“Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.” – Charles Wesley, And Can It Be That I Should Gain

According to Retired U.S. Navy Captain Gerald Coffee, when the POW’s were processing out – one of the Vietnamese officials actually approached him and gave him the opportunity to stay and remain a POW.  He said, “You don’t have to accept repatriation (freedom), you can stay if you want.” (See remarkable video)

The struggle to do what is right before God.  The ability to abstain from sin.   I am thankful that over 25 years ago, God got a hold of my life – showed me my need for a Savior and began transforming my life.  That transformation has had its ups and downs and in retrospect has been quite a battle.

I am reminded of His grace daily.  I came across this video while preparing my sermon series on sanctification.  The idea of remaining in bondage after one has been freed seemed incomprehensible.  Yet, Capt Coffee stated it clearly, his former captors gave him an invitation to stay back with them.  There was just something chilling in that exchange.  Isn’t that the way sin operates – deception and cunning lies are clothed with a smile and invitation?

With my chains off, I have to ask myself am I seeking to honor God, love Him more and obey Him more?  It’s a good question and I believe that it begs a comprehensive look at our lives.  It’s way to easy to be depressed by focusing on a low time and equally too easy to become prideful by focusing on an up time. I guess it would be about fabric and not thread here.

My main concern is that I don’t live like a slave when actually I am free.