ME – A Willing Slave
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FOR THIS BLOG, I am defining worship as the most extreme act of highest, passionate love given to some thing or person; the innate desire in every human being
I have to eat chocolate.
I have to work out.
I have to read the Bible.
I HAVE TO!
I can’t help myself.
↑ Welcome the new victim mentality ↑
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A slave does whatever his master says.
A slave is not authorized to exert her own will.
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I MUST! I CAN’T! ←Do I hear a hint of reluctance in those 2 phrases?
The fundamental thought verbalized: I would do that, but something or someone is forcing me to do something else. Something is constraining me from doing this and forcing me to do this other thing.
Is that a way to live?
I don’t think that sounds alive at all, actually.
IT HAS A DEAD FEEL TO IT, as if zombie mentality has taken over, and now I’m a slave to that impulse, that man, the organization, a master, or an emotion.
♦ Familiarity and fear can bring us to this enslaving condition. “I can’t move, are you kidding?” Because I’m emotionally comfortable in this town. Don’t scare me.
♦ The work-aholic is enslaved to a major force. “I have to get this project done tonight.” So what if I’ve been working 12 hours already . . . every day?
♦ Soul ties! Whoa, watch out for those. “I can’t leave him. He needs me.” So I will endure his abuse.
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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MAKING CHOICES?
(Not talking about legal issues and law enforcement)
Might the “I HAVE NO CHOICE” passion be implying that something deep inside the human soul is the cause of our worship.
YES, I SAID WORSHIP – a built-in passion to love some thing or some one. This passion can overwhelm us to the point we distort life’s priorities. To the point even fear becomes a companion and we get comfortable in our own self-made kingdom.
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Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (John 8)
↑ DID YOU CATCH THE IMPORTANT PHRASE? ↑
- Slaves are not a permanent member of the family
- Even as slaves to the “I must,” we are NOT permanent members of sin’s family
- We can “leave the family”
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OH BUT HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS:
We have been bought and set free.
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He paid for freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.
“I came as a light into the world that whoever believes in Me will no longer LIVE in darkness.”
BUT IF I MUST BE A SLAVE–INHERENTLY–THEN . . .
I choose to be a slave of righteousness!
I CHOOSE! NOBODY FORCES ME.
(Worth the read → Romans 6)
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Truths to ponder:
♥ LOVE (passionately worship) the Lord God with ALL your heart, mind, and strength and then LOVE (honor/respect) your neighbor
(^note the restorative priority and the vast distinction between loving the Creator and loving what’s created^)
♥ You must lose your life to gain it. What’s your soul worth?
♥ Give glory to God in ALL you do and say.
♥ We become what we worship.
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Who or what are we truly worshiping?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.
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THE WAY OF THE EMBATTLED SPIRIT
