Liberation

By God's grace, today, after "Every bridge is burned behind me" and after YF session today, my heart was changed. For weeks, I've been telling myself this has gotta go, this has gotta go. I lingered, I hesitated, I was worldly, but today, I took a break after men's fellowship and then listened to the entire gospel according to Mark. Those of you who havent tried reading bible this way, u really gotta try it. It's really a different effect. Really. It's like a bittersweet pill. A strong pill. A strong spiritual pill. Mark is really concise, and it makes it powerful in that manner. U get to savour and capture the very essence of the gospel. As the narrative goes on, you start to build an affection for the Son of God, Christ Jesus. His words, His graciousness, His patience with the disciples and many others, His Godly nature, His actions, all displayed before your eyes. It builds up. Yet at the same time, opposition is growing. He tells of His imminent death. No one perceives. Then, almost all too quickly, He is nailed on the cross. The sweetness before that, augmented the bitterness of His death. It was a very bittersweet taste. In fact, very bitter. The bitterness was all to overwhelming. Upon finishing, I almost instinctively switched track to this hymn. "Behold the Lamb".

I suddenly remembered that this was very very much like the OT. The lamb would stay in the house for days, kids and the family would play, cuddle with it and yet know that after some days, it would have to die for their sins. When the day of it's death arrives, it becomes very very painful. Oh how I need such a reminder everyday!


Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away, 
Slain for us - and we remember 
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross. 
So we share in this bread of life, 
And we drink of His sacrifice 
As a sign of our bonds of peace 
Around the table of the King. 

The body of our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
Torn for you - eat and remember 
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life 
Paid the price to make us one. 
So we share in this bread of life, 
And we drink of His sacrifice 
As a sign of our bonds of love 
Around the table of the King. 

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin, 
Shed for you - drink and remember 
He drained death's cup that all may enter in 
To receive the life of God. 
So we share in this bread of life, 
And we drink of His sacrifice 
As a sign of our bonds of grace 
Around the table of the King. 

And so with thankfulness and faith we rise 
To respond, - and to remember 
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ 
As His body here on earth. 
As we share in His suffering 
We proclaim Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven 
Around the table of the King 

Words and Music by Keith and Kristyn Getty 
& Stuart Townend



Such is the unspeakable love of God. Even though I was listening to the gospel of Mark and there was no slowing down or pausing, this teaching of Jesus stuck. If your eye causes you to sin, rid of it. If your hand causes you to sin, rid of it. If your leg causes you to sin, rid of it. Better enter the Kingdom of God with the above defects than to be full well and into hell. No, it's not salvation by works, but if we truly understand the love of God and the immense grace which have been shown to us, what business do we have, meddling with sin? Such is the extremity and severity with which we ought to deal with sin. This, together with the YF session and the "every bridge is burned behind me" hymn, I decided that enough is enough. I have set my mind to rid of it. Both coms, no games, no steam. I have in my heart, so many other things to do. Everyday the war rages. Sow in the flesh or the spirit? With those around, I cannot sow in the spirit each time. it keeps pulling me back. I'm better off without it. Linger no more.

I know at some point in the future, Satan is going to tempt me with the thought that look, you're happier with games! I hope and I resolve that this will be the last I fall into his trick. His lies. Sin yields a passing pleasure. Yes, I concede that it does yield a pleasure. But a passing one. A temporal one. Obedience to God brings about a relationship fulfillment. Relationship fulfillment with God. Can u imagine? A close relationship with God Most High? O my soul, please. Choose the latter every time, from now on.

(reader, just in case you think that I am now an invincible fortress just cos I made a resolve? No. Don't put your trust in me. Put your trust in God. He is the one who gives grace. Grace greater than our sin. Grace greater than our cross. Grace to return and repent. Because it is a salvation by love and grace, not by law or good works, no one can boast. Boast then of my weakness and of Christ. Of His immense love and grace. For each time I return, it is sparked by a recollection of His love and grace. Because it is by love and grace, because He loves me far more than I can know, I am not allowed to give up. I am constrained, compelled, bound by cords of love. His unconditional love gives me strength to stand up again. Not for my sake, but for His sake. Yes, for His sake and for His works more to do.

(kinda rushed through this post. off to do more impt stuffs.)