THE RULES OF DISENGAGEMENT

THE RULES OF DISENGAGEMENT

READ:

Genesis 50:15-21

John 8:31-36

If the Son makes you free,

You shall be free indeed.

-John 8:36

In her book Throw Out Fifty Things, Gail Blanke outlines four “Rules of Disengagement” to help people clear the clutter from their lives.  The first rule states:  “If it…weighs you down, clogs you up, or just plain makes you feel bad about yourself, throw it out, give it away, sell it, let it go, move on.”

I think this Rule of Disengagement has a spiritual application too:  We don’t have to stay connected to past sin.  Joseph’s brothers struggled with this.  Years after they sold Joseph into slavery, they recalled their cruelty and feared revenge (Genesis 50:15).  So they sent a message to Joseph, begging for forgiveness (vv.16-17).  They did this despite previous merciful actions and reassurances from their brother (45:4-15).

Many of us remain connected to age-old offenses despite mercy and forgiveness from those we may have hurt.  However, true freedom comes when we confess our wrongdoing to God.  He forgives it (1 John 1:9) and separates us from it (Psalm 103:12).  As one verse puts it, He throws our sin into the depths of the sea!  (Micah 7:19).  Because of this, we can remind ourselves that the Son has made us free, and we are free indeed (John 8:36).  Jennifer Benson Schuldt

‘Twas a glad day when Jesus found me,

When His strong arms were thrown around me;

When my sins He buried in the deepest sea,

And my soul He filled with joy and victory. – Reitz

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The price of our freedom from sin

Was paid by Jesus’ blood.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace