The true message about Valentine’s Day

Everything we know about Saint Valentine we owe to the writings of Venerable Bede, the Benedictine monk of northern England who straddled the 7th and 8th centuries. Because he wrote the first history of the English people, Bede is considered the father of English history. But to our point, he also wrote the “Legenda Aurea,” – the Golden Legend – which told the lives of the saints. It’s there that we learn the story of Saint Valentine. According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by the Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this Claudius ordered his execution and threw him into the prison in Rome to await his fate.

No one knows how long Valentine spent in the Mamertine before his execution, but it’s safe to say it wasn’t an overnight stay. Against this backdrop of extended, unjust and cruel imprisonment, torture and execution that the Legenda Aurea tells this story of Valentine’s last day:… then he prayed to God, saying: Lord Jesus Christ very God, which art very light, enlumine this house in such wise that they that dwell therein may know thee to be very God. And the (jailer) said: It marveled me that thou sayest that thy God is very light, and nevertheless, if he may make my daughter to hear and see, which long time hath been blind ….

Bede’s history goes on to say that Valentine, his heart filled with compassion and forgiveness for the jailer and his long-blind daughter, restored her sight through intercessory prayer. A later embellishment to the Golden Legend adds that on the evening before his execution, Valentine wrote a note addressed to the young girl. The note allegedly signed “from your Valentine.” From the thin thread of that apocryphal signature spins the association of Saint Valentine with romantic love. Lost in the telling is the far more compelling story of Valentine’s compassion and unconditional forgiveness.

Certainly that’s the lesson of the Saint Valentine story. In the face of his unjust and torturous imprisonment and execution, does he call down the wrath of a justice-wielding? No. He took compassion on his jailer and called forth healing mercy to cure the jailer’s long-blind daughter – no strings attached. That’s the lesson held up to us as the model in all the lives of the saints. Divine love and forgiveness is unconditional, and we are all invited to take the spiritual journey to that place in our own hearts.

The Matchless Pearl

(Adapted from a Tract, publisher unknown)

Many years ago, an American missionary to India, David Morse, was good friends with a pearl diver named Ram Babu. They had spent many hours together and on many occasions the missionary had shared the good news of Christ, but to no avail. His Indian friend always objected, "Your religion is too easy. Perhaps I am proud, but I believe that I must work for my place in heaven." The missionary would always respond by explaining that God’s salvation may only be accepted, but never earned, but Ram Babu could not see it. He was getting old and he planned to make a pilgrimage by traveling 900 miles to Delhi on his knees. The missionary pled with him and argued that it would do him no good when he stood before God, but the old man was insistent. He said, "The suffering will be sweet, for it will purchase heaven for me."

A week before he was to leave, Ram Babu stopped by the missionary’s home. He brought with him a small strongbox. His eyes misted up as he told Morse that he once had a son. He had never mentioned this before, because it was too painful for him. His son had been the best pearl diver in that part of India. One day as he was diving, he saw the perfect pearl. He went for it, but he had been under water for too long. He got the pearl, but lost his life.

Now, Ram Babu opened the box and showed Morse the pearl. He gasped at the rare beauty of it. It was huge. Then Ram Babu explained, "You are my best friend and I am going away, never to return. I want to give it to you. It is my most precious possession."Suddenly, a thought came to the missionary. He said, “Ram Babu, this is a wonderful, amazing pearl. Let me buy it from you. I will give you $10,000 for it."

Ram Babu was stunned. "What do you mean?" "Okay, I’ll give you $15,000 or whatever it takes. I’ll work all my life to pay for it if I have to." "My friend," said Ram Babu , obviously offended, "this pearl is beyond all price. No man in the entire world has money enough to pay what this pearl is worth to me. A million dollars would not buy it. I will not sell it to you. You may only have it as a gift."

"No, Ram Babu ," said Morse. "I cannot accept that. As much as I want the pearl, I cannot accept it that way. Perhaps I am proud, but that is too easy. I must pay for it or work for it." The old pearl diver was stunned into silence. Finally, he said, "Don’t you see? My only son gave his life to get this pearl, and I wouldn’t sell it for any amount of money. It is worth the life blood of my son. But, I will give it to you. Just accept it as a token of my love for you, my friend." Now the missionary was choked and could not speak for a moment. Then, gripping his friend’s hand, he said, "Ram Babu , don’t you see? That is just what you have been saying to God!" The diver looked long and searchingly at the missionary and slowly he began to understand.

"God offers salvation to you as a free gift. It is so great and priceless that no one can possibly pay Him back. It cost Him the life of His own Son. No man can be good enough to earn it or deserve it, because we all have sinned against Him. All you can do is accept it as His loving gift to you." As the tears flowed down his cheeks, Ram Babu said, "I see it now. I have believed in the doctrine of Jesus for two years, but I could not believe that His salvation was free. Now I understand. Some things are too priceless to be bought or earned. I will accept His free gift of salvation." "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Don't Wait Till It Is Too Late

G. Paulraj

Introduction

In 2 Timothy 4:2 Apostle Paul encouraged young Timothy to be instant season and out of season to preach the word. Or in other words he told Timothy to be urgent whether the times be prosperous or adverse, whenever there is an opportunity; and when there is none, strive to make one. The Judge is at the door, and to every man eternity is at hand! Wherever we meet unsaved souls we are share the word of reconciliation. We cannot blame the place or the time because all the time and place belong to God, and are proper for his work. Wherever it can be done, there it should be done. Satan may discourage us to make use of available time and to win the lost however we are not encouraged to waste our time that we may be the instrument of salvation to many. Unfortunately today we are all prone to ignore and delay to take advantage of golden opportunities to preach the word. We are indifferent to preach Christ who was crucified for the sins of the whole world. In spiritual realm we should not either make any delay to preach the Gospel or to accept it when we hear it. Let us spend some time to know the consequences either side.  

Do not delay to preach the Gospel

According to the experts 3 people die every second. If this fact is true, then 180 people die every minute, 10,800 people die every hour, 259,200 people die every day, and 94,608,000 people die every year. Of the six billion people on earth today, experts also say that 2/3 of them have never heard the Gospel one time. If these percentages hold true, then 63, 103,536 people die every year without ever hearing the Gospel one time! Not everyone that has heard the Gospel one time accepts the Gospel. Therefore, many more people die every year without hearing the Gospel! If you are here today and don’t know Christ as your personal Savior, DO NOT WAIT TOO LATE!

We believe that if our friends, neighbors, and business associates are not Christians, they are lost. In describing the condition of the Ephesians before they became Christians the Lord said, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). This is the condition of every lost soul on earth, and every Christian knows that this is so. We know that it is dangerous for the sinner to delay obeying the gospel because life is so short, and the winter of death will soon come. We must do what we can to save the lost, and we must act while there is an opportunity. Our Lord set the example for us when he said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). If we wait to speak to our neighbor we may be too late. Let us act before winter.

Read the following instance to know the consequences of delayed Gospel. Alila stood on the beach holding her tiny infant son close to her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she began slowly walking toward the river's edge. She stepped into the water, silently making her way out until she was waist deep, and the water gently lapping at the sleeping baby's feet. She stood there for a long time holding the child tightly as she stared out across the river. Then all of a sudden in one quick movement she threw the six month old baby to his watery death. Native missionary M.V. Varghese often witnesses among the crowds who gather at the Ganges. It was he who came upon Alila that day kneeling in the sand crying uncontrollably and beating her breast. With compassion he knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong.

Through her sobs she told him, "The problems in my home are too many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best I have to the goddess Ganges, my first born son." Brother Varghese's heart ached for the desperate woman. As she wept he gently began to tell her about the love of Jesus and that through Him her sins could be forgiven. She looked at him strangely. "I have never heard that before," she replied through her tears. "Why couldn't you have come thirty minutes earlier? If you did, my child would not have had to die." Each year millions of people come to the holy Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. For many people like Alila, we are arriving too late, simply because there aren't enough of these faithful brothers and sisters on the mission field.

Do not delay  to obey the Gospel

On one hand believers are making delay to preach the Gospel but on the other hand many non believers are just ignore or postpone to accept the salvific message of the Gospel. The Lord says, “Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7, 8). This admonition is given because of the danger people run when they delay obedience to the gospel. The Lord never says TOMORROW, but TODAY. You cannot find one place within the Bible where it says, “Believe in Christ tomorrow, repent and baptized tomorrow.” It is dangerous to say, “Tomorrow” when the Holy Spirit says, “Today.” The Christ who would save us asks us not to wait till tomorrow, when the leaves are stripped from the fields and when the snow lies on the mountains. He asks us to come before life is over and before we have stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Don't wait till it’s too late. Come to Christ and obey the gospel while you still have time. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned.”

Procrastination can keep you from becoming a Christian. That’s what happened to two people we meet in Acts 24, Felix and Drusilla. Some background on these two individuals will help you understand their spiritual condition. Felix was Antonius Felix Greek by birth; he gained his appointment as Roman Procurator of Judea from his brother. Drusilla, Felix’s wife, was one of three daughters of Herod Agrippa I. Felix induced her to leave her husband and marry him. Her father, Herod Agrippa I, was the one who murdered James, the brother of John, and tried to murder Peter as well (Acts 12). Her great-uncle, Herod Antipas, was the one who executed John the Baptist, and her great-grandfather, Herod the Great, was the one who ordered the murder of all the baby boys in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate Jesus. This was Drusilla’s family heritage they were spiritually dark, to say the least.

Paul spoke to Felix and Drusilla about his faith in Christ, and about three further points: “… righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.” That sermon was well-suited to Paul’s audience that day because Felix and Drusilla were definitely needy in all three areas. Their marriage was immoral and their backgrounds were filled with spiritual darkness. They no doubt felt quite uncomfortable at Paul’s words.

Then Paul moved on to self-control, another foreign word to them. They were used to doing whatever they wanted, unencumbered by moral restraints of any kind. And Facing down the Giant of Procrastination then he concluded with the natural outcome of unrighteousness and lack of self control—judgment. Paul told them there is a Judge sitting on a throne much larger than the throne of the Procurator of Judea; even the throne of the Emperor himself in Rome. Someday, Paul told them, they would stand before that Judge and He would call them to account for their sins. That must have been some sermon, one that Felix and Drusilla never imagined they would hear when they woke up that morning.

“Felix was afraid” as a result of what he had heard from Paul—he was “terrified”. God had spoken mightily to Felix’s heart, and he was overtaken by fear at the prospect of future judgment in light of his past and present life. But then, at the very time when he could have had all of his fears relieved, Felix said that most dangerous of words (in a manner of speaking): “Tomorrow.” Felix sent Paul away, saying he would call for him again at a more convenient time. Felix procrastinated, didn’t he? He put off life’s most important, and sometimes most difficult task—getting right with the God who created, and who will judge, us all. We don’t know if Felix ever believed the gospel of Christ or not. Given his initial response, we would say the likelihood was not good. Even if he did later, we do know that he passed up the first chance God gave him to be saved. He put off until a “convenient time” that which he should have grasped immediately. There is never a “convenient time” to be saved. The time to be saved is when God shows you your need. Who knows whether you will ever sense that need again?

First of all, procrastination gives us the impression that we are in control of tomorrow. It does not take into account the uncertainty of life. If we knew for certain that tomorrow would come, perhaps we could put off some things. But who knows what life holds past today, past this minute? No one. (Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.).

Scripture uses eighteen different metaphors to remind us of the transitory nature of life. For instance, life is like a vapor, here one minute and gone the next. Who would try to build their future on a vapor? That would be a foolish prospect indeed. Facing Down the Giant of Procrastination To assume we can put off until tomorrow that which we should do today is a prescription for remorse—possibly eternal remorse

Are you putting off until tomorrow a decision about your own salvation? Or a decision to begin walking as a committed disciple of Christ, laying aside the things of this world and living only for Him? Perhaps you hear the gospel presented, and you keep telling yourself you need to respond and get things settled with God. If you are putting this off, you are building your future on a foundation of vapor. You do not know what tomorrow will bring. Today is the day for salvation.

There is a classic story about procrastination and it goes like this. An eagle was flying high over the Niagara River on a cold and wintry day. He saw a dead bullock (young bull) floating down river. He thought to himself, "What a great feast!" He landed and sank his talons deep into the carcass and began to feed on it. He thoroughly enjoyed the feast and was unwilling to let it go. He thought that he had plenty of time to withdraw. He continued to eat. He decided that he would let go at the last minute. Not long after that he was approaching the falls. He tried to fly away. However, he was in for a rude awakening when he found that his feet were frozen to the carcass. In the end, he fell with the carcass. The finest attractions of this world become deadly when we become overly attached to them. They may take us to our destruction if we cannot give them up. The most dangerous of all delusions is that there is plenty of time. Therefore today is the day of your salvation do not procrastinate it to tomorrow.  

Conclusion

If you are here and do not have a burden for souls that you should, DO NOT WAIT TOO LATE! If you are here and are holding back your life from serving God, DO NOT WAIT TOO LATE! WHEN YOU WAIT TOO LATE, THERE IS NO SECOND CHANCES!!!

                            Selected  Inspiring Quotes about Resurrection 

1. Jesus was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 4:25.
2. The message of Easter is to confess that Jesus is alive to witness that HE has risen and to believe that He will rise up us in the same pattern He rose from the dead. G. Paulraj
3. “Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God's new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's Prayer is about.” N.T. Wright. 
4. “If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus' fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.” A.W. Tozer
5. “And now brothers, I will ask you a terrible question, and God knows I ask it also of myself. Is the truth beyond all truths, beyond the stars, just this: that to live without him is the real death, that to die with him the only life?” Frederick Buechner
6. The stone was rolled away from the door, not to permit Christ to come out, but to enable the disciples to go in. Peter Marshall
7. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like Himself before he takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility and our ultimate destiny.  Rick Warren
8. Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection. Watchman Nee
9.  Easter is always the answer to "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!" Madeleine L’Engle
10. Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, "Christ is risen," but "I shall rise." Phillips Brooks
11. "He is risen; he is not here."  Mark 16:6
12.  "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25, 26
13. "The resurrection of the dead is the chief truth of the Christian faith....He who takes away the resurrection mantles our future with Egyptian darkness. To take away the resurrection is to leave man with no preeminence above the beast....Other doctrines are important; this is one of the essentials." Robert L. Moyer
14. "The point is not that the resurrection is the price paid for our sins. The point is that the resurrection proves the death of Jesus is an all-sufficient price. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then his death was a failure, God did not vindicate his sin-bearing achievement, and we are still in our sins." John Piper commenting on 1 Corinthians 15:17
15. "Men point to the sad incidents of human life on earth, and they ask “Where is the love of God?” God points to that Cross as the unreserved manifestation of love so inconceivably infinite as to answer every challenge and silence all doubt forever. And that Cross is not merely the public proof of what God has accomplished; it is the earnest of all that He has promised." Sir Robert Anderson
16. "Dost thou understand me, sinful soul? He wrestled with justice, that you may have rest; He wept and mourned, that you may laugh and rejoice; He was betrayed, that You may go free; was apprehended, that You may escape; He was condemned, that You may be justified; and was killed, that You may live; He wore a crown of thorns, that You may wear a crown of glory; and was nailed to the cross, with His arms wide open, to show with what freeness all His merits shall be bestowed on the coming soul; and how heartily He will receive it into His bosom?" John Bunyan
17. "The resurrection asserts a truth which is by no means always written legibly for all men on the face of nature. It tells us that the spiritual is higher than the material; that in this universe spirit counts for more than matter." H. P. Liddon.
18.  "The benefits [of the resurrection] are innumerable. To list a few: Our illnesses don't seem nearly so final; our fears fade and lose their grip; Our grief over those who have gone on is diminished; Our desires to press on in spite of the obstacles is rejuvenated...Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lengthening shadows of saints down through the centuries, who have always answered back in antiphonal voice: 'He is risen, indeed!'" Charles Swindoll.
19. "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures...And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4, 17-19 NKJV
20. The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison, but a passage into God’s presence.  Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there.  Clarence W. Hall
21. The primary source of the appeal of Christianity is Jesus – His incarnation, His life, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.  K. Latourette
22. “The best proof that Christ has risen is that he is still alive. And for the immense majority of our contemporaries, the only way of seeing him alive is for us Christians to love one another.” Louis Evely
23. All of heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, hell afraid of it, while men are the only ones to ignore its meaning.  Oswald Chambers
24. According to the laws of legal evidence used in courts of law, there is more evidence for the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ than for just about any other event in history.  Harvard Law Professor Dr. Simon Greenleaf
25. The Gospels do not explain the Resurrection; the Resurrection explains the Gospels. Belief in the Resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith. John S. Whale
26. The entire plan for the future has its key in the resurrection.  Billy Graham
27. There is more evidence that Jesus rose from the dead than there is that Julius Caesar ever lived or that Alexander the Great died at the age of thirty-three. Billy Graham

Peace that Jesus Gives

Stress related illnesses are growing exponentially in societies throughout the world. New drugs are invented every year to reduce hyper-tension and blood pressure problems. While some illnesses are a normal part of life, millions are searching in vain for that elusive peace of mind to calm their nerves. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid(John 14:27)

Evangelist Billy Graham once indicated that the most effective gospel tract he wrote was entitled, "How to Have Peace With God." People are searching for peace in all kinds of ways, but will not find their rest until they find their peace from Jesus Christ living in their heart. Jesus calls everyone to come to Him for lasting peace. Jesus promised, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Only those who come to Jesus and share in doing His will are given the peace that passes human understanding. As we become consistently involved in doing His will, His responsibilities transform us. Our thinking, emotions and strength take on more of His image. Jesus wants us to remember that loving service is followed with peaceful thoughts. Isaiah wrote, "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." (Isaiah. 32:17)

No one can get peace if they are not willing to engage in consistent service for the Lord and His purposes. Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work." (John 4:34). Jesus wants us to remember that only the Lord’s blessings give peace, not anything else. Many people seek after things that can only give temporary peace of mind. David wrote, "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." (Psalms. 29:11). People have no problem that God cannot solve. Jesus knows the great peace is found in loving and obeying the scripture. The writer of Psalm 119 writes, "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." (Psalms.119:165).

Jesus wants us to remember that He is our good Shepherd. David wrote, "The Lord is my shepherd, I will lack nothing. . . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalms. 23:1, 6) Even when you are encountering various trials, the Lord wants to develop in you a completed peace, perseverance and perspective that come through the adversities of life’s experiences. Let the Lord develop in you a character of maturity that exhibits peace in all situations. You cannot know His peace unless you are willing to pass through the dark valley experiences with the faith to trust Him to work all things together for good. (Romans. 8:28, 29).

Conditional Freedom or Absolute Freedom[1]

Numbers 22:20-21

G. Paulraj

Introduction

We often undermine the word of God and try to use it as putty to defend or to justify our shortcoming because it has no direct answers to some of our willful sins. There are many in this world who say that I smoke because nowhere in the Bible mentioned it is sin and. Some of us strongly argue and defend that consuming alcohol is not sin because there is no direct word in the Bible against consuming alcohol. I could give you innumerable examples like this. However we should know the fact that the Word of God was not given to know our curiosity but to know the will of God in our lives.[2]

Yes there are no direct condemnations or warnings in the Bible against smoking, drinking, watching pornography and so on. However it doesn't mean that Bible gives us freedom to do all those things that is repulsive to our Holy God. Bible remains silence because God doesn't give us freedom from His word but within His word. We can’t find anywhere in the Bible the detailed list of sins that we can and cannot do. Freedom in our Christian life can be found only within the Word of God not from the Word of God. Let me explain you the difference between the freedom from the Word of God and freedom within the Word of God. The first talks about unconditional freedom and the later talks about conditional freedom. Let us study about Balaam how he turned God’s conditional freedom into absolute freedom.

Conditional freedom or Absolute freedom

Here in our text God gave Balaam conditional permission to do something but Balaam considered it to be an absolute permission. Thus he has failed to do what God had said to him "If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do." But Balaam went along with the intention to curse the Israelites that he might get abundant gold and silver from Balak.

Like Balaam we too consider God’s silence or His conditional permission as an absolute permission to fulfill our desires. Today many of us think that "There is no 'Thus says the Lord' about this" - though there may be dozens of verses that say that one should not do it because of this, that, or something else. Or, there may be a whole story about someone who does something, illustrating a principle of a way we should not go. Nevertheless, because Scripture does not specifically say, "You shall not do this," then many people think it is okay to do it.

Consider smoking no place in the Bible says that a person shall not smoke cigarettes. It does not say anywhere that one should not breathe in the smoke of any kind of flammable substance. However, there are huge principles - love toward God, neighbor, and self; not defiling the temple of God's Spirit; slow suicide - that people totally ignore. This is similar to what Balaam did.

His thinking process may have gone something like this: "God didn't say that I could not go. He gave me a condition, but I'm sure it will be all right this time if I go. If He was willing to give me permission in this case, it must be okay." So, he went.  God gave Balaam conditional permission. He made him free to do a certain thing, which was to go with the men, but He put a condition on it: "If they come to you." Well, Balaam used his freedom, his liberty, as a cloak for vice. Balaam's vice was money; he wanted riches. He was going to get his riches by cursing Israel - another vice! Cursing people is not a good thing - certainly, it does not show love for them.

As Christians, we have been given grace, freedom, and God-given gifts to do good. He warns us, "Do not use this freedom to do evil. I have given you, not freedom from the law, but freedom within the law - to do good and not evil." Yet, how many have used the liberty given to us by Christ as license to sin? "God will forgive us! That's what God does best! So, if we do it just this once, it will be okay!" That is what Balaam did. He received permission from God in one small area, under a certain circumstance, and Balaam interpreted it as freedom to do generally as he pleased.

This kind of thinking motivates today’s Christians to give overriding emphasis on grace. Truly, grace is a wonderful thing. God has given us so many freedoms, but there are also law, responsibility, and submission to the will of God, things Balaam totally left out of the picture. He ignored the conditions God placed on his liberty. All he wanted was the freedom. And his taking license came back to bite him severely in the end.

Christian freedom is not a license to sin but the humble submission to God who saved us from our sins. However our submission to God is not another kind of slavery but eternal security. Furthermore St. Augustine the great church father taught that true freedom is not choice or lack of constraint, but being what you are meant to be. Humans were created in the image of God. True freedom, then, is not found in moving away from that image but only in living it out. The closer we conform to the true image of God, Jesus Christ, the freer we become. The farther we drift from it, the more our freedom shrinks.

Martin Luther in his 1520 treatise On Christian Liberty explains the meaning of Christian freedom in a nutshell: "A Christian man is the freest lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone." In other words, according to Luther, because of what Christ has done for us and because of our faith in Christ, the Christian is absolutely free from the bondage of the law. We don't have to do anything. On the other hand, out of gratitude for what Christ has done for us and in us, the Christian is bound in servitude to God and other people. We get to serve humanity freely and joyfully. A Christian who doesn't "get" the "get to" part simply doesn't know the joy of salvation.

Conclusion

Dear friends too often we put our own desires over the desire of Jesus for His children to be influencers in this increasingly evil world. We need Light to penetrate the darkness. But too often we have allowed darkness to influence the Light of Jesus in us. It happened to God's Children (Israelites) in the wilderness, and it is happening again in the day we live. When we are more concerned about my rights, freedom's and liberty's than we are for letting Jesus be seen in our words, decisions, and actions, then we have become selfish and living for ourselves and not Christ! As Paul said, “all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."

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[1] Some part of this article was directly copied from “The Berean” daily verse and comment.

[2] Genesis 3:15 reveals the will of God on human beings. Genesis 3:15 is a capsule summary of the history of humans from God’s perspective and it reveals the abstract of God’s rescue plan which the rest of scripture unfolds.

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With Regards
G. Paulraj