John
15:6
The Voice (VOICE)
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is like a branch that is tossed
out and shrivels up and is later gathered to be tossed into the fire to burn.
On Hindu New Year I went to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir (temple) in Chino Hills. Hundreds of people were out for the festival of
the feeding the gods. I was assured by one of the elders that this
branch of Hindu is monotheistic. Tucked between patterns of lotus blossoms,
peacocks, and intricate lattice work, thousands of exquisitely carved figures
in formal poses, each unique, adorned the white marble interior as well as the
red sandstone exterior of this beautiful temple. He
went on to explain that these represented those who through many reincarnations
and endless effort had achieved perfect harmony with the one God. They no
longer had to suffer the endless reincarnations but were living with God.
Looking through their literature in the adjacent gift shop, I found that these
magnificent achievers are (lesser?) gods. Their lives are full of high
adventure trying to help those still on earth escape their corporal bondage. Behind
golden doors are the extremely beautiful gods and goddesses clothed in gold,
scarlet, and bejeweled all over. On this blessed New Year’s Day (Diwali), beautifully
arranged as an offering on steps in front of each of these gods lay an almost
endless supply of the best Indian foods, all vegetarian, of course. Every inch
of the Mandir was permeated with the delicious aroma of curry.
Martin Luther wrote of his experience in trying to achieve
this oneness with God, “When I was a monk, I read mass daily. I weakened myself
with prayer and fasting so much that I couldn’t have kept it up for much
longer. Yet all of my efforts couldn’t help me in the smallest temptation. I
could never say to God, ‘I have done all this. Look at it, and be merciful to
me.’ What did I achieve with all this striving? Nothing; I merely tormented
myself, ruined my health, and wasted my time. Now I’m forced to listen to Christ’s
judgment on my works. He says, ‘You did all this without me. That’s why it
amounts to nothing. Your works don’t belong in my kingdom. They can’t help you
or anyone else obtain eternal life.’
“So in this passage, Christ has passed a terrifying judgment
over all works—no matter how great, glorious, and beautiful they might appear.
If these works are performed apart from Christ, they amount to nothing. They
may appear to be great in the eyes of the world, for the world considers them
excellent and precious. But in Christ’s kingdom and before God, they are truly
nothing.”[iii]
Thank You Lord for
Your infinite sacrifice to make me holy in Your sight, to fit me to be united
with You forever in Your home. Thank You for taking my life and having Your
Spirit live Your life in me.
[i]
https://www.gg2.net/newImage/original/1357118117_04_Mandir_3.jpg
[ii]
http://www.baps.org/Data/Sites/1/Media/LocationImages/LocationPhotos/43GuidedTour_001.jpg
[iii] Luther, Martin By
Faith Alone 1998 ed. James C. Galvin pub. World Bible Publishers, Iowa
Falls, Iowa, on the reading for November 2
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