HIV/AIDS is becoming a profound problem in Nepal. There are 75000 infected people and 4000 are children. NGOs are responding to the epidemic,but less has been done through faith based initiatives. AIDS is an opportunity in our lifetime to lift our weaknesses to God and find his strength. AIDS is deadly,but alienation from God is more serious and more deadly than AIDS. God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him”John 3:17.
Lets share unconditional love through the power of the Holy Spirit to persons and families affected by HIV and AIDS. The church is called to sacrifice in the AIDS crisis. Sacrifice means giving up our feelings of self righteousness,our condemning judgment of others and our faulty doctrine that point to sin only, forgetting grace.
Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ,It is believed that the church must respond urgently to the HIV/AIDS scourge,which is threatening to wipe out the human race. Our response to those affected should be compassionated,caring and full of Gods love. God has called us to be salt and light. Salt preserves. In the face of HIV/AIDS we have given a unique opportunity to do all we can to preserve and enrich the lives of those infected and affected.
We are also afforded an extraordinary opportunity to be Gods light in the darkened world ,so that through our loving response,people might be opened to the loving beauty of the God we serve. Many of those who are dying of AIDS are primarily concerned with what will happen to their children. Giving them confidence that their children will be cared for can strengthen their hope significantly.
Gods words gives us clear instruction about sanctity of life. Life is sacred to God. We are not to take life away. We are to do all we can to protect and preserve life. We believe the church is instrumental to proclaim and promote life. As epidemic is growing in Nepal,we appeal to the people of God,the church,to re-engage in the battle for life. That battle is great but victory in Jesus is sure. We shall mobilize the full resources within the church and further build coalitions for advocacy,care,justice and development.
The church needs a vision to meet the challenge to demonstrate the love of God and teach people how to live healthy lives. Part of this will be seeking to challenge our society to reconsider its values. The church in every age is called to transform the whole society by its witness and work ,not just the lives of believers.
We need to recognize that the church has also contributed to the AIDS situation today by failing in the previous decades to give a clear lead,to challenge behavior,to model an alternative lifestyle and to proclaim the Gospel. Many of those finding fault today are finding faith when the HIV/AIDS damage has already been done. In this era of HIV/AIDS, God sees the misery of his people,he has heard their cry,knows their suffering and has come down to deliver them therefore churches should seriously and effectively undertake HIV/AIDS prevention,care and support to Christian and non Christian, married and singles,young and old,women and men,poor and rich, all people everywhere ,for HIV/AIDS destroys life ,its goodness, thus violating Gods creation and will.
One of the major contributors to the spread of HIV/AIDS is the position of women in patriarchal societies. This is due to the fact that most of the women are poor and are vulnerable. The abuse of women poses a great challenge to the Christian churches where humanity is equal to God. It is a moral duty and obligation of the church to fight such conceptions as a way of fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The churches ensure that the religious leaders living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS are empowered to break silence and live openly and positively, end stigma,denial and shame and be forces of change and action in their congregation and communities.
Republished in new layout 6/14/2013
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