Christ, the Word who became flesh and thus, the Living Word, warned that those He would recognize as His disciples were those who continued in His Word because that is how they would come to have full knowledge of the truth and be free (John 8:31-36). Continue as the operative word suggests dwelling in the promises and power of the Word, growing in the understanding of the inter-related portions of it, maturing in the application of portions that are relevant to different situations in one’s life, and conforming to the teachings and dictates of the Word as a way of life.
The converse of that statement, that it is very possible for one to profess to be a believer or disciple and not be truly free because one has not continued or dwelt in Christ’s Word, is our warning. That we can declare to be beneficiaries of Christ’s victory on the Cross and yet not be truly free because we are not dwelling in His Word should be concerning, because without that full freedom, we are playing into the enemy’s hand.
A partial list of the freedoms available to us include: Freedom from – the guilt of sin, the fear of sin and its consequences, the power of sin over our own will power, the bondage of corruption, spiritual enemies, prejudices, the fear of man and an unhealthy dependence on the validation of men or unhealthy desire for the approval of man.
The enemy of our souls does not want us to experience this glorious, full freedom and the way to ensure that is to blind us to the fact that we are not truly free, to make us think everything will be okay because we are professing Christ and practicing religion. As long as we are blinded, we will be denying ourselves all the above and can gradually become servants of sin, operating with ignorant and dulled consciences.
From that it is a slippery slope to being held hostage by sin, powerless to refuse its suggestions, imprisoned by the guilt of it and yet readily making excuses for our sins. Yes, it becomes almost like a pseudo-Stockholm Syndrome. Needless to point out that one cannot be a servant of sin and a co-heir with Christ, there can be no share in the inheritance for those who will not denounce their bondage and heartily embrace the truths of the Living Word.
As we begin to approach the end of this Lenten season, may we focus on the cords of divine love and mercy that are patiently waiting to pull us back from our wrong turns and bring us back to the Divine Shepherd’s Path. May we stand on the unconditional love of God for us through Christ and determine that we want to experience the full freedom that Christ has won for us. May that desire cause us to reconcile with God in repentance and may we be sanctified with the grace that will enable us to continue dwelling in the Living Word. Amen.
Hilltop Thoughts, Valley Strengths 