Years ago I led a mission trip to Bermuda. Yea, I know. You are thinking a mission trip to a beautiful island? That's really suffering for Jesus. Well, somebody's got to do it! One night I was walking back to the home where I was crashing every night and there were no lights anywhere. I started freaking out because every sound caused me to think that I was about to be jumped. Soon, I saw a dark figure headed straight for me. My thoughts raced just as fast as my heart raced. "Here it comes" I thought. I am definitely going to get jumped. As this island native approached, I prepared for fight or flight. Then he said, "Hello" and simply kept walking. I had believed lies because in the darkness of the night my thoughts seemed like reality. While believing those lies, my feelings were following right along and made what I believed seem even more true.
This story illustrates what sometimes happens in our spiritual lives. The longer we live in darkness in any area of our lives, the more the lies in our head seem true. This darkness is caused by our lack of understanding the Gospel. Let me give examples of some common lies we may believe.
"I have to obey God for Him to love and bless me."
Not true. However, this is a very common misunderstanding of the Gospel. It's part of the toxic Christianity making Christians sick today. The truth is, it's difficult not to obey God when we are confident that He already loves us with no strings attached and has already blessed us in Christ with everything we need to live our lives. Who would you most likely obey from your heart? A parent you were afraid of or a parent you know loves you? (Ephesians 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
"What I do defines who I am."
Not true. God uses birth, not behavior to define us. Our spiritual birth defines who we are. Our faith in Christ gave us a new spiritual birth. Knowing who we are in Christ will positively affect every area of our lives." Do you have a list of who you are in Christ to read? Meditate on them and you will not medicate your low self-esteem with food, abuse of alcohol and drugs, shopping or legalistic Christianity! (John 3:3)
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
"I sin because I am not committed enough to Jesus."
Not true. While we certainly need to be submitted to God, being more committed to God often means deciding that we will try harder to obey Him. Instead, we need to rest in Christ by asking Him to live His life through us. I remember asking a man in his late 20s to begin doing this and when I saw him next he said, "I experienced God's peace in a very tangible way." People will pay good money for some peace of mind! (Matthew 11:29) "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Jesus said in John 8:32, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free". If His truth sets us free, then what keeps us in bondage? Obviously lies! Why don't we stop right now and ask God to show us the lies we believe about the Gospel, and ask Him to replace those with His truth.
Believe it. It's the Gospel!
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding
