Page 7 - BMTYS - eMagazine - 3rd Edition

to veil ourselves from him. Only when we can love God unconditionally
we will be able to have a relationship with God.
The Old Testament talks about people like Abraham, Moses, and Enoch
who conversed with God as they would to a person. It was possible
because God lowered himself from his majesty to interact with humans.
This clearly shows his love for human beings.
When God gave the 10 Commandments, he says “Do not bow down to
any idol or worship it, because I am the LORD your God and I tolerate
no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their
descendants down to the third and fourth generation. But I show my
love to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my
laws.” (Exodus 20:5-6). God plainly says that he cannot tolerate any
rivals to his affection and that he will show his love to those who love
him.
The fundamental difference between the Old Testament and the New
Testament is that in the latter God choose to become man. In the Old
Testament God had lowered himself several times to deal with humans.
However in the New Testament when he humbles himself drastically to
become a human being. In other words, the Creator chooses to lower
himself to the level of his creations. He does this to understand what
it means to become a human being. God discovers a way to interact
without anyone fearing him.
The term kenosis refers to the doctrine of Christ’s “self-emptying” in
His incarnation. This is the ultimate humiliation God took up for the
sake of humanity. Along with this humiliation, it also meant God was
free. Jesus could express anger and sorrow without shaking the earth.
He could talk to anyone without having to first say “Fear Not.”
God in human form tells us what he desires from us “Love the Lord
your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.”
(Mathew22:37). Jesus gave up his life with his free will so that we may
be saved. Let us submit our hearts to the Lord so that we may be able
to remove the veil of indifference and anger and simply allow ourselves
to love God without any inhibitions.

Bahrain Mar Thoma 7
Yuvajana Sakhyam