Monday, August 24, 2009

The Legal Jail Break

Gracie has been asking questions lately about the purpose for jail. I've explained to her why people go to jail and how each one stays for a certain period of time. And when someone is in jail, they are referred to as a 'prisoner'. This reminded me of Jesus' first sermon.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus said He would "preach deliverance to the captives". Jesus isn't talking about his jail ministry here. But there are alot of people who are prisoners who are not in the county jail. There are many people held captive who are not behind bars of steel but they are still behind real bars.

And only Jesus can bring deliverance from negative thoughts, gossip, a toxic relationship, insecurity, mental illness, financial issues and anything else we may feel we are being held captive by. And our release from prison has already been accomplished through a price that Jesus paid on our behalf. In other words, this is not an illegal jail break because your redemption from all of these things was legally purchased through the blood of Jesus. This means the prison doors that Satan uses to trap people have been blown open and the prisoner doesn't have to sneak out! He can walk out in the daylight because of this legal release to freedom. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says it best, "You were not redeemed with silver and gold..but with the precious blood of Christ."

Jesus said in John 8:32 "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." But the truth won't get you out of a spiritual stronghold if you don't know it.

I'll share more in depth on spiritual strongholds in my book.

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