By Dr. Ted Baehr
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
-John 10:10
One of my favorite traditional prayers is:
“Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
What a poignant cry:
“Set us free, Oh God, from the bondage of too much work, grievous mistakes, selfish desires, intentional harm, and much more that traps us day after day.”
Isn’t this the prayer of many of us? Don’t you want to be free?
Shockingly, the prayer continues, “Give us the liberty of that abundant life!” Don’t you want the freedom of that abundant life? Who would dare ask for so much?
Psalm 112:1-10 asks: What do you do to find happiness or to delight?
My grandfather sought happiness in money and was written up on the front page of the New York Times when he died because of his wealth. Even with all his wealth, happiness seemed to escape him.
My father sought happiness in fame. As Bob “Tex” Allen (aka Ted Baehr), he was a famous Hollywood star who starred in 62 movies and won the Box Office Award for the biggest box office draw in 1936, but now he’s largely forgotten.
Some of my close family members sought happiness in power, but, after illustrious careers, they grew old and were relegated to the sidelines.
I sought to delight in drugs and serial relationships but discovered myself trapped in a self-destructive lifestyle.
When Jesus Christ set me free, I found real happiness. Life made sense. Peace reigned in my heart and mind.
Furthermore, the Psalmist says that our children will be mighty. In spite of my debauched past, my children, Peirce, Jim, Robby, and Evy, and 18 grandchildren as of this writing are blessed and a blessing to me and to my wife, Lili, who has graduated to Heaven.
The Psalm even promises that when we love God and our neighbor we will have wealth and righteousness, because we delight in God, not riches. He will light our way, and we will be generous and just, letting our light shine the way for others.
If our heart is right – if we trust in Jesus – then we will triumph and be blessed.
These promises are very difficult for me since my parents had been in many superstitious cultic movements. So, when my mother died, I rejected nominalistic, magical thinking. Yet, God’s promises came true at the Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala & Report to the Entertainment Industry, when we gave away lots of money prizes and gave an award ceremony that exemplified the best of Hollywood while proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Paul, who was brilliant and well educated, says he simplified his message to be all about Jesus and Him crucified. Why did Paul do that?
Because that is how Jesus set us free. Jesus paid the penalty that I owed for all the pain and suffering I had caused others. Jesus ransomed me with His blood from the penalty for my debauchery. Jesus redeemed me forever.
Jesus cared enough to give His most valuable life, the life to the Creator of everything, for my insignificant life and for your life.
Paul cared enough to tell the Good News, because, when we are inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, caring is the only daring.
Paul said that he proved the Good News of being set free not by words, but by the POWER of God.
However, Paul cautions that, without faith in Jesus, you will have no understanding and no power.
With faith in Jesus, we have the mind of Christ Jesus. We have the power of the Holy Spirit! We have the liberty of that abundant life!
In Matthew 5:13-20, Jesus says that we are salt; so, like salt that improves the taste and preserves, we make everything better and stop decay.
Do you want to make everything better and stop the decay?
Again, as Jesus has said throughout these readings, He says that we are the light to light the way for others.
Jesus calls you and me not to legalism, but to the Spirit of the Lord in Jesus’ name, by loving God and by loving our neighbor.
Then, God will answer your prayer and set you free, and you will have the liberty of that abundant life.
Do you want that abundant life?
Then, pray to Jesus and let Him free you from whatever binds and entraps you and give you that abundant, Spirit filled life.
Pray to receive His Holy Spirit and His gifts: wisdom, knowledge, discernment, prophecy, tongues, interpretation, apostleship, teaching, evangelism, pastoral ministry, leadership, encouragement, faith, healing, miraculous powers, administration, service, giving, fruits, and mercy.
Affirm Jesus Christ’s call to you.
Join the great thanksgiving.
Live in the freedom of that abundant life.
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
- Content: +3Share:
- Content: +1