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Plurality: Common Humanity and faith Sharing

Monday, 24 August 2015 05:29
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August 30

Plurality: Common Humanity and faith Sharing

Jonah 4:1-11        Ps. 82

Acts 8:26-40        Matt. 22:1-14

Verse for meditation: “But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (Jonah 4:11)

We are living in a society with diversified religions and faiths. A humanity which shares different religious faiths should emerge. Spirituality beyond religiosity is discussed now a day. We are living in a religiously pluralistic with society with diversified faiths and religious rites. According to the census of 2011, 80.5% Indians are Hindus. Moreover Bharath as a secular country has 13.4% Muslims, 2.3%Christians, 1.9% Sikhs, 0.8% Budhists, 0.4% Jains and 0.6% Adivasis. To share the values of the gospel in such a multi religious society, the unseen Grace of God is much needed. This message gives council to receive knowledge, courage and divine power for this task. Jesus has taught spirituality beyond religions. So the word of God gives us courage that through the Christ like character we will be able to express our spirituality. At this situation one should know certain basic matters for the sharing of the gospel.

1. The transformation of Nineveh  (Jonah 4:1-11)

The people of Nineveh repented even bringing wonder to Jonah who preached repentance of this city. Jonah thought that Nineveh would be destroyed. But Jonah marveled at the mind set of God, ‘They also belong to me. This story reminds us that God is a God of everyone. In the same way God has transformed and used many non Jewish people. Let us examine some of them.

  • Abraham introduced his wife as his sister. Abimelech, the king of Gerar abducted Sarah. At this situation God spoke to Abimelech by night (Gen. 20:1-18). Abimelech was a non Jewish king (Philistine King).
  • God has revealed about the ensuing famine through a dream to Pharaoh, the ruler  of Egypt (Gen. 41:1).
  • Balaam, a non Jewish person receives the Revelation from God (Num. 22).
  • God gives revelation to Nebuchadnezzar, the idol worshipper, regarding eschatological events and advent of the Messiah in a dream (Dan. 2). Nebuchadnezzar has encouraged the people to worship his own statue. 
  • The non Jewish people of Nineveh heard the word of God, accepted it and repented (Jonah 3:4).
  • In the New Testament the wife of Pilot receives a message through dream regarding Jesus (Matt. 27:19).  

2. Gospel for the Egyptian (Acts 8:26-40)

The Egyptian hears the gospel of Jesus Christ through Philip as he was returning after worshipping at Jerusalem. Thus he came into the faith in Christ.  There are many instances in the New Testament where non Christian people come into Christian faith. God has sent Peter to the house of non Jewish person called Cornelius. But it was very difficult for Peter to accept it. In due course Peter understood through the dream that no one should be seen as unclean and what God has cleansed should not be thought of ignoble. God does not show partiality and he is God for all people (Acts 10:34; Heb. 13:5; Gal. 3:27). 

3. Many are called (Matt.22:1-16)

During the teachings of Christ regarding the kingdom of God he concluded as follows: “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” (Matt. 19:30; 20:16; Lk. 13:30). The reason is there are many who are called (Matt. 22:14). At the same time there are a few who are chosen. This divine vision is found in Revelation Chapter 7. A countless multitude from all languages, all castes and tribes and clans stand before Christ (Rev. 7:9:17). They are redeemed by the blood of Christ. God has saved them also.

 

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