It’s funny, not ha-ha funny, but ironic funny that the very thing I’d meant to address last night was not really the thing that I ended up addressing. Somehow, I ended up walking down that “god-shaped-hole” argument (which I won’t deny as valid, but that most certainly was not the direction I intended to head). I suppose when making the argument that materialism promises functional saviors you end up toeing that line.

Bygones.

‘ “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.’

- I Cor. 6.12, ESV

Despite the fact that Paul here is addressing sexual immorality, the lesson he is teaching can be provided and applied for a larger context. Nothing material (or even immaterial in this world) will enslave us if we are to lose ourselves for Christ and the Gospel. In the freedom of the Gospel, we are given responsibility to use and enjoy the blessings of God while at the same time not allowing ourselves to become slaves to them. This sounds right and good, and it is, but as with all-things-sanctifying, application becomes the difficult part.

Previously, I talked about the fictional-messiahs that we create to be our fictional-saviors from our fictional-hell (oh, there’s a fun topic — soon to be addressed, by the way). Fictional-messiahs present themselves in all forms and in the end, they are nothing more than idols that enslave us. They enslave us because they promise salvation from whatever fictional-hell we’ve deemed ourselves needing salvation from.

What is it that you cannot, will not, and must not live without?

You’ve just named your fictional-messiah.

Let’s be honest. Well, how about I’ll be honest? I’ll be twenty-eight in just under two months and for as long as I can remember there’s nothing I’ve wanted more than to find a girl, get married and settle down (and as I inch towards thirty, it seems as though the pressure to find those things is ever-increasing). I’m looking for salvation in a relationship and a career. Not only will those two things not save me, they make terrible gods (messiahs). One will fail me, sin against me, hurt me, etc and etc (and vice versa); the other will ultimately end when my physical or mental capabilities are no longer what they once were. Not only will both leave me utterly frustrated and disappointed at times; they will also at some future point cease to exist. Where is my salvation then? What will I cling to when the spouse dies or when the career ends or when the house or apartment is too much for me to keep up with? Who will save me then? Who will save me when my messiah has failed me? (Do I/we not see the foolishness in this?).

Everything was designed for my losing.

I love cigarettes, coffee and chocolate. On many days I am enslaved by the latter two, and on others by the former-first. Last night, I was thoroughly restless and in that state between semi-consciousness and deep sleep, I had this terrifying dream that I was diagnosed with lung-cancer despite the fact that I almost never smoke anymore. That put to rest my desire to smoke from this point forward, but on that day when I am bored, and nicotine kisses my toes, will I abuse my freedom (and more-likely my health) or will I realize that they are just one more thing that are designed for my losing? (Much of the same can be said for coffee and chocolate abusing my health and my wallet and this begs the question: Am I a good steward; a faithful servant, or have I enslaved myself to something else, something other than the Authentic Messiah who offers life (and salvation) to the full).

Everything was designed for my losing. Will I lose it?

Ask yourself the same.

Random Posts:

• “Knowledge” of the Holy
• death and titans/death and taxes (an ode to zwan and crassness)
• Reform & Revive is shut down