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Mark 5: 4 “…he had often been
restrained with shackles and chains but the chains he
wrenched….shackles he broke…”
In this passage of scripture, we read about a demon possessed
man whom “no one could restrain”. This conclusion is arrived at
because “he has often been restrained with shackles and chains,
but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke to
pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him.” (Luke 5:4)
Although we may not be demon possessed and living among the
tombs ourselves, there are many aspects about the spiritual walk
we can learn through him. We see the problem being tackled here
by two different approaches: i.e. the approach used by the
people around him and the approached used by Jesus.
The approach used by the people around him was to put
restrictions on him viz. the chains, the shackles etc., to
control his behaviour. Sooner or later they arrived at the
conclusion that “no one could restrain him”. Similarly in our
walk with the Lord we try our level best to resort to
“restrictions” to live a life free of sin. Sooner than later, we
realize that no matter how many times we decide and we resolve
and no matter how hard we try, we do not have the power to live
a life free of sin. “I do not understand my own actions. For I
do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate”. (Romans
7:15). The Apostle Paul in his struggle against sin came to this
conclusion one day: “For I know that nothing good dwells within
me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot
do it” (Romans 7:18). The truth is, we cannot do what is right
by resorting to “fix” our external actions because the problem
is not external, but internal; i.e. the heart. “...it is what
comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from
the human heart, that evil intentions come…” (John 7:20, 21).
Hence, Jesus approached the issue from another angle; i.e. he
dealt with the heart. In other words what chains and shackles
did not achieve, the Word of the Lord by the Spirit of God did!
Jesus became like us (human) in every aspect and he lived a life
without sin – not by the application of external “restriction”
or law, but by the Spirit of God. In fact, Jesus came to fulfill
the law. He then went on the cross to crucify and kill this
flesh in which “nothing good dwells”. And because God chose us
and destined us in Christ (Ephesians 1:4, 5), we were also
crucified with Him! (Romans 6:6) Jesus then rose again from the
dead because death could not hold Him in its power (Acts 2:24).
And after Jesus was glorified, God poured out His same Spirit on
us, so that we may live as His witnesses. “…it is no longer I
who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2: 20). So how can we
live a righteous life? – Only by faith in Christ.
Beware of implementing “restrictions” on ourselves to overcome
sin and then blaming God for its failure. “…the righteous shall
live by faith” (Romans1:17). So then remember, “I can decide to
do what is right, but I cannot do it”.
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