Lie not one to another…

By Sidharth Mohandas

I know of a person who had a fight with his friend. And unable to do anything to his friend directly, he took his friend’s picture and tore it into pieces. Friends, this is what Satan does- unable to do anything to God directly, he takes God’s image, humanity, and tears them up into pieces.

We all know that God’s ultimate purpose of creating man kind was for fellowship. What is fellowship? Fellowship means “to be one” or “to have in common”. What was God’s purpose in having fellowship with His crowning creation? He wanted man to have HIS desire, HIS will, HIS thoughts and so forth. This is true fellowship.

Why did God ask man “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it”? Was His purpose just to have man reproduce children? Not at all! God wanted multiple copies of His image, so that the earth would be filled with His glory. But through one sin that image was marred. Thank God Jesus came to reconcile us- to restore to us God’s image.

However, it’s sad to see that in spite of God’s restorative work- most Christian portray the marred image to the world. Here’s the message of the Holy Spirit to Christians, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him” [Colossians 3: 9-10]

I could feel the agony of the Spirit as I read these verses. Most Christians think if they are busy singing Christian songs, going from one fellowship to another and preaching to big crowds- that they are doing God a great favor. God isn’t bothered how many prayer meetings you go to, or how many bands you are in or which organization you are in. He wants your character built- in other words, He wants His image in you. The Holy Spirit is hurt the most by Christians who live a hypocritical life, trying to put on a facade before others. Disciples, God isn’t interested in your religiosity- He wants purity and truth in the innermost parts.

When we had organized a crusade in Vellore, we had formed a band and the band members we had were the best we could get. For the first song practice we had, some of them didn’t turn up. I called them and told them that God wanted them to keep their word and their timing no matter how much it cost them. For the second practice I was getting ready to go for the practice and my friend said, “We’ll go a bit late…I don’t think any of them will come on time”. I told my friend, “It doesn’t matter who doesn’t come on time- we must keep our time and we do it unto the Lord”. Later I was forced to weed out those who didn’t keep their timings- one of them was a “famous” instrumentalist, who knew 17 different instruments. He always came for the practice either later or sometimes never did turn up. I called him and told him that we didn’t want him to play the instrument for the crusade.

I’m not impressed by how much people accomplish in their ministry, I’m only impressed by how great their relationship with the Lord is. And it will show up in these minor details.

The evangelist we invited to present the Gospel was Mrs. Mira Bhupathi. Once I remember calling her to ask her about something concerning the crusade, and she said she was about to go for a meeting and would call me back when she got back. I was amazed to receive her call later. She told me,“I keep my word, if I give my word. If I think I can’t keep it, I won’t give my word”.

Friends, keep your word and timing. If you commit yourself to something and do not do it, you lie.

“Lie not one to another” [Colossians 3:9a]

The Lord is warning many Christians that if they do not live holy lives- different from that of the worldly people- He will be forced to spew them out of His mouth.

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