However, when we are employed in obtaining an assurance of His love, we are still to an extent busy with self. Our defects, regarded in peace and in the spirit of love, are instantly consumed by love itself. However, when they are considered in the light of self, they make us restless. They interrupt the presence of God and the exercise of perfect love. The chagrin we feel at our own defects is ordinarily a greater fault than the original defect itself.
~ François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
~ Galatians 5:1
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
~ from Romans 8
Oh beloved, it is true. Sometimes we don’t want to believe. But sometimes we just don’t know. So, it does seem that some sort of warning is in order here – so here goes: If you continue to read this entry, you will know the truth.
Often, a believer simply thinks they have been saved from separation from G_d and the hell that brings in the end. And this is true. It is just not the whole truth. And living in this space (this one step away from hell) brings about an edge of anxiety – both about making sure we have escaped the damnation, and not being too sure about what is in our future.
So here goes…
You beloved, you who have turned and looked to Him; who have believed that He is The Way and The Truth and The Life – you are free.
Free from time, for to know Him is, itself, eternal life. Eternity is in our hearts, and the moment is now simply growing into forever.
Free from death, for our Captain has captured the keys to death and hell. And there is no way in hell that He is giving them up to anyone.
Free from fear, for the basis for fear has been made moot. The punishment for our sins has already occurred as The Father and evil and we poured out our wrath on the Son at the cross.
Free from sin, for on that same cross we died with the Son. And the death we died with Him on that day made us dead to sin and alive in Him.
Free from doubt, for now His very Spirit abides within us. And He leads us into all truth and tells us things to come.
Free from disease, for now the failure of our bodies is not a concern. And to us to live is Christ, and to die is but an enormous gain.
Free from anxiety, for in this bitter emotion’s place we find thanks for all He is doing in us and through us and for us. And as the thankfulness flows from our hearts, in flows an even sweeter draft – the peace of G_d.
Free from isolation, for now in Him and Him in us. And as we come away from the world, we are not going alone – we are moving nearer into His near Presence.
Can we see it now? Freedom is not a concept. Freedom is not even the absence of constraint. Freedom is the place in Him that comes at the death of our old self. Freedom is normal state of a new creation in Christ. Don’t miss this. A person who is a new creation is the very child of G_d. And this relationship is boundless, endless, unfathomably rich, and more real than the reality we now perceive.
So, now you know beloved. No going back. Time to Live free in Him.
Wallowing in doubt, confusion, and uncertainty is hip and trendy in modern Christianity. Some churches even host what they call “Doubt Nights” – where everyone gets together and vents their doubts about God and His Word. Confusion is celebrated today. But what a miserable way to live! Why would you choose to look at a distorted view of a sunset through a filthy window when you could look through a sparkling clean one instead and see it in all its breathtaking beauty?
~ Leslie Ludy
