2 June 2016 - chain gang

[ Today's Readings ]

the word of God is not chained.

We sometimes feel that the circumstances of our lives tie us down. We don't feel free to do the things we want or go to the places where we want. These are superficial freedoms because, "the word of God is not chained" and that word is the deepest core of our identity.

If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.

The Cross sure doesn't look like freedom to us. But to give one's life for one's friends is the most free thing we can do. These apparent chains that we all have in our lives are transformed. They themselves are now ways we can express our freedom because we can offer them all "for the sake of those who are chosen".

Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
together with eternal glory.

Many of us are working today. Whether or not we enjoy it, it is also necessary. There is a sense in which it is a chain. But this chain can now contribute to the world obtaining salvation and eternal glory.

Does this seem hard to do? Perhaps we are disputing about words rather than presenting the one word which cannot be chained without deviation. Perhaps we are still trying to have control, if not on the surface, at least in the minutia of the experience. Instead, we can offer this lack of control on our part with the word which is not chained. This offering implies an utter willingness to let the word use us and transform us rather than us using it for our benefit. This is hard. It requires a lot of failing and trying again.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way. 

If we remain humble and return to the LORD each time we fail he will eventually teach us to put him first. He will eventually plant the unchained word so deeply in our hearts that it will finally be our top priority.

Hear, O Israel! 
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind, 
and with all your strength.

And when it that is first in our hearts we are free to love. We are free no matter the circumstance.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.

We will find, even amidst apparent chains, that all "the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy".

Caution, rap: