Do I Believe? Final Entry: Conclusion

Hello to All:

Where to start? How to bring this testimony to a comprehensible conclusion? What to say in a conclusion, that is intended to glorify God and to edify the brethren?

It is, of course, the truth that must be written; but, it is often the case, that the truth is a hard thing to accept, to embrace and to apply to our lives. The truth, wants to shake us free from our comfort zones. The truth, is not interested in the status quo, that we have chosen for our lives. Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ has to say about the truth: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32). Our discipleship, in Jesus Christ, is confirmed by the revealed truth of His Word, as it is applied to our lives in a way that sets us free. Our freedom, in Jesus Christ, is a confirmation of our understanding, acceptance and application of the truth, that makes us free, to be His disciples. Hear some more of what Jesus has to say: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36).

Since discipleship, to Jesus Christ, brings freedom; it must then be concluded that whatever would put us in bondage, cannot be of Jesus Christ. The Galatian church embraced bondage. Hear what the apostle Paul had to say to them: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:1-3). Instead of "obeying the truth," the Galatians had chosen "the works of the law." They willingly gave up their freedom in Jesus Christ; and willingly chose bondage. They were more comfortable with the status quo of their own choosing. Their comfort zone demanded bondage to a legal system, that defined who they were. That legal system, demanded circumcision, for membership in the local church. "O foolish Galatians!"

This was my condition, from the time of my return from Haiti to the end of May 2011. O foolish Theophilus! In Haiti, I was free in Jesus Christ. I returned to America and embraced the bondage of unbelief, without comprehending what I was doing; but, this one thing was certain: I was no longer comfortable with where I was and with who I was. For almost 25 years, I had labored, in the midst of the institutional church. I had persevered, in a tenuous relationship, with a legal system, that almost everyone was inclined to call church; but, now, I was growing weary; and I did not know the reason for that weariness. There were some things clear to me, but they were not the root of the problem; and I knew that I was no longer the person, that I once was. Haiti had changed me; and that changed man was trying to burst forth; but, the bondage was holding me back!

None of this, was a surprise, to our Lord Jesus Christ. He saw my condition and He heard my cries. Jesus responded to my needs and He set me free, to take an extended leave of absence, from the institutional church. Towards the end of May 2011, with the approval of and under the direction of Jesus Christ, I made my quiet departure, from the institutional church. This great adventure, continues, even as I write this posting. Shortly after my departure, I returned to writing. Shortly after returning to the writing, I was blessed with that epiphany moment with my friend Ron; a moment when we both believed!

The man I was, in Haiti, with the empowering help and presence of Jesus Christ, is bursting forth. Progress is being made! A regular portion, of my prayer life, is spent asking Jesus to cause me to believe; and, as previously stated (in another posting), Jesus and I are now traveling, together, on this journey; this great adventure. Amongst the many things, that are happening, are two, that are most important. My Lord Jesus Christ, is teaching me about his great gift of faith; and He is training me to believe. Thank you Jesus.

Well, my beloved, we have finally come to the end of this portion of my testimony. It has been a longer journey, then I had anticipated; but, the ways of Jesus Christ are always filled with surprises. As to that question: Do I Believe? You, my beloved, are in a better position to answer then I am; but, I can say this one thing: I believe that I am beginning to believe!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus