Issue 1753 – Chained – June 18, 2025

I snapped this photo of a washed-up log, with an attached chain alongside the Fraser River. I don’t know why the chain was connected, but unless someone intervenes, the log and chain are destined to decompose together slowly.
Like that log and chain, we are bound together with the weight of our sin forever unless Jesus intervenes. The log cannot detach itself from the chain, and we cannot free ourselves from our sin debt.
As Christians, we understand that Jesus came to free us. It’s a merciful gift that none of us deserves.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:18-19
Yet we can default into positions that say something else.
Some live life trying to earn their salvation, even though it is a gift freely given. They become works motivated, trying hard to impress Jesus enough that He might somehow reach down and save them, despite it having already having happened.
In others, belief in their salvation can foster a sense of superiority over non-believers. They forget their own sinful roots and laud a sense of self-righteousness over others. They look down on the struggles of others, deluding themselves into thinking they are better and could never stumble.
A third group grows content in their salvation and does nothing. They don’t serve, worship, study, or pray. If they attend worship at all, it’s in the door at the last possible moment after service begins and out the door the moment it ends.
As followers of Christ, we are called to works as a fruit of that salvation. They are done out of joy and gratitude, not obligation.
We are called to love and serve others, not lord it over them. The old saying “there but for the grace of God go I” is true of all of us. Without Him, we would still be just as lost.
We are saved to a relationship with Christ and HIs people, not to isolate ourselves from them. When we forget that, the body is weakened.
We are freed of our chains and saved into a life of loving, grateful service of the Lord. Saved to be His ambassadors.
With His help, let us live lives worthy of the name Christian.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”