Use the Tools

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 HCSB)

Anyone you forgive I also forgive. Was there anything to forgive? If so, I have forgiven it for your benefit, knowing that Christ is watching. We don't want Satan to outsmart us. We know how he does his evil work. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NIrV)

Whenever I work on construction projects, I usually pull out my "tool belt" so I have some basic tools available to me wherever I go - up on a ladder, roof, in a crawl space, etc.  The tools I carry around all the time are ones I find myself using all the time, so they go with me wherever I go.  My dad used to have a saying, "Any job is easy if you have the right tools!"  He was right.  That piece of truth applies to our walk with God as much as any other place in life.

One of my "standard tools" is the tape measure.  I have it with me so I can "call down" a measurement for something to the person on the ground.  The person on the ground also has a tape measure and can cut whatever I need (board, drywall, etc.) to the size I yell down.  Why?  Because we are using the same standard of measurement.  God's Word is the standard by which we "measure" our lives and even each individual thought.  When I measure my thoughts the way He does, we stay in sync and the truth "sets me free."

Another standard tool is my hammer.  It's the most versatile tool I have.  I can use it to nail two objects together, move something that is stubborn, or knock a hole in something.  The claw on the back is used just as often as the front.  It's especially usefully to separate two things that are stuck together that shouldn't be.  Forgiveness acts in much the same way.  The weight of evil is "stuck" to me as long as I hold on to it.  When I forgive, though, I separate it from me and let it go.  The weight of that evil goes where it belongs - Jesus takes care of it.  He judges.  He executes justice.  When appropriate, He forgives.  It's in his hands, so he carries the burden.  I am set free.

When we walk with God, we experience the fruit of His Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).  When we walk with God, we put to death the "deeds of the flesh" through the power of His Spirit.  When we walk with God...it is good.  

Use the tools He's given you.  It makes the job easy...and it sets you free.