Unshackling our Hearts
(John 8:11)
She said, “No one Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
When Jesus claimed the keys to Hell and Death, he also established a special delegated spiritual authority to each of us. This authority gave all mankind (“whosoever”) the claim to keys (Revelation 1:18) that will unlock those “Hell & Death” restraints of our hearts (example: worry, doubt, hate, grief, depression, etc.). The essence of the soul (mind, will, & emotions) will remain captive to the enemy’s vices if we reject the very freedom-key the Lord gave His life to obtain. The enemy will always try distracting or deceiving those who have not received the good news that they are truly free. But always remember,
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. “ (John 8:34-36)
Another strategy of the enemy is to convince those who were bound that they are either still enslaved or better-off being captives (in Egypt) rather than being free (in Jericho, His promised land). During the Exodus, the Children of God regularly thought and schemed about returning to bondage rather than pressing on to freedom. Removing physical shackles is one thing, but destroying mental bondage is quite another thing. A sin nature will naturally gravitate towards bondage and death; however, revelation of the Gospel presents the hope we all have access to the promises and rewards of God.
Unshackling our hearts may not be the simplest process for an individual. If we lack the will or skill to remove mental, emotional, or spiritual shackles, then the next step is to call for help. In the Body of Christ, the Lord established special gifts to help us help others.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Those encouraging words, or smarter choices, or tough-love moments may be the very motivation we all need to rid our hearts of the bondages that hold us captive to sin. Perfection or wholeness will be the ultimate result of a willingness to get and remain unshackled. This way we will find rest for our weary souls, rejoice in our redemption, receive our rewards; then, we will realize our freedoms and release others to celebrate the Gospel.
Messages
1st Soul Rest, Test, & Blessed
8th Convict or Conviction?
15th Soul-Tank Redemption
22nd Burning Bridges to Bondage
29th Family & Faith Focus Day
