The Power of Loosing

God has not called us to be people who COPE. He has called us to be people who CONQUER. ~Jack Hayford~ Penetrating the Darkness

"...and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19    Last week I wrote about binding. Loosing, of course, is the opposite of binding. It's all about freedom and liberty. In John, Chapter 11 we find the story of Lazarus, Jesus' good friend. Lazarus had died and had been in the grave several days when Jesus arrived at his home. We all know the story. But here's the interesting part: when Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, Lazarus "came forth" fully alive! He should have been ready to go! After all, Jesus had just raised him from the dead. Still, the words of instruction Jesus gave to those who were there on that day to "loose the grave cloths and set him free" imply an additional step. What's that step? When someone gives their life to the Lord and makes a decision to follow him, they are saved by the grace of God and are heirs to the throne. But they still need to be unbound in order to be set free. And we, my friends, get to do the "loosing," both for ourselves and to help others. And what things do we need loosing from; and what do we need to help loose others from? How about unhealthy ties that hold us back. Things we won't let go of. Past rebellion, sin or disobedience. Residue from past hurts. Stinking thinking. And the big one--unforgiveness. Our human spirit is not made to withstand the poison of unforgiveness. It needs to be loosed! When we are angry, worried, upset, anxious or fearful we often use the phrase, "I'm tied up in knots." Don't let it be so! Loose it! We were broken free from sin when we received the salvation of our Lord. But to live free is a life pattern--a daily choice to walk in the freedom that was purchased for us on the cross. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 May we live as people who know the power of the cross to loose. And may we welcome that freedom, purchased at a price, in our lives each day. May we be aware of those around us who may need our help in the process of loosing. It is my prayer that we grow in being people who "set the captives free." Greg