Breaking Free

Captivity, bondage, oppression, strongholds, unproductive, impoverished! Spoken with emphasis and concern, these words greeted me as I watched the first video of a Bible Study series called, Breaking Free, by Beth Moore. An animated speaker, she challenged her audience: Are you captive to ideas, experiences, or influences that rob you from living God's abundant plan for your life? Do you seek what is comfortable, rather than step out in faith? Are you satisfied with your relationship with Christ?

"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1 NLT

In this Scripture, the Apostle Paul refers to Christ's death and resurrection that paid the price for our sins against God and that set us free to have a righteous relationship with Him. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour - I am FREE in Christ right now! Paul further warns us, though, that once we have accepted Christ's salvation, we must avoid following new "Christian" rules or other people-created methods and regulations that end up restricting our Christian life; that put us in bondage. Yes, I want to stay free!! I want the abundant life that was promised by God through the prophet Isaiah long before the birth of Jesus: comfort for my broken heart, release from captivity of earthly detrimental matters, beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair, and growth through His strength and grace (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Now, here is the tricky part. Am I actually in bondage to something, or someone? Why am I in this Bible Study? Beth listed several types of bondage: low self-esteem, lust, sexual sin, homosexuality, inability to love others, compulsion to steal, habitual dishonesty, insecurity, critical and judgmental toward others, bitterness, anger, doubt, discouragement, loneliness, and chronic lack of satisfaction. Having trouble admitting to myself of any area of bondage, I wondered what the challenges were for the other women in the room. Nice try, Barb! Do not pretend you do not have issues! I refocus on what God might be thinking about me. Oh, how about: delusion! God must want me to pay attention to this course work. He must want me to break free from any strongholds put on me by the evil one who opposes God. Yes! Now, like the torrent of a waterfall, they come to mind. What about my bouts of depression that keep me from effectively interacting with others in Christ's name? What about my complacency about the evil I see around me? What about the dreams I have that I think God placed in my heart, but have not done much to bring them to fruition? What about my need for approval?

OK, God, I submit! Please open my heart to allow you to clear out any areas of bondage that hinder me from experiencing the full life you want for me. You alone will strengthen me to face these things and release them. You alone are trustworthy. You alone created the goodness in this world. You alone have the best in mind for me. You alone are my all and all!

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM!" (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Beth throws down the gauntlet: Make a daring escape!