Avoiding Moral Failure

Moral Failures – Is it impossible to overcome?

Pastor Ted Haggard was really unknown to me, in any real sense, till the issue of homosexuality and drug taking came up. I was amazed initially, and then very sad that another Christian leader had not lived up to what was expected of him.

1 Tim3:2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Bishop refers to an overseer or pastor. If we are called into ministry (which is an office, and not a position of any superiority over other believers), then the issues of being blameless, monogamous, vigilance, good behavior etc are vital. The office calls the person to a higher standard. It is like a politician who falls from grace because he hired an illegal worker to mow his grass, a misdemeanor that would not raise eyebrows if done by anyone else.

The litany of moral failures leads me to think that this “war” within our members is a really difficult thing to overcome. Paul expressed great frustration, yet was able to contain it. That is the issue. We are all tempted, and leaders more so. Yet God will always have a way of escape. It is up to us not to succumb.

1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I use the mnemonic TIP to think about how we fall into sin.

T stands for temptation. This is not sin, but the precursor. It is when the pastor found out, a voice in his inner self (the flesh) suggesting the dark thoughts of drugs and sex. Temptation is not sin. He decided to lift his phone and make a call. This leads to the sin itself...

I stands for intent. Once there is intent to do something, we have sinned in our heart. This is the “lust” in the heart that Jesus talked about. At this stage, we can and should still overcome by remembering the Word and using it against the devil. Confession is in order and will immediately wipe the slate clean with God. With intent, although there is sin, there will often be no severe consequence, except for maybe an interruption in the communication with God. I found, in my own life, that immediate confession is the key. Any delay in confession eats away at the soul. I have felt weak and heavy in the spirit and not able to pray effectively until I confessed. In one particular situation of unforgiveness, I actually began to get physical consequences, even though the person I was not forgiving was unaware of my inner anger and bitterness.

But if the intent is acted upon, the consequences are severe, as the pastor who sinned found out. The next stage is...

P stands for Plan of action. It is the intent acted out. Once the pastor went to meet the male escort, bought the drugs and made contact, the deed was done. The consequences became public and affected others – his family and his church (spiritual family).

We can all learn from this sorry episode. As I watched the pastor, Ted Haggard, publicly humiliated, I was devastated. When it comes to sin, we can all fall so easily.

I see myself in the mirror and feel that except for the grace of God, I could be in the same position. What is my own thought life like? Who am I in the dark? What are my sins? These are questions I must ask daily, and confess daily. I must try, with huge does of the grace of God, never to let temptation go into Intent. And definitely not into a Plan of Action.

In Denial of the Creator

Society in denial?

(Ezekiel 12)

That God is patient is manifestly true. How else can we account for the fact that the God who created man (Genesis 1) and gave him dominion over the earth and all living things (Psalm 8), has not executed judgement on man’s callous disregard for creation and creator.

What is denial? In psychiatric terms, it is defined as a situation whereby a person facing a truth which is unpalatable or inconvenient, subconsciously suppresses the truth and simply denies it. A man who is deeply distressed by the death of his wife may continue life as if she has not died, and live in denial of the fact. This is to protect himself form the severe grief reaction that may ensue if he acknowledges his loss. There are many other examples of denial as a defense mechanism, used by common people in everyday situations.

One of the greatest denials today is to deny the creator. A strange intellectual dissonance occurs when man lives as if he does not need God, yet turns to Him in times of danger, emergency or illness. A tornado in Enterprise, Alabama (2007) is a case in point. My mentor and friend, Bishop Jerry Ogles was at the High School where the tornado caused the only fatalities that day. The school had mandated that there would be no public prayer within its premises. But as the danger become emergent, all students and staff automatically prayed for deliverance. What man tried to ban by legislation, was of no effect when human beings faced the reality of death. The law of God trumped the law of man, like it always will.

Man cannot ignore God forever. He can do so temporarily. God is patient, kind and good. He will give man as long as possible before He has to judge their sin.

Ezekiel interestingly addressed the same topic eons ago. The Lord speaks to Ezekiel His prophet: Ezek 12:2

They have eyes to see, but do not see,

They have ears to hear but do not hear!

Today, man has eyes to see the creation around him and the implausibility that all these came about by random chance. Yet, many men do not really “see”. They are in denial.

Today man has ears to hear, but they refuse to truly hear the gospel. They put all sorts of intellectual barriers to avoid allowing the gospel to confront their sin.

God is patient

Ezekiel 12 contains a warning for Israel, and a warning for us. God may be very patient but He is just and righteous. He cannot accept sin forever. He cannot allow man to remain rebellious forever. Human beings often ridicule Christians who call for repentance and obedience to God, in Jesus. Why? Ezek 12:22 indicates that the people of Israel made the same argument. You say that God will judge, they said, yet the days are prolonged and every vision fails (v 12). Today, we are confronted with the same argument articulated differently – they say its been 2000 years since Jesus came, and there is no indication of His second coming. It is futile to wait, and the days will be prolonged. They ridicule preachers who warn that judgment is coming. We do not help ourselves when some cults masquerading as Christians to gain legitimacy, try to set dates for the second coming or the final judgment, that do not come true. That allows unbelievers to further buttress their attacks against genuine believers, who can only say that Christ’s coming is imminent, but the time is only known to God.

Types of denial

This passage intimates two types of denial in Israel, and mirrors the same pattern today.

Firstly, false messages of happiness were preached (v 24). Feel good messages were permeating because God had been patient and no judgment had been experienced. Is that not so true today? After 2000 years, humans are getting more bold in their denial of God and His holy statutes.

Secondly, false assumptions came as a result of God’s patience (v 22, 27). It was widely assumed that God was not going to punish His people. Today that notion is prevalent. God is love, we are told, who will not punish anyone. The patient God who is waiting for man to repent and seek God is misunderstood to be so loving that He can overlook blatant sin and disobedience!

Consequences of denial

Denial of the judgment does not mean that it will not happen. It amazes me to think that human nature is such that when a disaster like an earthquake strikes, there is great care taken to study and warn people in case of future earthquakes. Yet, despite the knowledge of the danger, many millions live in earthquake prone areas, somehow denying within themselves that they could be killed in a quake, or just ignoring the danger.

Doctors tell patients not to smoke, yet they do it themselves, an example of severe denial! A thoracic surgeon colleague of mine was a master at his craft. His hands were nimble and deft. I had assisted him often and marveled at the way he removed tumours from the lungs of smokers. Yet, he smoked like a chimney, and died of lung cancer at the age of 40. Denial of the dangers of smoking did not save him form the consequences.

Denying God and ignoring His commands continue to be the option many choose today. However, God will judge, in His time (Ezek 12: 25).

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “None of My words will be postponed anymore, but the word which speak will be done”, says the Lord GOD’”.

Ezek 12:28

Amen

Dr Joshua Raj

A Biblical Approach to Indian Traditions and Beliefs

A Biblical Approach to Indian Traditions and Beliefs
by Dr Joshua Raj







Editorial Reviews



Review


This book addresses a very important area in the lives of most Indian Christians. The author's deep commitment to biblical teaching and a perspective that aims at approaching issues with 'agape' love are particularly helpful.


--Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore





Product Description


This well-researched book fills a need for Indian Christians who are searching for guidance when confronted with beliefs, traditions, rituals and practices in the non-Christian Indian community. It reveals the truth about Christian living. This useful guide also discusses certain Indian spiritual and religious practices, and gives advice on the daily struggles of believers. Written from the agape (love) perspective, this resource is helpful for the new convert to Christianity, the generational Christian who may need to adjust his life, and leaders who seek some form of consistency in approaching the Indian diaspora.

Doctor, is something controlling me?

Doctor, is something controlling me?

Why do we ignore the obvious? Demons exist.

Have we Christians lost the awareness of the devil and his schemes? Has the non-Christian world opened itself up to demonic activity like never before?1

Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; "

“Why did I do that? Doctor, is something controlling me?”

Many years ago, I was asked this question by an earnest young man, sitting quietly in his hospital clothes in the lounge area between two large wards. I had called him out to talk to him, since the wards were noisy that day, and he was not willing to open up to me unless we in a private place. It was the Psychiatric ward, and I was rotating through this posting as part of my clinicals.The young man was found to be having antisocial and psychopathic behavior at home and was brought into hospital by his terrified parents. He had been violent and threatened to kill them.

On 12th Sept 2006, a young man in Canada ended up killing people during a shooting rampage at a school in Montreal. This is how his behavior was described by eyewitnesses:Many witnesses described his acts as follows: "He was all in black. He had very big black eyes . . . he was so calm, like he was dancing a waltz." A video game rather than a movie because the images are crude and undimensional, compared to films. "He said nothing. He had a stone cold face. He didn't yell out any slogans . . . he just started opening fire." (1)

While it took me sometime in 1975 to realise that I had a demon possessed patient on my hands, it was obvious to me that this was the case with this young man.His face was blank and calm. He was obviously in a trance. Whatever demon had possessed him was intent only on doing damage. The young man then suddenly burst into a violent shooting spree. Demons can cause the possessed to be violent (Mathew 8:28).

Question:"Why did he do it?"
Newspapers in Canada have repeatedly asked the question, “Why did he do it?”. Some have speculated that it was the gothic subculture, that made him morose and brooding, or that he was depressed, or that he was influenced by the Columbine massacre.But his parents tell a different story. To them, he was a quiet, obedient boy, who had never had problems with the law. His mother insists her son was not the solitary, taciturn person the media have portrayed. "He had friends and everything," she said, but adds that he had changed lately."Since Christmas, he became more sad, more tranquil. He started to spend more time on his computer, playing video games." (2)Modern man does not accept that he is a created being. Humanism is the order of the day. Many profess belief in a god, but live as if god does not exist. The hypocrisy is overwhelming. I must say that I am not surprised. Jesus said that anything that is true (and He is the absolute Truth), will be rejected by the those whose minds are not tuned in to Him.

Answer: Do not give in to the danger of “Giving heed to seducing spirits”
It is obvious to me that he had opened his mind to the occult. He was part of a subculture called the Goth. The Goth subculture and vampire freaks forum are nothing short of a portal for unsuspecting kids to open their mind to the demonic.Society denies that Satan exists. By this denial, they remove the fear that man must have of all things demonic. Today, even church members get involved in soothsaying, or divination, and even fortune telling, because they are not fearful of the devil.Coming from a nation where spiritism is rampant, I can only warn my fellow believers that we can never let our guard down. If the Holy Spirit is prompting us in our heart that there may some demonic element in what we are doing, or in the place that we are visiting, then it serves us well to avoid the situation. Again, not all of us may have the same level of sensitivity. But when we are personally aware of it, we should refrain.Pastors and leaders should begin warning of the dangers that lurk when we allow a gate for the demons. Churches that encourage yoga, tai chi, shiatsu, new age exercises and remedies that talk of “inner power” or “external power” that is not from Jesus, are putting the flock in danger by opening them up to the demonic. Our friends and neighbors may not end up like this young man, but will more likely end up with relationship problems, behavior and temper tantrums, job failures and the like.

Question:Does life "suck"?
On his website, the young shooter records the question many youth (and adults) are asking today:"Work sucks ... school sucks ... life sucks ... what else can I say? (3)Well, may I say that until we recognize who the boss is, and that God is sovereign over all, we will find that everything is meaningless? God has a plan for all of us.If we are Christian, he wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, and He gives us all the power we need to resist the evil one. If we do not stay close to Jesus, and submit to Him, then the devil can irritate and confuse us, and can make our daily life more miserable than it should be.How do we avoid the snare of the devil?

Answer: Submit to God, Resist the devil
The book of James (4:7)says:"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. "

Submit to God: We are to accept what He tells us through His Word. There can be no debate or variance to what is clearly taught in scripture. We need to have contrite hearts to accept what the Lord tells us.
Resist the devil: We should know how he operates, and to know that when we are vulnerable, to use scripture promises to resist him. Our model is the Lord Jesus, who used scripture to resist the devil during his time in the wilderness.
He will flee: If we submit to God and resist the devil based on the promises of God, the devil will not bother us. We have to daily submit and resist. We are in a spiritual battle till the day we die.

Miles Stanford put it this way:The two aspects of the Christian life are: “... (a) death to sin (the old man, the law, the world, and Satan), and (b) Christ as Life, with the Christian life hidden with Christ in God. Romans. 5-7 comes before Romans 8. All ascended life is predicated upon death. The believer is to be taught to count himself dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11). Then, if there is to be any dealing with Cross-defeated Satan and his demons-all of whom are under the Sovereign Father's control at all times--it is simply to stand, and resist, upon the basis of his total defeat at Calvary”

Pastors and leaders have to watch themselves and those whom they look after with extra effort. Be very careful to avoid anything that may open up our life to demonic attack. Living in the West, I find that demonic attacks mainly as a deceptive confusion of the mind, masquerading as an “enlightened” mind. It is so easy, in this era of tolerance, to end up acceding to the doctrines of demons and think it is scriptural. Just look at where the Catholics and other mainline denominations are today. Their leaders have been deceived by the devil.Let us constantly pray for guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us on the right track.

Amen

Rev. Dr. Joshua Raj MD., ThD

Doctor, I am confused about my origin

Homo Confusio Profundus

The human family tree is now a tangled, messy bush, says Meredith Small, LifeSciences Human Nature columnist (http://www.livescience.com/history/070831_hn_family_tree.html)

It is amazing that in the face of increasing confusion and disagreement in the academic pursuit of evolutionary theory, that scientists do not consider the obvious – that there was some intelligent designer who gave form to this world. The nature of the First Cause can be debated, as we do not have any way of scientifically proving what happened when we were not around. However, it is really disingenuous to continue to accept a failed theory, when the facts just do not add up.

The latest picture of the evolutionary human ancestor, I suggest, should be Homo Confusio Profundus (Very Confused Human).

Genuine scholarship accepts that a premise can be changed if the evidence does not support the hypothesis. The evolution theory actually never got past the stage of a hypothesis. It received wings form those who favoured an atheistic view of the world and needed an alternative to a creator god (or gods).

I am impressed by Anthony Flew, the prominent atheist, who was willing to accept that evolutionary hypothesis was fatally flawed and that the recent arguments for intelligent design were more likely in the face of the evidence. However, despite philosophically accepting theism, Flew was not willing to speculate on the nature of the creative First Cause. This shows that he was willing to accept the scientific evidence, but not to accept unproven theories as to the nature of the creator.

It will always be the case that we cannot prove God’s existence or non-existence. The atheist has the same dilemma. If one is an atheist, one has to accept, by faith, that there is no God. But on the basis of scientific evidence, it is more likely there had to be a designer. Atheists and evolutionists may not like that conclusion, bu the way it is going, the hypothesis of evolution will one day confront its own internal inconsistencies.

For the Christian, that creator is the Triune God revelaed in the Bible. Man’s decision to go his own way ( a sinful disposition) and God’s plan to reconcile Man to Himself through Jesus Christ, has to be accepted by faith. This faith is gift of God, and He will give it to anyone who seeks Him with a genuine heart. I leave it to you to ask God for that revelation.

John3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.

Amen
+Joshua

Formula for Success Part 1

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS (Part 1)

Scripture passage:

Philippians 3: 7-127But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before

When we consider a formula for success in life, we ask two questions:
1. What is success? What is the goal?
2. What is the formula? What are the steps to achieve that goal?

Example from secular world:
When we google the words “formula for success” we get 17,300,000 (17 million) hits!
The words "life seminars" draws 1.2 million hits.There are as many goals in life as there are individuals bold enough to stand up and proclaim something. And their charisma and persuasive power attracts many. They call it motivation. It could just as easily be called manipulation.

Motivational seminars run in hundreds of places every week. There are tips on investing, money management, life principles, spiritual success etc. All kinds of names are given, from "Power of Positive Thinking" to "Get Rich with Safe Investment Principles".

Why do we have so many? What are the goals? And what are the steps they advocate?Secular definition of success is either:
1. Get rich, powerful or famous, and be set for life
2. Get inner happiness and enjoy life to the fullest.

Do they work? We can see from the results! Seminars continue to be held but one speaker recently said that less than 5% actually follow what they are taught once they leave the seminar! Speakers themselves fall into bankruptcy or broken relationships.

Why do these seminars not work?
Firstly, the goal is man made....
Riches? Fame? Many rich have troubled lives e.g. Howard Hughes, Anna Nicole, and Britney Spears.
Power? Even Premiers of large Canadian provinces have problems with drink or corruption. Happiness? Anti depressant use is a billion dollar industry, surpassing the pain killer medication.

Any goal that is man made will flounder. Why? The source is man himself.Question for us today: Are we in danger of doing the same thing? Do we set goals in our own flesh and not God’s will?What is God's goal for our life?
The only options in life are to be in God's will. What is God's will? Our goal is to KNOW Jesus and to inherit eternal life.

When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, something happened to him. It was not a physical change (blindness temporary).
- It was a heart change (affecting the feeling)- It was a perspective change (affecting the intellect)
- It was a lordship change (affecting life choices)

Paul had a conversion experience – one that happens when a man accepts that he is a sinner. He realises that he cannot save himself and accepts Jesus Christ as Savior by faith. This conversion experience is the greatest miracle that can happen in one’s life.In Paul’s’ case, and in any Christian life, it resulted in the following: HE HAD A NEW GOAL
(Phil 3:12) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

What does God want us to take hold off? What does he want us to have? What does he want us to know? Verse 11 – that we may “attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

The blessed hope that we will one day be with Jesus is the goal that drove Paul and should drive us. There is a life after death. Many choose not to think about it. But not thinking about it does not mean that we will not have to face it.It amazes me that people will spend weeks planning a wedding or a vacation or for their education to the Caribbean, but not spend any time thinking about where they will go when they die. Not thinking about it does not mean it is a question that will go away. All of us will die one day and we will then find it is too late to do anything about the one most important decision we had to make in life.

Prominent atheists and deists have discovered that not having a hope after death is a frightening prospect:
Thomas Payne: "Stay with me, for God's sake; I cannot bear to be left alone ... O Lord, help me! O God, what have I done to suffer so much?What will become of me hereafter?"
Sir Thomas Scott: "Until this moment I thought there was neither a God nor a hell. Now I know and feel that there are both, and I am doomed to perdition by the just judgment of theAlmighty."
Voltaire: "I am abandoned by God and man; I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months' life." (He said this to Dr. Fochin, who told him it could not be done.) "Then I shall die and go to hell!"
(Source: http://www.bibleweb.com/content/atheists.htm)

Do you want to wait till death to decide?
The Bible says
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

The Lordship and heart change that occurs in our lives when we ask Jesus into our life results in a dramatic change in what we perceive as success. In this world, we seek know Him more and to do His will, and in the world to come, we have the blessed hope of eternal life with Jesus.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3

Part 2.................next blog

Amen
Dr Joshua Raj

Formula for Success Part 2

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS Part 2

The second goal applies to our life on earth:

Phil 3: 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ TO “KNOW” JESUS (verse 8) - "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord"

The early church fathers and reformers knew this. The goal of a Christian is know Jesus more. To develop the mind of Christ. To enjoy Him. To grow in Him. To live in Him.The early teaching catechisms of the church, for example, the Westminster Catechism states: What is the chief end of man?Man’s chief end is glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
This is the goal of the Christian life, and how do we help one another get there?This old catechism says that our chief goal in life is to glorify and enjoy God forever. This is true. Scripture says that we were created for God’s glory and to proclaim his praises

1 Corinthians 10:31 31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Peter 2:9 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

The summary of our goals as a Christian:
Verse 8 : the goal to know God and glorify God
Verse 12: the goal to spend eternity with Jesus (see Part 1 Formula for Success))

These goals can only become a reality if certain things happen in our life. It is only then that we will experience the abundant life that Jesus promises us. This abundant life is not according to the world’s definition of riches or enjoyment, but of peace and inner joy, no matter what circumstances we are in or experiencing in life.

So what are the steps to achieve the goals that Jesus has for us? Let us look at Paul again
1. HE LOST SOMETHING (verse 7-8) Phil 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. He counted all as loss.

His perspective changed. This is more dramatic than we think.
Paul had
- political power (Sanhedrin)- academic respect (School of Gemaliel)
- religious authority (Rabbi and teacher)
- noble pedigree (citizen of Rome and Tarsus)
- family wealth (upper class family in Tarsus)

HE WAS SUCCESSFUL BY WORLD STANDARDS.He could have taught a life principles seminar and filled more stadiums.But when he encountered Jesus, his perspective changed. These earthly prizes were good but they brought glory to Paul, not to God.They were thus “rubbish” compared to what he gained in Christ – eternal life and to know Jesus in a personal way and enjoy Him.Note that he did not repudiate what he had. He only counted them as loss. So if they were taken away, it was fine. If it remained, that was fine too.In fact, he used his educational skills, his reputation as a rabbi and his Roman citizenship in various ways later in life.But he viewed everything through the light he had in Christ Jesus. He could only do this by counting everything else to be of less importance.

A nice praise chorus illustrates the truth:
Turn you eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

Questions............
Is Paul's perspective change the same with you today?
How do you view your life possessions?
Does your relationship with Jesus take priority over the things that you have?
Have you reached that place where you want to enjoy knowing the Lord?
Has you perspective changed since the day you became a Christian?

If not, why not?
Amen

Dr Joshua Raj

Why The Sword and the Scalpel?

Why are The Sword and the Scalpel so similar?

Answer: The sword of the Word of God is quick, sharp and powerful) and removes spiritual disease. The Scalpel is the surgeon’s knife is the scalpel that allows him to operate on the physical body and remove diseased tissue.

It seems a tad prideful to equate a tool of man (a physical scalpel) with the eternal Word of God (the spiritual sword). But in the life that we now live, it seems that God uses the things around us, the language that we use, the situations that arise, and all other manner of things, to teach us eternal perspectives and life principles.

But I will unabashedly state that I am a Christian first and a surgeon second. Christ is all the world to me. In the course of my “long” career, I have seen all manner of ways in which Christ has revealed Himself to me in the medical world. Almost every day brought new insights and discovery.To my shame, I often missed the messages that God had for me, because of my busyness and inability (or refusal) to spend time thinking about what was happening.

The practice of meditation and relating what was happening to the Word of God (a kind of forthtelling prophetic thinking) was not in my early training. In fact, I had to learn it on my own, nearly twenty years later. But through the years, I have kept records and journals of my thoughts, and my purpose in putting them down in print is twofold:

1. to share how God can teach us principles through study of the human body, and secondly,
   
2. to show how God reveals Himself clearly in his ultimate creation, man.

Only man was created in His (God's) image. Have you ever pondered that? What does it mean to be made in the image of God?

Well, the surgeon’s knife (a scalpel) does the following:

It incises the skin, to reveal what is underneath. Often, the skin looked healthy, but just under, we can have infected or diseased tissue. Cancers can be removed, though as in spiritula things, cancers often are incompletely excised and recur often.

The sharpness of the knife allows incision of tougher tissue like tendons and cartilage. A blunt knife is the bane of a surgeon. The operation is often difficult and mistakes can occur.The knife can separate different layers of tissue. I use the scalpel to regular tease off the scar like tissue of tendon from the red muscle tissue. I also use the knife to separate the periosteum (tissue covering the bone) from the bone itself.

Have you wondered about the Word of God? Why is it like a knife?

Hebrews 4:12
says“For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart”.

Join me in my blogs, as I ponder the similarities between the surgeon’s knife and the spiritual knife that the Holy Spirit uses.

The former is necessary to begin surgery on the body, to cure physical ailments. The latter is necessary to begin surgery on the “heart”, to cure spirtual disease.

The former removes diseased body tissue. The latter removes the dross that sin has put on our heart.

The former removes malignant tissue that can kill the organism. The latter removes the sin that condemns the souls to eternal separation.

Amen.

+Dr. Joshua Raj


.

Doctor, Is My Medicine Effective?

Or else, "Doctor, Is My Medicine Counterfeit?"

When we fall sick, a medicine is given to cure us of that illness. This pill contains a substance that essentially neutralizes the organism or substance that is causing sickness. For example, penicillin neutralizes the bacteria that cause pus formation. An insulin preparation neutralizes the effects of high sugar in the bloodstream. Doubtless I have oversimplified what medicines do, but a treatise on pharmacology is not the point.

The point? It is essential that the correct medicine be given for the correct illness. The wrong medicine can either have no effect, or worse, have an adverse effect. Patients would rightly be outraged if a doctor gave them the wrong medicine.

Question:
Why then are we being given the wrong medicine for our spiritual condition?

Just as a serious illness leads to physical death, spiritual death is certain if we are not born again spiritually. The Bible says very clearly that man has a fatal spiritual condition – he is born with a sin nature. He is born with the bent to sin. Notice how babies can manipulate their mothers form very early in life. Notice how kids learn the bad ways quickly but find the good behaviors that much harder to do.

This inborn tendency to be selfish and to covet what others have lies at the root of what plagues society today. But God wants us to be reconciled to Him. He wants to give us a new nature – His own Spirit, to live in us and through us. But this cannot happen by our own efforts. He has given the medicine in the form of His Son, Jesus. By His shed blood on the cross, Jesus has given us the opportunity to believe and be forgiven, to renounce sin and accept His pardon. This process results in a new birth. We are born again into the kingdom of God, and receive the Holy Spirit. We have the "Spirit of Christ” in us.

But while we can become a Christian in an instant, it takes a life time of learning to develop Christ likeness. Our goal after becoming a Christian is to have the “mind of Christ”.

This growing into the love and knowledge of God and deeper into Christ like attitudes and godly disposition requires dedication and discernment. It requires feeding on the right food and taking the right maintenance medication.

Here again, the parallels with physical well being are revealed. Once a body is healthy, after being cured of a disease by life-saving medicine, the patient must look after his nutrition to keep healthy. He should eat the proper foods and avoid unhealthy diet. He may also need to take supplements or maintenance medications.

Similarly, once we are saved from the penalty of spiritual death by taking the salvation “medicine” (believing in the good news of Jesus), we need to maintain our spiritual self. We cannot remain as spiritual baby. We need good, genuine nourishment.

1 Peter 2: 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby

We need to feed daily on the Word of God and obey what it says. We need also to take regular “medicine” and this may involve painful corrective steps which God might require of us. For example, we may need to stop an addictive behavior that robs our time with God. Growing in Christ is a life long process that requires authentic and true spiritual food.

In this context, I want to warn myself and all fellow believers that it is easy to be deceived. In a third world country some years ago, a number of children died because they were treated for diarrhea with a counterfeit medication. Instead of making the pills with the antibiotic, the unscrupulous manufacturer used mil instead. The doctors could not understand why the children were not improving and many were dying. By the time the truth was found out, it was too late. Many young babes had already died.

The Christian world has many counterfeits that the devil has used to try and kill off spiritual babies even before they can grow in Christ. The devil has already counterfeited the gospel message by giving man a plethora of religions to believe in. Just like a sick patient, the spiritually sick man now finds an array of choices and is fooled into taking the wrong medicine. It breaks my heart to see that many people are unable to understand the simple gospel message of salvation.

Secondly, even those who believe in Christ are targeted by the devil with deceit. Numerous deviations and half truths are given to confuse believers. Many so-called ministers of religion are masquerading as Christian leaders and giving wrong maintenance or nutrition to churches. An extreme example comes for the Catholic Church, which has added praying to Mary to the simple gospel of Jesus. By this simple expedient, they have nullified the salvation message. It is like a doctor giving a life saving medication to a patient, but the effect is negated by another medicine the patient is ingesting given to him by a “friend”. By the time the truth is found out, it may be too late!

Then again, you have leaders who, among other things, deny the Bible, the deity of Christ or the salvific exclusivity of Jesus' Name. Anyone who tries to grow in such an environment will die, because they are receiving counterfeit medicine. For example, many so called Christian leaders now believe all religions are one. A catholic cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington when praying in the presence of King Abdullah of Jordan offered a concluding prayer "in the name of Allah, the merciful and compassionate.” (1). I remember the Episcopal servie after 9/11 attended by President Bush, where a priest offered a prayer to "the God of Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad"! What blasphemy!

Anyone who has been saved and then goes to these churches will quickly loose his faith. He will be led down the garden path to destruction. Why do Christians everywhere not condemn and remove such leaders? They would certainly do so if it were an errant doctor!

Then you have other pastors who have signed a document that affirms Darwin’s theory of evolution. Almost 10,000 pastors have signed The Clergy Letter Project, which says that "We urge school board members to preserve the integrity of the science curriculum by affirming the teaching of the theory of evolution as a core component of human knowledge. We ask that science remain science and that religion remain religion, two very different, but complementary, forms of truth.” (2) . About 450 churches had services to honour Darwin, who only conceived the theory because he did not want to believe in God!

This deceptions are like giving milk tablets to the children with diarrhea. They will die. Churches which affirm such blatantly antithetical theories to Christianity are likely to perish with their flocks. We have to pray for the souls who go to these churches. They are being hurt and are innocent victims of the agents of the devil, who is the manufacturer of these spiritual “milk tablets”. In fact the tablets are more like cyanide, for they will trip up even the elect Christian.

I have given two blatant examples of counterfeit spiritual teaching. Many others are less noticeable and more subtle. They are like diluted pills, or less potent pills, that may spiritually weaken but not kill immediately.

Ever wondered why your life is spiritually dull or bare?

Check to see if you are in a Bible believing church, where the truth of the Bible is faithfully preached through the grid of apostolic faith. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. God's truths never change, especially today. Do not believe those who say we can change traditional understandings and plain reading of scripture in light of new cultural sensitivities (e.g. homosexuality, abortions, pluralism, interfaith services, new age practices and exercises, etc).

Ever wonder why your previosly vibrant spiritual health is declining?

Check to see if you are receiving the correct medicine, as found in the Bible, and illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Leave any church and any leader who deviates, no matter how painful it may be. Your spiritual health, and mine, is all that matters.

Pray this prayer daily: (Psalm 83:11)

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

I have spent a lifetime nursing physically ill patients back to health. I know what good comes of proper medication and the harm that is caused by diluted or counterfeit medicines. I have seen the same parallels in the spiritual realm.

Amen

+Dr Joshua Raj MD, ThD

References:
(1) By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff WriterWednesday, September 14, 2005; Page A14
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091301810.html

(2) By Lisa AndersonChicago Tribune national correspondentPublished February 11, 2006
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0602110101feb11,1,287350.story?page=1