12/01/2026
I THOUGHT I WAS FREE!
Oh how it feels to hear a verdictory declaration of a Chief Judge in a Court of law, to a criminal in a long awaited trial “BE DISCHARGE AND BE ACQUAINTED”.
Such was my experience when I encountered Jesus at the point of salvation. All the heavy weight of sin and the horrific burdens of guilt and condemnation of a death sentence awaiting me, give way for unprecedented peace and joy unspeakable, so overwhelming, at the sound of his voice; “son, thy sin is forgiven and your iniquity is taken away, go and sin no more!”
The overwhelming ecstasy of my new experience got me weird as I journey each day with a song of victory, ‘I AM FREE, NEVER TO BE BOUND AGAIN.” In the process of time, care-free and reckless living set in. Since Jesus, the great emancipator has set me free, I have no reason to be bound any longer. I was so overconfident in my newly gotten freedom, trivializing every prompting to watch and pray. I boldly played at the verge of every temptation with pride and arrogance, am at liberty, I carry grace, I am justified: though, unchecked. Before long, I see myself falling over and over into a trap of deceitful baits. Now, I am bound again. I tried to be free again and again, but I couldn't, the chain of addictions to sinful and worldly ways now become a norm: though, still very religious.
Like mighty Samson, I tried to shake myself like other times, not knowing my strength is long gone. Now I met myself in the prison house, I couldn't resist the bond of the wicked task master, they made me a grinder of stone and an entertainer in the prison house, I became a laughingstock and an object of mockery before my enemies, and I couldn't save myself.
In the midst of my shame, I cried with a lamentable voice, ‘Who shall deliver me from this burden of death?’ My dream is no longer to receive the last strength, to take a revenge mission on my enemies, and die with them like Samson. But, am now desperate for a lasting freedom to enjoy for a lifetime. In my pains, I groaned, accusing the Lord for my predicament. “Lord, you said in your word, if the son shall set you free, you will be free indeed. Why am I now in the bo***ge you once set me free from?”.
With a loving voice, he echoes some scripture in my mind with peace that still my troubled heart. “ Son, you can't continue going back to your old sinful life, living care-free life and abusing the liberty I gave you, and still expecting my grace to abound for you. My grace is never a license to continue in sin, but an enabler that empowers you, to meet up with the high standard of God's holiness. Behold! Sin no more, less worse things come upon you. Watch and pray, that is my unfailing key to maintaining a victorious living. Let him that thinks, he stands, takes heed, less he falls.”
Beloved, WATCH AND PRAY! Don't abuse the grace given to you by God. There's a possibility of falling, if care is not taken. Don't be overconfident, the arm of flesh will fail you, trust in the Lord for grace to be victorious over temptation each day. If you have already falling, remember from where you've stumbled and amend your ways. Repent and return to the Cross for restoration. The end of all things is here already. DON'T ASSUME YOU'RE FREE, BE SURE YOU'RE CURRENTLY IN THE EXPERIENCE. Shalom!
©Gabriel Ejeh
