An amazing story which many may already be familiar is that of training an elephant.
Now elephants being the huge land mammals they are can wreak havoc in the jungle, mowing down trees or anything in their way. These herd animals can be fierce in their protection and anyone threatening them will find their life in peril. Elephants are also trainable as many have observed at the zoo or in the circus. These huge, powerful animals can be contained, not in cages, but by a post and rope. How can this be?
The training begins when the elephant is a baby. He is removed from his herd, shackled and chained to a post in the ground (not unlike Dumbo!). He fights and struggles to be free. This struggle may go on for days, weeks, perhaps months until finally the elephant is resigned to his captivity. He no longer struggles against the shackle but yields to it. He is without his herd and without his freedom. Soon, only a rope tied to the post holds this enormous beast in place. Yet we know that all this elephant, now a grown adult, would have to do is tug a bit on the rope and it might break or pull until the post comes loose from the ground and then he would enjoy freedom. So, why doesn't he? Why doesn't this animal break free but remain tied in captivity?
Some observations of the elephants training for a life in captivity parallels that of a Christian.
(1) The elephant is removed from the protection it's herd. We Christians must be aware that we do not forsake the assembling of believers and become isolated...we NEED each other. We need to be in fellowship with one another for the glory of Jesus.
(2) The elephant is then shackled to a post that securely holds it in place. Once he is resigned to this, he then is 'content' to stay shackled. He lives as though he has forgotten his freedome. This is not unlike those without Christ (which included those of us before we belonged to Christ) who are shackled to a life style of sin being born in sin. Firmly and securely tethered in this life of sin not realizing there is anything else.
(3) The elephant's ability to obtain it's freedom is in it's power and strength, yet it remains tethered. It does not enjoy the freedom that is at hand because it believes that it is forever securely bound.
Once we were like that elephant, tethered and without hope. But unlike it, we had NO power within ourselves to deliver us from a life of sin and to deliver us from God's wrath against sin. Yet, we who belong to Christ have been freed from the life of sin. So why do often we remain tethered to a lifestyle of sin. Why do we remain entangled in sin when we have the power through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to live a life unto Him? Why do we allow ourselves to being captive? Jesus has opened our cell doors. We must take Him at His word and walk in freedom. Jesus has set us free and whoever Jesus sets free, he is free indeed. Jesus set us free for freedom sake.
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we have so great a could of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despisng the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. "
In Revelation, Jesus reminds the overcomers of the blessings to come. Who are the overcomers? We are-those in Christ Jesus. How do we have the power to overcome? It is in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ-the Messiah.
We are to remain in Him and obey Him. We obey Him by loving Him and loving others. When the enemy attempts to lie to us, twist God's Word and entangle us in sin...we must remember who we are in Christ. We are free! We are no longer captives. There may be struggles, especially if we allow sin to take root and entangle us. The weeding and the detangling may hurt and will be difficult. But it is worth it! Walk in freedom. Read about the Hope we have in Christ! Take courage that if there is a battle that rages, that it is because you are walking in the freedom Christ purchased for you and this ticks off your enemy and mine. His goal is to keep believers from fully recognizing all our relationship with Christ offers us.
The battle rages...but Christ is victorious and we are overcomers! Let us walk in freedom.
