I have often seen this picture of a cat looking at a mirror and seeing a lion and the caption was, “it’s not what you are, it’s what you think you are.” The bible also says, “as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” Our perception of who we are informs our identity, strengths and limitations. Salvation is the eye opener to discover who we were meant to be. Our entire fight since we got into this world is based on who we are.
The world conspires and gives labels to people and thus limiting them based on that label. If all you see in her is a prostitute, then Rahab would not help the nation of Jews to conquer Jericho and be in the lineage of our saviour Jesus Christ. If all you saw was a shepherd boy singing his sheep songs, you would not get to see the greatest King Israel ever had and slayer of giants. When we allow what people to have called us to influence what we think of ourselves we limit ourselves based on the description they have ascribed to us. Jesus called us sons of God. We are sons of God, any other name given by men will only limit what God has already given you authority over by virtue of being His son. Here are some guiding principals by which we must live by.
Principle of Benefit.
1 Cor 6:12 says “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything”. The city of Corinth was a seaport city. It was the gateway between Italy and Asia and as such it was the business hub of the time. It was also known for its gross immorality and sensuality. It had a temple that had over 1000 temple prostitutes. So, when the gospel got to that city, some of its inhabitants got saved. However, as we all know salvation is a process.
The born-again people in the city carried a few worldly principles to their new walk of salvation. One of the sayings they had is “All things are lawful for me.” So, Paul here is using the same phrase to let them know that not all things are beneficial. Paul also later said that “I am at war with my flesh, for the things I would like to do I do not do but I find myself doing the things I do not want to do”. A life of bondage follows subtly when the flesh begins to take over. No one starts to drink alcohol wanting to be the one passed out in a sewer every day. No one starts anything just to be held captive by it. It’s a slow fade, from a simple flirt to a full-blown affair that costs you more than you anticipated. From just a sip or glass to a must-have drink in order to get some sleep. Addicts do not start out thinking they will be addicts, it is a slow fade. Once our addictions take root, we then begin to justify them in our minds. There is nowhere in the bible we are commanded not to take cocaine or heroine however the consumption of such will not benefit me at all with regards to the call of God on my life. Liberty is not license.
Principle of Freedom.
If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. Freedom from the bondage of sin. When Christ sets you free, you are free to do as you ought and not as you like. The world terms freedom as the ability to do as one wills not knowing whether one is a slave to the flesh or to the Spirit. Just like the flesh is temporary the desires of the flesh are temporary. The illusion of the free world is a world filled with immorality and bondage. Where the grass seems greener on the other side not knowing the grass is artificial.
There was an upcoming lady musician who was married at the time and believed that her marriage was holding her back from being better. So she left her husband at the time and went out to the world free to do and to be who she wanted to be. Later on in her life she sang a song on her anniversary and she starts the song by dedicating it to her husband. She basically realized that she made a mistake in leaving her husband and roam the world. She discovered that the grass that had looked greener was artificial and that’s why it shined so bright. One profound thing she said in the song was, “looking back and longing for the freedom of my chains and lying in your loving arms again”. Learn from people’s experiences on what freedom to do as you please does to you. What is it that I cannot get from one woman that I must search in another 999 other women just to say at the end that all these things are vanity? What seems like chains are actually freedom from the bondage of sin and as Millie Jackson says , “Take me back to the freedom of my chains.”
Principle of Worship
Worship is a strong word and indicates a devotion that is beyond honour. I wondered about this word when I made my wedding vows some years ago when I declared “with my body I thee worship”. Words are very important. The bible says the power of life and death lies in the tongue. We as men may not take words seriously but creation, the atmosphere and principalities do take our words seriously. We have been made in the likeness and image of our creator. And how did He create? By speaking things to life. Based on our identity, our words are equally as important. Alexander the Great found out that there was a thief amongst his men. After a long search they caught the thief. Alexander asked the man what his name was, and the man replied, “my name is Alexander as well.” Alexander the great was appalled by this and said to the man, “young man you better change your character or change your name”. His name, Alexander could not be associated with dishonourable activities like stealing.
The bible says that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The same spirit that was at work within Christ. Worship is not restricted to the songs we do in church but by everything we do in the world. Now that we are surrounded by such a great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight. Witnesses here speaks about all of creation that sees us in the very image and likeness of their creator. Just like anything my son does, right or wrong reflects on me as his father for he bears my name, so are we as sons of God. We are royalty and we cannot afford to let common habits corrode our dignified Name. When the devil comes in like a flood, God will raise a standard. The devil only comes in with common standards but the standard that God will raise is a royal and dignified standard. You are the standard and against such, the devil cannot prevail.
God bless you.