GOOD MORNING
PG Vargis
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In order to resolve an offense, according to Matthew 18:15-17, you must go to the person who has hurt or offended you and work it out. Notice what it says: "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church."
According to this Scripture, if the other party refuses to work through the problem, then you are supposed to take someone with you to attempt to settle the issue. And if they still refuse to cooperate, then you are free from your scriptural duty, and you can walk away from the situation without any further responsibility. However, if you still desire a relationship with that person, then you can take it before the church. If the person rejects this last attempt to resolve the problem, then there is simply nothing further that you can do except to keep your heart pure.
It is impossible to build relationships that are founded on contention, strife, envy, and pride without the devil gaining an entrance into your life through them. Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." That's why you must choose your friends very carefully, and then remain diligent to guard those associations.
Galatians 5:15-16 further bears out this point when it says, "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." You choose to walk in the Spirit by faith. When you walk by faith, you cease to walk in fear. As long as you continue to walk by faith, you won't give place to the flesh. In other words, you are not building a foundation in your life from which the devil can control you.
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The Religious Liberty Commission of Evangelical Fellowship of India expresses serious concern on the systematic targeting of the Christian community in Uttar Pradesh especially in the last two months. According to the documentation compiled and available with the RLC, there has been a sharp rise in incidents of violence and targeted hate against the Christian minority in the state this year.
The state of Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India and is home to almost 17% of the total population of the nation. Christians make up 0.18% of the total population of the state. The state is currently led by Yogi Adityanath, who along with being the Chief Minister, is also the high priest of the Gorakhnath temple situated in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
EFIRLC appeals to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, particularly the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to restore the confidence of the Christian community by enforcing law and order and through exemplary punishment to communal elements who attack peaceful Churches and worship services on flimsy and made up charges.
Since the Christmas Season is fast approaching, we appeal to the Chief Minister to ensure that Churches are given adequate security so that the community can observe the festival of love and universal hope in peace.
EFIRLC also appeals to the Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh and the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to take a note of the situation not only in Uttar Pradesh but across the country and take measures to curb impunity and to ensure the rule of law.
The months of September and October 2018 have been particularly troublesome and have witnessed the maximum number of incidents in the state. September saw 28 incidents while 16 incidents were recorded in October.
Yours to count on to see India is evangelized in our life time. No one can do it alone. But together...we can do it. Let us do it... together...now,
p g vargis and team