The Wall

When I choose to sin deliberately, to make choices that I know are wrong--a betrayal of His dying love for me, Satan begins to build a wall around me--to try to enclose me in an "inescapable prison." He can do that because he knows that my heart is already cold toward my Savior and His love. My wants have become more important to me than His call to faithful, courageous discipleship. And, of course, as I choose the path of deliberate disobedience, I will be given the applause and acceptance of the world around me--encouragement, even participation in my choice.
The wall, the "prison," is built of many things. One is the lie that there will be no consequences. And since the consequences are rarely immediate, I embrace the lie wholeheartedly. But it is a lie. The consequences are coming; they may even be--though unseen--at work right now in my life. Another "stone" is a deepening insensitivity to sin. I slide further and further away from Him--the Spirit is grieved and then quenched. His power in my life is silenced. But what a deadly silence. A third "stone" is often the choice of unbelief. Which after all is easier--to continue in my sin, bask in my acceptance by the world, or humble myself and repent of my willful life of sin? And what will my new "friends" think of me if I do that? But my disbelief does not make God disappear--or my responsibility for my choices. Often, the final "stone" is the lie that I have gone so far away from Him that repentance and His forgiveness are no longer accessible. There is no way out of "the prison," He lies to me.
If you know and love such a one, intercessory prayer is vital. Patient, loving, non-judgmental, humble prayers are essential. Love never fails. Love never quits. Love is patient. Love is gentle. And I must ask for the strength to allow God's love to do whatever it takes through whomever He chooses to bring the rebel back into His embrace--back to the foot of the cross. The work is the Spirit's work--not yours. Prayer is your work--your labor of love.
And if I know and love someone behind the wall, imprisoned by Satan's lies, I must live a life of faithful obedience. I must ask God by His grace to keep me faithful, keep me loving Him through daily discipleship--through obedience in the calling He has given me. My life must testify that it is worth it to follow Him--to lovingly obey Him.
And if I find myself in the "prison," there is only one "cure"--a humble confession of my sin, repentance for my sin, and a return to His love. Don't believe the lie that you are "too far away"--that the prison wall is unbreakable. You are one courageous step way--the step of humble repentance. He will obliterate the wall with the loving power of His complete forgiveness. There will be great joy on earth--and an even greater celebration in the throne room of the God of love.