August 2017
What is the responsibility of Christians who
have the answers? We have the message of hope and
life. What are we doing with that? What is the Church
doing? Has it fulfilled the purpose for which God
planted it?
There can be no blessing without the Lord Jesus
Christ. We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know
the way of blessing. We know the Truth. We know the
way of Salvation. How can we, as believers, respond
to such a time as these? Can we be a blessing to our
Nation?
“Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit”
says the Lord Zech 4:6
I want to share with you the things that the Lord
put in my heart as how can our Nation be blessed in
this generation.
Can India be blessed in this generation?
Can a country so diverse like us be blessed with
the message of hope that Jesus gives? Is it possible in
this situation?
We have too many languages and cultures (29
major languages and 880 dialects). Not only are we
diverse in our cultures and religions but also we have
so many denominations ranging from Mar Thoma
who trace their lineage to Saint Thomas who visited
India in the first century to the most recent modern
Pentecostal denominations.
A ministerial strategy which works in one
State fails terribly in the nearby State simply because
of cultural issues and local ethics. Sometimes I
wonder what the turban-clad Sikh in Northern India
has to do with the dothi-clad Tamilian in Southern
India. Or do t he Gujjars of Western India have any
resemblance with the short and fair North Easterner?
India is simply a country of many countries. No
wonder she is called a 'Sub-continent.' The sheer size
of the population of India a staggering 1.3 billion
(130 Crore) which is about 1/6th of the world's
population leaves us speechless.
How Shall We Proceed?
Having stated the challenges, let us not be
discouraged or dismayed. Note what the Lord of
hosts declares:
1) Revival In Indian Churches
We need a mighty Revival in India. We need
the move of the Spirit in every Church, Organization
and Fellowship. Praise God for the numerous
indigenous Missions that came into being during the
last 60 years. But we need to keep the fire burning.
The flames should blaze brightly. The Church in
India is having a very strong foundation. The Indian
Church is as old as Christianity itself. It is older than
any modern Western civilization. St. Thomas, one of
the twelve disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ came to
India and gave his life. Later many Catholic and
Protestant missionaries sacrificed their entire life for
this great land. India is filled with the cemeteries of
missionaries.
The Church in India is built on the sweat, tears
and blood of missionaries. Their legacy has to be
carried on. Sacrifice and hard work should be the
watch-word of the Indian Church. Sadly, that is not
the case. The early missionaries' commitment and
passion has been forgotten by today's Indian Church.
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