I
was born on |
More
than 4000 muslim families inhabiting in our area and some hindus at suburbs. No
Christians at all. There was not even a single Christian in the schools where
I was studied. |
Our
mosque is around thousand years old. My ancestors spread the religion of
Islam in that place and built the mosque. My ancestorial home is very close
to the mosque. The land revenue and the axillary records of the mosque were
kept in my father's name well into my boyhood. My ancestors were entitled to
muslim priesthood by heredity. They had the designation as "Labba"
with their names to indicate the priesthood. |
In
these circumstances, I was brought up with great regard and love for Islamic
teachings and its practices and of my family. I did my religious education
before I started regular schooling. No bad habits existed in the way of our
family life. I even wrote a book about the Qur'an. |
My
college education was held at a Christian institution called |
By
this time I became addicted on drugs and alcohol. My body began to shiver and
I became very tense if I did not use drugs at the habitual times. I was on the
watch-list of the Police. My parents cut off the money which they were giving
me regularly. I had lot of friends, ready for any adventure, when I had money
in my pocket. As a matter of fact my earlier friends became my sworn enemies
in my period of trial. I lost my peace of mind. |
It
was at this juncture that some missionary students gathered courage to talk
to me. They claimed that Jesus is the Son of God, who was crucified for the
mankind. He rose from the dead and He is the king of peace. They further
claimed that if one believes in Him and confesses all sins he will become a
new person. I could not even imagine that Prophet Isa (Jesus) is the son of
God or that he was crucified and rose from the dead. In turn exhorted them to
reach heaven by believing in Islam which is the true religion. I had heated
arguments with them on many occasions. They could only find fault with my
wretched life, but could not prevail over my arguments or prove my ideas
wrong. |
But
without losing heart, one day they brought some leaflets. The leaflets were
based on the Bible which I considered forbidden, for it is abrogated. Hence I
went into a rage. The thought that the advice that I had given them earlier
regarding Islam, had made no impact on them increased my rage. I tore the
leaflets into pieces. With despicable words I threw the pieces into their
faces and I gave warning that I would destroy them if they continue
misleading others. |
It
was a serious matter that the students of priesthood in cassocks were
publicly insulted and persecuted, specially in the
compound of a Christian institution. It looked almost certain that I would be
expelled from the college. I could also expect troubles from any direction.
The next day I went to the college armed with weapons, intending to cause
violent incidents. When I entered the class the missionary students ran to me
and embraced with love and joy. They surprised me by expressing regret for
having caused mental distress on me. If the college was run by my religion
and I was in the place of a missionary, surely I would not have let one,
persecutes me, scot free. In fact, I was touched by their love, kindness and
gentle nature. The Holy Spirit, which reminds us about sin, righteousness and
judgement, began to work upon me. |
That
night I found a piece of paper in a text book in my room. On it was written,
"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus
came to the world to save sinners, for whom I am the foremost" (1 Tim |
All
the sins, the excessions and violations that I had committed since childhood
began to appear before me as if on a screen. I recognized all my inequities,
big and small. Each one of them transformed into a blister on my body. The
blisters burst open and became sores. The flesh and bones, from where pus
began to flow out, became very hot and began to melt. Worms were competing to
get at the marrow of the bones. The pain was unbearable. The stench could not
be described. I was being pulled into a bottomless pit. There was nobody to
save me. I cried out, "God, save me". |
Then
a man, holy and bright, descended from heaven and touched me. I understood it
was Jesus. For a moment I closed my eyes with a heavenly joy, for His touch
cooled my body and mind. When I opened my eyes all the blisters and sores had
disappeared from my body. I am purified as if washed with a perfumed
ointment. But Jesus who came in bright and spotless was now infected with
blisters and sores. Pus and discharges were flowing out of them. |
Christ
had taken on himself all my afflictions. I should have been condemned to
death for all my sins. But I saw Christ taking on all my sins and being
crucified in my place for my sake. |
I
saw Jesus breaking the tomb and rising up from the dead. He was more glorious
and resplendent in resurrection than he descended from the clouds. I fell at
his feet crying, "My Lord and my God". |
I
shared my conversion of mind and joy at the same night to my parents.
Although they listened me, but tried to dissuade saying this was only a trick
played by Iblis (Satan). But I was convinced that the loving God has saved me
through His only Son and that I would inherit eternal life. As a result I had
to face torture and threats in my life. I was baptized in the water as soon
as I accepted Him as my personal Saviour. God baptized me with the Holy
Spirit too. |
One
day I was narrating my Christian experiences to some of my friends near the
mosque. Suddenly one of my cousin brothers named Salim stabbed me with a
knife. My lower jaw was split. Everybody thought that I may die. But God
saved me and made me a witness again at that place. Salim was making arrangements
to murder me in another way and had a plan to convert it into a suicide. For
the same he was busily making a noose at the top of a tree. But a whirl wind
blew and Salim fell with the branch of the tree. He was near to death.
Instinctively I wished for his death. But Jesus ordered me to love and nurse
Salim as He had loved me when I was His enemy. At my initiative Salim was
taken to the hospital and was in plaster for more than six months. When Salim
recovered he accepted Jesus as his Savior. |
The
Jama'ath authorities chained me, shaved my head, locked me in an underground
cellar when yet another person became a Christian. When I tried to escape
acid was sprayed on me. I was beaten up several times and even lost a few
teeth. I considered these experiences as lucky de in the name of Jesus and as
symbol of my spiritual fervour. The Lord visited a few more people who caused
trouble on me. Most of them led to believe in Jesus. My parents and siblings
who banned me from the entire area is now visiting me, and are willing to
pray with me, though in private. My family and I can now visit with
confidence our ancesterial home and the adjoining muslim neighbourhood as
witnesses to the Gospel. The Living God is helping us in that. |
I
have a deep burden about those who go astray. Also He empowered me to preach
Gospel. By Gods grace I have already preached before thousands of crowds.
Preaching the Word of God, using the gift of healing, counselling, sharing
the testimony are the part of my preaching ministry. |
While
many who take pride in calling themselves Christians look upon gospel work
with contempt, I consider it only God's grace that I look upon proclaiming
the Gospel as a great honour. My goal is to win the muslim world as well as
the third world unto the Salvation. |
|
(PAUL) CINIRAJ MOHAMED |
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