Chained

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” John 10:10 NIV

 

 

My husband had to point it out to me.

 

I completely walked past without even noticing.

 

When I doubled back, we stood and stared and then laughed.

 

 

 

I feel bad for the owner, I really do, but you have to admit, it wasn’t a very good job of securing the whole bike.

 

And it made me think of our lives.

 

What do we chain ourselves to, only to realize that the whole is left vulnerable?

 

Jesus asked, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

 

So can we answer?  (It wasn’t rhetorical.)

 

When He asked this question, Jesus was the leading authority on the afterlife.  He was the authority on heaven and hell.  He was the authority on the entrance requirements for the pearly gates.   And He’s still the authority on it to this day.

 

So what are you chained to?

 

What have you so painstakingly taken the effort to lock yourself up to, thinking you’re secure?

…status, job, money, house, relationship, a lifestyle,…what?  What is the ideal that you are attached to?

 

Jesus tells us to let it go.

 

Do not let it consume you. For if you do, you will be like the wheel in the picture, left behind securely tethered to whatever has your heart, but your soul will be lost.

 

But then again, maybe there are those of you saying, I’m not tethered to any particular thing.  I’m just doing life the only way I know how.

 

And for that there is one more statement:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:12 EST

 

You see, that is the way of the enemy.  We reason away our lives by comparing it to the rest of the world, but all the while forgetting we are tethered to it.  And while we wait, feeling secure, our souls are slowly being taken farther and farther away from the Truth.

 

So what are you chained too?

 

What keeps you from seeking life through Jesus?

 

Have no doubt; we are all asked this question eventually.  Whether it be in the time we have here, or when we take our last breath…one gives us room to work out the answer, the other—well not so much.

 

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 EST

 

Shores it up, don’t you think?

 

Maybe a little too brimstone for you?  I hope not.

 

There is a passion in my heart that not one should perish.  A true passion.  It keeps me up at night…a lot of nights.

 

Our sweet Lord gives us everything possible to avoid eternal death, everything possible so we can make choices now that have an impact later.

 

Won’t you make that choice?

 

It’s so simple. It’s so readily available.  It’s so important.

 

“What must I do to be saved?  They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”  Acts 16:30-31. NIV (emphasis mine)

 

So I ask yet another time…what are you chained to?

 

Starting today,  let’s wrap the chain completely through our entire self—body, mind and soul—to the One who promises security.  Let us not allow the thief to steal what one Man died for us to avoid.

 

Say yes to Jesus.

 

Say yes to Life.