“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11
A year ago this month Sue and I visited a thirteen-year-old girl in the teen psychiatric unit at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Regular Arrow Epistle readers know about some of the situation. Thank you for you prayers. Alex joined our family as our daughter right before Christmas 2001. She came from a local family with a set of ethics and standards different than the Russell family’s ethics and standards. When Alex entered our home and agreed to be our daughter she entered into a completely different environment based on a different world view, life philosophy and basic principles. Many of these issues are very subtle, ineffable and confusing.
A person that embraces the gift of new life in Jesus Christ enters into a new “family”. This new “family” is referred to as; “the body of Christ”, “the family of God”, “the Kingdom of God among us”. The new member comes to this new family with beliefs, morals, ethics, standard, world view, and habits formed under the authority of earthly limitation, control and physics. Purging out the old beliefs and habits while replacing them with confidence in the principles of the Kingdom of God is subtle, ineffable and confusing. It does not occur quickly by human standards.
Being transformed from one state of glory to another is a process occurring to every person that enters under the authority of Jesus Christ. Like Alex, who entered our family and immediately enjoyed all the freedoms and privileges our other children enjoy, the new Kingdom dweller enjoys the privileges and benefits of God’s love, forgiveness, life, acceptance, mercy and kindness (among other things).
This scripture refers to a principle in the Kingdom of God. This principle relates to the freedom of the believer. God accepts each one who humbly enters through the forgiving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He raises each one up to a new life just as the Christ is raised. He allows the believer freedom and then teaches each one through natural consequences how to properly apply the principles of His Kingdom and purge out behavior that leads to excess, bondage, death and disaster.
Chaplain Don Russell
Arrow Epistle—- The Spokane Outreach Center – http://www.spokaneoc.com – 1014 N. Pines Spokane, WA 99216
Volume V, Issue 179 11/01/02
COPYRIGHT ©1997-2002 The Spokane Outreach Center All rights reserved. Reproduction of the ARROW EPISTLE in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All use must credit the source. Commentary authored by Chaplain Don Russell
Appearing Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003