Sreedhar's Journey

Are you a letter writer? Majority, or perhaps, none of you probably write a letter these days. With the advent of email systems, the internet and various voice and video call technologies there is little attraction or interest for letter writing. But days past a handwritten letter was something people looked out for because it was the only form of communication across the miles. Paul used this extensively and wrote his second letter to the church in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. As the gospel message spread through Asia into Europe, the challenge of time and travel became a big obstacle for Paul to travel to every congregation established directly or indirectly through his ministry. Paul could make indications of plans but could get changed due to timing or resource constrai...

In my last post I said He died. And yes He did. Are you still confused? Jesus died for our sins. It is the greatest miracle and compassionate act in the history of mankind. It is mentioned in the most printed and read book in the world. Many have tried to challenge the authenticity of the bible that recorded this fact and have failed. At Easter time we not only remember Jesus' death, but His resurrection. That is why Paul's letter to the Corinthians signs off with Jesus' name. 1 Corinthians 16:23-24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. No one signs off with the name of a dead man in this manner. He is referred to as Lord. He loved us so much that He came down to earth, walked with as a man, ministered to mankind, and died the most cruel death known to man at that time for the sins of all mankind. It does not stop there. You may have gone Easter egg hunts. Please remember that we are symbolically looking for the one...

One of the greatest disputes carried on in the world of faiths is whether Jesus died and was raised from the dead. Jesus was raised a Jew and the Jewish leaders despised Him greatly. The early Jewish followers grew greatly because of the work of Jesus before His death and resurrection, and more so after His resurrection. The first Gentile followers also saw the power of God demonstrated and experienced great peace and joy from their new found relationship with God. Paul spoke against some of his day that seemed confused about the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Paul was very clear. He did not care who brought the gospel. As long as the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was preached as the core message. 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is...

In many large crowds at a conference you usually have a question and answer session. A moderator would be asked to manage the time. The respondents could be one or more. If everyone understands and follows the ground rules from the beginning, there would be great order and the time would be profitably used to help the learning process. However, the matter of interest could be contentious and people can speak out of order, and the gathering can get out of hand. Paul was dealing with something similar in this chapter. The use of the gift of tongues was extensive in the Corinthian church. They also seem to be doing public praying for items in tongues. This reduced the practical understanding of the prayers and edification of the church. There was no issue with tongues but everything needed to be done in order and be a blessing. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. ...

Everybody love secrets.  Today, I want to share with you an open secret. Yesterday I shared my views on how the perfect organization would have a good complement of people with the right skills, experience and personalities. I also mentioned that Jesus is the "cement" that brings everything together. The chapter today brings out the key element in the cement that brings people of diverse backgrounds together. Love!  This is the open secret. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Love is the ultimate character of God that we need to live our lives holy and pleasing to the Lord.  Paul pre-ambled his statement on love by talking about our ability to ...

A team needs to have a good complement and balance of skills, experience and personalities. Each person could be gifted in different ways but with a shared vision and mission the team is able to work together and see great results. I remember in my days in graduate school doing business administration I wrote a paper on organizations for my Organizational Behavior class.  I took the liberty of using Paul's analogy of the body to describe an organization.  The professor, who was not a Christian, thought it was interesting and I got a good grade for it.  I took the inspiration for my paper from 1 Corinthians 12. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. Paul focuses on th...

The hijab, nijab and burka have become famous because of the insistence of much of the Muslim communities worldwide for their women to be wearing them when in public. This requirement is explained in many different ways. The habit and veil of the nuns of the Catholic Church is no different from the hijab. Please do not get me wrong. I am not for or against the hijab and the habit. The issue is what is the intent of this clothing. Paul in his letter states that women should have their heads covered.  Everyone seems to be on the same page on this matter. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. Now before we head into an extended discussion on this matter, I hope we understand that many things in the outward expressions of the faith ha...

I written before about my love for food. I have been asked what is my favorite. Well it depends, and I do not want to offend (wow, that rhymes). Peking duck is my favorite dish. The skin, the meat and the soup. However, when I am with my Indian relatives I am very happy with Indian curry and rice. When I am with my Malay friends, I am happy with their rice and lauk. Paul is saying the same thing. But before that he speaks about temptations. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Daily you will be tempted to do wrong. But God is there ready to help you overcome those temptations. At every turning point seek His face and understand His directions and you will not go wrong. And this applies even to small things like eating of food. In Corinth it became a serious matter...

What drives you out of bed each day? Is it work? Is it the need to care for your family? Is it just because it is morning? In some societies, where there are significant social safety nets, people have limited reasons to get out of bed. In fact there are cases where 3 generations of a family have not worked a job a single day of their lives. These nets are important for those who truly have needs but it can be abused by people who have no Godly conscience. Paul is clear. He wakes up each day to serve God and people. 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; In fact Paul pays his own way to travel and minister in the different cities. He is entitled to receive an offering for his efforts but he chooses to support himself through his business which is recorded as being tent making. He is driven by a strong purpose. To see many come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:25 And everyone who compe...

Do you love to eat? I love to eat. My family and I are quite international in our eating habits. Each one may have their food preferences but we can survive in most parts of the world. Thanks to Lee Yen, my wife, my older 3 children can whip up great meals. The father, namely me, mainly sits at the table to enjoy everything. Paul addresses some significant cultural issues with regards to food. 1 Corinthians 8:9-11 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? Apparently, much of the meat and choice foods in Corinth are offered to idols before being served. This became a point of contention within the church. Yes, we have full knowledge that meat sacrificed to idols is nothing and we should be a...

To marry or not to marry is the question. I have many married friends, and I am married too. Most of us are happily married and have children. We are thankful that life has been good for us. But marriage can make you change your interests and priorities. An agreement had to be made on how you spend your life post marriage. It gets even more challenging and life changing when you have children. Paul is single and advocates staying single if you can. And I know many great single friends. 1 Corinthians 7:7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. There is constant social pressure to be married by a certain age and have children. But Paul is clearly saying that being single helps us to focus on the things of the Lord. We will stay correct while being unmarried or married in our daily walk, if we would seek the Lord's ways in all things as a single or a married couple respectively. Whatever said and ...

It is an interesting exercise to see how prostitution came into each society and became a prominent but yet behind the scenes business. It obviously took two to tango, but the provider of the service is the most vulnerable since they do it for financial reasons, or because they were intimidated into the trade, or both. How do we stop this menace? The solution is to look to Jesus. Paul clearly pointed out that those who engage in sexual impropriety will not be able to inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. The statements here are very direct, and the word is clear. However, many do not heed this; young, old, ordinary people, celebrities, corporate figures and even highly decorated people of socie...