"We can justify our every
deed but God looks at our motives." (Proverbs 21:2, TLB)
“He did this because of
Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had
been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's
wife." So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.
But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him,
knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he
was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mark 6:17-20, NIV)
Observation:
I asked
myself what is the cause-effect relationship here.
Because John had been saying to
Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your
brother’s wife, the effect was Herodias
nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.
Interpretation:
I asked
myself what is the significance of John’s statement to Herod.
John the Baptist did not just
tell Herod once what he was doing was wrong but multiple times. John the
Baptist kept speaking to Herod the truth to make him see what he was
doing was wrong when he took his brother’s wife. This is evidenced by
the phrase, ‘John had been saying’. John
the Baptist wanted it to go into Herod’s mind and wanted Herod to act on
changing his ways. In essence, John the Baptist wanted Herod not to have
any part with Herodias for she was already taken.
If John the Baptist kept saying
to Herod what he was doing was unlawful, naturally Herodias would have
heard it too. The news would have reached her and it did. She had a lot
to lose if Herod listened to her and sent her away.
First of all, his brother may
not have even accepted her anymore because she became an adulterer. She
could have also been killed if sent away from Herod’s palace. Finally,
maybe she had so much riches and materialistic possessions with Herod
than his brother. Now she sees all that in jeopardy because of John the
Baptist. Therefore she holds a grudge against him and wants to kill him.
Interestingly she did not have
the opportunity to do it on her own because though John the Baptist kept
saying to Herod what he was doing was unlawful, Herod wanted John the
Baptist alive.
I asked
myself why and what does he do for John the Baptist.
-
Herod feared John.
-
Herod protected John.
-
Herod knew John to be a
righteous man.
-
Herod knew John to be a holy
man.
-
Herod was puzzled by John’s
statements.
-
Herod liked to listen to
John.
I asked
myself the significance of Herod’s actions.
Herod had bound and put John in
prison because of Herodias’ request but he would not let any harm come
to him at that time. Instead, I believe he would go to John in prison
and listen to him speak. This could have made Herodias very nervous
thinking she might lose Herod and Herod’s mind might be changed. So,
Herodias wants to prevent John and Herod to have anymore contact lest
his mind changes but Herod continues to listen to him and gives
protection to John.
Implications:
I saw important implications for
my own life here. I saw in my own life what can happen when we speak out
against immorality. I also found that we are never alone when we speak
out against immorality. Even if people do not agree with us, there will
be people who will still respect us very much and even want to listen to
us when they see our lifestyle reflecting what we speak out against.
I want to share both sides with
you about the things I have spoken out against.
Once I wrote a column titled,
“With love homosexuality can be cured.” The uproar I received was
astonishing because I wrote against homosexuality and let them see how
Jesus can even cure homosexuality and heal it in His love. I broke the
record for the number of letters to the editor because I spoke out
against homosexuality and spoke for change. It did not stop there but I
heard a person say to me, “Ramesh, you are the most hated person on
campus because of what you wrote. You should not even have your name tag
on so people do not come after you.”
It did not stop there but
anti-Ramesh columns started appearing in the newspaper. In other words,
letters were not enough but they had to write columns against me and
many did. Eventually, a moratorium had to be put on anti-Ramesh columns
appearing anymore.
I had not let that stop me from
living the Truth and proclaiming the Truth.
I faced so much written
persecution that student leaders of InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship wanted to have a panel discussion with me and another person
titled, “Christianity and Homosexuality: Is there a compromise?”: Ramesh
C. Reddy (Columnist Against Homosexuality) v.s Michael Mazza, PHD
(Columnist for Homosexuality).
There was such an uproar that
we had to card people’s ID before they got entrance into the debate. We
did not do much advertising for it but were in prayer for the
discussion. The room was packed and it became standing room only. It was
attended by 7 columnists from the newspaper.
This gave me the opportunity to
speak about Jesus Christ and what Jesus says about sexual sin including
homosexuality with kindness.
To this day, I continue to speak
out against sin and write columns that no one else is willing to touch
for certain newspapers.
There are those that came to me
from the homosexuality support group who promoted homosexuality but
respected me because they saw the love of Christ the Lord was helping me
to give to all of them. They knew I stood on principle and backed it up
by the Word of God.
Some would come and tell me
that they read my columns but did not agree with them, yet they love to
read them because they make them think and are well thought of. I thank
the Lord for that! Eventually, this caught the eye of the Editor-in
Chief of the Pittsburgh Standard who recruited me. All this gave birth
to me writing for the monthly paper edition called ‘The Pittsburgh
Standard’. Now the paper continues to run online at
www.pittsburghstandard.com and has addressed hot topics and will
continue to do so even as there is a section called ‘Expressions” which
is “Expressions of Christ's Love" section.
I share all this with you
because when we speak out against immorality, it will not always be easy
for us. There will be times we will be persecuted. If we did not have
‘Freedom of Speech’ in our U.S. Constitution it could be worse. People
will try to shut us up still by smearing us or preventing us from
speaking our mind. Yet, when we depend on the Lord and are bold, He will
give us opportunities. Pittsburgh Standard which I publish online has
been one of those opportunities. The paper does not just tackle immoral
issues but all kinds of issues.
When we stand on the promises of
Jesus and follow Him, we should not let persecution get to us. We need
to continue to speak out against immorality no matter what it is.
I ask you
now dear friend when do you speak out.
Dear friend, many speak out only
when it benefits them but that is not what we have been called to. If we
are believers in Christ and want to follow Him daily and surrendered our
lives to Him, we will be willing to be used as His vessels to ‘Live the
Truth, Proclaim the Truth’.
You will be placed in
positions where you can speak out against immorality whatever it may be
whether it is homosexuality, adultery, pre-marital sex, abortion,
drunkenness, cheating, lying, etc. You do not have to stop after
mentioning it once or writing about it once but can continue to speak
out whether it be in one of your classes, with family, with friends, or
strangers.
You can speak out right now if
you know injustice or immorality that is occurring around you. You can
speak out through speech or through writing. It will not be easy and you
could face ridicule and persecution from others. Even those you thought
were your friends could turn against you when you speak out against
something that is wrong. John the Baptist did not stop that from
speaking out. We should not too.
Finally, if we are to imitate
anyone, it should be Jesus Christ. Jesus always spoke out against
injustice and we have His Word to read about what is unjust and immoral
so we do not engage in them and can help others not to engage in them.
As you speak out, the Lord can
also help you find favor with those who even do not agree with you. I
know for I speak from experience friend. May you take the opportunities
the Lord gives you and speak out against immorality but with kindness
remembering it is the Lord’s kindness that He gives us laws to protect
us.
Jesus will be your Prince of
Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, and Immanuel
as you turn to Him even as you speak out being bold and strong.
BIBLE
ACADEMY IV: NAMES OF JESUS
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Bible
Academy's Instructor is the Prince of Peace
Who
teaches his students, the value of peace
When we
learn from Him, our lives will be full of peace
Wherever
we are, whatever trials we face
Why? His
Peace He gives you surpasses all understanding
What are
the trials you face?, Turn to the Prince of Peace.
JN 14:27, ROM 5:1, 1 COR 1:3,
PHIL 4:7
Bible
Academy's Instructor is our caring Counselor.
Who is
there for us always to counsel us and fill us with love.
When we
turn to Him, He will soothe all our worries.
Wherever
there is trouble in you life, He will be there for You.
Why? His
personality's counseling troubled Souls.
Whatever
your problems are, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, financial etc
He will counsel You.
PSALM 23, MK 10:21, JN 14:1,
PSALM 37:7
Bible
Academy's Instructor is our Mighty God
Who's
mightier than our problems, filling us with spiritual might.
When we
depend on Him, no situation will be impossible.
Wherever
you're headed, no need to fear, God's might shall protect.
Why?
Because He wants to instruct you on the best pathway of life.
Whatever
you are faced with, put your faith in the Lord.
JN 6:18-19, MK 9:23, PSALM
32:8, MK 4:30-32
Bible
Academy's Instructor is our Everlasting Father.
Who will
always care for us, who we can pray to anytime.
When we
seek Him with our whole Heart, void in us will be filled.
Wherever
we have been, we can have new life in Christ with God, our Loving
Father.
Why?
Because He loves us so much, He wants what is best for us.
Whatever
asked in prayer you will get according to His loving will.
MT 6:31-34, MT 7:7,8, ROM
6:3-11, GAL 2:11
Bible
Academy's Instructor is so awesome and Wonderful.
Who takes
all our burdens and cares upon Himself.
When we
surrender our lives to Him, we can see His miracles.
Wherever
there is sorrow, He can fill it with such joy.
Why,
Because even in our sorrow, He has a plan for our life.
Whatever
your pain or sorrow is, His Joy lies ahead.
PSALM 37:5, PSALM 73:23-25,
JERMIAH 29:11, MT 11:27:30
KEY VERSE FOR THIS ACADEMY:
ISAIAH 9:6
"For unto us a Child is born;
unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
These will be his royal titles: "Wonderful," "Counselor," "The Mighty
God," "The Everlasting Father," "The Prince of Peace."
“Savior
Proclaims Everywhere Always Kindness!” (S.P.E.A.K)/”When
do you speak out?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us so much. John the Baptist,
spoke out against immorality even though it got him into trouble. Help
us Oh Lord of our Salvation to speak out against immorality too. We live
in a world where your laws are being shattered. Just yesterday, Canada
became the 4th nation to legalize gay marriage. Oh Lord there
is so much happening in this world other than in Canada and we need your
help to speak out in kindness. Save us Oh Lord, the God of our
Salvation. Give us strength and help us to show kindness when we are
speaking out whether through verbal or written communication. Thank you
so much. Thank you for your Word and that you will show us favor even
when we face wrath from others. Thank you for hearing us and answering
us. Thank you for dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us.
We acknowledge you as our Lord and Savior! In Your Name I Pray Jesus!
Amen!
