True Freedom
John 8:31-36 – “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” NKJV
It is possible to be in chains and not be a slave or be without bonds and be enslaved. Chains do not determine True Freedom; the heart and mind do. Unfortunately, nothing we do will eradicate human bondage, and men will enslave other men against their wills in the natural. I can only imagine the physical, mental, and even spiritual torture that being captive brings. My heart breaks for anyone who has endured that condition, either as a prisoner of war, a human slave against their will, a hostage, or anything of the like.
I know two men who, though captives, were never Enslaved in their hearts and minds. One was a Japanese prisoner during WWII and escaped; the other was held in Hanoi by the Vietnamese and endured years of horrific, inhumane torture and abuse. Both professed that their faith in God and belief in the Word of God kept them free, though in chains. They were and are examples of True Freedom!
The only True Freedom comes through the shed blood of Jesus and the Grace of God. If we receive the forgiveness of sin and are born again, we experience True Freedom! A person who is thusly free can be imprisoned, chained, and otherwise enslaved physically, but they will never be a Slave in their heart or mind because the Son has set them free!
Today, in America, we celebrate our Independence, and yet, thousands are still enslaved in some form. Enslavement attitude is possibly worse than being enslaved in the flesh, for if a person’s mind is captive, the attitude and actions will reflect that condition. Breaking free and living life to the full is virtually impossible because the mind is in chains to wrong thinking, victimization, and false premises.
If we receive the Freedom Jesus came to bring, we cannot be enslaved. Remember, if God is for us, who can be against us? As a friend always says, what difference does it make who is against us if God is for us?
God bless you, and I say, Be Free in Jesus!
Focus and Commitment
Genesis 32:24 – “So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the thought of focus and commitment filled my thoughts. We cultivate harvests through our focus, commitment, and follow-through.
When Jacob was preparing to face Esau in Genesis 32, he separated his family and possessions from himself. He was fearful and trying to devise an escape plan. In verse 24, we read, “So Jacob was left alone.”
That is a horrible place where we are unable to escape our inner thoughts and fears. It is also a wonderful place because there we must face God, and if we are to have any hope of victory, we must wrestle with God’s purpose, settling in our hearts, our focus, and commitment. Jacob wrestled with God all night long. (Type of Intercession). He was changed forever that night!
When Jacob’s daughter had been raped, two of his sons took the matter into their own hands, forcing Jacob to relocate. He went to Bethel (House of God). He went to the place symbolic of God’s presence. He instructed his family to rid themselves of all their idols and to change their clothes. Jacob opened the door to trouble by burying the idols and articles rather than burning them.
Focus guides us and helps us commit and follow through on our purpose. Focus enables us to see our objective and to be keenly aware of the pitfalls and hindrances.
In Athens, Paul was stirred because of the idolatry. His focus on his mission and commitment launched him into action. Are we grieved in our spirits over the condition of those around us? Does the evil of this world trouble us, or are we able to live unaffected by it? Does it keep us awake, or does it have little impact?
In Acts 20:24, Paul focused on his commission and God’s purposes. He was unconcerned about ease or safety. He was focused on the assignment to share Jesus with all. In verse 35, he explained the focus of his life: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
How much is our soul worth? That’s how much every soul is worth. I’m disturbed by my too-frequent ability to live an unaffected life while the world around me is ravaged by sin. If I truly love like Jesus, I will be unable to live an unaffected life. Life is not about ease. Life here is secondary to eternity! My focus will determine my destiny and destination.
LORD, help us to focus and make a full commitment to you!
Friendship With God
Job 29:1-6 – “Then Job continued his speech: 2 “O that I could be as I was in the months now gone, in the days when God watched over me, 3 when He caused his lamp to shine upon my head, and by His light I walked through darkness; 4 just as I was in my most productive time, when God’s intimate friendship was experienced in my tent, 5 when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me; 6 when my steps were bathed with butter
and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil!”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was deeply challenged in my spirit. As I read the story of Job, something in Job 29:4 arrested me. Job spoke of a time before his dilemma and trial. He longed for the time, “When the friendship of God was over my tent.” Friendship with God had been his covering! WOW!
In Job 31, he positions his mind in accordance with covenant. He used the “if” and “then” to illustrate his commitment. Thirteen times he said, “If” I have done this, “then” let this curse or judgment come upon me. That is either incredible deception or confidence in his condition and position.
Then the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians, describes our relationship with Jesus and with each other. Paul’s plea was for total surrender and recognition of the Body of Christ so that we can become who God has purposed us to be.
In 1 Corinthians 5, he dealt with excessive tolerance and revealed how immorality should affect the believers. It should grieve us just as loss in death does because it is a kind of death. In 1 Corinthians 6, he unfolded the painful reality that immorality and unrighteousness can never enter the kingdom. He gave a partial list in verses 9-10. In verse 20, he brought it home – Jesus died to free us; how dare we trample His blood under our feet by living in sin?
Job longed for God’s friendship and companionship. Paul longed for purity of heart. God longs for our fellowship, which can only be experienced in total surrender and out of pure hearts.
God, I pray, You will cause us to mourn sin and repent!
How Do You View That?
Genesis 22:1 – “Some time after these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” Abraham replied.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was challenged deep in my spirit about “mindset” or, more specifically, how we view everything.
As I read the story of Abraham in Genesis, my hope expanded. Knowing that although God uses particular people for specific tasks, He exhibits no partiality. God has no favorite children. Some exhibit the attitude that they are more special than others, but what He does for one, He is willing and able to do for all.
After God gave Abraham the miracle son when old Abe was 100, God challenged him beyond belief. Genesis 22:1 – “Some time after these things God Tested Abraham.” The test was not a small challenge but a monumental, life-altering challenge. The challenge: sacrifice your son! Sounds contradictory to the revealed heart and nature of God, right?
Abraham had the covenant promise that through his descendants a multitude would come! Through his offspring, the entire planet would be blessed. Now, God asks or directs him to take that link (Isaac), the miracle child, and kill him as a burnt offering. The Bible calls that a test! To the flesh, that would be a nightmare.
Abraham’s response was immediate obedience. Notice verse 3. “Early in the morning, Abraham got up and saddled his donkey.” Immediately, without question or hesitation, he began the process of obeying.
That screams Total Trust!
- No wonder we read that Abraham is the father of faith.
- No wonder we read that Abraham staggered not at the promise.
- No wonder we read that Abraham believed God, and God credited it to him as righteousness. His mindset was unshakable confidence in God!
Out of that act of obedience flows all we now know and experience. Out of that example, we should be inspired to trust God completely and obey Him explicitly. When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, God’s faithfulness is impossible to miss. The servant began praying at the well for a sign. In Genesis 24:15, we read, “Before he had finished praying, there came Rebecca (the answer).” She did not start toward the well because of his prayer; before he prayed, she was already on her way. Remember, before we pray, He answers.
This is the God Abraham trusted. This is the God we serve. This is the God who created all things. Therefore, our requests are small compared to all He has done for all time. Why do we find it so difficult to trust completely?
We are like the church praying for Peter in Acts 12. They prayed earnestly and fervently but not expectantly. Read the account. They were shocked that their prayers had been answered. They should have been shocked if they weren’t!
What is our mindset? How do we view God, ourselves, and life? The urge I sense is to surrender my imagination and hope to God! If I trust Him with my eternal soul, why is it hard to trust Him with my life? It is mindset. It is relinquishing control. It is trust.
Lord, I repent of my lack of trust. That lack of trust screams that I, in some way, question Your character. Please forgive me! Let’s surrender our All to Him. He never fails.
But I Thought
Genesis 20:11 – Abraham replied, “Because I thought…”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was drawn to the transition from Abram to Abraham. It pictures our development in God and our spiritual walk.
- As Abram, he encountered the Living Creator God.
- As Abram, God cut the covenant with Him.
- As Abram, he received the promise of an heir from his loins even in old age.
In Genesis 17, he received the directive, “Walk before me and be blameless.” God placed that condition on the confirmation of the Covenant, which included an heir and the Promised Land. As God saw his heart, he received the name change. Abram means “exalted father.” He came from a noble lineage. Abraham means “father of a multitude.” It was a constant reminder of God’s covenant.
Abraham’s journey was one in which his flesh ruled him. He lied about his wife. In Genesis 20, his explanation was, “I thought…” Proverbs 3:5-6 is the remedy.
- He became the man known as the father of faith or faithfulness.
- He became a man known for having his prayers answered.
- He became a man God could trust, bless, and use.
- He became the depository of the promise. He carried the seed of salvation in his heart and body.
We are all in transition. Setbacks must not be stopping places, but life lessons. Failures must not identify us but become reminders of the danger of trusting the flesh.
We want a utopia or storybook life. God wants a surrendered heart that trusts and serves no matter what. He wants those who, like Abram, are willing to go places they have never been to become what they had never dreamed they could. People who, like orthodox Peter, will go where directed, even though they do not know what or why. Total Trust. We want to be happy in the flesh; God wants to promote us to a higher place, Joy!
Happiness is tied to conditions, circumstances, and people. Joy is a divine supernatural condition that is birthed in surrender and trust! He wants to change our names (hearts) so we can fulfill our purpose! Stop allowing conditions, events, people, or things to be your focus.
Become who He designed you to be! You are God’s heir! Victory or defeat is conditioned in our thoughts about God, ourselves, and our circumstances. Through the lens of the Cross, we can see victory and become victorious!
Today would be a great day to give it all to God.
Roy's Covenant Corner 