Bondage and Freedom
While living in Egypt, the Hebrew nation was in literal bondage. Technically, they were “free” (from slavery) the moment they left the Egyptian border through the Red Sea. However, in the land of freedom, they became miserable and complained for 40 years earning the title as the “Meribah (complaining) generation.” They rejected God, worshipped idols, and believed the lie that “life was better in bondage” just to name a few behaviors/mindsets (Exodus 32). Sadly, they were free people that reverted back to a life of bondage.
A very conservative estimate suggests 2 million Hebrews left Egypt in the exodus. The Bible confirms that only 2 made it into the land flowing with milk and honey (i.e., the LOMAH). The Lord prohibited the complainers and the rebellious ones from entering the promised land.
The world does not think highly of most Christians. Ironically, some of the most Christ-like people in my life are not even Christians! And I hate to admit it, but some of the angriest/bitter people I know are church leaders (of which I am in that group). A study conducted by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology observed atheists as more gracious than Christians (paraphrase mine):
When atheists were told of their partner’s religious beliefs, they “behaved impartially toward ingroup and outgroup partners,” the study’s authors wrote in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. However, “Christians consistently demonstrated an ingroup bias.”
If we (Christ-followers) are being honest, we will admit our tendency for moral superiority. Ironically, most of us who profess to know God still struggle daily with irrational thoughts, habitual sins, and secrets that bind us with guilt and shame; perhaps even more than the non-religious/non-Christian crowd. We still struggle like a modern-day generation of wanderers. In my 13 years of traveling the world and visiting local congregations, I felt as if some gatherings were the blind leading the blind - Preachers preaching “freedom” and proper exegesis without having love or being fully known in the community.
By mathematical comparison, if the Church is similar to the Hebrews in the wilderness, then only one in one million or 0.000001% of Christians today are experiencing a life of freedom; the abundant life in the LOMAH.
The Way Ahead
The Church has the benefit of reading the tragic history of the rebellious generation of Hebrews...and learning from it. I believe there is a future for Israel and the Church. But unlike the Hebrews who were cut off from the LOMAH, the abundant life is available today for all believers. Why? The answer is Jesus said so:
Christians do not have to live in bondage. Sin (all sin) is a choice and the believer has complete freedom to choose Christ instead of fleshly desires or comfort-based decisions. Freedom in Christ is available for all believers who abide in Jesus’ word (John 8:31-32). The abundant life is available for all of Jesus’ flock. Jesus promise to the “Jews who had believed him” (8:31) says it all:
36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
While living in Egypt, the Hebrew nation was in literal bondage. Technically, they were “free” (from slavery) the moment they left the Egyptian border through the Red Sea. However, in the land of freedom, they became miserable and complained for 40 years earning the title as the “Meribah (complaining) generation.” They rejected God, worshipped idols, and believed the lie that “life was better in bondage” just to name a few behaviors/mindsets (Exodus 32). Sadly, they were free people that reverted back to a life of bondage.
A very conservative estimate suggests 2 million Hebrews left Egypt in the exodus. The Bible confirms that only 2 made it into the land flowing with milk and honey (i.e., the LOMAH). The Lord prohibited the complainers and the rebellious ones from entering the promised land.
“Not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun” (Numbers 14:30 ESV).A Church Wake-up
The world does not think highly of most Christians. Ironically, some of the most Christ-like people in my life are not even Christians! And I hate to admit it, but some of the angriest/bitter people I know are church leaders (of which I am in that group). A study conducted by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology observed atheists as more gracious than Christians (paraphrase mine):
When atheists were told of their partner’s religious beliefs, they “behaved impartially toward ingroup and outgroup partners,” the study’s authors wrote in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. However, “Christians consistently demonstrated an ingroup bias.”
If we (Christ-followers) are being honest, we will admit our tendency for moral superiority. Ironically, most of us who profess to know God still struggle daily with irrational thoughts, habitual sins, and secrets that bind us with guilt and shame; perhaps even more than the non-religious/non-Christian crowd. We still struggle like a modern-day generation of wanderers. In my 13 years of traveling the world and visiting local congregations, I felt as if some gatherings were the blind leading the blind - Preachers preaching “freedom” and proper exegesis without having love or being fully known in the community.
By mathematical comparison, if the Church is similar to the Hebrews in the wilderness, then only one in one million or 0.000001% of Christians today are experiencing a life of freedom; the abundant life in the LOMAH.
The Way Ahead
The Church has the benefit of reading the tragic history of the rebellious generation of Hebrews...and learning from it. I believe there is a future for Israel and the Church. But unlike the Hebrews who were cut off from the LOMAH, the abundant life is available today for all believers. Why? The answer is Jesus said so:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).Jesus’ target audience is a bunch of hostile religious fanatics; “the Jews” or religious leaders who denied his deity and questioned his miracles (John 9:18). Like the Hebrews in the wilderness, these people loved theology while lacking love for people. They believed they were free, but bound up in spiritual shackles. In the previous chapters, Jesus actually offered a hostile crowd of believers (i.e., “saved” people) freedom.
29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30As he was saying these things, many believed in him. 31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:29-32 ESV).Conclusion
Christians do not have to live in bondage. Sin (all sin) is a choice and the believer has complete freedom to choose Christ instead of fleshly desires or comfort-based decisions. Freedom in Christ is available for all believers who abide in Jesus’ word (John 8:31-32). The abundant life is available for all of Jesus’ flock. Jesus promise to the “Jews who had believed him” (8:31) says it all:
36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
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