Although the Gospel of our Lord is the power of God to save us (Rom. 1:16), it also serves as His key to unlock our prison doors (John 8:31-32; Isaiah 61:1-2). When I was a youth, others used to think me “tough” or “brave.” I’d never walk away from a fight, but they didn’t understand that it wasn’t because of my bravery, but rather cowardice. I just couldn’t loose face. Being disrespected and not doing anything to regain that respect was more painful for me than getting bloodied. I was addicted to the need to prove myself and couldn’t live with myself without this. I was in a virtual prison, addicted to the drug of self respect.
However, the Gospel introduced me to an alternative, user-friendly form of self-acceptance, one that freed me from obsessional doubts about my own worthiness with His own “robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10; Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 3:5).
Last week, Anita and I were waiting for a bus on a cold New Jersey night. It failed to come, and so we waited there for the next bus, one hour later. When it came, I asked the driver, “What happened to the earlier bus? We’ve been waiting here an hour and 10 minutes?”
Disdainfully, he fired back, “I’m on time. If you got a problem, call the bus company.” Anita and I found a seat behind the driver, and I added, “If the company is going to treat its passengers this way, it’s going to loose them!”
The driver abruptly pulled the bus to a stop and informed us to get out if we are going to continue to complain. Not to be outdone, I responded, “I’m free to complain, and I’m not getting off!”
Things escalated, and the driver got out of his seat and began heading for me in a menacing manner. “Get out!” he demanded. Fortunately, the Gospel seized my tongue, and I raised my hand and responded, “It’s OK!” Some battles aren’t worth fighting.
Afterwards, I reflected that it truly had been OK! Although it wasn’t a pleasant encounter, I knew that I was no less of a person as a result of backing down. Christ is our righteousness. This means that we no longer need to become defensive about our honor. He is also our liberty and freedom from the many forms of psychological addiction. Free at last!
Daniel Mann
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