Message to Indian Christians: Do Not Fear in 2010!

Posted on December 31, 2009
Filed Under General | 1 Comment

Just days after celebrating Christmas, we are welcoming a new year. As we enter 2010, it is essential to witness a paradigm shift in our thought and practise. It is crucial to walk with the reborn Christ to conquer our fear and seemingly unsurmountable obstacles. The birth of Christ brings hope in the gloom and perplexity of our lives.

Victim of anti-Christian violence.

Victim of anti-Christian violence.

Evidently, the year 2009 encountered instances that conspicuously battered the ‘faith’ of Indian Christians. The year produced fear and trembling in the wake of violence, contrived allegations, controversies, religious schisms and hate-inspired issues. Religious chauvinism was one phenomenon that arguably stymied progress and put the community in an eerie silence, especially in Orissa and Karnataka. The trend no doubt is ominous, but as followers of Christ we must muster strength and overcome hurdles that obstruct us from standing up for what is just and truthful. Complexities and hurdles must never quell our faith. We must thrive and maturate in resembling Christ in all our actions whatsoever.

Although minuscule, the Christian community here has been a catalyst of change, promoting human rights, social development and pioneering transformative concepts. Without doubt, it is the spirit of Christ that has been the impetus of these actions in social justice and empowerment. But with new and provoking instances, has our intent to serve humanity been tested and subdued? Have such challenges in our religious and cultural milieu led to the stagnation of our faith, forcing us to be gripped with fear of someone or something?

Church sure must not be bogged down by such confronting issues that sometime seem both violent and malicious. Our country believes in “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Alone Triumphs). If we have truth in us and have been faithful in our actions, there is none we have to fear. The result will speak it all. The truth will triumph! Our contributions in the past may have gone unappreciated, but this must not hold us back from “seeking justice, encouraging the oppressed, defending the cause of the fatherless and pleading the case of the widow” – Isaiah 1:17. We must conquer our purposeless fear and continue serving society at all capacities. Even Christ came to serve. Being service-minded is the most important trait of Christianity. However, we cannot succeed in this unless we confront the fear infixed in us by nefarious forces vying to cause disarray with their unruliness. “Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness,” encourages the Scripture in Isaiah 41:10.

With surging violence on the Community – some caused by ideological and religious differences, others by biased and malicious tirades – the Church seems to be in dire straits, thoughtfully mulling over the future. Sadly, this dilemma has forced many to downgrade faith and sometimes disown our conscious beliefs. There is a way to iron out things amidst chaos, but not by dismissing Christ who is the driving force of all our humanitarian activities irrespective of any tradition or denomination. Christ is the centrality of our mission and diminishing his presence in our spiritual and public life is not how we straighten out our predicaments. Yes, mending our attitude and behaviour for societal and inter-faith development is good. But have we gone out of the way by ‘compromising’ and ‘diluting’ our faith and tenets.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” – 2 Timothy 1:7. In 2010 let us overcome fear by following Christ in our actions and attitude. No matter what, let us not be cowed to tone down our faith in Christ, bur rather let us spiritually mature by making the choice to live by God’s viewpoint rather than your human viewpoint. We have been called “the Light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). We are Christ’s spiritual Light and this gives us great responsibility.  In this New Year let us strive to be the Light of this world.  Have a blessed 2010!

“Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” – Matthew 5: 16.

Comments

One Response to “Message to Indian Christians: Do Not Fear in 2010!”

  1. Pastor Albert on January 1st, 2010 12:12 pm

    Praise the Lord Sammy. The Christian community feeling nervous after the recent violence surely will be encouraged by young people like you encouraging to look to the Lord and not to fear. I request you to continue writing more and praying for people of Kandhamal so the victims can feel peaceful. God Bless You.

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