In the first epistle of Peter, Chapter 1, Verse 16 we read this commandment of the Lord written by the unseen hand of the Holy Spirit. This epistle is written to the believers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are "sprinkled by the blood and sanctified by the spirit" (1 Peter 1: 1&2). Though the epistle is addressed to "strangers" in King James Version KJV, it is referring to the believers as evident from the second verse.

1 Peter 1: 1, 2 are quoted in King James Version and American Standard Version as follows:

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (KJV).

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied" (American Standard Bible).

The verses 1&2 as compared with verse 16 seem to be paradoxical. But they are not. We may wonder why the Holy Spirit is writing to the believers "Be ye holy, because I am holy." Some Christians have a notion that once we are saved we are saved forever. But these verses do not tally with this notion. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are no longer living in sin and Satan has lost us. Since the evil forces, which used to control our lives looses us, we are vulnerable to the deceit, traps, and snares of deceptive evil forces. That is why the Holy Spirit is emphasizing, even to the church that it is imperative that we lead a holy life.

A couple of years back, I was ministering to a known homosexual who claims to be a "born again" Christian. When I reminded him that a child of God should reflect the nature and lifestyle as delineated in the scriptures, he made one mind-boggling statement. He said, "Don't worry about me, I got saved at the age of eight and I am going to be in heaven." I reminded him the verse from Lev. 20:13, which reads, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Since he was lead to believe the lie of the devil, he was not willing to leave his lifestyle. He believes he is going to heaven, no matter what life style he may be living in. When one repeats a statement of confession narrated by the minister, his/her life is totally changed and reflects the life of Jesus Christ. He/she cannot continue to feed the flesh and live for Jesus. This is the genuine salvation.

As the immigrants from India who attend Indian churches, we are well fed in the word even at the young age. In American churches, children are given crafts, coloring books, etc. That is why many young people leave the church. The Bible verses, which are memorized and read in our family prayer meetings, strengthen us and lead us in the path of righteousness. The word is the only source of our guidance in life.

Recently, I had the privilege of hearing Pastor P. R. Baby from Cochin, India. In his sermon he said that all the young people in his church passes their school examination with high marks, usually in the highest bracket. He also stated the secret of this achievement. They are trained to believe and live by the scripture Psalms 119:99. "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation." Therefore, all the young people in his church read the bible everyday for at least half an hour and pray for 15 minutes prior to their studies. Since the word of God promises that they will be better than teachers, God has to honor His promise. All of you can reach the top of the class if you meditate on His word at least for half an hour everyday.

Deuteronomy 28:13 reads, "And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them." As children of God, we should never forget that we are the head and not the tail; we are above only and we are not beneath. The only condition is that we must hearken unto the commandments (or in other words listen carefully to His commandments), observe (examine whether you are obeying it fully), and do them. In the scriptures, commandments of the Lord means all what he says which includes (a) laws (b) commandments (c) statutes (d) decrees and (e) precepts (Deut. 11:1& Ps. 119:100).

Living for Jesus is the most important aspect of our life. Remember that we are in a battlefield. The moment we accept Christ as our personal savior we become the enemy of evil forces. We have to guard our lives with the word of the living God. Therefore, let our life be soaked with the word of God and the word of God will guide us in the paths of righteousness. We have to fill our life with word and do not open the doorway for the enemy to enter into our life, through television programs, movies, and Internet. In the olden times in America, the violence against women, stealing, violent acts, etc. were rare. After the outburst of violence, sexually explicit programs in television, movies, and Internet, the violence has escalated, murder rate is escalated, rape is escalated, the violence against women is escalated, and stealing is escalated. People are desensitized by the violence and other acts on television and movies. As children of God, we cannot afford to feed the flesh by watching ungodly things in TV, Internet or videos, and live for Jesus. What we sow is what we reap. Therefore, sow seed of word in our life and we will reap the godly nature.

May this message be strengthening to the young people of Indian origin, who live in America. May God Almighty shower His blessings upon the Atlanta Conference, especially in the youth programs. May this conference give our youth a new vitality and vigor to work for the betterment of Indian churches in North America.