Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 26  Loosed And Let Go!!!

 

“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth,

bound hand and foot

with graveclothes:

and his face was bound about with a napkin.

Jesus saith unto them,

Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:43-44

Here we find Jesus at the grave/tomb of Lazarus. Jesus had come in response to the call of Mary and Martha for Jesus to attend their sick brother. Jesus had intentionally delayed his visit, and even these two precious friends of Jesus, didn’t understand the delay. They had expected Jesus to come when they sent for him, and that He would come and heal Lazarus as He had been healing people throughout His three years of ministry.

But Jesus had a different plan. Even the disciples didn’t understand what was going on, they simply knew that if He returned to Judea His life would be in great danger. But even that danger was a part of God’s plan, but not before Jesus’s encounter with Lazarus. Martha questioned the delay and acknowledged that if Jesus had come sooner, Lazarus wouldn’t have died!

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died………………………………………………………..32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21 & 32

These two sisters were broken-hearted at the loss of their brother, and were just plain confused that Jesus had not come to heal His good friend and follower, Lazarus. But Jesus tried to redirect their attention to greater things, but just like us they couldn’t get past the “immediate” to see the “eternal”! Yet Jesus, even in His perfect sinless perspective, had compassion on them and understood their sorrow. It brought Him to tears.

“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping……., he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled…… Jesus wept.” John 11:33,35

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”  John 11:23-27

Martha believed the right things about Jesus, but she wasn’t prepared for what was about to take place. Jesus was about to give a preview of His glory that would be displayed in a matter of just a few short weeks. The time when He would display that glorious power in His own resurrection by the power of God—but unlike Lazarus, Jesus would never die again. He would accomplish what was necessary to be and provide “eternal” life for all who would believe in HIM!

But before that glorious event, Jesus would display his power over death and the grave and call Lazarus out of the tomb that held him. I’ve heard many say that Jesus called Lazarus by name so that all the other dead folks wouldn’t come forth as well, and be that so or not, Jesus was about to make HIS glory and power evident before those who would believe it. And the amazing thing to me is that many of those who saw this wonder refused to believe in Jesus.

“Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.” John 11:45-47

People saw and acknowledged the miraculous nature of what Jesus was doing, but refused to believe that He was the Messiah. Much like today, people want to see “miracles” but reject the one who gives “life”. Jesus came to set us free from the bonds of sin, just as he instructed those around Lazarus to set him free:

“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:41-44

Jesus gave instruction to “Loose him, and let him go”, and the same is true for us when we are “born again”, Jesus gives us life and sets us free from sin, death and hell!

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:35-36

Jesus says that we will be “free”! But what does He mean, free from what? In the context of this passage, Jesus is contrasting the dependence on the “Law” and “heritage” of Abraham as spiritual security, with the freedom of “sonship”. Jesus confronted religion with the truth about sin. Jesus said that those who are dependent on themselves and the sin that rules their lives apart from HIS “salvation” are “servants” of sin. They are bound by the sin that controls their lives and only Jesus can give freedom from that sin—the sin that brings death, destruction and hell to those who refuse to come to HIM.

“ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

And who is that “gate”, that “strait gate”? Jesus is the gate, the one and only way to life and glory, through His death, burial and resurrection.

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know,

and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:1-6

Jesus is “the way” that leads to “life”— the only “way” that leads to “life”–eternal life, abundant life—life free from the bondage of sin! Jesus came to loose us from the bondage of sin, and give us that “life” by His life’s blood! He paid the price for our sin at Calvary and by faith we can receive the “eternal life” that He gives, and his life enables us to overcome sin and live a victorious life above the weight of sin. He brings us from death to life.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved😉 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10

Many of us are familiar with parts of this passage, but in it’s context it takes on a glorious message of victory. What does Paul tell us here? Let’s just peruse the highlights (but please spend some time digging into its depths at your liesure) today.

We are all dead in trespasses and sin—

God raises us from the “dead” in Jesus—

The “lost” act like the “lost” but that’s past—

 When we are lost we live like it—

 When we are saved we can live like it—

 Jesus gives us life by grace that overcomes—

God gives us salvation/life by grace and faith—

God raises us up to life in heavenly places—

 It’s grace that saves not out works—

But we are saved to do good works—

God’s good works—

By His power—

For His glory—

It’s what we’re saved to do—

Because of what Jesus sets us free to be!

And when we are set free from sin by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus we have the power to live an overcoming life. We don’t have to let sin have its way in our hearts or in our everyday lives.

“What shall we say then?

Shall we continue in sin,

that grace may abound?

2 God forbid.

How shall we,

that are dead to sin,

live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not,

that so many of us as were baptized

into Jesus Christ

were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him

by baptism into death:

that like as Christ was raised up

from the dead

by the glory of the Father,

even so

we also should walk

in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together

in the likeness of his death,

we shall be also

in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this,

that our old man

is crucified with him,

that the body of sin

might be destroyed,

that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead

is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ,

we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ

being raised from the dead

dieth no more;

death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died,

he died unto sin once:

but in that he liveth,

he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise

reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed

unto sin,

but alive unto God

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:1-11

And as Paul puts it in another way:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Being crucified with Jesus Christ, we can live by His death, burial and resurrection. It is a wonderful promise of life—life in and through Jesus Christ. The abundant life that HE alone can give.

But how does that work out for us on a day-to-day basis? Let’s consider some scripture to equip us for living the “crucified life”. It’s not easy but it can be simply described.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……..

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,                     

fornication,

uncleanness,        

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,         

witchcraft,

hatred,                 

variance,

emulations,          

wrath,

strife,                   

seditions,

heresies,                     

21 Envyings,

murders,                     

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:16 & 19-26

A long list, but one that helps us discern between the good and the evil. What to pursue and what to avoid, and we also have a checklist for “thinking”.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8

We must understand that much of our warfare with the enemy is in our mind—so think on the things of God. Check every thought by the test of the “word”!   But don’t stop there; bring your thoughts into obedience to Jesus.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down

of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge

of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”    2 Corinthians 10:3-5

And in closing, one of my favorite passages. Simply put—trust God for your living!! Every day and in all your ways!!! Walk in the Spirit and you won’t fulfill the “lusts of the flesh”!!!

“Trust in the Lord

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.”     Proverbs 3:5-6