INDIA – PRAISE, PRAY, PARTICIPATE AND PAY

Today, India is celebrating its Independence Day. It is a proud day for any Indian. When we look back to 15th August, 1947, we realise that we have come a long way, and have made good progress, despite all that still shackle us, as slaves, to many things. As Christians, we should be proud about this day, and thank God for this freedom that we enjoy as a nation, and as a religious minority.

1- We should PRAISE GOD for India and Indians. Christians were treated well for close to 2000 years. Yes, there were, and are, problems. In some cases, the problem of persecution is increasing. However, we still enjoy great freedom.

2- We as Christians, are called by our God to PRAY for India, and all our fellow Indians. Our prayers should include all who persecute us too. This is what the Bible commands us. Such prayers are well pleasing to God.

3- We are called by our God, to enthusiastically PARTICIPATE in the progress of our nation. Nation building should be one of our priorities, as faithful and obedient Christians. Hence, we should contribute our best, for the building and development of India.

4- We are commanded by our LORD Jesus Christ, to PAY our respect to the nation, and to PAY our taxes promptly. We are exhorted to be good citizens of India, contributing our share for its progress.

– India has given us a lot. We are given a unique identity, shaped by our rich and diverse culture. 
– We, as Indians, are by nature, a tolerant people. Helpful people. Kind people. Gentle people. 
– We are all this, despite all the divisions and the discrimination that are prevalent in our society.
– Yes, there are problems. Who doesn’t have? In a family of four, there are a world of problems. Isn’t it? We should learn to look at the big picture.
– Instead of focussing on all what is bad in India, we should look at all what is good about us, as a nation, and as Indians. There is so much good in us.
– We are one among the few nations in the world, where Jews were given a respectful place. We never persecuted them.
– The same applies to Christians too, considering we are here for 2000 years now.

Christians of the early Church, were advised by the apostles, to obey the king and theit masters, even if they were not good to them. This was the standard because the LORD wants us to be His disciples.
– “​1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” – 1 Timothy 2:1-3
– “​1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:1-8
– “1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” – Titus 3:1-2
– “13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” – 1 Peter 2:13-17

The Romans considered Christians as the “scum” of the nations, and the worst of all people. Christians were considered, by the people of first century, as cannibals.
– ” [Christians] …were regarded with suspicion. Some important Christian rituals [the LORD’s Supper] were mistaken as cannibalism, others as incest. Christians became an easy target. Nero [about 60 AD] wasted no time. He arrested and tortured all the Christians in Rome, before executing them with lavish publicity. Some were crucified, some were thrown to wild animals and others were burned alive as living torches.” –  PBS’ Website [Public Broadcasting Service]

In the times to come, the persecution of Christians will be on a very severe level, all over the world. Every nation will kill Christians, because of the division of the world into the sheep and the goats. Sheep belong to the Good Shepherd, and the goats to the world, who hate the LORD God Almighty.
– “9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.” – Matthew 24:9-10
– “7 Also it [the beast] was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,” – Revelation 13:7-8

As Christians, our love for our motherland should not be dependent on, how we are treated by others. We are to love our motherland, because we are Christ’s disciples, and His ambassadors. This is an important Christian principle. If our love for our nation depends on how we are treated, then we are being transactional in our love and patriotism, and not a Christian, and a follower of Christ our LORD.
– John Calvin positively affirms that, we as Christians, are obligated “to obey kings and governors, whoever they may be, not because we are constrained, but because it is a service acceptable to God; for he will have them not only to be feared but also honoured by a voluntary respect.” – John Calvin, Commentary on Romans

May the LORD bless India, its people, and all its leaders. May we, as Christians, be true to our LORD, and be His faithful and obedient disciples, witnesses and ambassadors in India, for the glory of our God, and for the blessing of His people. Even so the LORD help us. Happy Independence Day to all the Indian readers.