Are the Christians Bold Less?        

     If you live by the Spirit you will put to death the misdeeds of the body and you will live. Romans 8:13.
     One fine morning, Sun TV broadcasted a program called ‘this day is a sweet day. ’ in this program, a prominent religious orator Mr. Suhi Sivam narrated an instance. He said that he went to Thiruchendur last year during Kandha sasthi to see the Surasamharam. According to Kandha puranam, there lived Suran and Asuran. Murugan killed them both and rescued the Devars. Is there Asurans today? No but there are many misdeeds among us. We must control them by our fasting and meditation. This will give us content, perseverance, endurance, piousness, brotherly love and the desire to help others. This festival must make us realize that we must overcome our misdeeds by the above acts of love.
      After seeing and enjoying all the events, I came to the bus stand to return to Chennai. The large crowd was waiting for the bus. At last, a bus came immediately the whole crowd rushed towards it. People tried to enter it from all sides through the doors and windows. Luggages were thrown on to the seats through windows to reserve the seats. Old men and children were pushed down and stampeded and some felt injuries. This is the cause of more than hundred people trying to enter the bus at onetime. There was a chaos and loud cry. Even now it is painful to imagine that he said. This showed the lack of human love and self control. It was a beast like selfish uncivilized action. The painful matter in this is that more than three fourth of them were those who were fasting for a number of days and those who offered their hair for the temple he said. How can they repay for all this? All these have become a meaningless custom. The inhuman uncivilized actions inherited in them, made them selfish and irresponsible citizens. Celebrations and offerings must harmonize a man’s act. If not what is the use of worshiping any God said Mr. Suhi Sivam with a deep worry and pain.

Who will have this thought?     
      Each of you must forgive your brother from your heart Mat 18:35. At this moment, I remembered this. A missionary Mr.Stannes who was serving the neglected and the leprosy patients gave shelter food and medicinal care free of cost to them was burnt to death with his two young sons along with their jeep. He was an Australian who came to India to serve the neglected. When the gang burnt the jeep they cried out and tried to escape but the crowd pushed them into the fire but they may be burnt to death. His wife lost her loving husband and two children, their burnt bodies were laid before her. She after seeing all this wept bitterly still she forgave the gang with her whole heart. Who will have such a forgiving heart as her? A death so cruel they were burnt alive and their bodies disfigured. Any number of years will not remove this scene from her heart. Oh God! How cruel it is after undergoing so much pain and sorrow in her heart she continued further the work of her husband by caring for the neglected and the affected orphans and patients of that place. Who will have such a heart?

Jesus welcomes with both hands.
       Religion does not teach us to do evil for evil. In fact Christianity teaches us to do good even to evil doers. Jesus prays to his Father to forgive those who tortured and crucified him. He preached and said love your neighbor as yourself and also to pray for our enemies and to give them food when they are hungry and to drink when they are thirsty. Thus he not only preached this divine love but also lived according to it. Because she followed that type of love, she was able to bear the cruel death of her husband and children and still forgive those who attacked him unjustly and inhumanly. They attack on him by the opponents of his religion was broadcasted in all medias such as TV and newspapers. Although she saw all this, she quietly endured for the sake of her redeemer and was able to forgive them.
        The opponents of Christianity were so far burnt and tortured many churches and people. Innumerable numbers of Christian missionaries have been cruelly attacked. Many young sisters have been raped. All these have been written and broadcasted in newspapers and TV’s throughout the world and all Christians have seen and read this. Still they never resorted to violence such as the attack of the criminals of bomb blasting. Is there any record of such violence in spite of all this?
       Does this mean that Christians do not have any feelings or braveness or down-trodden. Does this not disturb their sleep? They have all this and they would not repeat it. Is there any news of Christians resorting to violence in any part of the world? Never because they bear all types of attacks and violence against them with perseverance. Also forgive and pray to God for them saying Lord they do not know what they are doing. They kneel down and pray with tears in their eyes and with a motherly love to God as Jesus did on the Cross before dying. They are following the teachings of Christ who said don’t do evil for evil and love your enemies. They not only speak of love but also practice it in their lives especially when they are tortured. They do it as their way of life because the words in the Bible will give life to a man strengthen him and also act in him. Those words have power and strength. They are coming from God who created the Earth. They are the words of God who created and governs the whole world. In the beginning this word was with God. It came down to Earth with flesh and life and accepted the sins of the world and offered itself for the redemption of sinners. These words come from his mouth. They have life and give life and hence Christians who read it follow it in their lives.
       This is the difference between the followers of Christ and pagans in the world. This is the difference between the Holy Bible and other religions. All religions say do this and do not do that. But they are all only in words. These words do not change the minds of the readers or their acts and hence they are words without life.
      We find on a cigarette packet and liquor bottles, the words saying it is injurious to drink and smoke. Does anybody read this and follow this. Nobody cares for it. In the same way, the words of religions are powerless, lifeless and non-stimulating vain words.
      By this statement, we do not intend to harm or hurt anybody. But this is the actual situation prevailing in the world today though I am sad to say this. The teachings of all religions must be followed in everybody’s personal family and social life. Then there will be no violence at all in the names of family, society, country, religion, caste or political party or language. This will put away terrorism and create mutual understanding and love for one another like the children of one another. This is my desire and wishes which made me to write this.
          Any religion and worship must create harmony and love among men and purify him. It should not turn man into a beast nor encourage violence and terrorism. It should teach love and make them follow it in their lives. It is the true religion and worship.
       There is no comparison to Christian life. That love endures forgives and creates mercy and compassion on others. Love has no vengeance, envy and selfishness. It expects nothing in return. It does not have hunger and evil in heart. In any circumstance it does not diminish or fade away. Follow that type of love says religion. When such love fills our heart we will enjoy the heavenly joy in this world itself. Jesus the redeemer of the world extends his hands and invites us to enjoy and taste this love.

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