The Freedom Kingdom

     Many years ago, during one of the most violent of the desert wars in the Middle East, a spy was captured and sentenced to death by the Persian general.  The latter was known for his compassion, but he also had a very strange custom.  He permitted the condemned person to make a choice.  The prisoner could either face the firing squad or pass through the "Black Door." Just before the scheduled execution, the general ordered the spy to come before him for a final interview.  His purpose was to find out the man’s choice—the firing squad or the Black Door?  This was not as easy a decision as it might seem, for unknown horrors, such as wild beasts or excruciating torture, could be on the other side of the door.  He chose the bullet, and not long after a volley of shots was heard.  The general, staring at his boots, turned to his aide and said, "You see how it is with men; they will always prefer the known way over the unknown.  It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined—yet I gave him his choice."  Puzzled, the aide asked, "Sir, what lies beyond the Black Door?"  "Freedom," replied the general, "and I have only known a few who were brave enough to take it."

     Freedom!  It is a very common theme right now as we approach the Fourth of July.  It is a time to focus on the founding of this country, the Declaration of Independence, and the freedoms it bought.  Recently, my wife Cindy received a call from a ministry that has as its goal the preservation of our freedoms, especially those pertaining to our religious activities.  She told them clearly that the Christian life is one of self denial, not of maintaining rights.  It is true—our "rights" are being stripped away even now, but for the true Christian, that should not be shocking. The Scriptures reveal that as time rolls on, it will get worse and worse.  Paul told Timothy and us, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves...having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away...For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 3:1-2a; 4:3,4)  This we are seeing fulfilled today as the true gospel can hardly be found—only fables.  Many are satisfied with just knowing the fact of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, but not letting it truly change their hearts and lives, from the inside out.  They are satisfied with just going to church, and assuming salvation is guaranteed just because they "accepted" Him a long time ago.  Meanwhile, you can't tell them apart from the world—a form of godliness, but denying the power of God to set them free from sin.

     You do have a choice—which will it be, forms or true power, bondage to dead religion or true Christian liberty?  On July 4th, 1884, the people of France, presented a gift to the United States.  This "Liberty Enlightening the World," as it was known then, is a huge statue of a stately woman, dressed in a loose flowing robe.  She holds in her right hand a great torch raised high.  In her left arm, she grasps a tablet bearing the date of the Declaration of Independence.  A crown with huge spikes, like the rays of the sun, rests on her head.  At her feet lies a broken shackle, symbolizing the overthrow of tyranny.  Though it has had to be refurbished now and again, she still stands as a powerful symbol of freedom.

     There is another statue of liberty, but this one was made of wood.  It was not erected in friendship, but in anger and with hatred.  It was the Cross, and on it was nailed the only Son of God in order to take away your sin.  His crown was one of thorns, not pointing out but towards Him.  His robe was stripped from Him and gambled away.  There were no torches or plaques in His hands—only nails, declaring our utter DEpendence upon Him and Him alone.  There were no broken shackles at His feet—only nails once again.  But it would be the nails that could break our shackles of sin and selfishness.  Even though many have tried to refurbish the Cross and make it mean what they want it to mean, it still has withstood the storms of time and still stands to point the way to His Kingdom.  A.W. Tozer put it this way, "All unannounced, and mostly undetected, there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles.  It does not slay the sinner, like the old one did—it merely redirects him.  It gears him into a cleaner and more respectable way of life, but does not really save him.  Many want to be saved but insist that Christ do all the dying—no dethronement for them.  They remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear the tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar, but doom themselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility."

     You see, this is probably one of the biggest ways professing Christians ignore sound doctrine.  They insist on being kings over their own kingdoms, instead of surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus.  Why?  Because they have made some bad choices.  What were they?  Well, they have chosen a new cross—one that gives them self-assurance right in the middle of their carnality.  It doesn't crucify self and condemn pride—it entertains and encourages confidence in the flesh.  Another bad choice is made when they gather people around who will tell them the things they want to hear—it tickles the ears.  Beware of churches that have God and His Kingdom all nailed down—they have it all down pat and understand everything.  Remember—God is God and you are not!  Remember—"...my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."(Isaiah 55:8,9)

     Why are so many people afraid to go in God's direction, insisting on their own?  Why are so many fearful to go any further into the heart of God than they already have?  Why do so many demand their independence and believe what they want to believe?  Why do many tremble at even the thought of being DEpendent—on Him, His word, His Holy Spirit?  Why?  Simple!  Fear of the unknown!  Many do not want to go beyond what they have already experienced, for fear of losing control over their lives.  We already know what happens when we ignore His desire to rule our hearts and thereby shove His Kingdom out of the Church—namely, we continue to rule and be kings over our own kingdoms—the ultimate display of control.  Don't be afraid of the other door—behind it lies true freedom in the Kingdom of God.  The Greek word for this is "basileus," and it has the notion of a foundation of power—His rule, His reign, His realm.  Its root word is, in the Greek, "basis."  His Kingdom is right now and it is the power of God living within His born-again, overcoming people, calling them to let Him be their "basis."  The Kingdom of God is a call to get back to basics, being filled with His Holy Spirit as He empowers from within and setting us free from the bondage of sin.  Don’t deny the power of His Kingdom of freedom.  The apostle Paul makes very clear that the concept of the Kingdom is not to be monkeyed with—“For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” (1 Cor. 4:20) To the Colossian church, he wrote that the Lord, “…hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (1:13,14) Today, however, many desire to be free from Christ, not free in Him.  You have a choice—one choice is obvious, it brings certain death.  The other will lead you right into the heart of God, and, well...while you may not know right now exactly what all that will mean, it is His call to trust.  Only a few truly dare to choose this Freedom Kingdom. (Matt. 7:13,14) Will you be one of them?

 

Throughout the year 2000, we will be providing you with Bible readings from Genesis to Revelation to help you live in His true freedom.

July 1            Jeremiah 21-24                    16                 Ezekiel 25-28

2                  Jeremiah 25-28                    17                 Ezekiel 29-32

3                  Jeremiah 29-32                    18                 Ezekiel 33-36

4                  Jeremiah 33-36                    19                 Ezekiel 37-40

5                  Jeremiah 37-40                    20                 Ezekiel 41-44

6                  Jeremiah 41-44                    21                 Ezekiel 45-48

7                  Jeremiah 45-48                    22                 Daniel 1-4

8                  Jeremiah 49-52                    23                 Daniel 5-8

9                  Lamentations                      24                 Daniel 9-12

10                 Ezekiel 1-4                         25                 Hosea 1-4

11                 Ezekiel 5-8                         26                 Hosea 5-8

12                 Ezekiel 9-12                       27                 Hosea 9-11

13                 Ezekiel 13-16                      28                 Hosea 12-14

14                 Ezekiel 17-20                      29                 Joel

15                 Ezekiel 21-24                      30                 Amos 1-4

                                                            31                 Amos 5-9

 

August 1        Obadiah                             3                  Micah 1-4

2                  Jonah                                4                  Micah 5-7

 

 

To those who have felt the call from the Lord to pray for and even support Christ Our Rock Bible Church, we sincerely thank you.  May all who are spiritually fed be eternally grateful.