I asked my friend, “How did you get in?”
A sly smile crept over her face, “Well, I couldn’t find any doors or windows, so I climbed over the wall.” Her words still make me laugh, but it was closer to reality than I wanted to admit. For years, I had avoided deep friendships. Without even realizing it, past hurts led me to build a rock hard fortress around my heart. I didn’t let anyone in. But there was a woman at church who had been praying for God to bring her a new friend, a close friend. And He prompted her to reach out to me. My friend was determined to find a way in. Thirty years into our deep and meaningful friendship, I am so glad she did!
Have you ever sensed you have built a wall around your heart? If we are honest, most of us recognize that we have done so at one time or another. This is simply one of many kinds of fallout from living in a sin-cursed world. Some of us may use bricks of callous emotions; for others, the bricks may be power and position, but for the rich young ruler in chapter 10 of Mark’s gospel, the wall was built from bricks of money and possessions.
How Can You Experience Freedom in Christ?
What does the Bible say about freedom in Christ?
Jesus Knew What Stood in the Way. The man comes to visit Jesus, at first appearing to humbly seek the way of eternal life. However, it quickly becomes apparent that his real aim is to use this encounter to self-proclaim his righteous standing before God as a result of his faithfulness to God’s commandments. But Jesus knew something was holding the man back from experiencing true freedom and a real encounter with God. Verse 21 says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” (NIV) Jesus knew what stood in the way and said to him,
“One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (NIV)
The man came to Jesus expecting affirmation of his goodness, which he sought in order to justify himself and return to the life he already enjoyed. Instead, he was confronted with the truth and invited to walk into a glorious new life with God through Christ. However, even while standing face-to-face with the Son of God Himself, the young man decided in his heart that what Jesus had to offer could not possibly be more valuable than what he already possessed. As a result, instead of finding freedom in Christ, the man chose to remain a slave to his possessions, clinging to his false hopes and false security. (See Mark 10:17-31)
How do you experience true freedom?
What are You Clinging to? Are you clinging to something that might be preventing you from following Jesus with your whole heart? Take a few moments and ask God to reveal to you what might be holding you back. What are you afraid to let go of, or what (or who) have you become a slave to? Fill in the blank space that follows with what God has shown you must do:
“Go, [tear down your brick wall] then come, follow me.”
The moment we surrender that which is holding us back, He invites us to move forward to follow Him. Praise God that the moment we embrace the freedom Christ offers, we are no longer imprisoned by walls of false security and fears built by our own hands!
“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.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
“I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV)
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, award-winning author, and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is the author of several books and Bible studies, including HAGAR, TAMAR, LEGION, Worthy of Love and her newest study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me!Â
I love this post, Shadia…such great food for thought. I will be using this for my devotional time over the next few days. I think God has been asking me that question, “What are you clinging to?”, even though He already knows the answer(s). Bless you as you continue to share His Word through your writing.
Thank you, Sandi. It is such a sweet blessing to know God is using the message to minister to you. Thank you for sharing your comments; it encourages me greatly!
Happy Fourth of July to you. I love the information that you share in your Bible studies. We are blessed with them.