CAPA Corner

 

How we see ourselves goes a long way toward how we present ourselves.

 

We see this principle vividly displayed throughout the letters of Paul. He sees himself as one who is entrapped. His description of himself as a prisoner of the Lord helps us gain insight into the depth of passion with which he follows.  A prisoner-especially of Paul's day-having no recourse or options, lived daily at the mercy his jailor.  Living his life with this self image allowed Paul to walk focused and directed day in and day out without interruption.

 

Now let's be clear, it's his passion that imprisoned him. Paul was throughly enthralled with the idea of walking in integrity and  complete obedience. His perspective drew him ever deeper into a relationship that fueled and fed further passion.  This is the walk that the apostle invites us into. He desires his readers to develop this same self image that would remove "self" from the equation.  This biblical principle of denial is taught often by this traveling preacher as he encourages his readers-then and now-to experience life in this way.  The difficulty of this type of surrender is not lost on most.  Very few feel the powerful pull of passion to become nothing-living at the mercy of the jailer.  Once again, how we see ourselves goes a long way toward how we present ourselves.  The only possible way to present oneself before a Holy God is by emptying and surrendering all freedom to the one who can claim our days for purpose and power and has the ability to truly set the prisoner free.