When Paul met Jesus, he realized that his knowledge was insignificant and he confessed that all the knowledge he had was rather harming his soul. (Philippians 3:7~8)
We live our life being bound by many things such as knowledge, saving face, self-congratulation, and petty emotions. There are too many to count. These things are an obstacle to the life of faith.
When a man and a woman deeply love each other, nothing can be an obstacle between them. They would willingly pay anything to meet their lover. If nothing would bind them in their earthly love, then we must not be bound in anything in our spiritual love, so that we may receive eternal life, overcome sin, fight against evil spirits and protect our souls.
A good soldier obeys the orders of his superior regardless of his knowledge, wealth, social position and power. Even in the battle where shells are dropping, once he is given an order by the combat command, he moves forward at the risk of his life. Likewise, we also must not be bound by tiredness, suffering, poverty and everyday life in order to be a good soldier.
Do you believe that you will have a crown in heaven when you do work for the Lord? If you do not work for the Lord when you believe, you are bound by complacency. The Bible says, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.” But if you don’t do that, it’s because you are bound by shyness and indifference. A good soldier is not bound by anything in the world.
The Lord was not bound by anything when he saved his people. He was never bound by mockery, whips, insults, or the contempt of others that tried to prevent him fulfilling the will of God who decided to save his people, even while he was being flogged, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe.
We also must be able to cut off the enemy that binds us in our life of faith like a rotten rope. We must severely cut off the obstacles that are in our life of faith for the time of soul.
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #592호(September, 15, 2018)
