The Christian faith in India is quite complex and there are many “saints” who we will never know. One man named Talwarji is an example of such a man.
He was a staunch Hindu and through a miraculous encounter with a man on the street who gave him a bible he became a follower of Jesus. He entered into the local church and was baptized and zealous for his new faith.
As with many churches the lack of depth of spirituality and obedience of man, was revealed. Younger leaders criticized the senior leader and gossiped behind his back. Their criticism was never discussed openly with the main leader.
This non-biblical approach to resolving problems bothered Talwarji, and he refused to enter into this practice. Instead he went to the leader to share his thoughts. The leader received this as Talwarji being a trouble maker who concocted false stories about him. Talwarji was seen as a singular trouble maker in the leadership of the church. He was not willing to point fingers at who said what and none came forward to admit to their gossip and criticism about the leader. So he quietly left the church.
He went on to be successful in ministry. At numerous points there were occurrences that led to difficulties, but he refused to enter into troubles and controversies that would publicly tarnish the name of Jesus in the Hindu context, and he submitted to authority. Some may say he was weak, but because of the complexities of ministry in this context I would say he was very strong in his faith.
In 1 Peter 4: 19 we read: “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
Have you been in a situation where you had to do what is right and faced disgrace, criticism, inaccurate opinions of yourself where no one knew the truth except you and God? If not what will you do if this occurs?
God knows the truth. It’s easy to say and know this in our hearts, but not always so easy to apply in our circumstances.
Proverbs 3: 5,6 is a verse that can help us if we are ever in this situation: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
In the end we can trust in the Lord, we can do what is right and rely on his knowledge of the truth that can carry us through to give him glory.
Barnabas Man 