Freely Given

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”

-Philippians 3:13

For years, that scripture was my favorite. I found encouragement in Paul’s words (and specifically Paul) that no matter our past, we didn’t have to be over-encumbered by it. That, as believers, a bright future still lay ahead—a heavenly prize and God-appointed goal was waiting for us all (Philippians 3:14).

Where we were once dead in our past transgressions and sins, we now stand free, saved through the mercy and grace afforded to us through Christ’s work on the cross (Ephesians 2:1-5).

Paul isn’t calling us to literally forget our past lives (as evidenced by how freely he references his own in other letters), but to no longer be weighed down by them. Regardless of where we once were, we are now free to push forward along the paths God has prepared for us.

But the thing about freedom is that it doesn’t truly exist without recognition. We must recognize that we once were chained, bound, and weighed down by the perils of sin and death, and we must accept that this freedom we now live in is found in our blood-bought salvation.

We must remember, not to reminisce, but to remind us of the work God has done in our lives. To remind us of where we started. To remind us of the weight of our chains. A heaviness that, deep in the trenches of fleshly lust and worldly desire, often goes unnoticed.

As I’m typing, my daughter came into the room to share a theory of hers with me. You see, a few weeks ago, we had this nest of beautiful, blue speckled eggs in our yard. Until one day, we didn’t. The disheveled nest was vacant, the eggs vanished. She theorized that a lion had escaped a zoo, came to our house, and had eaten the eggs. And the villain in her story . . . he reminded me of someone we’d all be wise never to forget.

1 Peter 5:8 warns us to remain alert and sober-minded, for the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

In truth, his tactics are the same as they’ve always been, even as far back as Adam and Eve in the Garden. His plan has never swayed from

deception --> disobedience --> division.

God’s framework for mankind has also remained unchanged. But the liar distorts God’s words, and when we accept those lies for truth, we offer our wrists to be shackled. We make lives for ourselves deep within ill-conceived desire, and then these lives of sin cause spiritual division and ultimately, separation from God.

This is why it’s so crucial to remember. If we forget the weight of our chains, it’s all too easy to slip back into their familiar heaviness. We put ourselves directly in the path of the lion.

Fortunately for us, Christ’s offer of salvation is not a one-and-done deal.

There’s no such thing as a prodigal too long gone.

“'Return to Me, and I will return to you,' declares the Lord Almighty" (Malachi 3:7, Zechariah 1:3).

This offer of salvation is a gift of love, and because of this love, we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22).

It was and is a gift freely given. We are saved, not because God was bored. Not because of pity or obligation, but because of His great love for us (Ephesians 2:4-5).

A great love we could never earn (Ephesians 2:9).

We are saved because of love and, friends, we are saved for a purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are all God’s handiwork, created to do good works which God Himself prepared in advance for us to do.

The word “handiwork” is originally translated from the Greek word “poiema,” meaning masterpiece.

Brothers and sisters, in the eyes of the Father, we are masterpieces. Works of art. And the thing about artists is . . . they never abandon their canvases; they are continually refining them. Early on, they sign their name on them, claiming ownership. “This one is mine. It started with a vision, which I will see out to completion.” None are created by accident. Each one custom made with careful intention and a thoughtful plan.

Through this free gift of salvation, we have been reconciled to God, united with Christ. Unbounded and unchained, it is now our responsibility to carry out the work started in us. We are to remember the weight of our chains and to use our unearned-yet-freely-given freedom not in a self-serving manner, but in a kingdom-serving one (Galatians 5:13).

We can’t earn our salvation, but we certainly can express it.

In fact, we were created to.

“Freely you have received; freely give.”

-Matthew 10:8