?But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control?? Gal: 5: 22?23

JONATHANS INTERNATIONAL

Periodical publishing spiritually edifying articles, prayer requests etc

Published [E-edition only] by Bible Study Centre; P. O. Box 14,

Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala?680651; INDIA

EW. 4 / 2007.                                                                                  Aug 19?Aug 25, 2007

THE NOBLE SOLDIER ?IV

T. John Mathew

       We read in 1. Sam: 18: 1?4 that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David and that Jonathan loved him as himself. The events that followed are proofs of this statement. Loving others sincerely and selflessly is a principle one may speak about endlessly, but seldom would one put it into practice even momentarily. We know, it is easy to hate but hard to love. It is surprising that Jonathan continued loving David as himself even after knowing that he might lose his throne to the one he loved. We find him trying his best to save David from the evil schemes of his father [1. Sam: 19 & 20]. When his father learnt that he had helped David avoid getting caught by his men he hurled his spear at him to strike him down. By trying to help David he incurred upon himself the fury of his father. His father?s words pointing out that it was most foolish on his part to help David escape his hands do not dissuade him from continuing to help his friend. He could have agreed with his father in thinking that it was most desirable to get rid of David and make himself the unrivalled successor to his father?s throne. But such thoughts never came to his mind. Since he loved David as himself he considered David becoming the king as good as himself becoming the king. This sort of selfless love that one shows to one?s friend is seldom seen in our world of selfishness, ambition, jealousy and wickedness. No words other than those of the Holy Spirit, ?the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David? can describe the depth and sincerity of his love for David.  

     Jonathan?s refusal to act according to the evil designs of his father proves that he was a man of good conscience. It was this quality that made him the trusted friend of David. We find him trying his best to save David from his father who, though the Lord?s anointed, was very unjust and wicked in his behaviour and actions. Unlike his father Jonathan was one who had submitted himself to the Holy Spirit of God. That was why he loved David deeply and sincerely even after knowing that his father strongly disapproved of that relationship. His lack of ambition and his readiness to be always controlled by the Spirit of love contrasted him with his father who was unjust and ungrateful to David who had saved him and his people from the yoke of the Philistines.

       In our world friendship is often based on the common interests of people; most often these common interests are expressions of selfishness. Seldom do we come across selfless people ready to put up with hardships and losses for the wellbeing of others. Jonathan, who loved David and was ready to lose his throne to him and incurred the fury of his father on account of his selfless love, stands tall among all those known in human history for their sincere  and selfless love for their friends

REQUEST FOR PRAYER

Indirect ban on saying that Jesus is the only Saviour

 It is reported that the Government of India is about to bring in legislation aimed at making it illegal to project any particular religion as the ?only? or ?true? one in any T. V. program. According to the information available, the proposed legislation prohibits ?appealing, advising and imploring or pleading to anyone to change one?s religion or faith.? The draft of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill to be introduced in Parliament according to reports, stipulates that all broadcasters should obey a code and this code does not permit one to describe a particular faith as the only true one. This means that speeches in accordance with the verse, ?And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved? [Acts 4: 12] will no more be broadcast once this bill is passed and made law. Cases are likely to be filed against Christian broadcasters and they will be constantly harassed on charges of violating the said code. In effect this will make it impossible to communic