Freedom belongs, captivity excludes

Dear friend

I think there are two innate characteristics of being human that are very strongly embedded. One of these is our sense of freedom to think, say and act according to our desires and beliefs. The other is our sense of collective identity with family, faith and friends of a like mind, to the extent that we want to freely associate with them.

In the scriptures we can read how the ancient Israelites lost both their freedom and their collective identity (at least geographically) as a result of their wicked ways and rebellious resistance. They were taken into captivity and scattered, as had been foretold would be a consequence of apostasy. However, because of promises made with the Patriarchs, the Lord covenanted to comfort and once again convene His people; saving them from the dissociation and the suffering subjected due to sin. Perhaps most meaningful to modern mankind are the lessons to be learned from their consequential captivity.

One summary of the prophetic promises comes from the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 30:1-4.

1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,
2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.
4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

If we think of their "return" in terms of turning away from sin and aligning themselves with the Almighty, then freedom and belonging are restored together. Despite the world's protestations, choosing sin is restrictive. Consequences are confining and contrary to future free choice. Obedience is the real choice towards liberty and autonomy; to inherit total freedom in God's Kingdom, where we belong.

If we have undergone our own version of apostasy, great or small, we too can rely on the promises of a loving Lord. No matter the seriousness of the sins or our perceived distance from salvation, God will "fetch" us. He will rescue and restore. I hope we can overcome our personal captivity, whatever it is, and move towards that joyous free association with God, only available through His Grace and Spirit. I pray we choose the path to infinite capacity over the course of constricting captivity. The promise is true, I firmly believe it.

Samuel.