Dear All,
I grew up in a Sikh family, however, at the age of 35, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. Let me assure you all that it wasn't a decision, which I took in the spur of the moment or due to weakness. Nobody brain washed me, and certainly, nobody offered me any material incentive. It was a long journey, spread over many years.
What brought about this change?
Well, to begin with, I learned that a Chammar in Sikhism remains just that - a Chammar. Whether in India or outside India, Gurdwaras have affiliation not to Sikhism but to various castes ? Jatt, Naamdahri, Nildhaari, Ramgariah, etc. etc. And if the cast distinction is not obvious or, not discussed blatantly in open, then the issue will surely come up during electing officials for Gurdwaras, religious ceremonies, marriage, etc. etc.
Now, I shouldn't really judge Sikhism and discard it because of the way certain Sikhs or, the Sikh society at large behaves. All other religions also have people who do not really reflect, as to what their religion teaches. No one's perfect, right? There are Christians, who behave contrary to what Christianity teaches, and these people are rightly called HYPOCRITS. So, in essence, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover! Following along this logic, I would like to mention one particular problem area in my life, for which I found no answer in Sikhism? And that is the problem of SIN.
Sikhism may offer answer to the problem of caste (although, Sikhs at large may not follow it) but it offers no answer to my sinfulness. It is fine to receive Guru's grace but what about my sinful nature? If I am a recipient of perpetual grace then does it mean I can remain a sinner all my life and God's holiness can be compromised?
Where did I find the answer?
This problem of sin is very real, and I might add, prevalent. How prevalent? Well, we can all direct that question to ourselves. In my search for an answer I came across text in the Bible, which says "all human beings are sinners; there's not one who is without sin." It caught my attention! Phew, I thought, I wasn't the only one mired with sinful nature. The entire human race is sinful! Okay, but still no answer to the problem of sin. A Christian friend told me that God could forgive my sins because he is a GRACIOUS God. I said, "I know that!" But what happens to my sinful nature? It's still with me? Would God in his grace "ignore" my sin? Isn't God also JUST? Who will pay for my sins? Ah! My Christian friend with a smile on his face and a spark in his eyes said, mate, your sins have already been paid for - in full! WHAT? Incredulous, and somewhat annoyed, I wanted to know, how so? God, who is gracious, is also HOLY, my friend continued. God's justice requires that sin be punished because He cannot let His holiness be compromised. (I couldn?t agree more!) And since, my sinful nature is beyond my control and it would require that I be punished again and, again and, again, for the rest of my life. Jesus (God in incognito) took that punishment upon him and died on the cross to redeem me from the curse of sin. (I was hooked now.) All of a sudden, this thick veil from my eyes was lifted and, the truth, that salvation is from Jesus and, Jesus alone, settled in.
I concluded that teachings of Gurus might give me some religious wisdom, perhaps make me somewhat pious too, if I tried really hard, but there is no freedom from sin. I can wear the five K's to my grave, I can study the Guru Grant Sahib till my eyes fall out, I can recite Gurbani till my last breath, but to dis-infect myself from sin I need to be born again, in some other form, which is not human. Guess what? That is exactly what Christ offers me, a new birth, which is not physical but spiritual. Therefore, the problem of sin is resolved - For there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ because he took the punishment that was due upon me and through his sacrifice I am forgiven and live under grace; not to my old carnal nature but to my new spiritual nature, rooted and built in Jesus Christ.
What about the sacrifices that Gurus and various other Sikhs made?
While commendable, the sacrifices made by Gurus, and Sikh society at large, but honestly speaking, they do not value much in the sight of God. I do not mean to offend or upset any sentiments here, but you see, those sacrifices were made for Sikhism or Kaumn, NOT for sins - mine or anyone else, for that matter. Sacrifice that Christ made was for all, regardless of race, creed, colour, and I might add, caste. And I finally learned about God's love for me that transcends all understanding.
God Bless You All
Rajs
I grew up in a Sikh family, however, at the age of 35, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. Let me assure you all that it wasn't a decision, which I took in the spur of the moment or due to weakness. Nobody brain washed me, and certainly, nobody offered me any material incentive. It was a long journey, spread over many years.
What brought about this change?
Well, to begin with, I learned that a Chammar in Sikhism remains just that - a Chammar. Whether in India or outside India, Gurdwaras have affiliation not to Sikhism but to various castes ? Jatt, Naamdahri, Nildhaari, Ramgariah, etc. etc. And if the cast distinction is not obvious or, not discussed blatantly in open, then the issue will surely come up during electing officials for Gurdwaras, religious ceremonies, marriage, etc. etc.
Now, I shouldn't really judge Sikhism and discard it because of the way certain Sikhs or, the Sikh society at large behaves. All other religions also have people who do not really reflect, as to what their religion teaches. No one's perfect, right? There are Christians, who behave contrary to what Christianity teaches, and these people are rightly called HYPOCRITS. So, in essence, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover! Following along this logic, I would like to mention one particular problem area in my life, for which I found no answer in Sikhism? And that is the problem of SIN.
Sikhism may offer answer to the problem of caste (although, Sikhs at large may not follow it) but it offers no answer to my sinfulness. It is fine to receive Guru's grace but what about my sinful nature? If I am a recipient of perpetual grace then does it mean I can remain a sinner all my life and God's holiness can be compromised?
Where did I find the answer?
This problem of sin is very real, and I might add, prevalent. How prevalent? Well, we can all direct that question to ourselves. In my search for an answer I came across text in the Bible, which says "all human beings are sinners; there's not one who is without sin." It caught my attention! Phew, I thought, I wasn't the only one mired with sinful nature. The entire human race is sinful! Okay, but still no answer to the problem of sin. A Christian friend told me that God could forgive my sins because he is a GRACIOUS God. I said, "I know that!" But what happens to my sinful nature? It's still with me? Would God in his grace "ignore" my sin? Isn't God also JUST? Who will pay for my sins? Ah! My Christian friend with a smile on his face and a spark in his eyes said, mate, your sins have already been paid for - in full! WHAT? Incredulous, and somewhat annoyed, I wanted to know, how so? God, who is gracious, is also HOLY, my friend continued. God's justice requires that sin be punished because He cannot let His holiness be compromised. (I couldn?t agree more!) And since, my sinful nature is beyond my control and it would require that I be punished again and, again and, again, for the rest of my life. Jesus (God in incognito) took that punishment upon him and died on the cross to redeem me from the curse of sin. (I was hooked now.) All of a sudden, this thick veil from my eyes was lifted and, the truth, that salvation is from Jesus and, Jesus alone, settled in.
I concluded that teachings of Gurus might give me some religious wisdom, perhaps make me somewhat pious too, if I tried really hard, but there is no freedom from sin. I can wear the five K's to my grave, I can study the Guru Grant Sahib till my eyes fall out, I can recite Gurbani till my last breath, but to dis-infect myself from sin I need to be born again, in some other form, which is not human. Guess what? That is exactly what Christ offers me, a new birth, which is not physical but spiritual. Therefore, the problem of sin is resolved - For there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ because he took the punishment that was due upon me and through his sacrifice I am forgiven and live under grace; not to my old carnal nature but to my new spiritual nature, rooted and built in Jesus Christ.
What about the sacrifices that Gurus and various other Sikhs made?
While commendable, the sacrifices made by Gurus, and Sikh society at large, but honestly speaking, they do not value much in the sight of God. I do not mean to offend or upset any sentiments here, but you see, those sacrifices were made for Sikhism or Kaumn, NOT for sins - mine or anyone else, for that matter. Sacrifice that Christ made was for all, regardless of race, creed, colour, and I might add, caste. And I finally learned about God's love for me that transcends all understanding.
God Bless You All
Rajs
