Christ for the Common Man

In differences, we proclaim the crucified Christ! From the very beginning of the human era, differences in opinions are very well seen and often these differences lead to ideas of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and, decisions made by those who differentiate, with upholding their own personal right as the only truth! The fact is, many after finding their personal side in a situation with more than one idea, tries to prove what they selected as their option, as true, and seldom try to investigate what the truth is. ‘Prove’ is a key word in the above sentence because it says that the choice one made was not already proven but needs to be proved or investigated. Often, people will go behind the chosen position and try to prove it rather than trying to find what was the best decision to be chosen.

This fact is very common in the Christian history. The millions of denominations and the doctrinal differences all proclaim this simple truth that we fought with a lot of difference in opinions and some instead of investigating the truth went on proving what they have chosen as the truth! In Christianity, every sector has the same nucleus which is Christ, but for many reasons, each claim to be the true Church of God. Understanding Christ as who provides the eternal life, a common man who is struggling to live a decent spiritual life is often confused and many times misguided. The possibility of a common man to investigate, study and find the truth about the Christian Church himself is very low. His options are the teachers and preachers around him, but there are so many claiming they are right and the poor man will get more confused. Each has excellent reasons to prove what they preach also. Therefore, some will stay in the denominations they were born and were raised in, some being over influenced by other denominations migrate, and some being tired of the differences run away too. What are the spiritual needs of a common man? This should be a serious thought to be considered in all the different Christian denominations.

Happiness does not form intellectually. One cannot explain happiness and taste what it is but should feel it to understand what it is. Similar is the case with spiritual happiness too. A living Spirit rejoices in the Word of God. The presence of God makes it happy. Those who love darkness enjoy their activities and invent happiness. But any kind of materialistic happiness one is able to reach is all in vain. True happiness is reached when one realizes the love of the one and only True God. Serving the Lord will fill the people’s hearts with happiness. “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Ps 84: 10).

In life we prioritize, and the top of the list should be God. One should rejoice in the abundant blessings which are being provided every single day and every single minute and second by God to the sinful Human beings and therefore should be able to humble themselves and submit to the Almighty. A common man who submits his life to God all the time will succeed and will find true happiness. Because he is the one who will find happiness in reading and meditating upon His words, he will find happiness in having conversations with God, and he will find happiness in working for His kingdom. He finds a collective congregation as a resource to fulfill his spiritual needs. It is the Church, and the Church often sows the seeds for spiritual growth in individuals. Through Church, which is also the Body of Christ, life spreads in to those who are dead. The same body together keeps one another lively by supporting each other in all different ways. Thus, meditation, prayers, worship and other activities take place in common under one name of Christ, with out anyone willing to focus on their own names, and trying to focus on Christ the most. Seeing the unity and faithfulness, even the gentiles will start glorifying our God.

This feeling of happiness must have been found in the early churches but as time passed, many corrupted and dishonest leaders and preachers entered the group and often lead many in to distraction and wrong ways. These gradually have grown bigger and bigger and, of course, each one trying to prove themselves as the closest to the truth started investigating, claiming and often proving their believes as the only truths. Life of a common man has become much disoriented as he is jiggled between a million different doctrines. And nowadays, focus is more given to the differences and not to Christ. The message of Christ is avoided, and even considered as old philosophical thoughts which cannot be followed any more. In many occasions, congregations turn out to be social clubs. Are we able to meet the spiritual needs of a common man? Why do they migrate or even run away? May be because they are unable to find spiritual happiness and closeness to God.

As the oldest Church in India, do we have an agenda to spiritually convert our people to effectively call with complete faith to our Lord as “My Lord and My God” as our apostle did?