Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 185
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. Why a
blog? So that many can receive these thoughts
in an easy manner.
“in
bondage to others”…what a horrific thought, what a pitiful situation to have in
life. How can that be? Michael gives us the reason many Believers are living this kind of life. Take heed…(there is SO much TRUTH in this days’ writing!).
DAY 107
Freedom in Relationships
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord
rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of
the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
–Colossians 3:23, 24
Many have yet to know the freedom that Christ gives every
believer. Many are still in bondage to others. I have
mentioned this often, but it bears repeating. When another person's words and behavior can change our
words and behavior, we cannot be Spirit-controlled, but we are
other-controlled. A significant element of freedom is the abandonment of
the control of others, for nothing
brings as much internal conflict as being controlled by the behavior of others.
Several Chinese Christians imprisoned for their faith were fed very little, had
sparse quarters, and had been locked up unjustly. Yet the thing that vexed them
the most was the attitude of the guards and their selfish cellmates! They were in bondage to others, a much worse
state than bondage to circumstance, quality of living, or will. Christians suffer from bondage to
the behavior of others, when we must learn the joy that comes from being free!
When the Chinese group learned to love the guards and cellmates, expecting
nothing in return, they experienced true freedom behind their bars.
Why do the actions of others affect us so?
Why do our mate's attitude, teenager's mood swings, boss's jab, parent's
control, neighbor's selfishness, and elected official's peccadilloes bother us
so? What is the root?
The source is our pride that
places us on a throne, connives to have us be worshipped, builds us a
reputation, exalts us above others, finds our identity in surroundings and
possessions, wants us unique among the herd, brings us to believe in our
superiority, and leaves us in bondage to all those who would not support its
lofty goal of giving us ascendancy. However, Jesus came as a servant, not in pride, and His
servanthood kept Him free. When pride rules, we are slaves to all that would hinder its success.
When servanthood rules, we are
free to love, forgive, turn the other cheek, and bless those who curse, for who
could hinder such goals? Our desire must be freedom from pride and, therefore, freedom from the
behavior of others.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Ok, let’s analyze and summarize:
·
many believers
don’t have the freedom Christ gives
·
many are
other-controlled instead of Spirit-controlled
(notice
this is from “when another person’s words and behavior can change our
words and behavior”)
·
nothing brings as much internal conflict as being
controlled by others’ behavior
·
bondage to others is worse than bondage to
circumstance, quality of living, or will
·
we must learn the joy that comes from being free
·
the root of this bondage? OUR PRIDE
·
take heed!
freedom comes from BEING A SERVANT
·
we must desire freedom
Way back in 1984 I
heard a pastor use this riddle in one of his sermons:
“Roses are red, violets are blue.
My disposition depends on you. …and when
it does, I am in trouble.”
What truth.
The Apostle Paul gave
us the “secret”: Whatever
you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,…It is the
Lord Christ whom you serve. Michael gives us the lesson. The question that begs an answer is this: Is this
a CHOICE we can make, or that we make?
This same Paul tells us in Romans ch. 6 that we “choose” to whom we
yield our members to obey. In v.17 Paul
says we have “obeyed from the heart” (Greek: hupakouo),
meaning we choose to obey
Christ. We choose whether to be in bondage or not! That is what Michael tells us…”Our desire (which leads to choosing) must
be freedom from pride…” (Michael
has 6 “days” in a row in MWfHS where he explores “choosing.” Let me once again encourage you to contact
ALMI and get one of Michael’s books!)
WHY do we not “see”
that this bondage is our choice? Is
pride that “blinding”? Yes, but (a HOLY “but”)…we should know that
we are to guard against “pride” at all costs.
Michael lists some of those costs: “forgive, turn the other cheek, and
bless those that curse.” And God always gives
us the choice to have pride, or have humility.
You might be asking why
I use the words “take heed” twice…
The Greek for “take
heed” is either blepo (direct the mind upon,
beware of) or prosecho (pay attention). 35 times in the NT! Used as that blunt directive to grab our
attention or awareness…either “to do” or “not to do.” All throughout Michael’s writing I seemed to
hear God telling me “pay attention…get this”!
Well, amen.
To access ALL past weekly
blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital
“C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
NOTICE: another blog on
Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. You can access by logging onto
www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, Tx 75963 936-559-5696
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