Real freedom

 The greatest freedom is to be able to be like Jesus; and live your life in the service of others. Jesus is the ultimate example of what the purpose of life is.....

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1‭-‬3 NIV.

The scripture above and preach that followed on Sunday at Riverside Church, was so was relevant to me and both challenged and encouraged me. During the weekend I had fallen prey to temptation and it grieved me as to how and why;  since I had been going quite well prior to the incident, and I asked the Father on my walk to show me so that I would be aware going forward. 

This is what I believe God revealed to me, the reason I sinned so easily.  I wanted a free pass on the sin, and not to be held accountable and therefore confess and repent to God and man, especially man. I did that though, after my Father showed me that it's through confession and repentance that my relationship with him is restored.  He does not negotiate, he calls us to obey him, to show our love and dependence on him and interdependence on those who are called to be our brother's.

My Father showed me that I had become self absorbed once again. I did not have a vision of my purpose in God. In the scripture from HEB 12, it talks about the great cloud of witnesses and throwing off the sin that so easily entangles us. The cloud of witnesses are those Heroes of Faith that endured much trial, trouble and persecution, most of them without receiving the promises of God physically but died and endured because they considered it worth the cost. 

We too are called to be part of that great cloud of witnesses, not only in the future of Hero's of Faith but right now. We are witnesses of each others lives and accountable to each other. 

I lost my focus, and forgot to fix my eyes on Jesus, who as the author of my faith; he wants me to live in the purpose as a witness; to encourage and exhort other men to push through and conquer sin and death, that they too will become part of the great cloud of witnesses.  

The lack of vision of the purpose of God and lack of dicipline of not fixing my eyes on Jesus; instead of my own wants or desires, therefore sin reared it's head in compulsive and addictive behavior in my selfish and carnal man. I had forgotten what he did for me, and was led away by my ownselfish desire to please myself, my own wants and needs.

I learnt a great lesson here, the rest of HEB 12 goes on to talk about how God diciplines his sons, and enduring hardship to be trained to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace. I was humbled enough to draw close to him, by His grace I was lifted up. 

It's in this place of weaknesses that God is strong in our lives. I don't know where the following quote came from but I believe that it has truth in it. "Your most effective ministry will come from your deepest hurts"

I have felt called to ministry for a long time, and wanted to attend a Church Planters Course many years ago, my elder and friend Rowland Barnard did not feel peace to release us to attend. (This was before I was aware of my addiction that was to follow, pretty sure it was there, lurking and brooding for the right opportunity. Certainly the wounds we there, unknown and undiscovered by even myself). Today I am so grateful that was in fact the case. Until we come to terms with and deal with our failings and shortcomings we can do irreparable damage to others. This is not something I want on my conscious, and besides which the struggle, pain and scars that I bear in this battle give me a greater sence of compassion to help others like me to overcome. Out of this place I am learning to draw deep from God and my woundedness to effectively hear God and lead others to hear the Fathers voice themselves, in this the healing process begins, and continues throughout our lives, as we journey together as diciples of Christ. 

My journey continues and I am eternally grateful to God for those who act as witnesses to my life and faith, who hold me accountable and encourage me to press on towards the prize Jesus has hold of for me. I too will bear witness to your lives and do the same. 



Comments

  1. Sean KrigeNovember 26, 2020 at 6:11 AM

    Thanks buddy, a great encouragement and testimony to me! 💪✝️

    ReplyDelete

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