The Truth/Jesus Christ Genuinely Does Set Us Free

I know what it is to be an “approval junkie,” or a “need to be accepted” addict.

I even know where all that stuff began in my life – on the playground at school.  There’s no doubt, Satan starts early to come into our lives through our already weak state of being dead in trespasses and sins.

It was the 5th grade.  I had two, what I thought, were best friends.  We hung around together.  One day though, I arrived at school and both of them were not speaking to me.  “What did I do?”  I don’t know; it was not obvious to me that I had done something.

I later discovered that one of them had talked the other one into not speaking to me.  It was for no reason at all but sheer meanness.  And it wasn’t a game to me – I was all nervous and hurt.  I didn’t tell my parents either – just kept it to myself. 

After a day or so of this, I decided to get real feisty.  I went to the one who had been talked into this “hideous” scheme and convinced her to our not talking to the one who came up with it.

Well she did for a little bit of a day – then all of the sudden the other one wanted to all be friends again.  Guess we were – however, I’m not sure we were really friends at all.

Then there was another time in the 7th grade, when I went bowling with one of the same friends from 5th grade.  She had a “boyfriend.”  We all were together at the alley, when another guy friend who was there and the cousin of her boyfriend, just out of the clear blue sky said, “Let me see your ear!”

I shared with most of you I was born with a physical defect of one of my ears.   When he said that, I went into masterful play acting and told him there was nothing wrong with my ear!

Yet all weekend I was terrified.  I didn’t tell my parents that one either.  Just lived in fear that when I went to school on Monday, the whole world would know I was defective.

There were other scenarios like that of my growing up years.  Now they mean nothing to me.  Yet they were powerful then and yes, even for a while in my adult life.  The only reason they’ve melted into nothing now is because of truly getting to know Jesus Christ. (I’m still growing in knowledge of Him!)  Oh how I truly wish I had known Him then.  I could have taken Him all those fears and come up with His solution.

Yet I’m here to say that today adults are still doing the playground stuff – living in fear of rejection, lusting for approval of men, afraid someone is going to find out their defects, and doing the carousel “thing” of finding different friends - and doing the masterful playing act to hide their fears.

It’s just so beautiful to know we have a REAL SAVIOR living in the heavens AND in our hearts.  We are to know Him – He truly is the ANSWER in all situations, all people, and all things.  We just need to be tenacious until we truly understand what all He is saying and interpreting.

Many have said “I’m just plain ol’ sick of religion.”  Yet the truth is: it is religion that is making us sick and sicker.  Yes, there’s the reality of being dead already because of not being in Christ – but as Christians, we’ve opted to address our problems through the world and not through the living knowledge and personal fellowship with Jesus and the Father.

As part of my relationship with the Lord, He has at times, taken me back in my past.  Some might not agree with this, but I am also here to say that it is theology in our heads that has taken away the powerful living presence of the REAL JESUS.  The Savior in us renews ALL – past and present.  He is a true minister of love and grace to all of our being.

I know I have delivered TRUTH from God’s Words in different ways.  Like an ol’ country person would say, “I ain’t aginst” speaking TRUE doctrine and straightforward facts of God’s Word.  Yes, I went to Bible school like some, many, many Bible Studies and other avenues of seeking Truth.

But when it got right down to a bottom line, I just plain ol’ wanted to know Jesus Christ for myself and for Him to make Himself real in my heart in every way - also, to know the true Spirit of God leading me in my heart, my thoughts, my deeds, and my all.  Hey the Scriptures say it: “that Christ may be formed in you.”  This is His will.

God has surely opened the door for all of us to know Him and His Son, Jesus Christ – and as Hebrews says, “…that we all will know Him, from the least to the greatest.”

That We May Know Him and the Power of His Resurrection,

Sue Gaither

There is a Balm in Gilead

Lord Jesus, is His Name

And all throughout the Ages

His Love has been the same

He heals the brokenhearted

The sin-sick weary soul

And all whoever came to Him

He said, “I make you whole!”

And any wound that comes our way

Whether grief, sorrow, a tear

We get to go to Jesus

Whose Love has drawn us near!

By His Spirit, and His Word

On the wings of a prayer,

He’ll always lead us to His grace

And precious Presence there!

And when He speaks, our hearts will still

And through this One Divine

Our hearts will fill with fragrance sweet

His touch is what we find

So glorious “Balm of Gilead,”

We always come to You

There’s no one else who loves us so

Yes, no one else so true!

                                                Sue Gaither

                                                 © 04/05/2009