Tyranny Comes in Many Forms…Including Spiritual Ones


On a bookshelf in my office is this quote from Thomas Jefferson (although it’s been attributed to several people over the years).  It’s been there for quite a long time; so long in fact that I’d largely forgotten about it.  But today it captivated my attention.  After pondering it for a bit, I believe I now know why.  


Tyranny comes in many forms.  Political, psychological, physical, and yes, even spiritual.  What unifies all of its various incarnations is the use of force to compel behavior.  Jefferson was referencing political tyranny, but the spiritual flavor is what drew my attention to the sign today.  


The pull to ‘just shut up’ about grace and the Finished Work can be alluring; especially if you’ve got something to lose.  A ministry, a platform, friends, family.  It’s all fun and games reevaluating and releasing fresh bread from the heaven within until doing so could have a price tag.  If we’re being honest, we’ve all felt that risk-induced fear at one time or another.  But what Papa showed me was the risks of staying silent, of selfishly hiding the light of His unconditional love under a bushel.  To be ‘of good conscience’ just means to know better.  And when we see mankind struggling in darkness when 100% pure light is their portion, we do indeed ‘know better’.  We know this isn’t all their lives could be.  We know the truth that they are enough, perfected in and through Christ.  But still we sit silent.  


Many of us have come out of systems that were frequent dispensers of heavy, corrective words that instilled a chronic feeling of never quite measuring up, or there always being something more we need to do ‘for God’.  And I don’t wish to inflict that misery on anyone!  My point here is that Papa has entrusted us with a greater revelation of His reconciliation than has been known for generations.  And with that revelation comes the privilege to minister it to others.  Our silence changes nothing about how Papa feels about us.  But by omission it allows religion and all its torments to advance unfettered, wreaking havoc in people’s lives.  


So as people of good conscience, operating from a place of unconditional love and acceptance by Papa, let us use our mouths (and pens, publishing, social media, etc.) to proclaim liberty for those captive in their minds!  Let us shout accomplished reconciliation from the rooftops!  Let us shine so brightly outside our former bushels that others awaken to the truth that their light too has come! 

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