If you bow down...

If you bow down... Terry Dashner (www.ffcba.com) We in the west pride ourselves on being free. But are we free? We might be free from the threat of tyrants, dictators, and anarchists, but are we free from things that enslave our passions and desires? For example, it has been said that anything we bow to becomes our ruler--our god. Some are so passionate about traveling that they bow to the god of recreation. Others lust and bow to pornography. Whatever makes us bow down becomes our ruler--our god. Consider this. In the Philippines, monkeys are caught by hollowing out coconuts and inserting sticky, aromatic candy to attract the monkeys, who put in their hands to grab the candy and can't get their fist out. They won't let go, even when their captors approach, and they end up as monkey stew (Peter Kreeft, Back to Virtue, Ignatius 1992, p.106). Now you might be thinking, silly primates. But humans fair no better on the sucker list. The first skeleton archeologists uncovered from the volcanic ruins of ancient Pompeii was grasping silver coins in its outstretched skeletal hand. The coins rolled away as the skeleton was uncovered, with a mocking clink (Ibid. p.112). I think you get the point. No one is exempt from the possibility of being enslaved by vice. Jesus wants to rule over our hearts, however, His rulership does not enslave but emancipates. Jesus said that we could know the truth and the truth would set us free. Jesus said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Remember, the Kingdom of God is upside down to the world's system and way of doing things. If Jesus becomes your Lord and Master, He doesn't enslave you like a world's tyrant. He liberates you from you sins and frees you to pursue life, liberty, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is coming soon. Pastor T.