Prisoner part 4
When you're a prisoner, you don't have a choice. You have to do what you're told to do. Or else. And by this definition it gets a little tricky. Because being a prisoner of Christ means we are ruled by love. That's who Christ is. God is love. But at the same time, I don't believe God very often forces His will on us. I always say "God is too much of a gentleman to force His will on us." And, I mean, there have been exceptions to that "rule." For example, when Jesus was lifted up from the earth on the cross and drew all men into Himself, He didn't ask for our permission. He didn't ask if that was what we wanted. He did it because it needed to happen. Period. He did it because we COULDN'T do it. And in that way He made it available to us. Not forcing the results of what He did on the cross on us, but including us in what He did on the cross so that we could experience it. So that we could have it. So that we could BE it. Or, more accurately, KNOW that we ARE it. Because that's the key: Jesus did what He did. Died both for us and as us and then rose back to life. That happened. That's a done deal. Everything He is, is everything we are. Because of what He did. Knowing (and believing) what He did, and what it means, is what allows us to experience and enjoy what He did. I think what I'm trying to say is: It's the idea of the love slave. CHOOSING our master. Because--here's the deal--you WILL serve a master. Look at Luke 16:13, "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." You can't serve two masters. But you WILL serve one. That's why choosing the right master is so important. Look at Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." You have to let yourself be led. You have to follow. Now add this to that: "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law" (Galatians 5:18). It's a more excellent way. When you're a prisoner you don't have a choice. Under the law you had to do what the law said... or else. With Jesus you DO have a choice. To a point. A measure of free will. But now let me take it that one step further. When you've chosen your master--love. Life. God--you will WANT to do what you're told. A big part of obedience is a trust issue. If you trust that God has your best interests at heart... why wouldn't you do what He says? It won't be a hardship. It won't be an obligation. It will be a joy. Because all God will ever tell you to do... is love. What else could the God who IS love tell you to do? What's the ONE New Commandment for the New Man? Love one another as Jesus loves you. Receive and release His love. Let what's already inside come out. By knowing and believing it's in there. By receiving and releasing it. God knows the thoughts that He thinks towards you, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows the best way to get us to where we need to be. It's a trust issue. It's being ok with His Word (which is Jesus, which is love) leading and guiding us. It's understanding that once we get past all the nonsense... what He wants us to do is really what we WANT to do. Because it's all love!