Thursday, October 6, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, October 6, 2022

We Have Freedom In Christ

Stephen A. Crockett Jr. wrote an article in the September 30, 2022 Huffington Post entitled,Elijah McClain Was A Sensitive Black Man And That Still Didn’t Save His Life”  This article was about a young black man that died in police custody on Aug. 24, 2019. Mr. Crockett wrote, “What will never leave me for the rest of my life are McClain’s final words to police:

“I’m an introvert. I’m just different, that’s all. I’m so sorry. I don’t have a gun. I don’t do that stuff.
“All I was trying to do was become better. I’ll do it. ... You all are phenomenal.”
“You are beautiful. And I love you. Try to forgive me. I’m sorry.”
May we all live as free as Elijah McClain.” Even though he had minutes left in his life and he was being violently restrained, he was still free.

What would it feel like if we were free? Instead, our world is bound up with fear, doubt, suspicion, worry and did I mention, fear?  Despite the examples of man’s inhuman inhumanity to man, we must know that Jesus came into this world so that we do not have to move or breathe bound by the evil of this world. In fact, Jesus came to deliver us from this world’s evil (Galatians 1:4).  Jesus came that we might have freedom in Him and an abundant life in Him (John 10:10b).  

The evil one tries to bind us up in our fear, doubt, suspicion, and worry.  Jesus wants us to free us by keeping our minds, thoughts, hopes, and beliefs in Him.  Elijah McClain is now free from the hindrances of this world.  Perhaps we cannot attain the depths of liberty that he exhibited but we can know that our complete freedom is in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Galatians 1:4

New International Version

who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

 

John 10:10b

New International Version

10 … I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

New International Version

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!


 

 

 

 

 

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