Held Hostage, released, only to return!

We read in the news about those being held hostages; school girls in Nigeria, individuals by ISIS, crews by pirates……Then we hope to read at a later date how they have been saved or released. Well it struck me recently how we are born as hostages of Sin. We are held captive by sin reigning in our bodies. Out bodies are a battle ground for temptation to all the world has to offer. Through the mercy mission of Jesus coming to earth and dieing on the cross, He was able to pay a price and see us released into freedom. How exhilarating it must be for a hostage to be freed. The great hymn writer penned the words, “my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose went forth and followed thee”. He understood this truth.

Have you ever heard of a freed hostage voluntarily returning to become a hostage again? So why do those of us who have been freed from the power of Sin in our lives, allow our bodies, or parts of our bodies to be weapons for sin, and allow sin to reign and be master over us again! How dumb is that. (Romans 5 & 6)

Unfortunately, death (Sin) is dressed up in a way that looks like life and fun to me. All I know is I want to stay free from the things that look so good but the capture me and enslave me which lead to death. The secret……..well for me…..walking with Jesus daily and that is in brokenness most of the time!

Where do you stand?

As I have been cycling to work the last couple of days, a song keeps playing over in my mind and the words “Only by grace can we enter, only by grace can we stand, not by human en devour but by the blood of the lamb”. I am studying the book of Romans at the moment and its one of the most brilliant literary pieces of writing ever written!

Romans 5 says “we stand in grace”. We are powerless against sin! Do you like me think at times I will put effort into an area of your life that you want to change? If I am powerless why do I try! Versse 6 says “whilst we were helpless, Christ died for us”, HELPLESS. Its Christ death and blood that reconcile us to God. It’s His Holy Spirit that empowers us to live a righteous life. My flesh is powerless, His Spirit in me gives power to be able to live as He wants me to. How good is that truth today!

So today, I stand in His grace. My position of being right with God is not based on anything I have or will do, but simply on His grace, love and mercy. Join me!