October 18, 2012

“..I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. Then I will take you for My People, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord you God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Exodus 6:6-7 New American Standard

God knows how prone we are to returning to old habits .. trying to manage life with broken parts .. and resisting a life of freedom in Christ. Our old life is content with doing a few good works out of good intentions. The new life that God offers us in Christ is found in faith: His life is what makes your life worth living. God actually delivered His people out of slavery. Life became harder when the news of His deliverance was announced. That is often the case today whenever the offer of “new life” is offered through Christ. Our old natures gravitate towards a way of life that doesn’t require us to trust in Christ. In the heat of the moment or the mounting daily pressure it seems easier to resort to old patterns of managing life .. and asking God to bless our efforts. It’s an old story: trusting in myself and my efforts or trusting in Christ and looking to first to Him and walking in His ways. Jesus isn’t trying to free your life so that you can be more religious. He wants you to know the real freedom of being his follower and the promise of His abiding life and help. He hasn’t set you free to walk alone. He hasn’t set you free to try your best. He hasn’t set you free to find your own life. Real freedom is finding your real life in Christ. It will often compete against all the old ways that have promised you a better life .. if only you’ll make “you” first and Christ “second”. Once you arrive you can make Christ first again. The real chains of slavery are not seen on the outside. They’re worn around your heart and leave you exhausted in the end. But Christ has come to set you free. What does that look like in you today? It only takes a moment …

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 New American Standard

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Former Slaves made Free Saints following Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)