SCRIP-BITS

John 8:32.     And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

And Saturday has opened bright and sunny, though somewhat chilly for a summer’s morning. But let’s hope that it warms up some and doesn’t get dark and cloudy like yesterday did, despite the nice opening weather. However, with Christ and His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we will handle whatever the weather turns out to be, for it’s only weather, (smile) and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ is the One who controls the weather, who holds it in the palm of His hand. Glory be! 

So there’s nothing to be worried about on that front. And indeed, on any front at all, because Jesus is the One who controls all fronts, all things! That means we can depend on Him to look after us with the care and LOVE of a doting Father. (smile) Yes friends, Christ dotes on us, but it’s not like a human kind of doting. He doesn’t give us everything we want, only stuff that’s good for us. And he pulls us up when we are disobedient and go astray, and the basis for it all is His great unconditional LOVE which cannot be denied or taken away. 

That means there’s also nothing to be worried about on this fine Saturday morning, because our friend, our Lord and Saviour, our guide and leader, the One and Only Jesus Christ has everything under control! And all God’s people said a loud, proud and grateful ‘Amen!’ And having made all of that very clear, let’s turn to our Saturday business nuh, that of checking out the quotes our friend Anselm sent us this past week, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. 

Now some of you must be wondering how I too so long to come to that. Well, it’s because our friend Anselm only sent me two quotes this past week. I have no idea why, but let’s hope and pray that He is all right and it was just some small and insignificant matter that caused the shortfall. In any case, let’s deal with the two we have. 

And the first one says: ‘So early in my life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise.’ And some of us truly believe that, hence the saying, the squeaky wheel gets the most grease or oil. Meaning that those who complain the loudest and longest get looked after first or quicker than the more well-behaved ones. And that does happen in many circumstances, but it’s not necessarily the way that Jesus wants his followers to behave. He does expect us to fight for what we truly believe in, but at the same time, not in a brawling, loud mouthed, aggressive, complaining manner. 

And I don’t think you have to look any further than the Sermon on the Mount, in particular, the Beatitudes, (Matt. 5:3-12) to find Jesus take on the subject.  The scholars tell us that ‘this message deals with the inner state of mind and heart that is the indispensable absolute of true Christian discipleship. It delineates the outward manifestations of character and conduct of true believers and genuine disciples. A life of grace and glory, which comes from God alone and not from man. Jesus states the spiritual character and quality of the kingdom He would establish, and the basic qualities of this kingdom are fulfilled in the church He would establish.’ 

And we notice those characteristics include ‘the poor in spirit, those that mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers.’ Now, although the words chosen to describe them seem to portray weakness, none of those things entail weakness of character and purpose, but the opposite, strength of character and a Christ-like sense of purpose. For instance, ‘meekness doesn’t mean a weak, pliable spirit, but rather a strong though humble one. So Christ just wants His people to see and do things differently to how the world sees and does them. 

Then the next quote says: ‘If you’re not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary.’ Now I guess it all depends on how you define freedom. And in man’s world, that might just be true, as has been the example from the beginning of man’s existence. 

Mankind has always put freedom from something or someone as a rallying cry for death. But unfortunately we have never really achieved freedom, because there is no such thing as true freedom in a stable society. Restrictions are necessary in some areas if we don’t want the society to devolve into utter chaos. 

That’s why that word ‘freedom,’ as the world understands it, has caused more wars and bloodshed than anything else in the annals of man. However with Christ, one can find true freedom because the word He speaks is truth, not man’s truth but God’s truth, spiritual truth. And as He told the people who believed in Him: ‘If ye continue in (abide by) my word, then ye are my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.’ (John 8:31-32) 

Now friends, that’s the only real freedom we can ever expect to achieve in this world: the freedom gained from believing in Jesus and holding on to His words. It’s a spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. All other talk of freedom is fraught with numerous pitfalls, right down to the possibility of death. So please, read your history, and see how many have spoken that famous word ‘freedom’ and have supposedly died for it. But in man’s meaning it is only a utopian idea. 

Only in Christ Jesus can you find real freedom, where you are not disturbed by what happens around you, but find rest and peace in the Word of God. So as we go about our lives today, please let’s remember the significant differences between freedom in man’s terms, and freedom in Christ’s. The latter is the only one truly possible! Much LOVE!

…let freedom ring and reign…in Christ Jesus…                                                                                           

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