Category: Practical Apps

MODELING FOR CHRIST

~ Sowmya Gali

2 Peter 1: 5-7

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

Most of us are familiar with long-legged, beautiful models with chiseled faces and fit bodies walking the runway at a fashion show. They walk a certain way called catwalk, strutting, and sometimes gliding based on the theme of the designs being displayed. They showcase the various creations of a designer. These models show the final creations of the designer, who then walks on to the stage to receive a roaring applause from the audience.

When we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, we receive a robe of righteousness. We tend to change gradually in our daily walk in faith. By adorning ourselves with this righteousness raiment, we are on full display to the world of our Creator’s fashion: the way He fashions us into His Son’s character. Does that mean that we won’t sin or revert to our old ways? Not a chance that we can walk upright the moment we accept Lord Jesus. We are refined daily if we allow the Holy Spirit to work His way in us. We must accept the fact that we have been bought with a price. Christ paid the price for us on the cross. Galatians 5: 24-26 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. We need a daily renewal of our minds so that eventually the character of Christ will be fully displayed for the world to see. Intentionally, we must cast aside our old sinful nature, if we desire to be transformed into Christ’s likeness.

Dearly beloved, our life on this planet is the runway. We are on full display for the hosts of heaven. We, as believers in Christ Jesus are given robes of righteousness, by our Master Creator. We are supposed to carry those robes in truth and grace, and walk life’s runway displaying our Creator’s creativity. Just as the models don’t wear previous year’s creations, we must cast aside our old nature and put on the new garments of humility, gentleness, and holiness to display our Creator’s character. Ephesians 4: 22-24… that in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

How then shall we live? What steps do we take to be transformed? How do we know that we are transformed? Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians urges believers to walk the walk and live the life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. We must be humble, truthful, loving and persevere in maintaining peace amongst people. Ephesians 4: 1-3 Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. In addition, he pleads that we lay aside our old self and its evil practices. By doing so we are constantly being transformed into Christ’s likeness. Colossians 3: 8-10 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge to the image of the One who created him…

Paul further asks us to set our minds on things above and not on the things that are of this world (Colossians 3: 2). He advises us to behold whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute, and praise worthy. We must learn to steer our minds to dwell on such things so that we are continually transformed (Philippians 4: 8-9). When our minds are Kingdom-oriented, then we will start to live like Christ (Colossians 3: 12-14). Now that we are chosen of God, all our thoughts, actions, and words will eventually be on full display for the world to see. We will boldly showcase God’s creativity to the entire earth and to the whole host of the heavens. Entire creation will roar in applause in giving praise and glory to Almighty God.

Finally, we must remember whose we are and who we are. 1 Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. The runway models sometimes trip and fall if they cannot manage to carry their garments the way they are supposed to. We as believers too stumble in our walk if we are distracted by the snares of the worldly temptations. 2 Peter 2: 10 says that we be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble. Let us then live like children of light, being diligent in following His precepts and persevering in our walk of faith despite perilous times. In doing so, we will never stumble.

Being Progressive

~ Sowmya Gali

Jeremiah 6: 16

Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘we will not walk in it.’

We hear this word ‘Progressive’ in every day rhetoric. From media to courthouses, from politicians to professors, from the Senate floor to classrooms, being progressive is the buzz word these days. The two definitions of ‘progressive’ are: a) developing gradually and/or proceeding step by step and b) favoring and implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas. In between these two interpretations of the word, there are several adaptations and misrepresentations of its meaning. Lately, people who hold Biblical principles, moral and conservative values in high esteem are labeled as ancient people. They are jeered as people who don’t like to change their thinking and their ways. They are mocked for not being ‘woke’ or ‘progressive’ enough.  Such is the norm of society these days.

The Bible, on the other hand, commands us to seek the ancient paths, the truth, laws and traditions handed down by generations before. God considers the ancient paths as good and commands us to walk in those paths. In walking on such ancient paths, our souls find rest. God, in His infinite wisdom, wants us to seek those paths so we won’t stumble. Through His prophets He constantly and consistently reminded of these ancient paths. (Jeremiah 25:4 “And the Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets again and again, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear.) Yet, we have not turned to Him. We have been stubborn and continued to revert to sin.

Isn’t it ironic that we gauge our growth in the Lord, in His truth and faith as gradually growing while, we call ourselves backslidden if we commit sin? We neither say we are backsliding into faith nor do we say we are progressing in sin. As we gradually grow in faith, we are slowly but surely shunning our sins, embracing God’s Truth, and walking in the Light. We, as Christ-bearers are called to progress in living holy and pure lives, discarding everything that is evil. Why then do we address progressiveness as being tolerant and accepting towards abortions, homosexuality, idolatry, adultery and other sins, when the Bible calls us out of those evils? When did abortion, homosexuality, etc., have become good and necessary causes to fight for? How have these sinful acts, sugar-coated as progressive ideas an expression of freedom? In 2 Peter 2: 17-20, Peter addresses this dichotomy very clearly. “These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves to corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first…”

In the process of being progressive, we must consider whose side we are on. Are we on God’s side, deeply anchored in His Word, standing firm in His truth and upholding His law? Or are we on the side of the evil practicing openly without any shame or regret every abomination under the sun? We say we are standing for truth, but fail to address if we are standing for God’s truth. 1 Corinthians 10: 12 says Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. There is only one absolute truth in this universe and that is God’s TRUTH. Everything else is false. We are liars if we support people or causes that encourages evil practices. We are partakers if we are lenient towards sensual practices. We are deceivers if we turn a blind eye to abominations. Either we are for God or against God. Apostle Paul warns us in Galatians 5: 9 “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?”

People have argued that following Christ, living holy and pure lives is hard. They consider it is easier to wallow in sin rather than turn to Christ. In the world we are living currently, it is considered to be a wise decision to be tolerant towards sin, even though we, ourselves don’t commit such grievous sins. As long as the sin doesn’t affect us, we consider ourselves to be safe. That is the ‘woke’ thing you can do. How sad to even consider that! The Bible clearly warns us that in the last days false teachers will arise proclaiming what is evil as good and what is good as evil (Isaiah 5: 20). They entice us with false words and anything that tickles our ears. Our only safe place is in God’s truth. If what we hear with our ears, see with our eyes and perceive with our hearts is held against the plumb line of God’s truth, then we will be able to safe guard ourselves from the impending God’s Judgment.

How then shall we live? Is freedom of expression better expressed when we revert to sin, cheer from the sidelines or worse still, participate in evil acts? Who has experienced freedom, peace and joy when committing such sinful acts? If we tune out our ears to the cacophony of the worldly lies, focus our hearts and minds on the Perfect Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world, then we can know for sure that perfect peace, joy and freedom comes only knowing God’s heart and walking in light. Galatians 5: 1 says, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Paul further encourages us to walk by the Spirit, so we will not succumb to the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5: 16).

Let us then strive to walk in the Light, casting away every fleshly desire, and embracing God’s Truth. When we are anchored in God’s Word, then we will be truly progressive. Our minds will be better equipped to discern what is the truth and what is a lie. “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” (Hosea 6: 3)