Captivity

[Shev]

I correspond with an inmate who has become very zealous for Christ, and also has come to agreement with UR. He asked if I could share something he wrote, so I thought I would post it here. The article is not directly about UR, but obviously the idea of captivity ties in very closely. It is uplifting for someone physically imprisoned to be able to connect to a higher concept of captivity and release, and to testify that he is already free in Christ.

CAPTIVITY
By Bryan Parker

     The Life Application Study Bible, the New International Version gives the definition of the word 'captivity' as "imprisonment, exile, subjection or subservience." To be a captive one has to be captured and held by someone or something. When reading the Bible we tend to use the word 'captivity' to describe the Israelites in Egypt, being held captive by the King Pharaoh, or how in II Kings, King Nebuchadnezzar took the people of Judah into captivity in Babylon. We could also relate the word 'captivity' to being imprisoned like Paul and John. But I would like to explain my definition of the word 'captivity'.
     You see, I consider that drugs and alcohol took me into captivity many years ago, and just as Pharaoh played around with God by one minute telling Moses that he and his people could go worship God, and at the last minute declining and pulling them back into Egypt, I have for many years thought over and over that I was free from drugs and alcohol - that I was no longer a captive – until they pulled me right back in.
     One can be a captive and held in captivity in many different ways. Lust, criminal thinking, hatred, anger, depression, stealing, robbing, sex addiction, the list could go on and on. We let our minds control the box that we are captive in. Only when we decide to call upon the name of the Lord, will we be set free from captivity, just like God told the Egyptians "I will bring them back from captivity" (Ezekiel 29:14). If God will bring the Egyptians out of captivity after all they did to God's people, the Israelites, don't you believe a sinner, a drug addict, an alcoholic, a manipulator, a liar, a cheater, a man full of anger and hate, can be pulled out of captivity? I believe – well, I know I can be, because God says so in the Word (Isaiah 61:1). He sent Isaiah to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness.
     Just like God brought the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt, He can bring anyone out of their own prisons. Mark 9:23 tells me "Everything is possible for one who believes." We have to call upon the name of God, brother and sisters, in order to be freed from whatever is holding you captive. Captivity isn't forever, but God can give you eternal life and free you from all captivity. If I can be freed than anyone can.
     Lord, I thank you for leading me out of the captivity I was in. I believe that all things are possible for us who believe. In the name of your Great Son Jesus, Amen.

[eaglesway]

Beautiful perspective from someone who is captive in the body, but free in the Spirit. Freer as a prisoner than most who walk through the world.

"Who shall free me from the body of this death? Thank God for Jesus!"

[Lazarus Short]

I'm reminded of a time I was working at a hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas, and went to draw blood from a patient who happened to be a prisoner.  When I entered the room, the guard sat there grimly sullen.  The prisoner, on the other hand, sat in his bed, happily chatting with a nurse.  I saw all this and began to wonder which of the two men was really free, and which was really in captivity...

[eaglesway]

 :thumbsup:

[marie glen]

Awesome!! :thumbsup:

also

I'm reminded of a time I was working at a hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas, and went to draw blood from a patient who happened to be a prisoner.  When I entered the room, the guard sat there grimly sullen.  The prisoner, on the other hand, sat in his bed, happily chatting with a nurse.  I saw all this and began to wonder which of the two men was really free, and which was really in captivity...

:nod:

[Dandelion]

John 8:

30As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him. 31So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

33"We are Abraham's descendants," they answered. "We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?"

34Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 3:

23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you.


We are free, in Christ. No powers can hold us captive, as long as we are "in Him". Just like Paul, though our bodies might be chained or locked in a prison, we are free in spirit.

D.

[marie glen]

Amen! And I love those verses and the way that version says it!

If the Son makes us free, we are free indeed. Free to love and pursue Him..

If God is for us, who can be against us?

   ...you will tread on serpents and scorpions.. Ps 91

(I need to pray more for all Christians. I forget fellow believers who are perhaps in captivity or persecutions going on..