LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF

Man is an inseparable part of the society he lives in. He tries to influence the society by his feelings, emotions and behaviour and in return he is also influenced by the activities of the society. Man and society are thus interactive and it is man who infuses the society with his pursuits and practices and inhales for his fusion what he gather from the society. Inspite of differences between caste, colour, creed, physical growth, language, mental and intellectual standards man should always feel oneness with others. this behaviour of man leads to unity in diversity and also reflects the universal brotherhood. For those in Christian faith it is essential at the same time to retain their identity, without in any manner assimilating the customs and traditions of the society that are disadvantageous to their spiritual growth. Once we mould ourselves in such form we feel the world's joy, suffering and pain as ours.

Looking at the topic the very first question strike is - What is important "Being a Christian" or "To became a Christian"? At large we may conclude that one should first be a Christian; but on a close and deep analysis of the two expressions - BEING and BECOMING we may all also agree that unless one continues to be a Christian by leading a truthful and righteous life, we cannot be adjudged a Christian. In the Book of Prophet Jeremiah we note the exhortation of the Prophet to the Jews carried away as captives to Babylon, to pray upon the Lord for peace of the city into which they were carried captives, for peace of the city would be their peace. Here we find a new teaching and a new exhortation. Christianity in general seeks to drive a wedge between itself and others on a certain amount superiority complex. but when we learn to love others to express our concern for others, this separatist tendency disappears like darkness during the day. To understand the feelings of others and to suffer the pain of others, we must identify ourselves with others so that we can represent to God the case of others with all emphasis. Our concern for the world must be expressed by our practical participation and involvement. If we are to continue Being Christians we should continue to be truthful to our commitment to Christ Jesus. Therefore being Christian is a continuous process and it is renewal of our Christian Faith and life daily. Such renewal makes us all into Being a Christian. As a Christian the best thing we could do is to pray for the whole world and for all our fellowmen. Generally our prayers are limited to us, our wants and requirements, our loved ones and our dear ones. Apostle Paul exhorts that we should pray for all men; in other words we must become the intercessors in true Christian spirit.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 "First of all, then I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

It is therefore our duty of every individual more particular of us Christians to get ourselves concerned for the world and then alone we can establish HIS Kingdom on earth, within us and in our midst. When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied that the kingdom of God would not come directly, because it is within us. The commandments our Lord Jesus has propounded "That ye love one another" and "Love thy neighbor as thyself "and Do unto others as you would be done by" and the parable of the Good Samaritan, have all been made within the conceptual framework of our concern for the world. Once we develop the feeling of fellowship with others, love for others as ourselves, then we should consider ourselves as participants in the constructive program of formulating the kingdom of God on earth.

Today we have to examine ourselves, if there is any shortfall in our life to Being a Christian. There is no doubt we have become Christians and our symbolic expression to the fact is Baptism. The acid test is whether we are Being Christians or we are continuing our life by Being Christians. If we lack something in any respect then we have to pray to God to make us real Christians.