No Hold on Me: Part Two
Freedom reigns in my world, just as it does in Heaven, for Christ is the Lord of both. As it is in Heaven, the manacles that once held me no longer hold me. I am most certain of this, for God’s Word says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
I have been set free – for freedom. And I have been set free – in so many ways.
I am free from the chains of truth-less training.
• Celebrity speeches
We live in a society that is strongly influenced by celebrities. And, unfortunately, things are sometimes believed to be true simply because it was said by a celebrity, whether that celebrity is an eminent media person, a famous performer or a popular speaker. Because they said it, it has substance, with no due respect given to the truth of what was said. All due respect must be given, however, to these people and all due respect must be given as well to the truth that is in what they say. Celebrities do have much good to say.
• Untaught teachers
I once heard a saying, “Never trust a man without a limp.” I believe it was based on the story in Genesis 32 about Jacob’s nocturnal fight with a man, or an angel, whom he could not overpower. At one point during the contest, the man touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that it was wrenched, yet Jacob insisted that he would not let go without a blessing. We see, as the story concludes, that he did get his blessing, but “he was limping because of his hip.” (Gen. 32: 32)
Teachers who have been “taught” are worthy to be my teachers. I no longer have to listen to the teachings of those who have no limps acquired during tough times or no scars obtained by making bad decisions. There is no gravity to their advice and their spirituality tends to be shallow.
I am free to embrace, however, the teachings of those who are worthy to be followed. I am free to follow those who have battled with and beat cancer. I am free to learn from those who have fought for their marriage and, against all odds, are now celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. And I am free to study under those who may have lost their jobs and who have had to do whatever is necessary to provide for their families.
• Interpretive teaching
I do not need to receive any interpretation of God’s Word that goes beyond the meaning of its text or that is communicated by someone who has not taken the time to study it or to cherish its Author. Individual beliefs, personal judgments and unique circumstances, while they may illustrate truth, should not be relied on as truth. Only God’s Word is truth. Neither is it incumbent upon me to adhere to any directive like, “Because I understand it this way, you also need to understand it this way” or, “because I do it this way you also need to do it this way.”
• Sentimental reflection
While emotion is a created part of my soul, attitudes, opinions, or rulings driven by feelings alone are never to be relied upon. While someone may be particularly sensitive to certain themes or activities, I have to carefully weigh my responses against the truth of God’s Word and my own circumstance. I need to respond to what is expressed according what God is saying and not because someone is emotionally charged over a certain issue.
Neither do I need to be influenced by starry-eyed or nostalgic feelings alone. It is not that I have to be stiff and stoic; it is just that I have to be individually responsive to what God alone is saying. While he may be saying it through someone else, I need to discern that the truth that he is conveying may be colored by the medium that he is using.
I am free from the confines created by romantic notions.
I am free from the time-wasters of fictional passions and pursuits, crusades based on imaginary outcomes and/or unworkable plans and schemes marked only by the imaginative or emotional fascination with what is daring, cool, mysterious or idealistic. The fluffy clouds of dreamland have been replaced with God-given practical techniques that enable me to confront all kinds of problems and efficiently manage all affairs. His kingdom rule in my world means that I can, with holy and faith-filled cleverness, a) recognize what is God-real and what is God-possible in any and all situations and b) apply any and all means necessary to address the situation at hand.
I am entrenched in and fed from the fountain of my Father’s presence, not from the fads of society or the energy of my idealistic imagination. Because of the intimacy of his presence in and around me I can take up any cause and see that cause through to the end, so that practical and life-changing things are accomplished in real people’s lives.
God’s Word tells me that “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
I not only talk the talk; I walk the walk. I not only think the thought; I live the life. I not only wish for bliss; I get down and dirty. It’s messy sometimes, but real people are in need of real answers and broken lives need mending. So, as an extension of God’s hand of mercy, I am there to be and do whatever is necessary.