Are there specific questions you hope to answer?
Although the Bible does not specifically address the issue, I am aiming to
answer questions around the ‘Age of Accountability. According `to many
preachers and believers, the ‘Age of Accountability’ ideally starts at the
age of twelve for people. A reason behind such a belief is the fact that
Jesus started his ministry at the mere age of twelve. However, I disagree
with this popular belief on two grounds. The two reasons are 1. The Bible
does not clearly say that twelve is, in fact, the ‘Age of Accountability. 2.
There are children who are younger than 12 who commit sins like murder
with full knowledge of the nature of their deeds. Thus, the periphery of the
Age of Accountability is not a rigid one.
Is there a personal goal in terms of experiencing God as an
outcome?
Yes, there is always a personal goal involved in experiencing God as a
higher entity. The goal is to live in God’s truth while being truthful to my
own existence and respecting the existence of others around us. John 8:32
in the Bible says that ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free.” The knowledge of God’s truth is more important than
anything else in this world. Recent revelations about the modern practice
of Christianity have left me heartbroken. The efforts of people are lost in
people-pleasing instead of being productively directed towards the
goodwill of others. God’s truth teaches us that what we do is not for an
individual’s approval or pleasure. This knowledge inspires me to be more
careful of how I treat people around me. This inspires me to keep an equal
and unbiased demeanor towards people.
What might that be?
The existence of God and his truth is fundamental to the Christian way of
life. A major flaw in today’s society is the inability of people to be
completely honest with each other. With God’s truth, people can be
honest and genuine individuals. People often talk behind each other’s
backs just to please other fake people. With God’s guidance, people can
be more real and speak the truth in love instead of lies in pretense.
Is this something you wish to develop into a sermon series in the
future?
When I was a kid, my father would always urge me to be completely
truthful and honest with me. Now that I am a father myself, I understand
the necessity of truth in relationships. Being truthful to each other is a
subject I want to develop into a sermon series soon. I want to spread the
light of truth around me. As a person, it is easier to embrace a truthful
person than a pretentious one.
How might this relate to your personal spiritual growth and/or
that of your church?
One of the fundamental differences that separate the realm of a church
from the unbelieving world is the fabric of truthfulness. It was Jesus who
said that his disciples might not be accepted by the world because they
carried the spirit of truthfulness in them. Without the virtue of
truthfulness, the kingdom of God can never truly exist. We need truth
among us, within the church, and in the present society so that there is
order and collective progress.
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