An Open Letter To Friends!

My dear friends,

I am in a dilemma these days and I need you to give me sound advice.

A dear friend of mine is in grave danger but he does not know about it. In fact, he is convinced that he is safe and right in what he is doing. How do I make him understand that he is headed for ruin?

Now before you accuse me of theatrics, I would like to say this. That friend I mentioned above is you. Yes, YOU!

If I were to find a way to make good money easily and safely would you not want me to share it with you? If I were to find a gold or diamond mine would you not want me to approach you for funds rather than ask strangers to invest in this super lucrative project? If I knew that terrorists had planted a bomb where your spouse could get hurt would you not want me to inform you about it?

The answer to the above questions will be a yes. And that is the reason I beg you to pay attention to what I am saying next. Please let us reason together!

Since time immemorial we have done things because we were told to do so. We did not question nor did we reason with our parents or teachers because we assumed that they knew everything. I was born in a staunch Roman Catholic family and I too never questioned the "elders". Sometimes when I did have a query and was brave enough to voice it, a raised eyebrow would kill the thought right away. We did things because we were taught so. Let me tell you a story to make my point:

A young woman, by force of habit, would cut the end of a steak before putting it in a pan to be cooked. One day her daughter, who happened to be in the kitchen at the time, asked her why she did it.
The question caught the mother by surprise. Not really knowing the answer she blurted, "Your grandmother taught me to cook steak this way."
Not convinced herself, the young mother decided to ask her mother about it. Picking up the phone she called her mother and asked her the question. The old lady at the other end of the phone heard her daughter and replied, "My dear, I cut one end of the steak because the pan I had then was not big enough."
Tradition and culture has shaped our thinking about many things. The way we eat, dress, and speak is all reflective of the society that we grew up in. And no wonder when someone comes up to you and presents a truth that is radically opposed to what you understand, the first thought to cross your mind is, "It can't be true."

Let us reason now...

I am a Christian. A Christian is one who has an intimate relationship with God whose name is Yahweh. He has a son that I recognize as Yahshua (Yeshua) and the world recognizes as Jesus Christ.

Note that though I was born in a so-called Christian family I wasn't Christian. It takes the Living God to reveal Himself to you before you can even understand what it's all about. I am not talking religion here. On the contrary I am talking about relationship. If God really exists would He not reveal Himself to His creation. And He has revealed Himself in the form of Yeshua who was born of a virgin. He who made everything that we see and know became a man so that He could reach out to man in his fallen state and teach us the meaning of goodness and love and forgiveness. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son Jesus so that whomsoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.

It was pure love that caused God almighty to become a man and have the sins of the world heaped up on him so that He could pay the price of mankind. Blameless holy and pure blood was shed to reconcile man to God. The wages of sin is death and Jesus became a sin offering to make us whole.

Look at history from any angle. Look at the tall claims being made by many in the world. In a world full of religious people who want you to follow them and their teachings you will find faults. Religious leaders are wealthy and have political connections. "Do what we say don't do what we do," is their motto. And all the good work that is apparently done is to further a cause and expand their fiefdom.

True there were a few who were straight and did good works but can good works save people from their sins? Is it possible that a murderer can wash the blood he spilt off his hands? Who can forgive him? All good works have done is shown that there is good in man. You may also note that all the good people too died and stayed dead.

It is appointed unto man to die and then the judgement. Mother Teresa, the epitome, of humbleness and service for the poor did a lot of good works but yet she died just as you and I will one day. The grave of great men are still with us.

But consider Jesus...

On the third day He rose again victorious over death and the power of sin. Over 500 witnesses saw Him with their own eyes. He lives forevermore. This Jesus who created the world today extends His nail pierced hands to the world and has invited all of you to come to the fullness of the knowledge of His majesty.

Imagine love so great that the God who spoke the world into being became a servant. He was beaten and his beard was plucked from his face. The only possession He has was the clothes on His back and that too were taken away. He hung from the tree naked between two thieves. He died in agony obedient unto death for He knew this was the only way to open heaven to man and bring them into fellowship with God.

He started no religion nor did He build His own empire. He said that His kingdom was not of this world. He did not have any political links. In fact politicians and religious leaders killed Him.
His spoken words are still with us today. And the world is testimony that He still remains the central figure in this world. Many have written all kinds of blasphemous things about Him but until now no one could mar His character.

His message is simple.

Sin separated man from God. The wages of sin is death. Therefore, God had to come in human form for there was not a single blameless person in this world. He came and taught people the truth. He lived for 33 years as a common man. He died for the sins of the world. On the third day He rose again and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father.

His Holy Spirit is with us in this world and to those who will call upon His name He will give them this gift of the Holy Spirit. God living in man in perfect harmony. That is the reason why when faced with peril and incredible circumstances you will hear true Christians forgive their enemies. The grace comes from God living in them. It is also the assurance that no matter what trials and temptations come your way you will never be alone.

And finally when you die it will be with the assurance that you will live in God's presence for eternity. Only a fool would let go of a gift so precious.

This Christmas season you have before you an invitation just for you. Taste and see that God is good. And you will never be the same again. You do not have to spill your blood or do penance or anything like that. God's gift is free.

You need to realize that you are a sinner and that you need forgiveness from God and that's all. Pray from your heart and invite Jesus to come into your heart and cleanse you. He is waiting at the door of your heart and is knocking. To everyone who will hear His voice and open the door He will come in and have fellowship with him. And your name will be written in the book of Life. And heaven will be your new home.

Hell was not made for man. It was made for Satan and his fallen angels. Man's place is in the presence of God and His fellowship. Satan hates man and causes him to sin so that man (God's greatest creation) too will suffer with him in everlasting flames. Friends, you do not have to go to hell for its not your place.

May the risen Christ bless you and reveal His glory to you as only He can if you will allow Him. Jesus is more than a perfect gentleman. He has given you free will and He will on encroach upon that. You are invited to join Him today. Your seat is reserved. All you have to do is claim your inheritance.

Shalom!