Humblest the Greatest!

Reading: Luke 14:7-11; 18:9-14

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Js 4:6)

William Carey (1761-1834) who came to India as a missionary and translated the Bible into many Indian languages had earned much respect among the learned men and high officials of the City of Calcutta. He was quite influential too. Once he was invited by the Governor General of India for a dinner. One of the guests, referring to Carey, said to another, "Isn't this Carey a shoemaker?" Carey turned around and said to him, "No, Sir! I am just a cobbler!"

Almost everyone desires he must be more eminent than others— more distinguished in stature — more important in leadership — more honourable in social status. Even the disciples of Jesus were not an exemption. Once they debated among themselves, "Who is the greatest?" (Lk 22:24). "The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves," said Jesus (v26). Wasn't His motto, "Not to be Served but to Serve" (Mk 10:45)? He was the very embodiment of humility because He had descended from Heaven to earth and selected a manger instead of a mansion. He humbled Himself still further and carried His obedience to the extreme of death — even the death on a Cross! (Phil 2:8). We are admonished, "In the true spirit of humility let us esteem more highly of one another and outdo one another in showing honour" (Phil 2:3; Rom 12:10). Beloved, do not consider any work below your dignity. Didn't Jesus wash and dry the feet of His disciples (Jn 13:15)?

People feel proud of their education, influence, stature, Church, caste and what not. "What is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (Lk 16:15c). Nothing of these will accompany anyone after death. All glories of this world are nothing but trash. Knowing this Paul said, "For Christ's sake I have lost everything and considered them rubbish..." (Phil 3:8).

Some consider that scrupulous living is the outcome of their ability. Remember God rejected the prayer of the Pharisee who boasted of his devotedness. The Bible entreats, "Let him who thinks he stands firm, take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:12).

Andrew Murray (1827-1917), the author of about 250 books and pamphlets, writes in his book, Humility, "The root of all virtue and grace, of all faith and acceptable worship, is that we know that we have nothing but what we receive, and bow in deepest humility to wait upon God for it."

Discipline of Darkness!

Reading: Job 9:1-16

"God's great works are too marvellous to understand.

He performs miracles without number" (Job 9:10)

In times of tribulation, we provoke God more by our words than our deeds. Because, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Mt 12:34). It is the "why" and "what" questions which disturb our equilibrium and make us pour out words of impatience while suffering. There will be calm in spite of storm if only we know "who" is in control. Job said, "When God comes near, I cannot see Him. When He moves on, I do not see Him go" (Job 9:11). He trusted God "who" was in control even though he could not see Him.

God is light and He is in the light. This is only one side of divine revelation. Solomon the wise had known the other side. He once prayed, "O Lord, You have said that You would live in thick darkness" (1 Ki 8:12). Glittering light and pompous show will there be where earthly kings are seated. It's different with the King of kings. "The Lord is King... Clouds and darkness surround Him" (Psa 97:1,2).

Christian life is comparable to a walk from the outer court to the innermost sanctuary through the holy place of the Tabernacle. There is sunlight in the outer court, candlelight in the inner court, but no light in the innermost court. One has to walk there only in faith and not by sight or any other sense (2 Cor 5:7). In Heavenly Jerusalem also there will be no lamplight or sunlight, but the Lord Himself will be the Light (Rev 22:5). When we walk in faith, quit asking questions, and quiet the turbulent mind, it will be Heaven on earth even if the times would be worst ever.

In our humanness we may cry out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" But we should quickly commit ourselves to Him, saying, "Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands!" (Mt 27:46; Lk 23:46). Dr. Raymond Edman (1900-1967), a longtime President of Wheaton College, calls this the "discipline of darkness," which is explained in Isaiah 50:10, "Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His servant? (Yet) who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the Name of the Lord and rely upon his God!"

Light of the World, illumine this darkened earth of Thine

Till everything that's human be filled with the divine,

Till every tongue and nation, from sin's dominion free

Rise in the new creation, which springs from love and Thee!

(John S.B. Monsell, 1811-1875)

Each one Reach one!

Reading: Luke 19:1-10; 23:39-43

"Joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents" (Lk 15:7)

Though large crowds were flocking to hear Jesus and to be healed by Him, He never lost touch with individuals and their needs. He was never too busy for a Nicodemus or a Zacchaeus. He was more concerned about the one lost sheep than the ninetynine safe ones. Every Christian must be a "personal" soulwinner all his life. Anytime is soulwinning time and anyone is a soul to be won. That is what Jesus reiterated by winning the thief on the Cross!

We are wasting too much time, money and energy in mass crusades, not understanding the limitless possibilities of personal evangelism. D. L. Moody (1837-1899) was a great crusade Evangelist but he said, "There is nothing like hand-plucked fruit!" The laws of a Nation may ban mass crusades, but who can stop personal evangelism?

If only each one in the Church could reach one outside, the Church growth will defeat all imagination. Take for example a congregation of just 100 believers. Let us adopt the principle of each one reaching just one other person for Christ in a month's time and making him a soul- winner to follow the same procedure. By February it becomes 200, by March 400, April 800, May 1600, June 3200, July 6400, August 12800, September 25600, October 51200, November 102400 and December 204800. Even if you allow for 50% backsliding, we will still be left with a clear membership of 100000. How deplorable our condition is on the face of this arithmetic! According to European Christian Mission, Europe's Churches are losing 4242 members a day including 1727 Protestants! Enough to weep!

The rewards of soulwinning are glorious. "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Psa 126:6). See how Paul was excited about the rewards of soulwinning: "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you (the fruits of evangelism) in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" (1 Thess 2:19) My mother was a passionate soulwinner. She died on this day in 1981 at 56 years of age. We have epitaphed Daniel 12:3 for her: "Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars for ever and ever!" I am rekindled everytime I visit her tomb and read this text.

The restoration of the art of personal soulwinning

is the rediscovery of the New Testament Christianity!

(Evangelist T.L. Osborn, 1923- )

Reading: Joshua 1:1-18

"You younger, submit yourselves to the elder" (1 Pet 5:5)

Obeying our spiritual leaders is actually obeying God. Any act against the leaders is sin against God. When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, it was the Lord who heard it and punished them severely (Num 12:1,2). Submission to elders means the humbling of ourselves "under the mighty hand of God" (1 Pet 5:5,6). He who says that he obeys God but does not obey his leaders is a liar; the truth is not in him!

Leaders are not democratically elected but they are divinely appointed. The relationship between pastors and people must be that of a guru (master) and a disciple. In this discipling ministry to which the leaders are commissioned, obedience on the part of the disciples is indispensable. Once Jesus challenged His disciples, "Why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Lk 6:46).

It's easy to obey a leader who is efficient and charismatic. This is a secular trend. But in spiritual leadership, it is not the efficiency of the person as much as his sufficiency that's of God; and it's not charisma but character (2 Cor 3:5,6).

We obey leaders primarily because they are anointed and appointed by God. We enable them to function effectively when we remember them lovingly, follow them sincerely, obey them willingly, pray for them fervently and encourage them verbally and practically (Heb 13:7,17,18,24). Those who rule well, "especially those who labour in the Word and doctrine," should be counted worthy of "double honour" (1 Tim 5:17).

Blessed are the leaders who have followers concerning whom they can testify as Paul wrote about Philemon: "Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say" (Phile 21). At the same time there is a potential danger for leaders who have implicitly obedient followers. They must not take advantage of them and become dictators. Paul and Peter, who were leaders and shepherds themselves, have laid down timeless principles for leaders to follow in their ministries (1 Tim 4:12; 5:1,2,21; 1 Pet 5:1-4). Wholehearted obedience is a natural response to wholesome leadership.

Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach,

Thy precious things Thou dost impart;

And wing my words, that they may reach

The hidden depths of many a heart!

(Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879)