
society adopts the characteristics of Critical reflection causes us to ask:
a fast-food restaurant: why we are doing what we are
· It becomes time efficient. doing? It poses the question: what is
· It becomes quantitative (how the human cost of success? It reflects
much is sold) rather than qualitative on how there are inherent
(how good was the taste) i.e. market contradictions in the way we live: are
driven. we seeking happiness at the cost of
· It becomes uniform--- the same others being happy?
taste and service everywhere.
· It becomes inhuman – This time of a global plague could be
everything is mechanised and viewed as a time of critical recovery:
impersonal. the recovery of the understanding of
God in relationship with ourselves.
It would seem the world has moved The worshipping community needs
far beyond what he wrote twenty- to recover our beginnings: we came
eight years back. We are time- from God: We therefore need to
centric, not people centred; we are remember we are here to serve Him,
concerned more with the quantity we not ourselves. Success must be
have hoarded than the quality of our defined from the sense of our
characters; we are no longer unique belonging to God.
creative individuals, instead have
become one of the thousands in a rat- We need to recover our sense of
race to nowhere; we are no longer journey: we are going back to God.
empathetic caring individuals, but We are therefore accountable to Him
indifferent, cold, and uncaring. for all we do. God is not interested in
our positions, our bank balances, or
Jesus while speaking of the last days our influence. He is interested in
compared the time to the days of what we are on the inside. Success
Noah. Luke 17.26-28: 26 And as it lies in the state of our hearts: are we
21◄March 2021/AIMgenerous, loving, kind people who Ÿ He was powerful in miracles: he
share our resources? Are we raised people from the dead.
righteous people who seek the
approval of God? Are we However, he says: what things were
trustworthy, faithful people who can gain to me, I consider as rubbish for
be relied upon? the sake of being found in God (Phil
3.8). The story of my success is not
We belong to God, but so does in what I have accomplished, these
everyone else. We therefore need to things will not follow me when I die.
recover a sense of community with What will remain is my relationship
our neighbour: He is our Father, not with God, His approval of me, being
my Father. We therefore have a loving, kind, and sacrificial just like
responsibility that extends to all His Son Jesus.
others, not just ourselves or our
families. Authentic success is ultimately
measured in our knowing God,
Paul in the bible, in terms of this developing a relationship with Him,
world would be described as a and walking according to His ways,
successful individual. Let's see his going where He sends us. All else
accomplishments. may be good and useful, but if we
pay no heed to God, the state of the
Ÿ He was a Pharisee, a highly world reminds us what a mess we
influential class of people. can be in. Let us repent of those
Ÿ He was a Roman citizen, so had values we have allowed to deviate us
the rights and privileges of the from being found in Christ.
conquerors in his land.
Ÿ He was taught by the most In the sight of God.
famous teacher of the time,
Gamaliel, it's like the MIT of our
times.
Ÿ He wrote almost half the books of
the New Testament, or almost a
fifth of the books of the entire
Bible.
Ÿ He had immense intellectual and
academic depth.
Ÿ He went on four great journeys to Rev. Sanjiv Ailawadi
establish many churches. Sr. Pastor, New Generation Church
22◄March 2021/AIMDependent girls growing
into empowered women
Covid19 has paused lives for many, restraints, the sisters were also at the
leading to vulnerability all across risk of being "sold" off.
India. Countless reports have stated
a constant rise in migration, child Both the sisters have dreams of their
labour and child marriages. own and wanted to finish their
studies. This was not possible if
In response there was no source of income. So,
to such when they heard about EFIC@R
e v i l s , livelihood centre, they enrolled
EFIC@R themselves and started to diligently
has made attend the tailoring course.
arrangeme
nts and After completing the training, the
provided two sisters bought their own
livelihood personal machine after shelling out
s k i l l s whatever savings they had. With one
training on machine, the sisters are working
tailoring in together and preparing the orders
West Bengal to help women, that they have been receiving. They
susceptible to exploitation, gain are now able to earn enough money
financial independence and be to provide for their family as well as
protected from exploitative save up money for their education.
situations.
*Name changed to protect identity
Sisters Noorah* (18 years) and
Rukmini* (21 years) were in the first
batch of the trainings. Due to the
lockdown, their family was facing
financial crisis. With their father,
who was the only breadwinner
losing his job; both the sisters were
made to drop out of school. The
sisters are already at a marriageable
age according to Indian Law. With
increasing number of girls being Ms. Aashima Samuel.
sold in the name of marriage during National Director,
the pandemic due to financial EFI – Children @ Risk (EFIC@R)
23◄March 2021/AIMTIME TO
GET CRAZY
Rev. Kuruvilla Chandy
There is a time for everything, a time for war and a time for peace
and a season for every activity under (Eccl. 3:1-8).
the heavens:
Well, what is Lent a time for? It's a
a time to be born and a time to die, time to get crazy about being
a time to plant and a time to uproot, devoted to our Lord.
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to Importance of Symbols
build, To start, think of Lent as a symbol.
a time to weep and a time to laugh, Symbolism is a means of
a time to mourn and a time to communication. Symbols are visual
dance, aids. The Old Testament is replete
a time to scatter stones and a time with them. All the sacrifices were
to gather them, prescribed to demonstrate that God
a time to embrace and a time to was concerned about sin in people's
refrain from embracing, lives and that in His mercy, He
a time to search and a time to give provided a way of propitiation. The
up, call to holiness was symbolized by
a time to keep and a time to throw total withdrawal from pagan society
away, and practices.
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to In the New Testament too, there are
speak, symbolisms such as Christian
a time to love and a time to hate, baptism and the Lord's Supper to
24◄March 2021/AIMconvey God's message. Baptism spring, probably referring to the fact
depicted allegiance to Christ as Lord that from spring the days grow
and the Lord's Supper symbolised longer. Lent is 40 days from Ash
that Christ is sustenance of believers. Wednesday to Easter Sunday, not
counting the Sundays. Sundays are
Sometimes, Christians who belong not part of Lent, because as the
to new groups (non-mainline Lord's Day (of Resurrection) they
denominations) are against the are feast days. Yes, you may eat meat
observance of special days, and fish on Sundays in Lent. You
forgetting that symbols are may feast.
theological shorthand. It is the
ritualization of doctrinal beliefs. Of Ash Wednesday is the day that marks
course, the trouble with the use of the beginning of Lent. Its name is
symbols is that too often their derived from the fact that ash
meanings are forgotten, and people (obtained by burning the palm
then perform rituals mechanically. crosses distributed on Palm Sunday
in the previous year) was applied to
The Christian calendar is one aspect the foreheads of devotees attending
of the symbolic in the Church's life the Ash Wednesday service. The ash
that needs to be rediscovered. The symbolized penitence for sins
entire Christian Year is a theological committed. As people came in
statement. It begins with the Advent penitence to the altar, the priest
or Coming of Christ and is meant to would apply the ash to their
prepare us for the Second Advent. As f o r e h e a d s , a n d w o u l d s a y,
the Year progresses, it takes us "Remember O man (or woman or
through the life experiences of our boy or girl), that thou art mortal.
Lord, the coming of the Holy Spirit Remember that thou art dust and to
and ends with the period called dust thou shalt return."
"Kingdomtide", envisioning the
coming reign of Jesus as King of Human mortality is tied to the Fall of
kings and the establishment of God's Adam and Eve, and so to be
kingdom of justice and peace. reminded of our mortality is to be
informed that we are guilty of sin.
Customs and Rituals The ash reminds us that our ruin is
Lent comes after Advent and complete, because when anything is
Epiphany (revelation of our Lord). reduced to ashes, there is nothing
The word "Lent" is derived from the more to burn and nothing left to
Old English word lenten meaning recover. That is what sin does to us. It
25◄March 2021/AIMruins us completely, making us unfit When people do things as a matter of
for God's company. ritual, they subconsciously are in the
mode of meeting a requirement.
Journey Back to God What that attitude implies is, "If I do
But in Bible times when people sat in such and such, I score." So, the ritual
ashes or had ashes on themselves, it observance of Lent boils down to
symbolized their repentance – a saying to God, "Please do note how I
complete turnaround of their lives. torture myself to please you. You
Thus, the churchgoer with ashes have to give me points for giving up
marking his or her forehead was fish and meat which I love." Put that
saying that they had realized the way, you can see why ritual
error of their ways and was observances are contrary to the
beginning to turn back to God. gospel of our Lord Jesus. Thus, Lent
cannot be about giving up fish, meat,
Lent was to be observed by making it
chocolates, ice cream and movies.
a time for prayer, almsgiving and
self-denial. Unfortunately, self- All religions are about working one's
denial came to be defined as giving way to heaven. But the Lord said that
up foods and festivities. Around the the only way to get to heaven was
world, during Lent most Christians solely and entirely through Him (Jn.
observe what might be described as a 14:6). That is why Paul took issue
partial fast: they give up eating meat, with the Christians at Galatia for
fish and eggs, though they probably allowing themselves to be diverted
don't know why. Some of them must from the gospel of grace (1:6-7; 3:1-
imagine that they do so to share in 5).
the sufferings of Christ. But that's
not why the practice started. Easter Denial of Self
was the day when those who had If we are going to engage in fasting
been preparing were baptized. They as a spiritual exercise, we need to
prepared for baptism through learn how to fast. For a fast to be a
abstinence and other acts of fast, what we give up must be offered
devotion, commemorating the 40 to God. It's not about torturing
days of fasting that Jesus went yourself. God doesn't take pleasure
through (though, in His case it was in that sort of thing (See Isa. 58:5).
after His baptism). The two things He wants you to do
when fasting are:
The problem with observing 1. Caring to share with others (vv. 6-
something just for the sake of 7, 10)
observing is that it is purely ritual.
26◄March 2021/AIM2. Drawing near to God (vv. 8-9, 13- your aim, your lifestyle. For Christ.
14)
Since Lent marks the days before the
So, if you are observing the crucifixion of our Lord, let's look at
discipline of giving up something the two who denied themselves
"for God", collect your "savings" during that period so totally, that our
from giving up meat, fish and eggs, Lord Himself remarked
and offer it all to God through His appreciatively about their acts.
people in need.
Widow's Large Mite
We need to understand "self-denial" Jesus was at the Temple with His
according to the Lord's teaching. disciples, who were country
Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my bumpkins and were easily
disciple must deny themselves and wonderstruck by the riches of the
take up their cross daily and follow city. They were impressed with
me" (Lk. 9:23). everything that was big and grand
(Lk. 21:5). It would not be amiss to
Clearly, self-denial is not a think that they drew attention to the
temporary act, but a permanent large donations being made by rich
change in the way of life. In the ritual folks just as they talked about the
observance of Lent, people give up size of the stones used to construct
fish and meat, but go back to them. the Temple. That had to be the reason
That is not self-denial, but denying Jesus talked to them about a poor
your self some things for a short widow's giving (vv.1-4). The rich
period. had given larger amounts, but Jesus
pointed to the fact that they only
Secondly, biblical self-denial is a
gave a small bit out of their
displacement of the self, because the
abundance. After giving, they could
self is replaced:
continue to live in luxury. Their gifts
Ÿ Deny your self—take up the
would make no difference to their
cross (Lk. 9:23)
Ÿ Not my will, but Thine be done
way of life.
(Mk. 14:36)
The widow, on the other hand, was a
Ÿ Not I, but Christ… (Gal. 2:20,
very needy person. She was
KJV)
destitute with no one to support her.
Lent is not about giving up fish and Those two mites were not just a
meat. It is about denying your portion of her small living, but "all
self—giving up your selfishness, that she had, even all her living."
27◄March 2021/AIMShe lived daily from hand to mouth; Crucifixion (in the period we mark
but on that day, as Jesus watched, she as Lent). Therefore, this is
gave away all that she had earned for something to do during Lent – to
the day. Giving even one mite give the Widow's Large Mite.
would have been extravagant, but
she gave both – all she had. That Lavish Love
night did she go to bed hungry? For The second act of extreme devotion
all we know, she did. happened when Jesus was invited to
dinner in the home of "Simon, the
Once an extremely rich Christian leper". Simon couldn't have been a
handed me a teeny-weeny donation leper at the time, or he would have
claiming that it was his "widow's been ostracised and excluded from
mite" for the need I had put before all social contact. Presumably, he
the congregation. Jesus had drawn was healed by Jesus. Lazarus was
attention to its largeness, but the man invited because he was a celebrity
likened the widow's gift to the paltry because Jesus had brought him back
sum he was giving to God's work. to life. While his sister Martha was
We subconsciously commend serving, his second sister Mary
ourselves on giving as the widow did slipped into the dining room, knelt
when we claim to be giving our where Jesus was reclining and
widow's mite. Jesus commended her poured a whole pound of very costly
for her large giving, and we have fragrant oil on His feet and then
regarded it an excuse for small wiped them with her hair. It was an
giving. The widow's mite, when act of total recklessness: "wasting"
given, left her with nothing. No, the (that's what people said) what was
Lord did not commend her for the extremely precious and not caring
smallness of her gift, but for its for her own reputation by displaying
largeness. Give little, if you want; her affection for Jesus so publicly,
but let's not call our gift the "widow's physically, and shamelessly.
mite" and by that render Jesus'
commendation false. The disciples were indignant and
discussed the wastefulness (Matt.
Give largely, for small giving is 14:4), led, no doubt, by Judas, who
reluctant giving. It is more a case of was more interested in collecting
keeping back, than giving. funds to dip into (Jn. 12:4-5). All said
that the oil could have been sold and
Remember, what the widow did the money from the sale spent on the
happened just days before the needy poor and all of them scolded
28◄March 2021/AIMher for her callousness (Matt. 14:5). they themselves had failed to touch
Jesus told them to let her be and to anyone or bring them close to God
regard her act as one of preparing His like Jesus had.
body for burial (Jn. 12:7). He said
that if they were really concerned Jesus took issue with His host for not
about the poor, they would have having given Him the honour due to
opportunities in plenty to show their a guest – just the standard courtesies
concern, but He Himself was not of having feet washed and being
going to be around to be shown love welcomed with warmth. He then
(Matt. 14:7). pointed out that the woman, whom
His host regarded as unworthy, had
Jesus honoured Mary. He declared in fact made up for all the host's
that her act of devotion would be lapses and failures. Jesus said that
legendary and included in the annals the difference was that she really
of the gospel story (v.9). appreciated being forgiven. She had
sinned much, but she knew that she
Outpouring of Gratitude was forgiven and that's all she cared
Mary, however, was not the first one about (Lk.7:40-50).
to anoint Jesus' feet with expensive
oil. There was another woman, and it So, if you really want to keep Lent, it
is quite possible that Mary thought is no time to be practical and careful
that it was neat way to show her (read, calculating) and to hold back.
feelings for Jesus by imitating the It is the time to go crazy for Jesus – to
woman. The other woman was an become a fool for Christ (1 Cor.
outcast – a despised prostitute. All 4:10), a fanatic, an extremist. Lent is
the moral people who witnessed her for crazies.
weeping at Jesus' feet, wetting them
with her tears, wiping them with her
loosened hair, kissing them and
anointing them with costly perfume,
could only think that Jesus wasn't
much of a holy man since He was
allowing a prostitute to shower love
on Him. Their shrivelled souls could
not appreciate the fact that one they Rev. Kuruvilla Chandy
considered a sinner – a terrible one – is a freelance preacher and writer. He
had been drawn to holiness and c a n b e r e a c h e d a t :
kindness. They did not take note that reverendkuru@aol.com
29◄March 2021/AIMYou can also read
