I've had the book on my "to read" list for quite a while. And quite frankly, I think I should have read it a lot sooner.
This was a very informative book with lots of good information, that opened my eyes to a lot of things, that I hadn't been privy to prior, and answered a few questions.
Contrary to my first thought, the "rift" between Judaism and Christianity, was not some "HUGE" blow up, it was not "ONE" thing that caused the separation, or the hatred. There were many many many instances where one side and or the other side did things to perpetuate, instigate, and make the rift wider, and more permanent.
Another thing I wasn't aware of, prior to Christianity, there were massive multitudes of pagan gods, dieties, religions (yes there still are) but "BUT" there were also different branches, sects, and cults within Judaism. I guess I figured this, but just didn't realize it until reading this book. Yes I've read about the Pharisee's and the Sadduces, the Shammaites, and the Hillel's... but it never sunk in that these were different "branches" of Judaism. They all had their different belief''s, interpretations, and traditions.
This book was chock full of good information, and I recommend it to everyone that is on the journey that I am on.
I do want to share the conclusion chapter of this book with you. It is quite short, and sums up the book nicely, HOWEVER, please get the book and read it, there is so much good stuff in this book that is not covered in the summary.
"Conclusion
The following eight conclusions of the preceding examination are not meant to be exhaustive, but include only the most significant areas covered in the text:
1. All of the evidence from the earliest period of Church history is both homogeneous and Jewish.
2. The methods and techniques utilized in this analysis are very different from earlier research, which was often done without the latest archaeological finds and without taking into account the Hebraic background of the Jerusalem Church.
3. The extant manuscripts of the early Church point convincingly to its Jewish roots.
4. The original language, idioms, customs, organizational structure, religious practices, and Scriptures of the early Church were Jewish.
5. Records confirm that the first fifteen pastors of the original Jerusalem Church were Jewish.
6. The earliest song book used by Christians, known as The Odes of Solomon, accentuates the fact that Christianity was not only born alongside of, but within the matrix of Judaism.
7. The ninefold purpose of the Law and its many references in the New Testament and among Christian writers throughout history, argues against many of the misconceptions that have hindered accurate study of the Jewish origin of the Church.
8. An accurate understanding of the proto-rabbis and the Pharisees, along with their background in the Second Temple period, makes their influence on the early Church undeniable."
That summed up, but does not give the book it's full credit. The whole chapter on idioms was brilliantly enlightening. I've always said that 2000 years from now no-one will understand that "go fly a kite" does not literally mean go fly a kite, but means "get lost" "buzz off" "leave me alone" "go do something else as unproductive as your doing", so I knew without a doubt there was stuff that we just wouldn't understand the true meaning of from back then. And this book listed only 10, but it was 10 big ones, that was very enlightening, and helped me to feel confident in my assessment.
I think the biggest one had to do with plucking out your eye if the eye sins, so that it doesn't cause the whole body to sin. Without knowing the Jewish and Rabbinic parables of 2000 years ago, it is impossible to know what certain sayings meant. And with the Jews and the Christians working so ardently to separate themselves from each other, in such ways that it's impossible to come back together, both sides miss something important in the translations. Pluck out your eye, simply meant, nip the thought in the bud, before it festers and grows to be something horrid. What an eye opener... no pun intended.
I think it's on us all to learn both sides of this puzzle, and pull them together. Jesus never meant for there to be two separate religions. He came to fulfill the prophecies of our Old Testament, to complete them, and bring the salvation that was foretold. What man has done with the knowledge that Jesus brought breaks my heart. And I will forever do my part to spread the truth of The Way.
"Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we
may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship
of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the
world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be
merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy
children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful
thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake, Amen!"
Look closely at this book cover. It holds so much potential. "Why the World is Turning Against Israel and the Jewish People."
I ordered this book from Biblical History society. Based on a review in that magazine and this cover. Trust me when I say I'm learning not to do this.
1st off the majority of the world is already against Israel and the Jewish people. Even many Christians have anti-Jewish tendencies. So I should have known better, but the title was so intriguing.
2nd, had I picked this book up at the bookstore, the back clearly indicates the topic. "An inductive study of many of the primary texts both Biblical and rabbinical which deal with a proper understanding of what will happen not to just Israel, but the entire world, in the end times"
Karapppppp with a capital K. Crap, crap, crap, not another end times book. But yes. The whole book was a dissection of Revelation primarily, and a few other versus from scripture. Referenced was Malachi 3:22-24, but when I searched the bible I don't find these passages. Referencing scripture that doesn't exist is so not cool.
I have started this book 4 times. I find it drudgery to get through. I am at the Afterword now, and only now do I see hope of the title of this book being explained and fulfilled.
Hope crushed, the afterword spent its time talking about Replacement theologists overlook a whole lot of prophecy. Yea. Ok. I agree. But what does that have to do with us not liking the Jews. Absolutely nothing.
If you want to study end times, incorporate this book into your study. If you'd like some prophecy that is ignored today, incorporate this book. If you want to know why the Jews are losing friends, look elsewhere for your answers. This book is not it.
"Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is to.... skip church! I'm too old for fairy tales."
Atheist group's Christmas-themed billboard on I-49 turns heads
MILWAUKEE (WITI) — A billboard displayed in Milwaukee is getting some extra attention over its strong and some might say, controversial message.
12:16 PM CST Dec 02, 2014
A Christmas-themed billboard along I-49 in Springdale has some drivers doing a double-take.
The billboard near Wagon Wheel road slams Christmas as a religious holiday.
The billboard reads "Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is to.... skip church! I'm too old for fairy tales."
Passing motorists said they have mixed feelings about the billboard.
One woman said, " I don't .. I don't think that's really appropriate. I think everybody should go to church as they wish. I think God's out there for everyone."
The president of American Atheists, responded to to the concerns. Dave Silverman, said "preachers are going to get upset. That's OK, they're the ones peddling lies for a living."
The group said the billboard is up to let people in the area know about an Atheist convention that will be held in Memphis on Easter weekend.
I have to admit I was appalled when I read this last night. It's one thing to not believe, that is your choice. It's one thing for you to "not" inform your children of the truth. BUT for you to pay money and rent a billboard and advertise something that is "MY" responsibility to teach or not teach my children absolutely without a doubt crosses the line for me.
I did some research there are tons of atheist billboards that I found that I am absolutely appalled by, but this one... Santa of all things, crosses the line. Here in Arkansas, in the heart of the Bible belt of all places. I see also an article in Milwaukee the same billboard. Totally offensive, but crosses the line into parenting here. Booooooo!!!!!!!
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine. "
At the Feast of Pentecost, in Jerusalem, the Church was born. With the sound of tornadic capable winds (just the sound, not the actual winds), and tongues of fire that didn't burn, the Holy Spirit baptized the Apostles, and the Church was born. "The were filled with the Holy Spirit". FILLED with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was IN them. Yes, IN them. This is an amazing feeling, when you let Him in.
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below,blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him,as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.25 David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." '36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:34 “For David
did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “The Lord said to my
Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”” At this point I must question, if he did not ascend to the heavens, then where is he? Is he in Abraham's bosom, with Abraham and Lazarus? I've heard some say that Christ cleared this out and took those souls with him when he left Hades. I've heard Sh'eol referred to as just in the ground waiting. J Vernon McGee says, David will be raised with the Old Testament saints to live on this earth someday. Why? And where are they now? Questions I am adding to my research list. And will come back to here when I have the answers.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Notice here it says "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." This is awesome, and tells you, it's not what we do, but the Lord does it. He tells us to go, share the Word, share the Way, share the "Good News" of Jesus Christ, and once we do that, then HE brings them in. He does the work. This is fabulous, utterly and amazingly fabulous.
The Full Armor of God: Defending your life from Satan's Schemes.
Yes I was intent on reading the Old Testament first. But as you know I keep coming across books on my journey that reach out and grab me. I went shopping for my mother's birthday present, and while at Wal Mart of all places this book said "buy me". I don't like purple much. I am not real keen on the "Knight in Shining Armor" theme much anymore. But yet I could not walk away from this book. There is NOTHING about this cover that appeals to me.
When I got home, with the book, I decided to add it to my pile of "books to read" when I get a chance. And haphazardly threw it in my bag one day, so I'd have something to read while waiting in the car line to pick the kids up from school.
I couldn't put it down. I raced the kids home, so I could get back to the book. No one had ever said these words to me "Armor of God". I had no idea what Ephesians was, nor what it was about. Yet I read with the sole determination of learning more, more, MORE.
This book absolutely without a doubt hit me right where I needed to be hit. It opened up my eyes in so many ways that I never thought possible. I have so much respect for the Apostle Paul. His words just came alive when I read the scripture for myself. And Larry Richards, THANK YOU for writing this book. I needed it.
I read it, I loved it, I recommended it to my women's group at church. I'm now going through it with another lady at church, digging the treasures out of it, and she loves it as much as I do. I wish that everyone would read this book. I so much love this book that I ordered 5 more copies yesterday. One for my mom, and one for each of my kids.
I don't want to spoil this one, or entice you not to buy it with the notes I share, but I do want to share the Armor!!!
The Helmet of Salvation: who we are in God's eyes.
The Shield of Faith: God's faithfulness to us.
The Sandals of Peace: The gospel of Jesus' love.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: We are created to be like God.
The Belt of Truth: God's truth is the key to wearing all the other pieces.
The Sword of the Spirit: God's Word to us all.
Arm yourself with the Armor of God, the Full Armor of God, and Satan will not stand a chance!!
You read this book, I mean REALLY READ this book, and you will be a different person when you are done!!! You will know without a doubt that you are special, and loved, and you are God's!!!
Quite honestly this study has a LOT of information in it. But it wasn't quite complete on it's own. I recommend this book as a supplement to The Full Armor of God by Larry Richards. The questions that Life Change provides, gives you another way of looking at the information in Ephesians. It also helped me to actually dig into the text of the Letter, and dissect it for myself. I recommend this text for any study group, but suggest that you incorporate it into a larger study, one that focuses more on the Armor, and the schemes of Satan in our lives.
What do you say? Sounds ludicrous right? This country was founding on the freedom of religion, that's the very 1st Amendment, why would we even consider this? Well folks, that is exactly what we did in the 1960's.
Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
When the American Congress first met in Carpenter's Hall to discuss the upcoming British conflicts, you know what the first thing they did was? They PRAYED. Not just a little, quick, short prayer, but they prayed with deep emotion, for a great deal of time. Some of those in attendance were Patrick Henry, John Adams, John Jay, George Washington, and Samuel Adams. These are our founding fathers, and they PRAYED.
During the American Revolution the Continental Congress issued 15 separate proclamations calling the nation (it's people) to pray, to fast, and to give thanksgiving depending on the circumstances at the time. These proclamations were overtly filled with Christian language.
Proclamation - Humiliation Fasting and Prayer - 1798 John Adams - 03/23/1798
AS the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of Almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety, without which social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed; and as this duty, at all times incumbent, is so especially in seasons of difficulty and of danger, when existing or threatening calamities, the just judgments of God against prevalent iniquity are a loud call to repentance and reformation; and as the United States of America are at present placed in a hazardous and afflictive situation, by the unfriendly disposition, conduct and demands of a foreign power, evinced by repeated refusals to receive our messengers of reconciliation and peace, by depredations on our commerce, and the infliction of injuries on very many of our fellow citizens, while engaged in their lawful business on the seas: —Under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country, demands at this time a special attention from its inhabitants.
These proclamations have happened throughout this countries history. In 2014, this year, President Obama declared a National Day of Prayer, to be observed every year on the 1st Thursday in May.
On the Liberty Bell, we find a verse from the Bible, Leviticus 25:10. It is called the Liberty Bell for this reason, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof."
Every morning the Congress of the United States, read from the Bible before they began the functions to which they were tasked, they still did this in Reagan's time in office.
In 1782, Congress agreed to, approved of, and appointed a congressional committee to oversee a project that consisted of producing an English-language Bible. In the front of that Bible is a congressional endorsement declaring: "Whereupon, Resolved, That the United States in Congress assembled... recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States."
"George Washington openly acknowledged that it had been by the direct intervention of God that he remained alive." (See below for acknowledgment notation 1) Surviving an incident during the French and Indian War, in which his coat had four bullet holes, and he had not taken a bullet himself. Those he fought later told him that they had given up shooting at him, when they saw that he was protected by God. Washington is quoted as saying: "I now exist and appear in the land of the living by the miraculous care of Providence that protected me beyond all human expectation".
Founding Father John Adams said "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were... the general principles of Christianity."
One of the first textbooks of the time was called The New England Primer. I'm including some of the text from that book so you can see what the kids of that day were learning in school.
The New England Primer - 1777
HOW glorious is our heavenly King,
Who reigns
above tha Sky!
O LORD God who knowest all Things, thou seest me by
Night as well as by Day.
ALMIGHTY God the Maker of every thing in Heaven and Earth;
the Darkness goes away, and the Day light comes at thy Command. Thou art good
and doest good continually.
P
PETER deny'd
His Lord and cry'd.
Who saves lost Men ?
Jesus
Christ.
Who is Jesus Christ ?
The
Son of God.
Among the alphabet, and grammar, spelling, and pronunciation the bulk of this first text was Christian in origin, and very much Biblical in origin.
US Government modeled after the Bible:
We set up our government, three distinct branches, based on Isaiah 33:22.
Separation of Powers from Jeremiah 17:9.
Tax exemptions for churches in Ezra 7:24.
Other interesting items
1892 U.S. Supreme Court declared unanimously: "No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people... This is a Christian nation."
1844 A Philadelphia run school adopted a policy that kept Christian ministers from coming on campus. This case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where it was determined unanimously that this "government" run school should teach Christianity and the Bible, the source of "the purest principles of morality".
So let's look at the beginning:
Why did our forefathers come to this country. MOST of them came here to escape religious persecution. You see in Europe when the Protestants took over, the Catholics suffered. When the Catholics took over, the Protestants suffered. Many thousands of years of suffering on one side, then the other. Our forefathers founded this nation on the freedom to be whatever Christian you wanted to be. To be able to not fear a "Catholic State" or a "Protestant State". So that each side could be free of persecution to believe in God the Father, the way they know they are supposed to. Having a government that runs the country without taking a side on this issue is very important, for the well being and the peace of mind of the people. (But please note, there are 2 sides of this coin, Catholic & Protestant, not many, not 100, not 1000's, but 2, this country was founded as a Christian nation).
Our forefathers fought for the rights of religious expression for ALL Christians, before, during and after the separation from Great Britain.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
"No law respecting an establishment of religion" that means that there will never be a "Catholic State" or a "Protestant State" but that ALL Christians will be free to practice their religion, they can gather, they can have their meeting, their ceremonies, they can talk, speak to others, they can produce pamphlets, documents, and assemble with others that believe as they do. ALL Christians do not have to fear persecution. ALL Christians have the freedom to proclaim who they are without fear of repercussions.
"Free exercise thereof" means that I can be a Christian ANYWHERE I want to be. I can speak about my religion to anyone that I want to. I can carry my Bible with me where ever I want to go. There will be NO law passed to deny me the right to carry my Bible with me where ever I want to go.
PERIOD... this is very CUT and DRY. Nothing to read between the lines here. In this Christian nation, I am free to be whatever branch of Christian that I want to. Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist.... the list is truly endless now.
George Washington said in is Farewell Address in 1796:
"The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles." (Slight shades of difference, cause they were all Christians).
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." (Crucial, mandatory supports)
"Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
Yes I straight up copied this from a different website. The one listed right above here. Please go to that page and get more great information! I reprinted it here, so that I will always have easy access to it. Beth Moore, is awesome!
When I was 18 years old, I surrendered to God’s call to vocational ministry. But I really had no idea what I was surrendering to. Some years later, God gave me a mandate: “I sent My Son to set the captives free. You will go forth and ring the liberty bell.”
This mandate sounded evangelistic to me, and I was certain my calling was in the area of discipleship. I shake my head and marvel now when I recall that I once thought the only people who were captives were the spiritually lost!
But if anyone had told me then that Christians can be in bondage, I would have argued with all the volume a person can muster—when a yoke of slavery is strangling her neck! I was the worst kind of captive: a prisoner unaware. In fact, I had no idea I was in captivity until God began to set me free.
Perhaps you’re also unconvinced that Christians can live in bondage. Don’t take my word for it; take God’s.
The Bible says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1, NIV, emphasis added). The fact that Paul wrote this warning not to the world but to the church (Gal. 1:2) and that he used the phrase “burdened again” indicates that he knew it was possible for believers to become bound.
I paraphrase Galatians 5:1 this way: “Don’t you realize that Christ gave up everything so you could be free? The cross purchased your liberty from every yoke and replaced it with Christ Himself [see Matt. 11:28-30]. Nothing can hold you captive now without your permission.
“Don’t go back to slavery! He did not set you free to live the rest of your life in self-inflicted bondage. Learn to live in Christ’s glorious liberty; then stay on the alert so you don’t return to captivity.”
End of Captivity
No other book of the Bible has more to say about the captivity of God’s people and the promise of freedom and restoration than the book of Isaiah. Isaiah ministered as a prophet to the people of God in and around Jerusalem during the period when the nation of Israel was a divided kingdom. Isaiah’s name means “the Lord saves,” and the word salvation is used in his book 27 times—twice as many as in the books of the other Old Testament prophets combined.
Isaiah speaks about the rebellion of God’s people and their resulting captivity to the Assyrians. But he also looks ahead to a time when the captivity will end, a time when Israel will be comforted by God and restored to her appointed purpose.
More importantly, Isaiah prophesies about the coming of the Deliverer, the One who is destined to set His people free:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” (Is. 61:1-4).
From this passage we can learn several important points:
1. God hears the cry of the oppressed. We must believe that God cares about those in physical, emotional, mental or spiritual prisons. God issued Isaiah 61:1-4 as a response to the captivity He foresaw when He looked down on rebellious Judah. These liberating words apply to us just as surely as they did to the Israelites. They will continue to apply as long as God looks down from the height of His sanctuary, views the earth and hears the groaning of the prisoner.
2. God fulfills Isaiah 61:1-4 in Christ alone. When Jesus read from the Scriptures in the temple, He quoted Isaiah 61 as His personal charter (Luke 4:14-21). Both Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:14 tell us that Christ Jesus was empowered by the Spirit. And we know that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17).
Christ sets us free by the power of His Spirit; then He maintains our freedom as we learn to live from day to day in the power of that Spirit. Isaiah and Luke agree that only Christ was appointed to offer this kind of freedom.
3. Christ’s ministry is a ministry of the heart. Do you notice all the parts of Jesus’ job description? Christ came to “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners ... to comfort all who mourn ... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes ... a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Is. 61:1-3).
Christ’s first priority is setting captives free from the bondage of eternal destruction (2 Pet. 3:9). But saved people, as I mentioned before, can still be in bondage (Gal. 5:1).
Forms of Bondage
What does this mean in real life? When I think of bondage, I most often imagine yokes that come from some area of childhood trauma or victimization because this is the kind of yoke I had to combat. However, I know from my relationships with other women that there are many different types of yokes.
I recently asked a group of women I teach to broaden my horizon in terms of areas of captivity believers face. Although they will remain unnamed, you know women just like them: bright, educated, Christian women who serve faithfully in their churches and come from all economic backgrounds.
I heard painful testimonies of bondage to lust and patterns of falling into sexual sin. I read about struggles with homosexuality and a fear of men because of childhood abuse.
Some spoke about an inability to love people fully, including their own husbands and children. One wrote me about the victory God had given her over a compulsion to steal. Another had been freed from habitual dishonesty. A friend surprised me by writing about gaining freedom from the bitterness she had developed as a result of the physical abuse she endured as a child.
My heart broke for one woman who described how deep insecurity had stolen friendships, church work and her marriage from her. I’ve heard from many who were held captive by a critical and judgmental heart toward people. Others wrestled terribly with anger toward God. Doubt. Discouragement. Loneliness. A chronic lack of satisfaction.
And these letters came only from those who had already found freedom in Christ. Imagine how many are still struggling! I firmly believe:
Christ came to set the captives free—no matter what kind of yoke binds them.
He came to bind up the brokenhearted—no matter what broke the heart.
He came to open the eyes of the blind—no matter what veiled their vision.
Obstacles to Freedom
In Isaiah’s glorious thesis on captives set free, the prophet describes the benefits of God in one unforgettable summation: “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him” (Is. 64:4). God wants to do in your life what your eyes have never seen, your ears have never heard, and your mind has never conceived.
But just as the Israelites were in bondage, a foreign yoke may be keeping you from realizing five primary benefits that God intends for His children to enjoy. The absence of any one benefit is a helpful indicator of captivity. According to the Book of Isaiah, God graciously extended the following benefits to His children:
To know God and believe Him.
To glorify God.
To find satisfaction in God.
To experience God’s peace.
To enjoy God’s presence.
Since many Christians today obviously are not experiencing the fullness of these benefits, there must be hindrances that keep us from the birthright God intends. Five obstacles block our access to the benefits God has for us:
Unbelief, which hinders knowing God.
Pride, which prevents us from glorifying God.
Idolatry, which keeps us from being satisfied with God.
Prayerlessness, which blocks our experience of God’s peace.
Legalism, which stops our enjoyment of God’s presence.
These five obstacles are so prohibitive that if they are not addressed and removed the personal visitation of our King will be greatly hindered, and we will never walk in true freedom.
1. Unbelief
Unbelief is choosing not to believe God. I’m not talking about believing in God; I’m talking about believing what He says. We can believe in Christ, accepting the truth that He is the Son of God, and we can believe on Christ, receiving eternal salvation, yet fail to stand firm in belief and choose to find Him trustworthy day to day.
Unbelief is crippling. The steps we take forward with God we take through faith. Therefore, unbelief literally cripples our spiritual “walk,” casting huge obstacles in the way of a victorious life.
The good news is that if we’re willing to admit our lack of confidence in Him, Christ is more than willing to help us overcome our unbelief. Ask Him to do this for you. Also, spend time getting to know Him. The more you know Him, the more you will believe Him. Choose today to pursue Him and to walk in faith.
2. Pride
Pride is an obstacle to glorifying God because it is equivalent to taking God off the throne and putting ourselves in His place. We cannot honor Him when we are seeking honor for ourselves. And God will not share His glory with another, not even His own children.
Breaking free from pride involves two steps: (1) viewing pride as a vicious enemy and humility as a friend; and (2) humbling yourself before God. Proverbs 11:2 tells us, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Humility is not something we have until humbling ourselves is something we do. This does not mean we are to hate ourselves. It means we are to acknowledge who we are in relationship to God and bow to His majesty.
3. Idolatry
God wants us to find our satisfaction in Him rather than wasting our time and effort on things that cannot satisfy. But when we look to other sources for satisfaction, we are guilty of idolatry.
Dissatisfaction is not a terrible thing. It’s a God-thing. It’s only terrible when we don’t let it lead us to Christ. He wants us to find the only thing that will truly satiate our thirsty and hungry hearts.
To travel forward on the road to freedom, we must remove the obstacle of idolatry. But this is not always easy.
The first two obstacles to freedom—unbelief and pride—can be removed effectively by a matter of choice: we can choose to believe God, and we can choose to humble ourselves before God. Some of the idols in our lives, however, are more difficult to remove because they have been in place for years, and we find it difficult to let them go. We begin by choosing to recognize their existence and admitting their inability to keep us satisfied.
4. Prayerlessness
Avoiding prayer is a sure prescription for anxiety. To experience the kind of peace that covers all circumstances and live powerful lives, we must develop active, authentic prayer lives.
Prayerlessness is the most prohibitive obstacle in the road to a believer’s victory. When Satan attacks, we can’t rely on discipline, lessons we’ve learned in the past or our knowledge of what is best for us to bring us through.
Our strongest motivation will be the Person with whom we walk. Staying close to Him through constant communication, we receive a continual supply of strength to walk victoriously.
5. Legalism
God gave a perfect description of legalism in Isaiah 29:13: “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.”
We must understand that we cannot please God—or find the freedom we seek—by following a set of rules. God does not take our spiritual temperature under our tongues by the words we say, or in our ears by the impressive teachings we hear, or under our arms by the service we perform. God takes our spiritual temperature straight from the heart. He wants us to exchange our regulations for relationship with Him.
If any of these obstacles is keeping you from walking in the abundant life Christ came to give you, remember: God’s specialty is rolling away stones! Allow Him to put His hand on what is holding you captive and shove it out of the way so you can experience total freedom in Him.
Beth Moore is a well-known Bible teacher whose life call is “guiding believers to love and live on God’s Word.” She is the author of several books, including A Heart Like His and Breaking Free.
