June 3, 2002, Roger Phillips, Prestatyn, UK

The Truth will set you free

Image Caption: Sunset over Snowdoncomma as viewed from Prestatyn Mountain

Sunset over Snowdoncomma as viewed from Prestatyn Mountain

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It is raining heavily- a not unusual occurrence. Pupils are pushing into school and many are soaked. The girls who use umbrellas store them in my room for convenience, but leave them rolled up wet. I walk round and open them up to dry. But sir, it’s bad luck to open an umbrella indoors, they cry, Rubbish I respond, There is no such thing as bad luck for a Christian. This scene was re-enacted many times during my 21 years in teaching, so deeply entrenched and well taught is superstition. Bad luck for a Christian? Admittedly I try not to walk under a ladder, but purely for reasons of health and safety; not superstition. Of course, there are many more. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue - a bit of wedding fun - or do you take it seriously? Does spilling the salt mean you have to throw a pinch over your shoulder? Do you ‘touch wood’ to maintain optimism and ward off disaster? And, For goodness sake watch that mirror - we don’t want seven years bad luck Is that how it is? All superstition is bondage, and an indicator that we still somehow have not perceived God as we should. Jesus said, If you hold to my truth you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31,32) Paul assures us that, In him (Jesus), and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12). For in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28) James warns us not to boast about tomorrow, for you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that (James4:13-15). Yes, God willing, should be a regular part of our vocabulary, knowing that whatever happens, whatever we plan, he has everything under control for our ultimate best. (Romans 8:28). Not only do we have the mind of Christ, (1.Cor.2:16), but Paul says to us, All things are yours...the world or life or death or the present or the future- all are yours, and you are of Christ and Christ is of God. (1.Corinthians 3:21,22) This is real freedom. Live in it!