There is a phenomena on social media that I have seen so often I almost don't notice it anymore, as I usually scroll on by without paying it any attention. But in the last few weeks I have been inundated with today's modern equivalent to the religious chain letter. Basically the messages are some variation of "God wants to bless you, and if you pass this on to ten people in the next ten minutes He'll do something good for you." Some actually say that God will do us a favor if we'll show we're not ashamed of Him and post, and the worst include a negative consequence for breaking the chain.
Part of me feels like what's the big deal? Why even be concerned about this or address it? In a way it's encouraging, because the folks extending the chains have a desire to be blessed by God, and that's awesome! There's an understanding that God desires to bless us, and that's a good thing. But living an Unshackled Life is about breaking chains that keep us from relationship with the Father.
Wait, how is this preventing relationship? These chains play into the deception that the enemy wants us to believe, the untruth that in order to "get in good" with God we have to earn His acceptance and blessing. There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more than He already does. You can not earn His grace or favor. It's a gift. He is a friend, closer than a brother, who already did the biggest favor for all of us by dying for us. He doesn't want you to try to earn your way to Him, because He's already done it. He wants us to realize that we can come into His presence empty handed, like with a best friend.
We give Him all of us, and He gives us Him. Yeah, it's not close to a fair trade for Him. He's worth so much more than all of me comes close to, but that's what He wants. There's no ritual, no rite, no chain post, not going to church, not praying x amount every day that makes us OK, that qualifies us for favors from God, that earns us His attention. All He wants from us is us. He wants us to surrender our hearts, not just a part but the whole of it.
And when we surrender our self and will to Him, He brings us to Him, forgives us, blesses us with adoption, with relationship with the Creator of all, with purpose, peace and joy. We have all the grace needed to have relationship with and to walk with Him. So, surrender self to Him and give Him your will, and He will bless you! This is truth! God loves you as you are, not as you should be! You don't have to jump through hoops to make Him smile! All you have to do is want Him! How amazing is that?!
If you pass this on to ten people in the next ten minutes something good may or may not happen....you might help break someone else's chains and help them see that they are free to go to Jesus without performing tasks or accomplishing any feats of service. This isn't Greek mythology or a fantasy quest. There are no feats of strength or acts of loyalty that gain us an audience or show wer're worthy of being helped. It's life, and God's already done everything necessary for us to be blessed and have relationship with Him!
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