Friday, March 8, 2013

Sure Foundation



Gospel, Luke 11:14-23

14 He was driving out a devil and it was dumb; and it happened that when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed.
15 But some of them said, 'It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he drives devils out.'
16 Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven;
17 but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, 'Any kingdom which is divided against itself is heading for ruin, and house collapses against house.
18 So, too, with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? - since you claim that it is through Beelzebul that I drive devils out.
19 Now if it is through Beelzebul that I drive devils out, through whom do your own sons drive them out? They shall be your judges, then.
20 But if it is through the finger of God that I drive devils out, then the kingdom of God has indeed caught you unawares.
21 So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own home, his goods are undisturbed;
22 but when someone stronger than himself attacks and defeats him, the stronger mantakes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
23 'Anyone who is not with me is against me; and anyone who does not gather in with me throws away.
***
In every family, country, circle of friends, faith denomination, flock of birds, armed battalion   faculty of professionals, government and in any other affiliations or associations in this world, there should always exist a sure foundation to ensure peace, harmony and unity among its members so as to attain certain objectives or goals for the main benefit of everybody. Now, where should that 'sure foundation' come from? Of course, it should come from the hearts of every member-- may he be a leader or a mere follower. There must be understanding, unyielding patience, unwavering trust, and of  course, the last but not totally the least, unconditional love must prevail all the time.  These are just some of the vital requirements  in order for a family or any group to stay longer, survive longer, and bear every struggle that comes.
Today, Jesus conveys a very important message to us. As servants of God, it is inevitable that some people would throw questions at us to test our faithfulness in Him. For me, they do that because they would like to ask or get clarifications on why we struggle to continue, and yet still love to do service for God and for His people. But because we believe that 'faith without deed is useless', we strike our answers by showing (instead of just telling or explaining) them why and how. Jesus tells us that for as long as we are firm in faith in Him, we are with Him; and for also as long as we abide in Him, we are undoubtedly secured in Him. And this, truly, becomes our sure foundation whatever happens and wherever we will be today, tomorrow and in the life of the world to come. Amen. 

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