That really has to be good news, or so I would think? What I mentioned yesterday...about being truly set free from those things that bind us and control us to the point we seem incapable of ever truly walking in loving obedience to God. Who wouldn’t want to be set free front the very thing that is destroying us, as in ‘sin’?

 

 Do you know why God sent Jesus into this world and what He anointed Him to do? – To set captives free. (Luke 4:18). And it need not be some spiritual wrestling match either. Why, it’s a simple as believing...truth. Jesus said in John 8 that that “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (32). Granted, some of you might ask: ‘Free? Free from what?’ Some people don’t see themselves as being ‘not free’ or ‘captive’. Yet, if you are continuing to sin, guess what that makes you ? A slave...to sin. Jesus said that in the most ‘assured way’. (John 8:34). And since most church folks will candidly admit they continue to practice or fall or ‘stumble in sin, guess what that makes them? A slave to sin. His words, not mine. 

 Jesus goes on there...”and a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.” (35). We touched on that again yesterday....the subject of who the real children of God are. Might want to read that post if you missed it. Oh, and that line about simply being a ‘saint who sins’...I would advise against using that. It is an oxymoron for sure and just confuses folks in a bad way...especially ‘lost’ folks. (More on that tomorrow)

 So if you continue to sin, then you remain a slave; according to Jesus, as we just read there. I would imagine that most ‘slaves’ dream of being ‘free’, yes? And for a slave to be told they are free...and can walk as free men...would be ‘good news’, would it not? I love to circle back and remind us all what Juneteenth is all about. Back in the late 1860’s, President Grant sent federal troops into Galveston, TX to free up a good number of black slaves who were still being held against their will. Apparently for some reason, they were not informed about the proclamation signed by then President Lincoln freeing all slaves across the country. He was assassinated not long after that. Strange...is it not...how angry people can get when someone comes along and frees up multitudes of people? I mean...Jesus kind of experienced that too, did He not? 

So when those slaves in Texas found out they were no longer slaves...it was good news. That...is what the gospel is...and does. It is good news and sets people free. (Acts 26:18). That was the ministry the Father gave to Jesus...and...are you ready for this? Jesus said...”as the Father has sent me, so send I you.” (John 20:21). We are supposed to be taking this same gospel to share so others can be set free. I guess it is easier to do if we get free ourselves...first. :- ). Can I just tell you...that Jesus set me free. And I just want to share this news with EVERYONE so they too...can experience this incredible freedom. I am no Jesus or Abraham Lincoln, you can be sure. But I know what Jesus did for me and it took 60 years to finally get to a place where it all just ‘fit’ and ‘made sense’. And I’ve shed a few tears over the past three years lamenting how long it took and all the ‘what might have been’ had I learned this earlier. But, as Paul says, ‘forgetting those things that are behind...I press on...’. (Phil. 3:12) 

 So we were talking about idols yesterday and why they seem to exert so much control over us. 

 It’s not that red piece of steel or bowl of chips and salsa or that 401K that provide true self-worth...or comfort or security. Only God can do that. But we have a spiritual enemy who ‘runs to and fro throughout the earth’ trying to convince us otherwise. And not to heap praise on Satan, you have to admit, he’s done a pretty good job of that....keeping people bound and captive with ...’idols’. He convinces us that these ‘things’ that are lifeless and temporal can provide all this security and comfort and pleasure and self-importance to the point that we believe the lie...and then continue down that path thinking...if we just had ‘more of it’, then we will have ‘more security and self-worth and more comfort and more joy and more pleasure’...etc. So how’s that working out for you these days? 

Let’s cut to the chase and address why these temporal, lifeless things seem to have so much control over us. It’s not the ‘things’ themselves...it’s what we ‘think’ or believe they do for us. And the reason we have bought in to that is because of an invisible enemy who is way stronger than us that is operating in our sinful flesh nature. That is how he controls us. (Eph. 2:1-3; 1 John 5:19; Acts 26:18). The sooner we come to the conclusion we are no match for this enemy, the sooner we might be more open to doing things God’s way; like surrendering our whole heart to Him. 

 Remember what God told the Israelites back in the wilderness regarding what they would face in the promised land? - A slew of evil nations of people who were stronger and mightier than them. As in, they stood no chance of defeating them in their own strength and power. But...no worries...just do what God asked of them and HE...would deliver them into their hands to overcome. This NT walk of salvation is just the 2.0 version of that; in the ‘spiritual realm’. ;-) 

Oh...and as an added warning to His people, He made it rather clear that if they did not follow His lead and take control of this enemy, they would end up taking control of them...and their children and suffer greatly. God has not changed nor have His warnings. 

 When Moses was prepping this second generation to go in and possess the land, there was some ‘reviewing’ that took place. You might flip back to Deut. 32:16-24 and read how that first generation provoked God to jealousy. (You really need to read yesterday’s post if you missed it). Moses ties in this idea of angering the Lord with their ‘foreign gods’ and ‘demons’ and provoked God to anger by their ‘foolish idols’. Lev. 17:7 and Ps. 106:34-40 would be good to look up as well. And if you really want some more interesting insight to all this, take your time and go through 2 Kings 17. God’s people have quite the history...that we can still learn from, if we want to. 

 One interesting note about that account in 2 Kings 17...you see where God sent ‘lions to kill them’ (25-26) and then eventually sending some priest their way to ‘teach them the fear of the Lord’. (28). Some may argue with this, but the ‘fear of the Lord’ is something we need to be ‘taught’. (Ps. 34:11). It’s not really a popular topic these days...gives off lots of bad vibes to folks who want to hear ‘smooth things...pleasant things...things that tickle our ears’. (Isa 30:9-11; 2 Tim.4:3-4). We also read back in the OT about how God sent ‘serpents’ as a tool of his wrath as well. (Num. 21:6-9; Jer. 8:17). And do you remember what Paul mentioned as warnings to us today there in 1 Cor. 10:6-11? 

 So think about this: In the OT, God used ‘lions and serpent’s to carry out His wrath in some cases. ( In many other cases, it was neighboring nation-enemies who were wicked and hostile He used.) Who do we read about in the NT that ‘serpents’ and ‘lion’s represent today in the ‘spirit realm? (Luke 10:19-20; 1 Pet. 5:8). Who is our ‘enemy’ today? Certainly not ‘flesh and blood’ that we often tend to want to contend with. (Eph. 6:12) 

 Demons spirits can certainly exert an incredible amount of influence, control, and power over us...when...we are not walking in covenant with Jesus; or should I say ‘abiding in Him’. I mean...you and I are no match for him. But let me assure you of one thing...the only thing...that the forces of hell CANNOT do in your life: They cannot prevent you from running to Jesus and surrendering your whole heart to Him. Remember the man in the Gadarenes who was possessed by thousands of demons? When he ‘saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped Him'. (Mark 5:6). And it did not take years of therapy before the townsfolk came out and saw him ‘sitting and clothed and in his right mind.” (15) 

 Simple question now for ‘whosoever has ears to hear’.... 

 What. Are. You. Waiting. For? 

 Run to Him...with all your heart. But this time...STAY with Him...continue on...with Him. Abide in Him. And give no place to the devil. You know where that got you. 

 And I hate to beat the same drum over and over (well, not really but I know many must tire of hearing it)...IF...and when you are abiding in Him...you will initially ‘suffer some in the flesh’ as you die to self, which is what the Spirit will begin to lead you to do. (Rom. 8:13). But...as Peter reminds us ...”he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin’. (1 Pet. 4:1-2). This in turn, frees...you up to do the will of God, as you just read there. And who are the ones who are going to enter the kingdom of heaven? (Matt. 7:21) 

 Oh...would you like some more good news? “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin...and the wicked one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18). It is rather liberating, if you don’t mind me saying so. :- ) 

 And not to end on a ‘down note’ today, but I do feel compelled to share this with you. Yesterday, I addressed the subject on how lots of folks who profess to be believers think they are exempt or immune to experiencing God’s ‘wrath’. We know who God uses as an instrument of His wrath...that ‘enemy’ or thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10). So I find it interesting when I read Paul’s writings to those Corinthians who were falling short of examining their hearts and motives when it came to partaking of the Lord’s cup...that “many” of those believers...were “weak, sick, and some had died. And had they judged themselves, they would not have been judged or chastened by the Lord”. (1 Cor.11:27-32) 

 Is it any wonder...why Jesus used the parable of the ten virgins in Matt. 25 to suggest that the whole church...would probably be asleep prior to His return. He’s trying to wake us up.