Freedom In Christ

 The term "freedom" is arguably one of the most frequently employed concepts in contemporary discourse. When discussing freedom, it often refers to liberation from various forms of control, including that of parents, society, government, or even divine authority. This interpretation of freedom is characterized as negative freedom, emphasizing the notion of individuals acting according to their own desires without external interference. 

  

This perspective is frequently cited by those who express disbelief in God or harbor animosity towards religion, as they perceive God as a cosmic authoritarian imposing restrictions on human behavior. However, it may come as a revelation that the Bible addresses the concept of freedom extensively. 

  

In fact, Jesus initiated his ministry with a strong emphasis on freedom. A notable excerpt from his Nazarene Manifesto states, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) 

  

This notion resonates with the Jewish concept of Jubilee found in Leviticus 25, which involves the cancellation of debts and the emancipation of slaves. The Nazarene Manifesto underscores the comprehensive nature of Jesus' mission, which encompasses both spiritual and physical liberation.  

Jesus Christ frees us from the weight of sin and the limitations of ceremonial law through His death and resurrection. He invites us to accept the grace and forgiveness He provides, reminding us that our value is not based on our achievements or perfection. Living in freedom through Christ means embracing a life guided by love, faith, and the Holy Spirit, liberated from guilt and fear. 

Do not take the name of the Lord in vain.

 In the bustling streets of Ephesus, the seven sons of the Jewish priest Sceva were struck by a sudden desire for fame after witnessing Paul’s miraculous deeds. One fateful evening, they stumbled upon a man tormented by a particularly nasty spirit. With swagger that could rival a superhero Iron man, they approached him, declaring, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, we command you to leave!” 

  

The atmosphere shifted dramatically as silence engulfed the room, and the possessed man’s gaze pierced through their bewildered eye and the stumped face of the crowd. The spirit within him erupted into a sinister laugh that reverberated ominously. Then, in a voice that sent shivers down their spines, the man spoke: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” If I were the writer, I would have been tempted to write, who the hell even are you?😈😈 You know, just for the sheer irony! 

  

Before they could even process the situation, the man sprang at them with an unexpected ferocity like that of a tiger who hasn’t tasted a meal for four days. Chaos ensued as the brothers scrambled for safety, their cries echoing as they were tossed around like rag dolls in a windstorm. In the end, they made a hasty retreat, leaving the room butt naked and screaming for help.

Story is inspired from Acts 19.

The Unwilling and Unredeemed

"The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned. " 2 Thessalonians 9-12

In the once-vibrant city of Veritas, the streets now reverberate with the hollow echoes of the powerful's laughter. The skyline, once a beacon of hope and progress, now looms under the oppressive shadow of the ruling elite's citadel. The citizens, who once cast their votes with dreams of a brighter future, now find themselves trapped in a waking nightmare.

Under the charismatic yet merciless Chancellor Mordel, the promise of a utopia has morphed into a dystopian reality. The privileged few bask in their lavish lifestyles, hosting extravagant soirées while the masses struggle to scrape together a meal or find clean water. Their cries for help are met with silence, as the elite revel in their excess.

Those who dare to challenge the status quo are hunted down, while sycophants and charlatans thrive in the Chancellor's twisted regime. The truth-tellers are silenced, their lives snuffed out in the shadows.

Patrolling the streets is the Tropper Storm, a brutal enforcer loyal solely to Chancellor Mordel. They crush dissent with ruthless efficiency, ensuring that the citizens of Veritas live as prisoners in their own city, every action monitored and controlled.

Tragically, many of Veritas's citizens remain ensnared in the Chancellor's web of deceit, believing the lies spun by his army of propagandists. Who will rise to save them from their self-imposed blindness? How can a people be liberated when they refuse to acknowledge the panopticon that surrounds them?

The Best Possible World

 

When you hear "the best possible world," you might think of Leibniz, the philosopher who had a knack for sunny optimism. He argued that, despite all the chaos and messiness, our world is the crème de la crème, crafted by a God who’s not just all-knowing and all-powerful but also a tender hearted. According to him, this is the best scenario we could possibly have.  

  

But hold your horses! Voltaire wasn’t having any of that in his cheeky masterpiece, Candide. He took a sledgehammer to Leibniz’s happy-go-lucky philosophy, pointing out the absurdity of claiming that everything happens for a reason when the world is practically drowning in suffering and stupidity.  

  

Let’s dive into some of the juicy critiques of this so-called best possible world: 

  

1. The Problem of Evil: This one’s a heavyweight contender against theism. It raises a burning question: how can a deity that’s all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good allow evil and suffering to exist? The sheer amount of pain and injustice seems to throw a wrench in the idea of a perfect world. 

  

2. Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes—oh my! These disasters wreak havoc and cause immense suffering. Critics argue that a flawless world wouldn’t be throwing such catastrophic tantrums. 

  

3. Moral Flaws: Let’s face it, humans can be a hot mess. Conflicts, crime, and ethical slip-ups are all too common. If this were truly the best of all worlds, you’d think we’d have a little less moral drama. 

  

4. Disparities and Injustice: The glaring social and economic inequalities, along with systemic injustices, suggest that the world could definitely use a makeover to promote fairness and well-being for everyone. 

  

5. Philosophical Objections: Thinkers like David Hume and J.L. Mackie have jumped into the ring, arguing that the existence of unnecessary suffering and evil is a direct contradiction to the idea of a loving and all-powerful creator. They’re not pulling any punches! 

Now, let’s dive into the response to the naysayers over whether this chaotic world is actually the best we can do:   

  

1. Free Will: Here’s the kicker—if we want real freedom, we have to accept that people will mess up. Evil and suffering are just the price we pay for the privilege of making our own choices. A world without the chance to go off the rails? Yawn, where’s the fun in that?   

  

2. Soul-Making Theodicy: Philosopher John Hick had a lightbulb moment when he suggested that life’s curveballs are essential for our spiritual glow-up. Without a few bumps in the road, how would we ever learn to flex our courage, compassion, and resilience muscles?   

  

3. Greater Goods: Some folks argue that we put up with certain evils because they lead to some pretty sweet outcomes. Take natural disasters, for example—they might just be the universe’s way of pushing us to innovate or come together as a community.   

  

4. Complexity and Interconnectedness: The world is like a giant web, and tugging on one thread could unravel the whole thing. So, despite its flaws, maybe this messy balance is the best setup for a rich tapestry of experiences and life flourishing.   

  

5. Unknown Purposes: From a divine perspective, it’s possible that we’re just not privy to the grand plan. What looks like pointless suffering might actually be part of a cosmic puzzle that we can’t quite see yet, contributing to a greater good in ways that are totally beyond our comprehension.   

  

6. Optimism in Progress: Some optimists believe we’re on a never-ending upward spiral. With all the strides in tech, medicine, and social justice, humanity seems to be cruising toward a brighter tomorrow. So, maybe our current state is just the perfect launchpad for all this progress. 

In the near future, assuming I can shake off my laziness, I’ll whip up a little something with Biblical references to explain why I believe this is the crème de la crème of all possible worlds.

 

The Perfect Imperfect Speech!

 Listen, folks, I stumbled upon this verse from 2 Corinthians 11:6a "I may be unskilled as a speaker but not lacking in knowledge".

I couldn't help but chuckle. Here we have the legendary Apostle Paul, claiming to be unskilled as a speaker. Now, if Paul thinks he's lacking in the speaking department, then I must be as eloquent as a babbling brook! 

 But hold on a second, maybe he's just being modest, right? I mean, who can forget that epic speech he delivered before Agrippa in Acts 26? That man was on fire! Now, I've got one more reason to eagerly await the New Age that's on its way! I can't wait to witness the greatness of this Paul of Tarsus with my own eyes. 

Perhaps it's time for me to step up my game and make a conscious effort to enhance my public speaking abilities. With dedication and practice, I am confident that I can deliver a speech of epic proportions, just like Paul did in front of Agrippa. And with the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, my words will have a profound impact on my audience. Until then, let's embrace our inner potatoes and keep striving for greatness! 

 

HOPE IN TIMES OF DARKNESS AND DESPAIR.

 Have you ever been in a situation where because of anger, depression, or frustration and exhaustion you could not sing? How can we sing the Lord’s song, lament one of the prophets and rightly so.  If our inability to sing is a sign of exile, then we must be in it for we are a people who can barely sing. 

In times like this one cannot help but resign to hopelessness and fear. We cry for justice, but it seems like a far cry. In a world where the wicked seem to prosper and the haughty scoff at justice, one cannot help but wonder, can we bring about an inversion to the situation? Yes, and indeed! 

Inversion may begin with change in the use of language. From the language of despair to hope and a radical song that sings of God’s enthronement and his deliverance. First about the God that we worship. 

He does not faint or grow weary, 

His understanding is unsearchable. 

He gives power to the faint, 

and to him who has no might he increases strength. (Isa 40: 28-29) 

 

And then the promise to all of us who are in exiles and weary; 

 

Even youths grow tired and weary, 

And young men stumbles and fall; 

But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles;  

They will run and not grow weary, 

They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31) 

 

Daring to hope and singing of God’s enthronement seems like absurdity and avoiding the reality of the ongoing situation. However, this is exactly what David did when his life was in danger.  

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? 

The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is in his heavenly throne. (Psalm 11:3&4) 

 

It is a common tendency for us, as human beings, to believe that we have control over our circumstances. If the world is out of control, then the world is out of control. The notion that God is ultimately in control may not bring comfort unless we approach it with humility. Two reasons why this perspective can bring solace and guidance during the times of turmoil. 

 

“The Lord is in his holy temple” which means that the presence of the Lord can be felt in his sacred temple, which is embodied by Jesus, our ultimate source of connection and fellowship. Through Jesus selfless sacrifice on the cross, we are granted an extraordinary opportunity to commune with God.  

 

“The Lord is in his heavenly throne” which means that God is fully aware of all occurrences and ultimately orchestrating everything for his magnificent glory.  

NB: This was written in the backdrop of the horrendous violence June (June 2023) in the state I love and called home!