The Fight from Chains to Freedom

I believe what every human being needs to realize and what the bible shouts is that JESUS DIED FOR YOUR PAST.

He put on your chains of sin and broke free on the third day. When you become alive in Christ you see that your past sins don’t have to drag you down or hold you back because Jesus IS VICTORYand has overcome the grave.

In the name of Jesus, you can look down and see that your shackles have fallen off and because of His sacrifice you have a choice. You can choose to take off the heavy cloak of sin, shame, condemnation, and despair and put on your new clothes of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5 says:

“Anyone who belongs in Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, and a new life has begun.”

So, every morning you have a choice to make. Will you put on the heavy cloak of your past and put your hands back into chains? Or will you exchange out your garments for the light clothes of freedom that Jesus offers you?

I can’t speak on behalf of everyone’s journey, but the few points I have outlined below have helped me continuously let go of my past.

1. REMEMBER THE PROMISES OF GOD.

We are loved. We are chosen. We have been forgiven. To let go of your past you must know that God has good plans for your future and that He is faithful to keep His promises. God just wants us to hold out our hands and say, “Here I am Lord, you can have all of me.”

2. FIGHT!

We must fight every day because living in the freedom Christ bought for us matters! We must fight to be our authentic selves, and to live honest, vulnerable lives. We must fight to pray, worship, and to be still in Gods presence. We must fight to proclaim the name of Jesus. When we do, people will see Jesus through us. It is helpful for me to remember Ephesians 6:12. It says:

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

3. KNOWING THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND YOUR WAY BACK TO THE FATHER.

He is the breath in your lungs and just a whisper away. Nothing can separate you from the love of Jesus. He is not surprised by your sin nature or shocked by your past. Jesus made a way so that you could always be welcomed back into God’s presence.

I pray the words below will give you a vivid picture of the God we serve and the love that He has for you. Nothing in your past was wasted and He will use it all for good and for His glory. Our scars and our stories become our greatest testimonies. For in our weakness, we become strong.  

His Hand Is Outstretched Still

Can you picture Jesus standing in his throne room, seated at the right hand of the Father? Can you see His smiling face, His welcoming spirit? His hand stretched out to you, gently urging you to step into their presence. He just says:

“Come to me my weary child. My love for you is infinite.”

He calls you His and refreshes your soul. He sends you back to your temporary home for your room isn’t ready yet in your heavenly home. “You still have work to do,” He says as He reminds you of all that is yours as a son and daughter of the king of the universe. “Feed my sheep,” He yells as you walk out of his presence. You immediately long to go back but know your time has not yet come. You are reminded of the countenance of Jesus and say,“But His hand is stretched out still.” Pure joy radiates from your spirit as you know there’s always a way back into the presence and throne room of God.

You sit in a dark room of despair. You cry out to your Father for your iniquities are many. You writhe in pain over the sin that so easily clings to your skin. Your try to rub off the ash of sin but feel encased, trapped because no light can come in. Water can’t even get you clean as streaks remain because layers and layers of ash have entombed you into a deep grave. You can’t break free from the chains and shackles that have appeared on your hands and feet. “Oh Lord,” you say, “What a wretched creature I am! How unholy is my presence to your eyes? I am full of shame. I deserve the grave I dug for myself.” As you sit in your sin you remember, but His hand is stretched out still. You reach upward and grab His mighty right hand. He pulls you to your feet and with one holy breath blows off the ash that so easily clung to your skin. He says:

“My son don’t you know the blood of the lamb has washed you clean. You have been reborn, never to sit and writhe in darkness again. Thank you for grabbing my hand, please tell the others that are trapped under the burden of sin, for my hand is stretched out still.

“Oh, my dear children it doesn’t matter how far you run nor how high you climb to get away from me. For my hand will forever and always be stretched out towards you. I am a good Father and faithful to keep my promises. My love for you endures forever.

“Don’t sit in darkness when you could be sitting in the light of my presence. Don’t be covered in a dark cloak of shame and condemnation when you have been given my clothes of righteousness and garments of praise. My armor I have given unto you to put on every day. Fight my dear children for victory is yours!

“You have been bought for a price so stand tall in your freedom! Run freely to me for I love all my little children who just want to sit at my feet and be with me. I love to laugh with you and reveal the intricacies of my character to you. For I love surprising you and putting you in awe of me. Your face is priceless when you have finally had that revelation. Your heart is pure gold as you wonder at all that I am. Your spirit soars to greater heights as you think wow how good is my God?

“So, in your seasons of isolation and on the days, you feel darkness creeping in, remember that my hand is stretched out still, and feel the warm glow of my love surround you as darkness flees and you are filled with my peace that surpasses all understanding. For the joy of the Lord is yours my precious children. For I cannot wait to hold your hand, for mine will always be stretched out still.”

Book Resources:

Rest and War by Pastor Ben Stuart: A great tool to help you let go of your past sins and learn how to struggle well.

Scripture verses not cited/References:

- 1 Corinthians 15:57

- Acts 1:8

- John 15:26

- Philippians 4:13

- Romans 8: 28, 35, 37-39

- Ephesians 1:4-5, 7

- Ephesians 6:13-18

- Ephesians 4:22-25

- Colossians 1: 13-14

- 2 Corinthians 12:9