The man in Luke eight is possessed and tormented by a legion of demons. He is isolated from his community. His dwelling place is a cemetery, a very unlikely place for a living soul. Only Jesus can set him free from his current predicament. Like the demoniac, many of us live under various kinds of bondage, ranging from bitterness, to addictions and other sinful pleasures. While some of these may be habitual behaviors that are part of this fallen world, the enemy finds through them, an invitation to torment even Christians.
Since our daily growth is incumbent on the fellowship we have with Christ and with one another, we should realize that our story in Christ is the backbone of our ministry. This reality dawns on us the moment we enter into a loving relationship with Christ. Through it, we are forgiven and made new again. This is why the delivered man wants to remain with Jesus. However, Jesus, instead of saying, "follow me," he asks him to return to his home to tell his story. The new believer already has a ministry, with just one tool on his disposal, his story!
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
2 Corinthians 3:17 |
