Bound ~ GregJ

-The Clash -
Should I Stay or
Should I Go?

Recently I planned a long road trip. But before I say more about that, I'll look at goals and signals that guided a long-ago traveler I respect and who influenced my current journeys. You can easily decode my highlighting system in the following quotes from Jesus and from the book of Acts. Buckle your seat belts, and let's go!

Matthew 28 (NASB): Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Acts of the Apostles record Jesus' students going and making disciples as Jesus commanded. Sort of. They were inclined to stay near Jerusalem, but eventually persecution pushed them beyond Jerusalem's walls—and then only a little further, into Judea.  When the Spirit of God compelled a reluctant Peter to get up and go to "all nations", these non-Jews were conveniently in Judea. 

Acts 10: Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ... While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” ... On the following day he entered Caesarea.

It took another push from the Holy Spirit to compel the church to send Saul beyond Judea, outward to "all nations".

Acts 13: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Saul  was later given the handle, "Paul". He was a real rambler. True, Paul's journeys hit stop lights and green lights and detours, not to mention the usual shipwrecks and stonings. At each junction, well-meaning backseat drivers issued cautions: stay here, go there. Advice is nice, but Paul took guidance from his GPS: God's Powerful Spirit. The Acts of the Apostles is the full title of this history. However, inspection shows these acts were first the Acts of the Holy Spirit. When the apostles picked their next destination on this tour, the Holy Spirit often said, "No, not there."

Acts 16: And they went through,... having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them, so passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Later in Acts 16, we find Paul and Silas stopped in Philippi. Jail does put the brakes on a trip. Then an earthquake frees them. Isn't a chain-busting earthquake a sign to go? But what do they do? They stay. They stay parked in the dark. They no go! Staying in jail results in the jailer and his family becoming disciples of Jesus. In the morning light, Paul and Silas get an honorable release.

In Acts 17, 18, and 19, Paul and his friends productively cruise all over. In Acts 20, Paul hints that the Spirit is leading him back to Jerusalem. We find that he has a vow to fulfill. Jerusalem will probably result in chains and afflictions. But Paul sees the Jerusalem waypoint with its likely chains and afflictions as on track with God's plan. 

Acts 20: “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.”

Acts 21: We kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.

As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And he came to us and took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’” When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem

Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we became quiet, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!” After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem.

Agabus and the Tyres (a good name for a rock band) agree with Paul: that the Holy Spirit says going to Jerusalem will result in chains and captivity and maybe death. The conflict comes in interpreting how to respond to that. Instead of looking at those likely results, Paul looks back in time, and looks forward beyond chains: to Jesus' previous calling and to God's commission, "to finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.”

Look at Paul's subsequent letters. They each cite—perhaps several times and at length—God's historic assignment to Paul. For example, Paul writes:

Ephesians 3: “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all people .... This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to become discouraged about my tribulations in your behalf, since they are your glory.”

Chains that bind you need not be made of iron. Let's return to Acts 20:22-23. Paul says:

“And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.”

Paul agrees, that in his future he will be bound by chains. But now he is bound by the Holy Spirit and by God's assignment to him.  Are chains a problem, a stop sign? In Peter's Jerusalem prison, in that Philippian jail, God has already proven to break chains. Chains can be an obstacle or an opportunity.

What binds you? What binds me?

There are of course relentless responsibilities of life: gravity, brushing your teeth, paying taxes, obeying traffic rules. You and I didn't choose these, but physics, biology, government, and society impose them on us. 

Some bindings you and I have accepted willingly: marriage, family, religion, contracts, non-disclosure agreements, subscriptions, pet ownership, .... Well, maybe you had the illusion of choice--or the illusion that God predestines. See Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will. 

However the relationship arose, imposed or voluntary, you probably sense responsibility.  You might be happy with your commitment, you might regret it.  But the question remains: who pulls your strings?

You can guess my age by the above YouTube selections, if not by the Bible version. A problem I've recognized among people my age is fierce independence: Those people say: I've had health problems, but those were fixed. I won't need help from others!  I've got no strings to hold me down! Nothing's gonna stop us now. That's what they say in Fantasyland. Independence is what we want. However, signs are of more and more chains involving physicians and medicines and dwindling wealth and mobility.

The New Testament contains around a thousand imperatives for those committed to Christ. These include, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and might." And: "Love your neighbor as yourself." There is,"Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness."

Driving directions are found also in commended actions, such as Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the son of the Living God." and the humility of the man who prayed, "Lord, have mercy on me a sinner." The right way can be in admirable attitudes: "Blessed are the meek..."

That's not all. Virtues are exhibited in parables: The good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the man who built his house upon rock.  There are fruits of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit. And that's just the New Testament.

The New Testament mentions a few imperatives that may be culturally conditioned: “Greet each other with a holy kiss.” That's cause to study and wisely prioritize.  A Jewish writer considered these thousand-plus New Testament commands, and remarked: “I find it intriguing that someone has attempted to formulate a Halakhah for Christians.” Biblical bulk is why in recent postings I've urged distilling out a few portable personal principles: a thoughtfully-chosen, tested Swiss Army Knife of life.

Do I go to Jerusalem or turn elsewhere? Chains given by his enemies did not persuade Paul. Nor did tears and fears of his friends. Paul listened; but what decided the matter was in the domain of personal principle: his commitment to his commission, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and his trust in the One who conquered death and came to set captives free.

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Romans 8: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I hope you enjoy most commitments you have made! I accept gladly—ok, mostly gladly— commitments I've made. I aim to be a promise keeper and honor those bindings, those vows: My commitment to Christ first of all; my resolution to do kindness and get discernment; non-disclosure agreements, apartment leases, other contracts and promises; and, despite release by my partner, my multi-strand marriage binding. I recently gained the unsought opportunity to renew some of those strands. This has risks and costs emotionally and financially, and to the sands in my hourglass. Yet, happily, I thank God and pray for wisdom and resources. 

I go bound. 

Goodbye, Virginia. Hello, California.  Regarding essentials, I possess no less and no more than ever.  Parts of where I've been have stayed with me and will persist.

I believe this is my 95th entry on the Surge Blog.  Hey, Martin Luther! I hope to add a few more entries. We will see.

The following dramatic goodbye song from 1995 speaks for me. Andrea Bocelli, the blind tenor here, was the first to perform this. There's a sad English translation that makes it sound like two people are separating forever. In the original Italian, clearly, repeatedly, there are two people going away together to a new place. An adequate translation follows below.

Con Te Partirò (I Will Leave With You) 
Francesco Sartori (music) and Lucio Quarantotto (lyrics)

When I'm alone and I dream of the horizon and words fail.
Yes, I know there's no light in a room when the sun is missing.
If you're not there with me, with me, up at the windows. 
Show everyone my heart that you lit.
Hold inside me the light that you met on the street.
I'll leave with you.

Countries I've never seen and lived with you
Now, yes, I'll live them. I'll leave with you
on ships across seas
that, I know: No, no, they no longer exist.
I'll live them with you.

When you're far away I dream on the horizon and words fail.
And I know that you're with me, with me.
You, my moon, you're here with me.
My sun, you're here with me
With me, with me, with me I'll leave with you!

Countries I've never, never seen and lived with you,
Now I'll live them. I'll leave with you.
On ships across seas that, I know: No, no, they no longer exist
With you I'll relive them, I'll leave with you.
On ships across seas that, I know: No, no, they no longer exist.
With you I'll relive them, I'll leave with you.
I'll leave with you, I with you.