Captured

Did you know that we are held “captive” and it’s a GOOD THING?  Yep – stick with me here.  You and I are held captive, or “captured by Grace”.  I think that “captured by Grace” is an interesting concept, don’t you?  I mean, really, what DOES that mean?

Capture is defined as “to take captive, seize or to gain possession or control of.”  God, by grace, has taken us captive, taken possession of our hearts, our souls, our lives and indwells within us.  We belong to Him.  We are His property.  His chosen.  H.I.S.  Captured.

Grace, as an acronym, is God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense.  So “captured by Grace” is God’s work for us – His loving, total work for us through the sacrifice of His Son.  His beatings, His torture, His hanging on the cross, all of it, for me, for you.  Just thinking about that gives me the Holy Ghost bumps!

Babop and Grandma Niebur

This being “captured” makes me think about my heritage.  The faith of my fathers, my ancestors who passed on their faith, so to speak, who lived a life of loving Jesus Christ, helping me see that its possible, its WHO I am (captured) and what I am made of.  Generations of family captured by the Grace of God.  

Grandpa & Grandma Lutz

Psalm 103 says

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep His covenant  and remember to obey His precepts.  The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Timm Heyer family 2011

From everlasting to everlasting, generation to generation, the Lord has CAPTURED us – our families – our children – their children.  Doesn’t that sound wonderful?  I SO want this (and pray too) that my children and future generations know the Lord Jesus Christ and live a life full of faith. 

This is His will for us.  Don’t EVER let Satan tell you different!

Colossians 2 says

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.  Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.  For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.

So to “grow my roots into Him” and “let my life be built on Him” means:

§         knowing Him (learning/reading Scripture)

§         loving Him (no matter what)

§         following Him (knowing His ways and going in that direction)

§         worshiping Him (is that a priority? – it should be!)

§         Praying to Him (daily/hourly/continuous)

He’s “captured” us by HIS GRACE – our response is building our lives in Him, through Him and with Him. 

May our hearts see . . .  and be captured!