Campus Link Jan-Feb 2012

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Christmas and New Year season saw news papers and fliers carrying advertisements of consumer products offering products at ‘great’ prices. Ads of loan melas and exchange melas too filled the pages. But, invariably all these ads had an asterisk mark (*) put close to the offer price. Somewhere in the corner of the ad, two words in small print ‘conditions apply’ appeared and below that, set of conditions listed in still smaller print! These conditions will practically rob us of all the enthusiasm we had at the beginning! Asterisk attracts and then pushes us back!

Jesus had two words to invite people: ‘Follow me’. He did not put any asterisk mark to attract them. He was rather plain in His statements. He explained in Luke 14:27: “If anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me, cannot be my disciple.” He made it absolutely clear from the beginning that it was a costly business and explained what was involved.

Oswald J. Smith summarizes the cost of discipleship in two words: GOD FIRST! He said, “It is a question of signing a blank agreement. Put your name down at the bottom and let God write in the terms and conditions of the agreement after.”

The temptation always is to settle down for a form of discipleship that bears little resemblance to the teachings and expectations of Jesus. It is easier to justify our decisions based on global trends, needs, our gifts, preferences and prejudices. God knows our ‘motives.’

‘God First’ will become the rule of our lives when we love Him deeply and obey Him willingly in every sphere of our lives. Excuses, however convincing cannot be the determining factors.

Jesus openly declared to count the cost before following Him. It may look absurd in a rationalistic world to follow Jesus. When we do surrender ourselves without any asterisks attached, we prove that we love him more than anything.

S. Arul ManoharUESI General Secý

No Conditions Apply

G uest E ditorial!

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I nside Campus LinkCampus LinkVol. 14 No. 1

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LEAD

Dare To Be Different - R Billy

More Precious More Powerful - Ada Lum

The Wise Prince - Preeti Arpit

Come and Die - Jacob Samuel

Some Guiding Principles of Conduct - Oswald Sanders

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ArchivEs

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Dare To Be Different 4

Forever In Your Arm 9

More Precious More Powerful 10

The Wise Prince 14

Come and Die 17

Transformtion Ladder 20

A Check-up on Your Vocabulary!! 21

Humility 22

Bible Quiz 24

Some Guiding Principles of Conduct 26

C ontents

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Compromise among the Christians is quite common now a days. Dare to be different as a Christian Disciple is not that much easy! Jesus has called His disciples to be radically different and not like the disciples of the Pharisees and Sadducees of their times.

In the early Church, the disciples were first called Christians, Acts 11: 26. But, in our time, we are forced to use different adjectives to describe a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. The simple question we need to ask ourselves is: Am I a devotee or a Disciple?

Someone has said rightly: “Discipleship is a life spent seeking Christ-likeness in the company of other seekers.” J. H. Arnold defines, “Discipleship is not the question of our own doing; it is a matter of making a room for God so that He can live

with us.” The discipleship also means the Lordship of Christ. The word ‘Lord’ means, ‘Master’, underlines [i] Authority to command obedience; [ii] Owner-ship (like masters over a slave).

Discipleship describes the process of our spiritual growth in each area of our lives to be more pleasing to the Lord. So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all aspects bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. 1:10 NASB. All aspects –- every area of our lives should be made pleasing to our Lord.

Five Misconceptions of Discipleship:

Discipleship takes place when people attend Christian programmes.

In fact, much good teaching can take place during church, but it is

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

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different from both the religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5-7, is the most complete delineation any-where in the New Testament of

the Christian counter-culture. Here is a Christian value-system,

often too general and not targeted to the special needs of a new Christian.

Discipleship just happens.

In fact, we must go counter cultural and instruct others personally and lovingly about the ways of Christ. We need to ask the hard questions and get involved into the process of why they do things.

Discipleship is only for new Christians.

In fact, discipleship is a process that should continue all through our lives. A disciple always emulates his/her master's life. Once a disciple, always a disciple.

Discipleship is a programme.

In fact, discipleship is a lifestyle. We are Christ's disciples and this Christian life calls us to learn and live like Him. This will require significant changes in the way we think and live.

Discipleship is only for certain parts of our lives.

In fact, Christ wants to teach us in each aspect of our lives from our parenting skills to handling finances. This differs from some cults which will actually make your decisions for you!

‘The followers of Jesus are to be different’, writes John Stott, ‘different from both the nominal Church and the secular world,

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seven basic requirements of a disciple:

The deep love on Lord Jesus

Christ, Luke 14:26

Self denial, Matt. 16:24

Bearing the cross joyfully, Matt. 16:24

Living a life by keeping Jesus as

model

Genuine love towards other

believers, John 13: 35

Hold on to God’s Word and not

turning left or right, John 8:31

To follow Him, leaving everything,

Luke 14:33.

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ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships – all of which are totally at variance with those in the non-Christian world. And this Christian counter-culture is the life of the Kingdom of God, a

fully human life indeed but lived out under the divine rule.’

Growing as a disciple involves building Christ’s character. This is costly, involving denial of self. This building is also through

spiritual victory in the battle against the spiritual enemies. One must surely count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciple.

Convictions based on God’s Word would really help us to take stand for Christ during the difficult times in our spiritual life. Though we are part of a Christian community, our personal convictions are so important. We read in the Scriptures, that Daniel has resolved in his mind, Dan. 1:8. How much it is needed for our daily living? In our campus life or in our work spots, our convictions are tested sometimes. The corrupt world in which we live is looking for people with convictions. Under the peer pressure, we tend to leave our convictions and be ready for compromise.

Courageous: To be known as a Christian in our faith and practice is a challenge. We are afraid of people! We are worried about our name! Instead of being bold in some situations, we withdrew ourselves or join a group and be one among them. God gives strength to those who seek Him earnestly. With His help, we can be courageous and not with our own strength. Remember “There is no substitute for spiritual and moral authority”.

Character is so important for any person. If character is lost, everything is lost. Paul motivated his disciple Timothy, “Let no one

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LinksAs an

evangelical student /

graduate, we need to:- have

Convictions in a personal way

- be Courageous to stand for

Truth

- build our Character in Christ-likeness

- be Consistent in our lives

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despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity,” I Tim. 4:12. We need to consciously build our character. A German Proverb says, “Talent is born in silence, but Character is born in the struggle of life”. Others may appreciate our talents and achievements, but ultimately our character stands out. We all know that who we are is more important than what we do. Let us give importance for integrity to be shown in every area of life.

Consistency is another big challenge for any believer. Even in our day to day life, we lack consistency. In keeping our promises, our words , and actions, we don’t have consistency. As believers, we should not depend only on attending programmes for our Christian living. As we grow, do we see the consistency in our Christian life? In our times, we have seen some of believing friends slip away from walking with Christ.

Gordon MacDonald, in his book, mentions 7 conditions that threaten Spiritual Passion:

1. The Drained condition - Any person who is heavily involved with people in highly stressful encounters of problem solving, conflict or sales will understand what it means to be drained.

2. The Dried Out condition - If the one who is drained out has

reached the state by exhausting resources, one who is drained out has reached that state by not taking anything into the inner chambers of life for quite some time. Both are closely associated.

3. The Distorted condition – Spiritual passion is constantly under attack by the distortions of truth that pervade our times. Lot looked with his eyes and saw the beauty of Sodom. He did not look from an inner spirit of values and convictions.

4. The Devastated condition - It is the fatigue that originates with people and events vigorously opposed to what one stands for. One can go for just so long in the face of outright opposition from people and events. A person stripped of everything by his enemies. He is the epitome of weariness.

5. The Disillusioned condition- Spiritual passion can also be neutralized in disillusionment: the deflation of great dreams.

6. The Defeated condition - There is a weariness that comes from total personal defeat. Perhaps this is the most common of all the varieties of weariness.

7. The Disheartened condition - We fall into the intimidated or disheartened condition when we begin to gain a view of people, events or institutions that causes them to appear to be far more

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1. You were planned for God’s pleasure

2. You were formed for God’s family

3. You were created to become like Christ

4. You were shaped for serving God

5. You were made for a mission

So, let us dare to be different with the power of the Holy Spirit, as God has a big plan and purpose for our individual and corporate life.

R. Billy The author and his wife Persis were staff of UESI for 23 years. At present, he is serving with ESAF as Asst General Manager (HR) in Tamilnadu, based at Coimbatore.

powerful than the God of our faith.

What is our condition now? Yes, it is good to check as a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘I have decided to follow Jesus’ – it is a calling and commitment. Let us be true to this calling.

Rick Warren in his classical book, The Purpose Driven Life, says that God has a clear cut purpose for each one of us. He starts with saying that the purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose. Then, he mentions the 5 purposes of God in our lives:

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Forever in Your Arm Lord, sin always lurks at my door,

I fall, with my eyes away from the shore,

Ever my heart wandered,

My Strength squandered,

My trust shatters in bits,

My sin, weighs me to the deepest pits.

My mind goes blank,

With worries my thoughts sank,

Why can’t I lean on your shoulder?

That makes me bolder,

To see you fight the battles,

With my foe, who ever rattles.

Your Peace refreshes me,

Your joy redeems me,

You are hurt because of my sin,

But your love never goes thin.

Your presence calms me down,

To be forever in your arm.

- Shiju CherianPuducherry

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We all wish we had some gold! That would help pay our debts and insure our earthly future. That would allow us to buy more things and going to more places. But the Bible itself dares to say God’s Word is more precious than gold because of the great spiritual wealth it can bring to us, Psalm 19:10.

We also wish we had more power to deal with evil in the world—and in ourselves. Yet this power is available to us, for “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword,” having power to penetrate the depths of a person to bring conviction of sin, Hebrews 4:12. Amazing! And frightening!!

For over 30 years my sisters and I had been praying for our parents’ salvation. Nothing seemed to move them towards the King-dom. We had invited them to our

church. We had left tracts around the house. We had talked to them about Jesus’ salvation.

Years later, I was on home leave from overseas ministries. One afternoon mother and I were sipping tea. For the first time she expressed curiosity about what I did “around the world.” Aha, an open door. I replied, “Here if people want to know God they have opportunity because there are more people who know God. Where I go people have less opportunity, because there are fewer people who know God.”

She showed mild interest, so I pursued. “Would you like me to tell you how I help them to know God?”

“Okay.”

“I don’t preach to them. I don’t lecture about God. We read a small part of the Bible. We ask God to

Precious PowerfulMore

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see. She saw him. Then on her own she began reading the Bible starting with Genesis. I wondered how she would respond to King David’s sins of adultery and murder. She liked 2 Samuel! It was through David that God gave her understanding of the sinfulness of man and of God’s grace in forgiveness.

My experience of reading the Bible with Mother profoundly influenced my ministry as a Bible teacher evangelist. I became more convinced that “the holy

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The Bible is God’s

precious and powerful Word! God intends

it to

make us wise for salvation;

inspire us to follow him more

closely; and

Transform our personal

relationships here on earth

help us understand what He’s saying. We talk about how that can directly help us in everyday life. Gradually together we come to know God and his ways.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s, you and I read the Bible that way, Mother.”

How I thank God Mother could read! Only as an adult did I realize this was unusual. She was born in China, and it was unusual for females in her generation to go to school. She had had only two years of night school. But she had learned to read. She was a simple person, not intellectual but wise, reflective. She comes to mind whenever I read Psalm 19:7b, “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

She never learned English when she came to America (She was too busy with ten children). We used the Chinese Bible. My Chinese was wretched, barely passable. In seeking to explain some biblical ideas I didn’t have an adequate Chinese vocabulary. So I KNOW those Bible readings were led not by me, but by the Holy Spirit. That’s when I came to be more convinced of the quiet inherent power of God’s Word.

We read Mark, because of the 4 Gospels it is the shortest, simplest, fast-paced, action-packed. It has vivid pictures of Jesus, who above all was what I wanted Mother to

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Scriptures . . . are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. 3:14.” I learned to cooperate more with the Holy Spirit.

In a different situation I came to appreciate how Jesus’ followers must have direct knowledge of Jesus in the Gospels. This happened in a student leadership training conference outside of Paris. In a morning Bible exposition on evangelism, I was emphasizing that the evangelist must first of all have a warm love for Jesus Christ, Rev. 3:15.

By contrast I shared my observation that many Christians are politely bored with Jesus. They believe He’s the Son of God and the only qualified Savior from their sins. They respect and admire Him. But they’re quietly bored with Jesus.

Right after that session we went to lunch. Jacques, a third year law

student, and I walked together to the dining hall. He was quietly eager to ask a question. “You were talking about me when you described Christians who are bored with Jesus. My parents are Christians, and I’ve gone to church all my life. I believe all the right doctrines. But Jesus doesn’t excite me the way you were describing him. How can I get out of this boredom with Jesus?”

Of course I was delighted with his question! I answered something like this: “We have 5 more days at this conference. Start reading one of the Gospels. As a law student you may want to read John’s Gospel, where you can watch and listen as Jesus debates with the nation’s top lawyers of Scripture. Visualize Him as He interacts with them and others—His body language, His facial expressions, especially His eyes. Try to hear what His voice sounded like. Watch how his listeners watch

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Now he still gets up at 4 AM and studies the Bible. When we sit down to breakfast we discuss what he has learned. Ada, he’s the spiritual leader in our home now!” More tears.

The Bible is God’s precious and powerful Word! God intends it to 1) make us wise for salvation; 2) inspire us to follow him more closely; and 3) transform our personal relationships here on earth.

Ada Lum

The author teaches at the Bible Institute of Hawaii. Though retired as a staff member with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), she still visits various countries to do Bible study training.

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him. Follow his line of argument to a climax. Ask the Lord to open your inner eyes to see Him. Respond to what you hear Him telling you.”

I could see that this was a new challenge for this longtime Christian, probably used to a mechanical reading of the Bible. So I finished, “Let’s have breakfast on Saturday (the last day) and see what has happened with you and Jesus.” As I expected, Jacques came to breakfast on Saturday beaming. By his persistence in the Scriptures and God’s grace, he was no longer bored with Jesus!

Last week after our church service I was glad to see a couple I hadn’t seen for a while because they attended the earlier service. A year ago they had begun attending our church after 30 years with the Mormon church. They were faithful students in our “toughest Bible class on campus” where the very experienced and gifted teacher gives homework and the following week checks if every-one has done it.

Sachi and I were talking together, as her husband Hiroshi was chatting with someone else. She told of how challenging the Bible class was and that what they learned was affecting their marriage. Then with tears she shared: “Hiroshi used to get up at 4 o’clock every morning to trade on the New York stock exchange.

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(An imaginary conversation between Prince William and Prince Charles, like the one Prince Moses would have had with the Pharaoh of Egypt)

“Somalia! Are you crazy?!” exclaimed Prince Charles.

“I am not crazy, I am concerned” Prince William replied.

“Let their leaders be concerned. Let them manage to live on their own...”

“They are dying!”

“So what!” Prince Charles argued.

“God loves them, and so do I. I will tell them of God’s love and help them live.”

“That’s not your job! You have to become the king after me.”

“I’d rather become a servant of

God, the King of kings, than the king of England.” William said.

“So what will you go there and do? Distribute our great wealth away to that hungry, naked lot?”

“No” he replied, “I am leaving your wealth and going.”

“You are crazy! Who on earth would leave this enormous wealth, this status of a prince, all the eminence and the grandeur of Buckingham palace for the suffering and awful poverty of Somalia! Its just insane!”

“Suffering abuse for Christ is far greater wealth than all these treasures. Moth and rust will destroy them, but the reward for Christ’s servants will be forever.” William smiled.

The Wise Prince

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“That is foolishness” said Prince Charles, “What is it that you lack here? Nothing! You name it and its yours…The finest of things on the earth are at your disposal… The most exotic pleasures you can enjoy …”

“The pleasures of sin are fleeting. I’d rather share ill-treatment with the people of God. For the reward that God will give people will be forever.” William said with an assurance that Charles could not comprehend.

“Do you have the slightest idea of how dire conditions they live in? You have grown up in extravagance… all the sumptuousness of the palace… you want to go and perish in dearth and wretchedness there?!”

“Though my outward self perishes, my inward self will be renewed day by day. For my light affliction which is but for a moment will work for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

“Have you lost your senses?!” Charles shouted, “Can’t you see what grandeur you are leaving - for a life of misery!”

“I am not looking at the things that are seen but at the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

“We have wasted our time in bringing up a useless son like

you!”

“All my time that I have lived in the palace here has been lost… Time will end… Of all the work that I did till now, nothing is going to count. I have not accomplished anything that will last beyond my lifetime, but that’s what I am going to do now…. Invest the short time I have on earth to do what will last beyond Time, and matter in eternity.”

“William, we have spent billions of dollars to always give you the best of everything – food, clothes, education… you have been trained in every way to become a ruler, a king! What about it? Are you wasting it away?!” Charles shouted.

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

“What rubbish!” Charles fumed with anger.

“Indeed, I count them as dung that I may win Christ”

“You don’t deserve to be my son! I am ashamed of you,” he shouted!

“God is not ashamed to be called my God.”

“The whole world will call you foolish to give up the magnificence and the kingship of Great Britain!”

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“I desire a better country than England, a heavenly one…”

Pharaoh, the king of Egypt was about to kill Moses…

Moses had made such choices… the writer of Hebrews describes them as “BY FAITH” He did not have a Bible…or fellowship of those who believe… nor someone to guide him. We do. The choices and decisions we make, are they influenced by it? In what ways is my faith in God revealed to those around me?

Is my definition of “wealth” the same as those of the world? The things in which my time is spent, is it going to count in eternity?

Moses prayed, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom,” Psalm 90:12 If we know that our days are short, we will become wise to do the things that will last beyond Time and gain eternal treasures.

Let us risk becoming ‘Worldly-foolish’ for becoming ‘Heavenly-wise’.

Preeti A. Khristmukti

The author and her husband Mr Arpit Khristmukti are UESI staffworkers, based in Ahmedabad. They are blessd with 2 children, Jason & Susan.

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After the First World War and the subsequent economic depression the German people were so despondent that they saw the rise of Adolf Hitler as an answer to their prayer. But there were many exceptions and one of them was the young pastor-theologian Dietrich Bonheoffer, who was determined not only to refute this idea but also to topple Hitler at any cost.

Dietrich Bonheoffer was born on

Feb. 4, 1906, in Breslau, Poland. He was raised in a liberal, nominally religious environment. When at age 14, Dietrich announced he intended to become a minister and theologian, the family was not pleased.

Bonhoeffer graduated from the University of Berlin in 1927, at age 21, and then spent some months in Spain as an assistant pastor to a German congregation. This was followed by an year of Theological studies at New York's Union Theological Seminary, before returning to the post of lecturer at the University of Berlin.

During these years, Hitler rose to power. He became the Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and President one and a half years later. His hatred of the Jews was becoming more and more evident in his speeches and actions. He made strategic moves to bring the German Church under his control. Christians who were concerned about it joined together under the leadership of Dietrich Bonheoffer, theologian Carl Barth and pastor Martin Niemoller to form the

COME AND DIE - The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer -

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Bonheoffer’s words, “Cheap grace is grace

without disciple- ship, grace

without the cross, grace without

Jesus Christ.” In contrast, “costly

grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus; it comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the contrite

heart.

Confessing Church which publicly denounced the interference of the State in the confessional freedom of the church and declared that the supreme allegiance of the church is to Jesus Christ and the Word of God. The Government banned Bonheoffer from teaching and so he started teaching in an underground seminary. But the seminary was discovered and closed.

Bonheoffer wrote The Cost of Discipleship (1937) which is considered a classic on Christian discipleship. It is a call to more faithful and radical obedience

to Christ and a severe rebuke to comfortable Christianity. He tries to answer the question, “What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ today? What does Christian discipleship mean to the business man, the labourer, the soldier, the aristocrat?”

Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount he provides a seminal reading of the dichotomy between “cheap grace” and “costly grace”.

It is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him.” He believed that the call to discipleship is a call to death and expressed it through one of the most quoted sentences in the book, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”.

World War II was already in the air and it was risky for Bonheoffer to be in Germany. His friends urged him to leave Germany and for a time he listened and came to New York. Yet as he walked around the streets of the city, he became convinced that, like Jonah fleeing from Nineveh, he had refused the call of God to fight the Nazis from within Germany. And he knew what that call meant — it was a call to death. He was convinced that following Jesus meant going back to his homeland, whatever is the cost. He boarded a ship and sailed back to Germany.

Germany was going through tough times. The state had bent the church entirely to its will. The church leadership

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was hanged along with six others.

A decade later, a camp doctor who witnessed Bonhoeffer's hanging described the scene: "The prisoners … were taken from their cells and the verdicts of court martial read out to them. Through the half-open door in one room of the huts, I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer, before taking off his prison garb, kneeling on the floor praying fervently to his God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued in a few seconds. In the almost 50 years that I have worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God."

Jacob SamuelThe author is a member of Palakkad EGF, Kerala is working for ESAF as Director-Programmes. Presently he is the Chair person of the Training department of UESI.

consisted of men who were either compromised or helpless. Those leaders who spoke against Hitler were either brutally murdered or sent to concentration camps. Bonhoeffer, though privy to various plots on Hitler's life, was never at the center of the plans. Eventually his resistance efforts (mainly his role in rescuing Jews) was discovered. In April 1943, Bonhoeffer was arrested and sent to Tegel prison.

Bonhoeffer spent two years in prison, corresponding with family and friends, pastoring fellow prisoners, and reflecting on the meaning of "Jesus Christ for today”. The collection of the letters and theological papers which he wrote while in prison was later edited and published as “Letters and Papers from Prison”. Eventually, Bonhoeffer was transferred from Tegel to Buchenwald and then to the extermination camp at Flossen-bürg. On April 9, 1945, one month before Germany surrendered, he

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and an awareness to guard our ways being “Children of Light”. As it is said rightly, ”Our greatest weaknesses if guarded and worked upon have the potential of becoming our greatest strengths.” Completing half of the journey puts a “Universal Responsibility” which empowers and brings joy. As a believer my first responsibility was to work in line with the life process by maintaining harmony i.e. working against unfavourable forces within me, for instance, anger, jealousy etc. If not there will be conflicts at all levels with myself, with society and with all living beings. Reaching the summit brings me the quality of influencing people by behaving as “Representatives of Lord” in all my ways because action speaks louder than words.

A Long time may be taken before my efforts bear fruits but it will never bother me. One step taken in right direction would be highly meaningful, just like, when I took my first step of transformation in “Living Light - Lord Jesus.”

Kanika Pawar

Kanika Pawar completed recently her Ph.D in Dairy Technology from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana

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Our life as believers resemble to a ladder with many upward steps. Along the way, we are faced by a fear of falling down; yet, hope in the future helps us advance.

The first step I took was to surrender myself in the hands of the Almighty. Moving further the second step was Relationship which encompasses an insatiable desire to be with the Lord through Quiet Time, sharing little things in prayers and reading the Word. As it is said “The labourer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on . . .” Taking more steps on the ladder unravels the secrets inside you (real person) by developing an insight of knowing your “Weaknesses”

Transformation Ladder

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“God heals but the doctor takes the fee,” said Benjamin Franklin. A peep into the doctor’s vocabulary. Don’t feel intimidated. It is good to know and here’s hoping you won’t ever need it personally. Do you feel stumped to hear some typically medical terms? 1. contusion a. ulcer2. fistulla b. stitch3. polyp c. stiffening of body after death4. spasm d. elderly person getting special care5. suppuration e. surgical dressing6. coagulation f. sudden involuntary muscular contraction7. atrophy g. sustained pulling on a limb by means of pulleys/weights8. anorexia h. internal injury 9. rigor mortis i. thickening/congealing of blood10. geriatric j. lack/loss of appetite for food11. chiropractic k. wasting away (muscles, etc.) due to disuse 12. odontology l. study of the nature of diseases13. morphine m. nodule14. lesion n. cut; wound15. pathology o. study of the structure of teeth 16. antidote p. treating of bone disorders17. panacea q. drug18. poultice r. remedy19. traction s. pus formation20. suture t. cure-all C L

L anguage Matters

M. Santosh Kumar Former UESI Staff, Teaches English in an Engg College, Chennai. [email protected]

A Check-up on Your Vocabulary!!

Answers: 1. h; 2. a; 3. m; 4. f; 5. s; 6. i; 7. k; 8. j; 9. c; 10. d; 11. p; 12. o; 13. q; 14. n; 15. l; 16. r; 17. t; 18. e; 19. g; 20. b.

Ratings: 20: Perfect!; 15-19: Great!; 10-14: You are doing well!; 5-9: Buck up!;1-4: Time to think?

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Humility should be the hallmark of every believer. Because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:34. If we are proud, He will oppose us at every step. But if we are humble he will give us grace to go on. We are warned in the Bible that if we are proud, we will face disgrace and destruction, Pro. 11:2; 16:18. As we grow in our education, experience, and achievements, etc., we may find pride coming in us without our being aware of its infiltration. There was a time when Saul was small in his own eyes, 1 Sam. 15:17. He knew his humble origin, 1Samuel 9:21). He did not think he was worthy of becoming a king (1Samuel 10:22b). But then he became a leader of God’s people. Pride set in, and that led to his downfall and rejection.All God’s saints and servants have been small in their own eyes:

- Abraham is called a friend of God, Jam. 2:23. Yet, he was a humble man. In his intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah, he con-fesses to God that he was nothing but ‘dust and ashes,’ Gen. 18:27. - Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was powerful in speech and actions, Acts 7:22. Yet when God was calling him to take the people out of Egypt into the ‘promised land’, he said, “Who am I,” Exo. 3:11? - David the greatest king of Israel was a man after God’s own heart, Acts 13:22. Yet, when God promised to bless him and his future generations, he said to God in all humility, “Who am I,” 2 Sam. 7:18. -Job was a man of integrity. When God confronted him, he said, “I am insignificant. How can I answer you,” Job 40:4? -Apostle Paul, a great apostle said repeatedly, “I am nothing,” 2 Cor.

HUMILITY

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s ign me up!12:11b, “I am less than the least of all God’s people,” Eph.3:8, “I am the worst of sinners,” 1 Tim. 1:15.Being humble does not mean suffering from inferiority complex. The same Paul said, “Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the ‘super-apostles’” 2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11. If it does not mean suffering from inferiority complex, what does it mean? - Not to think of ourselves more highly than we should think. It means to think of ourselves sensibly, Rom. 12:3. It means to give all the credit and glory to God for all our success and achievement. Paul puts it in this way, By God’s grace I am what I am, 1 Cor. 15:10. - Not to be proud but to associate with the humble. It means not to be wise in our own estimation, Rom. 12:16b. - In humility to consider others as more important than ourselves, Phil. 2:3. - To be a servant leader, Lk 22:25-27. - To clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, 1 Peter 5:5. - To humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God - to submit to Him, so that He may exalt us in due time, 1 Pet. 5:6.May God enable us to be humble in our attitude, action and re-action- always, all the time, everywhere! Richard Masih UESI Staff based in Delhi

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B ible Q uiz

BIBLE QUIZScripture Portion: Book of Isaiah ch. 1-13

Note: Answers should be brief. Quote relevant verses as required.

1. Many New Testament writers quote the prophecies of Isaiah either in fulfillment or interpretation of the same. Given below are 6 such prophecies. Find the references from the book of Isaiah and the corresponding references from the New Testament.

a. The virgin birth of Jesus who will be called Immanuel

b. Jesus will bring honour and light to gentiles in Galilee

c. Only the remnant of Israel will return/be saved.

d. Jesus will be a stone that causes men to stumble.

e. In that day, the root of Jesse will rule over the nations including the gentiles.

f. Jesus calls His chosen people, as His children, the Lord has given Him.

2. Isaiah prophesied to the people of the kingdom of Judah during the reign of the kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. What was the most important political event that took place during the ministry of Isaiah, concerning one of the kingdoms of the Jews?

3.When does God refuse to listen to the many prayers of His people?

4. God’s call of Isaiah to His ministry is described in Ch 6:1-9. What 3 important principles do we learn about God’s call of His people for His ministry?

5.Ch 8:1-8 and ch 10:24-27 gives prophecies of Isaiah concerning the southern kingdom of Judah, Northern kingdom of Israel and kingdom of Aram( Damascus).How were these prophecies fulfilled? ( Take clue from II kings ch 16 to 19.

6.Read Ch 2:1-4 carefully. In Biblical terms, ‘mountain’ in vs.2 is a symbol of a great kingdom. Thus, this passage is a prophecy about the establishment of a future kingdom, What are the 4 essential features of this kingdom? C L

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Answers: Bible Crossword Puzzle - History of Israel - 20 Clues across1. Contributed (ch 7:70) 6. Labourers (ch 4:10) 7. Ate (ch 5:14)8. built (ch 8:4) 11. Earlier (ch 5:15) 12. Sin (ch 6:13)14. set (ch 2:11) 15. Eliashib (ch 13:7) 17. Rebuilding (ch 2:18)Clues Down 1. Celebrated (ch 8:17) 2. Nebai (ch 10:19) 3. Imri( ch 3:2)4.East (jumbled) (ch 3:26) 5. Desecrating (ch 13:17) 9. Ten (ch 11:1)10. ill (ch 2:2) 12. Shine (ch 9:19) 13.kill (ch 4:11)16. Ai (ch 7:32)

Be a winner! Send your answers to:

Campus Link, 19/10, Millers Road, Chennai -10 [email protected]

The Bible Quiz Master is a retired engineer of the Indian Railways. He has worked in Nagpur, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai where he and his wife, have been associated with EGF. They now live in Chennai.

Winners: Bible Crossword Puzzle, History of Israel - 20

Ms Vuyyuru Triveni, Hyderabad, AP Mrs Chandrakumari Mohan, Nagercoil, TN Mr Jairaj Lawrence, Hyderabad, AP Ms Pheobe, Gooty, AP Mrs Stella Samuel, Kolar, KA Mr N. Sam Manohar, Nagercoil, TNMr N. Sam Pitchai, Vadamalayanpuram, TN

B ible Q uiz

Build Your Bible Knowledge with the

Bible Crossword Puzzles

This book can be used in fellowship groups

rs 70/- only

For copies write to [email protected]

Fredric Dawson

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"Under law to Christ," I Cor. 9 : 21

All Christians, but perhaps more particularly the younger ones, are perplexed at times concerning the rightness or otherwise of a course of action we propose to follow. "Would it be right for me as a Christian to do this, or to go there?" is a question to which they earnestly desire to find an authoritative and satisfying answer. How can it be found? Many have been brought up under a series of taboos, especially on questions of worldliness, and have too often yielded to the convictions of others of which they themselves are not fully convinced.

Such an attitude is not always conducive to a virile and healthy

Some Guiding

Principles of Conduct

spiritual experience since it is one derived largely at secondhand. We must by diligent study of the Scriptures, by thought and prayer, arrive at our convictions and not weakly adopt those inherited from others.

But having said that, we should guard against the idea that there is no place for prohibitions in Christian life. They are plentifully found in both Old and New Testaments—the Ten Commandments, for example. If it be objected that we are "not under law but under grace," and that the restrictions of the law do not apply to Christians, the answer is that nine out of ten commandments in the decalogue are reiterated in the New Testament, where their application is greatly_ widened.

As suggested during a student group brainstorm session, we publish here an article from our archives, The Evangelical Student, Sept.—Oct. 1961. The

Evangelical Student was the magazine of UESI in the 1950s-60s.

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Murder in the act is traced to hatred in the heart. It is true that we are no longer "under the law' as a way of justification, but we are "under law to Christ" as a new way of life. Paul is as free with his prohibitions as with his exhortations. "Put off," "abstain,"

"lay aside" are characteristic of his letters.

It is the genius of New Testament Christianity to lay down clear guiding principles rather than to impose a set of taboos, a system of rules and regulations, for God delights to deal with His people as adult children rather than as children under a tutor. Since this is the case, in reading the Scriptures we should constantly ask, “What are the spiritual principles propounded in this passage?”

If we are to receive guidance, absolute sincerity of purpose is essential, for God undertakes to reveal His will only to the one who is prepared to do it. There must be a complete willingness to accept the teaching of Scripture as final in all matters of faith and practice. To approach a doubtful matter with such questions as "Where is the harm in it ?" or "Others do it. why not I?" is to indicate that it has been prejudged and it is not so much guidance which is sought as sanction. The mind is almost made up already. "If any man's will is to do His will, he, shall know . . .," John 7:17, is a principle of universal application. Where there is a genuine purpose to do God's will as soon as He reveals it the seeker will not remain long in darkness. But conversely, unwillingness to do God's will effectively excludes the light of divine guidance.

Ca

mpu

sLinksThe

Bible does not legislate in detail for

every matter of conduct which

might arise, but it does enumerate clear principles which, correctly applied, cover

every conceivable case. If God did

not thus give clear guidance how can we then be held responsible for failure to do His will? It is the genius of New Testament

Christianity to lay down clear guiding

principles.

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Six Eliminating Questions

To ask and answer the following questions will automatically dispose of many problems

concerning doubtful things.

Will it bring glory to God? "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Cor. 10 : 31). If the chief end of man is to glorify God, this should be our first test and chief concern. If the proposed course ends on self and does not bring glory to God, it is something which can well be laid aside.

Is it profitable? Will it help me in my Christian life, my witness, my service? "All things care lawful for me, but all things are not expedient : all things lawful for me, but all things edify not" (I Cor. 10 : 23). Will it tend to make my life more profitable to God and to my fellow man?

Does it edify ? Does it build me in my Christian character and will it help me to build up the Church of God? "For edification, and not for your destruction" (2 Cor. 10 : 8). God's supreme interest is centred in His Church and we should share His concern for its upbuilding.

Does it tend to enslave ? “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything,” 1 Cor. 6 : 12. Even things in them-selves lawful can become our master and get out of proportion. They can so demand our attention that we neglect other things of more importance. For example, secular reading can so enslave a reader that it vitiates his appetite for the reading of the Word of

Ca

mpu

sLinks Will it

bring glory to God?

is it profitable? Will it help me in

my Christian life, my witness, my service? Will it tend to make

my life more profitable to God and to my

fellow man?

Does it edify ? Does it build me in

my Christian character and will

it help me to build up the Church of God?

Does it tend to enslave ?

Will it strengthen me against temptation?

is it characteristic of the world or of

the Father?

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God and spiritual books. Such a condition must be jealously guarded against by strict self-discipline both as to the quality and the quantity of our secular reading.

Will it strengthen me against temptation? It is of little avail for us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation” if we voluntarily go where we will he exposed to temptation. It is one thing for a Salvation Army officer to enter a saloon to sell his War Cry but quite another for a young man to go in to “celebrate” with his friends. Any place or practice which tends to make sin seem less sinful is to be shunned.

Is it characteristic of the world or of the Father? “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world,” 1 Jn 2:16. If the proposed course of action is more characteristic of the world our course is clear for If anyone loves

the world, the love of the Father is not in him,” 1 Jn 2 : 15. The world and the things that are in the world are not to be the dominating objects of our affection.

But there are many relationships, pleasures and activities which, while not sins, could be termed “weights,” for they impede progress in the heavenly race and should therefore be laid aside. Dr G. Campbell Morgan points out that “the things which hinder are not necessarily low or vulgar. They shay be in themselves noble things, intellectual things, beautiful things. But if our parti-cipation in any of these dims our vision of the ultimate goal in the purpose of God, holds us in our running, makes our going less determined and steady, they become weights and hinder.”

Oswald SandersTaken with permission from “Problems of Christian Discipleship” by Oswald Sanders, Director, China Inland Mission (OME.)

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www.CampusLinkLive.org

VISIT

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Recently conducted online survey on Discipleship for Campus Link has brought vivid experiences of 78 disciples (age 20 – 60+) of Jesus Christ.

The below summary of the tides and ways to withstand them are presented under 3 categories.

InTraPErSonal Tough Tides

Integrity – Dichotomy between life & compromising circumstances. Personal Life - Forgetting God When life is smooth- Casualness, Discouragements- Fear, - Frustration when failing to keep Christian discipline - Inconsistency - lack of faith

Summary of Survey on Discipleship

- Lack of purpose in life - Laziness and lukewarmness - Negligence, - Negative emotions: anger, jealousy and envy, - Unable to submit completely, - Temperamental Weaknesses & Wrong desires, - Shadow of past life , temptations, - Personal identity problems, self-seeking.Lifestyle - - Affluence- Comforts - Busyness- Unwilling to change routine- Pride, - Greed - materialistic urge, desire for popularity, Power in position,- Pleasures, worries, - Idols such as TV, internet, gadgets, movies, etc-Time Management - Priority for personal agenda, multi-tasking, wrong priorities.

Ways to Overcome- Personal holiness, purity of thought- Bearing the pressure amidst ridicule,- Remembering the call for discipleship

Being a disciple of Jesus christ is:

Easy 11.5%Difficult 70.5%

Very Difficult 17.9%

Respondents Detailsage %18-20 1.3%21-29 38.5%30-39 29.5%40-49 16.7%50-59 9%60 + 5.1%

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- Depending on God for small things, - Disciplining the walk with God, - The indwelling assurance of the Holy Spirit and His guidance - Leaning on God to escape sins, - Remembering that we are not of the world and taking a stand with God's help, - Being part of a fellowship, doing God's will at any cost.Priority - Staying focussed towards Jesus- Protecting & portioning time for essential disciplines & duties, developing Word-guided work, Spirit-led life.relationship with God - Soaking in the Word: Disciplined daily Quiet time, memorizing the inspirational Bible verses, Prayer, systematic Bible study, Meditation, Recollecting QT- Discerning my circumstances in the light of God's Word- Claiming God's promises in difficulties.

InTErPErSonal Tough Tides

Family – pressures & responsibility of the family, - Unable to show first love to Jesus, -Misunderstanding, opposition for accepting Jesus.Relationship-Fiduciary relationship- Unbridled behaviour & responses to hurts

- Self introspections - Active forgiveness and pursuing loving attitudes, - Resisting temptation, setting the boundaries & keeping a watch- Avoiding influence of ungodly friends, take a stand at the beginning of the study/career. Lifestyle- Simplicity, contentment,- Watching and listening to Christian music - Replacing doubt with simple faith - Read spiritual books, biographies- Time management - Well scheduled day to prevent infiltration of unwanted thinking, taking time out to reflect,- Sit and think about the implications and consequences of my actions.

InTIMaCy wITh GoDTough Tides

- Too much involvement in ministry activities without proper QT & prayer drains energy - Disobedience to God's voice - Doubt the promises of Christ, - Irregular Quiet Time, - Not maintaining prayer time

Ways to overcomeDaily basis: - Be reminded of Cross of Christ, salvation, exercised faith, - Confession & daily surrender to Jesus,

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- Longing to be people of opposite sex for more time - Peer pressure, pleasing people. - Giving more time for work & skills -Preoccupied with challenges in the work - Imbalance work life. Ministry – too busy in ministry to miss the standards of discipleship.

Ways to overcomeAccountablility – Being accoun-table to a co-struggler, accountability partner- Looking at examples in the Bible of Gods deliverance to people.- Fellowship - Amazing support through the fellowship (Students, graduates, Staff and few more God's servants, believing colleagues), active participation in a fellowship, - Encouraging others makes one become stronger- Taking the help, support of fellowship in needy times, having prayer partners whom I can trust and share and who can stand with me, testimonies of elders who walked the same path earlier.- Mentoring - counsel from mature Christians

- Family - Loving God above all - Materialism - Invest smartly for eternity (Mathew 6:19-34). Involvement in a strong like minded fellowship group.

ConclusionStruggle in our life is a common phenomenon among all believers. Let us keep a close watch over our spheres of life to ensure that we are moving forward along with host of fellow disciples. As someone says, the heart of all problem is the problem of heart. When our hearts are be filled with God’s Word, we will be experiencing His power in life, we will have God-glorifying priorities and be able to face any giant and escape Satan's subtle ways. Our prayer is that we will be able to indentify challenges in our Christian life and overcome with God’s help and with the help of His people whom God has placed around us. Here is a definition of Discipleship of one of our respondents, “Trust and Obey Word of God through regular quiet time irrespective of your mood thus bringing ourselves under the Lordship of Christ and yielding ourselves to His Will.”

Collected & consolidated by P. John Jebaraj James (To be continued in Mar-Apr issue)