Are You A Slumdog Christian?

If you have a high profile profession have you ever noticed that people, in general,seem to speak to you as if you have knowledge  on a wide variety of topics- topics that have nothing to do with your field of expertise? For example if you are a doctor, lawyer, investment banker etc. you have found yourself, being pulled into conversations, only to be left wondering how you got involved, in on the discussion, in the first place? I couldn’t help but laugh because, I think the masses of people are simply not aware of the additional pressures they might place on individuals from a certain back ground. It was already too late for I was intrigued and wondering if you appeared to be intelligent by societies standard were you then automatically expected to know even more? And furthermore, as a follower of Jesus Christ, could we indeed be a plethora of knowledge and information for anyone whom might ask us; no matter what profession one might dwell in?

As I sat and thought about it I remembered the movie titled Slumdog Millionaire, that came out in 2008 involving a boy named Jamal as a contestant on the India version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The plot thickens when officials question him closely because, Jamal continues to answer the questions correctly leaving all astonished as they observe this poor, unlearned, under privileged, ignorant boy know the answers to questions of a certain caliber; let alone the answers to questions that could land him a million dollars.  Jamal new all the answers alright, but as I watched this movie I remember my heart sinking to the ground because, the audience soon discovers how Jamal new these answers; it was through horrific experiences that he had survived in just his short years of living in a place filled with adversity and oppression. I was left, by the end of the film, thinking when I compared what he had been through versus what he had won Jamal was due, in my opinion, for  more than a million dollars.

Perhaps you have gone through so much in your life and that is the only reason why you know about drugs, prostitution, poverty, and hunger, and you also wait eagerly for your breakthrough, your opportunity, and your chance to make a new start. Perhaps, like Jamal, you lack the education, or the means to make a better life for yourself but you have the background of one who has overcome and survived. Oh yes, I can relate to that and so I call myself a Slumdog Christian one who is challenged by life’s twists and turns and yet I lean on Christ for the blue print and the provision to make it through.

To the millions that watched this movie or show , and were somehow under the illusion or assumption that only the elite individuals could dare to answer such questions and win; this film proves that theory all wrong. In my opinion it doesn’t matter how big, small, tall ,short or thin you are; rich or poor, middle class or how ordinary you are that makes you a winner to God, why? Because all the opportunities to succeed, all promotions given, and all abilities one might have to understand and grasp knowledge comes from God, and God alone. I began my search to find this fundamental principle in the bible, because I believe any questions you might have, anything that you might be experiencing can all be found in the word of God.

I was quickly reminded of Pentecost, and how the Holy Spirit, the gift that Jesus spoke about from God the Father, came to rest on those that gathered to receive it in Jerusalem that day. Scripture says this,

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4

Wow, after the Holy Spirit filled them they began to speak in other tongues (Greek meaning; languages or tongues) as the Spirit enabled them. Could this be possible for a man that has never studied another language before , suddenly, have the ability to know, and speak instantly? The answer is yes, but only if you are filled with the third person of the trinity which is the healer , the comforter, the sealer, and the Illuminati to your soul and the renewal of your mind. It is immediately that a crowd gathered in Jerusalem once they heard the sound of the fierce wind blowing, and upon their arrival what do they hear? The scripture says this,

“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard the sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome( both Jews and converts to Judaism);Cretans and Arabs- we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

And if that does not astound you than Peter and John confronting the Sanhedrin after they were seized from the temple most certainly will, as scripture says this,

“The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them:” By what power or what name did you do this?”Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.” Acts 4: 5-12

As a believer in Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit comes and rests on you, upon your repentance and Salvation to Jesus, like a dove you too will do amazing things, and you, like Peter, will be able to speak to anyone with boldness, confidence, and courage when Holy Spirit is working in you and through you just as you read in these scriptures. Beloved that is why Christ new, with joy in his heart, that we would all be more than okay here on earth especially as we walk through and navigate this world. Christ ascended to His Father after he died on the cross because, the gift from the Father was on its way to dwell in each man and woman to empower you,to encourage you, and to lead you in all things big and small.

Fear not my children for He is with you and will never leave you. Call on Jesus today, and be filled with the Holy Spirit the one who will always remind you of what Christ has done for all mankind. It is never too late, and you have not done anything so horrible that Jesus wouldn’t forgive you for just talk to Him and you will see. Christ died for what you are crying about, what you feel guilty about, and what you can’t sleep about. Bring it to His feet, and then stand back and watch the sweet Salvation of the Lord in your life!

DCL Ministries

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