Thoughts for the day

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. (Galations 3:23)

Today I started thinking about this verse. How many off us are still under the custody of the law? When I think of custody, I think of being placed under arrest. The word there means to be under guard, and the tense tells us that it was continual, and progressively stronger. Seems accurate, doesn't it? Paul writes in Romans " because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so," (8:4). The more I think about my self, my desires, my needs, the more I become hostile to God. The more I desire my way, and despise His correction and preparation. We all were prisoners of the Law, hostile to God, and desiring nothing other than our own way, which led to pain and disappointment. We have fallen desperately short of accomplishing what it is we desire. There is something more. Jesus Christ came to earth, God dressed in human clothes. He lead the life you wanted to lead. He lived and never did anything wrong. More than that, He did everything right. He died, bled, suffered, was broken.. He did this in your place. The captivity you are under, you are free by way of death. Because Jesus died in our place, we are free from that penalty. The only thing necessary to receive this freedom is to look up, to see Him, and to trust Him with your life.

Now the incredible part... After He died, He came back! Not only did He die to buy your freedom, He returned from death to free you from that also! He has come back, not to live the same humble and perfect life, but to "Lead captivity captive, " (Ephesians 4:8). He came back as the King of Kings. The Boss! Everyone fears absolute authority. We all have had some nut job who thought they were God, and therefore it was their personal duty to make your life miserable. But not with King Jesus. He who died for your freedom did not return to take it away, but rather to give even greater life to those that would trust Him. Crazy, right? So where do we fall? Have you trusted Him, but never taken Him up on the life more abundant? Maybe you have, but things are hard, and you're not sure it's worth the struggle. Or have you never even accepted His offer of freedom? You can have all of it today, right this second. Pray:
Jesus, I have lived in captivity all my life. Captive to my desires, and to the law which is convicting me now. I accept that You are the Son of God, and came and died for my captivity. I trust in You now, and ask that You would forgive me. Raise me with You, so that I can receive Your victory. Wash me, and make me new. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, PLEASE contact me, or your local church! This is an exciting moment for you, and we all want to share in it, and get to know you as family. If you want to grow, to become more like Jesus, give us a yell. There are resources out there! The Transylvania Baptist Association is here for the purpose of helping people and churches grow. Don't be alone in this race. Find others who are running and join them.
Just some thoughts for the day... which is now tomorrow...
In Christ,
Bryan